LEVELS

As soon as he entered into the house, he knew something was wrong. The living room was quiet with the television turned off.

Jenny was not in the living room. Instead, his mother sat there all by herself. Her hands were placed on her laps and she wore an unpredictable expression.

He had slowly pondered upon his mother's erratic behavior. He mulled over the cause of the sudden stomach ache while he was reversing the car to the entrance of the house. He repeatedly asked himself if truly his mothers was sick. Deliberately, he walked into the living room slowly, ready to face an outburst from his mother.

Michael looked at her and concluded that she was indeed well. This is because Deji would have been the first point of call for help as her room was also not far from his.

Realizing that his mother had indeed pranked him made him a little bit upset.

"Where is Jenny?" He asked politely even though he was furious.

"She's upstairs. She is probably locking her door right now and going to bed" Mrs Bose replied, glaring at her son.

"Mummy I thought you said your stomach was hurting? Why would you lie about something that serious? Why would You raise such false alarm?" he grumbled, raising his voice.

"Oh I had to and you had better reduce that your tempo if you don't want me to spark this night. It was very necessary. I had to come downstairs to rescue the one valuable person, I have seen around you in a long while. You want to do the same thing you did to Ife again right? A girl that I arranged with all good intentions"

"Here we go again. Not your Ife story of five years ago. Please Mum, your constantly bringing up of past stories is stale and tactless. Let's bury that issue please" Michael said, rolling his eyes as he sat down opposite his mother.

"Of course. It will be tactless to you. Why won't I bring it up Michael?. I brought that girl so that she could start something meaningful with you, after one year of mourning. But, what did you do?" she asked rhetorically.

"Start something meaningful ke, with that one?" he asked as though the person was irritating to him.

"Michael I saw that you were in need of a woman and this girl was your kind of brand. I saw that she fitted every criteria that you preferred. What did you do? Instead of building a relationship my son, in two days of meeting her....ha!!!!" she lamented.

Michael mocked her by moving his lips. It was obvious he had heard this story too many times.

"You sucked everything you could out of her body. You slept with her repeatedly like a machine. All you cared about was satisfying that lustful appetite of yours. " she denounced.

"Is that what she said?"

Michael asked looking at the television that was turned off.

"You are so shameless" Mrs Bose exclaimed.

"For christ sake, the girl gave herself too much credit. What did she have that I was sucking? The idiot was even unskilled. Besides, she was not what I really wanted" Michael admitted.

"Oh Michael, can you hear yourself talk? You are a father. What if tomorrow, a young man out there is interested in your Stephanie. After making love to her repeatedly does not find her fit for his qualification. What would you do to him?

"Oh Mummy please don't go there" Michael argued.

"I will go there and you better let me finish son. How do you think these young ladies you fool around with, feels? These ladies you sleep with are People sisters and daughters."

"Mummy I don't know which young ladies you're talking about oh. Yes I admit, I got carried away just now with Jenny but I wasn't going to do anything disrespectful or anything she didn't want me to do"

He said the later part quietly.

"Michael just listen to yourself talk. You are making me ashamed. You want to deceive Jenny into premarital sex right? What is wrong with going to pay her bride price? What is wrong in marrying her quickly so you can enjoy the tightness of her legs twenty four seven and have a peace of mind while at it. Or is it Sarah that exposes her self in swimming suits by the swimming pool that you are interested in?" Mrs Bose asked intensifying her gaze.

"Which Sarah?" Michael laughed sarcastically.

"For your information, I was informed because I keep my ears to the ground in this big mansion that Sarah probably slept with one of your military escorts on the third day that she was hired in this compound, while you were still at the hospital"

Michael could not believe his ears. He knew that girl was cheap but he didn't know she was this cheap. He was suddenly grateful that he had not been totally forthcoming with his intentions. He hated sharing his woman especially with his staff.

"Mummy relax, I am not a fool. I wasn't going to sleep with her" he said looking away. "Besides, the girls I play with are hungry girls with skills and I don't deeply like them."

"Can't you save yourself? As in keep yourself for the woman you want to be with. Chastity is not a feminine trait son. It's a choice" Mrs Bose pointed out.

"It's not a choice I want to willingly make"

Michael stood up and left his mother with the intention of heading upstairs to Jenny's room, but he decided against it. Truly, it was his mother that definitely saved him this night even though he does not want to admit it. He had totally forgot everything.

He forgot his vow to God and was about dropping the entirety of his reasoning all because of his pleasure seeking desires. When he walked past her room door, he reasoned within himself that she need an apology from him. He figured he would send it as a text message.

On the other side, Sarah was grumpy. She definitely saw the hungry look on Michael's face. She was experienced to know what it was. It was evident that he wanted to have her but Jenny ruined it with her jealousy. Feeling so horny, she texted Yusuf. The one guy she had slept with in the mansion. He snuck inside her room that night for her satisfaction.

"I am so sorry that I put us in an embarrassing situation. You deserve better Jenny and I mean that. I was carried away and I was reckless. Please forgive me" Michael sent the message to Jenny and laid back on his bed.

"I should be sorry too. I came looking for you at the pool. I love how you make me feel but I don't want to dishonour my faith" Jenny also replied via a tex.

"Marry me then. Let me make you mine forever and I will never stop making you feel that way" He sent back and he meant every word.

"Let's not be in a hurry. I want you to be sure that I am who you want to be with. Besides, I want to resume cooking. I love it and I miss it. Good night sir" Jenny replied and he felt confused. He kept meditating on it until he slept off.

The next day, Sarah woke up late. When she arrived at work, to her surprise a breakfast table was waiting. The table was filled with several platters, pots, cups and trays.

The menu included Lobster scrambled eggs, eggs benedict and waffles, cornflakes and pops cereals, grilled shredded chicken wrap and avocado sandwiches, oats with cream and meat pies. There were sweeteners, cream, milk and sugars accompanied with pots of teas and coffee.

They surrounded the table like a feast was about to occur. Sarah was amazed at the complicated menus. As she entered the kitchen, she met Jenny all dressed up smartly with an apron and a hair cover. She looked like a professional chef. Bisola the cleaner was in one corner of the kitchen eating heartily with a platter filled with goodies in front of her.

"I didn't know that you have resumed cooking" Sarah said.

" Good morning Sarah. I decided I have rested enough. I want the family to have something regular for breakfast." Jenny replied politely but one could tell Sarah was not her friend.

Deji was the first person to come down the stairs. He was ready to rush off to work, probably avoiding salty eggs when he saw the outlined breakfast.

"This is huge! oh my God" he screamed. Jenny came out as soon as she heard his voice. When he saw Jenny, he hugged and kissed her cheeks. Sarah watched him with jealousy. He acted as though he was in awe of her. He dropped his briefcase and sat down for breakfast.

"This is what we called breakfast menus. So many things to choose from" Deji pointed out.

"Should I pack up lunch for you to take to the office. You might be hungry later?"Jenny asked.

"Do you know I love you so much? please pack anything you want for me and I will certainly eat it in the office" Deji replied.

Jenny went into the kitchen and Sarah observed her etiquette and cooking skills. She arranged a pack of meat pies, fried chicken and fruit salad in a little pack for Deji.

The next to come down was Michael. He was also prepared for work. Elegantly dressed, he strolled to the dining room area. He was so surprised to see the table. He would have moved away but it was really hard to skip breakfast this good looking, because the table was indeed filled so much food menus.

"Tell me this is a joke" he said to Deji who was eating excitedly. "This is beautiful and I can attest that this is definitely Jenny's handwork. I could tell from all these things outlined here" he added.

" She's in the kitchen, if you need confirmation" Deji said. At the mention of her name, Jenny emerged from the kitchen with a tray of fruit salad.

"Good morning sir" Jenny greeted him, smiling. His eyes went to her neck and he saw that she covered it with a blue scarf. She looked like a professional chef in a hotel. All dressed up in a black pant trouser, a black short sleeve shirt and a blue scarf around her neck. She wore her comfortable shoes but she stood out in beauty and composure.

"Good morning sir?"he asked

"Good morning Michael"she corrected.

"I was thinking good morning baby or good morning hot stuff" Michael teased and Deji busted into laughter.

"Please free the woman joor. Thank you for this. It's been a while I saw breakfast like this " Deji saluted.

"Thank you my darling " Michael added. She nodded her response to them.

Mrs Bose came down as well, equally looking surprised.

"I thought you should be resting" She said to Jenny who was pouring a cup of coffee for Michael.

"She sent me a tex last night that she has had enough bed rest so I'd let her get back to cooking if it makes her happy" Michael narrated.

"Well Michael, you did well. " Mrs Bose said.

"I lack words to describe this. Jenny, this is so beautiful. Sarah? Where is she?" Sarah emerged from the kitchen.

"Good morning ma"

"Sarah please take note. This is how you outline breakfast for families like ours" Mrs Bose said as the men of the table nodded their heads in agreement.

"Yes ma'am I am taking notes. I really do not know much of this." Sarah inputted and Deji almost felt sorry for her.

"It's okay. As long as you learn, anything is possible" Mrs Bose concluded and Sarah went back into the kitchen.

"Well, let me begin with my favourite fruit salad. I have missed Jenny's fruit salad for so long". She declared.

"Mummy"

Jenny heard Stephanie call for her and walked towards the stairs. Stephanie was shocked to see her out of bed.

"Hey sweetie,how are you?"Jenny asked.

"I'm fine Mummy. Good morning, "My baby good morning" Jenny responded as she gave Stephanie a big hug.

Michael watched them and smiled. This was one of the things he loved about her. She genuinely cared for Stephanie as though she was hers.

Stephanie was child he was so Lucky to have and her realize that he should give her another sibling.

Bisola came out of the kitchen and greeted everyone.

"I should be going to resume work" She whispered to Jenny but Jenny held her back.

"Please stay of the kitchen. I will clean it myself. All you have to do is come in and eat. Please don't forget to come downstairs for lunch. It's ewedu and amala. I have it prepared the way you like" Bisola smiled at Jenny and you could tell she became emotional.

"No wonder I have been perceiving buka stew. Please what time is lunch?" Deji asked and everyone on the dinning table started laughing.

"Jokes apart I almost said the same thing. Jenny wants me to cancel my flight to England" Mrs Bose chipped in.

After breakfast, Jenny and Stephanie left the house. She informed Mrs Bose that they were going for the monthly shopping. She also intended to buy ingredients for baking as Stephanie is due to resume school. Sarah was unaware of their outing as she began to look for them. She was only informed by Mrs Bose who woke up to carry her lunch pack.

Jenny prepared the lunch in a unique manner. Sarah had never seen such organisational skill before. The already set lunch was arranged in beautiful coloured food flask and kit bags on the kitchen table. She's was so Jealous. Jenny packaged the lunch with appropriate name-tags on each meal in the new bags.

She looked for the bag that had Michael's name tag and took extra salt and poured it into the soup while smiling.

She did not expect Jenny to return back until 4pm and by then, she was so sure Mr Michael would be back for his lunch.

Jenny on the other hand made Stephanie so excited as they visited several stores in the course of their shopping spree. She did not inform Sarah about the monthly shopping because she did not want her to come along with them.

She knew she was not a bad person but she also knew that sarah wanted to sleep with Michael the previous night. It offended her but she decided to let it slide because of the messages she traded with Michael last night.

When she finished shopping, she told the driver to hurry home before the dusk.

She actually arrived before Michael, Deji and Nina who came together. Jenny quickly entered the kitchen and Sarah insisted on serving the foods. Unfortunately, Jenny declined. She requested that Sarah makes Smoothie as dessert for the family.

Jenny served Deji and Nina first from the bag tagged Bisola and Stephanie and Sarah was shocked. She wondered why the name switch. Jenny also tasted each soup first before microwaving it. When Deji and Nina began eating, Stephanie who had initially declined on eating the swallow, changed her mind.

"Bros Michael you're missing" Deji said as he began eating with Nina who praised the meal. Bringing out a pot from the freezer, Jenny served a fresh plate of ewedu, Gbegiri and stew, microwaving them for Michael and Stephanie.

When Michael began eating, he winked at Jenny. The soup was delicious and she filled it with big chunks of meat. Inside the kitchen, Jenny finally opened the food flask tagged Deji and Michael. She poured out the first portion and called Bisola to come and eat. She poured the second portion for Sarah.

By this time, Sarah could visibly see that Jenny was angry. "How did she know about it even when she had not tasted the food?" She asked herself. This was going to backfire really bad Sarah thought. She accepted the food and smiled. Bisola began eating almost immediately while Jenny joined in the making of the smoothie.

"You can go and eat. I will take over." Jenny told Sarah. Without complain, Sarah sat in the kitchen table, contemplating how to take the over salted food.

"What is it? Don't you like it. Let me taste it, is something wrong with it?" Jenny asked as she watched Sarah's hesitation.

"How could you?" Jenny asked staring deep into her eyes.

"I am so sorry Jenny. I can explain" Sarah stutter.

Jenny picks up the plate of soup and pours it in the trash. Sarah was too ashamed to lift up her head as Bisola rolled her eyes consistently at her. After the meal, Stephanie was the first to come into the kitchen to wash her hands and show appreciation to the chef. Jenny gave her a tray of fresh pineapple and watermelon juice to give to everyone. Next was Deji and Nina. As usual, Nina asked for a takeaway pack and Jenny already had it in hand. She hugged Jenny and paid her a compliment.

"If Mr Michael does not hurry up to marry you, i will take you to meet my brother. I want you near me or at least in my family" Nina said.

"Like seriously!" Michael exclaimed at the entrance of the kitchen and everyone laughed. "So you want to give my wife to your brother? Its like you want him assassinated " Everyone laughed again as they began to leave the kitchen.

Michael walked to the sink to wash his hands. He looked at Jenny blending the smoothie and smiled. Sarah watched their interaction from where she sat and she looked very sad.

Bisola stood up from the kitchen to clear the plates from the dining table. She met Stephanie already doing it and together they moved the plates to the kitchen.

Sarah couldn't eat the new plate of soup, Jenny has dished for her so Jenny suggested she takes it home. As she packed it up, she received a call from Regina.

Excusing herself from the kitchen, she answered the call outside the house.

"Good evening ma"

"Good evening Sarah. I just want to say that as soon as month ends, your contract with the Oladokun's is terminated and your contract with my agency is over."

"Calm down ma, what happened?"

"Ask yourself that question you idiot. How can you be such an evil person and I didn't see it on time? First you lie to embarrass me and now you want to put love portion in Mr Michael's food? Is he your own?"

"I...… dont… its not"

"Look at the way you are stammering. I regretted coming over that day to disgrace myself. Just get ready to quit" Regina hung up the phone.

Sarah was confused. She knew Jenny was informed but she did not know who was spying on her or who reported her to Regina. She had been with Jenny since she returned from the market and the girl has not made any phone call. Who could be this enemy?

She slowly walked back into the house and saw the family watching a musical show except for Jenny and Michael.

As she noiselessly walks into the kitchen, she finds Michael and Jenny in an intense kiss with such passion that she almost begged for a threesome!

She was surprised Jenny did not quarrel or ask any questions about what transpired.