Chapter 80

Mike's mood lightened a bit, all thanks to Pat who stayed back. He had not felt the way he did for so long, he never thought Brains would react the way he did. He had thought over what happened and he couldn't see why he shod be blamed for it. He could recall telling them about the Olivia and even mentioned her name. Were they expecting him to showcase her everywhere when they knew that he had a wife at home and she was in town. Moreover he never would have thought that Olivia was one and same person with the one Brains met in Paris. Philip and Brains wouldn't have thought so too, unless they decided to lie to themselves. Even when he visited Paris and met Mira, although he was confused initially, but knowing that Olivia was in Africa when he left, he knew there was that semblance between Mira and Olivia, but how would he have known that Brains was mistaking Mira to Olivia. These and many more were questions that occupied Mike's mind while he lay on the bed. He felt nature had treated him unfairly, he felt bad that everything was going against him. The worst being that he wasn't yet talking, and there was no explanation to that. In fact, it added to his anger, being that he couldn't express himself when the issue arose. Besides Brains, Mike was yet to come to terms with the reason for Olivia's angry reaction. Yes, he didn't respond to their questions, but she wasn't the only one whose question was not responded to, Pat was there also. He found it difficult to believe that she would leave him that way. What if Pat wasn't around, he thought. It was a big lesson to him too, as the same Pat that he never wanted to see, was the one by his side taking care of him. He had no option than to forgive her, though his heart still beats for Olivia. He felt the need to reach out to Olivia, but decided it would be at done without Pat noticing it. Fortunately for him, Pat needed to ease herself so she excused herself and walked to the restroom, with that opportunity, Mike picked his phone, and quickly composed a message which he sent to Olivia. He was able to do this within the time Pat was in the restroom. Pat was also bothered, she hadn't heard from Olivia, she knew quite well she was supposed to be with her in the hotel while they come to see Mike. She thought of various reasons why she would have behaved the way she did, she couldn't point out any. The only feeling she had was the tendency or probability that she may have got herself another guy. If that be the case, though she would make effort to find out; she would have to stand in as Mike's wife and possibly take back her position. The only fear was if Mike would be ready to accept her back. She told herself not to be in a haste, rather she should give it time and see how the entire dust that is hovering around in the air would settle.

Olivia and Lucy woke up early the next morning, they felt very weak, but being that they weren't going to LOGISTICS for inspection, they had to stay in bed for sometime. It was now very clear to Lucy that Olivia and Mike weren't husband and wife, her suspicious when Pat called was actually right she thought. She was now faced with a bigger problem, even though she was loyal to Olivia, but her eyes was still on Mike somehow. She had wanted to shift totally towards Brains but that was because Olivia and Mike had positioned themselves as husband and wife, now that she knew the truth, she felt it wise to try her luck. While she was having the thought, she never knew that even the Brains she was opting for, had decided to fight for Olivia. They had ordered coffee that morning and while they drank, they discussed their experience at the company while inspecting the goods. They later switched to the event that took place at the hospital. Olivia wanted to know from Lucy if her reaction was bad, being that she suspected Brains must have poisoned Mike's heart. Lucy thought for a moment that it was an opportunity to sow more bitter seed in her heart thereby getting herself closet to Mike. So she told her she wasn't wrong at all, as she would have done the same if she found herself in the same position. 

Has Mike called or messaged you since that evening? Lucy asked 

No, who cares, Olivia responded.

She had said that to present herself as a strong woman, meanwhile he was actually bothered and scared that she might lose Mike. Moreover, Pat being there with him meant reconciliation. 

That's bad, he would have at least sent you a message, Lucy added.

While she talked, she would look at Olivia who would nod in positive response. She felt that she was successful in her plans. If only there would be a huge gap between them, it would give her the opportunity to penetrate Mike's heart. So long as she was concerned, she was and still stood as Mike's weakness. What she never knew was that while she was planning and executing, Olivia was also planning and executing. All the answers she was giving to Olivia were not getting into her ears, she knew what she wanted already, and she was already mapping out strategy for it. She had been suspecting Lucy when it comes to Mike, she knew she had her eyes on him, her suspicious of Lucy was confirmed by Bruno, and since then, she had put her eyes on the ground, making sure there was no gap or space for both of them. Moreover, now that she had opened up to her that they weren't married yet, she decided to pretend that she needed advice, with that she would know her mind. All thanks to the first trial, as she was able to confirm from her gestures and words, that she didn't mean well for her relationship with Mike. She had got a message from Mike, while they were talking, when she asked if Mike had sent her a message, she intentionally said no, watching to see her reaction. When she spoke, she knew that she wasn't being helpful.

Brains had been working out strategies that would help him win back Olivia, he already made up his mind that instead of Mike to take her, both of them would lose her. He took a quick shower that morning, dressed up and walked down the lobby on the ground floor. He waited down there to see if Olivia would come out. His plan was to get her to accept giving him audience. He took a seat in the lobby waiting while enjoying the soft music that oozed out of the speakers. Each time some one comes walked out from the lift, he would turn towards that direction especially if the person is female. This almost took his whole day, but he never minded, all he was after was result. When it seemed that he had stayed at that spot for so long, he stood up and went towards the pool side, he strolled around a little and came to a spot where he bought himself drink, which he stood up to drink, with his face looking towards the entrance of the Hotel. He felt very bad losing Olivia numbers, thy would have made it easier for him, now he had to go about it the hard way. He doesn't even know her room number, he would have walked up to her door and knock. Every effort he made that say, was a waste, he was not able to see her, nor was he able to get her room number. He had to get back to his room feeling tired and sad, but he had already made up his mind and wasn't ready to give up. He stayed a little in his room, then he rushed out again, with the feeling that she might come out that evening for a little drink. He had to move towards their last meeting point, she was not there, he stood for a while, before moving back to the lobby where he sat down again facing the lift entrance door so he could have a good view of who goes in and out of the lift.

Olivia didn't reply Mike's message when she read it, she was bent on knowing his mind this time. It was there first ever issue since they met. She wanted to know what his reaction would be. If indeed he loved her, he would come all out for her. Olivia took the decision based on her not being able to ascertain what would possibly be going on between Mike and Pat. Should there be any form of reconciliation, Mike's attitude would be clue. She believed that Mike wouldn't follow her up if he had reconciled with Pat. She would just give him time, as the saying goes, 'only time would tell.' She continued what she was doing on her iPad, there were lots of mails to be responded to, so she concentrated while Lucy lay on the bed minding her phone. Olivia who was now suspicious of every move made by Lucy as regards Mike, took time to giraffe Lucy's phone as she lay down there without her noticing it. She only became comfortable when she noticed that Lucy wasn't chatting. 

The way issues were springing up within this circle of friends and their gathering in the US, seemed like it was programmed. First was Mike and Olivia with Lucy who came in for a business trip, as one thing led to another, they had an accident. Then Brains decided to come visit Mike, as one good turn deserved another. He never knew hos visit would trigger enmity between them. Then came Pat whose plan was to come see her best friend and use the opportunity to see her husband Mike. The misunderstanding that arose from within them, had dragged Philip; who was the only me remaining to complete the circle; to the US. The agent who called that night, called him back in the morning hours, to inform him that his visa request had been received and attention is being given to it. Philip felt that was not what he needed to hear, he was only interested in knowing that the visa was ready. It was later in the evening that he received the good news, he had to book his flight for the next day and prepare for his trip. He was much anxious to make the trip knowing too well that whatever had made Brains not to pick his calls, that must be a serious issue. Also Mike would not be able to talk to him via phone since he heard he could only communicate via writing. He would have loved to chat him up on social media, but the situation had gone beyond social media chat. 

The next day, Philip boarded his flight after the checks and search that follow air travels. While on-board, he made sure he relaxed and enjoyed every bit of the trip. He occupied himself mainly with magazines, while almost all he wanted was provided. Finally the airplane touched down at the airport in the US, it took a little while before they all alighted from the airplane, this Philip later found out was because there were some other flights that landed before theirs and they needed to be given attention first. When the hàd come down from the airplane, they had to go through the security check and the immigration. After which they proceeded to the luggage section. All these while, Phillip kept trying Brains number, but he refused to pick up his call. The only address Philip had was the hospital address, which meant that he would be heading to the hospital from the airport as that would determine his choice of Hotel. He took his luggage and walked out from the arrival gate, there were clearly written signs that displayed various places around the airport. This made it easy for Philip to locate the car renting park.  He got one and a nice one at that, the driver was a good man, he told him he knew the hospital very well, so Phillip dropped his luggage on the rear seat while he entered the front passenger seat. With their seat belt on, the driver took off gradually toward the hospital. Philip sat comfortably listening to the good tunes coming from the sound system in the car. It wasn't his first nor second time in the US, he was a regular, so he hadn't much excitement as to the environment. When the got to a traffic light, Philip noticed there was a mall and remembered he had nothing to give to Mike, he asked the driver if he could drive in so he get some things. The driver told him there was mother one in front which was much bigger, moreover, from where they were packed on traffic, there was no way he could take that turn without being booked. So he continued straight on after the green light. After a little drive, they got to the mill, Philip noticed that indeed it was bigger than the former one. He came down and walked into the mall. He was able to buy few things he felt would be necessary for Mike. When he was through, and had paid, he carried the things he bought to the car. The driver who saw him coming jumped down from the car and took over the things he bought, he packed them in the rear seat making sure it wouldn't fall down from the seat. They proceeded on their journey till they got to the gate of the hospital. The driver gently drive in, found a space and parked the car, Philip asked him to wait so he would know if he would take him to his next destination. With that settled, he left the things he had bought in the car and walked to the room. When Mike saw him, his face changed, he smiled, managed to stand up and hugged him. Pat who was seated watching, knew that the visitor must be a friend, he had heard of Philip, but he hadn't seen him. Philip asked the nurse that was there to join him to the car so that he would bring the things he came with. She followed him and when they returned, the entire table was filled. Philip found himself a space on the bed beside Mike, where he sat down comfortably. Mike introduced him to Pat, before they initiated a conversation, they started with the accident.