Chapter 87

If there was anything going on in Olivia's mind, it was reconciliation. She was being troubled with the ways events had turned out recently. She wanted things to get back to the ways it used to be. She wouldn't regret reversing the contract deal she had omitted Mike's name in, which brought about his presence in the US. She knew that reconciliation would bring back peace to everyone. But the challenge was how to go about it, she felt she had taking things too far already and that it would take a very long time to resolve them, that is, if they would be resolved. To make Matters worse was that in resolving such issues, some other toes would be stepped on, but that she wouldn't mind. While Brains was seated with Lucy and her, chatting them up and helping though unknowingly to him, to make her mind get off worries, she was mostly after solution. She wouldn't want to talk to or seek advice from someone she thought to herself, after all no one advised her when she made the mistake. One thing about Olivia was her strong will to get this done, she believed so much in her ability to get things done unless she hadn't made up her mind. In this case, she was still in the process. It was only Lucy that understood that she was having some deep thoughts and she didn't mind, rather she pretended to be engrossed with the stories coming from Brains. 

Brains was a very unique gentleman in his own way, he had a lot of charisma. He never accepted no for an answer, even though the various no's had ever got in his life came from the men folks, either in business, or socials. That was not to say there weren't any no from the females, but it was rare. His handsomeness and well built physic gave him an overwhelming advantage over any lady he so desired. This he knew too well and made use of earlier in life and up till date. Added to this was his financial power or status, he had a good job, which exposed him to a gold mine, being a smart young man, he leveraged on his position in the job to invest huge into the gold mine and it paid well. He would give any lady some kind of treat that made them keep coming back to him. This was evident when he met Olivia, even though gap had been created, she wouldn't forget easily the little times they had shared together. It was also evident when Lucy met him, not to talk of Mira. The only issue women or ladies do have with him, was insecurity. Brain's attitude does not provide security for ladies around him, they could evidently see that there were tendencies for him to keep more than one woman. He mostly have this playboy lifestyle, and the responsible ladies that he came across in life wouldn't want to share him with some other women. Most of them would also run away to save themselves the embarrassing drama that usually go with such lifestyle. He was always off and on different ladies, which at some point he became tired of and planned to work towards a better him for possible marriage. This was what led to his return trip to Paris in search of Olivia, and his subsequent encounters with both Lucy and Mira, not forgetting the accident that nearly claimed his life. When compared with Mike, there was just one or few difference between them. Mike was also handsome, tall and a little bit bigger in size, his body build up wasn't that noticeable like Brains, which made him more fragile and soft. He had charisma too, but more eloquent. He had his way with women, especially his choice of words for every given thing he wants to say to them. In fact his words were like charm, he also have the financial capacity as an added advantage, but he wasn't as rich as Mike. Every responsible woman or lady who comes across him wouldn't want to let go, because he respects them. His attitude towards them was much of an assured security. It could be said that he was a gentleman and 'a one woman one man' kind. These were some things that Olivia was weighing and checking in her thought, as he watched Brains talk and made gestures. She was always lucky when it comes to handsome men, but character had been the challenge. This she wouldn't be able to determine, as it wasn't something one could see in the face or outwardly. 

Lucy had also studied the two men, reason for her preference for Mike. Although from her experience in the former business she was into, she would have preferred Brains, he would make a lady feel on top of the world in public. He knew how to present his lady in the public which would trigger envy in some other ladies around. He was also a heavy spender, so she noticed in the little time she stayed with him. Mike was also, but Mike would spend on things he saw as important, while Brains wouldn't be wrong to be termed a carefree or careless spender. But with Lucy's new status, she would choose Mike over and over again. Brains made more order for drinks, he even added some barbecue fish to it, and made their table look as if they were celebrating something special. This attracted a lot of people's attention towards them, as they looked their table while they passed. 

Brains asked them how the inspection was going, and when they were meant to visit again, Olivia responded to him, telling him to be prepared as they would be there in two days time. She remembered she made him a promise that he would join them when next they would visit the company. Brains was mostly holding himself back from going overboard in their conversation, he would look at Olivia, how beautiful she was, and in his head he would process a lot of things to say to her, but he was being careful not to trigger a negative reaction. Sometime, Olivia would sit carelessly, exposing her beautiful laps from the short gown she wore, and Brains would recall what he shared with her once. If only he could read her mind and understand the right time to say what he had in mind he thought. What he never knew was that Olivia was already feeling horny, but not because of him. She got a call and excused herself form them, stepped out to answer. As soon as she went out, Lucy pretended to be jealous;

I can see you like her, go ahead, I don't mind. She said 

Brains looked at her, he didn't know what to say to her, he never expected her to say something like that. She may have transformed into a more respectful and responsible lady, buy he would need more time to get over who she was at Paris. He decided not to respond to her, instead he took another stick of cigarette, lit it and gave more attention to smoking. Lucy was not bothered too, she was also smoking and same time busy with her phone, chatting with some contacts. If there was anything she had missed a lot, that would be a good sex. She knew Brains was an expert in that, but she didn't want him to take her for granted.

Pat was able to think through all that happened, under that tree, after the thought, she made sure she composed herself well before getting back into the ward. She had resolved in her mind that whatever happens, she wouldn't let it affect the long time relationship she and Olivia had built a long time. She had to fight the urge to refuse the job offer the family had given her, knowing the implication of such refusal. She knew that if she refused the job, she was only making things worse for both of them, cos it would be seen that she had some I'll feelings for Olivia and that would make reconciliation nearly impossible. When she got back to the ward, Mike was reading magazine on his lay down position in bed. She could tell even as he held the magazine, that he wasn't happy. She thought of what to say to him, but no idea came to her mind. She felt that Livia would have been the solution to all these. She had been the central point of everyone's happiness in the house, Mike had always been happy since Olivia came into their house, and it was obvious he needed her around now than ever.she didn't know what to do again, she had tried talking to her even in harsh tone, if only she would have a rethink and change her mind. 

Meanwhile, Mike had told the nurse and the doctor to make him a promise of not telling anyone, that he had started talking, he had made up his mind to use the opportunity to figure out a lot of things around him and his life. So he would continue to pretend as if he couldn't talk for long time. He would be leaving the hospital in two days, and he had made up his mind to get himself a separate room in the hotel where he would stay till he finalize issues concerning the business. He had been in touch with the company including his through correspondences, and everything had been going on smoothly. Once he leaves the hospital, and had some days rest, he would go for the inspection and possibly travel back to Africa. He looked at Pat sitting there, he could tell that something wasn't just fine, her face was normal, but he had been with her for years and from the experience he had got so far, especially the last one that broke the camel's back, he could tell that when she looked innocent, that means there must be something going on. This was based on the premise that she never gave him any reason to suspect her all through the years they had been together, so she could be able to hide such a lifestyle, then there is nothing that she wouldn't be able to hide. He even went as far as concluding that what's the problem was, it had to do with a woman. As for Olivia, he had already made up his mind to give her ample time to come around, women for her have a way they react to issues, and he also had learnt to follow them in his own way. He believed strongly that she probably might have been looking forward to a time like this, but had no way to it, so she decided this time to sieze the opportunity that surfaced. From the little he had known about her, he wouldn't suspect that her decision was based on another man, rather it might have a lot to do with business, work and family. He had heard her react to even her sister in a certain way, just because of work. He was happy that at least he had regained back his voice, his leg, and his sight. Whatever my have been the reason for all that happened, was now in the past, he would have to move on with whatever lesson he had learnt and would learn from all that happened and all that would happen on the coming days.

Chase woke up from sleep, he quietly got out of bed, while standing there, he looked at Brenda who was laying down innocently and sleeping. He admire her beauty, her lips were patted as if she was smiling. He took hold of the blanket and covered part of her exposed body. Then he went to the sitting room to make some phone calls. He called the office line first, and enquired of what the situation was at the office. Then he called one of the agents in the inner cells, who told him all was calm and safe. With the information, he was able to respond to the message he got from Ben Hart. The last call he made was to his Director, they spoke at length on how to secure the office and the evidence gathered. After their chat, the director handed over the phone to Alicia;

I hope Brenda isn't pregnant yet. She joked

Chase laughed for almost a minute on the phone, he had never heard Alicia joke before, it was a surprise to him, moreover, he was more surprise to hear that from her. That means she had them in mind while she was there.

No she isn't yet, he replied, how is the training going, he added.

Good, so far so good. She replied.

They talked generally on other issues before she went off the line.

Chase understood why she asked that question, they were always noisy while at it and it disturbed her, so she would have imagined what it would be like since she wasn't around. But he felt that wouldn't have been the question, at least, she would have said something that related to noise making me not pregnancy. Anyways he thought, of for nothing else, she had made her day by making him laugh. When he turned, Brenda was standing there beside him, holding a tray with two cups of coffee in them. He took one while she took the other, then she sat down beside him, and sipped the drink. She was there when he laughed, but he didn't notice her.

Why were you laughing that way? She asked.

He told her what Alicia said on phone, and she nearly threw away her tea, laughing. She also understood why Alicia had to ask such question, she wouldn't blame her, the way she and Chase had sex, was enough to have got her pregnant, but all thanks to protection.

She left Chase in the sitting room and went to the kitchen, were she prepared a delicious meal for him and herself. Chase could hear her doing something in the kitchen, but he never took time to check what it was, he was checking and responding to mails in his laptop, it was when she came out to the dinning table and placed the food, that he realized what she was doing all along. He had been very hungry, but his plan was to quickly round up what he was doing so they would drive out and get some food as he felt she must be weak to cook. From what happened, he felt impressed and had no words to explain or appreciate her. It was a delicious meal, fried potatoes with egg sauce with tea and Chase had his fill. After the meal, both of them lay side by side on the bed, discussing more on Alicias question and laughing over it.