Chapter 98

Mike bothered the most amongst the two, he would always wish he could turn back the hands of time. So that he would remain in Africa while another representative came on this inspection. He mostly believe that would have kept his relationship with Olivia safe. The accident wouldn't have happened, there wouldn't have been the need for him to be at the hospital let alone being visited by all and sundry. He had every opportunity to move on with his life especially as many ladies were showing up almost everyday. It was obvious that these ladies weren't coming for fun alone, their mind was for something serious. He could see it from the attitude they carry along and their body language. Each time he was with any lady, he would find it difficult to feel relax, he mostly felt guilty of cheating on Olivia. Something kept making him believe that they were meant for each other, this kept him on his toes so as to avoid making mistake. Mike was a man with conscience, even when he fall into temptation of women, he was always on the cautious side, he would make sure he has his protection if need be for sex, he also was always mindful of what he says to avoid passing a wrongly interpretable message. Moreover, his experience with Pat caps it all. He wouldn't want to throw away the only woman he could vouch for at least up to 90%, and go for those he wouldn't know what would be of them tomorrow. These and more were the goings-on in his mind, while he lay on his bed resting after the outing with Cindy. 

He had gone off the phone with Margaret a few minutes after he arrived. He made sure he apologized to her for not picking nor returning her call, the apology was just to fulfill all righteousness, as he was thinking she would reject it and cut off every tie with him with anger. He was disappointed when she laughed at his apology, telling him it wasn't needed and patronizing him that she knew he was a busy man. He wondered what kind of women his generation was becoming. It looked as if they were the once doing the chasing these days. She reminded him of their date, only this time, she wanted the time shifted a little bit. Her excuse was understandable being in the kind of profession she found herself. Mike accepted the change of time, they talked for a while, she asked how he was keeping up, if he felt lonely and all the stuff that women used to show they cared. Mike answered to his best of ability, after which they ended the call. 

He began to analyze the two ladies, he was able to escape what he felt was a trap by Cindy to lure him to bed. Even though he was very desirous of her seductive body, he had to forcefully deny his flesh that quest. They had finished their meal, then Cindy suggested they visit one of the nearby bars in town. When they got there, it was filled with so many beautiful ladies but few men. It was a beehive of activities going on there, the ladies were dressed in such a way that displayed the sensitive parts of their bodies. Some of them were seen sitting on the men laps, while some were tipsy, as their behaviour exposed. They were kissing openly without minding the people around. Cindy told Mike not to mind anything he was seeing, as the place was actually meant for the high class of the society. The who is who in the society were the members of the club, that was why the ladies would always visit. She told Mike that businesses were discussed there, contracts won and other contacts that could make one rich. Mike could see some people who looked decent, some of them had some documents on their table and they looked like they were really discussing business. Cindy was a regular there, as the bartender recognized her and respectfully served them. It was at this point that Mike felt a little relaxed. All the while in his mind, he had presumed Cindy to be a hooker for bringing him into such a place. They took some bottles of drink, then it was announced that the mayor of the city was around, everyone got up to welcome him. Cindy explained to Mike that it was the custom of the place. Mike finally believed Cindy's status when an aid to the Mayor walked up to their table and greeted Cindy, Mike heard him tell Cindy that the mayor was impressed with the last job she handled and that she should be expectant of another job. 

When they left the bar, Mike was almost drunk, so at the hotel, Cindy made sure he followed her to her room. Immediately they got in, she didn't mind his presence, as she pulled off her clothes. She came close to Mike and kissed him. Mike could not refuse her at first, it was when she began to caress his body, that he felt it was too early. In his mind he felt it could be a trap so he began to resist her. He made sure he did that with utmost gentility which had effect on Cindy. Shé admired his courage and sense of control, even as he let him go. Mike left for his room. What he never knew was that his action had increased the respect and love Cindy had for him, she made up her mind that night to win his love. 

He wouldn't know what awaits him when he would meet with Margaret that evening, Cindy had called him that morning to know if he had a good night rest, Mike used the opportunity to let her know he wouldn't be around that evening, as he had an appointment. He thought for a while about them before his mind went back to Olivia. He had already decided he would give her some time and space to come around. He was of the belief that whatever was going on in her mind would find reconciliation one of these days and that would be a turning point for her. Mike firmly believe also that the gap although risky and dangerous, had some advantage in it for their relationship. It would me them stronger and more united on the long run when they had resolved all misunderstanding. After all the way they met, they hadn't known much about each others temperament, emotions, and others. 

When Margaret ended the call, she smiled to herself in the mirror, she knew what she was doing, her plan and strategy was to lure Mike out in the late night so as to make sure he slept over with her. She had perfected her plan in a leak proof manner and believed there would be no mistakes. Her house was a very big mansion located near the sea shore, on the compound was a canteen close to the water, she planned the place for the little neighbourhood to unwind in the evenings as the environment was a little far from the city. It was an area the rich were building to avoid the noisiness of the city. They appreciated her effort in providing such a place, and they always gather every evening to relax with some wine, beer and barbecues. She named the place ," D MAGGIE." So when she mentioned the name to Mike, she knew what she was doing, Mike had thought it was some sort of a restaurant, or a hotel. His mind was that when they get to the place, after the dinner, he would go back to his Hotel, while Margaret would head back home. He never knew 'D MAGGIE' was Margaret's home. 

Margaret had some staff who knew their onion well, this made the place irresistible to people who visited. The chef was of international class, he could prepare almost all the continental dishes, and how he sourced his recipes, Margaret was yet to uncovered. She had once asked him, but he only smiled and told her it wasn't her field. He added that so long as she paid him well, his job was to give her the best of services. After that, she never asked again. The visitors had never complained, as he made every dish taste the way it would in their home country or the way their mothers would prepare it. Her target was to wow Mike with an African cuisine and cap it up with drinks from Africa. With these, she believed he won't be able to escape her hold. There was also a music DJ who played for the customers, his collections also covered all climes. She had already told him a special visitor was coming from Africa and she believed he would live up to expectation. Many people around the environment had their birthdays celebrated there, and they attested to the fact that the DJ was amazing. Margaret took her diary and checked all that she had out in place; the driver that would bring Mike, checked. He was to go with a limousine, that Mike wasn't expecting, nor would he had thought of it. The chef, checked. The African cuisine would be ready on time. The DJ was already checked, he had never failed to deliver. She went back to her room to select the best of the dress she would wear. She had gone to the designers shop in town to get a gown that befits the dinner. It wasn't her choice alone, as she made sure she described what the occasion meant to her, what she wanted to achieve, and the ladies and gentlemen in the shop helped her to select what they called the best. This helped to boost her confidence level.