Chapter 128

When Mike read the news of Olivia's victory, he was most joyous, not only had his wish come to pass, also it was a stepping stone he had considered appropriate for reconciliation. It added to his hunger and quest to leave the United kingdom so as to get back to Africa. There was no way he would be heading to Paris from the US, if not, he would have done so. The difficulty in accessing the visa was obvious. He had thought of it's possibility and saw that it was almost zero. Moreover, he had to reach out to Philip and Brains, that had been his plan B. He thought of sending a message of congratulations to Olivia immediately, this he changed his mind aslo. Meanwhile Margaret was beginning to notice the increase in the rate of his discomfort. She assumed something within the family might have been the cause of it, but there wasn't any particular thing to lay hold as the cause. She made up her mind to do out what it was, this she set to achieve that night.

Olivia couldn't express her joy when she heard that she had won the election as declared by the election umpire. It was as if she was dreaming, tears rolled down her cheek as she got lovely hug from his friends and family. One outstanding thing that happened to her was the thought of Mike, it would have been a happier moment for her if Mike was to be by he side. She knew that his father would always keep on his words, he had promised that Mike would invited for the official celebration, but her preference for his presence at the moment supercede every other plan. The entire space of the complex was lighted up with various songs of joy, different support groups doing theirs the best they knew. 

The next few minutes saw the press from different media outfits seeking for a one on one interview with Olivia. She was taking to a private room where she was dressed in a different attire that befits the moment. She took the opportunity to rehearse the speech she was to deliver. When she was ready, it was announced to the entire crowed that she was coming out for her acceptance speech in the next five minutes. This triggered another round of noise, some shouting her name loud, while others continued with the songs. The flags of the party were all over the place, almost every one in the crowd held one and waved it high in a joyful mood.

Finally, the moment that everyone was waiting for arrived. Olivia, her Dad, Mom, Mira, Pat, Lucy,  Kelly, Chase and Alicia all gathered on the podium. It took quite sometime for the noisy crowed to calm down. 

Mike was following up on his phone when it was announced that Olivia would be out to give her speech. He then felt it was better on the television than his phone. He immediate rushed to the room where Margaret was seated watching the television. He was most surprised and wondered what might have triggered her interest towards an election such as this. Margaret noticed his surprised mood, she beckoned on him to come sit with her and watch. Her plan was to observe Olivia to see what qualities that were in her which she possibly need to possess in order to win Mike totally on her side, also she wanted to see Mikes reaction when Olivia would mount the podium and deliver her speech. 

Her family's interest in seeing that herself and Mike settled down as husband and wife was beginning to make some sense to her, most especially was her Grandpa's desire to see it come to pass. The last time she had a chat with Grand Pa, he was literally sounding as if it would be a wish that he would love to see before he died. Margaret had only one thing as a possible game changer, even though the other thing she had thought about was an option. She had some of the pictures she had taken with Mike and the family online, she was not directly involved in this, rather she handed the responsibility to one of the wives of her nephews. It was one strategy she made up her mind to try, she was of the opinion that Olivia might see it and react in such a manner that would bring issues between her (Olivia) and Mike. When this happens, the tendency for mike to need her shoulder would be there.

The other option which although very difficult, but she just had to give it a try notwithstanding the outcome, was her getting pregnant for Mike. Whenever this thought came to her mind, she would shrug it off, she would always tell herself that it wasn't compulsory that Mike would marry her if she got pregnant for him, but this time around, with the family backing, there was no going back on that decision. Instead of thinking much on the outcome, she pushed all the energy towards the best strategy to adopt in luring Mike into having a sexual affair with her without protection.

While these were going on in those two minds, Olivia began her speech. It was highly intriguing watching her speak with such charisma, she was very eloquent. She started by letting his followers, both family and friends, her campaign team and all both present in the complex and at home, that it hadn't been an easy task nor a little journey. She went further to let them know how grateful she was for them to have believed in her. This was the only reason as she put it, why they were able to take off let alone following through til this victorious moment. 

Another round of shout which includes ' we/I love you' filled the air. It took another few minutes to calm them down once again before she continued.

Mike could not hold how excited and trilled he felt listening to such a powerful personality that he loved and cherished. Margaret saw that obviously there were a lot of qualities in Olivia which would be difficult for Mike to forgo. Yet she strongly believed in giving it her best shot.

Immediately after the speech, tears of joy rolled down both Olivia's cheek and that of her family members. Her Mom was the most touched. For Ben Hart, it was about delivering the dividends that accompanied the position to the people of that constituency. All he told his daughter was, ' congratulations, by your job has just started.' Mira who heard him, wondered what kind of stuff their Dad was made of. Everyone else were basking in the euphoria of the joyful moment, and all he could think of is work. Meanwhile messages were already coming in, via wassup, and other platforms. It was congratulations all through.

Pat was so happy for her best friends, she had always known her to be an achiever, now she could tell why it was so. It was her first time getting close to her family, and true to what she had seen and experienced, achieving goals run in their blood. She had just hugged Olvia and about to step down the podium, when she got a message from Mike. It was a congratulations to her and her friend. Pat moved a little bit away from the noisy environment where she called Mike. Although Margaret was so close to him, Mike didn't mind, he picked the calk. He had a short discussion with Pat on how to reconcile issues with Olivia, and she asked him if he had sent her a message. Mike told her he did immediately he heard she had won. 

Margaret was quiet all through, she felt very jealous of Olivia. Having been with Mike for sometime now, she could attest to the fact that even though she had slept with him, but he was such a nice man. She turned her head and looked at him, it looked as if a lot of thoughts wee going on in his mind. She moved closer to him, held him by his hand and asked him for a stroll. Mike hesitated for a moment, before deciding it would be a huge relief from all the thought besieging his mind. So he stood up, changed into his joggers, white polo and sneakers. Margaret did same and they stepped out of the house strolling on the walkway. Mike thought of why Olivia didn't respond to his text, does it mean she hadn't seen it, or she was still angry with him. He never expected that from her, at least the happy moment was suppose to make her think otherwise. He decided to let it be until he got feedback from Pat, meanwhile he had began sensing the impact of his attitude on Margaret. He had been so cold towards her, he had also noticed that it was affecting her negatively. He needed to show her a little affection, to disabuse her mind from whatever notion that was therein. This, he never knew, was going to lead him into an already made trap.