CHAPTER THIRTY ONE: I WANT TOO

Sheila woke up alone on the bed thinking that George must have gone out as usual despite it was on a Sunday. She put on her fluffy bedroom slippers and went into the bathroom to do her usual morning activities. Coming out, she was surprised to see George come into the bedroom with a tray laid up with pancake, steak and salad ànd a cup of beverage.

'Wow! This is a very nice way to wake up.'

'I wanted to make it up to you honey so I prepared this.'

'Hmm, this smells yummy. A great breakfast in bed.' She laid on the bed with her back on the head rest positioning herself to receive the tray from George. 'This is lovely, are you not eating?'

'I was of the opinion to wake you up but since you are up already, I'll go back to bring mine.'

'No sweetie, let us eat this together. You made the food and I'm going to feed you.'

'I'm liking where the result of my action is going.' Sheila shifted to make space for George to lay beside her. She tried feeding him in their position but failed then later straddled him.

' Sheila, do you think I can win the election?'

'Why do you ask?'

'I don't know how people would respond once the campaign starts. I have put a lot of time, manpower and money in it and I'm afraid of losing.'

'Are you facing some challenges with your group?'

'Not really, I never knew it would be this strenuous and my business is almost suffering if not for you. You know it can't be the same with you with little or no experience on how to run a company.'

'I think your best bet is to withdraw one of your friends from the campaign and make him a contemporary CEO pending after the elections. What you need is concentration on the campaign and after the wedding, we would do the campaign together. I will face the female wing while you face the male. I have my line up strategies.'

'Like what?'

'Town hall meeting with various age groups and get their views on our program and what they want.'

'But if their wants are unattainable, what would I do?'

'Tell them the truth and promise them that you would think of the alternative. You're not a Messiah, so you can't give them everything but look into the laxity of other previous candidates and build on it while you continue with their good policies.'

He removed the tray between them to place it on the floor while Sheila was looking at him to see what he wanted to do. He unexpectedly rolled her on her back and supported himself with his elbow to loom over her. 'What are you doing?' Sheila asked in shock.

'What does it look like I'm doing? I want to lay a claim on you.'

'You can't be serious George, we are not a real couple.'

'What do you mean?' He furrowed his brow.

'We're only political couple.'

'But we have spoken on it before that we should see if it can work out.'

'Yes, but it was not a concrete arrangement. I like you George but in the depth of your heart, you only appreciate me for my contribution to your ambition. You heard what Green said, and it's true I have no influence to add to your life. It might sound rude and painful but it's true.' George rolled off her and sat with his back resting on the head rest.

'Sheila, why are you bringing this up now? The only time we ever had for the past weeks, you're spoiling the mood. If I don't love you and you find love somewhere else, I promise you I'll let you go and vice versa. Can't I have sex with you?'

'No, that is friendship with benefit and I don't want it. I want my first time to be with the love of my life and husband.'

'So you don't love me?'

'I like you as a good friend. Although you've never got a pass mark character wise, but I can still manage you as a friend.' She said with a humourless laugh to cover her emotions. She had fallen in love with him but, she did not want to suffer heartbreak. Supposing after the so called post marital trial George fell in love with someone, how would she cope losing him to another woman? They were not of the same background and it would look like it was his money she wanted if she told him about her feeling. She excused herself to use the bathroom because she was close to tears since George did not say what she wanted to hear.

George on the other hand was not happy with their discussion. He knew he felt something for her but what it was, he couldn't define it. Supposing she only saw him as a threat for all her contribution and is still scared of him? No. She was no more afraid of what he could do if things didn't go well. He knew he handled the situation harshly but by now Sheila should trust him as he had promised. Yes he had looked down on her, humiliated her but how many girls from his background have her intelligence? Both of them are green horns politically but she had more on the table to give than him. Is it true that he only wanted her because of her attributes? She is very beautiful and elegant if given all the apparatus and he would want to have a daughter that would look so much like Sheila. Sheila, Sheila what an intrigue girl. He would really want her for keep. He stood up and knock on the bathroom door but heard her sniffing. 'Sheila, are you alright?'

'Yes George, I'll be out right away.'

He turned the knob on the door it was locked. 'Sheila, please tell me if you're crying.'

'Crying?' She gave a dry laughter. 'Why should I cry?'

'Maybe you're missing me too much.' He joked and Sheila couldn't help but smile.

'Don't be a naughty boy, I just left you some minutes ago.'

'Okay you're right.' He ran his hand through his hair frustratedly thinking of what to say to bring her out from the bathroom. 'You know even when you're just waking up from sleep you're the most beautiful girl?'

At this, Sheila opened the door forgetting her puffy eyes. 'I said it, you were crying.' He held her hand and drew her to the bed. 'Honey, I'm sorry for the way I treated you please forgive me. I can't stand seeing your tears. Is there anything I can do to make up for my actions, please tell me.'

'We're good and I hold no grudge.' She smiled at him but George did not believe her. He looked guilty for making her cry. 'Sheila, tell me what do I do to make you feel better?'

'Just promise me you'd be good to me for the period this would last.'

'And if I say I want forever?'

'Be serious George. I promised to be there for you so don't compel yourself to make a promise you can't keep.'

'Do you know I'm grateful to your mum for making me meet you? She's a mother and wife to be proud of, a woman of substance who stands to withstand anything for her family. I wish my mother could also bullshit death for me.'

'George, please don't let me cry.'

'I have promised you tears of joy honey. Look at me honey, don't I deserve a second chance?'

Sheila looked into his eyes and saw seriousness and another expression laying his internal tumoil open. 'George, what actually do you want from me?'

'I want you in my life forever. No don't say anything until you hear me out. I have this feeling that I don't want to let you go. I have never felt like this for any woman. I can't lie to say that I love you but I can't also define this feeling. Touch my heart, you'll feel how it's beating. I want to have a daughter that looks like you with you. I want to wake up every morning and you're the first person also the last I see like I've been doing for the past weeks. I want you to be permanent in my life.'

Sheila was silent for some minutes, not knowing what to say but her heart was beating heavily from what he told her.

'Sheila, please say something, don't keep me hanging. You're my main source of strength in all these. Without you, I feel empty.'

'But you're not in love with me?'

'Love will come with time. What I feel for you is very strong. I don't know how love feels but with what is in here,' he brought her hand to his heart again. 'It's more than convincing me that I can't stand losing you.'

'Why don't we wait till after the elections? Maybe then if the feeling is still the same, then we take the next step.'

'But you'll allow me to kiss you as we did yesterday.'

'Until then George.'

'Argh Sheila! You are just a kill joy.' He fell on the bed in laughing manner drawing Sheila who was standing at the foot of the bed with him. Now, Sheila was laying on him with her face very close to his. 'Now, you're the one seducing me.' He said softly his lips barely away from hers. 'You drew me with you making me fall on you.' She whispered with her face flushed. George kept looking at her with his feelings in his eyes. 'Please kiss me Sheila, I want to feel you, have you and love you.' He also whispered.

'I want to, but I'm afraid.'

'Please don't Sheila.' He held her face in his hands and kissed her deeply.

'I won't have sex with you until when you're ready but, let me have the satisfaction that I have you in my life.'

'You're mine too.'

'Really? I promise you'll never regret.' He kissed her again then rolled her under him. 'You know what honey, I want to make this weekend a memorable one. Pack a weekend bag and we're going to where no one can disturb us.' He pecked her on the lips and stood up.