Chapter 6

Aderemi POV

I couldn't believe I'd agreed to Rachel's proposal. I didn't know what had possessed me to accept such an outrageous idea, especially from a complete stranger. She could have been anyone - a reporter, a thief, or even a kidnapper. She looked too innocent, and innocent people fell in love easily, had expectations, and eventually got hurt.

As I reflected on our encounter, I recalled her striking features. She was beautiful, but not my usual type. I typically preferred women with lighter skin, curves, and sultry eyes. Rachel was different, yet something was captivating about her. Her speech was soothing, and she exuded confidence. Her boldness was undeniable.

I struggled to find the right words to explain the situation to Mia. The truth was, I had met a girl named Ashley in Kenya during a match, and we had hit it off as friends. However, I soon realized that being friends with her was a mistake. Ashley had developed feelings for me and wanted to take our relationship to the next level, but I wasn't interested. I was committed to my fiancée, whom I loved and planned to spend my life with.

Ashley's persistence was overwhelming. Despite my clear rejection, she continued to send me text messages, finding ways to get around the blocks I put on her number. Her relentless pursuit was starting to take a toll on me. Mia arrived for a visit, and I was mortified to realize I had forgotten to delete Ashley's last text message. The timing couldn't have been worse, as I had planned to propose to Mia before she returned to America. She had accompanied me to Nigeria for a vacation and to support me during my matches for the national team.

Despite my hectic schedule, I wanted to reassure Mia of my love and commitment. I had been absent for much of her visit, and I was eager to make it up to her. The proposal was my chance to show her how much she meant to me.

Mia was the woman I envisioned spending the rest of my life with. But now, as I stood there, I realized I had made a grave mistake this time. She had been snooping through my phone, and I couldn't blame her. As I tried to recall Mia's loving smile, another face kept popping into my mind - Rachel's. I found myself wondering what she was up to, and a sudden urge to talk to her overwhelmed me. Maybe it was better to just call her and get it out of my system.

I pulled out my phone and dialed Rachel's number, but she didn't pick up. I assumed she was already asleep, considering it was past midnight. I glanced at the time and remembered I had an early training session the next morning.

I hadn't even discussed the meeting details with Rachel, so I figured I could fill her in the next day. There were many things I needed to discuss with her and questions I needed to ask to ensure she was prepared for the unconventional arrangement we were considering. Her life would be impacted significantly, and I needed to confirm that she was capable and willing to take on the challenge.

I dialed Mia's number for what felt like the hundredth time, but it again went straight to voicemail. I sighed, collected my car keys from the hotel bar, and headed to my room. With a long day ahead of me, I wanted to get some rest and be prepared for whatever tomorrow would bring.

*****************************************

This morning's training session was intense, leaving me exhausted. Despite getting to bed late, I had to wake up at 5 am to get ready. The training was thorough, as we're preparing for a friendly match against England ahead of the World Cup. Our coach emphasized the importance of winning our upcoming games.

As I stood there, catching my breath, I heard a familiar voice behind me. "What's up, Rem?" Vincent, my best friend on the team, asked. My teammates had given me the nickname "Rem" as a reminder of my Nigerian heritage, despite my light skin tone. I loved the name, as it kept me grounded and proud of my country.

"Nothing much, just fine," I replied, grabbing my towel and heading towards the bathroom for a warm shower.

Vincent's keen observation skills must have kicked in "You seem to have a lot on your mind this morning," he said, his tone laced with concern.

I sighed, deciding to open up to him. "Mia left me at the table before I could even propose."

Vincent's expression changed from concern to confusion. "What do you mean 'left you at the table'? You ditched me at the bar yesterday because you wanted to propose to her at Sheraton, remember?"

I shook my head, still trying to process the events. "Come on, I'm serious. Mia saw the text message Ashley sent me yesterday, and she completely lost it. She called me a bastard and stormed off, even though I tried to explain the situation to her."

Vincent raised an eyebrow, his expression a mix of amusement and concern. "Why did you leave that message on your phone? You know Ashley sends you messages like you two are in a relationship."

He looked at me intently. "Have you managed to explain things to Mia and apologize? Maybe that's all she needs to hear to calm down."

I wrapped my towel around my waist and headed to my locker to grab my clothes. "She hasn't given me a chance to explain, and I've been trying to reach her since yesterday, but she's not picking up," I said, frustration evident in my voice.

I slung my bag over my shoulder, and Vincent followed me out of the room. "So, what's your plan now?" he asked.

I thought for a moment before responding. "I'm heading to her apartment after I leave here. If she won't accept my apologies, I'll come up with another plan to win her back."

Vincent's curiosity was piqued. "Plan? What kind of plan?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.

I recounted the events that transpired after Mia stormed off, and Vincent listened intently, his eyes fixed on me. I could sense his skepticism, and I anticipated that he might not be entirely on board with my plan.

"When you say this girl volunteered to help, are you certain she's not after your wealth or fame?" Vincent asked, his brow furrowed in concern. "Or maybe she's a reporter posing as a nurse?"

I was taken aback by his line of questioning. It seemed unlikely that Vincent, known for his cleverness on the soccer field, would think to suspect Rachel's motives. His comment caught me off guard, and I couldn't help but wonder if he was using the same sharp instincts that helped him outmaneuver opponents on the field.

"I genuinely don't think she's being dishonest," I said. "She seemed innocent and genuinely wanted to help. Plus, she told me she's a fan of mine."

Vincent raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure about that?" he asked skeptically.

I nodded confidently. "Of course."

Vincent chuckled. "I'd like to meet this girl myself. Maybe she's as genuine as you think. But let's be real, you're partly a foreigner, you don't know the ways of Nigerian girls," he said

"You're right, I'm not familiar with the Naija system, but I genuinely believe Rachel is sincere," I said. "To be honest, my main priority is getting Mia back. She's been incredibly supportive, and after my parents, she's the most important person in my life. I love her."

I paused, collecting my thoughts. "If Mia accepts my apology, I won't need Rachel's help anymore. I can just tell her that my girlfriend is back, and I'm sure she'll understand."

Vincent nodded resolutely. "Alright, if you're convinced you're doing the right thing, then go for it. Get your butt down to Mia's house and apologize. I'll meet Rachel later and see what's up."

"No problem, bro," I said, before jumping into my car. I thanked Vincent, waved goodbye, and sped off.

As I drove, I couldn't help but think about Vincent's words. I hoped I was making the right decision, and that apologizing to Mia would fix everything.