Dear Eva,
I gathered the last bit of strength I had and ran toward Stan, who quickly enveloped me in a tight embrace, holding me as if there was no tomorrow.
I checked him for bruises, and seeing many, I felt a wave of guilt wash over me. "It's my fault, Stan. I'm so sorry."
He consoled me, assuring me it was okay. We walked into the hotel, and he settled me into a chair by the gate before sitting down himself. "What happened?" he asked. "I've been looking for you."
Tears streamed down my face as I recounted everything that had happened. I explained how Kingsley was demanding repayment for every kobo he had spent on me and my family.
"You know that was the mistake you made. Accepting gifts from him when you know you don't like him," Stan said and I nodded. I have learnt my lessons. "We should report him to the police!" Stan urged.
"With what evidence?" I sniffled, trying to hold back my tears.
"Eva Eva..." the gatekeeper interjected, and we turned to him. "You mean Oga King kept you in his house for a week? What were you two doing there?" I realized he had been listening and thinking absolute rubbish! "Chei, oga King don enjoy finish!"
"Just shut up!" I snapped, and he fell silent. "I'm just glad you're okay, Stan. That's all that matters."
Stan expressed his surprise that those people weren't policemen. He told me he was planning to leave the state to join his brother in Lagos for new opportunities.
My heart sank—my only source of comfort in this hotel was leaving because Kingsley had fired him. He encouraged me not to give up and promised to help me get Kingsley arrested. But how?
"Don't worry about the how," he said confidently. "We'll set Kingsley up." I agreed to his plan and went into the hotel after he kissed me goodbye.
As I entered the reception area, Fifi was behind the desk. When she looked up and saw me, her shock quickly turned to a beaming smile.
"Eva! Oh my goodness, where have you been?" If I hadn't known the truth, I might have been fooled by her fake smile, hiding the jealousy and hatred beneath. She had betrayed me to Kingsley, all because she wanted him for herself. I glared at her, and she appeared confused.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"You're wrong! You were my friend, Fifi! Yet you went behind my back to seduce Kingsley and shared my secrets with him!"
"Hold it there!" she snapped. "Why are you mad that I tried to seduce him? You said you didn't like him! You rejected him and went after a delivery boy instead! Do you want him to be lonely? I had to satisfy him because he's my boss!" With that, she banged the reception desk and walked out, leaving me reeling.
My heart pounded with anger and betrayal. I couldn't believe it. It felt like a knife was stabbing me repeatedly. I never knew she had feelings for Kingsley. If only she had told me, things might have been different.
I didn't want to stay there and get more upset, so I left the hotel and found myself back at Stan's house. I wasn't ready to face my parents yet; I was angry with them for believing Kingsley's lies about me vacationing with him.
A vacation with a man I had told them I had no feelings for? Honestly, what money can't do! I was angry at them.
Stan was surprised to see me. "I thought you went home?"
"I can't. Not now," I replied, and my legs gave way from exhaustion and starvation.
Stan quickly caught me and carried me into his room. He prepared food and assured me everything would be alright. That night, wrapped in his arms, I felt truly safe.
The next morning, the plan was set to unfold. Stan reminded me to do it right; if I didn't, Kingsley would remain free, and I might suffer in silence.
Before going to the hotel, I withdrew all the money in my account—about one hundred and fifty thousand naira. I took the cash and stormed into Kingsley's office.
"How much do I owe you? I need to know how to plan," I said as I shut the door and dropped the money on his desk.
He turned, laughing. "My dear Eva! Spending quality time with your criminal boyfriend, I see," he mocked.
"You're stalking me?" I shot back.
"No, I'm too big for that. I just need to ensure my debtor is safe. If anything happens to you, who will pay me?" He smiled mischievously.
Annoyance surged within me as I faced his mocking smile. I wanted to claw at his face with my nails, but I held back. "How much do I owe you?" I repeated.
"For what I spent on your family last Christmas... seven hundred thousand naira," he replied, and my jaw dropped in shock. How could I afford that?
"And for what I spent on you... three million naira!" he added with a smile.
"Jesus Christ!" I exclaimed. "Kingsley?! How am I sure you're not lying?"
"Oh, dear Eva! You think I buy cheap dresses and jewelry for you? They cost more than you'll ever earn in a year! I bought the costly ones because I loved you and wanted to present you beautifully to my friends, not in cheap dresses. But no!"
"What if I return the dresses? I haven't worn all of them."
"What will I do with a woman's clothes and jewelry? Just plan to start paying me back."
Looking at him, I realized his mind was made up.
"But if you can't pay, there's a second option," he said, stepping closer. "Be my woman, willingly, and I'll forfeit the debt."
He said and I stepped back. Never! I thought. "So you can lock me up again?" I asked.
"Locking you up was a punishment for breaking my heart, Eva! I'm willing to let go of the past for a fresh start," he said, and that was all I needed to hear.
"Thank you, Kingsley. I'll start working double shifts and start saving up as well." I stepped out, and took a deep breath.
In the hallway, I pulled out my phone, which had been recording the entire conversation. I saved the audio file with a wide smile on my face.
We'll see in court, Kingsley!
To be continued...
Dear Eva,
Episode 8.
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