“This…. is ….beautiful! I… love it,” he said with enthusiasm.

“Thank God,” I said to myself and sighed heavily.

“ I can’t believe you guys put all these in place within a week,” he said, while checking the other rooms.

“Nothing is impossible, once there is money on the ground. Although the interior decorator was good at what she does, Daniella made things easier for us,” Mr Paul explained.

“This is so sweet, lovely and homely,” he said, facing me.

“I’m glad you liked it.”

“Thank you!” he mouthed.

I already bought some food stuff on our way to the airport. He told me he loves Nigerian dishes so I went to the kitchen to prepare Semo and Egusi with vegetable soup.

An hour and half later, I dished out the food. They were surprised when I called them to dine. We ate together. Daniel kept his eyes on me through out.

“This is what a good food should taste like. I think Lizzy would have to come and learn from you,” Mr Paul said jokingly.

“Who is Lizzy?” Daniel asked.

“Mr Paul’s fiancée,” I replied.

I noticed he sighed as a sign of relief, but I wondered why he sighed.

“Really? I’d love to meet her.”

“Me too,” I said.

“Don’t worry. You’ll meet her soon. She’s longing to meet you both. I’ll arrange that later.”

“Seriously, this meal is delicious. I can’t remember the last time I tasted homemade food. I wish I would get to eat more of this.” Daniel said.

“That means you would need a cook, or better still a wife. I only prepared this to welcome you home,” I said while clearing the dishes.

“Mmm!” Daniel exclaimed.

“What?” I asked.

“Nothing,” he said, shaking his head.

“I think it’s not a bad idea if you can still fill in the gap before the so-called wife shows up.”

“Mr Paul!” I called out, giving him a wicked grin.

“I’m just saying...“ Mr Paul said, raising up his hands.

“Paul, let her be. I’ll get a great cook; I’m sure you can help me with that...” he said, teasingly.

“Of course, I have the finest chef on my finger tips,” he said and they both laughed.

“Whatever!” I said and packed the dishes to the kitchen.

While I washed the dishes, Daniel joined me in the kitchen. He offered to help but I declined. I told him he should just go and rest.

“I noticed you and Paul have become very close,” he said.

“Yes we are. You know we worked hand in hand while you were away, just to put all these together,” I gestured with my hand.

He kept silent for awhile and watched me clean up the kitchen.

“I’m glad he is engaged,” he said.

“Who?” I asked.

“Your ‘Mr Paul’...” He replied.

“Is that why he sighed when Mr Paul mentioned his fiancée?” I thought to myself.

“Really!? My Mr Paul!?”

He just smiled and walked out of the kitchen without giving me a reply.

I think Mr Paul is right, this guy is up to something, I thought. Minutes later, I joined them in the sitting room. We chatted for a while, and then Daniel gave Mr Paul and I the presents he bought for us from the States. I thanked him.

“I want to use the restroom,” Mr Paul said and excused himself.

“When next will I see you?” Daniel asked immediately Mr Paul left the sitting room.

“Next week!”

“That’s too far.” He said to me, “This your work is taking too much of your time. I don’t like the idea of couples working together in the same place, I would have employed you.”

“Couples!?” I thought. I pretended as if I didn’t hear him.

He was surprised at what he said too; it was a slip of tongue, I guess. He tried to figure out if I heard him, but trust me, I made sure my face was blank. There was no expression on my face to read.

“Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks – so says the scripture.” I remembered.

Mr Paul was back before he could say any other thing. I checked the time and it was few minutes past 5 pm. I informed them that I was leaving. Daniel suggested they take me home, but I declined. I adviced him to rest.

Mr Paul already offered to spend the night at his place, just to keep him company. And I liked the idea. They drove me to the park outside the estate where I took a cab home. Daniel paid the fare.

He called when I got home, but he didn’t mention anything about the ‘couples’ statement he made earlier in the day. I thought about it for a while on my bed that night;

"Maybe he’s actually interested in me; maybe he had finally ended things with his American girlfriend."

I said my prayers and slept off.

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