The Photographer 9 Nadine wiped the
frustration that had now turned to sweat off
her brows. She had tried reaching Bode for the
past few hours and it seemed like he was
avoiding her. She stared hard at the phone and
threw it on the bed. Duncan walked in looking startled. “What’s wrong darling, why the
tantrum?” He looked really concerned, Nadie
observed. “It’s the wedding planning and all the
stress, I just called my tailor and she said she
had lost my measurements for my dinner
gown for the Bachelors Eve,” she kept rambling, Duncan was silent for a while, he
could spot the lie in her eyes. She had been
acting weird for some weeks now. Well, he
shrugged, deciding it could be stress. “The
feeling is mutual, darling soon it will be over,”
he dragged her into his arms and whispered, “I love you” she just rolled her eyes and wished
he was Bode. She quickly pulled out of the
hug. She missed Bode, she had to see him.
She had to see him at his office before he
travelled. “Dee, I have to go to the caterer, I
have an appointment with her and its almost time,” she kissed his cheek and left and he felt
empty standing there alone. Something was
wrong; he looked back at her retreating figure
and wondered if this whole idea of marriage
was a mistake. Well the only person that could
help him was Udeme and he had to call her immediately. She could tell him some things
Nadie was probably hiding from him. ***** “The
Artmaster!” She exclaimed, smiling. Could this
be real? What was he doing here? Maybe he
also came for the interview, she reasoned.
The rest were thrown into confusion, what was going on here? The secretary cleared her
throat, putting everyone back on track. “I take
it that you are Barrister Edwards. Welcome,
take a seat over there with the others,” Udeme
followed her pointed finger and joined the rest
of applicants. “I will be interviewing her, but from my observation she is not qualified for
this job, just look at how shabby she is
dressed, and her punctuality is nothing to write
home about...” Adenike spoke lining her words
with hatred. Who was this girl? She had
watched how Bode’s face lightened when she came in and the way they stared at each other,
she could not imagine Bode loving another,
although she knew about his escapades but
she was consoled by the fact that he didn’t
love any of the women. “I’m sorry madam, I
couldn’t make it on time due to some circumstances I found myself in.” Bode had to
cut in. Adenike’s excesses had to be checked.
Just because they had an affair didn’t give her
the right to be this bossy. “That will be all, I will
take up the questioning,” he said looking
directly at Adenike with a silent warning in his dark eyes. She got it, and quickly excused
herself from the room. “So Barrister Edwards,
if you were given a job here as a cleaner
instead of the post you applied for, what will
you do?” She smiled and wondered who asked
such crazy questions at interviews and what was he doing here in the first place. Very well,
game on, cute bastard. She smiled showing off
her dimple, “Thank you sir for the question.
You see, all kinds of jobs are important, there
is no superior or inferior job. They are like little
parts of a greater whole and hence crucial to the functioning of a firm. But what’s more
important is the quality of service offered by
these workers. As you know, maximum
production is guaranteed if all workers are at
their best, if they give out their full and efficient
service. On that note, my service as a cleaner in this firm would not bring about the desired
result as I wasn’t trained to be one, instead I
was grilled for handling legal proceedings,
defending and securing profits, so giving me
the post of a cleaner would be a waste of my
years of training, skills and potentials,” she smiled once again. “Thank you,” she added. It
was like the whole room was star struck, like
an angel had just walked in, her answer was
incredible, a well said reply to the Artmaster of
cunny questions. “Well, that is quite impressive Re: The Photographer(complete) by Angelsss(f): 11:30pm On Jun 14 the photographer 9continues
that is quite impressive Barrister…,” the man
searched his documents for her name,
“Edwards,” she quickly supplied. He smiled at
her. No wonder she was highly recommended.
Bode just smiled, he never knew she was a lawyer, a beautiful lawyer and my, he also
loved his women intelligent, “Well, that would
be all for now, please lead the applicants to the
reception arena for refreshments, I’m sure
they must be tired, we will get back to you
shortly except for Miss Edwards, come with me,” he said to her and she got up, limping
behind him, she smiled at his muscular frame, I
come for the body o she thought and smiled
again. She was so happy, she had finally
found him, but she warned herself not to get
her hopes high, he may be in love with someone else. Such a man endeared many
women, it was not just his charisma, hard
work or wealth, it was his looks. Suddenly he
turned and saw her limping again; he felt her
pain as the emotion swept across his face.
With the stairs before him, he had no option but to assist her. He held her waist and she
stared at him with a mouth wide open. “It’s
okay, I’m not being funny, I want to help you up
the stairs,” she relaxed a bit as he held her
waist and lifted her gently. What they both
failed to see was Adenike’s spiteful stare a short distance behind them. He opened the
iron door and led her into his office, closing it
behind him gently. He settled her on a large red
couch that lay beside his table. She found this
amusing. “Relax, I’m not a baby.” She said and
he shrugged casually. I wish you knew how much I care ‘cause you’re my baby, he
thought, “So what happened to you? How did
you get the limping leg?” He asked, not waiting
for an answer as he received a call. “Cancel
the appointment, tell Chief Obalende Rogers to
stand in for me, for the firm...yes,” he dropped it and turned to look into her beautiful brown
eyes. “Long story, I fell into a deep pothole on
my way here.” How? He was about asking, as
he dialled another number. “Send me Dr
Wilson, tell him the patient has a bruised
ankle,” he paused as he scrolled down his screen; 20 missed calls. Mehn that chick na
stalker, Nadine was pure bad luck and he
wasn’t going to let her spoil this, he switched
off his phone and turned his full attention to His
lawyer. “I’m sorry about that, don’t you have a
car, why did you have to use public transport?” She shook her head, he continued staring at
her before the Doctor interrupted their
conversation. ***** Damn! Bode had switched
off his phone, and she was already in the firm.
This would be so embarrassing, how stupid
she felt, a woman that was getting wed in three weeks time was here running after a man. She
put finishing touches to her makeup and got
out of her car. As she walked into the firm, she
smiled seductively and felt confident as she
produced her desired effect. No man could
resist her, and Bode was a man, a full blooded man. Her eyes lit as she saw the pretty
woman, her beauty was rare she almost
passed for a half cast if not for her slightly
rounded nose but she was perfect, Adenike
stared on. This lady didn’t work here obviously,
maybe she came to order products, she sat at the reception cooling off as she remembered
Bode carrying that little Dam, it was evident
they were in love. How could he? She loved
Bode so much, but from his actions he didn’t
feel the same way, she couldn’t blame him as
she forced herself on him but she couldn’t let another woman buy his heart especially that
Dam. Who did she think she was? Walking up
here and everyone instantly liking her? Bode
was everything she ever wanted in a man;
wealthy, from a good background and very
handsome, she yearned for a man’s love for the first time and couldn’t get it, she heaved a
sigh of frustration. She had to do everything
possible to keep him, no, it wasn’t too late. The
angelic voice tore her away from those
thoughts. “Excuse me, please I’m looking for
the office of the manager,” the half cast lady asked pleasantly My god, she was beautiful,
Adenike wondered briefly if this was one of
Bode’s regular flings. She forced a smile and
gave the lady directions, she said her thanks
and cat-walked away leaving Adenike to
wonder if she ever stood a chance to win Bode’s heart, she began to sob gently. She
had made the greatest mistake of her life by
having an affair with Bode, he just used her
for fun, although he gave her expensive gifts.
She immediately felt cheap, she looked at her
palms and fresh tears welled up in her eyes. She remembered those nights she spent in his
bed and do his lustful biddings, numerous
times they had relations even in the office and
now he was leaving her for that girl . She was
so sure he was in love with Barrister Edwards,
she saw the way he looked at her, she had to stop that, Bode was hers forever; meanwhile
she had to find out who the half cast lady was.
“Hello, Bode are you there?” Nadie was so
frustrated, she was in front of Bode’s office
and had knocked severally, the place was
empty. “Hello, I’m in your office waiting for you,” she spoke to the closed door. “Excuse
me madam, the Boss is not around, but you
can drop a message with the secretary,” a
security man informed. She acknowledged him
with a nod and walked away. How could Bode
act this way? He had seen her calls and refused or pretended not to see them, had he
dumped her? Her heartbeat raced at the
thought of being dumped by him, but god! She
was in love with him, that’s why she felt so
restless and breathless, why was he doing this
to her? “Were you able to see him?” Adenike called to her as she was about walking out of
the firm. “No, thanks for your help,” she briskly
walked further. “Are you related to him or
something?” Adenike questioned further, trying
to ascertain the nature of relationship between
the two. Na wa o, busy body, Nadie thought. “No, he is my fiancé,” she smiled. Adenike
couldn’t pretend any longer. Fiancé? Bode had
killed her! “Wow, are you sure about that
‘cause your fiancé just drove out with one
woman?” Adenike smiled mischieviously, she
could read the shock on the half cast lady’s face. “Excuse me? What lady? Are you sure
of what you are saying?” Adenike handed her
a card, “Meet me here at 6:30pm, I have a
proposal for you,” and walked away
majestically. She had gotten some bit of
information from the gossip receptionist when she sat there earlier to brood over Bode, the
half cast lady was actually the fiancé of
Engineer Duncan, from the most prominent
family in the state, their marriage was to come
in a few weeks, and here was the bride
frolicking round Bode, if this story were to be true, she would teach her a lesson of loyalty.
***** “Thanks a lot for taking care of me, that
Doctor had done a good job and I feel better.”
Bode smiled as he looked into her eyes before
averting his eyes back to the road. He was
taking her to his house because she was so curious to see more of his pictures. She knew
many things about him, like she was stalking
him. He wouldn’t mind that at all, he loved her
so much, she tormented his dreams, his
thoughts were filled with her face and here she
was sitting beside him in his car eating popcorn like an innocent child, he just smiled at her and
she wondered what went on in her mind. If only
you could be mine. The drive was quick and
they reached his apartment in no time. “Oh my
god, is this where you live?” was all she could
mutter, she was awestruck, this guy was living in a haven. Well he could afford it she thought.
“Come, so you could eat something,” he took
her hands and gave instructions to his cook.
“Welcome madam,” the middle aged lady
smiled. Bode wished this could be for real, but
she was practically another man’s wife, Nadie had already told him that. He opened the door
and led her to the gallery and she began
crying. She was simply overwhelmed by these
beautiful pictures, she whispered “Artmaster”
and hugged him tightly, he was quite shocked.
Could an about-to-be-bride hug another man like this? He hugged her back and they stayed
that way till her phone broke that lovely
moment where their hearts spoke the same
language, love were the words. It was Nadie.
Udeme contemplated on picking the call. She
recalled they had an appointment at the caterer’s and quickly switched off her phone,
not wanting anything that could distract this
special moment. “Who was that?” Bode
inquired. What she had done was suspicious,
maybe her fiancé had called that explained
why she switched off the phone. “T’was my friend, remember her? Nadie,” “Yes I do, why
didn’t you pick?” She chuckled. “Nadie and I
had an appointment with a caterer for her
wedding cake, and I don’t feel like going.”
Whaaat! this was getting interesting, he
reasoned. “Her wedding cake?” He clearly was startled. “Of course, three weeks from
now, she’s getting married to Duncan,
remember?” He was stunned. That stalker
devil had been lying to him. She was getting
married. “So how about your own wedding,
when’s it gonna come up?” he asked, she stopped and laughed. “I don’t remember telling
you I’m getting married. I’m not in any
relationship currently, but still waiting for God’s
time,” he left her and settled on the couch
quietly. Could this be true? Nadie was a bloody
liar and she had a lot to explain. “What’s wrong Bode? Have I said anything wrong?” She was
quite surprised at his reaction, he gently placed
her on his lap, like she was a little girl, kept his
eyes on her and asked once more if she was
truly single. “Yes, why would I lie about it,
what’s going on?” He got his assurance. Nadine was an angel in a red dress, how could
she betray her friend this much, knowing too
well that he cared so much for her? He pushed
his anger aside and hugged Udeme and
whispered, “We’re together now.” The chef
approached and informed them of their lunch. “It tastes nice,” she commented. He was so
happy right now he almost couldn’t wait to tell
her about his feelings. They were served a
delicious meal of white rice and banga soup as
sauce. It tasted great, they kept exchanging
stares like teenagers in love. After the meal, he led her to his garden, lay a Persian rug and
they both sat down to talk. “I’m so happy you
brought me here, thank you,” he smiled and
took her hands in his. “I love you Udeme, I
meant it that day at the ice cream bar. I want
you, just say you love me back.” He couldn’t believe his own ears, he had never begged a
woman so, they always threw themselves
readily at him, but he truly felt something for
Udeme and it was nothing but love. This
woman was not for flings, she was for keeps.
She kept staring into his eyes, this was unbelievable. Could he really mean his words?
Or he was just mocking her because she
clearly remembered how he had stared at her
friend Nadine. Could his love not bring her hurt
because she had read about his escapades
and sex scandals? She rose up and walked towards the fountain, a beautiful sight, where
water was trapped in a golden coated
passage. How the water flowed endlessly, she
wished this happiness she felt was going to be
endless too. “Why are you silent?” He asked.
“It’s okay, if you don’t feel the same way,” she held his right palm and kissed it. “I feel what
you feel, I love you right back.” ***** Nadine
had never felt so frustrated in her life. She
drove towards the bar the lady had asked her
to meet up. She had to know who Bode was
seeing. Maybe this woman could help her get Bode’s love, she sighed and walked into the
bar. She was already late as she saw the
woman beckon on her. “Welcome dear, what
would you like to drink?” Adenike asked,
wondering why the half cast lady looked so
exhausted. She had not even started with this ungrateful fool, Duncan was too good a man,
to deserve this Dam, bloody cheat and she
had the guts to come after her man Bode.
“Nothing, obviously, I didn’t come here to drink,
so get on with it, she frowned,” “Whoah slow
down, we ain’t fighting. I’m Adenike by the way, Nike for short and you?” She answered
grudgingly “Nadie.” Nike ordered a glass of
Chardonnay. After minutes of silent sipping,
she cleared her throat. “Well, Nadie, I heard
your wedding to one Engineer Duncan is
around the corner,” she watched her for a moment and was satisfied with what she saw;
fear, in its purest form. Nadie sat frozen to her
chair, this woman was going to ruin all her
plans, now she knew about Duncan. She could
expose her to Bode. “Okay, your silence
means it’s true, I guess I should continue. I also know he comes from a very wealthy
family even more than that of Bode, and from
what I see, your type is after the paper,” she
eyed her, feeling disgusted. “From my
research you have been with Duncan for a
long time, since university days, and he is a good man but you chose to cheat on him and
with my own man Bode.” Nadie looked more
bewildered and chose not to be shaken by this
evil witch. “And your point is?” “Wow, I admire
your courage. Even when caught you’re still on
the defensive, beautiful!” She now rose hitting the table so hard that others in the bar turned
towards them. Nike quickly sat down and
continued. “If I ever see you around Bode, I
shall expose your infidelity to the whole world,
and you stand to lose so much or did you think
Leaving Duncan would make Bode marry you?” She chuckled. “Stay away or your
wedding shall be a disaster, good riddance,”
she cursed and walked out. Nadine sat for
minutes wondering what had hit her, she
suddenly couldn’t move, that woman had just
threatened her. Gosh! She exclaimed. Bode was a two timing bastard, but she reasoned,
Bode’s love wasn’t guaranteed and here she
was at the brink of leaving Duncan for him,
nah, there had to be change of plans, she
couldn’t lose two men at once, she braced up
herself and made plans to solidify her union with Duncan.