Episode 28
Lara walked into the kitchen, minutes after her friends left. Jack wasnât around but that did not surprise her, he was a busy man; it was still a wonder that he had spent so much time with her, trying to console her grieving self. Her friends were still convinced that he had skeletons in his cupboard, but what could he be hiding that she could not forgive? He had been her pillar when even her father was nowhere to be found, what could he be hiding that would be so unforgivable?
Mrs. Balogun, standing in front of the gas cooker, humming a song, turned immediately she entered. Her face immediately lit up into a pleasant welcoming smile. âOmolaraâ she muttered softly, sharply reminding Lara of her mother. She had to remind herself that she had cried enough; steeling herself against tears and memories, she smiled weakly at Mrs. Balogun.
âI was wondering if you⊠needed my companyâ Lara said. Although she was not lying, she was not also saying the total truth. The truth was that she was the one in need of company. Immediately Bola and Teresa left, she had felt that low sinking feeling again and she really needed someone to drive her thoughts away from the pain she was feeling.
âAbsolutely dearâ she beamed as though she were very happy that Lara came to her. âWhy donât you sit hereâŠâ she pointed to a stool, ââŠwhile I make lunch. You must be getting hungry by nowâ
Lara shook her head and moved to stand beside Mrs. Balogun instead. âI would rather assist you instead of sitting idle while you work; but I am not hungryâ she raised her eyes from the cabinet to smile at Mrs. Balogun.
âIâm sure that would change when you perceive the aroma of the sauce I am making for the riceâŠâ she grinned as she moved to the sink to rinse the fresh pepper in a bowl. âWith stock fish, beef, meet and ponmon, you wonât be able to resist itâ
Lara chuckled. âIt sounds appetizing already, but my tummy is still full, thanks to your delicious breakfastâ
She smiled with a little sympathetic look crossing her face. âYou donât know how happy I was when you ate it. I specially made it with you in mind. Youâve lost so much weight my dear, I want to help you gain them backâ Mrs. Balogun said as she removed a knife from its stand to start dicing the tomatoes.
Lara swallowed. If this conversation continued this way, they would end up discussing the misery and she didnât want that. She collected the knife from Mrs. Balogun and moved the bowl of tomatoes till it was directly in front of her. âIâll do this.â She said, giving no room for debate. âYour daughter is out?â
Thankfully, she didnât debate the matter, going ahead to rinse the condiments. âYes! She went for lesson. She would be sitting for JAMB soonâ
âShe doesnât like me very much, does she?â Lara muttered.
Mrs. Balogun paused to look at her. âNow, I wouldnât say that, I think she is just jealousâ she smiled. âShe has been with Jack for a while; she must have grown attached to himâ
Well, the jealous part was very obvious! Lara thought. But couldnât Bewaji see that Jack was not the one for her? She frowned. He is definitely too old for her! And obviously too dark! Not that Jack was dark in complexion obviously, his milky brown complexion was one that was especially uncommon, Lara thought as his image popped into her head. But he had a dark personality that she could not merge with Bewajiâs innocent self.
She could not even imagine them together without having a frown plastered on her face. âMaybe because you cannot bear the thought of them together!â her brain screamed at her.
âHow long have you been here?â she asked, warding off the voice in her head as she started dicing the tomatoes into bits.
âAbout four yearsâ she answered after a momentâs pause.
Lara blinked. Thatâs long enough! It surely hadnât taken four weeks to even get her to develop some sort of attachment to Jack; she could understand Bewajiâs bitterness.
Who would live with someone as handsome as Jack without developing feelings for him? âI see. Thatâs longâ Lara finally said, with an uneasy feeling in her stomach.
âYes! I canât believe it has been that longâ Mrs. Balogun smiled. âIt seems like only yesterday when I arrived at the gate there, with my daughter, when I had nowhere to goâ Lara turned her head to Mrs. Balogun as her interest became pricked. âI had just lost my husband and his familyâŠâ her face turned sour as she stared at the stock fish she was removing with a faraway look. â⊠His family threw me out with my daughter. They couldnât care less since I didnât bear a male child.â
âI am so sorryâ Lara whispered softly.
She swallowed. âEverywhere we turned to for shelter, we were turned away. We were homeless for days as we roamed the streets with no one to help us, until we found ourselves at the gate outside. I initially didnât want to knock because I felt that whoever was inside would not do anything to help us, but I didnât have a choice.â She smiled softly and glanced at Lara who had completely stopped the tomatoes she was slicing to listen to her. âWe knocked and knocked until the gateman opened the gate for us. When he called JackâŠâ she smiled fondly, looking more like a mother with her faraway look. âI was so sure that he would turn us away. He had this hard look on his face that made him look cold and ruthless, and coupled with the fact that he was young and owned such a big house, I felt we had walked straight into a death trapâ she chuckled. âBewaji actually thought we would be used for money rituals.â
Lara chuckled too, imagining the scenario Mrs. Balogun was presenting.
There was something warm about thinking of Jack as a knight in shining armor. And⊠that was what he had been ever since Lara met him. What woman would not fall in love with such a man?
Mrs. Balogun continued. âI explained my predicament to him, with the hope of getting his help. I expected him to either drive me away empty handed or give me some Naira notes at most, but he had invited us in and shown us to a room. He ordered the maid he had then to make us dinner. It was too good to be true. Since then, he has been the one helping us with everything; he helped Bewaji finish her secondary education in a very classic school and also gives me more money than I would ever need, yet all I do is maintain the house since he doesnât stay here very often.â She shook her head.
âI would do anything and go any length to see that he is happy. He tried to behave as though he is untouchable and incapable of showing affection, but I know it is just camouflage. Something or someone must have hurt him so much to make him close himself up and I have been trying to penetrate him but his walls are probably too thick. But, whatever you are doing must be workingâŠâ
Lara who had been listening so intently paused at that, staring at Mrs. Balogun. âWhat are you talking about?â
She smiled. âJack has been different these past few days. You are the first woman he would bring here, I have never seen him with a woman; I was so stunned that day when I arrived and Bewaji told me that we had a female guest! I canât pinpoint what it is about him, but he is different. He smiles more, and even makes it obvious that he is worried about you. I have never seen him that wayâ
Well⊠what could Lara say to that? She was too stunned to speak. She had noticed everything Mrs. Balogun said about Jack, his swift change after he kissed her showed that he was holding himself aloof, trying to prevent himself from getting attached to someone, but why? What had really happened to him to make such a sweet man erect walls around himself?
She swallowed. âMa, if you wouldnât think it inappropriate, may I ask you something?â She said carefully as she continued slicing the tomatoes.
âOf course dearâ
âErrr⊠I saw a small picture frame in Jackâs bedroom. It is a womanâs picture. Do you by any chance know who she is?â
Mrs. Balogun smiled softly. âJack has never answered any question related to the picture, in fact, he turns rigid anytime I try to question him about it, but I think the woman is his mother.â She said. Lara swallowed. That same thought had occurred to her. âHe has her eyesâ she said, looking thoughtful. âI wish I knew more about her, he seems to hold her very dearlyâ
Lara stared at the tomatoes she was dicing, her thoughts so far away. Her heart ached for Jack. He was so closed off, yet so open. If he could only let her in⊠would she be able to repair whatever damage she found there?
Jack got out of his car and closed the door. He caught sight of Lara approaching from the garden and felt a dull ache in a region remotely close to his heart. He couldnât express the happiness he felt, seeing her outside with her eyes dry. The past few days had been hell for him as he tried his best to get Lara out of her depressed state. He had felt her pain just as much as he had felt his for many years. He had so desperately wanted to shoulder her pain and see a smile on her face again but he had known that it was impossible. The helplessness of not knowing what to do when a loved one was in pain was something he could not handle.
He watched as she walked towards him, noticing the fact that she had lost so much weight again. He would make sure she ate, even if he had to feed her himself! But could he? Could he even stand in front of her now without wanting to repeat what had happened in the room that morning? Without giving in to the urge of kissing her till they came up breathless?
He swallowed and walked up to Lara. When he got nearer, her face eased into a small smile, making Jack blink slightly. âYou didnât tell me you were going out.â she accused as a greeting, her mouth pulling up to a small playful pout.
For a second, Jack didnât know how to respond, staring at her face like he was just noticing her beauty for the first time. And maybe he was! Her fair flawless face was egg shaped, glowing beneath the late afternoon glow of the sun. Her eyelashes â encamping sparkling white eyeballs â fanned out, making her look like those unreal Barbie divas, but now, what he noticed most was her lips.
As she drew her lips up in a pout, it became almost impossible to resist the temptation of continuing what they had started that morning. Holding on to his sheer will, he looked away, remembering that he was yet to answer a question-like accusation. âIâm sorry. I got an urgent callâ
âFrom work?â
He paused slightly. âFrom your fatherâ
Her playful smile vanished instantly and Jack almost mourned the loss of it. Her eyes turned cold. âI seeâ she said dryly. âWhat did he want?â
Jack swallowed. âYou really want to know?â
âYes! He would only call you for something that concerns me. I have heard enough bad news, nothing he does can surprise me anymore. Tell meâ she said firmly.
Jack nodded stiffly. âComeâ he said and led her to a bench, beneath a flowery shade. When he saw that she was calm enough, he told her about what he discussed with the governor, making it sound less awkward than it had when he heard, but then, Lara still deduced that he was painting the encounter way brighter for her own good.
He didnât tell her about the later part of the governorâs speech though. He didnât think she needed to know about her fatherâs plan to keep her motherâs family out of the burial.
âSo, he wants me to demonstrate my pain to the press in order to get peopleâs sympathy for his re-election, right?â she said when Jack was done.
âSounds worse than he had put itâ Jack said with a slight apologetic smile. âI think he just doesnât want the real cause of your motherâs death to be revealed to the pressâ He couldnât believe he was covering up for Tunji Banks!
Lara chuckled bitterly. âDonât make excuses for him; I know my fatherâ she jumped to her feet as anger surged through her. âHow could my mum have endured marriage to such a man for years?â She ranted as she paced slightly in front of Jack, dividing his attention by giving him ample view of her shapely body. âI hate him! God knows I hate him.â She said spitefully.
Jack sighed wordlessly, enjoying the view but hating the anger in her voice. His plan all along had been to make her hate her father, so much that she would be willing to destroy him herself. But now, seeing her bitter, he realised that he didnât want it. He didnât want her to be as bitter as he was.
He had lived years of his life hating and he had grown bitter and cold. He couldnât bear to see Lara go through the same also.
What the hell was happening to him? Was he surrendering his revenge for Laraâs happiness? Could he be so soft as to ignore all the years he put into avenging his mother, all because he couldnât imagine Lara in more pain? It was a stupid thing to do but as he stared at Lara who stood, still burning with anger, he knew he couldnât do to Lara what Tunji Banks had gleefully done to his mother! He couldnât destroy her life so completely by making her the laughing stock of the world! He wouldnât be able to live with himself.
âHe wants me to talk to the press?â Lara barked into space as she paced slightly again. âHe would wish he never asked me to do that by the time Iâm doneâ she promised.
Jack stood up from the bench with a sigh. âYou should calm down Laraâ he murmured.
âI canâtâ she returned sharply, pacing blindly. Her foot came in contact with a stone and she stumbled forward with a slight shriek. Without pausing, Jackâs hands flashed out, catching her before she fell on her face. He held her awkwardly in his arms as she pulled her head up to right herself. âAre you okay?â He asked breathlessly.
Lara made no move to leave his arms as she raised her face to his, cranning her head back to gaze up at his taller form. Her mouth was breathtakingly close, causing more than enough distraction for Jackâs already scattered mind. âIâm fineâ she whispered, so softly, Jack could almost not hear it. Her eyes shyly left his, lowering slightly until it rested vaguely on his lips.
Jack couldnât hold it anymore. Letting out a low frustrated groan, he covered her mouth with his, holding her head captive as he kissed her with all the pent up frustration he was feeling. Her small hand went up to his neck, holding him close and wordlessly showing him that she wanted the kiss as much as he did. Jackâs blood surged through his veins, making it impossible for him to think straight as he took the kiss to breathtaking heights. His hand, roaming her back pulled her close until he could feel the tremor of her body against his; until he could match her racing heartbeat with his. Lara ran her small hands against his heated cheeks, tickling him slightly. She sighed out his name and Jack almost went overboard with the thrill he felt, hearing his name from her lips. His name sounded different from her lips.
He wanted to hear it over and over again.
With great effort, he slowed and pulled away. Laraâs face was a myrage of emotions as she stared up at him. He swallowed hard.
She wanted him to kiss her again! He could see it in her eyes. She might probably even give in if he wanted to go beyond that.
Such sweet innocence. He raised his lips and kissed her forehead softly. He lowered his eyes back to hers. She was looking at him questioningly. He could literarily see confused questions running around her head. âIâm not good enough for you, loveâ he whispered.
If anything, her frown deepened. âWhat do you mean by that?â
Jack swallowed. What could he say? I am too maimed? I am unlovable? I cannot give you the love you seek? All these would require further explanations he wasnât ready to give. He kissed her forehead again and gratefully, the universe provided him with ample distraction. The weather changed and few droplets of rain showered down. âLetâs go inâ he said, and wordlessly, each battling their own unspoken questions and worries, they went back inside.
Jack entered the bar with his face cap firmly in place. He had just come from his motherâs tomb. He hadnât been able to stay under the same roof with Lara without thoughts of kissing her running through his mind. He had thought that visiting his motherâs tomb would help. That like before, seeing the place his mother was buried would bring him back on course and drive away secondary distractions, but tonight, it hadnât worked.
He had stared at his motherâs tomb for a long time without saying a single word. Thoughts of Lara had plagued him where he was supposed to be remorseful and he felt ashamed of himself. Ashamed that he was letting a woman drive him out of his vengeance quest. But he was helpless towards whatever it was that he was feeling. Damn, he couldnât even think of hurting Tunji Banks without wondering how it would affect Lara.
Jack swallowed and walked fully into the bar. It was different from the one he often used with Sword; classic and tastefully designed but it was a bar, nonetheless! He walked to the back where he specifically told Sword to stay and surely, sword was there, waiting for him.
âSirâ Sword said in greeting, standing when Jack got close.
âYou donât have to stand, Swordâ Jack said softly, making sure to keep his voice muted. They both sat down in agreed silence. There was a jug of iced juice on the table joining them, just as he requested when he made the table reservations. Jack poured himself a glassful and drank from the cup slightly. Something told him that he would need to be calm enough to receive the coming information. Maybe it was because Sword stood up to greet him; he only did that when he was bringing a rather unpleasant news.
âSpill it Swordâ Jack murmured, sitting in a relaxed form.
Sword cleared his throat. âYou wouldnât like any of this!â
Jack nodded. âThere is nothing you want to tell me that i have not guessed yet!â He said
Sword nodded. âYouâll be surprisedâ he murmured with a bitter look on his marred face.
âJust spill itâ
Sword swallowed. âWell, I made little investigations and was surprised at what I found. I got an old maid, one who worked for the Banks during the early years of their marriage; you know the thing they say about servants knowing everything?â He asked rhetorically, then continued. âHer name is Maria. When she heard of the death of the governorâs wife, she was only too happy to tell me so many things.â He twisted his mouth bitterly.
Jack kept quiet, watching Sword without betraying any emotion even though his tension was increasing. Only something unpleasant would make Sword stall information so much.
âYou are right! Mrs Banks did have a connection with your father⊠I mean, with Pascal.â He finally said. âAccording to the maid, Mr Banks was not playing his err⊠husbandly role, so after years of suffering, Mrs Banks was forced to seek solace in another manâs armsâ
Jackâs hand fisted around the glass of juice as anger spread through his veins. âPascal?â He offered and Sword nodded stiffly.
âBy her explanations, I think the affair occurred close to the time your father sent you and your mother out. SoâŠâ
Jack stopped listening as his brain froze.
So, this was it! His father, who had been proving himself to be a loving father and husband had swiftly changed. Raining insults and beating up his mother at the slightest provocation. Laraâs mother was responsible for that? His affair with Laraâs mother had made him push Jack and his mother out of the house during the late hours of the night?
Oh no! This was too much! Jack had the incredible urge to smash something.
And just when he had thought the governorâs wife to be the victim all along! She was most likely the cause of every damn thing! He swore under his breath, holding on to his temper in order not to cause a scene there in the bar by voicing his rage.
âI know what you must be thinkingâ Sword said, â but donât crucify her yet. I was curious about the fact that the governor was not performing his err⊠duties⊠and I got the information I needed. The governor is impotentâ
Jack froze. âWhat are you saying? He is Laraâs father, right?â
Sword nodded. âYes! Mr Banks actually suffered an accident two years into the marriage. He was always a heavy drinker and it had its impacts on his⊠Err⊠Instrument. I got their family doctor to give me some info after serious threats. He had chronic diabetes due to his alcohol intake and one day, while driving home drunk, he got involved in an accident which affected his nerves and claimed his manhood. You see why you canât totally blame his wife? Coupled with the governorâs obviously irritating personality, how long could she stay in the marriage without falling into the temptation of extramarital affairs?â
Jack had heard quite enough! His head was hot and almost exploding. He really couldnât think straight. It was one thing to hear that Laraâs mother was the reason why his home had turned sour until he was ultimately ejected onto the street, together with his mother. It was another thing to be told that her action was not entirely her fault.
How did the Banks come full circle in destroying his once happy home? âIs that all? I think I have heard more than enough for one night.â He grated out through clenched teeth.
Sword shifted slightly, his face showing his nervous state. What on earth could be left unsaid?
âActually, there is one more thing you⊠should knowâ
Jack was having a weird feeling about this. He gritted his teeth, holding on to the last of his patience as he waited for Sword to spill whatever bomb he had.
âMrs Banks got⊠she got pregnant for your fatherâ
Jack almost stopped breathing altogether as he sat, staring at Sword like he had just gone insane. âWhat the hell are you saying?â
Sword shifted. âShe had a child⊠A sonâ Jack had never been so shocked in his entire life. âYou and Lara share a⊠step brotherâ
Jackâs blood ran cold as he stared at Swordâs nervous self. For a while, he just sat there, allowing the information to sink in; replaying Swordâs information and disecting it as though he hadnât heard him right. âDo⊠do I know this person?â He voiced the question hanging lose between them.
He saw Swordâs throat work as he swallowed, then his head moved to a nod.
âYesâ
Lara sat at the back of the car with Teresa and Bola at the front. Teresa was driving and Bola was by her side. They were all in disguise clothes. Her friends had succeeded in dragging her out of the house in their quest to getting her off her mourning sober mood. They had worn disguise clothes in order to avoid journalists.
âWhere on earth are you girls driving me to?â Lara muttered at the back with a frustrated look as she gazed out the window of the car into the dark night.
âTo have some fun sweetieâ Teresa said as Bola turned on the radio, allowing sweet music to float through the car.
âWhen we are there, youâll be happy you left the house.â Bola said gleefully.
Lara looked out the window. Even though she kept quiet, she was already glad she was out of the house. She needed a diversion and Lara knew her friends would definitely give her one. She looked at the road, letting the site of the Lagos streets wash away her thoughts, fears and doubts. The ground still shimmered with moisture, an aftermath of the rain that began earlier when she was with Jack in the garden.
Thoughts of Jack filled her mind with that memory, filling her with both sweet feelings and confusion. She couldnât understand the rationale behind Jackâs actions. One minute, he was kissing her, the next, he said he wasnât good enough for her⊠Who could understand a man like that? If he thought he wasnât good enough, why did he ask her to marry him? It was all so puzzling. Jack himself was a really big puzzle!
âIsnât that Jackâs car?â Bolaâs voice popped into her fuzzy brain as she turned to see what Bola was talking about.
She frowned. âThatâs his carâ she confirmed as she turned to stare at the bar beside the car. She knew Jack had left that evening; could he be seeing a woman. Her heart almost stopped at the thought.
Teresa slowed the car down. âWant us to play spy?â She murmured with a mischievous look on her face.
Lara was about to reply with a resounding âNOâ. If Jack had another woman, she would add to her pain by knowing. But then, before shd could voice her answer, a figure walked out of the bar.
That was definitely Jack! She thought and felt an immeasurable thrill when she did not see any woman hanging on his arm, but her happiness was short-lived. The image that followed right behind Jack practically froze her heart in her chest. She blinked as her heart went from frozen to racing within seconds.
Oh no! She couldnât be seeing correctly! Something had to be terribly wrong!
She watched as Jack circled to the car and stopped to exchange words with the man.
To the world, nothing could be wrong with that scene, but to her, a million things were wrong! What in the world was Jack doing with her captor?
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