RABBIT LOVE

RABBIT LOVE

This is an episode story

Prologue.

”oh my, he proposed to me today, i still can’t believe it’s for real”

I sat on the bed which also serves as chair, watching my bestie behaving like a bunny who has just seen a fresh basket of carrot.

”V, you only met this guy five months ago” i said to her.
”Becky, like seriously? She asked me, feigning anger.
I pretended not to notice the look and she continued.
”time doesn’t matter in this kind of thing o, shine your eyes o, this is Lagos o, bae, no dulling”

you might be wondering who i am.
Well, my name is Becky Ugwuoke, a graduate of mass communication from the University of Nigeria Nsukka, and this is my story.
Well, i must tell you, Life is not a bed of roses, what most people who are born with silver spoon, get with just a phone call, those of us who are born without spoons or even a wooden spoon, have to struggle for it and even sell our bodies and dignity for it.
”The struggle for survival is real”

Episode 1.

I put my right hand on my chest to stop my heart from falling out of it and with the the other hand clutched my turquoise blue purse.
I froze on a spot looking at him, if beautiful was a word that any man has a right to be called then i guess, i can proudly say ‘he is beautiful’
As if on impulse, he turned and smiled at me revealing the best dentition and the ‘whitest teeth’ i have ever seen.
I couldn’t smile back nor do anything, i was just foolishly looking at him.
He waved at me and began coming towards me as if i had a big placard saying ‘come to me’ in my hands.
I turned sharply and began walking away to only God knows where, they say love is foolish but now i know and i can scream it loudly that love is indeed foolish.
Since i had seen him that morning at Vivian’s church wedding, my heart has been doing some unimaginable stunts.
He was the bestman and i the chief bride’s maid, even while at the altar, i was praying to God to see me through as my legs were shaking and my heart was beating faster than normal, as if to torment me more he kept giving me those charming smiles that could make any woman go gaga.
His perfectly chiselved face and his dark lashes and thick brows, pink lips, slightly pointed nose and i can’t forget the skin colour, the golden brown colour, he was just perfect, he could become Mr. Nigeria without even competing.
All those features kept coming to my mind as i walked away foolishly, i only stopped when i bumped into someone who didn’t take it lightly with me and hurled insults on me.

It was as if the insults brought me back to my senses, as i looked around to see that everywhere was almost deserted, and the hall which the wedding receptions was held which once looked beautiful was now a ‘fine mess’ as the chairs which were decorated with turquoise blue and white were now stained and some were even over-turned.
I decided to forget the ‘prince charming’ and look for my bestie, the lady of the day.
I located the room easily as she had used that particular hotel room in the morning for the bridal preparations.
”V, i am so happy for you” i said hugging her happily.
‘thanks sis”
”you are now Mrs. Vivian Kolawole” i said and winked at her.
”Go jare, i was about changing when you came in”
”what are you waiting for, change nah”
”i don’t want to change in front of single ladies” she said and gave me a tongue out.
”haba, your marriage has not even reached ten hours and i am already receiving insults, what will now happen if it reached ten years or just ten days sef”
”by then you too would have become a Mrs nah” she said with assurance.
”you talk as if, Mrs is a title that i can just go and buy from the market”
”Biko, help me and zip this gown down jare” she turned her back to me and i did as she asked.
”bae, this gown make sense today for your body o” i said in pidgin with a pinch of jealousy.
”aha, you just noticed it right? I don’t blame you sha, why would you notice it when you were busy drilling holes into the best man’s body with your eyes’ she said and i flinched
”so she noticed” i thought to myself.
”aunty please close your mouth” she said and touched my jaw
”it was obvious nah, i am sure everyone noticed it”
”V, it is not what you are thinking” i said in whisper.
”what am i thinking” she asked keeping her facial expression neutral.
”let’s change the topic jare’
” hmmmm”
puttting on a gorgeous red gown, she sat by my side and i knew from her facial expression that she wanted to do one of those her serious talks.
” most times i wonder, how did i attract this super-rich guy, i mean what do i have, for him to choose me over all those classy girls”

”You have super-big b**bs” i said and she hit me playfully,
”i will miss you, your noise and not forgetting all your unnecessary tantrums” i said and hugged her tightly and tearily

We were still in that position when, we heard a knock on the door, Vivian answered the door and when i turned lo and behold, i came face to face with the beautiful him.

Episode 2.

He walked in with the man of the day closely behind him.

”Mrs. Kolawole, ain’t you set to leave for the romantic trip” he said and winked at Vivian lovingly.
”i smell Jealousy” her husband said to him.
”Bro, you know, that word Jealousy does not exist in my dictionary, besides, am already thinking of hooking up” he said that and looked at me with his charming eyes.

I didn’t even realize that the two men were both talking to me until Vivian hit me with the elbow and gave me a ‘get your act together” kind of look.
”uhm, my bad, what did you say” i said and looked at the two of them simultaenously without making eye contact with any of them.
”what were you thinking” Kolawole asked.
”well, it kind of getting late and i was wondering how i will get home, coupled with all this traffic congestion” i lied.
‘well, my good friend here Kelvin, will drop you off” he said and looked at Kelvin who tried to fake a smile, it was obvious he didnt want to do it.
”so Kelvin is the name of this prince charming” i thought to myself.
”it’s okay, i will take a taxi home” i said trying to give Kelvin an easy way out of the task.
”No way, how can i let a beautiful lady take a taxi home when i have a car with me” he came and put his hand on my shoulder, i wasn’t expecting it so i didn’t know how to react to it, i just kept quiet and stayed still, but i am very sure he noticed the way i was shaking under his touch.

”Mr and Mrs, are you good to go”
”yes, Bachelor, Becky already helped me pack, so i am all set for the trip” Vivian said and made to get her luggage when Kelvin stopped her and helped her with it.
”he isn’t just handsome but caring also, his girlfriend must be lucky” i thought to my self.
”easy o, she is my wife not yours” Kola said and flashed him a smile.
Kelvin raised is hands in mock surrender ” I was only helping a beautiful lady with her luggage”
”Mr. Nice, thanks, i will carry my wife’s luggage by myself”
Vivian and I stood there watching the two friends exchange words over Vivian’s luggage, it was obvious that they were close and they both look handsome, except that Kola was dark in complexion with a slightly broad nose but he was still handsome.

”if you’re really looking for what to carry, i suggest you carry your wifey” Kelvin said and we all laughed.
”nice suggestion, Boy, just take the luggage down to car” he said and patted Kelvin on the back.
”Am only doing this because i won’t be seeing you around for the next two weeks’
”thanks Kelvin” Vivian said to him and he winked at her again before saying ”you are welcome”
”thanks bro” Kola said to kelvin
”what are friends for”he replied.
”shall we” he said to me in particular and smiled that captivating smile to me again.
I blushed.
Everything about him was captivating and i just couldn’t take my eyes off him while we were walking down the stairs to the cars.
After series of hugging and patting and Vivian even shedding tears when she hugged me, Kola’s driver drove the newly wed to the airport leaving just me and prince charming, i mean Kelvin.
He stood majestically beside me with his hands in his pocket.
”Becky” he called.
”huh, how did you know my name” i asked.
”i have ears and they are not just for decorations, Vivian can’t make two sentences without mentioning your name.
”oh, i see!”
”all i see is that it’s just you and i and am supposed to take you home”
”i will take a taxi” i said to him, luckily i was stammering or smiling and staring foolishily
”am not complaining, am only trying to say i don’t drive long distances in the dark” he said and i looked at his innocent facial expression and felt pity for him although an inner voice was telling me that he was lying.
”sorry, for bothering you, ehm, Kola should have considered that before telling you to take me home.
”well, ehm, maybe he forgot, maybe he got carried away with all the excitement and all”
”thanks for everything, i will just take a taxi and go home” i said and made to walk away.
”it’s too dangerous for a lady” he said and held my hands, i was mesmerized by his soft hands.
”what do you suggest we do then” i asked him.
”what about, we spend the night here and then i will drop you off tommorrow morning”
i thought about it for a while, all of me wanted to say no but i just couldn’t say no to such request from a beautiful guy like him.
”please don’t say no” he said to me.
”yes but on one condition”
”what condition”
”we stay in seperate rooms”
”done” he said.
”alright”
”by the way you look gorgous in that gown, you were the most beautiful lady here today”
i just kept blushing at his words, thank God, it was slightly dark, so he couldn’t see my face properly.

He paid for two rooms in the hotel and we went in after waving goodnight
I was glad i finally left him, before my heart became uncontrollable.

I heard a knock on my door, i checked the time and it was 1AM, i was scared cos i wasn’t expecting anyone.

Episode 3.

”Who is there” i asked after adjusting Vivian’s night gown that i was wearing, she had abandoned it at the hotel where we slept the previous night, thank God for it anyway.
”Meee”
without thinking a second time i quickly opened the door and came face to face with the guy that had swept me off my feet from the very first minute i saw him.
”hello” he said waving his hands in my face.
”uh, sorry come in” i was too busy admiring his muscular body under the tight T-shirt he wore that i had forgotten to ask him to come in.
”hope i didn’t wake you” he asked me after he walked in.
”no, not at all” i lied.
”well, i am so sorry for disturbing you, sleep just eluded me when i needed it most” he told me.
”sorry about that, you can sit”
”thanks”
”I need to use the rest room, feel free, i will be right back” i told him and quickly rushed to the bathroom.

I heaved a sigh of relief and let out a breath which i had been holding since he walked into my room.
”what does he want now” i said to myself
”Father, lord help me to stay calm around him” i prayed and adjusted my hair and nightie and left to the room.
He flashed me that smile again immediately i walked in.
”five minutes and six seconds” he said to me.
”Huh” i asked puzzled.
Smiling ”i said you spent Five minutes and six seconds in the rest room”
”oh boy, he is also smart” i thought to myself and smiled at him.
”were you counting or what”
”nah, what are wristwatches for” he said and flashed his wristwatch at me.
”who wears wristwatch at night” i asked him sarcastically.
”me!” he replied in the same tone
”thanks for letting me in” he continued.
”you are welcome”
Then the two of us became silent and the only sound we could hear was the sound of cars passing through the road at the back of the hotel, this is lagos, anything and everything is possible.
The silence was making me feel uneasy, he finally spoke up startling me with his question
”what did you say” i asked again to be sure i heard right the first time.
”I asked if you knew how to play card game, i mean our local whot” he repeated.
”where the hell, did that question come from” i said amidst clenched teeth.
Like seriously? What was i expecting? for him to tell me he loves me or what.
”still waiting” he reminded me.
I realized that i hadn’t given him an answer.
I contemplated on what to say, if i say no, i am sure he will leave and i will miss him, if i say yes, then he will stay and i won’t get any sleep even though my head was aching badly due to sleeplessness.

”yes” i finally said, his presence is better than his absence.
”really”
”yeah”
”then, why did it take you forever to say it”
”well…well…” i stammered.
”oh, you were scared of loosing to me? Don’t worry beauty, i would go easy on you” he teased.
I scoffed.
”no one has ever beaten me in the game” i said proudly.
”like wise me, this is going to be tough then”
”so were do we get the card” i asked him.
”i have it here” he brought it out of his back pocket ”the guys and i used it to while away time last night at the hotel.
”then let’s get to work” i said excitedly.
”lets make it interesting, if i win, you will spend the week with me” he said shocking me.
”sorry to disappoint you, i work on weekdays”
”what kind of work” he said sorting the cards.
”am a school teacher” i proudly told him.
”you don’t look like a school teacher to me”
”how does a school teacher look?” i asked him.
”i mean, you look more like a model, with that hot figure and fair skin”
”i have always wanted to be one” i revealed to him.
”well, you can be a model, if you want, you sure have the body” he said and winked at me, with his cards in his hand.
”In this Nigeria or in another country?” i asked.
”in Nigeria”
”well, if you don’t have connection here then you will go nowhere” i told him.
”you sound so sure”
”that’s cos am sure”
”ever heard of KISS Modelling Agency?”
”yeah, that’s like the biggest modelling agency in Nigeria, they have the best super models in the country, like Bella Madi and Kyshia, mehn i like them”
”like seriously” he asked me smiling.
”checkmate!” i announced to him.
”what da heck, maybe i was too easy on you” he told me after accepting defeat.

---

I was in Kelvin’s car heading home the next morning, we were getting friendlier and i was becoming less uneasy around him after the game of the previous night which i won all through.
I sighed without realizing.
”what was that for?” he asked.
”yesterday was hectic and i haven’t even called Vivian to know how she is doing” I quickly covered up.
”oh! That reminds me too, i haven’t also heard from kola”
”Birds of a feather” i said and we both laughed.
”ehm, Becky i know you won the game, but i have a request”
”what is it” i asked.
”there’s this dinner party coming up in my workplace and i was hoping you could accompany me there”
”yes, i will” i said without even thinking.

Episode 4.

#FIVE DAYS LATER.
I had just closed from work after a hectic day at the local primary school were i teach, i was excited that i would see Kelvin the next day at the dinner party which he asked me to accompany him to.
Throughout the week, he alone occupied my thoughts, and to worsen the situation he kept calling every now and then, making it practically impossible for me to get my mind off him.
”oh wait, is that not his car, in front of my house” i asked myself.
I forgot that i was tired and that my body was aching, I found myself smiling.
I quickly increased my steps as if he would disappear if i don’t get to him faster.
I got to the car and pretended like i didn’t see it and went to my little apartment to open my door when a unfamiliar voice called me.
”Miss Becky?” he called in form of a question.
”yes, how may i help you?”
”my boss sent me to you” he explained.
”who is your boss”
”Mr. Kelvin”
at the mention of Mr. I became confused, is he married? Oh God, don’t let it be.
Seeing that i wasn’t replying he continued.
”am Peter, am his personal driver”
”is he in the car” i asked, absent minded.
”no ma” he answered and I became disappointed.
”sorry, i only asked cause of the tinted glass i thought he was inside” i explained to him.
”well, he sent me to deliver a package to you”
”alright thanks, bring it in” i said and he left to the car to get the package which turned out to be a red flowing gown, a nice pair of heels and a matching diamond necklace.

---

The evening of the following day at exactly 5 Pm, i heard a car horn in front of my house and i knew without being told that my prince charming had come to pick me for the party as promised.
”wow” was all he could say when i came out in the dress that he had sent for me.
I knew without being told that i look good.

”wow” he exclaimed once again when i entered the car.
”you look breath taking” he finally said to me and i blushed.
”you ain’t looking bad either” i replied.
He was clad in a black designer tuxedo and the smell of his perfume filled the whole car.

I was filled with surprised when we stopped at a building which i recognized immediately.
The gigantic sign which read ”KISS MODELS” was shinning bright and it was so beautiful but not more beautiful than my companion.
The ride to the venue had been a silent one as he kept answering one call or another and giving me looks that clearly spells ‘Desire”

The car halted and he came down and opened my side door for me and held my hand like it was a high school prom night.
” you didn’t tell me, we were coming to this kind of exquisite place” i whispered to him.
He smiled at me.
”what would you have done” he asked.
”i would have put in more effort in my make up and all that” i said flatly.
”Beauty, you look superb already” he said to me.
We walked in and people started starring at us like we came from planet Mars.
The stares were making me feel uneasy and i was praying inwardly not to fall.
”just take it easy, they won’t bite you” my prince charming said to me and i nodded.
some people came over to greet him and i kept on hearing boss, boss and i became confused as to why matured and elderly men and women kept on referring to him as boss.
We took our seats and the event which comprised of award and dinner night kicked off.
So many awards were given out including, the reigning supermodel award which was given to Bella Madi, the face of KISS MODELS.
At the end of the awards the Director of KISS MODELS was called upon to give a closing remarks and i began looking around hoping to see the man who was running this wonderful empire but my search was cut short when Kelvin tapped me.

”let’s go” he said to me.
”are you going home already?” i asked him.
He smiled at me and simply said ”not home, the podium”
i was shocked, i didn’t even know how my legs were able to carry me to the podium.
When Kelvin started giving the closing remarks i was lost in thought, i didn’t even know he was this important or influential, i knew he was rich but i didn’t know he was as rich as this.

No wonder i didnt know he was the Director of KISS MODELLING AGENCY, i have always heard that the director was someone who hated being in the news, simply put he hates making public appearances and not many people knew him.
It occurred to me that, journalists and reporters were not allowed into KISS MODELS premises unless they were invited, i looked around and there was no other camera men except one who was putting on a vest with the name KISS MODELS written on it.
I only snapped out of the thoughts when i heard my name, the next words that followed shocked me to the bones
”OUR NEWEST MODEL”
Those were the exact words he used.
I quickly clamped my hands over my mouth, i didn’t know how to react or what to do.
As if he noticed that i was clueless, he gave me a warm hug.
This was a dream come true for me, i thought i would not see this day.

Episode 5.

The next morning i woke up and found congratulatory text from Vivian and i decided to call her.
She picked it on the first ring.
”La model, how are you doing” she asked, i could feel the excitement in her voice.
”Go jare, amebo, how did you even hear?”
”your other half told me” she replied.
”which other half, when did you marry me off without me knowing” i asked pretending not to know what she was talking about.
”Queen of pretense i hail thee”

”But bae you really wronged me o”
”what did i do” she inquired.
”why didn’t you tell me who Kelvin was”
”haba!!! I would have told you if i knew about it myself, he did a good job of hiding his identity from the public”
”you should have seen the look on my face and how shocked i was when i found out who he was”
”so, tell me has he…” she stopped mid way.
”has he what” i feigned ignorance.
”don’t pretend joor, has he asked you out yet” she asked blurtly.
”isn’t that too early, it’s been just a week” i defended.
”you don’t have all the time in the world, you are not getting younger o, you are Twenty-four for heaven’s sake”
”yes mummy” i replied sarcastically.
”am only saying that once you meet the bone of your bone, it takes just a minute to know” she replied defensively.
”Mrs. Kola I didn’t argue with you o, anyway i want to prepare for Church now i will talk with you later”
”alright, i heard there will be a party to celebrate and welcome you into the agency”
”Amebo, you are in Miami and you know everything that is happening here in Nigeria, yes there will be a party at 8Pm today and Kelvin is coming to pick me”
”hmmm, take it easy o, i don’t want to hear any story that touches the heart o” she warned.
”yes mummy, my regards to Kola”
I ended the call and hurriedly prepared for church, as i hated going to church late.
No dull moment in my church, everything was lively from the praise session to the prayers.
This particular sunday, a guest speaker was invited and his sermon was about seeking God’s face before taking any major decision, i felt that the topic was not for me so i just sat there absent minded, the only thought i had in mind was the thought of the party.
Luckily for me, the service soon came to an end and i hurried home without even exchanging pleasantry with anyone.

I got a text from Kelvin at exactly 2:55PM asking me to get ready on time for the party, the last part of the text says that i shouldn’t forget to dress sexily for the party.
That part actually made me smile.

---

He later came with one of his numerous cars, this time around a black Ford jeep, to pick me for the party.
I invited him in but he declined and i got into the car as i was already set for the party before he came.
The ride was a lovely one, he kept on asking me questions about myself and family and after much pestering i finally gave in and told him i was an orphan which was a partial truth as i had lost my mum at the tender age of nine and i didn’t know who my dad was, i couldn’t bring myself to tell him that i was conceived out of wedlock.
”sorry about your parents” he said to me after i told him i lost my parents in a ghastly motor accident.
”i have gotten over it now” i replied ”now it’s your turn”
”my turn for what” he asked.
”tell me about yourself, why did you give your modelling agency the name KISS”
”I have three siblings and KISS is just the acronym for our names; Kelvin, Isabella, Samuel and Samantha”
”wow, that is really thoughtful of you” i was really taken aback by his consideration and wisdom.
”KISS, is actually for my family not just mine, so i didn’t want anybody to feel left out so that was the reason for the name KISS”

”Thanks for making my dream come true” i said to him after he finished.
”it’s nothing” he replied.
”it is, i’ve always envied all those super-models especially Bella Madi whenever i see her on Television”
he chuckled ”but she is human, just like you” he told me.
”i know, but she is young, plus the fame, the body shape and not forgetting the money”
”well, you are more beautiful and curvier than her and you will soon get all the money and fame”
”thanks” i replied.

We got to the party venue and it kicked off after the signing of contracts and all that, all through the party i tried to be friendly with Bella Madi but she kept giving me looks that were not friendly at all.
Kelvin on the other hand was supportive, he stood by me and did all necessary introductions.
The party soon ended and i went out to the rest room, i heard Bella Madi’s voice, she was obviously on the phone with someone else, i wanted to mind my business and walk in but the last part of her statement caught me off guard.
”he probably had s*x with her like he does with every girl before signing them into this agency, he thinks he can use me and dump me after promising me heaven on earth”

I was shattered when i heard that, i just couldn’t believe that my Mr. Perfect was capable of such things.

To be continued