CLARA THE STATE GOVERNORS DAUGHTER EPISODE 27-29

CLARA THE STATE GOVERNORS DAUGHTER
EPISODE 27

Clara’s side of the story continues
Agent Jenifer soon left me all alone to
myself. I spent all day crying and thinking
over my life. I couldn’t eat. I couldn’t do
anything. I felt bad and betrayed. I really
didn’t know whether to pray for my cousin
and Val to survive or to wish them death.
Around 3:30pm, Charles surprisingly
sneaked into my room with flowers. I
stared at him with disbelief, wondering how
he was able to make it to my room. For
some seconds I was at lost on how to
react because he was the last person I
expected to see. He calmly drew forward
and knelt beside me.
‘’my love, my princess I guess you must
have heard what happened to your
cousin?’’ he asked softly. I couldn’t say
anything to him, instead I looked away. I
couldn’t believe he was actually in my room
to talk about Vivian after what he did to
me. Yes a part of me felt he came to mock
me over Val but then he dropped the
flowers on my bed and reached for my
hand, making me stare at him one more
time. I instantly noticed he had a grave
look and his hand shook as our eyes met.
He looked genuinely worried for me but
then the events of the past few days were
too heavy to ignore and they came flashing
back into my head in full force.
‘’I came to apologize over using the wrong
approach on you my dear. I was only
desperate and acted out of desperation and
frustration. There wasn’t any other way to
get you to be with me, to get you to see
the truth. I knew all along that Val wasn’t
real. You have been away from the country
too long to know how things happen over
here. I found out very late that he was
taking advantage of you and Vivian at the
same time and I knew you would never
believe me considering our relationship. I
had to find a way to get you away from
him. Yes I knew I took the wrong approach
and I’m here to apologize and atone for the
pains I caused you and your family. I will do
anything to have your trust back. Our
families have come a long way. I believe
It’s better you trust the devil you know
than the devil you don’t. My only mistake
was kidnapping you instead of fighting like
a man. Please forget all the silly words I
said back then. I didn’t know what got over
me. I was plain silly. Yes I’m ready to go to
jail over it but please I beg of you, forgive
me’’ he begged solemnly, leaving me
extremely indecisive as he sobbed before
me. I had never seen that part of him
before.
Of course I was touched.
‘’’ My head is very much filled up right now.
I can’t think properly but please stop
kneeling for me’’ I stammered.
‘’will you then accept my flowers?’’ he
begged seriously. I breathed deeply and
took them.
‘’we are cool with each other Charles but
I’m not promising anything yet. Moreover
you wounded and humiliated me. You
almost raped me. I need to come to terms
with everything. I need to confront Val and
Vivian as well. I need to tell them how I
feel about their betrayal’’ I breathed with
great energy.
‘’my dear, I really don’t think that will be
possible. According to what I heard, your
Val isn’t going to make it. He lost quite a
lot of blood and he has been unconscious
since the previous evening. And as for
Vivian, arrangements are being made to get
her out of the country for treatment. I
think India or so’’ he revealed while I
breathed deeply and shrugged.
‘’how much do you know about Val?, were
you aware all along that he’s a federal
agent?’’ I asked curiously, watching his
reaction but unfortunately he gave out
nothing. He appeared so cool, not revealing
his feelings.
‘’let’s stop talking about that i.diot. I beg
of you. I’m happy God has vindicated me”
he softly muttered, holding my hands while
I closed my eyes.
———————————-
7:38pm, The governor’s lodge,
Scene : Dining room,
: Clara’s side of the story continues
I went over to the dining room to have
dinner with my family. It really was the first
time in weeks I was having dinner together
with mum and dad. It equally was an
opportunity to discuss some family issues.
Of course Charles left me a bit confused
and indecisive with his apology and all he
told me earlier in the day.
He finally left, promising to show up around
7pm to talk to my parents and apologize to
them as well.
I was just so vulnerable like a young girl
experiencing heartbreak for the first time.
The news of my cousin’s romance with Val
totally shattered me. I needed someone to
lean on and it was as if Charles was just
making good use of the opportunity to
show a new part of him to me.
On getting to the dining room, dad
instantly stood up and hugged me.
‘’my dear, you can’t believe how happy I’m
to have you right here. Charles went too
far with his games and I’m really sorry for
not doing anything about it. I’m so
ashamed of myself’’ he breathed with a
painful voice.
‘’its okay dad, what matters the most is
that I’m right here with you’’ I replied while
mum nodded with a smile. Charles walked in
on us that moment as if he had been
around, hiding in a corner all along. He
approached us and knelt before everyone..
‘’I’m so sorry for taking advantage of your
goodwill. I’m so sorry for destroying my
family’s reputation. My father is no longer
talking to me and he already threatened to
disinherit me unless I make up with you sir.
Please take me back like a prodigal son
returning home to his family. I only did
what I did out of love and desperation. I
promise never to bother Clara ever again’’.
He begged with eyes filled with tears. He
looked so genuine, so real and so
convincing. I never knew when I drew
forward and got him to his feet, not
minding that he was addressing my father.
‘’dad, mum, you guys should forgive him.
Sometimes we do silly things out of love
and what he did isn’t an exception. Yes I
now know love is never enough to make a
relationship work, what matters most is
understanding’’ I breathed, shocking my
parents with my words. Even Charles was
so surprised with all I said. He couldn’t
believe himself.
‘’are you saying that you now understand
Charles and he also understands you?’’
mum asked with great curiously, unable to
hide the excitement in her head. I couldn’t
reply her question but deep down I
answered her in my heart.
Yes all that matter is ‘understanding’, Real
unpolluted love only happens in movies.
———————————————————-
Meanwhile Val is seen helplessly lying
unconscious in the emergency unit of a
government hospital. A middle aged
doctor, a team of student doctors and
four nurses are seen working tirelessly on
him as the clock hanging above them ticks
away. Val’s mother can be heard crying so
painful at the waiting room.
To be continued

CLARA THE STATE GOVERNORS DAUGHTER
EPISODE 28

12pm, the next day @the governor’s
mansion
(Clara is seen sitting calmly at the balcony
in front of her room reading a newspaper,
Charles joins her carrying a bottle of wine
and two glass cups)
Clara’s side of the story continues
‘’Deji will be getting married on Saturday,
hope you will be attending?’’ Charles asked
curiously as he offered me a glass of wine.
I shrugged and shook my head.
‘’Deji?, which Deji?’’ I asked, pretending
not to recognize the person he was talking
about.
‘’come on are you joking or serious?’’ he
asked with disbelief while I smiled. Deji was
the first son of former deputy governor of
Oyo state (3rd republic). He equally was
one of Charles’s most loyal friends.
However I never had any idea he was
getting married.
‘’well he never told me and I don’t think I
will be attending’’ I answered.
‘’he sent your invitation through me. The
wedding is on Saturday at Abuja. At least
you will use the opportunity to meet old
friends you haven’t seen for ages’’ he
pressed on with a smile. I breathed deeply
as I gave him a long look.
Oh yes I already forgave him over the stunt
he pulled on me the previous week but I
couldn’t get myself to forget it. I was still
very much uncomfortable with him and no
matter how hard I tried to force myself into
feeling very secure with him I just couldn’t.
‘’we will leave for Abuja on Friday and
spend the night at my place. On Saturday
we leave for the wedding. Once the
wedding is over you can decide how long
you wish to stay in the city. My job will be
to guard and serve you’’ he added
pleasantly to impress me. I forced out a
smile that never reached my heart.
‘’Charles you very much know that what
you did to me the previous week will never
leave my memory. I still find it very difficult
to be free with you’’ I bluntly told him
while he nodded, drew close and reached
for my hand.
‘’of course my dear I know. And I will do
everything possible to make you trust me
again’’ he promised quickly. I breathed
deeply.
‘’okay fine, I will attend the wedding with
you. I haven’t attended any high profile
occasion since I arrived the country’’ I
accepted with a smile. His eyes beamed
with joy.
—————————————
By 10am Friday , Charles walked into the
lodge expecting to see me well dressed up
and ready for the journey ahead. But
instead he saw me in sitting room, busy
with my phone. I expected him to get angry
but Instead of getting angry, he drew close
and knelt by my side.
‘’what’s wrong my dear?, you haven’t been
picking my calls since 7am and you are
equally not dressed up. Don’t tell me you
are not going again?’’ he asked
breathlessly. I couldn’t help but notice how
tensed up he was. Of course he was trying
hard to control his real feelings.
‘’I’m still indecisive. I don’t know if I will be
going again’’ I muttered looking away like a
spoilt child.
‘’come on my dear. I know you don’t feel
safe with me but I promise I will never
misbehave. I went through a lot of pains
arranging for the helicopter that will take
us to Abuja. Please consider my feelings as
well. I already told Deji and his bride that I
will be coming with you. You cant change
your mind at the last minute’’ he begged
desperately.
‘’okay fine but where will I be spending the
night?. I don’t want to share the same
room with you and I know it will be rude,
leaving you to sleep over at my family
house once we get to Abuja’’ I asked
seriously.
‘’you will spend the night in my place but
you have nothing to fear. I won’t be very
much around because today is equally
Deji’s bachelor’s Night and I will spend
most of the evening at the party’’’ he
answered quickly.
‘’so that means I will be all alone and lonely
in your house?’’ I asked, putting him in a
tight position with the question. He
swallowed hard.
‘’come on why are you being so uptight. It
isn’t fair’’ he cried. I laughed, got up and
headed to my room to dress up.
———————————-
The trip to Abuja in a helicopter was
another wonderful experience. It was my
second time of flying in a helicopter and my
first time of going on a long trip in it.
Charles was all caring and nice. He was all
out to impress me and yes I enjoyed every
moment.
When we got to his house later in the day,
he never tried anything silly with me,
instead kept a respectable distance. He just
wanted me to see that he was a changed
person. Yes deep down I appreciated
everything but to be sincere to myself I
wasn’t in love with him and I never
promised him anything.
All I did before my parents when he
apologized for his wrong deeds was to
forgive and accept him back as a friend with
the hopes of perhaps getting serious with
him in future. But with the way I was seeing
my feelings I still had my doubts over how
my future with him would turn out. There
was no denying my parents were
encouraging the relationship just like his
parents were and yes it would be good for
business and for everyone. That equally
was the main reason I was trying hard to be
free with him but still I never get turned on
nor felt any sexual urge whenever I was
with him. Yes I knew love no longer
mattered these days but at least a little of
it was all I wanted to feel for him.
———————
Saturday, Deji’s wedding
Deji’s wedding was a one in town society
wedding that had almost all the
personalities in Nigeria attending, From
politicians to academia’s, business moguls
and expatriates. It was just like an annual
get together of the upper class. Almost all
my friends were in attendance and yes
none of us concentrated very much on the
ceremony because of gossips and stories
we had to share. It really was wonderful
and I was so happy to be there.
The M.C, who was no other person than
basketmouth the comedian, did what he
was good at by making the second
ceremony (reception) as lively as ever.
The event dragged on till around 6:30pm
when the M.C, finally announced to
everyone’s amazement that he will be in
charge of another wedding coming up in
few months.
‘’should I reveal the couple?’’ he asked in
his usual funny manner, leaving a chorus of
yes on everyone’s lips. He then asked the
Dj to play him a song.
I laughed heartily as I watched the M.C,
dance towards my table, not suspecting a
thing. Then suddenly he stopped at the
table I shared with Charles and three other
friends, cracked a joke and handed over the
microphone to Charles while the hall went
silent as everyone watched. At that
moment I understood what was about
happening and my heart froze.
Charles softly took the microphone, pulled
out a diamond ring and went on his knees
before me.
‘’will you marry me Clara?’’ he asked in
front of everyone. Our friends, family, the
media, everyone that mattered were all
there.
I felt angry, shocked and speechless.
Rejecting him was close to impossible. It
would be a huge embarrassment.
To be continued

CLARA THE STATE GOVERNORS DAUGHTER
EPISODE 29
Val’s side of the story continues at the
same time Charles knelt down to propose
to Clara
I suddenly woke up from a seemingly
terrible nightmare, springing up with great
energy as if I was being pursued by a
vampire while agent Jenifer who was
surprisingly sitting by my side held me back
strongly. I stared at her with surprise
before taking a calm look round me. I
instantly noticed that I was in a hospital.
‘’what happened?’’ I stammered as I felt a
sharp pain in my head.
‘’thank God you are awake. I will have to
inform the nurses on duty. You have been
out since Monday and today is Saturday’’
she said with a smile, stood up and left the
room.
I fell back on my bed as everything that
happened on Monday slowly flashed back in
my head. I couldn’t believe I survived
Charles’s brutal attack. It was a miracle. I
had a lot to tell Jenifer, I had a lot to learn
from her concerning Vivian. But
unfortunately as my memory returned, so
did the pain I felt all over me increase. It
soon became too much to bear.
I strongly fought it back as I waited for
Jenifer to return, equally wondering at the
same time if Vivian actually survived the
onslaught or not. I couldn’t help but play
back in my head how she was brutally
stabbed while I did nothing to save her. .
Agent Jennifer and two nurses soon came
in.
‘’how are you feeling Mr. Val?’’ one of the
nurses asked.
‘’I feel pains all over me’’ I answered as the
second nurse arranged a needle and syringe
which she expertly used on me.
‘’how is Vivian?’’ I managed to ask
Jennifer.
‘’she’s fine’’ she replied with a faint smile.
‘’that b.astard tried to kill us. Charles
attacked Vivian and I in my house. I need to
kill that b.astard’’ I muttered drowsily as
the drugs injected on me took over my
body. I was soon asleep once again and I
really had no time to neither see the
expression on Jenifer nor know if she
believed me or not. Of course I knew the
more time wasted to get Charles could
make him bolder and more dangerous.
——————————————————
Clara’s side of the story continues
‘’will you marry me Clara?’’ Charles asked
again as sweat instantly drenched his entire
body. I never noticed I already spent
enough time to give my response. The
whole hall was just dead quiet. I couldn’t
help but wonder what was going through
everyone’s mind. I hated Charles for what
he was doing to me. There was supposed
to be an agreement between us before
pulling such stunt. No matter how
surprising a lady might look when being
prosped to, it’s never entirely surprising to
her the way she makes it to appear to be
because one way or the other she must
have made plans with her man but in my
own case there was no such plans hence
my pure surprise and confusion. We weren’t
even dating for Christ sake and I knew
turning him down would turn a whole lot of
friends against me. He just used the
perfect opportunity to try pinning me
down. I understood what he was doing. I
understood the desperation and fear in him.
I saw no clear way out of it all. Accepting
him would make everyone happy but how
about me?.
‘’please will you marry me?’’ he asked once
again, this time around it looked as if he
was almost close to tears. The fear in his
eyes was so revealing. I knew he wouldn’t
be able to live with the embarrassment if I
turned him down in such a place. I pitied
him. My heart kind of melted. I didn’t want
him to be the victim of a public disgrace. I
had to save his pride even if it was going
to cost me a whole lot. I forced out a smile
and was surprised to see tears form in my
eyes. I knew it wasn’t tears of joy. I believe
it was tears of confusion or something
else. I was under pressure to accept him
and I did.
‘’’yes yes I will marry you’’ I finally
breathed while claps and shouts filled the
air as Charles heaved a sigh of relief, drew
close, softly entered the ring on my finger,
kissed and hugged me.
‘’thank you Clara for making me a man,
thank you for not disgracing me’’ he
breathed.
‘’we need to talk’’ I whispered back. Of
course we had a lot to talk. We had a lot to
sort out.
‘’Is Charles really for real or am I actually
following a path that would turn to misery
and pain?’’ I asked myself. Yes as a lady I
had this double feeling I couldn’t explain.
To be continued