Chapter 8 What’S The Occasion?

• Arike’s POV
• "I don't understand why your stubborn boss wants to see you on a Sunday." I grumbled as I helped Busayomi carry her bag to the car.
• She planned to leave on Monday morning but then her boss called up to bring some files she picked from the office to his house.
• "It's strange how your boss wants to see you. Can't he wait to get the files on Monday?" I continued grumbling.
• "I don't know if it's -"
• "Arike please my ears are full. I am a secretary more or less like a personal assistant so he can call me up anytime. He's a businessman."
• "I don't believe it's just work related. Work on Sunday? Who does that?"
• "My boss does that." She replied with a laugh.
• "Perhaps are you hiding something from me?"
• "Something like what?"
• "Anything about -"
• She interrupted me sharply. "Hey! Aunty! Stop right now! If you are thinking I am having an affair with my boss then dead that thought!" She eyed me.
• "I didn't even say anything." My boss shrugged.
• "My boss is a good looking man but I don't like him. And remember I have a boyfriend."
• "Which boyfriend?"
• "Seyi of course."
• I rolled my eyes. Durrrhhhh. "Well I hope your so called boyfriend is able to speak of you like this to his friends and family?"
• "It's none of your business."
• "Sister mi I don't understand why you'll be dating someone for close to five years now and you don't know his friends or family."
• "Arike please let's not go down that lane."
• "Your wish." I stepped back from the car so she could close the door.
• "Don't forget everything I said to you." I shook my head in understanding. "I will give you a call when I get home."
• "Take care of yourself and tell you boss to be careful if he doesn't want me to serve him a court note."
• She laughed. "I'll constantly remind him that my baby sister is a lawyer."
• We laughed. "Bye bye." I waved and watched her drive out of my compound.
• My phone rang as I turned back towards the house. It was a call from Bamidele.
• "Hello Damsel."
• "Hi Bami."
• We exchanged how are you's.
• "Are you enjoying your Sunday?" He asked.
• "Yeah.."
• "Your sister is still around?"
• "No, her boss called her up to bring some files to his House."
• "Ouch! Now you're home alone."
• "Yeah."
• "What do you intend to do?"
• "Prepare for the new week." I responded.
• "And after the preparation?"
• "Review a case."
• "And?" He asked again.
• I raised my eyebrows in confusion as I thought for second. Why was he asking me these questions? But nothing came to my mind.
• "What would you do after reviewing the case?" He asked again.
• "Probably read a book." I responded.
• "Okay..seems you have everything planned so don't let me interrupt your plans."
• "What about you?"
• "Home alone trying to kill boredom with video games."
• "Oh! Okay."
• "I'll be stepping out soon to buy dinner, do you want to join me?"
• "Me? I have enough food at home."
• "Oh! So why don't you invite me for dinner?! Don't be selfish, Arike." He chuckled.
• I was taken aback by his words. Should I really invite him over for dinner? I am aware Bamidele can't cook. And he told me that he always eat out or order food whenever he's too stressed to drive out to buy food. Life of a bachelor who can't cook.
• "Arike, I was -"
• He snapped me out of my thoughts. "Yes! What did you say?"
• "I was only trying to make a joke about you inviting me for dinner at your place. I mean.. well since you already have plans for today then we can have dinner some other time."
• I don't think it's a bad idea to invite him over for dinner. An inner voice said to me.
• "I'll talk to you later." He said.
• "No! Wait!" I said quickly.
• "Yes...."
• "I have food...so it's okay for you to come over for dinner."
• "No you don't have to do that because it was a joke."
• "I am serious. I don't really having anything doing and you are bored too so we can keep each other company till night falls or anytime."
• "Okay..okay what time should I come over?"
• The time was 4:00pm. "Is 6 okay?" I asked.
• "You should be the one to decide since you're the host."
• "No..you decide." I said.
• "Okay..six is fine by me. It's cool. I'll be there."
• "Okay.. I'll text you the address."
• "I won't be needing it."
• "What?"
• "Oh no! I mean -" he paused.
• "Hello?"
• He sighed. "Arike, we worked together on a case for a long time and you think I won't know where to live?" He asked.
• Well I was kinda stupid to hide my place from him when he already knows where I live. At the last dinner when he offered to drive me home I refused and it was obvious that I had pushed him away so he wouldn't know my place. I ordered Uber in place of a free ride. Right now I feel so embarrassed and I don't know what to say.
• "I am sorry. I shouldn't have found your place without your consent." He apologized.
• "No..no.. it's alright."
• "Okay....i'll see you later."
• "Bye." I disconnected the call.
• I set off to the kitchen to start preparing dinner. I decide to cook Rice,turkey stew and catfish pepper soup because these are his best meal.
• I finished cooking and cleaning around 5:30pm. Thirty more minutes and Bamidele will be here. I should take a shower because my body stinks from too much sweat from cooking and cleaning.
• I didn't take too long in the bathroom,it was like the quickest bathe I have ever had in my life. I was a bit nervous about Bamidele coming over for dinner. I kept thinking if I was doing the right thing. All I truly wanted was distraction from my feelings.
• I rushed to my phone when it beeped. A message from Bamidele.
• "I am sorry, I will be late for dinner. I have to take my dog to the clinic but I won't take long."
• I already set the table. I shook my head in disappointment. I wasn't happy even though he had a good reason for turning up late for dinner.
• I shrugged off the feeling of disappointment. "He has to take care of his dog who happens to be his closest friend. He'll be here soon and I hope his dog is fine." I whispered to myself as I sat on my couch and turned on the TV.
• Some minutes later the doorbell rang. Who could it be? Bamidele? Perhaps was he playing a prank on me? Silly boy!
• I rushed to the door without looking through the small gap on the door.
• "Ba -" my intended word was cut off when I saw who was at the door.
• My smile dropped. "Oh..Dayo?"
• "Were you expecting someone else?"
• "Come in," I stepped aside for him to walk in. " You didn't tell me you were coming."
• "Sorry about that but I wanted to surprise you." He flashed me his best smile.
• "You should have at least send me a text."
• "Here." He handed me the paper bag in his hands. "I brought your favorite chocolate."
• "Thank you."
• "Aren't you happy to see me?"
• "Don't I look happy to you?"
• "Okay I know why you're giving me cold attitude. I am sorry."
• "About what?"
• "Everything..whatever it is that's making you act -" he sniffed the air.
• "Are you cooking something?"
• "No."
• He gave me a wink. "Five star Chef...I can smell something delicious." He sniffed again.
• "Wow! Smell like my favorite - catfish pepper soup!" He made an attempt to rush into the kitchen.
• "No..I mean..." He stopped at the dinning table.
• "Wow! Food?! What's the occasion?" He asked.
• I was quick enough to stop in from opening the bowl of pepper soup on the table.
• "Arike, what's with all these food on the table?"
• "Cover it up before it gets cold."
• He obeyed. "You don't eat much but why cook plenty?" He asked. No response came from me.
• Dayo didn't tell me he was coming over and Bamidele would be here anytime soon. I don't know what to do to stop these men from seeing each other. Adedayo would be so pissed once I tell him Bamidele is coming over to my place.