Behold, they shall surely gather together…
-Isaiah 54
Love jolted awake. Her weave flailed at her sudden movement and then fell gently over her neck and face. Daylight hit her eyes. She closed them and opened them again, letting out a yawn.
She rolled on her back. Her feet came into view. One of them was covered with a wedge sandal while the other was bare. She recalled getting into the activity of removing both last night and then throwing her weight on the bed in exhaustion.
Around her lay her phone, handbag and work documents.
She murmured something as she managed out of bed. She had slept alone. Leye was on a ten-day trip out of the country to return later in the day.
Love undressed, removing one piece of clothing at a time as she made her way to the bathroom. She noticed that the water heater was still on from when she flicked the switch last night. She switched it off now and proceeded to fill the bathtub. While this happened, she took a pee. She felt a cramp in her lower tummy, much like the ones she got whenever she was on her period. But she was five days late, a possible sign that she was pregnant. She hadnβt had time to run a test yet. Since the Tuesday after Easter, she had been occupied with BCC-related activities. Combine that with the infrequent visits to Abeokuta to ensure that all was going well with the clinic there. Sheβd wake up each morning with eyes begging for more sleep, and go to bed each night like one tranquilized.
BCC was constructing a new office complex on a stretch of land that was located on the other side of the highway that branched off to the main church premises. The one across was a larger piece of property on which a theological college was slated to be built. Love had had her hands seethed in the business of ensuring things went well with the new office project. She had also been in more than a few transactional meetings to facilitate the acquisition of a couple of shelf companies and successfully functioning ones. She had a small team of capable business personnel she was working with, but it seemed she was carrying the load alone. Her desire to impress Papa and prove her worth to her growing number of adversaries pushed her beyond her limits. Love had never been known to have a stop button when it came to work, and it was beginning to tell on her in just a month.
She had lost weight, sleep and a healthy appetite. But none of it slowed her as much as the strong antagonism that came from Adonijah and the board of directors.
It had begun with Adonijah vehemently disagreeing to Papaβs new governing laws for the church. The news had dropped on all the leaders at a senate session a day after Adonijahβs ordination. Papa announced that the new constitution had passed through the board of directors, who showed no objections. Adonijahβs grouse was that he was a member of the board but had not been privy to the changes Papa made.
βI excluded you because I had bigger plans for you, Aloy,β Papa explained. βYou are now the general overseer, and no longer a member of the board.β
Adonijah seemed like he was going to protest, but instead he threw in a question. βJust like that? Iβm kicked out?β
βJust like that, you have been elevated, Aloy. Many wish to be where you are.β
Adonijah dumped his complaints into silence. The senate members with fixed eyes on him, were expecting a retort, but none came. Papa continued.
βThe G.O., from now on, presides over all the pastors and various departmental leaders. He is the head of everything that relates to the spiritual and outreach activities of the ministry. Pastor Love, on the other hand, is the head of management, presiding over everything business. Her team is responsible for the maintenance of the church, the upkeep of the pastors, the financing of projects and administration of BCC-owned businesses. What I have done is simply split my office in two between both of you. It is my wish that you work together as a team to ensure that Bethel Christian Center reaches the height God wants it to attain.
βWe would be buying into flourishing companies and corporations, and also building a couple of ours from the scratch. We have contracted the services of a management firm that would be working with Pastor Love to ensure that we get the best deals. BCC is stupendously blessed. It would be unwise and shortsighted of us not to make investments that would secure our future.
βWe have to embrace the change. It is for everyoneβs good. I also implore you all to give Pastor Love every support she needs. She is new here, and her methods may not exactly be toothsome to some of us, but I assure you, she is doing well and has my total backing.β
Adonijah shifted in his chair. He seemed to be swelling by the minute.
βSupport her. Encourage her,β Papa stressed, his focus on him.
But Papa could have been speaking to the air for all Adonijah cared. The moment he got the chance to twist the minds of the board members, he painted a picture about Love that was prickly. She was thence summoned to appear before them, with instructions to come along with her business plans. Papa was out of town then for his introduction. Love had been forced to face the board alone.
For fear of how Papa and Leye would react, she kept the information to herself. When she appeared before the board, she went fully equipped. But from the instant she stepped in and was thrown the first question, she knew it was a witch-hunt.
They wanted to know her top score. What was her success story? Why had her late husbandβs church not grown under her management? What was her plan for BCC? How were they sure it was not purely for her personal gain to be in charge of administration?
And on they went until there were no more questions to throw at her. Next, they moved to her organizational plans, finding faults at every juncture, picking at holes at each turn. It was then she began to crack. She was not the type of leader to show all her cards; she had carefully left out important details of her strategies and devices.
βIt is either youβre not skilled for this job or youβre hiding a lot from us,β one of them had said, casting sharp eyes into hers. She warded off the stare by concentrating on the perfect finishing of the table before her.
Finally, the board moved to the third phase of their attack. They asked her what the mission and vision of BCC was. Without effort, she replied them. But they wouldnβt stop there. They pressed harder. The church was already set to run in a certain way, they reminded her. She was not to disturb the natural order of things. It didnβt matter her position; she was answerable to Adonijah and other pastors who had been there before her. She wasnβt to run projects or new ideas without reporting to Adonijah and the senate. The success and longevity of her position hinged on the deference she was to show her superiors. Being an Omotosho wasnβt going to save her. The other Omotosho wives before her had known their place in BCC and kept to it. She was to do the same.
βAnd finally, read Proverbs 31,β a certain female board member said. βAsk God for deep understanding of that passage. You are a mother to many, Pastor Love. Use your office as the wife of our dearest Pastor Omoleye to build other women up. Many look up to you. Let them find you where God has placed you. Not where you desire to be amongst the men. May God guide your heart into submission and understanding.β
Love felt bile in her throat. But she thanked them, picked her files and left the conference room. When she got home, she dialed Papa and related to him all she had passed through.
βAdonijah did this in my absence?β
βYes, Papa.β
βI am so sorry, Loveth.β
βItβs fine.β
βI will address it upon my arrival.β
Love was soon learned that the old man didnβt throw words around aimlessly. A few days after the phone call, she got an email from his office, inviting her for a meeting with the board of directors that was supposed to hold later in the day. She knew Papa was angry; she hoped that he was angry enough to stick his neck out for her.
It had been a tedious day like every other for the past three months. Love was lying on the couch in Leyeβs office at church, trying not to fall asleep. The sun had just begun to set. Leye was on his way in from the airport, chauffeured by Najib. Love was upset at herself for not having prepared any meal for him. He wasnβt going to complain, of course, knowing that she hated being culinary. But sometimes she felt it was a good thing to surprise him with choice dishes.
Exhaustion left her in a deep sigh. She shut her eyes and finally gave in to the sleep that was tugging. She didnβt get quite far when she felt her husbandβs lips on hers.
βHey, babe.β
When her eyes opened, she saw a frown of worry on his face.
βYouβve lost weight, sweetness.β
She inhaled his scent. βAnd youβre looking dapper.β
She was referring not only to the fresh look on his face but also his outfit combination of a pair of Canali woven tailored pants and an Alexander McQueen shirt folded at the sleeves β as was his habit.
βYouβve not been sleeping. Look at your eyes.β
βIβm fine.β
βNo, youβre not.β
βI missed you.β
βMe too.β
He took her hand which was rested on his chest and kissed it. βSo, board meeting, huh?β
βYeah. Papa is pissed at Adonijah.β
βDetails.β Leye stood up and made for his desk. Love sat straight, stretching out her legs. Leye returned with a two bowls of chicken salad and a burger.
βI stopped on the way here to buy these.β
Love took what was offered. She realized that she was actually hungry. He sat beside her, and as they ate, she gave him a summarized version of the hell she had gone through, making sure to strip away the emotional angle.
βHow dare he?β Leye asked angrily, dumping his salad aside.
βAdonijah is not alright, Jeremiah. Heβ¦β
βIβm not talking about Adonijah!β
Love looked at him wearily.
βHe knew the wolves were coming after you and he let them!β
βLeye, please donβt start.β
And she was going to say more to appeal to his calm but Ify knocked on the door and entered.
βPapa is here,β she announced. βHe wants to see you.β
βMe?β Love asked.
βBoth of you.β
Ify retreated. Love stood up, holding on to her salad. βKeep your cool in there, babe.β
βIβll try,β Leye replied, walking ahead of her. She followed him into Papaβs office. The man was in the middle of a phone call when they walked in. From his tone, Love could tell he was upset. She looked at her husband; he still bore an angry look. She waited for the inevitable.
Papa dumped his phone on his desk and turned to his son. βOmoleye?β
βGood evening, dad.β
Papa nodded and turned a smile on Love. βThe strongest woman.β
She went to him for a hug. βHow was your trip?β
βInteresting.β
βOur in-laws?β
Papa shook his head in an amused smile. βLetβs not go into that now.β He looked down at her. βTaken that test yet?β
She gave no answer. She had stopped at a maternity clinic in the morning for a pregnancy test. The result was known only to her.
βI hate to break your pillow talk,β Leye remarked, βbut we have to talk, dad.β
βWe do, indeed. Sit.β
βNo.β
Love pulled a chair and helped herself into it.
βI donβt like what youβre doing to my wife,β Leye began. Papa raised his hands in innocence. βThe board members went out of line, and they wouldnβt have done that if you didnβt put her in the line of fire. I would ask, respectfully, that you take the heat for your own mess.β
βMess?β Father stared at son, his arms crossed. βOmoleye, I am not in the frame of mind for your tantrums this evening.β
βProtecting my wife is now tantrums?β
βMust everything be a fight with you? This your anger at me has gone on far too long and unchecked and itβs now making a fool out of you.β
Leye retorted harshly in Yoruba and a verbal exchange ensued between them. Love kept her head low as she consumed what was remaining in her salad pack. The men soon ended their tiff, with neither of them bowing to the other.
βLoveth, I apologize for that,β Papa said. Love was careful not to give a response. βI actually called you in here to let you know that the men and women you had had the unfortunate encounter of meeting are not just ordinary members of BCC. They have vested interests in the church, and have contributed immensely to its growth, financially. This was why they felt they could question you the way they did. Iβd like to let you know that they have only just begun, and after todayβs meeting, itβs going to get worse for you.β
βAnd you stand there, saying that so casually,β Leye spat.
βIβm speaking, son.β
βBabe, please…β
βAs I told you before, Loveth, ignore them. I will handle them. It takes a certain type of ruthlessness and cunning to do so.β
βOr youβre just using Love as bait to do what you should have done to them a long time ago. I warned you, dad. I told you they would become a thorn in your flesh. I expertly advised you to use outsiders as your board of directors, but you wouldnβt listen. Look how far theyβve gone. How powerful youβve made them. They are not supposed to have the kind of control youβve given them. And this your latest act of making Adonijah the general overseer is going to end in a disaster.β
βOmoleye, thatβs enough.β
βIf anything happens to my wife, physically, emotionally, psychologically, Iβll come after you.β
βDarling, please,β Love pleaded.
βIβll be in my office.β
Leye marched out. Papa took his seat.
βHe thinks youβre pushing me,β Love said.
βHeβs still angry at me. After all these years. Nothing I do seems right to him.β
Papaβs hurt was unmistakable.
βHave you tried to say youβre sorry?β
βIsnβt it too late? And will it change anything? Will it undo all Iβve done? Thatβs what he wants β a perfect father. The one he used to know as a little boy who could do no wrong in his eyes.β
βYou need to tell him youβre sorry.β
βIβve tried.β
βYouβre not trying hard enough, Papa.β
Papa didnβt disagree with her. βWeβve missed so many years as father and son. Do you think we can ever get it back?β
βAnything is possible.β
βCan you help?β
βHelp? As in bring you two together?β
βSpeak to him on my behalf.β
βNo, Papa. Thatβs one bridge youβll have to cross on your own. So, changing the topic, how is Alice?β
βGreat. I had the chauffeur take her home. Sheβs exhausted.β
βDo you love her?β
He smiled. βDeeply.β
Love liked the way her unexpected questions never caught him off guard. He was always ready with an answer.
βDoes she love you?β
βDo you love your husband?β
βMore than I like to show.β
βAlice loves me. But she doesnβt know.β
βSome of us donβt want you to get hurt.β
βSome of you shouldnβt worry about this old man.β
Love went up on her feet. βSee you at the meeting.β
She left the office. Outside, Mina was waiting.
βYou have a video call from the investment analyst guy.β
βHeβs finally returning our call,β Love said, heading towards her office. βHow many minutes before the meeting?β
Mina brought her phone to her face. βEightβ¦em, seven.β
βIβll take the call.β
Mina dashed ahead of her and threw open the office door. She handed her a tab. Her caller was waiting, an overweight man whose size filled the screen of the tab.
βMr. Silva.β Love shooed Mina out and shut her door. She commenced with her call, settling into her chair. βLetβs make this a quick one. I have a meeting in a few.β
Mr. Silva nodded and a dialogue ensued. Thirty minutes later, they were still speaking. The door opened and Mina poked her head in. It was the second time she was dropping by. Love looked up.
βMr. Silva, thank you for your time. Iβll swing by your office tomorrow.β
βMrs. Omotosho, waitβ¦β
βBye.β
Love hung up. She breathed out.
βMommy, you need to hurry to the conference room right now. Papa is giving it to the board. Iβve never seen him so angry.β
βWhat happened?β Love asked, rising up.
βI donβt know but he seems really angry at the board of directors. Oh! Daddy said I should give you this.β
Mina walked over to Love with a folded piece of paper. Love opened it.
Please go home, sweetness. Things are really hot in here. I donβt want you getting hurt.
Love crumpled the paper in annoyance.
βDaddy said you shouldnβt come for the meeting?β Mina asked.
βGet Najib. Let him take me home,β Love instructed. βBring my handbag along.β
She nursed her annoyance as she headed out. If Papa was frying her enemies, she wanted front row seat to view the drama. Leye was being unreasonable for asking her to leave. But she knew it was probably the wise thing to do.
She rode home, listening to Mina and Najib argue over the presidentβs health status. When they arrived at the house, Mina assisted her in preparing dinner, and afterwards she had a shower. She dressed in something short, silky and sexy, and lay in bed, waiting for Leye. But her head had scarcely hit the pillow when her eyes shut. She was awoken by the touch of Leyeβs thumb on her lips.
βI slept off?β
βIβm sorry Iβm just coming home. The meeting just ended. It wasβ¦β he exhaled, βhell.β
βReally?β
βAll because of you.β
He kissed her cleavage.
βMe?β
βWere you this much trouble in Abeokuta?β
Love chuckled. He rested his head on her chest.
βSo what happened?β
βYour dear old Papa gave the board of directors a piece of his mind. He basically reminded them that their role was only advisory and not decision-making. And that you didnβt need to run your policies by them. Adonijah tried to speak several times but he got shut down. And quite embarrassingly too. I think the love relationship between both men is dead.β
βSo Papa stood up for me.β
βYeah. He pulled the family card. In his words, βyou do not come after my own. If you do, youβre coming after me, and I will retaliate without mercy.β β
βHe said that?β Love blushed.
βYes,β Leye replied, stroking her thigh. βAnd right after that, he dissolved the board.β
βNo way!β Love tried to spring up but Leye held her down, lifting himself to kiss her.
βHe dissolved the board?β
βYes, all of us were fired. And a new board is taking over. Non-members of BCC.β
Love managed up. βHe did that?β
βYeah.β
βJeremiah, this is good news. He listened to you.β
βAfter how many years? And it happens only when they start to misbehave.β
βBut he took your advice.β
Leye stood up. βAm I supposed to be impressed by that?β
βLeyeβ¦β
βIβm sorry, Iβm not carried away by all I saw this evening. None of it would have happened if he listened to me.β
βBut heβs doing so now.β
Leye began unbuttoning his shirt. βGood for him. Iβm just so glad to be free from the boardβs obligations. I can now concentrate on my calling and do away with all that church politics. Itβs draining.β
Love sighed. His attitude was draining too. She went to him and helped him out of his belt.
βDonβt you think itβs time to stop being hostile to your father?β
He looked down at her with an unsightly expression.
βYes, Jeremiah, you have to forgive him.β
βDid he ask you to do this?β
βHeβs changed. You know that. If you didnβt, you wouldnβt let me be around him.β
She undid his fly.
βForgive him, babe.β
βDo you know what it feels like, growing up, trying to please a father, doing everything to be the perfect child, but youβre never good enough?β
Love understood him.
βThe church was more important than I was. He always made me feel inadequate, just for me to find out that he was less than perfect himself. Love, many years have gone by. A lot has been lost. I donβt think we can get it back.β
The unhappiness in his eyes worried Love.
βLetβs have dinner,β he suggested, putting on an empty smile. But he kissed her warmly. βIβm sorry for my mood.β
βItβs fine.β
βI know your Papa has changed. But Iβm finding it hard reconciling the person he is now to the man he used to be. Itβs going to take some time. I need to learn to trust him again.β
βOf course.β
Leye kissed his wifeβs forehead. βYouβre a wonderful person, Loveth.β
βSo they say.β
She zipped up his fly and wore a night robe. They went downstairs for dinner which ended in a pleasant mood. Leye gave her details of his ten-day trip and what he had accomplished while he was away. Love put him up to speed on what she had been doing in his absence. They chatted over other issues that concerned their love life and marriage. Leye suggested a getaway at a resort during the weekend.
βGreat idea.β She held his eyes in a deep smile.
βWhat is it?β he asked. She shook her head.
βYou want to say βI love youβ maybe?β
βYeah. I love you maybe.β
He laughed. βI love you too, sweetness.β
Love broke away from his adoring gaze and tilted her body backwards to peer into the living room. βMina!β
She heard an answer and soon Mina was in the kitchen.
βThe thing I gave you?β
βYes, ma.β
Mina dashed out and returned with a small, white parcel. She handed it over to love but remained standing.
βYou may go.β
Mina curtsied, but hung around.
βMina?β
βOh.β
She curtsied again and dashed out.
βAnother gift for me?β Leye asked. Love pushed the parcel to him. βYou spoilt me too much, Mrs. Omotosho.β
βOpen it.β
Leye put his glass of red wine aside, and keeping his eyes on Love, he opened the parcel.
βLook at it.β
His eyes stared down and fell upon a pair of white baby shoes on which the words were written, hi daddy.
Leye slowly lifted his head and looked at Love, disbelief on his face. She nodded.
βWeβre pregnant?β
βYes.β
βYouβre sure?β
βYes.β
βI thought you were on the pill.β
βYou told me to stop taking it. Remember?β
βI didnβt know you took me seriously. Weβre really pregnant?β
Love nodded again. Leye took the shoes and held them in both hands. She understood that he needed a moment to himself. She rose up and cleared the table, dumping the dishes in the sink. When she turned, she found him standing behind her. She was seized and held in a tight hug.
βYou are a miracle to me, Loveth,β he spoke into her hair, hands going underneath her robe to find her waist. βA blessing to my life. See how easily you gave me what has eluded me for years. See how it just came like all I had to do was think about it.β
βI did nothing, Leye. This is Godβs doing. After all you went through with Diane, you need to have smooth sailing with me.β
βWords fail me.β He kissed her head. βYou wouldnβt understand.β She looked up, their lips met.
βYouβre going to hate me from this moment,β he stated. βBecause I will fuss and fuss and fuss.β
βLetβs start fussing now,β she said in glaring seduction.
βNo. Nothing of that sort is happening. Not until youβre out of the first trimester.β
Love baulked. βWhat?β
βYes, Love. No sex untilβ¦β
βLeye, relax. Nothing is going to happen to the baby.β
βI just want to be careful…β
She spun around and had her back to him, pressing her bum into his midsection.
βBut since youβre putting it this wayβ¦β
He palmed her breasts.
βUpstairs, daddy.β She slapped his hands.
They hurried out of the kitchen and ran up the stairs like little kids, giggling over the sheer silliness of their excitement.
β β β
Alice was having trouble falling asleep. The power was out, the generator was bad, the weather was hot and the mosquitoes in her room just wouldnβt let her be.
βCan animal scientists just tell us the truth that mosquitoes have mutated and insecticides donβt work on them anymore?!β
She flung the plastic hand fan she had been using to cope with the heat.
βKeep quiet nau. Somebody is trying to sleep here.β
Alice cast a cranky eye on her bed where Wemimo who had been fitfully sleeping was now frowning up at her.
βI donβt know how you can sleep through this heat,β Alice grumbled.
βWell, thanks to you, I canβt anymore.β Wemimo lifted herself up. βI think you should go and ask that your neighbor to borrow you his rechargeable fan.β
βIβm not the one he likes.β
βI should go there so that heβll start telling me one long story after the other like he did the last time?β
βIβm naked nau, Wemi. Iβll come and start wearing cloth again?β
βTie wrapper.β
Alice cussed. She picked an Ankara wrapper that was neatly folded beside her pillow and wrapped herself in it. She hurried out, using the flashlight from her phone to brighten the way.
The neighborhood was already asleep. There was a mix of darkness and electricity from the houses surrounding hers. The power situation in the area had gotten worse over the past month. Papa had offered to buy her a new generator but she had declined, reasons being that they were soon to be married and it would be a waste. Now, she was regretting her decision not to accept his generosity.
She stood before her neighborβs door in the next compound and knocked loudly. His generator was on. Sometimes one needed to bang on the door to be heard.
The door opened and a man, dark as a moonless night, came to view.
βAlice?β he called in a surprised voice.
βGood evening.β
βEvening, dearie. What brings you to mine at this ungodly hour?β
βYour rechargeable fan, Oga John. Heat wan kill me and Wemimo.β
At the mention of Wemimo, his eyes tweaked up.
βHeat will not kill you fine ladies in Jesusβ name.β
βAmen.β
He withdrew into his house, returning shortly with a rechargeable fan.
βEse gaan,β Alice said, all smiles. βIβll sleep well now.β
βGreet Wemimo for me o. Tell her to come and see me tomorrow morning. I have something nice for her.β
βI will. Goodnight, Oga John.β
Alice turned back in the direction of home, reminding herself to pass across his message. He wasnβt kidding when he said he had something for her. The last time he made a similar promise, Wemimo left his house with an envelope containing ten thousand naira. She had also gotten saliva slobbered on her cheek. The man was a licker.
As she stepped out of the compound the flash of bright headlamps from a car across the street caught her attention. She gave the car a look. It seemed familiar, but she couldnβt recall where she had come across it. The tail of the car was to her so that she couldnβt see who was sitting in it. But when she had a second look and caught the BCC poster on the back windscreen, she knew at once that it was Wesleyβs car.
Perplexed as to what he was doing in her neighborhood at that hour, Alice went across the street and strode towards the vehicle, her flashlight held up. Wesley was not on cordial terms with her, due to some cold encounters they had had in the past. She found his presence outside her house a bit unnerving.
When she approached the vehicle, she stopped at the driverβs window, knocked and flashed her light in. The disturbing picture of Wesley and Tara with their lips locked in a kiss met her, but what was more unsightly was Wesleyβs hand resting on Taraβs breast.
They broke contact at her intrusion. She moved away, stunned.
Seconds passed and Wesley let his window down. βAlice?β He was wearing a flat smile.
βI did not just see what I saw, Wes.β
βGood evening, Alice.β
βWhat the heck was that?!β
βNothing that warrants your raised voice. You didnβt answer my greeting.β
βGreeting? Seriously?β Alice bent a little and sought for Taraβs face. βOmotara, you want to explain things to me?β
βNo.β
βCome down from the car, please.β
Tara stepped out of the car but remained on the other side.
βThis is what you left Moore to be doing?β
βAlice, calm down nau,β Wesley pleaded. βWhy are you talking to your friend like that?β
βNo, leave her, let her talk. She always wants to police everyoneβs life.β
Taraβs words pricked Alice. She withdrew from her line of interrogation. βI just want to know whatβs going on between you two.β
βWeβre courting,β Tara answered at the same time Wesley said, βWeβre dating.β
βDating? Courting? Which one?β
βI donβt have to answer to you.β Tara peeped into the car. βBye, boo.β
βBoo?β Alice questioned as Tara walked past her, crossed the street and disappeared into their compound.
βUncle, start explaining yourself.β
Wesley came out of the car. βWeβre seeing each other.β
βOr seeing each otherβs privates?β
βAlice, weβre adults.β
βYouβre a leader in church. Youβre both born-again Christians. You do know what that means, right? It means you are not to be sexually active.β
βAlice, I know, butβ¦β
βBut what?β
He shrugged. βYou understand na.β
βIs Tara still a virgin?β
βSheβll have to answer that herself.β
βReally, Wesley?β Alice shook her head in disappointment. βWhen are you going to tell her what happened between you and Wemimo?β
βShe doesnβt have to know.β
βDonβt be a jerk, Wesley. She deserves to know.β
βI said, she doesnβt.β
Alice moved a step towards him in a daring manner. βI will tell her everything. And Iβll also tell her how you enjoy sleeping around with girls in the church, promising all of them marriage and dumping them. But you keep getting away with it because of the load of cash you keep throwing into Adonijahβs pocket.β
He gave a chuckle that affected only one side of his lips. βYouβre threatening me. I think this your pastor title is giving you a big head.β
βI will tell her about you. My friendβs emotional and spiritual state is more important to me than your evangelical penis which youβre spreading around like a bad gospel.β
βAlice, youβre only speaking to me this way because youβre screwing Papa.β
Aliceβs eyes narrowed at his insinuation. βSome of us are not enslaved by the thing between our legs.β
βTrue. One can say that about you. Stiff as a pole. But the old man?β Wesley laughed. βEveryone knows you just have to be a young, dark, slim female, and heβs spreading your legs wide open on his office desk and screwing the shame out of you.β
Alice threw out her hand and hit his face. It was a weak slap, but it hurt his pride. He grabbed his door. βGoodnight, Alice.β
βWait.β
He stopped.
βAll those dick pics you sent to Wemimo, I have all of them. Even the ones with your face on them. The next time you make any offensive statement about Papa to me, Iβll have you and your little man all over the internet. Yes, stiff as a pole me will open your ass wide and screw some shame into you.β
βYouβre not going to do it, Alice. Youβre not that type of person.β
βDonβt push me.β
She picked the fan and made her way home. When she got into the living room, an angry Tara, pacing about in the dark, was waiting for her.
βYouβre older than me, Alice. You are kind to me. You gave me accommodation in this house at no cost. You have been good to me. I appreciate all of that. But what I donβt appreciate is you embarrassing me in front of my boyfriend and raising your voice at me as if I were your housemaid!β
βTara, Iβm sorry I shouted on you and spoke to you that wayββ
βYou embarrassed me! Is it that you always have to let me know that youβre better than me?!β
βNo, Tara.β
βThen why did you do what you did?!β
Wemimo emerged from Aliceβs bedroom.
βWhatβs going on?β
βNothing,β Alice replied. βTake the fan. Go back to bed.β
βItβs not nothing!β Tara yelled.
βTara, itβs between you and me. We can talk about it like adults. Iβm sorry for how I behaved.β
βTell me whatβs going on nau,β Wemimo repeated.
βI said itβs nothing nau, Wemi.β
βWhen did you start lying to me?β She hissed and gave Tara her attention. βKilode?β
βI was with Wesley in his car outside. We were kissing and she came and flashed her light on us and started talking to both of us condescendingly.β
βWesley,β Wemimo repeated. βWho is Wesley?β
βWesley in church,β Tara answered. βThe usher leader.β
Wemimo stared at Alice in surprise. βWesley? The Wesley I know?β
βYes,β Tara responded.
βAh. Wesley again?β Wemimo clapped her hands. βWonders will never end.β
βWhat does that mean?β Tara scowled.
βItβs not me that will be the bearer of bad news o.β Wemimo walked over to Alice, lifted the fan and retreated to the bedroom, leaving Tara confused.
βWhy was she making those statements?β Tara asked.
βSit, dear.β
βWhat bad news is she talking about?β
βPlease, sit.β
βI canβt sit. Just say what you want to say.β
βTara, Wesley is an ass. Iβm sorry, I have to say it that way. I canβt sugarcoat it.β
βYou clearly donβt like him.β
βItβs not about whether I like him or not. Wesley has a bad rep with sisters in the church. I would know because Iβve had three cases brought to my table.β
Tara folded her arms defensively. βWhat cases?β
βHe dates them, promises them marriage as a way to get between their legs, and when heβs tired of using them, he dumps them. I reported all three cases to Bishop A and they were tossed aside. Wesley got a slap on the wrist for them. The ladies didnβt want to go further. I was ready to have him reported to the senate. But they were scared of being judged and seen as immoral. I suspect Bishop A subtly threatened them as he did to me. So I had to let it go.β
βIs that all?β
Alice drew back at the question.
βI know what this is about, Allie. Wesley is Bishop Aβs protΓ©gΓ©. And youβre Papaβs girl.β
βGirl?β
βThereβs a serious divide in the church right now, with Papaβs followers upset that Bishop A is now the G.O. So, Iβm not surprised that anything and anyone connected to Bishop A would irritate you, going by your personality.β
βAre you kidding me, Tara?β
βWesley admitted to me that he used to be that person you just described. But he has changed. Heβs no longer that man. Besides, he took me to see his mom who likes me and endorses our relationship. If he just wanted to knack and go, he wouldnβt have gone that far.β
βSo you believe heβs changed? You believe all he told you?β
βYeah. The same way you believe Papa.β
βWhat has Papa got to do with this?β
βAlice, take the log out of your eye and see that youβre no different from me. In the end, we want the same things. A man and a home. So donβt come here acting like youβre going to get angelβs wings and a halo over your head because youβre with Papa. The only difference between him and Wesley is the name and money. Other than that, they are the same, just as we are.β
βThey are not the same.β
βSays who? You think nobody knows what you two do behind closed doors?β
Alice gasped. βTara?β
βAbeg, free me.β She began towards her bedroom. βYouβre not the only one who likes to enjoy good thing.β
Alice slumped into the nearest couch. Wemimo returned to the living room.
βYou heard everything?β
βYes.β
βShe thinks Iβm sleeping with George.β
βSheβs only saying that because she is presently having sex. Wesley obviously, has disvirgined her.β
βWemi, Tara adored George. Talking badly against him in her presence was like blasphemy, but now she opens her mouth and says all these thingsβ¦ Iβm confused.β
βConfused? Bishop A is at work.β
βEven after being promoted to general overseer?β
βIt was a bad move by Papa but I want to believe that he knows what heβs doing, or elseβ¦ Hmmm.β Wemimo shook her head gloomily.
Aliceβs eyes went wet.
βBefore you start crying on my head, let me go and enjoy the fan. Goodnight.β Wemimo left the living room, abandoning Alice to her despairing thoughts. She hated having her name being tainted. Her reputation after a nasty past was something she fought hard to leave clean. But Adonijah was making an excellent mess of it. However, she worried for Papa more. If people thought he was sleeping with her, imagine how much of his history with women they knew. Wesley and Tara couldnβt possibly be the only ones aware of his past.
Aliceβs phone buzzed. She answered the call when she saw it was Papa ringing.
βIβm about to turn in,β he said. βJust calling to say goodnight.β
βHow did the meeting go?β
βRough.β
βBut you dissolved the board as you said you would?β
βYes.β
βAnd youβre still going to be the chairman of the new board?β
βIβm afraid so.β
βGreat job, George.β
βThank you, sweetheart. The next move would be on Adonijah. But Iβm not in a hurry with that. Iβm more interested in seeing how the changes that have been made will affect the ministry.β
βBut Adonijah is not waiting, George. Heβs going about spreading lies about you.β
βWhat lies?β
βAbout your past. People already know.β
βI see.β
βYou need to do something about that.β
Papa was silent.
βGeorge?β
βGive me a minute.β
He continued in silence, and returned several seconds later.
βThereβs only one thing that can be done, Alice.β
βAnd which is?β
βCome out with the truth.β
βWhat?β
βIβll spill the beans on everything I did in my past.β
βGeorge, no. There has to be something else we can do.β
βNo, there isnβt. That is the only way, Alice. Iβm finally ready to clean out my closet.β
Β©Sally @moskedapages
Wah. ….A long one I must say
Just wondering if these might also be a marathon…..thinking out loud
Loool! Marathon days are gone
Thank you for reading
It was clear that Tara was going to fall for that asshole’s charms. She’s no longer a virgin anymore.
I doubt that Papa’s plans will backfire. The old man knows what he’s doing. So far, it’s working to his favor. Let’s see how far it’ll last
I could totally feel Leye’s happiness. Imagine the years of trying for a child and all the heartache and you just get one so easily. It’s like heaven
Sally, thank you. You make this thing look so easy.
And thank you too, Biodun
So interesting, can’t wait till the next episode comes
Thank you, Sarah
Thanks Ms Sally for this episode. Are we expecting marathon episodes?
Just one bonus, dear
No more marathons
Wow…this is still one story I still can’t predict.
It’s ‘nice’ to see the behind the scenes of lives of persons we see on sundays, midweek and vigil services spitting fire. But realising that they are just as human as the next person with their struggles and insecurities. Not for the purpose of judging them (at least for me) but to awaken the consciousness that these people are not God and as such should not be made into one. So the goal is to personally build that personal rapport with God for myself and not relying on any man because they are mere vessels (which can break, crack, be dirty depending on the care they give to it)
Nice Sally!
You are absolutely in my head. You put it aptly
Thanks for the contribution
Awwww…….I’m so happy for pastor Love and Leye,they both deserve all the happiness. I think Papa is on the right path, confessing his sins will neutralize the power adonijah thinks she has over him,even Phoebe will be left to bite the dust. I can’t wait to see how things will turn out.
Me too, dear
Thank you!
Been expecting this episode for a long time and it’s worth the wait, good job my chocolate Sally
Thanks, dear
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Like someone earlier commented , this iis one story I can’t predict. Happy for Leye and Love. Papa George I think you are on the right track. Tara I just pity you cos by the time you realize your folly, many water would have passed under the bridge. You are a lesson on knowing God for yourself and not through any Pastor.
Thank you Sally. Great weekend.
Can we have more though?
Happy weekend to you too, Kemi.
Yes, there’s a new episode today
Welcum back Sally, re we expectin marathon episode dis weekend ni just finking aloud ????.
Happy 4 Leye n Love for dia happiness, Pst Leye shd just soft pedal for Papa n try to 4giv him 4 his past misdeed.
Bishop A is a fu..king son of d devil, just manipulating all his following n using his trump card of Papa misgiven to taint him n every1 closest to Papa. But he shd b mindful dat d ground is wet n slippery n nobody is beyond falling o.
Papa cumin out of d closet n bearing his misdeed in d open is a welcumin development but also av is own hiccup.
Nice1 dia Sally, wait 4 d next episode patiently.
Well, your patient wait paid off. There’s a bonus episode
Tara… Shaking my head ehn! Nice one sal
Bless you, Zeeniey
Wonderful just wooow
Thanks a lot
Welcome back sally,twas an interesting read all through. Tanks for your beautiful write ups,mwahhhh!!!
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Awwww…..
Aunt Salz u rock maami
enjoyed dis waiting for d next episodeYour Message
There’s a new episode up, dear
Wawu!!!! This is spicy loving this all the way thumbs up ma’am
Thank you!
Good, atleast papa is righting his wrongs. Thanks Sally
Thank you too, my dear
Thank you Mrs Dadzie
You’re welcome, Folarin
So happy for love and leye.. I think papa should come clean..Good job Sally. You just keep blowing me away
It’s what I love to do
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Welcome back Sally. Plot is getting thicker.
Someone should put Bishop A on a leash abeg. Tara has done something with pervy Wes…
Ooooi love and leye are having a baby???
Thank you, Chinny ???
As I usually say, Tara is just an ode that allows her brain to be washed by every Dick.
I’m so happy for Love…she totally deserves the love and happiness Leye gives her and tbh ehn, Leye is just hubby goals ???
George, I doff my heart. To think I greatly doubted his “change”. I’m glad he has Alice. I hope Alice and Love would soon have a middle ground.
Been anticipating the next episode after that marathon, so you can imagine my excitement when I saw this in my mail. Thanks Sally!
You’re most welcome, dear
Sally, I love you. Well done.
I love you too
I’m really loving this
Thank God Papa is making amends. Our God forgives and love us.
Na wa o!
From one drama to another.
Thanks Sally for sharing ??????
I got emotional when I saw the baby shoes (in my head) too.
Thank you once again Sally. That is the most I can type in appreciation for your works.
The Wesleys of this world ehn! They’ll sample all the babes in Church and then go and ‘import’ one babe from somewhere. Alice and Wemimo looking out for Tara isn’t bad, but is she ready to see from that angle?
I like the Adonijah vs Loveth war. Although it’s a lot deeper than that but I like what it’ll likely throw up.
And for me, I’m a fan of disclosure at the right time. The indices we’re having makes it look like the best decision for Papa. Make he kukuma talk everything and let the rumors be confirmed. Then we will see if his ‘level of grace’ can lead to forgiveness from his flock.
Big ups Sally, blessings
She’s baaaaaaaackkkkkk…. So getting the not it:
I adore Love and Leye’s relationship: godly but spicy. People make it seem like Christian marriages are a boring affair of just calling each other “brother husband and sister wife”. Me? I want this kind of marriage. Dear future husband, don’t worry I’m a romantic all the way.
As for Alice, she needs to understand that she’s entering a battle field by getting involved with Papa so worse is yet to come.
Wemimo sha, I love her carefree attitude but usually people like this have a well-masked gooey interior.
Dear Tara, kneel down let me pray for you: Oh Lord my God, any body using your picture to roast corn… May their corn not don. AMEN.
I think I support Papa (I can’t even call him George) airing his dirty laundry. I always tell people that everyone has some dirt in their past. It’s easier to acknowledge it and move on than to try to bury and live in denial.
Awesome job, Madam Sally
LOL @ ‘using your picture to roast corn’ Ur prayer is so apt! Wesley don over harvest the corn sef using God’s pishure!
Awwwww, poor Tara, she would be properly roasted, no saving there. Alice, I get the feeling she is naive when it comes to church politics, she needs to step up seriously. Leye and Love, Yorubas say “ti isu eni ba ta, a ma n fowo bo”, congrats in the baby!! Thanks Sally
Dear Sally,
I thought I had dropped a comment last week but I was shocked to discover there was no comment from me. Maybe I forgot to click the publish button?
U never disappoint as usual. Several twists and turns we did not see coming. May they unravel in good stead. Thank you for this episode and the wonderful bonus episode. A thrilling , gripping read.
Looking forward to the next ones – more grease to your pen and your intellectual capacity… xoxo
Church business is not a small something oh…..am just loving this Papa anyhow oh.
Great job Sally…..xoxo.