school,since the holidays were over,when Jacob called her,she didnt know it was him,not until he mentioned his name,she was taken aback,her heart did a flipflop at the mention of Jacob Smiths,he had asked to see her and she agreed without hesitation.My dear,show me the lady that would agree to go on a date with Jacob Smiths...Huh! Every womans dream,handsome,riiiiiiiich and intelligent.
On the D-day,she took her time to do a nice makeup,she wore a blue tank top and a white pant that was fitted to flatter her curves,a white flat shoe,a stud earring,she combed her jet black long hair and held it with a pin,she was not one for necklace,so she bother about it.She looked graciously beautiful.
He had asked to meet her at a popular but expensive restaurant,she was ten minutes late,because she didn't get a bike on time,On getting to the restaurant,she entered and did a five seconds search for her date,yes! She found him sitting at a corner,she had only been to this beautiful restaurant once,they did serve great and tasty meals.
As she walked cautiously to his table,she knew all eyes would be on her,she was used to that already,heads turned towards her,she passed by a couple,the man just kept staring at the beautiful figure that passed by him,thanks heaven,she was wearing a flat shoe,if not,the way different set of eyes were tearing off her blouse,she could have fallen.
By the time she got to his table,he was on his feet,he pulled out a chair for her,she thanked him and sat,she placed her hand on the table,and carefully withdrew it to her lap,she didn't even know where to keep them,she looked at her partner who was relaxed in his chair.
''Good afternoon beautiful one''he said cheerfully,beckoning to a waiter with his left hand,the waiter walked towards their table.
''Good afternoon.....sir....Mr Jacob ...Smiths'' she spoke shyly
Instantly there was a frown on his face.
''Please do me the favour of cutting off the sir and Mr,i prefer you call me Jacob'' Jane nodded her head.
The waiter was now at their table,they ordered for Fried rice garnished with salad and chicken,and a bottle of wine.The waiter left.
Someone looking from afar would think,they planned to be on white,well,it was just coincidental,
Jacob wore a white suit,brown shoes and a shade,he wasn't wearing a tie,he looked young,matured and devilishly handsome,chocolate in complexion,if there was anything like that anyway,he looked clean,fresh and he smelled money,his watch lay firmly on his wrist,he had broad shoulders and a wide chest,he was tall and had flesh on his body.he was always smiling.
Her mum had advised her to be careful with handsome and smiling men,he looked calm and there was something like excitement in his eyes,she couldn't say for sure,or maybe it was just a figment of her imagination,The waiter returned with their food and wine,he placed it carefully on the table and left.
Jacob shifted in his chair and spoke calmly,
''Once again,i am Jacob Smiths''he uncovered their food and poured wine into their glasses.''I'll like to know you better....he paused....i mean know you betterrrrr''stressing the better.He picked his fork and began to eat,he enjoys eating rice,fried rice in particular.
Jane spoke quietly but boldly,still holding her fork,she asked,
''What exactly do you want to know about me'' like a typical Nigerian lady would ask.
''Everything there is to know''he smiled and
He smiled and drank from his glass.
''Fine,Janet Odenuga is my name,my friends call me Jane,am born into a family of four,i am the first daughter,my mum is a Fashion designer and my dad is a lawyer,i study at The Polytechnic Ibadan,am doing my Higher National Diploma II,am study Public Administration''she continued with her food.
''Thats a good one,public administration,hmmm,government,politics,organization,rights?
Jane nodded her head.
''Well,i work for The Smiths Corporation,born into a family of four,my parents,my elder sis, and i''
He went on and on,they ate and drank,they discussed various issues.Jacob received a call and asked to be excused,after extracting a promise from Janet to go out again soon,he thanked her for coming and that he did enjoy her company.
Janet was so happy,Jacob seemed a good man,and spoke like one too,he had this soft look in his eyes,she knew right from the start that she was attracted to him,she only hoped he was a gentle man to the end.
They went out often and often,and soon he asked her to a relationship with him,she agreed and that was it,their love story began,rocking a ship on the shores of peaceful water.Janet liked Jacob,hmmmm,she didn't see it coming,she knew not what was in store for her.
Janet schooled in Ibadan,while her parents and her younger sister lived in Lagos.Jacob also had his company headquarters in Lagos,they had a branch in Ibadan,he visited Jane constantly in school,took her out and showered gifts on her,he could say with all honesty that he was in love with his girlfriend.He got attracted to her from the first day,to hell with who ever said love at first sight doesn't exist.His only fear was his mother,because she had insisted he marry from their class-the rich circle-she had introduced many ladies to him,most of them were beautiful,but had nothing upstairs.
But Janet captivated him,she spoke fluent english,she was smart,intelligent and had a great body,so what else?
He had not been able to take the bold step to introduce Janet to his mother,even though the woman had insisted he brought home his girlfriendJacob was of mixed parentage,his father was from Jamaica,and his mother a yoruba woman.Even his elder sis Jackie had wanted to meet her.After so much persuassion,he agreed to bring her over,one of the weekends.
Mrs Funmilayo Smiths was Jacobs mother,she lived with her children in their family estate in Ikoyi,her husband John Smith lived in Jamaica.She was a successful woman,she was a professional Carterer,and she loved cooking.
Being Yoruba,she taught her children Yoruba language,though they rarely speak it in Public.Jacob had informed her that his girlfriend would be having Lunch with them in the afternoon.
It was quarter to one on the wall clock,she was reading her favourite magazine-Every Woman,in her room.There was a knock,it was their househelp Ruth.
''Come in''she answered
''Madam,small oga and one fine madam don come o'' Ruth said.
''Serve them juice,tell Jacob,i'll be with them soon''
Ruth was still standing by the door,
''What are you waiting for enhen''
''No o,i just wan ask you whether to serve them oga with glass''
''Okay,pour the juice on my hand and serve them,silly girl''she snapped.
''But Madam....i......come to....''
''Just shut your mouth,serve them juice in a glass,and get away!''she waved her away,and Ruth left.
She arranged her hair,looked in the mirror and went to the sitting room.
Jacob and Janet did not see her come in,she coughed to indicate her prescence.Jacob stood up and hugged his mother.
''Good afternoon mum''he drawled.
''Good afternoon dear,how are you''she said
''Am fine and you''she sat on the couch opposite theirs.
Jacob now sat beside Janet,''Mum,meet my girlfriend Janet''he smiled at his mother.
''Good afternoon ma''Janet said curtly.
''Is she the one''she spoke straight faced.
''yes,she is,isn't she beautiful''Jacob smiled.
Janet glanced at him,why was he always smiling,the man sure had a thing for smiling.
''She is,i can see'' looking awkwardly at Janet,she asked the question on Jacobs mind.
''Who are your parents''
Janet wasn't expecting that,
''Mr and Mrs Odenuga''Janet answered quickly.
''Odenuga?.... Odenuga?...Ode..nu...ga' she repeated,strange name,so who are they in this country,i mean what position do they hold'' she said standing up.
''Mum,you can't ask her such questions''
''Ok,i can't ask her that? Why? Or...do you want to answer for her? She eyed him,' Now,speak up,who are your roots in this country?' she almost shouted.
''My mum is a designer and my dad is a Lawyer''
''Good,is your dad a SAN''
''No''
''Lawyer Odenuga?never heard of that name.Son! What is this you have brought home,i am highly disappointed in you'' she hissed and walked out.
''Mum,that's not fair'',Jacob screamed after his mother.
''Look Janet,i'll talk to her'' he spoke calmly holding her hands.
''Jacob please take me out of this place''she was shaking and sobbed quietly.
''I will,please calm down''
Janet gazed vaguely out of the window,her emotions were throbbing,she had just been rejected by the mother of the man she loved.Although Jacob had called to apologize,she still felt sore,she wasn't expecting the blow she received.Jacob had met her mother so many times,Jane mother had insisted she brought home the man who constantly showered her daughter with gifts,she had been surprised and at the same time excited to meet Jacob and she gave her consent to the relationship,Janet sat on the chair by her dressing table,her mother had not returned from work.her door was open,her younger sis came in.
''Would you like me to keep you company big sis''she was already sitting on the bed.
''Even if i mind your company,you have already jumped the gun'' Janet said looking gloomy
''Just as i expected,since you came back this afternoon,you haven't spoken a simple sentence in this house''Hannah asked
''Huh....well...you know...''Jane stammered.
''Now you see,just cut it big sis,whats troubling you,when did you become a stammerer''
Janet stood up,''I dnt know what to say,i just dont know how to start it''
''Just say it anyhow,am all ears''
To be continued tomorrow at 11am.
