"I have been sitting here for almost five minutes and you are yet to say a word, Loretta" Joshua grumbled out with a scowl on his face.

Loretta smiled halting the tapping of her stiletto finger nails against the armchair. Her eyes glowed as she watched the man she already owned. She does not have to strive to know she already owned him. All it takes is just a blackmail. She was sure that this big secret she had in hand would give her the ability to control him the way she wants. It took so much thinking and battling thoughts to have the courage to do what she's about to do.

"I have missed you" she said crossing her legs. "I have missed seeing your face"

"The last time we spoke Loretta, I made things clear to you. I told you we need to stop seeing one another. I am sure you understood me"

"I did"

"Then why do you want to meet me?"

"Like I said, I miss you"

He shut his eyes as he took in a sharp intake of air. "Just you go to the point. What do you want?"

Joshua's phone dinged. He took the phone out and saw a message from one of those women disturbing him. Typing urgently, he replied her message.

"Alright. Let's get to business" Loretta sat up, flipping her hair. "You know what I want, Josh" she picked the envelope on the coffee table in between them. Getting to her feet, she adjusted her tight dress. "Since you have been acting so strong headed and proud, then I have other ways to get what I want" Her eyes held his cool pair of deep eyes. "Have this" she handed over the envelope to him. Looking at her then the envelope, Joshua received it.

"What's this?"

"The key to having you. Open it" Her voice was authoritative. Her smile was that of a pleased person. Someone who was victorious and was glad to show it. That sent thousands of thoughts through his head. There was a sparkle in her eyes that made him cautious. There was something different about her and he could not lay a finger on it. Why is she acting so villain?

Looking at her, Joshua opened the envelope. He does not know what he was going to see but the confidence Loretta eluded scares him. There was something big going on in that head of hers. The courage she has to face him, call him and tell him to meet her told him something was wrong somewhere and curiosity had made him visit her. Here he was sitting down in front of her while he was yet to know what was coming his way.

Joshua dropped his gaze to the paper he had in hand. He stared at it. Loretta watched him. She would love to see his facial expression when he reads the paper. Her eyes glinted with victory, smile extending while his frown deepened. Slowly, Joshua sat up, his hand beginning to shake as he read the paper and checked the pictures attached to it. Satisfied, Loretta settled down on the table between them, crossed her leg and took a sip from her wine. She needs to throw a party.

The colour on Joshua's face drained away. His caramel skin grew pale. His deep eyes deepened, blinked as he tried to believe what he was reading as a lie. She was not meant to know. No one was meant to know. This was meant to be a secret and here a woman he once dated has her hands on it. How did she get to know about this? He snapped his head up to meet Loretta's eyes. He was shaken. Loretta could see the tremor in his hand.

"What games are you playing?" Joshua grinded out jerking up from his seat. His eyes held anger and disappointment.

"It is not a game, Josh. It is just something I was lucky enough to lay my hands on"

"Where did you get this?" He waved the paper in front of her face.

Loretta held her head high, a palm flat against the table "I have my source" She said with so much pride that showed in her eyes.

Joshua cursed under his breath. He threw his hand up then threw the paper away. Loretta sensed his restlessness and she loved it. So it was the truth and she never got to know despite she dated him for almost two years. What a pity for his brat of a wife? She laughed loud in her head, sinister and full of wickedness. Joshua paced the room, running his hand through his head. Loretta said nothing but her eyes followed his every move. When he is ready, he would speak to her. Proud that she had gotten him where he can't escape, she took another sip from her wine.

"Ki lo fe? (What do you want?)" Joshua spoke few minutes later. He was sweating and had removed his suit jacket including his tie and loosened few buttons of his shirt.

"Now we are speaking" Loretta stood up putting her wine away. While her eyes were marred with so much enjoyment that even her face can't hide, she cat walked to Joshua on the other end of the room, her eyes never leaving his. "You are no baby or little boy not to understand" She laid her hands on him, his buttons getting her interest. During the process, she ensured her finger slipped into his shirt and leave a feathery caress on his skin. She lifted her eyelashes, made eye contact with him then looked back at what she was doing. "You are a man" She pressed her body to his, slipping a hand over his waist. Jesus! She had missed the feel of him. Every bit, every kiss, and every lustful stare he used to grant her. She would awake a fire he had quenched within him. This would be so exciting "You should understand when a woman wants you and you know I want you" she brought her face closer to his.

Joshua's breathing had raged. It would be a lie if he says he was not slightly affected by the closeness between him and the woman before him. Edgy, he yanked his body away from hers "You are sick" He spat, his eyes bulging from their sockets. They were red. This was a moment he felt extremely helpless.

"You still got that mouth of yours running" Her eyes grew hard, smile vanishing like a vapour. She wrapped her hand over her chest with a little scowl "Won't it be nice for Lola to find out? I will be glad to watch you two split. Lola does not seem like the kind of woman to stay with you after finding out about this"

"You this woman!"

"I know. I am the best right?" Loretta threw her hands up.

"Loretta....you.....you......" Joshua trembled trying to get words out of his lips. At the moment, Loretta had so much power.

"Think before you speak" She warned.

"What do you want?"

"What I want is simple. Just spend a night with me. No. Not a night" She corrected. "Many nights with me. Just you and I like old times. We would be in a relationship again. I am now your girlfriend. We are back together and for no reason would you treat me the way you want. If you do that" She paused. "You know the consequence"

The words did not hit him hard. He expected them but her condition was something he can't do. He can't hurt Lola. Shit! He has changed. Before, he won't mind jumping into bed with women and here, his consciousness was killing him. He exhaled hard, suddenly weak from everything. Just a mistake from the past and it was hunting him like a nightmare.

"I am married" He said, his voice piteous, eyes beseeching.

Loretta sneered "And married men don't cheat?" She gave a careless shrug "Shut that crap of yours and say something reasonable please. That or your wife and her family would be knowing. Choose Josh. You have a choice but choose wisely"

-----

Aunty Dammy threw the wrap of chocolate out of the window as she drove into the hospital premises. It was the twelfth chocolate she has eaten since she set out of her home. Her cravings the past few day have been alarming. She craves for unusual thing. Nausea is another thing. When she eats something that's not spicy, she feels nauseous. She had little misunderstanding with the old maid in the morning because what she made was not spicy and it had made her vomit. Morning sickness that grew worse each passing day made it hard for her to have an active morning. She's more sluggish than usual and always tired at the slightest thing.

She knew what those symptom were but she was not ready to dwell in them so much they will give her hope and joy. Tanwa had said she's pregnant. She had nearly forced her to take a pregnancy test at home but Aunty Dammy had been so adamant about not taking one. But deep inside her, there was an exhilarating feeling and hope. She had not been able to sleep the night before. She had stared into the darkness of her room, rolling around the bed, thinking about the outcome of the test result. Will it be positive? What if it turns out to be negative? There was a jittering sensation in her body, one that spiked as each hour announced the arrival of a new dawn. What will she do? There was a mixed emotion wavering between fear and elation.

The waiting room as usual was filled with women and few men, men who had come with their wives or partner for the appointment. There were women with big round bellies, women with babies, women with kids and women with flat stomachs like hers. Aunty Dammy had stared with a tug in her heart at the women with huge tummies and babies. She does not know how it feels to have a baby growing inside her, her back bent inward and the discomfort and elation that comes with pregnancy. Over the years, she had avoided any social gathering that had to do with being with pregnant women and children because they remind her of the failure she was as a woman. Her body had failed her but she want to hope it will prove to her it can do what it's meant for. To carry children. The society contributed to the pressure she is going through. She never knew there were womb watchers until she got married. These people stare at your stomach and any slight swell, they assume it is pregnancy. This reminded her of fifteen long years of waiting, fifteen dark years of longing.

Now that she looked back, she wondered why she had waited such a long time before thinking about divorcing Leke. Maybe because she had finally seen that there's no way she will get her husband back. She has lost Leke and she will never find him. She had informed her lawyer and her lawyer should have notify Leke about the divorce soon. She hopes the divorce will be drama free. She wants a very peaceful one.

The doctor's office door opened. Leke and Anita stepped out. First Anita then Leke. He draped his hand over her back, a way to support her. Anita smiled gratefully at him, a hand on her growing belly. Her soon to be ex-husband said something that made the swollen woman smile, a smile that tinted her cheeks red. When Leke looked up, his eyes clashed with Dammy's. He paused. Anita who sensed his sudden rigidness, gazed towards her direction. They shared a long and intent look before Aunty Dammy took her seat next to a dozing pregnant woman. She does not give a damn about Leke or Anita again. If the result comes out positive, she won't still stay in the marriage. They have gotten to that stage in their marriage where nothing will save it.

Sometime later, Aunty Dammy walked into the doctor's office. She could barely stay still while the doctor checked her file. Warm moisture seeped from the tiny pores of her palms. She locked her fingers together, unlocked them and fastened them again. When the doctor called her name, she had jolted and gave the doctor her undivided attention while she trembled on her seat.

The doctor was a man in his early fifties. He goes by the name, Doctor Kevin. His hair had little sparse of grey and there were folds of skin, a sign of coming old age, etched at the corners of his eyes. When he smiles, the creases gets deeper.

"Mrs Fatoki Williams, your test result is out" The doctor whose glasses sat at the tip of his nose started then paused. He flipped the pages of the file in front of him. When he lifted his head to stare at his patient, Aunty Dammy's breathing seized. "I have gone through it and I am sorry to say this to you" Aunty Dammy swallowed but nothing went down her throat that was bone dry. "You are not pregnant" His voice was quiet at the end, very low yet the quiet syllables found their way into his patient's ears.

It was as though a glass shattered in her head. That was how the new sounded in her ears. "Pardon me?"

Doctor Kevin removed his glasses. He placed them on the opened file and joined his big hands together, hands that have saved lives. "Your test result showed that you are not pregnant"

The words were like an invisible force that that reeled her back into her chair gently. Her stiff hands dropped to her stilled laps, body rigid like a brick as the news sank into her head. Silence stretched in the room.

"How...how..." She started but paused. There was a turbulence of emotions rolling inside her. "I had the symptoms" Her voice was unobtrusive.

"I know. You said so in your last visit but the test result did not come out positive. Neuroendocrine changes occurred within your body leading to the signs and symptoms of pregnancy"

"This is not possible" Her steady eyes stared at nothing.

The doctor started to talk but she heard nothing. She was seated in front of him but her mind's far gone. It's like something had been ripped from her. Her thoughts sprinted at high speed. She had the symptoms. Almost all the symptoms. She felt pregnant. There was a flicker of hope in the darkness that enclosed her heart. Those morning sickness, the nausea, the change in taste and change in smell, what could they have been? Some stupid chemical reaction going on inside her. Oh God! Her heart burned. She saw herself holding a child. She had a dream where she was pregnant. People were celebrating with her. This time, she was not the one celebrating with them. They rejoiced for her. This can't be happening. She pressed her lips together to hold back a sob. She shook her head. No! This can't happen. The telling wetness on her cheeks was oblivious to her. She sunk in despondency.

"Mrs Fatoki" Doctor Kevin, who had noticed her crying, rose to his feet.

When the first sob left her lips, a river of silvery tears rained from her eyes. It was greater than crying. The cries were the kind of bleak sobbing that emanated from a soul weary of all hope. She placed her head on the table. Her desperate wails ricocheted through the closed door and windows. That day, a part of her died with the child she never had.

-----

Lola pulled the car to a stop in the parking lot. From the speakers of her car, Rihanna sang. She turned down the music then switched off the engine. She peaked at herself in the rear mirror. She had gotten a new look. Her hairstyle was long box braids that reached her waist, accentuating her face. Her employees at work had admired her hair.

"Ma'am, you are prettier today" Her secretary had said.

But none of the attentions she got brightened her day or insides since she received that call in the morning. Like the fluid movement of viscous liquid, fear drove through her body system. She felt the tremor and sweat prick from her sweat pores. Outside might be hot to the extent anyone can feel the heat lick their skin but inside, her car was as cool as a refrigerator. Lola gathered herself after saying few words that did not give her confidence or courage, took her bag and headed out of the car as she smacked her Dolce and Gabana sunglasses over her eyes.

She marched through the parking lot to the building, her movement fierce and confident which was just an act to mask the dread that wrapped her in its clutches. In the lobby of the hotel, he waited for her. When she walked in, her eyes landed on him causing panic to heave through her body. She shivered taking off her sun glasses. He waved, beaming, his smile reaching his ears. That smile sent trepidation through her body.

As she marched to him, fidgeting with the hand of her bag, her confidence reduced. He headed to her, opening his hands. He took her by surprise when he hugged her.

"Anthony" She whispered, looking around.

"How are you babe?" he asked sliding his hand down to her waist. She recoiled but he chose to ignore her resistance. "You look beautiful. This way" he led the way, his hand clasped over hers.

He was trying to hold the anger that rose within him. Now was not to time to show how much fury he had pocketed inside him. Their ride to the floor where their room was located was silent. Lola regretted ever accepting to meet him but she had no choice. The elevator chimed and he walked out with her hand in his. He held her as if she was going to run away, led her to the room then locked the door behind him. Her heart beat propelled. Lola felt clammy at once. Distress sat on her heart and throat like a heavy weight. A sense of déjà vu hit her. He had locked the door that night.

There was silence at first. Anthony walked past her into the exclusive suit. The curtains were up, bright light coming in. He loosened his wrist watch, kept his key on a nightstand then closed the curtains. When he turned around to meet her eyes, she wished the ground could open up and swallow her as long as she can be away from him. His eyes that once smile were hard, dark and clouded with rage. Lola took a cautious step back.

"Do I have to tell you to come in?" His voice was dark and deeper. He proceeded to loosen the buttons of his sleeves. As he did that, he headed for the bar to get himself a drink. In quietness, he filled a glass of whiskey for himself and drowned the entire cup. Satisfied, Anthony dropped the cup, his grip around the glass tight. Lola noticed and swallowed. She was in big trouble.

"Why do you request to see me?" She asked her voice timid. Anthony smiled. Where was the confident woman? Where was that proud woman who feels as if the world was below her feet?

He headed for the sofa after filling another glass, sat and stared at her. Under his intimidating gaze, she felt little. She felt like a prey in his eyes. She was a prey, a prey he would ravish. Looking at her reminded him of the morning event. He saw the moment clear and vivid in his head as if it was just happening. How Joshua held her. How she smiled as he kissed her forehead. Idiots!

"Sit" His voice was authoritative.

On trembling legs, Lola could not move. She felt rooted to the spot she stood on. She hated herself at that moment. She was weak. She lacked confidence. The event few years back made her scared of him that fighting him was the last thing on her mind.

"I am fine standing here" She muttered but audible. She avoided his cold gaze. His eyes were narrowed, angry and callous.

"I said sit, Aralola" He emphasised on every word. There was something about his tone that sent her legs moving. In a twinkle of an eye, she was sitting down. "About yesterday" he began. Her breathing came out shaken as her chest constricted, ribs closing over her lungs.

Anthony noticed how rigid she was as if moving was going to make hell break lose. Who would believe the arrogant brat would be so scared? He tried not to laugh. He has scores to settle with her.

"We are yet to come to a conclusion, Lola. I was expecting to hear from you but you were so much enjoying being in the hands of another man" His smiling eyes became stony.

"Tony" she shortened his name. "Please" she began, putting her bag away. "We can't do this" her voice was cracking as she spoke, her eyes giving away her fright. Anthony's eyes became thinner as he listened to her. "I am married. Can't we just....just allow the past be in the past. Please"