He was leaving the supermarket when he saw Emilia coming in and for a moment, his heart literally stopped beating. She was looking fresh and beautiful in a designed suit. He wanted to beat a hasty retreat but it was too late. She had already seen him. “Hi Lucas,” she waved. “Hello Emilia. How are you?” he returned shyly. She looked him over analytically as she came to stand before him. Immediately, the aroma of her perfume pervaded the entire atmosphere. “I’m fine and you?” “Am okay as you can see.”  ‘That, I can see,” she said smugly. “So, when did you get back?” he asked as he ran his eyes over her. She was not doing badly at all. She was dressed in an expensive suit and matching shoes as usual and diamond rings and bracelet shone on her well-manicured fingers and neck. Her skin was fresh and radiant. He also noted she has added a little weight too. “A few days ago, but I’ll soon be traveling again. The fashion business is travel intensive, you know?” He nodded. “I know. Well, it’s been nice running into you but I think I must beat it now.” “Not so fast,” she stopped him. “Em…em, Lucas, I’ve been looking for you.” He was momentarily taken aback. “Looking for me?” he asked, his eyes narrowing. “Yes.” “I hope there is no problem?” “No. Its …it’s just that I …I wanted to…to…,” she stammered. “I …I, can we meet some other time? I need to discuss something with you.” The skin around his eyes furrowed. “Discuss something with me? Okay, why not now?” “No, no, no, no. here isn’t conducive. Can we meet later this evening, at… at the Roses, say by 8 pm?”  He looked at his time; it was going on to 5 pm. “Sure. 8 pm you said? Good.
As he drove home that evening, he couldn’t help but wonder what Emilia could possibly want to discuss with him. Could it be that she has broken up with Captain and wants to come back? Knowing Emilia too well, it was a big possibility. And if they were still together, what could she possibly want from him? Could it be that she is broke and needs financial assistance, he wondered, but he thought Captain has been able to meet all her financial needs. He shook his head worriedly, unable to fathom her reasons for wanting to see him. He thought she made it clear years ago that it was all over between them, why was she looking for him then? Could it be possible that she was tired of running around and wants to come back? He shuddered. He’ll just have to wait and see.
He was at the Roses at exactly a minute before 8 pm and just in time to see her arrive. As usual, she was looking stunning and ravishing in a stunning red mini gown and matching shoes and bag. He saw her at the same time that she did. He waved. “Glad you could make it,” she said as she pulled out a chair and sat down. “It’s my pleasure,” Lucas said beckoned to the waiter. “So, what will it be?”  “Nothing, thanks all the same.” “Surely, you’ll take something. Wine, Champagne, spirit, anything,” he insisted. She declined again. “I don’t want anything, thanks.”  “No, no, no. You must take something. At least, it’s customary that you do.” “Actually, I would have loved to but…but I’m watching my weight.”  “Uh, unless that, but ....” “Okay, if you insist. Can I have water?” “That’s better,” he said and turned to the waiter. “Bottle water and a coke.” The waiter bowed and left. “Thanks for coming,” she said again. “The traffic was something else today,” he said in want of what to say. “Yeah, it was killing. I was held up for over 30 minutes on my way down here,” she moaned. “Me too, the road network in this country is getting worse every day.” “So much for election promises.” “So, how is your outfit doing?” he asked. He knew she did not ask him to meet her here to discuss the traffic or politics. “Oh, it’s fine,” she paused to take a sip of water. “The only problem is that it is demanding and capital intensive.” He wanted to say, ‘I thought that was what you wanted,’ but he restrained himself in time. “You are happy now, aren’t you?” he asked instead, searching her face. She avoided eye contact. “What sort of question is that?” she snarled. “I mean, I thought you wanted to run your own outfit.” She sipped hurriedly. “Does it look like am complaining?” “So what is it that you want to discuss with me?” “Well, actually, I wanted to …to …ask you for…” she stammered. “Ask you for a favor.” His eyes narrowed. “Ask me for a favor? What kind of favor is that?” “Actually, it’s about my boutique.” “Yes.” “There is really nothing much. I …I want an additional 3 million naira for advertisement and endorsements and I thought I could get that from you, please, Lucas, don’t say no.” Immediately those words hit his ears, he felt like a man hit at the solar plexus and a strong sense of repulsion and hatred stirred inside him. All she ever thinks of, dream of or talk about is money, nothing but money. She didn’t even have the common courtesy to apologize for the ignoble way she left. What does she take him for, by the way, a bill payer or some drunken sailor who spends money thoughtlessly without thought for tomorrow? He pulled himself together with a lot of effort. “I had thought you would’ve asked your boyfriend/brother for that or have you broken up with him?” Her face contorted with pure rage and her eyes turned red. “How dare…how dare you .say…say that?” she snarled and pushed the table violently, sending everything crashing to the floor. “I should have known you’re a mistake. I should have known you’re a fool. I don’t ever want to see you again,” and with that, she stormed out.
                                 ***
Lucas took a cursory look around the quiet, deserted garden, and felt like crying. In fact, he wished he could cry, maybe the tears would help wash away the agony and pain he felt. But he could not even cry. He was hurting and his big heart was breaking. Great, intolerable grief besieged him and nearly drove him mad. He could hardly believe that Emilia, his first love, and wife, could be so cruel, so uncaring and so insensitive, hardly believe that she will never change or cease to be the tiger that she is, he thought as pictures of Emilia’s blazing eyes flashed through his mental screen again.
He shook his head. Emilia was his only great mistake and regret and he regretted ever meeting her again or having anything to do with her ever. He wished he had not honored the invitation or ever set eyes on her again. Footfalls coming down the path startled him. Peering closely in the darkness, faintly illuminated by the light from the half moon, he saw a young girl, probably 20 or so walking into the garden. She was holding a bundle of flowers and her head was bent low. From his secluded corner, he watched her as she selected a seat in one of the garden chairs, a stone throw away from him, and sat down. She didn’t even know he was there.
Immediately she sat down, she broke down into sobs. The sobs reached him and it felt like cold water on a thirsty tongue and melted the cold hardness Emilia had just created and left behind. He could see she was badly hurting and he wondered what could be making her cry so much. Immediately, he forgot his own worries and without thinking, he walked over to her. “It’s okay, pretty,” he said quietly. “There’s nothing like a good cry. They help wash away pains when they come.” Startled, she jumped to her feet. “Oh! I’m …I’m sorry. I …didn’t know I was in the way.” “Oh, not at all,” he said hurriedly. “You are definitely not. In fact, I …I was …” he paused and looked at the girl closely again. His heart literally stopped beating. There was something familiar about the girl. He has seen her somewhere before. He was still trying to remember where and when he saw her before when she stood up. “I’m sorry, but…but I have to go now.” Without another word, she bolted.