CHAPTER 35: Three days before the wedding, Sandra visited the salon to have her hair styled. Yet, several preparations remained unfinished. Taking charge of the arrangements, Felix found himself immersed in tasks. Linda extended an offer to accompany him, a gesture that Felix accepted. Settling into the car, they embarked on a journey to the supermarket. The ride was a delightful exchange of ideas, with Linda's intellect shining through. Unintentionally, Felix felt an undeniable attraction towards Linda, sparking a conflict of emotions within him.
During their drive, Linda intuited Felix's increasing attraction and cautioned him about jeopardizing his upcoming marriage. Her words compelled Felix to reevaluate his feelings. Subsequently, they reached Flamingo's supermarket, navigating the aisles together and assembling their purchases.
As the journey homeward began, Felix pondered delivering the acquired items to Sandra's place as a wedding preparation. Linda voiced her desire to see Sandra, and Felix outlined his intention to connect with her virtually. Eagerly agreeing, Linda decided to accompany Felix.
Upon their arrival at Sandra's residence, they encountered an empty house. Activating the lights, Felix proceeded to Sandra's room, while Linda waited in the living room. Unexpectedly, Linda followed Felix, entering the room with a purpose that bordered on seduction. Felix grappled with the competing emotions of his attraction to Linda and his loyalty to Sandra.
A fierce internal struggle unfolded within Felix's psyche. Recognizing that Sandra was not yet his spouse, the allure of succumbing to Linda's advances was potent. Nevertheless, the memory of his commitment to Sandra and his previous conversation with his friend Philip on fidelity resurfaced. A passionate kiss from Linda confirmed her feelings, leaving Felix caught between reciprocation and his pledge to Sandra.
Felix wrestled with his sentiments, his profound connection with Linda battling his allegiance to Sandra. Despite the undeniable chemistry with Linda, Felix hesitated. Linda, empathetic to his inner turmoil, silenced his uncertainty with an intense kiss, a testament to her yearning for him.
Ultimately, Felix mustered the courage to voice his feelings. He acknowledged his affection for Linda while stressing his allegiance to Sandra. Linda's kiss conveyed the understanding she sought, her emotional victory apparent as she won Felix's heart
Sandra had just completed plaiting her hair, looking exceptionally stunning with her new hairstyle. She examined herself in the full-length wall mirror at the salon, a satisfied smile on her face as she confirmed the perfection of her hair. With payment made, she left for home, the anticipation of the long-awaited day filling her with excitement. Sandra's drive home was deliberate and contemplative, her thoughts consumed by the upcoming events. Originally intended for Nigeria, her wedding was now set to take place in Canada. Quietly arriving home, she bypassed the usual honk and discreetly entered her room. Felix's parked vehicle outside hinted at his presence. "Felix, Felix, Felix," Sandra called out, making her way to her room, half-hoping to find him there. Opening the door, however, confronted her with an appalling sight. Overwhelmed by emotion, she gasped, "Oh my God..." Her thoughts trailed off in disbelief. The situation was not only repulsive but profoundly disappointing. Felix, the person she trusted deeply, had betrayed her, and her supposed best friend had unmasked her treacherous nature. Feeling utterly betrayed, Sandra sought solace in an unfamiliar place, leaving the building behind.
Felix's awareness of the magnitude of his actions brought remorse, as he realized he had irreparably damaged his marriage. Meanwhile, Linda basked in satisfaction, having achieved her sinister goals. Despite his efforts to track Sandra down, dressing up, and making futile phone calls, Felix was unable to reach her. Days and weeks passed, her number remaining stubbornly unreachable. Alone in her father's residence, Sandra endured days filled with contemplation, agony, and tears. Felix's actions exacted a heavy toll on her, leading to illness and a breakdown of her emotional well-being. Eventually, she reached out to a doctor for help.
Shannon and Philip, caught off guard by the wedding's abrupt cancellation and unable to contact either couple, returned to Nigeria from Canada. Shannon's attempts to trace them were in vain. A reunion with her friend Margaret brought solace, but they remained unsuccessful in their search. As conversations flowed, Philip exchanged greetings with Margaret. In the face of Shannon's distress, Margaret offered comfort, even though the security personnel's efforts to locate Sandra proved fruitless.
The relentless sound of the alarm clock startled Philip awake. Despite rising, a lingering sleepiness persisted from the previous night's stress. Muting the alarm, he briefly dozed off again. As the alarm grew more insistent, he hastily left the bed, discarding the blanket, and silenced the alarm. Wrapped in his thoughts, he emerged from the shower feeling invigorated. Dressed in a navy blue striped shirt and black suit, Philip called out for Sheila, met only with silence. Assuming she was preoccupied in the kitchen, he continued with his morning routine. It was then that he noticed a certain unfamiliarity in the room's ambiance, a reminder of his bachelor days. Married life with Sheila had ushered in changes, but a new sense of unease now clouded his existence. As he went about his preparations, he realized his suitcase was inexplicably light. Upon inspection, his laptop was conspicuously absent. Frustration and confusion surged within him as he searched in vain for his phone. Fueled by anger, Philip left for his office on an empty stomach, grappling with the surreal nature of his circumstances. In the office, he was met with devastating news—a financial collapse had left his company bankrupt. In his private office, a note from home contained shocking revelations, unmasking Sheila's role in the unfolding events. The realization of a close connection dawned on him.
Sharing his situation with his mother, Philip joined her in a drive to Sheila's mother's residence. The outcome was unexpected—the house stood vacant. In a turbulent Nigeria, reporting the matter seemed impractical, but Philip was unwavering in his determination to hold Sheila accountable.
Meanwhile, oblivious to the escalating drama, Sheila and Gabriel arrived at Hancock Hotel, settling into their room, unaware of the unfolding events.