Waking up this morning feeling a bit of back pain and on my waist as well. I thought that it'll be relieved when I stretch my body. Before that, I checked my phone to know if my wife, Sonia had called. I didn't see any call from her this morning, except the one of yesterday.
I hissed and threw my phone on the bed. "So, she gave up on calling me already? That was so soon. Does that actually mean she really did cheat on me? I asked myself wondering deeply.
Then, I heard a voice in my head. "There's no point calling you when you won't pick up. Don't you see it's more heartbreaking."
I hissed again, arguing in my head why it was necessary for her to keep calling. It only meant that she was innocent of the accusations.
I walked lazily to the bathroom and picked up my tooth-brush. I started brushing for a while, only to realize that I didn't put the paste. I hit my hand on my head.
"Silly! That's was just so silly." I said to myself, not knowing whether to laugh at myself or get angry at all.
I rinsed the toothbrush, then opened the tooth paste and placed two pea size on it. I closed the tube and started brushing, looking at myself in the mirror.
I saw myself frowning for no reason, still with the fact that I had my toothbrush in my mouth. I removed it and stared at myself again, but it looked like there was nothing changing about my appearance.
"This can't be my face. I don't usually frown, atleast not just for nothing."
I rinsed my mouth thoroughly, spitting it out into the sink. I dropped the toothbrush after washing. I looked at myself in the mirror and wasn't satisfied with what I saw. I blamed Sonia for putting me into this mess.
"I won't be in this hotel on the first place, if Sonia hadn't gone outside to have an affair with a terrorist who is trying to destroy our family. Damn!
I heard that voice again. "What happened to all the times she has been faithful to you? Do you throw all that in the trash? You haven't proven her guilty yet and until that, you must not say she cheated and she still remains your wife!
I got angry. Was it my head or was someone actually messing with my thoughts?
Still looking at myself in the mirror, I used my fingers to create a smile on my face. But, as soon as I left it, my face went back to normal.
I banged the sink forcefully, almost spraining my wrist. I rubbed it gently as I left the bathroom, to the room. I thought of going Stacy's room, to apologise for last night.
"You complained of the same thing and you are doing the exact. Isn't that the same as cheating." I heard the voice again.
At this point, I knew it was my conscience, probing me and perhaps, bringing me back to my senses. I wasn't going to let it win today, I needed to have my own share of the air outside.
I decided to have my bath first of all. The hotel had most common items in the room, little wonder the smallest room was costlier than some hotel's costliest rooms.
I shaved my beards and carved the sides till it was smooth and shiny. I took a quick warm shower and dried my body as soon as I was done.
In few minutes time, I was all dressed up. I didn't have a cloth to change into, so I wore the one of yesterday. I left my room and locked it, then headed to Eddy's, which was just next to mine.
I knocked twice, opened up and walked inside. Eddy was lying face up, on his bed. He shifted lazily on the bed and yawned. That was the moment I realized that I haven't taken breakfast and didn't think about it, even before talking about going to see Stacy in her room. What a fool I would have been.
"Eddy, what's up with you." I said, hitting his leg so hard so that he would get up.
"Damn bro, I just didn't have the strength to get up from here. I placed my phone on flight mode, so I'm not getting any calls from anyone, atleast for the meantime." He answered, then, got up slowly.
"What if you have an emergency? I asked.
"Emergency can wait, at this moment, I just need a little peace of mind." He answered, then realising I was dressed. "Hey, where are you headed? Don't tell me you're going home this soon. You paid for two nights, remember."
"I wasn't going home." I answered, then changed the topic immediately. "What's in for breakfast?
"I wonder why you're asking. I don't know, just order for anything, anything tasty. I don't have cravings this morning." He replied and lay back on the bed.
I decided not to bother him. So I ordered for room service after ticking from the menu. As usual, the room service didn't take time, so within few minutes, I got my orders.
I arranged the food on the table and sat down to eat. I knew Eddy would join me without asking. Moreover, I ordered for two.
"What is that? It scents so nice." Eddy commented, jumping off his bed and walking to the table, where I was.
"See for yourself."
I took my portion and left his. They were in different plates, so it was quite easy for both of us.
"Rice and, uhm. Is that soup? He asked, sounding confused.
"Yes, rice and that's Chinese soup. Like a more spicy and local soup. Kinda a Chinese-Nigerian."
"Sounds interesting."
I started eating, while Eddy went to have his teeth brushed and whatever he did in the bathroom again. Because, by the time he got back, I was done eating.
"You're done already?
"Is that a question, or a statement? I asked him.
"It's obviously a question."
"Whatever, I'm not answering that." I dabbed my lips and mouth with the napkin and drank some water.
Eddy sat down to eat while I sat on the bed. "Woa! It's really tasty. Mmmm, I love it."
"Eddy, you love food, so forget that." I said laughing so loud, that he joined in the laughter as well.
After a little while, I got up from the bed. "Uhm Eddy, I would be right back. Just want to get some fresh air."
"Okay, cool." He answered and continued with his meal.
I left the room and walked through the hallway that led to the staircase. Room 302, that was the room I saw on the key she was holding last night.
I walked upstairs in excitement, rehearsing my lines well, even though I was good with words.
Getting to her room. I was about to knock quietly, but as soon as my hand got closer to the door, it came open like it was an open invitation. Perhaps, she spotted me or something, I guessed. Smiling sheepishly to my so called cleverness.
I entered the room and shut the door quietly. I noticed that it had the parlor and room setting. As I walked into the sitting room, I could hear her voice from afar. It was coming from the room.
I sat down on the chair and got curious to hear what she was saying.
"Yes sir. I am so sure. I have the situation under control. I will set a nice target this time around. Yes... Yes. No sir, it won't get flopped like last night. No sir, it was only a coincidence. Mr. Alex was on the bed with me, ready to devour me, I could feel it. I have him all to myself sir. No no, that won't be a problem. It's a promise, the deal won't exceed tonight. A meeting? An hour time? Oh okay sir. The Grand bar...
As soon as I heard that, I was shocked to the marrow. I thought I was dreaming, but then I knew I wasn't. It had been a set-up from the beginning? How stupid I was to fall for this.
I wanted to confront her, but on the other thought, it a foolish idea. So I got up and sneaked out of the room, making sure not to be noticed.
I raced to Eddy's room, panting heavily as o got inside, shutting the door immediately.
"Alex, what is wrong with you? What happened? You just scared me now. What is it? Eddy asked, looking alarmed, after jumping in fear.
"Eddy, you won't believe what I stumbled into few minutes ago. I still can't believe it myself." I said to him, still panting and trying to catch my breath.
"Alex, I just want to be sure you don't have police at your heels at the moment. If yes, tell me so I'll be off here in split seconds." Eddy said, terrified.
"No, not that." I took a deep breath and exhaled. "I went to Stacy's room..." I watched him to know his reaction.
"Why? So, you caught her doing stuff with another man and now, you're jealous? Hahahaha. Come off it man! That lady doesn't like you. I'm so glad you finally realized that." Eddy said, then walked to the bed and sat down.
"That's not it. I overheard her speaking to someone, a man on a call. Eddy, her meeting me had been a set-up from the start. It wasn't mistake not a coincidence. It was all planned out."
Eddy gaped in shock. "Oh my, this is more serious than I thought. Quickly, call the detective. That's the lead you have been looking for."