After eating, Lucy and Betty were in the living room jesting when Lucy’s phone started ringing. Checking the caller, she realized it was Alexa and her shoulders dropped dreading the reason she was calling her.

“I’ve fucked up, right?” she asked when she picked up.

“You already know,” Alexa replied sounding disappointed.

“When did he tell you?”

“He didn’t need to. I was there with him.”

“You can’t blame me, you know?”

“Yeah, I can. The least you could have done was listen to him.”

 

“What is there to listen to Alexa?” she asked, almost angry, “he gave me his number and from the next day till almost three weeks it wasn’t connecting, what did you expect me to do?”

“You know what Lucy? I don’t really know what is wrong with you or what you’ve gone through but you can’t keep jumping into conclusions on every issue and hurting people around you.” Alexa replied equally angry.

“Fine, agreed I didn’t handle the situation well but what is his excuse too?”

“You should have asked him that earlier instead of berating him with accusations. You handled it badly.”

“I know and I will apologize to him when I have the opportunity to meet him again,” Lucy said feeling remorse.

 

“You should and if you wish to know, we were on our way to his house from the airport when you called.”

“I don’t understand, what were doing at the airport?” Lucy asked confused.

“I went to pick him. He was coming back from a trip abroad. He needed to leave the next day after we met because it was an emergency meeting.”

“What! You mean he wasn’t in the country all this while?” she asked in a shout and she was really sad because she had judged and concluded that he did it on purpose and here she was hearing he left the country the next day.

“What really is wrong with me? When will I stop taking out my emotions on others?” she thought to herself.

“Yes, he wasn’t. He left on the first flight the next day and he just returned when you called. You practically ruined his day.”

 

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry, but he should have at least told you to tell me.”

“That is still not an excuse for the way you behaved. He actually asked me for your number but I didn’t give it to him. I told him to wait for you to call him since you insisted on calling him.”

“He’s really mad at me now, I guess?”

“That is an understatement. He doesn’t want to be friends with you anymore.”

“I would do same. Is there a way you can help me get to him? I just need to apologize. I don’t mind what happens next.”

“Is that all you want?” Alexa said, hearing the sadness in her voice and feeling her pain.

“Ofcos not, but what can I do? I can’t force my friendship on him.” Lucy replied blaming herself for losing the one person that makes her feel different.

“Well, I can’t guarantee anything but I can get you to meet him. He is just hurt that’s why he said all he said, by the time he wakes up, he will be okay and I will talk to him.”

“I will really appreciate that Alexa, I can’t live with myself knowing that I always hurt him with every opportunity I get.”

 

“It’s ok, I know you’ve gone through some emotional traumas that’s why you behave the way you do but trust me if there’s anyone that can help you it’s Michel, you just have to trust him and open up to him.”

“I don’t know Alexa, all I want to do is apologize to him and say goodbye, I can’t be hurting him always. I just hope he agrees to see me first.”

“Don’t worry, I know how to get through to him, just be on your best behaviour this time around and trust me when I say he can help you.”

“Thank you so much, Alexa, I really appreciate this and I promise you I will surely be on my best behaviour.”

“Good then, and to be frank, I haven’t seen anyone that has given my boy so much trouble and put him on his toes like you did, he needed that in a way,” Alexa said laughing.

“That isn’t fair on him though, I feel sad,” Lucy said and a smile crossed her face.

“You right, but some things happen that we can’t control and this is one of those.”

“I guess.”

 

“Do you know Michael’s recreational garden at Mararaba zone 1?”

“Yes I do, why do you ask?”

“Great, you will come and meet us there tomorrow evening, Michel loves that spot. I will take him with the excuse of hanging out with him and you guys can talk when you come.”

“And will he will be okay with it? I don’t want him to disgrace me in public?” Lucy asked, not sure if she is ready to face him soon.

“Just trust me, I know how to handle my boy.”

“If you say so. Thanks a lot for everything Alexa, you’ve done a lot, I really appreciate.”

“You welcome dear, just don’t drive my boy crazy again. I’ve got to go now, see you tomorrow.”

“Yea, see you tomorrow and thanks for everything,” she said and cuts the call.

Lucy sighed after the call and was glad that Alexa called her and she hoped everything will be as she said.

 

“Hopefully I can apologize to him and wish for the best,” she thought to herself.

“So?” Betty asked her friend when she saw her smiling to herself?”

“So what? “Lucy asked absent-mindedly.

“You look happy, what was the discussion all about?”

“Oh that, she promised to help me speak to Michel so he can give me a chance to apologize.”

“Good for you, hopefully, you don’t mess it up this time around.”

“Come on, why will you say that?”

“You know why Lucy, you need to control your emotions this time.”

“I will, thanks dear,” Lucy said knowing that her friend was just watching out for her.

“Good, I need to go and sleep now, wish you good luck,” she said, stood up and headed for her room upstairs.

 

“Alright, goodnight love.”

Lucy could only wish that tomorrow comes quick and hopes it turns out well.

“Your opinions about me doesn’t matter to me,” those words actually hurt.

“Damn you, Michel.”

She stood up and headed for her room to sleep, “big day tomorrow.”

***

Four hours after receiving the text from Alexa to meet them at Michel’s garden, Lucy was driving into the garden and she was awed at the view before her. The name of the garden was “De’genius world ” and it was indeed a world on its own.

There were rolls of flowers flanking the driveway on both sides and they were well-trimmed.

On the left side was the gym centre. it is enclosed by a transparent glass and it is filled with lots of people exercising.

On the right side was the sports complex with different indoor sports, from table tennis to snooker, to basketball, handball and others.

 

Driving a little further, she saw the children recreational centre and it was filled with all kinds of children equipment. She wondered why she had never thought of checking the place out even though she always heard it was the best. According to the text from Alexa, the garden was located at the far end of the building, so she drove straight down until she saw a signpost indicating that she was at the garden and she drove to the parking space to park.

Getting down from her car, she was wearing a fetching pair of blue jeans that brought out her exquisite curves and a pink blouse that stopped just below her navel.

She looked around the garden and was amazed at the serenity around. The garden was separated into different sections by flowers and trees to provide shelter, and the floors were covered with carpet grass.

 

The aura and air around the garden area made her feel relaxed immediately she stepped down. She made a note to make the garden her favourite place to come to when she felt stressed out. She brought out her phone from her purse to inform Alexa that she had arrived and was at the parking area.

Five minutes later, she saw her headed her way and walked up to meet her. They hugged and exchanged greetings and Alexa led the way to where she and Michel were sitting.

Lucy started feeling very uncomfortable on the way.

“Are you sure about this Alexa?” she asked, stopping for a while.

“Come on, don’t tell me you feeling nervous now, Lucy?”

“I think I am a little. I don’t know if he wants to see me now. Maybe we should give him a little more time.”

 

“Like I told you yesterday, I know how to handle him and he’s not someone that holds on to grudges for long. Moreover, you are already here, why change your mind?”

“You are right. I just don’t know if I’m ready to meet him yet.”

“We are never ready for anything; we just have to go for it. You don’t need to overwork yourself, come let’s go.” And Alexa holds her hand and walks her to Michel’s place.

On getting to where he was, she was overwhelmed by him again. he was wearing a checked Burberry knicker and a Ralph Polo sleeveless blue top that brought out all his bulges. The look on his face when he heard their steps and looked up wasn’t pleasant at all and that hurt her a lot. She felt like there might not be a way to redeem herself.

 

“What the fuck is she doing here?” Michel said, standing up with bitterness in his voice.

“Calm down, Michel. I asked her to come. She said she wanted to apologize.”

“I fucking knew you were up to something when you said we should come. I don’t want her apology. I told you that before. She’s done enough damage already. I’m done with her. I need my peace.” He said almost in a shout and walked away from them.

“Hey, come on, don’t act like that, Michel,” Alexa said following him. “I’ll be right back Lucy. Wait for me and please don’t leave.”

 

Lucy couldn’t reply but was stunned by the bitterness in his voice. She realized she had hurt him a lot for him to react that way. Every word he said pierced her like an arrow and she realised all of a sudden that she didn’t want to lose him. She realized he had done something to her heart and it was ready to let go and she felt really weak, making her legs shake a bit. She had to quickly sit down to avoid falling and she didn’t know when a tear escaped from her eyes but she let it fall freely.

                     

Four hours earlier

Michel just came back from church and was undressing when he heard a car drive in and he knew it was Alexa.

“What is she doing here now?” he thought to himself.

Changing into a short and sleeveless top, he walked down to the living room, and meet her halfway on the stairs. They exchanged greetings.

“Hey, sugar, what’s up?” Alexa greeted, hugging him.

“I’m good, to what do I owe this visit?” Michel asked, walking down the stairs to the living room with her.

“So, I can’t visit my boy again, is that what you saying?”

 

“Come on, don’t be ridiculous. I’m just saying it’s a Sunday and you hardly visit, especially this early, it’s just past 1 p.m,” Michel defended, sitting on a couch.

Alexa sat beside him and placed her head on his shoulder.

“You right. I just wanted us to go out today, it been a while we did that.”

“Okay, though this sounds fishy but where do you have in mind?”

“Why will you say it sounds fishy now?” Alexa asked, rolling her eyes at him.

“You tell me why it isn’t. First, you come to my place this early on Sunday which you’ve never done, and then you ask us to go out, tell me why I shouldn’t think it’s fishy?”

“Think all you want, that’s your problem. I just feel like going out and I want to go with you.”

 

“Fine, where to then?”

“Your garden.”

“Hahaha, I fucking said it. You don’t like that place that much, why do you want to go there now?”

“Must there be a reason for me to choose the garden? Fine, maybe I don’t like the place and that’s because it’s too quiet for my liking and you know I always love it bubbling, but I know you love the place and moreover, it’s a Sunday, some quiet would do to prepare me for the week ahead.”

“Even though I don’t believe your explanation, because I feel you up to something, I won’t deny the fact that I would love some serenity, so let’s hit it. “

” Yayy, let’s do it, we would leave by 4 p.m. then.”

“No problem ma’am, let me hit up something for us to eat before we leave.”

“Please do, am crazily famished.”

 

Alexa quickly texted Lucy on WhatsApp to meet them at the garden after four in the afternoon when Michel got up to go to the kitchen.

“I just hope it turns out great between the two of them. They really look good together.” Alexa said to herself and took the remote to watch a program on the TV.

 

Present Time

Feeling really angry and sad at the same time, Michel walked to the lake at the extreme end of the garden and sat on the bank of the lake. He always loved going there whenever he had a bad day or he needed to clear his head. He felt angry because he knew she had a hold on him. Standing there in front of him in blue jeans and a pink top, she was gracious and adorable. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen and her beauty was almost unreal. And every time thoughts of her came to him, he always felt like wrapping his hands around her and hold on forever. That was what was making him that angry at the moment. After all she had done to him, he almost did just that a few minutes ago.

He felt sad at the same time because she seemed to have an emotional battle of sorts and he felt she wasn’t ready to let it go. And that meant he couldn’t have her, so the earlier he cut her loose, the better. But the more he tried to let go, to forget ever meeting her, the more she crept back into his life.

 

 

“Why can’t you just go and give me some peace girl,” he said out loud to himself.

 

“Why are you doing this to yourself, Michel?” Alexa asked, sitting next to him and bringing him out of his thoughts.

“What do you mean?” he asked her, coming out of his reveries.

“You keep denying yourself happiness even when you know you want it.”

“I still don’t get you. Can you speak in a language I understand?”

“Fine, you know you like Lucy, why are you trying to chase her away from you.”

“Maybe I do, but she isn’t ready to let go of whatever she’s battling with. How long will this continue? Where she hurts me and apologize and the scenario continues to repeat itself, han?”

 

“I know she hurts you a lot, but she needs someone to trust her and confide in, and I know you can help her.”

“I don’t know why you keep saying I can help her.”

“Because you helped me too, remember?”

“I know, but you were willing to share it with me, but I don’t think she’s ready to open up to anyone.”

“I know she is.”

“What made you think so?”

“Because she obviously loves you.”

“Please, don’t be ridiculous,” Michel said, throwing his hand in the air. “That girl is not capable of loving. Seems like she’s built a thick wall around her, the bitterness in her is too much.”

 

“I see it in her eyes whenever she looks at you, Michy. And it takes love to break the strongest of walls. Just let her know she can trust and confide in you and I tell you, she will spill it all out.”

“Fine, I can never win against you, can I?”

“You know you can’t. Moreover, I won’t allow you to just throw in the towel this time around, not at the expense of your happiness,” Alexa replied, rolling her eyes at him.

“Okay, I will go and bring her here, please be good to her. Can I trust you?”

“You know you can, match-maker,” Michel replied her, throwing a stone into the lake.

Alexa fought the urge to react to the name-calling. She took a deep breath.

“Great, will be back soon.”

 

On seeing Alexa coming, Lucy stood up and walked up to her, hoping for the best.

“Alright, so he’s calm now. You can go talk to him.”

“Are you sure? He wasn’t looking enthused earlier.”

“Don’t worry, that was expected, but he’s all good now.”

“But I thought you said you were going to talk to him before asking me to come and see him but from what I saw earlier, it didn’t look so.”

“I know I did but he wouldn’t have agreed to come here today if I had told him you were coming. So I had to keep it a secret and surprise him with you.”

“I guess it didn’t turn out the way you expected.”

“Sure, it did. Now let’s cut the talks, go meet him. He’s down there at the extreme end. You will see a lake there, it’s his favourite spot in the garden.”

 

“Okay, thanks a lot Alexa, I don’t know what I would do without you.”

“You welcome. Just go and apologize to him and let him help you. You just have to trust him.”

“Alright, thanks, I will keep that in mind,” she said and started walking to the lake.

“And don’t hurt my boy again, cos if you do, I will come for you and break those legs of yours,” Alexa said, smiling.

“I hear you loud and clear. Please, always remind me not to ever cross you.” Lucy replied smiling too and she felt a little relieved.

“Hopefully, she could get him to forgive her for real this time around,” she says to herself,

 

“Lucy please control yourself this time around. You know you don’t want to lose him?” she said, not knowing why she found herself saying those words.

“What have you done to me, Michel. Why can’t I get you out of my mind?”

 

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