MARRIED

EPISODE 20
Jessica cleared the plates from the dinning, happy that she had been able to prepare the breakfast. She had asked Ada to stay off for the rest of the day because she wanted to treat her husband the way any wife would. She cleaned up the plates and walked to the room, still in her night gown. She met Andy dressing up, preparing for work and she knew that she would miss him terribly.
She put her hand softly on his arm as he buttoned up his blue shirt. He smiled at her. “I would miss you today Mr. Andy Williams. Can’t I persuade you to stay?” she stood up on tip-toes and kissed him.
Andy’s brow shot up and his smile widened. “If you keep doing that, you just might”. He pulled her against him until she was standing glued to his front.
“Then maybe I should continue” she whispered in his ear and he laughed. She sighed, frowning. “You really have to go, right?”
Andy brushed away the hair playing at her face and kissed her nose. “Hmm. I really do” he murmured with an apologetic smile. “I have not been in the office for a while but I must be there today.”
Jessica sighed and picked up Andy’s tie, placed it around his neck and started knotting it. “I think I need a job now. Staying at home would be just so pathetic”
Andy frowned. “I don’t want you working for someone”
“But-”
“No ‘buts’ honey” he breathed. Jessica was about to argue but then decided against it. Sending out her resume might actually be a bad idea since her reputation had been effectively shattered. She discarded the terrible thought and focused on what she was doing. She adjusted the tie and relaxed the collar. She picked up his ash colored suit jacket and held it out for him. Andy smiled and put his arms in. “You pamper me. What would I do without you?”
“Everything”
He frowned. “Nothing”
Jessica smiled shyly. They walked to the car together, Jessica tucked under Andy’s arm. “Enjoy your day OK?” Jessica nodded. Andy bent and kissed her. “I love you”
“I love you too Drew. Do not stress yourself today at the office, ok honey?”
He grunted and was gone.
*****
Jessica danced around the apartment to the sound of the music coming from the sound system. She was feeling very happy. She refused to think about her father-in-law, refused to think about the situation at hand but focused on thinking about this happiness. This happiness that was bubbling inside her, all thanks to Andy. Being on-board ‘Lady Jess’, sailing on the sea in the arms of her love, visiting museums and tourist centers; all these things had made her extremely happy, but all those things had been perfect because she had been with Andy – the love of her life. She wanted to scream, dance and cry tears of joy. What had she done to deserve a man as loving as Andy? She had loved people but never had she loved someone as deeply as she loved Andy. steampunk prom dresses
She heard the ring tone of her phone and jumped to it. She checked it and saw that Lizzy was on the phone. When Sonia betrayed her, she had decided to put an end to all form of friendship but could she do that? Yes, she has had two to three betrayals from friends but could she cut out all her friends because of the bad ones she had had?
Lizzy and Paulina had been the ones who stuck up with her and ensured that she went back to Andy when they had the initial fight; Lizzy had kept her secret, the one that Sonia leaked immediately after overhearing their conversation. Jessica knew without a doubt that she could trust Lizzy, and that Lizzy meant all the best for her. The fact that she had encountered bad friends does not mean that she couldn’t also find good ones like Lizzy and Paulina.
She picked up. “Hey girlfriend” she said loudly, her happiness ringing out in her voice.
“Hmm, someone is really happy today. How are you babes?”
“I am better than fine Liz, al though a little bit lonely here. Andy is at work”
“Well, come over, let us have a splendid ladies’ time” Lizzy rang out.
Jessica smiled. “I would do just that. I would like a really delicious meal when I get there”
“You are the chef baby, I am a fashion designer”
“Can you imagine this girl? You don’t have respect again o. I think I would bring a cane along” she said, frowning playfully at the phone.
Lizzy hissed loudly at the other end. “Respect my foot! My friend bring your lazy behind down here, if we get hungry, we can always skip cooking and soak a really satisfying garri.
Jessie laughed. “Lazy girl! Oh, that reminds me; I am bringing a material along. I need to sew something really nice and… sexy” Jessica grinned at the thought. She had a really nice style in mind, but then, Lizzy would probably out rule it.
“Sexy! Coming from an SU like you? I think you need deliverance” she squealed into the phone and Jessica laughed. “Well anyways, it would be my pleasure sweetheart; you know I am the best you can find” pride oozed out of Lizzy’s voice.
“Flatter yourself” Jessica said, still laughing.
Lizzy chuckled. “Later babes”
Jessica hung up and ran off to dress up. It is refreshing to leave the house because being home alone can be depressing. She picked up her blackberry and typed a message to Andy via BBM.
‘The house is looking really empty with out you in it Drew, I miss you”
She dropped the phone on the bed and went to the wardrobe to pull out black jeans trousers and a multicolored top. She heard the sound of her phone and she jumped at it.
‘Oh baby, I have barely spent an hour in this office and I am here wishing I had accepted your offer. We could have been busy doing some naughty things right now’Jessica grinned foolishly as she read Andy’s reply.
‘Well, you did not accept my offer so I guess those ‘naughty things’ would have to wait till you get back’.
She pressed send and watched it change from the ‘D’ sign to the ‘R’ sign. She saw that Andy was busy writing a message and she lay on the bed, waiting for his reply, her phone poised in her arms with a stupid grin on her face.
‘You could come over to my office honey, that way, we won’t have to wait. I have a really large table, you know?’
Jessica’s eyes popped open and her cheeks reddened. ‘Jeeez… No dirty business in your office, husband. What would your staff think?’
‘They would think we love each other so much, we can’t do without each other for an hour’
Jessica laughed. ‘Well, control your dirty thoughts husband, I already told Lizzy that I am coming over to her place’
‘Hmm, you are going to make me jealous of your friend right?’Jessica read the message and laughed. ‘Sorry papa.’ she pressed send and picked up her clothes. After putting on the clothes, she picked up the phone and opened Andy’s message.
‘Alright baby, have fun. Be careful and wave your left fingers at any man who smiles at you’
Jessica snorted. “My darling possessive husband! Why do you think any man that smiles at me wants something out of the ordinary?
It is obvious that ladies trip over you. I try not to be jealous’. Jessica frowned. She hated it when women had their eyes all over her husband. It was becoming the order of the day now. Andy is just too good looking for his own good.
‘Oh Jess, you don’t understand the effect you have on men. They look at you like you are the route to heaven. Believe me, you are. As for the women, they are way beneath you.’
Jessica laughed. Andy and his flattery! ‘Go back to work husband, leave your wife alone’
‘I would never leave you sweetheart. You are MINE’ ‘Ask Mike to drive you to Lizzy’s place’
Jessica frowned. ‘No Drew, I would take a bus, I hate being chauffeured.’
‘NO. My wife would not be jumping from one public bus to another. I forbid it!’
Jessica sighed. ‘Then I would drive myself’
‘Are you sure??? You would be careful, won’t you?’
Jessica sighed. ‘I can drive well Andy, I would be fine. Take care. I love you’
‘Sighs… I love you too baby, be careful. Call me when you get there’
‘I will. Kisses’
Jessica smiled and dropped her phone inside her bag. She brushed her hair and decided that she would love a braid. She picked a car key and headed out.

*****
Andy had waited one hour and still have not got a call from Jessica. He was becoming worried. Lizzy’s house wasn’t that far, but he knew Lagos could be unpredictable and Jessie might be stuck in traffic. He was worried that if he called her, she might be distracted, and that is not good, especially if she was still on motion. But after waiting for some more time, his anxiety got the better part of him and he called but the phone rang and rang without any response.
‘She might still be driving’ a voice said in his head but he shook it off and dialed again but she did not pick. He called Lizzy and after the first two rings, Lizzy picked up.
“Hey Mr. Williams” she said.
“Hello Lizzy, how are you doing?” H e wanted to skip the niceties but he did not want to appear too anxious.
“Well, I am great”
“Erm, Jessica said she was coming to your place, is she there yet?”
“Nope, she is not here. Maybe she is on the way”
“She left about an hour ago, I have called but she is not picking up.” His concern showed in his voice.
“Oh?” Lizzy sounded surprised. “Probably, she is being held up by traffic Andy, she should-”
Andy heard the beep sound of his phone and checked his phone.
He instantly sighed, greatly relieved. “Lizzy, don’t worry. She is on the line now, got to go. Thanks.”
He hung up and quickly picked Jessica’s incoming call. “Oh Jess, thank God-”
“Hello sir”
Andy frowned and checked the caller’s name again. What is a man doing with my wife’s phone? “Yes, who are you? And what are you doing with my wife’s phone?”
“I am sorry sir, this is Inspector Majid. Your wife was involved in an accident. She has been rushed to Jackins hospital in an ambulance. I saw her phone and…
The phone slipped from Andy’s hand and crashed against the tiled floor. He stared ahead, shocked beyond words, with the words of the Inspector re-echoing in his head.
‘No…’ He gasped out.

To be continued...