Novels by Otega-Endowed

I was scared to the core and the thought of Nelson walking in on me while I did my investigation and search made me detest the idea.He would literally skin me alive if he found out I was getting into his business, which he obviously didn't like. But this opportunity was the kind that presented itself once in a lifetime. He hardly ever stayed out for long hours and now that he admitted to wanting to do that, I couldn't let it slip off my fingers. I looked out through the window in the living room and I could see the sun gradually setting. The weather was dull and breezy and the grass swayed to the rhythm of the wind. I shut the windows and double-checked the door to be sure it had been shut by Nelson on his way out as he usually took the keys with him.But as I thought of my next move, I wondered what Nelson’s mission was, what boys he was hanging out with, and why he had to stay out for too long. “What if his leaving was a setup? What if he wanted to give me enough space to carry

I stood by the kitchen cabinet, a knife in my hands and some vegetables on the tray which I chopped, in preparation for our dinner tonight.While I still lived on my own and paid Nelson only visits, he never allowed me to cook. He hated to see me in the kitchen, or at least, that was how he made it seem, but since living with him, I had to start cooking up some nice dishes, mostly for myself. He still didn't care to eat all the time from me, but I knew I couldn't survive on takeout all the time, and I loved to cook too, so it wasn't much of a chore.It had been a week and two days in Nelson’s house, and these days were by far the worst I'd ever had. I was not allowed to go out for any reason, because he always speculated that I would escape, and he was right about that. No one in their right mind would see an escape route and decide to remain in the dungeon.For the meals I cooked, Nelson did the grocery shopping; the house supplies, toiletries, and every household item were shopped

“Listen, babe, I’m really sorry for laying hands on you again. My anger always gets the best of me,” he apologized, caressing my swollen forehead. These were the words that proceeded from his mouth after the torture session. Today, as Nelson pounced on me, I felt my life flash before my eyes. For minutes, I begged that he would let go of me, but he didn’t stop.With each blow, my body felt weakened, and I felt like my breath was about to be taken away from me. If he hadn’t stopped at the moment that he did, I’d have been long gone in the land of the ghosts.When he saw that I was about to pass out, he quickly sent for a nurse who came in and administered painkillers and meds to me. When she walked in, I lay almost lifeless on the couch, stains of blood all over the armrest. “She looks so badly battered. Oh my God!” Came the voice of the lady whom I’d suspected to be the nurse, but my eyes were deeply sunken into their sockets that I couldn’t open them.“I found her by the roadside

Quickly we readjusted, each individual taking on their role. I picked up the box that I’d dropped on the doorstep step and the instrumentalists had their instruments set for action. Nelson opened the door and the melody began. Simultaneously, Kel and Marvin played the tune of a happy birthday song while Marilyn and I sang along, our faces bearing the brightest smiles that they ever had.Nelson was really surprised. We’d never talked about any birthday surprises before now. All we did was exchange gifts when it was a special occasion, and for that, I was glad. I pulled a good one on him and like I’d intended, it got to him.“You’re unbelievable! Why didn’t you tell me you were throwing a surprise? Damn!” He remarked, grinning from ear to ear. “Because it was supposed to be a surprise!” I screamed, moving my hands in demonstration. “Come here,” he said, beckoning me with his arms wide open.As I moved closer to him, everyone made sounds of admiration for our love, and quickly I jolte

Nelson had grown cold and the love we once shared was beginning to feel one-sided. His remarks whenever we hung out or saw each other became passive; whenever I would ask him a question, he would reply to me with monosyllabic words like ‘yes,’ ‘no,’ ‘why,’ ‘of course,’ ‘okay,’ and the list goes on.Every conversation felt like a bother and his presence was beginning to send shivers down my spine. In the midst of this behavior, it only dawned on me that I might have been dating a ghost. I’d been previously concerned about his family and personal affairs as well as his business but the oblivion kicked in properly of recent. Everyone who ran a business had a specialization except for my boyfriend. Today he would agree that he dealt with home appliances, the next time, he would talk about importing factory materials, and the next time I caught him on one of his numerous secret phone calls, he would confess to co-running a firm with a partner who had just taken a short trip to Singapore

Life was good again. Nelson and I had gotten back together and he was doing everything he could to please me so as not to step on my toes again.The other day while he drove me home from work, I saw a huge signpost on the roadside. It stood so tall and had bold and colourful graphics that caught my attention. “Nelson! Please slow down, look at that huge signpost, it looks like a sports event! I urged on, tugging at his bare hands which rested on the steering wheel as he drove.“When did you become such a huge sports fan?” He asked nonchalantly, still driving forward.“Please, stop the car,” I pleaded this time, my tone sounding really serious, that was my way of getting him to do something for me.“Honey, you’re wasting our time,” he mumbled grudgingly.“Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeese” “It’s fine.”“Nelson, am I not allowed to develop new hobbies and interests?” I asked, adjusting in my seat while rolling my eyes like I was searching for something. I knew he was not pleased by my request but