Chapter Two: My Encounter with Michael

—Gina

After my discharge from Madonna hospital in Lagos, my twin sister, Givia, insisted that I go out and refresh my brain. She offered to accompany me, but I wanted to go alone. I chose Lagos beach as my destination and Givia made sure I had food and drinks to take with me.

"You'll starve if you don't take something to eat. It's been weeks since you left the hospital, you know?" Givia said.

I laughed and took the food and drinks she prepared for me. I wore a beautiful red dress and headed outside. I hailed a taxi and asked the driver to take me to Lagos beach, making sure to agree on the price beforehand. My sister waved goodbye, and I returned the gesture.

"Please come back home on time and safely. If there's any problem, let me know," she insisted.

I assured her that I would be fine. I was simply looking to relax by myself and return home when the time was right. The taxi took me across Lagos mainland bridge and straight to the beach. As we drove, I admired the streets of Lagos and the beautiful natural areas of Lekki Phase 2. I noticed a tall building and wondered if it resembled the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, which I had often seen on TV.

The atmosphere at the beach was pleasant, with a cool breeze blowing from every direction. Families played around in the sand, and couples enjoyed each other's company. It was the perfect setting for relaxation. I found a spot to sit and unpacked the food and drinks my sister had prepared for me. I took a few moments to unwind before deciding to go for a run along the beach. I ran and played with the water, relishing the familiar joy I felt when interacting with it. Playing with water at the beach had always been a favorite pastime, even when I was a child. Givia and I used to come here and watch what was happening, sometimes joining in the water games and running along the shore.

As I ran around the beach, memories of my father's time in Liberia on a peacekeeping mission flooded my mind. He had been away for two years, and during that time, we had no communication with him. My mother was worried sick, thinking something terrible had happened. We prayed every day for his safe return. My mother would cry, and I would take care of her when she fell ill. When my father finally came back, we were overjoyed. My mother rushed to him, embracing him tightly and giving him a passionate kiss. Even as children, we understood the significance of that kiss.

However, after the embrace and kiss, my mother discovered that my father had returned with a Liberian woman—a beautiful and attractive one at that. My mother had assumed she was a foreign colleague from the military with whom my father had been on peacekeeping duty. Little did she know, there was more to their relationship than she initially thought. Although she was skeptical, she decided not to confront my father about it. After all, he had just returned from a two-year peacekeeping mission.

"Hello! Good day, princess!" a male voice interrupted my thoughts. It was Michael. I turned and looked at him. He was incredibly handsome, with fresh-looking skin and a pointed nose. He had the appearance of someone from Somalia or India. I was captivated by his good looks, gazing into his eyes as he greeted me again, bringing me back to reality.

"Can I help you?" I asked, trying to regain my composure. "I noticed you were sitting here alone, lost in thought, and I thought I'd come and talk to you," he replied. Once again, I found myself imagining drawing him closer, kissing him passionately, and taking him to bed. The temptation was strong, but I knew I had to stay focused and not reveal my attraction towards him. So, we engaged in conversation, and I told him the reason for my visit to the beach. He mentioned that he worked as a driver for Melanie Company, chauffeuring the owner of the company from Lagos to Abuja and other parts of the country. I remained silent, impressed by the fact that such a handsome man was working for such a prestigious company.

"I have to go now. My sister is calling," I informed him, beginning to gather my belongings. As I stood up to leave, I suddenly felt dizzy, and before I knew it, I had fallen onto his body, our lips meeting in a passionate kiss. I didn't even realize how it had started. As soon as I snapped out of it, I quickly composed myself, aware that my dizziness had caused my momentary loss of control. I left him, gathered my things, and declined his offer to drive me home in his car, assuring him that my taxi driver would pick me up soon.

"Hello! Where are you?" I asked my taxi driver over the phone. He was already waiting for me at the beach. We had arranged for him to bring me back home once I was finished with my time at the beach. Michael didn't say anything, but I could see that he was watching me as I drove away. Little did I know at that moment, he was actually the CEO of Melanie Company and the had a lot of money. I was only concerned about returning home that today to meet my twin sister. She's e's my only source of hope and happiness.