Chapter Eleven

The two of them kept watching each other without saying a thing. Rose was lost in her thoughts while Christopher was lost staring at her. They stayed like that for a long time without saying or doing anything.

"Let me go and make us lunch, I feel hungry," Rose said in an attempt to run away. She was already getting lost in her thoughts about him and the family he wants them to have together.

"What do you want to make?" Christopher asked.

"Do you know how to eat eba?" She asked him. (Eba is made out of cassava flour. It's eaten along with soup.)

"What do you think?" He asked her with a smirk.

"I think you don't know how to eat it." She answered with confidence.

"Hahaha..." He laughed at her answer and said, "let me burst your bubble. I know how to eat eba. Don't forget my dad is a Yoruba man and, my best friend is an Igbo guy. When I got back, I wanted to try out everything. I was curious to know about Nigerian delicacies so, I know how to eat eba. I learned a lot of things when I came back to Nigeria!" He said feeling proud of himself.

"Hmmm, that's great!" Rose said and nodded her head then continued, "what's your favorite food?"

"I don't have a particular favorite food. I eat almost everything and I love it all." He said but thought of something and then added, "what kind of soup do you have at home?"

"I have Okra and vegetable soup in the fridge. Which one do you want to eat?" She asked him.

"Anyone is ok. I love the two. I might even decide to eat a little of both soup. You never can tell." He said and relaxed on the chair.

Rose was surprised that he would know how to eat the food she mentioned. She was thinking that, since he grew up outside the country he should be used to light dishes, not things like Eba. "Are you sure you want what you are asking for?" She asked because she wasn't convinced. "I could make some Rice for you or better still tell me what you want and I'll go out to buy it."

"Rose... Don't make me start feeling like an Aje butter. Is that not what rich children are called around here?" He asked and Rose nodded her head. "Well, I am born into a rich family but, don't forget I grew up with my nanny. She thought me a lot of things. She piqued my curiosity. So, when I came here I wanted to try out every dish she talked about." He said.

"Well, let me go and prepare the food. I would love to meet your nanny. She sounds like a wonderful woman." Rose said and walked into the kitchen.

Christopher didn't want her out of his sight so, he stood up and followed her into the kitchen. Before she could ask him to go back out, he said, "You can't meet with my nanny anymore. She died last year."

"Am sorry to hear that. May her soul rest in peace." Rose said. "Do you stay in the same house with your dad?" She asked while taking out the soup from the fridge.

"No, I can't stay in the same house with that man. One of us will go crazy if we stay together." He said and chuckled. "You know, when I came back to Nigeria, I had already saved enough money and I have a small company outside the country as well. I got myself a house in Lekki. I can't wait to take you and our daughter with me." He said with a smile dancing on his lips.

Rose heated the soup and boiled water to make the Eba. While making it, she said, "what will happen to my house and my business when we leave here?"

"I have made plans for all that already. When I found out what you do here, I started building a Mall in Lagos. I also heard you went to Lagos to buy land that you want to use in building a new branch of your supermarket!" She nodded her head at what he said and he continued, "so, I helped you out. I have almost finished it and it's just waiting for you to open it. You can always come down here to check on the ones here. You just put someone in charge." He suggested.

"You, you did that? What if I decide not to go back with you?" She asked.

They both moved to the dining table to eat while he said, "if you decide not to go back, it's still yours. You deserve it for taking care of my child alone. Let's just assume it's my apology gift. It's for not being there for you and our daughter." He said. He washed his hand and started to eat but immediately the food entered his mouth, his expression changed instantly. "Wow! This is like the best vegetable soup I have ever had. Did you make this yourself?"

"Yes!"

"Wow, I have found my favorite. I thought the stew I tested last night was the best but this is even better. This is wow!" He said and started eating in a hurry.

Rose didn't say a thing she just watched him as he rushed the food. He ate it like he hasn't eaten in three days. When they finished eating, she cleared the dishes but was not allowed to wash them. She went back to the sitting room and waited for him there.

A few minutes later...

"Can I ask you for a very big favor?" Christopher asked immediately he came out of the kitchen.

"What is it?" Rose asked.

"I heard that Benue dishes are also delicious and I haven't had the opportunity to taste their signature soup and pounded yam. Can you make it for me sometime?" He asked and sat beside her.

"I'll have to think about it. What do I stand to gain?" She teased.

"Well, you'll gain a husband, isn't that enough?" He asked with a smile.

"No, it's not enough. I need something better. You have a lot of headaches to offer. A handsome and rich husband is a lot of problems. Offer something else." She said.

"Hmmm, how about I tell you that you gain a loyal fan. After eating your food, am sure I won't enjoy eating out again." He said and relaxed In the chair with a contented smile on his face.

"I'll have to think about that but, I have a loyal fan already. My daughter hardly eats out. I tried taking her out sometimes but whenever we want to go out she would just request things like ice cream, chicken and chips, and all that. She hardly requests for food." Rose said with a smile.

Christopher looked at her and said, "then I'll just be the second on the list. Isn't that better?" He looked at the time on his phone and said, "it's time to go and pick up Princess from school. Dress up and let's go."

Rose looked at the time and said, "Nah, it's too early. They close by 4 pm. It's just 2 pm. We still have time. Do you want to see her baby pictures?"

"Sure. I'd love to see them." He said.

She got up and left to bring the photo album.