Chapter 6

Joseph Ericson:

Seeing Amaka again, after four years of ending my relationship with her, made my blood boil hot.

I had tried so hard to forget her, but it was the hardest thing I did. My family cannot be aware that I had an affair with a poor girl. Although I took Amaka's innocence, that didn’t mean I had to marry her. Nevertheless, she was the prettiest girl I had ever seen.

When she walked into my office, my heart skipped several beats and I gasped for air. My jaw dropped in surprise, but I swiftly composed myself when I saw the shock on her face, too. She was more than shocked to see me, but I switched to the stoic side of myself, maintaining my professionalism. I had to pretend I’d never known her, but my manhood kept twitching in my boxers, longing for her wonderful touch.

“Um, have a seat,” I gestured to her.

Amaka tried to ask me if I knew her, but no way was I going back. I had moved on, and my father wanted me to court a senator’s daughter. Her father owned several businesses and was a great philanthropist.

Her name was Nina Stanley. She was tall, pretty, and a 24-year-old. Guess right—I lied to Amaka Richard about my age.

I was 25 when I met Amaka. I was coming from the gym that day when I saw her going home with her younger sister. Amaka wore an armless, body-hugging red dress, and seeing how beautiful she looked, I couldn’t get her out of my mind. She came from an average family and was easily gullible. When I approached her, I was scared she’d reject me if I told her my real age, so I lied just to get her to date me.

I showered Amaka with gifts, but she was only thinking about marriage. She wanted me to marry her—an eighteen-year-old girl. I only wanted sex, to calm the effects she had on me. I had no idea my father was planning to relocate after his last successful business deal made him more famous. Dad disclosed to my mother and me that we wouldn’t live in Palazzo Town again and would move to the island part of the city, where he could afford a more luxurious, comfortable lifestyle. That cut my relationship with Amaka short—I would have loved to sleep with her again and again before relocating.

Amaka was heartbroken after I finally slept with her. She’d delayed us having sex because she wanted to keep her virginity until marriage. I did lie to her that I would marry her just to taste her juicy cake.

I’m 29 now and will be 30 in a month’s time. My father handed over this company branch to me after I proved my worth, while he continued with the new establishment on the island.

As for my younger brother Aaron, he’s 25 and had recently graduated. Although he has no interest in business and is into filming and skit-making, my father wouldn’t hear of it and wanted Aaron to manage the branch—but Aaron didn’t care.

Well, now I am confused about what to do. Seeing that questioning look on Amaka’s face, I knew I’d wronged her. I recalled she later called me from a different number after I blocked her line, trying to forget about me. That night she’d called and told me she was three months pregnant.

I was shocked. I was at home with my mother, and she noticed the change in my demeanor. “What’s wrong, Joseph? You look so tense, like you’ve heard bad news. What happened?” Mom asked.

“Nothing, Mom. Excuse me.” I quickly retreated to my room on the top floor and made it clear to Amaka that we were over. That was the worst day of my life—I felt awful cutting her off. I warned her never to call again: “Don’t ever call me again, Amaka. We had sex only once. You refused to let me touch you, so how can you conceive from that encounter?”

“But…” Amaka began.

“No buts. I used protection, and I remember withdrawing when we made love!” I stated firmly. “Go look for someone else you slept with, pin the child on him, and don’t call me again.”

Gosh. The memory flooded back, and I was confused. Should I own up that I know Amaka Richard? Should I tell her I’m sorry and that I never forgot her? I was so confused, but seeing her smiling with Simon made me jealous. Amaka was very beautiful, with a cute dimple on her chubby cheeks. I couldn’t look away and recalled how heavenly it tasted to kiss her lovely lips.

“Sir, it’s already 7 p.m. and most of the staff have left. Aren’t you going home for today?” my head of security, Tyler Ivan, came into my office and spoke.

“Right. I’ll go home now,” I said, rising from my chair. I shut down my laptop and packed it into my briefcase—I had some unfinished business to do.

My phone rang, startling me. I picked it up from my desk and saw Nina calling.

I got engaged to Nina last month because my father was on my case, insisting I marry Nina—and there was nothing else I was waiting for. We were rich, and so was Nina’s family. Under my father’s pressure, I got engaged to Nina, even though I didn’t want to. Nina was a business student, very professional, managing one of her father’s private businesses. She was classy, not the type to mess around. I love sex, and even after I fell out with Amaka and moved to the city, I slept with a few women I paid “to do the do” with. Nina wouldn’t let me touch her—no sex until marriage. I respected her choice and respected my father; he came from a humble background and worked hard to achieve his success. I couldn’t say no to him, so I complied and got engaged to Nina Stanley.

I didn’t get engaged because I loved her—I don’t feel anything for her—but I respect her professionalism. It gives me a sense of peace that she’ll educate my children well and isn’t a loose woman. But now I’ve seen Amaka Richard again. Memories I’d long buried—feelings I tried so hard to forget—came rushing back. Even thinking about Amaka now—her smile, her looks, and the way her big brown eyes held mine—made my dïck twitch, longing for her touch.

“You can leave, Tyler. I’ll leave soon; let me answer this call,” I told Tyler, and he replied, “Got it, boss.” Tyler exited, and I answered. “Hello, babe.”