"Luke what are you doing here!" i exclaimed. i was really shocked. Luke was the last person i would expect to visit my home.
"you know what?" i held up my hand "scratch that...how did you know where i live?
"Hello to you too Miss Hope." He said smiling. "I was hoping i could have a chat with you...is this a bad time?" he said pointing at my robe.
I hadn't even realized until then that i still had my robe on. I suddenly became very self-conscious as i hugged it tightly around my body.
"Uhm...Yes...No..." I stood there uttering a lot of meaningless words. i still couldn't believe Luke was in my house, at my doorstep. I literally just finished talking about him with Adrian some hours ago.
"You know i could just leave if this is a bad time....he spoke up startling me. "I just really wanted to talk to someone. I am sorry i came by unannounced and for the record i got your home address from your assistant Ariel. I visited your office but was told you left a few hours ago, i called your home line but it was on voicemail so i decided to come to your house. Again, i am so sorry" he said as he turned to leave his demeanour instantly changing to a sad one.
In truth, i was touched and flattered at the same time that he had gone through all that stress trying to reach me. i wondered what was so important that he couldn't wait till Monday to discuss. He was almost entering his car when i called out to him.
"Luke wait!" i shouted. He stopped and stood looking at me. "Come on in and give me a minute to change and then we can go somewhere and talk." I saw the smile forming on his face again as he came back. I let him in and quickly went to change.
As i walked up the stairs i contemplated on what i was going to tell Iyke. He had just arrived to be with me and i was already leaving to talk with some man. I decided to just tell him the truth besides Iyke was not a Jealous type and he was very compassionate and supportive...traits i greatly admired in him.
He was already headed downstairs when i entered the room. I took him back in and told him everything about Luke and his situation.
"Well if it's really that important i say go talk to your partner. you would most definitely need him in his right frame of mind if you must close this contract with the U.S Govt...I am not going anywhere anytime soon. i will wait for you. But now i think your partner needs you more than i do."
"Thank you for understanding... you are the best... i promise i would make it up to you" i said giving him a slight kiss on the lips.
"Oh...you definitely would." He winked which made me laugh.
"Hey hun!" he called as i went into my closet.
"yes b" i replied poking my head out a little
"don't wear anything to sexy" he smirked.
" you got it...one extremely sexy gown coming up" i said as we burst out laughing.
Iyke always knew what to say, how to make me feel special. We had this deep understanding for each other which i couldn't even fathom. He was a best friend, brother, lover and counselor. i couldn't even imagine living without him.
He went on to keep my guest company while i changed into a comfy yet sexy dress. i put on a light makeup, wore a low-heel sandals, took my purse and dashed out.
I heard sounds of laughter as i came down the stairs. I saw the both of them watching a football game and laughing. i stood behind and watched them for a while. it was a beautiful sight to behold. It felt like a reunion of two brothers. i was really proud of Iyke who had the virtues of an angel. I felt really lucky to have found him. I looked on to Luke, he had that radiant smile that i had come to love, a smile that can light up the whole room and a very welcoming aura around him.
When i decided that i was tired of just staring. i coughed slightly announcing my presence. They both turned and kept staring at me speechless.
"I see you didn't take my advice" Iyke finally spoke up smirking. "You look Stunning" he smiled.
"Oh but you give terrible advice" i said playfully.
"She's very hard-headed this one. Watch out for her in your partnership" he said to Luke.
"Most definitely." he said laughing. "You look amazing by the way" he smiled at me.
"Thank you." i said smiling "Can we go now or do i have to wait for the end of the game?"
They both laughed as they stood up. Iyke saw us to the door. He gave me a kiss and whispered "I am waiting for you" to my ears before closing the door and going back in.
We went to a Cafe five blocks from my house. It was situated at a roof top. You could get a beautiful view of the city from there and the environment was serene. We took a spot very close to the edge so we could get a better view.
"Your Fiancee is quite charming and very funny too. I see how he managed to steal your heart." Luke said as he took his seat opposite to me.
"I know right?" i said blushing.
"You really love him don't you?" he asked searching my eyes.
" Yes i really do." There was an expression on his face that seemed rather sad but it went as quickly as it came.
"I am pretty sure we are not here to discuss my fiancee so why are we here Luke?" i asked scared that i might actually know the answer.
He hesitated for a while like he was contemplating whether or not to tell me.
"Well i figured you had heard the news of my mother's condition and you must have had questions as to why i didn't tell you in our meeting and i felt so guilty and so i wanted to explain everything personally to you."
"Oh please Luke don't feel guilty for not telling me. your decision to be discreet about such a sensitive matter was entirely your choice to make. you certainly don't owe me any explanation. i would probably do the same if i were in your shoes."
"Thank you so much. you have no idea what a relief this is to me."
" It's no problem."
"You know" he began. "The news was supposed to be a secret till after the surgery. we were hoping to keep the media out of it to avoid unnecessary attention. i was absolutely surprised as to when it leaked. We are still investigating who passed the information because only the doctor, my mum and i knew about her condition.
"It must have been utterly shattering, having the world talk about your personal lives like it was everybody's business. I thought about calling you when i saw the news but i decided to give you some time to process everything. I was actually hoping to speak with you on Monday."
"That was so thoughtful of you and i am glad you didn't call. i was so destabilised when the news leaked and i don't know how i would have responded if you had called so thank you."
"I can't even imagine how she must have felt when she heard the news"
"Funnily enough she took it better than i had expected. All she had to say when she saw the news was 'Well these things happen' and shrugged like it was nothing."
"Wow! She really is something" i said
"I kept thinking of the way you managed to smile throughout the meeting like you didn't have any problems at all. I must confess, it was really inspiring."
"i like to think you played a part in it" he said laughing.
"How?" i asked
"You kind of lightened my spirits with your cheerful face and funny jokes."
"i really don't think i said any jokes there" i laughed.
"If beg to differ" he said
We were silent for a while each deep in our own thoughts. it was a comfortable type of silence, not forced or born out of awkwardness.
"Could you give me your opinion on something" he spoke suddenly
"Of course...what is it?" i asked.
"Uhm...i...the doctor has asked me as the next of kin of my mother to sign the papers to proceed with the surgery. He also told me that my mother might or might not make it out of the surgery alive because the cancer has already gotten to an advanced stage...i really don't want to sign those papers but according to the doctor that's the only option as my mother does not have much time left...what do i do?" he searched my eyes pleading like he wanted me to somehow bring him out of his misery which if i could i wouldn't give it another thought.
I thought for a while then spoke "Firstly, i really don't think i should be helping you make a decision like this. I think this is a really delicate and personal matter that you only can decide but since you require my opinion i would give it to you. My opinion is that you should do what you need to do not what you want to do. Like you rightly said 'that is the only option.' If you say you won't sign the papers, your mum would die and if you go ahead with the surgery she could or could not make it alive so why don't you risk a shot at life than spend the rest of your days regretting why you didn't give it a shot. if you decide that you would not sign the papers but spend the rest of her last days with her loving her and doing all you two must have planned to do, it is also a good decision but i think in the long run you might begin to wonder if you could have actually saved her life by going ahead with the surgery. i think you know what you should do but you are seeking some kind of confirmation which no one could give but yourself. Ultimately the matter rests between you and your mum, ask her what she wants, do what you have to and trust that you have made the right decision."
"Thank you so much for this....You have no idea how this has helped me. you have really clarified some confusing issues for me....I am glad i came to you...you are really smart and you have insight." he said slightly holding my hand.
"Aww...now you flatter me." I smiled. "I am glad i could help in the little way i can.
He seemed really sad and stressed that i just had to console him.
"Come here you big baby" i said giving him a big hug. "You know you have to take care of this and help me close our deal right?...cause i need my partner sane" i said letting go of him.
He laughed "of course, you would crumble without my help."
"Cocky much?" i smirked.
He laughed so hard. i was just happy he was in lighter spirits now but then his phone rang and when he was done answering it his mood changed.
"I just got a call from my mum's doctor, he said my mum had a seizure and was rushed to the hospital. She is presently in the intensive care unit. He needs me to come to the hospital as soon as possible and sign those papers or my mum would die." he said hastily, taking his car keys.
"I am coming with you Luke and don't you dare say a word" i said as we payed the bill and rushed out.
Thank you for reading.
Glad you are enjoying the story.
Would Luke sign those papers? What would happen to Judy Adams.
stay tuned to find out.
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