The words came out before he could hold them in. His game plan was so embedded in his subconscious that one could conclude that this day was not going as he had earlier planned.
Adebola began the day with a notification of two million dollars withdrawal investments from a group of christian investors in Japan, that he spent months convincing them of a solid return of their investments, on a personal boat cruise which he sponsored. He wanted to take the vessel transportation to another level and he needed financial backers to embark on that venture. He wanted these investors back and he feared that others might start to follow suit in withdrawing their investments because it would seem that he had broken their trust.
All these happened because a blogger decided to frustrate him with damaging news. He wasn't gay, yet he couldn't go out there holding a press conference and screaming I am not gay for the whole business world to listen. That was not enough convictions to people.
His personal assistant Felix watched him pace in his living room trying to come up with a solution before this bloggers ruins every ounce of his finances due to their baseless assault. Debby popped into his mind. If only she was easily swayed by affluence and comfort. He would take her around the world, throwing diamonds on her finger and luxury on her laps. She had a good background and she is intelligent which would help him but she was not interested.
Studying every report sent in by her previous office, This girl is a progress contributor to any given assignment. She watched the market, consumers and investors and all her reports were top notch.
He made up his mind to visit them on this Saturday. Dropping a hint on his visit, that this may become an everytime adventure if given the privilege. He gave a prophet seed and the pastor prayed for him while he waited for the mother to drag the solution to his problem out of her room where she had been holed up for about 30 minutes since his arrival.
Now, there she was, with her obsolete hair style looking older than 30 at the age of 24. Adebola was shocked as he began to notice the features on her face. This girl needed a facials and good skin care obviously to look radiant at least to his spec.
Knowing she had lost her fiancee was a major step back at the Lunch table and the similarities in the death of the fiancee took him by surprise. Women are so emotionally tied to their lost lover and he wondered how he could pull her out of the shadows of mourning and grief.
Excusing himself into the bathroom, he remembers his late friend and protege Marcus Nnaji who died of hereditary liver disease couple of months ago. A young accountant at a new generation microfinance bank who worked so hard without asking for anything to jump the corporate ladder. They traded emails the last 1 year about every business decisions they know and he invested in the bank to enable Marcus legacy rise among the management teams. It was so surreal because he had planned on loaning him money to FasTrack his promotion when he heard of his death by the new colleague who took over Marcus's desk and position.
It would seem that Debby was the woman Marcus bragged about. He recalls promising to visit them both before their wedding. This was hard and very unreasonable on his part but he had no choice. He either marries a girl from a good background or he grooms a slut with a prepared shady background. Either way, loosing is not an option.
"What if I pretend to love her? What if I show her, I am in love? Would she cave in?" Adebola asked himself but moves his head in the negative as he washes his hand alone in the toilet.
"What if I genuinely beg her to have mercy on me and help save my company?" The humanity part of her may agree he concluded.
Arriving back at the table, she looked at him with so much sympathy and he decides that it is now or never hence the affirmation for help.
"I need you to help save my company or I would loose everything I have". he says pitifully holding her hand which she shivers at each body contact.
"I don't understand Sir, how can I do that" She asks innocently.
"I lost 2 million dollars worth of investment this morning from a group of christian investors who read a damaging article hinting on my sexuality as a closet man". He blurted out in a perceived moment of anger.
"Oh I am so sorry sir. I didn't know. Are you about to loose your company? Oh my Goodness, how can someone tell lies that would ruin another all in the name of my news" she panicked.
Adebola could not believe it, she was incredibly concerned about it, so he increased his game to milk whatever emotion he could elicit from her.
"I have to borrow money by next week, using some of my ships as collateral for the ongoing vessel projects. I feel so down but I have to keep up the smile". He stated.
"What do you need me to do?" she asked after thinking for a moment or two.
"Nothing Debby. Just be my friend. Having a companion might help me in the long run if I start to loose everything I have worked for". He said feeling like a big liar.
"Don't say that. You don't need the negative energy right now. You need to possess a positive attitude and positive confessions.
"Thank you Debby. I truly appreciate these words of encouragement and comfort." He smiled.
The rest of the lunch went so smooth as she continued to encourage him and say words of prayers.
"Look at the time, it's almost 5pm. We have not gone to see the movie" he exclaimed checking his time piece which was extremely exotic as Debby spied bit.
"Movie should be for another time." Debby responded.
"But I told your father that I was taking you to see a movie. I don't want to make a bad first impression as a deceiver. It's not good" He protested.
"And I am telling you, movie postponed. I would explain things to him. Besides, we would go and see it another time if you are not too busy". She stated smiling which gave him so much hope.
"If you say so. Would you like to go shopping then?" He asked.
"Not really, I don't like unplanned spendings. I planned on going to the saloon but it's late anyways. I would do that after the church service tomorrow." Debby responded.
"I could send a great hair stylist over to your house to give you a great style in comfort."
"That would be too much. As much as it is tempting, I would have to decline."Debby touched his arm as they walked towards the car.
Sitting inside the car. Adebola wanted to try again but he felt so selfish.
"Debby". He called.
"Yes sir,"
"I would really appreciate it if you kept my company problems and financial crisis to yourself. Not even your immediate boss".
"Alright sir" She assured him.
"Adebola is my name"
"Alright Adebola"
Debby stated that it was best, he dropped her off at home by 5:30pm. Adebola had to agreed its for the best. The outing was a relaxing one with the food alongside but Debby was worried. She hated seeing anyone in pain and Adebola looked like he was in serious pain.
After bidding him goodbye, she walked into the house to meet her father and mother smiling in the living room.
"How was the movie?" Her mother asked as she locked the door.
"There was no movie Mummy. After lunch, it was already late, I decided to come home".
"Your daughter is very weird. You don't know how to enjoy life". Mrs Olatunji told her husband.
"Daddy I thought you would have been in your room." Debby asked her Father
"I was waiting for you. Did he treat you right?" He quired.
"Yes dad. More than right if you asked me. Adebola is a great host"
"That's good to know. He said he has noticed you for the last two years in the church. But he didn't want to approach you so early because he heard you were 22 years old then."
Debby was stunned, she did not expect Adebola to tell her father that.
"Daddy are you been serious?"
"Of course I am. I can see that he has strong feelings for you but he is scared to admit it". Debby was confused as she could no longer understand Adebola anymore. One time, he wanted to marry her because he wanted to thwart the rumours. Now he was acting as a Friend. Then telling her father that he loves her? What can she do?.
"He asked me to marry him, last week and I said no" She blurted out to her parents unsure of why she even did.
"Why would you say that? It's 10 months, that a fiancee died, not a husband. Debby why are you bent on suffering"? Her mother attacked her.
"Calm down Mummy," her father touched her mother's arm.
"I can understand your reservations my daughter. I can even say I like it. You do not rush into the marital relationship simply because someone asked. But why not give it time. Seek the face of God and pray hard. I would also join you in praying. Whatever the outcome is, I would support you my child."
"Oh thank you so much Daddy." She hugged her father and her mother before walking to her room. Her father had always been supportive to every relationship decision she be had made.
Retreating for the night into her room, she received a call from Adebola.
"I hope your father wasn't disappointed at me for not taking you to the movies?.
" Not at all. Are you home?". She asked concern spewing from her voice.
"Not yet dear. Stick stuck in traffic. Thank you for the lunch date Debby. I Know I have a Friend in you."
"I should say thank you sir. Sorry Adebola. It feels weird because You are my boss".
"There's nothing weird about it. It's just civil" he responded.
"If you say so. Would you be in church tomorrow?" She asked.
"I would not miss it for the world. Except I am out of the country, or ill. I am always in church.
"Can I ask you a question?" Debby asks again.
"Yes you can."
"Do you still want to marry me. I miss the initial agreement to save the company and all that." Her voice filled with fright as she spoke.
"Hmmmmmm I want to save the company but I don't want to hurt you. I have learnt my lesson after the weird dinner in my office. I was so out of line." Adebola responded.
"If the offer still stands. Knowing you are not expecting anything emotional or sexual but just friendship from me. I would marry you". Debby declared.
The grin he suddenly had on was almost splitting his face in half. He had won!