Second Chance - Episode 11

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So the majority won, Miguel's POV coming shortly

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Soon, the long shadows of the evening melted into the gathering of darkness of the night time. The scene outside my window was something from a fairy tale. A night in 1985 was way better than hundreds in the modern day.  This night was quiet and natural..so pure . Embedded into it twinkled pure crystalline  stars. Each was so delicate and unique shining brighter than the other. The air cooled faster and the crickets sang..my heart was at peace yet restless and I couldn't get a sleep on time.

I kept tossing in my bed for hours , different thoughts flooded around my pretty head. How in the world would I woo my husband? Who even says stuffs like that? I have never had to do anything outrageous or formidable in all my life..well practically in this very life as far as I could remember. I have always been an easy going girl and I take things as they come. That I never met my parents had never been an issue for me. That I never had a rosy life or a good boyfriend except for shitty ones had never been a problem too. I was so used to living life as this was what I deserved without any I thought that I deserved something better.

But now, I have a husband..just like that..I mean in a twinkle of an eye and then, a mother , a people, a sense of belonging and a great responsibility even bigger than my life. Who would get a sleep thinking of all that even in the most beautiful night?

I must have drifted off while thinking and sorting out my plans because when I later opened my eyes, Bree was pulling the curtains and it was morning already

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/second-chance

. I had slept so peacefully without any screaming or nightmare . I practically dreamed of nothing..

"Morning My princess, I hope you had a great night?" Bree said nicely with a smile as she brought a cup of tea which I collected gratefully.

"I didn't at first Bree. I mean, with all the thoughts of wooing in my head. Do women woo men?Honestly, men that do these things ought to be appreciated. I literally ended up sleeping without a single clue"

Bree's laughter was natural..I felt we were getting closer and at least , I achieved something in a day ..way to go girl...I said to myself.

She was dusting the drawers now..speaking as she did.

"Well..i had to do some thinking for you. I thought you wouldn't mind"

My eyes sprang up. "That was so nice of you Bree. Do tell me"

She seemed pleased and putting the duster on the table she came closer to me .

"I think we should find out what the prince likes and we give it to him?"

"I don't quite follow Bree"

"Well, Isn't that how the men do it? They find out what a lady likes and they just try to work towards it"

"Not in this case Bree..not when they both loathe each other like life and death" I replied but then thought about it. She has a point actually..

" Is he around now?"  I asked.

"No, he left for his morning ride. Emeka is around though"

"Emeka?"

She nodded."Yes.. is his personal advisor"

"Well then Bree.." I said, sitting up as excitement was pumping into my veins. "Would you like to do a private detective work?"

"Yes My princess" She replied.

"Well, I relieve you of your work this morning. Be nice to him, Try find out what you know about him from the butler"

She grinned...she seemed more excited than I myself.

"You can ask Dora to come take over. Just let me know everything and the reason why he probably hates me. I can start with that. Followed by what he likes in ladies. His favorite colors. Where he goes to spend his time...his whores too" I said rolling my eyes as Bree stifled a laughter. "Bree please don't just go and ask the poor fellow all these..try and not make him suspicious. This is like war you know..you have to be...."

"Wiser than a cat and tricky like a tortoise" she interrupted and looking so serious. I almost laughed out..I thought the phrases were the other way round but she got the picture at least..

"Well..you are brilliant Bree" I said with a smile as I drank my tea. Then I saw her remove the apron she was putting on and folded neatly. Then she removed the pin from her hair , and her long black beautiful hair cascaded down her back.

I was surprised as I stared at her reflection in the mirror. She was really a beauty.

" Why have you been hiding all these beauty and why are you pulling this off now?"

She chuckled and replied. " I didn't tell you. I think Emeka likes me. I see the way he looks at me so I just thought I should make things easier"

I threw my head and laughed. "Come give me a high 5 girl!"

She stared at me.. Not having a clue of what I meant by that.. Then I remembered I was in 1985 ..I wondered who actually invented a high 5 and what year because I was damned sure..there was nothing like that here.

"What's a high 5? She asked. I had to teach her before she left... She reminded me of Anna so much and it made me miss my best friend even more.

I got down from the bed and moved to the mirror. The dolls on the table got my attention. There were four of them and the wigs  were off different colors and types. Blonde and full curls, Brunnette and straight. Black with some bangs and the last was a purple color with bouncing short curls.

Why did she need all these wigs? What did she have to hide behind them?

Then my eyes caught the beautiful flowers on the table that I got last night and everything became clear. She used the wigs when she was sneaking out to meet her lover! God! I actually forgot that I was having a creepy lover somewhere. I totally forgot! This could ruin so many chances. Worse, I didn't even know him. This is a moment where I actually want one of those dreams, let me just see myself and talk some senses into my past self or whatever she is.

Well..baby steps Kathia,,baby steps...

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in"

Ngozi stepped up and curtsied.

I gave her a pleasant smile.

"How are you doing today?"

She managed a smile and nodded. "Fine my lady"

"I told you to smile more often and stop being afraid of me" I teased, poking her on the arm.

"Okay my lady" She said and smiled more.

"Perfect" I said with a clap and handed her my tea. "Take some before it gets cold then we can work on my closet"

"Thanks my lady" She said and collected the half filled cup.

"Do you like these wigs?" She looked at the wigs I was pointing too and she nodded.

"They look good on you when you wear them?"

I frowned. "really?"

She nodded.

" I'm trying to remember when i last worn it.."

"Oh that was like a week ago . You were wearing the purple one like you always do on every second thursdays of the month"

Second thursdays of the month..

"Oh! I didn't actually realise I wear it every Thursdays when I go do whatever I go do, it is just a coincidence. How come you knew it was purple and not black?"

She scoffed. "You specifically told me to get it ready for you and I had to comb it that night after fixing it on your head"

Okay..

"You've got such a very good memory . I am so proud of you" She smiled satisfactorily and I continued. "So when do I get to wear the rest?"

"Well...er..err" her face lost color and seemed a little embarrassed. "I dunno My lady"

"So which do you think I should wear next Thursday"

"Well ,,i think the letters tell you which to wear like they always do"

I was a bit taken aback. okay..so I get to know what wigs to wear from my creepy secret lover!

I sighed and faked a smile.."Of course...I was just toying around to see how sharp you are and I can see you are so brilliant. Why have I never seen that? I need you to be closer to me dear. Now hurry up so we can work on the closet"

She smiled and gulped down the drink as I moved to the mirror...I touched the soft curls of the purple hair and looked into the mirror at the same time.

"What do I do with you Kathia..You have been a very bad girl..how on earth am I supposed to clean all this mess within such a very short time....."

MIGUEL's POV

"You missed!"

I cursed under my breath as I saw the fortunate lamb running for its dear life after my arrow has mistakenly missed it.

"You weren't focused. Are you okay Miguel?"

I made no reply as Dwaine   galloped towards me on his horse. Then I removed my hat and dusted the dew off with one finger. He was one of the few friends I have and I had very little as mostly they were either my servant or my guards. He was like ten years older than I am and we usually go hunting together early in the morning like this.

My guards were my only friends. Typically, all the men that worked with me were my friends. We grew up together so I had no time for all the "my prince..my highness stuff". Even though they did my bidding, I was very comfortable if they called me Miguel but during occasions where there are so may people, they could get all official with me.

"What is bothering you?" He asked again.

"I am tired Dwaine" I finally said.

"Of your marriage" He completed the statement for me and I nodded.

I I just want out this minute like..right now. I am so tired of staying in that same house with..with that ungrateful bitch!"

"You father would kill you if you leave so soon you know?"

"I know and that is why I have been trying to put up with her for so long"

I shook my head in frustration. I knew I had no choice than to wait till the feast with father but I just couldn't wait for the stupid feast any longer. I just wanted to leave!

"You know both of you never wanted this marriage right?"

"Yes! But if she's got any brain at all, she should be the one to make it work instead she is making matters worse for herself and her people! She seemed to have forgotten that the end of the marriage signifies the end of their staying here. They would need to move.She is so very selfish and I don't think she's got any brain at all"

Dwaine expelled some air and then smiled.

"Laleti has been keeping you happy hasn't she? Try and be happy with her till the feast period and you can tell your father you want out"

I smiled at the thought of laleti. Her tender breasts and soft skin have through out the last few months satisfied my ravaging lust. She was really something that has kept my mind off of the shitty marriage.

"See..you are smiling" Dwaine teased but I ignored him. "Do you know the irony of all these?" He asked and I shook my head.

"Your father forced you into this marriage so you could be with one woman and now you are with multiple.."

"Lucy was just one time.." I said as I recounted the ladies i have spent time with since the marriage.

"There was Deborah, Zainab and Amina,,and now Laleti. I actually tried didn't i?"

Dwaine chuckled. "Every girl wants to have a taste of the prince"

"Father doesn't want me at the palace. He doesn't want me to be distracted by any responsibility. He wants me to work on my marriage and make it work..I cannot die of boredom and marriage failure..you know I hate that girl!. I hate her so much I can't even express how much."

"It is expected of you ...besides both of you hate each other"

"No..no..I'm not even talking about the marriage..even her own people hate her..she is just so selfish and so mean to everyone. Who would ever be with some one like that! She is so stiff and so rigid and she doesn't talk to anyone. She is driving me crazy man!"

I shook my head with a clenched shut jaw as the memory of today flashed in my head. The way she had looked at me in awe and admiration as if she was just seeing me for the first time made my stomach turn and I hated her more.

"She saw you last night" Dwaine said ..almost quietly.

I frowned. "When I came with Laleti?"

He nodded.

"Well, It's good that she knows she is not the only one who is cheating in this marriage!"

Dwaine chuckled.

The thought of Laleti just turned me on and I wanted her..at least to clear the stupid image of the way Kathia had looked at me yesterday. We had never had to look into each other's eyes.  Not even when we were getting wedded. We tried as much as possible to avoid each other.

Then I remembered our wedding night... I have never been so humiliated in my life.  probably she didn't realized then that I disliked her as much as she disliked me. We had gone into the room we were supposed to share, out of pretense and I could never forget the next thing she said .

"Just because we were married today doesn't make me your wife. You can never look at me. You can never touch me, you can never talk to me. I hate you and I don't love you . I don't want you either. So do your thing and I will do mine . Just don't get in my way.

Read " When A Woman Wants.. " by the same author ( Tobi Loba )

. If you are so horny on your wedding night,  go out and get a whore and this would be the last time we would be talking to each other!"

My fists were rolled in a clench as I remembered how badly I wanted to hit her that night.  She thought I wanted her. Who would want someone like her..a stone? How dare she talk to me like that. She knew of my reputation, she knew how ladies swim around me. She just be-littled me like that. It was the last time we spoke or looked at each other or stayed in the same room. Until yesterday..when she had stared at me..I couldn't forget her eyes..they seemed so familiar and yet so unfamiliar. Those eyes I saw on my wedding night were hateful..so different from the pair of eyes I saw yesterday. So completely different. I have seen those before ..

Those eyes were the same set of eyes that have haunted me in my dreams..the lady in white....the lady in the mirror....How can the lady in the mirror be my hateful wife.....

"Arrrrrrrrrghhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

"Dwaine..go home..I will join you later..I think I need to shake off all this negative energy built in me. I will be at Laleti’s place.!" I shouted at my horse as I galloped away, leaving Dwaine behind.
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Hope we understood that. Miguel is also confused about his wife, Kathia is not the only one that has been dreaming about him......so, what do you think of this episode?