The Sugar Mum - Episode 1

See all episodes here »

The church programme was scheduled to start at six p.m. It was a three-day programme with guest ministers. Miracles had been promised to happen. I was there for a miracle.

After two years of graduating with a Second Class Upper degree in English language from a prestigious Nigerian university, I was yet to get a good job. I stayed with an uncle and his family at his two bedroom apartment at Ikosi, Lagos and only managed to receive stipends from the evening coaching job I did at a tutorial center.

   At thirty, I was looking forward to settling down soonest and starting my family . Enny, my girlfriend since my undergraduate years, was really supportive.  She was a year younger but we had finished from the same university the same year. Through connections, she had got a job in a federal establishment. Recently, she told me to speed up getting a job as her parents were on her neck to marry. They knew about me, but how would I be able to settle down without a (good) job?

   I didn't want to lose Enny. She was a good lady. She had even boosted me financially on many occasions. So, you can see that for me to succeed in marrying her, I indeed needed a miracle.

I got to the church about five thirty. I joined some church workers in arranging and dusting the chairs

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/the-sugar-mum

. I actually had the intention of joining the work force in the church and had signaled my interest three weeks ago. It was a work that had no income or allowance attached to it, but which - I was told - had a lot of divine blessing. I was informed that I would go through workers in training and be baptized before I could be fully integrated into the church workforce. I said no problem and had started the worker's training.

   Few minutes after six, the praise worship started. It was an exciting programme as I joined others in praying that Holy Ghost fire should come down and consume all our enemies who did not wish us good.

   At the end of the three-day programme, I was surprised when the head of the usher came to inform me that the wife of our General Overseer would like to see me. I eagerly went to see the revered woman in the church office.

   'I've noticed how fervent you're in serving God and working in the house of God,' she began.

   'Thank you, ma'am', I said, giving her another bow.

    'Can you give me your background? I mean, what did you study, and where do you work?'

   I told her my educational background and my search for a good job. I also told her where I was currently earning stipends and how I wish I could get a much better offering.

   She nodded. 'You have a bright future ahead of you, but you must be patient. I can say that God has good plans for you.'

   She paused to assess my attentiveness. Then, she continued. 'Working for God doesn't seem to pay off financially, especially at the beginning. However, in the long run, it pays off a lot. Can you work in the Lord's vineyard full time?'

   I wasn't expecting that. What I had thought was she would ask for my c.v to connect me to a high corporate person for a big corporate job.

   I stared for some seconds. She waited patiently. I surprised myself when I nodded and said I would be glad to work full time in the Lord's vineyard.

  The woman smiled briefly and nodded.

   'As I said, indeed, it pays to serve the Lord. Come to see me tomorrow morning in my office. I will give you the briefings. You'll function as the Church Administrator.'

    I smiled. 'Thank you, madam, er mummy (people usually addressed her as 'mummy'),' I answered, genuinely gladdened.

   On my way home, I wondered if that was God's way of answering my prayer.

 

   Later in the day, when I told Enny about the offer on the phone, she appeared happy about it. I wasn't sure If I should be happy or not. I didn't even know the pay yet.

   All my curiosities were satisfied the following morning when I reported at the church office. The madam was only there briefly but before she left, she showed me round the church premises and gave me a letter of employment, detailing my schedule of duties.

    The money I would receive wasn't much, but I was encouraged to be diligent. I nodded. Right there I promised to do my best. As soon as madam left, I went to my small office to start the work.

   In the next three weeks, I adjusted to my new work. The man of God himself, the general overseer was pleased with my performance. I was happy with myself too. I realized I was getting closer to God too. I was now part of all the weekly activities, the services and the vigils.

   Three months into the job, I had become very familiar with all the minsters, the ushers, choristers and many church members. I went to church virtually every day, including Saturdays as the choir members would be having their practice.  As usual, this Saturday, the choir, who were mostly ladies, was having their rehearsals.  I loitered around, moving from one part of the church to another. Just then, the horn of a car was blared at the gate of the church. I quickly went to the gate. A white Lexus jeep was there, and behind the wheel was Madam Bimpe Da Rocha.

I moved towards the side of the car. She stopped the engine and came out.

   'Good evening, ma'am,' I greeted, giving an obeisance

   'Good evening, Alex. Has Sophia, my daughter come around?' she asked.

   'Yes, ma'am. She's with the choir.'

   'Please call her for me.'

   I nodded and set off. Madam Bimpe Da Rocha was a very respectable member of our church. She was a member of many committees including the Building and Welfare committees. She was someone not to be undermined.

   I called the attention of Sophia. I stood by the gate while mother and daughter talked in low tunes by the car. Sophia soon left to rejoin the rehearsals.

   'Ehn, Alex, I want to see you,' the important-looking woman said.

   I moved a bit towards the madam.  'Yes, ma'am.'

   'I understand you used to teach English in a tutorial centre before.'

   I briefly wondered how she got to know that. 'Yes, yes, ma'am.'

   'Good. I want you to be taking Sophia in home lessons. She'll soon write her GCE, and she'll be writing UTME next year. I want you to be coaching her, even if it is twice a week.'

   I nodded. 'That will be no problem, ma'am.'

   'What days and time will you be coming? When will you start?'

   'Well, I ... '

   'Start on Monday,' she interjected. 'There is no mid-week service on Mondays, so that day should not be a problem. I'll pay you sixty thousand naira per month, to start with. Get our house address from Sophia, I've already discussed the matter with her. You will take her between five and seven p.m. See you.'

   I was visibly pleased. 'Thank you, ma'am. It's a pleasure ma'am.'

   With that, the glib-talking woman entered her car and drove off.

   I watched as the car moved out of sight. I whistled to myself. What madam was offering me, when added to what the church was paying, was certainly worthwhile. With it, I could plan and do something meaningful with my life.

   After their rehearsals, I went to meet Sophia.

   'Your mum said I should get the house address from you,' I told her.

  'Yeah, I know.' She brought out a jotter she had in her handbag, wrote briefly on a sheet, tore the sheet off and handed it to me.

   'Here, that's the address. The telephone number underneath is mine, in case you miss your way.'

   'Thanks. She said I'm to start on Monday.'

   'Yeah.'

   I nodded. 'Alright.'

 

   On Monday evening, I took a bike to the address given to me. There was no way I would have missed the place as it was well-known to all okada riders in my area. Besides, Magodo G.R.A was an area reserved for the rich. The building was grand. I pressed the bell by the giant iron-gate. A uniformed security guard emerged from the house.

   'Yes? What do you want?'

   'I'm Alex. Madam is expecting me. I'm the new lesson teacher for Sophia.'

   The guy nodded and opened the side gate for me. He must have been told about me. I was awed by the sight of what I saw. The interior of the mansion was grander than the exterior. The Da Rochas surely lived big. I had heard a lot about the family, since I became the Church Administrator.

   Bibire Da Rocha, the patriarch, died in his private plane crash the previous year. He was an international business man reputed to be worth billions of naira. His most notable business was oil and gas. He was no more, but his wife was holding forte for him.

   The house was only a storey building, but it was undoubted the fact that it was exquisitely constructed. There was evidence of luxury and affluence all around. Even in the canopy garage, at a glance, I could see not less than ten luxury cars.

   On the ground floor was the expansive sitting-room. Entering the place reminded me of a lounging room I saw in a Hollywood movie. Adjoining the sitting-room was the large dining room. Adjacent to this was a small room that looked like a study. There were book shelves and different textbooks. There were also two computer desktops. At the center of the room was a long mahogany table with chairs around it. This was where I would be taking Sophia in her lessons.

Madam herself took me to the study room. Sophia soon came down and the lesson started in earnest. I soon discovered that she was a very brilliant student. At fourteen (although she looked older for her age), she was also very intelligent. She combined brilliance with wits.

   I like to take brilliant students like her. Her easy assimilation would make my work easy. It however also meant I must be up and doing. One question from her could put an unprepared teacher in a tight corner.

   Two hours later, the lesson was over. There was no dull moment as the lesson had been interactive and engaging. Just before I left, the house maid came with a polythene bag.

   'Madam said I should give you this,' she said as she handed the package over. I quickly looked through to see what was inside. I could see a pack of food, a bottle of carbonated drinks and a bottle of water. The madam was not in sight.

   'Tell her thanks on my behalf,' I said. It was a sign of good things to come. I left the house a happier person.

   We decided that the lesson would be on Mondays and Wednesdays. When I told Enny, my dear fiancé, about it, she was glad.

   'Now, we could start planning about our future,' she said. 'Of course, I'll always be there to support you. But even with this, let's lay out plans.'

   That was one of the things I liked about Enny: she was always supportive. I continued with my church administration work and combined it with the home coaching. On the third week Wednesday of my coaching, I got to the mansion at about ten minutes to five. I was told Sophia was yet to return from the school. Normally, the driver would go to the school and drive her home. Sometimes, I would wait for several minutes before she would arrive. I never minded.

    I sat in the study room and went over the notes I had scribbled on my jotter. I always liked to do some quick revision before teaching. Madam came to meet me there.

   Now, I must say something about madam. She had been very generous and nice to me. Every day that I went there, she would send the house maid to give me food packs and drinks. I had always been grateful.

    'Sophia will not be having lesson today,' she announced.

   I was surprised. 'Hope no problem, ma'am?'

   'No, no problem. It's just that she has Biology test tomorrow in the school, and she'll like to read for it when she comes.'

   I nodded in understanding. 'I understand, ma'am. In that case, there's no point I keep waiting for her. Let me be on my way.'

   'There's no need you rush,' she said and smiled. To my surprise, she came to sit on the seat next to me, where her daughter used to sit.

   'My daughter spoke well of you,' she went on. 'She said you've proved to be a guru in the subject.'

   I smiled and bowed slightly. 'Thank you for the commendation, madam.'

   She nodded.  'It's alright. It's always good to be good.'

   'Yes, yes, ma'am.'

   'And there's something else I've noticed about you.'

    I became curious and held my breath. Just then, my cell phone rang. It was Enny on the line.

   The phone kept ringing and I looked at it uncertainly.

    'Answer your call,' madam said.

   I nodded. 'Hello, Enny.'

   'Hello, dear. How's everything?'

   'All is well. How about you? Hope all is well?'

   She laughed shortly over the line. 'All is well, of course. I called because I wanted to hear your voice, and to say I love you.'

   How romantic?  I chortled. My mouth felt dry but I managed to maintain a calm mien. 'Oh, that's thoughtful of you, Enny. I'm in that my lesson place right now, and I'm kind of busy'

   'Okay, let me not disturb you. I'll call you again.'

   'Thanks for calling, dear.'

   'Okay. See you.'

   Enny disconnected the line. I sighed.

   'Your lady?' Madam asked, staring at me. I felt so uncomfortable with her stare.

   'Yes, ma'am.'

   She nodded and smiled.

   'Sorry for the interruption,' I put in.

   'It's alright.'  She smiled again. 'I was saying that there was something I've noticed about you, and that's the fact that you do things with commitments. So far, I've seen a lot of that commitment in you and how you do things.'

   'Ah, thank you ma'am. Thank you for the compliment.'

   'That's alright. Keep it up. But there's something else I want to discuss with you.'

   Again, I became very curious.  Why was I so nervous like this? Maybe because of the kind of personality Madam Da Rocha was. I tried to calm my inner nervousness.

   She looked at me straight in the eye. 'I want the relationship between us to be more than this. I don't want you just as a lesson teacher of my daughter.'

   My heart raced and I could hear the beat. I don't think Usain Bolt's heart had ever beaten as fast as this.  'I don't ... don't understand you, ma'am,' I managed to say.

   She must have sensed the tensed state that I was in.

  'Relax,' she said and smiled. Then she cupped her right palm on my left hand. I felt like jolts of electricity just ran through my body.

   'I've been lonely ever since I lost my husband. I've actually been getting some suitors, you know. All kinds of men. Some were even his friends. She sighed and shook her head. 'Can you imagine? Some men have no shame.' 

   She slightly squeezed my fingers and I felt more jolts. 'But, no.

Read " The Sweet Taboo " by the same author ( LoveToRead )

. I don't want any of them. I know they're after the companies and property left behind by my husband. But, there's something I've seen in you. I know it's odd for the woman to be the one trying to woo the man, especially for a woman in my position. So, pardon me for my abrasiveness, but I just have to express my feelings.'

   I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I felt like swooning. Had I heard what I thought I had heard? Or was this a dream? Was madam playing a trick on me? My mind was numbed and I could not offer a word.

   There was a sound of car horning and the gate being opened. A car was driven in.

   'That must be Sophia,' Madam Da Rocha said, standing up. She looked at me and smiled again. 'I'll give you a call later, and we'll continue our talk from where we stopped.'

   She winked and left the room. I was too numb to say a word.