The Sweet Taboo - Episode 4

See all episodes here »

As soon as Ayo finished his meal, he went back to work. Intermittently, he received phone calls. He was so engrossed in the work that time seemed to move fast. When it was ten minutes after 4 o'clock, Jane stepped inside his office.

   'Just a reminder, sir, that the closing time is 4 o'clock.'

   He grinned. 'I know . I'll soon be through.'

   He finally stopped working for the day about sixteen minutes after four. He packed some documents into a valise. The laptop would also be taken home for more work. The office assistant took his things downstairs. Jane steered Ayo to the official car he would be using. There was a driver waiting. A police officer would also serve as the orderly.

   Ayo and Jane sat at the back seats. The sleek car moved out of the premises. He ordered that they should first go to the hotel where he had lodged. He took his things from his hotel room and checked out of the place. The drive to his new abode was less than ten minutes. The guest house was a bungalow sited in the government reservation settlement. A uniformed security man opened the gate for them to drive in.

   Jane removed his bags from the car and took them inside. The police orderly and the driver were to come around the following morning by seven

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

. Ayo nodded at them as he dismissed then.

   He briefly observed the exterior of the bungalow before he moved inside. It looked like a new building and everything inside looked new. There was a lounging room, a large sitting-room that was exquisitely furnished, and five bedrooms. In addition, there was a boys’ quarter that had three rooms.

   A cook and a domestic servant were already there in the house. They welcomed him in deference. Ayo realized that he was living a different life. He was happy for the difference. He went to the big sitting-room, flicked the 90-inch flat screen on and scanned the channels. Jane came to meet him.

   'Sir, I'm in the boys’ quarters, in case you need me.'

   Ayo smiled at her. 'Sit down, Jane. Remember, you're to keep me company. Besides, you've not told me about yourself.'

   She picked a seat opposite him. 'I'm Jane, and I'm here as your assistant.'

   'I'm talking about your personal life, my dear. Tell me about yourself, not your job.'

   'Well, if you must know, sir, I'm happily married.'

   Ayo was surprised. 'Really?'

   Jane burst into laughter. 'I'm married to my job!'

   He laughed too. 'You got me there.'

   The cook came to ask him what he would like to have for supper. He told her and she was back to the kitchen.

   Jane told him about her background, her childhood, schooling and how she was employed by the Ministry of Communications. She had a man in her life, but was not too sure the man was serious about any future plans. The man was always suspicious of her, she said. After she had finished, he wanted to tell her about himself too.

   'There's no need you tell me. I already know a lot about you,' she put in.  

   'What d'you know about me?'

   She smiled briefly. 'You were the political editor of I-News. Married. Two kids. Recommended by your former boss, Alfred Idowu to the Honorable Minister.'

   Again, he was surprised. 'How did you know all these?'

   Jane smiled. 'I was given a small dossier on you. It goes with the job.'

  Jane smiled. They chatted idly thereafter. He obviously seemed to enjoy her company. He mentally compared her with his wife. Unlike his wife, Jane seemed adept at discussing topics of diverse issues, including politics. About forty minutes later, the cook came to announce that the food was ready.

   Ayo insisted that he and Jane should eat together. It was the sumptuous meal with chicken and turkey. After the food, they were back in the lounging room. He went to the shelf containing assorted wines, champagne and rum. She wanted to serve him but he insisted on doing it himself.

   Two glasses were filled and they drank as if they were old friends. Ayo was a man good at grabbing opportunity, even when it was obvious he was taking advantage of the situation.

    He further felt justified by the fact that Jane had said she was to keep him company. Well, he felt he would be bored being alone in the four-bedroom bungalow, so he asked that she should continue to keep him company.

   'Honestly, I enjoy conversing with you. It's as if I've known you for a long time.' He patted her cheeks. He was buoyed by her non-resistance to his overture. 'It's only a lifeless man that will not appreciate speaking to a beautiful lady like you.'

   He sounded like he was cooing. Her response was a giggle.

   'Say, why don't you let us check out the bedroom and see how the place really looks like.'

   ‘Is that not early?’

   He grinned. ‘I don’t think so. Let’s see how the place looks like.’

   Ayo held her hand and led her to the bedroom.

   'You're very beautiful outside.' He kissed the back of her right palm. 'Let me see how beautiful you are inside.'

   She said nothing. She only grinned at him daringly.

   His lips went for hers and there was a long physical contact. His hands started exploring her body. Without any resistance, she assisted him to satisfy his lust.

   Thereafter, they lay on the bed, exhausted but content. His phone rang. It was Ore on the line.

   'Hello, I hope I'm not disturbing anything,' she said.

  'No, nothing. How are you, baby?'

   'I'm missing you so terribly.'

   'Oh.'

  'See, our short mid-semester break starts next week, but I can't wait to be with you. I want to travel this Friday to Abuja. I want to be with you.'

   He looked vividly surprised. 'You don't mean it, Ore.'

   She laughed shortly over the line. 'Of course. I mean it. Please send the address of where you're staying there to my WhatsApp number. Be expecting me on Friday.'

   ‘Alright. I’m supposed to travel down to Lagos for the weekend. But I guess with your coming, I will shelve my traveling till another time.’

‘Okay, dear. See you.’

‘Yeah, bye.’

He dropped the phone on the stool by the bedside.

‘Your girlfriend?’ Jane asked, staring at him.

‘A lady friend,’ he answered.

‘A girlfriend, all the same. You’re supposed to be married, Mr. Ariyo.’

He smiled. ‘Yes, and you’re not supposed to sleep with a married man, Miss. Jane.’

‘Are you telling me I shouldn’t have done this?’

‘No, dear. I’m telling you that the two of us are guilty of the same passion, by doing this.’

She grinned. He patted her bum and ran his hand over her chest again.

The following morning, he was at work by eight and started his work in earnest. He received a call from his wife few minutes to ten o’clock.

‘I hope you’re not over burdened with the work,’ Mandy said.

‘Oh, no. The work is interesting and I’m enjoying it. How is Lagos and how are the kids?’

‘We’re all fine. They’re already saying they miss you.’

‘I miss them too. Later tonight, I’ll call you in the evening so that I can chat with them.’

‘That will be no problem. Ehn ehn, Juliet just called me some minutes ago. They have received their NYSC posting and she said she had been posted to the FCT.’

‘Oh, really? That’s interesting. What a coincidence!’

‘Indeed, it’s a big coincidence. The orientation camp starts from next week. She’ll be around by Friday just to familiarize herself with the area.’

‘This Friday? That’s interesting.’

‘Yes, this Friday. That means you’ll shift your coming to Lagos till next weekend.’

‘That’s right. I’ll text the address of this place to you. Send it to her. Send her number to me, too. I will like to know the minute she steps on Abuja.’

‘Alright. That will be no problem. I will do so.’

  After he had ended the conversation, he thought over the coming around of Juliet. From the little he knew about her, she was a good, young lady. However, having her around him meant he had to be very careful in his affairs with Jane, Ore, or whoever. He thought of Ore being around and shook his head. There was no way Ore and Juliet would be around his residence at the same time. He must find alternative residence for Ore. Better still, Ore should hold on about coming to meet him.

  ‘Who again is coming on Friday?’ Jane asked, intruding into his thoughts.

  ‘My wife’s junior sister.’

  ‘You’ll have your lady friend and sister-in-law here at the same time?’

   He grinned ruefully. ‘No way. One will have to hold on for another.’

   He called Ore’s number.

   ‘Hello, darling. See, something has just cropped up. My wife just called now that her junior sister will be coming to Abuja this Friday, and she’ll be staying with me. You will have to shelve your coming here for now.’

   ‘Why?’ she asked.

   ‘What d’you mean, why? I said the junior sister will be coming here from Friday. That means I have a spy around.’

   ‘Oh, no. So, how do we see?’

   ‘I’ll be coming to Lagos, next weekend.’

   ‘You mean I have to wait that long? Ah, no. That’s not good enough.’

   ‘Don’t worry. I’ll compensate you for the trouble. As soon as I settle down fully here in Abuja, I’ll come up with better plans.’

  With the promise of compensation, Ore was mollified. On Tuesday morning, he was at his desk as early as quarter to eight, ably assisted by Jane.  The days moved fast and he got immersed in his work. Mandy sent her sister’s number to him, so they could open a line of communication. As if by default, Ayo did not prod Jane for any intimacy again. On Friday, Juliet informed him that she would be coming by road and should arrive Abuja by two o’clock. He told her to go to his residence direct, as he would still be at work. He also called the security guy manning his residence to allow Juliet access to the house.

By four o’clock, he decided to close for work. He sat comfortably at the back seat while he was driven back to his residence. The orderly sat at the passenger’s seat, while Jane sat with him at the back seat.

‘We’re starting the weekend today,’ he began. ‘You can have a break. By Monday, you come back and resume your duties.’

She nodded. ‘That will be welcome.’

‘Yes. Take a break for the weekend. Thank God it’s Friday.’

Some minutes later, they got to his residence. Juliet was already in the house. She came out to greet him.

‘Uncle, good afternoon.’

‘Juliet, you’re welcome. How was your trip? I hope it’s not tiring.’

‘It was okay, uncle. It was smooth and eventful.’

He went to the master bedroom to change to jeans and t-shirt and came back to the large sitting-room to rejoin Juliet, who was watching the large screen.

‘I must congratulate you on your appointment, sir,’ she said. ‘Congratulations.’

He smiled broadly. ‘Thank you, Juliet. We thank God for everything.’

‘Sister must be very happy that her hubby is working close to the seat of power now.’

He chuckled and nodded. ‘I hope the cook has given you something to eat.’

‘Yes. Thanks for the hospitality.’

Jane came in to inform him that she was set to leave.

‘Alright, Jane. Take care of yourself.’

‘Thank you, sir. Have a nice weekend.’ She left the place.

‘Mandy said you’re starting the orientation camp on Monday,’ Ayo stated.

‘Yes. For the next three weeks or so, I’ll be there.’

‘It’s a worth while experience. I really enjoyed myself during the NYSC.’

She smiled. ‘I hope I’ll enjoy this one o.’

With Juliet, he spent his first weekend in Abuja. On Sunday morning, she dressed up and said she would look around for a church to worship.

‘What about you, uncle? Are you not going to church?’

‘Not today,’ he replied.

She left for the church, while he relaxed with the television. By half an hour past noon, Juliet was back. With her in the house, boredom was off. He called his wife later that evening, as he had been doing every day.

‘I hope you’re not bored over there,’ she said.

‘Oh, no. Thank God your sister is around. How are the children?’

‘They’re doing fine.’

He chatted with her for several more minutes and finally disconnected the line. On Monday morning, after arriving his office, he asked the driver go back to his residence and to convey Juliet to the orientation camp.

Jane came with the news that she had been redeployed from his office.

‘So soon? You were only here for a week.’

She shrugged. ‘That’s government job for you. It’s a pleasure briefly working for you, Mr. Ariyo.’

He nodded. ‘It’s indeed a pleasure. Let me have your number. We’ll still be communicating.’

She used her line to call his number.

‘That’s my number.’

‘Yes. I’ll surely saved it.’

He immersed in his work and tried to do his best.

Read " The Sugar Mum " by the same author ( LoveToRead )

. Just about noon, Ore called him.

‘We’ve been told to resume by this week Wednesday,’ she informed.

‘I see. I’ll be in Lagos this weekend, so we’ll arrange to see each other,’ he put in.

‘Oh, I so much miss you.’

‘I miss you too. Don’t worry, this Friday is just a few weeks to go.’

Later when he closed and was back at his residence, he realized that he was quite lonely. Jane had been redeployed while Juliet was at the camp. He just had to watch movies and listen to news to reduce his boredom. He had to do that the whole of that week. He became a workaholic and devoted his energy to his work. That Friday evening, he took a flight to Lagos to be with his family.

His children clung on to him as if he had been away for months. Of course, his dear wife, Amanda was glad to have him back too, even if only for a couple of days. On Saturday, under the guise of seeing some friends, he met with Ore at one of the rendezvous they used.

As soon as they were in the confine of the lodging room, she came to douse his lips with kisses.

‘I miss you, darling,’ she cooed.

‘I miss you too.’

They remained entangled in a passionate embrace and were soon under the bed spread, making love.  She looked contented thereafter.

‘This your new Abuja job is taking you away from me for too many days,’ she said.

 He grinned to himself. Was it not for good?

‘That’s life,’ he said.

A couple of hours later, they parted ways, after compensating her financially.

TO BE CONTINUED...