Must Read: As Deep As The Sea

Episode 7 years ago

Must Read: As Deep As The Sea

The building trembled, shaken by the fierce cold wind and the deafening sound of thunder. It began to rain and more people hurried in. Some joined the small group of people waiting for the elevator to descend to the ground floor, while a few impatient others took the stairway.
The elevator opened and the security man standing beside it made sure that it was empty before allowing people to step in.
“I hope we won’t end up trapped in this elevator,” someone voiced and everyone started to laugh.
Promise recognised the voice. It belonged to one of her female colleagues, Adaeze. She moved closer and tapped her on the shoulder.
“Good morning,” she smiled.
“Hey, morning.”
“I can’t believe it is raining this morning.”
“Same here. We are in Lagos. It rains unexpectedly at times.”
“You are right. Thank God today is a Friday.”
“That’s a big consolation. I don’t like rushing to work on rainy days. You have a car, you are lucky.”
“Yours is on the way.”
“I pray so. I need it like yesterday. When is your church holding another program?”
“Next week. It’s the church’s tenth year anniversary,” she wondered why she was asking.
The elevator stopped on the third floor. They both walked out with a few other people.
“I will attend.”
“Really?”
She had been inviting Kemisola and Adaeze to some of her church’s programs for several months, all to no avail. She was glad that Adaeze had decided to attend the next program. She prayed that God would touch her heart and turn her away from her destructive lifestyle.




“Yes. Do you have the program flier here with you?”
“No, I have some fliers in the office. I will give it to you once we get there.”
“Okay, good.”
They walked down the hall in silence.
“Is Kemisola coming too?”
Adaeze laughed, “Don’t know, not sure.”
Silence enveloped them again.
“I saw several strange cars at the car park this morning. What’s going on?”
“Our company is holding a meeting with other communications company across the country today.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Our board of directors are meeting with their top people.”
“That’s interesting.”
“That reminds me, I need to see the Head of Account department before the meeting starts,” she turned around and headed back to the elevator.
“Promise Daodu,” someone called out her name.



She frozed and took a deep breath. She recognised the husky voice and knew whose it was. Her worst nightmare had caught up with her.
“Promise… ”



She heard footsteps behind her. She closed her eyes and tried to calm her turmoil mind.
“Promise… ” A tall fair man stood before her.



She opened her eyes and met his longing gaze.
“My Promise… My beautiful Promise,” he brushed a hand over her face. She jerked backwards and frowned.
“Do not touch me,” the warning in her tone was firm. Why can’t some men just keep their hands to themselves?



He kept both hands in his pockets and fought the urge to wrap his arms around her and melt in her sweet warmness.
“I searched the whole world for you, not knowing where you were almost drove me beserk!”
She folded her arms across her chest and eyed him.
“Why were you looking for me? It has been over between us for several months now.




I made a mistake when I had an affair with you… ”
“Mistake?!” Her words sliced through him like a sword to the heart.
“I have learnt my lessons and I have reconciled with God.”
“God! You must be kidding me.”
“I am a different person now.”
He sized her up, “You look different, more beautiful and delicious,” he licked his lips.




The desire in his eyes stirred something dead and buried within her.
“It is over between us. Please stay away from me,” she started to walk away. He reached out for her and caught her by the elbow.
“Promise please, don’t you see that fate brought us back together? I got invited to a meeting by the company you work for, we are destined to be lovers.”




She slapped his hand off, “I don’t believe in such nonsense. Leave me alone Keshinro Philips,” she headed straight to her office.



He placed a hand on his chest and felt his racing heart beat. He had searched for her in vain for several months. He would not let her out of his sight this time around, but, how was he going to win back her hardened heart?



*******


Promise sank into her seat and began to shiver.



Her encounter with Keshinro had shaken her up.
“Promise where is the flier?” Adaeze walked into the office and approached her.




She opened one of her drawers with a trembling hand and picked out some fliers.
She noticed her pale expression, “Are you okay? Are you feeling cold or something?”
“I am fine,” she met her curious gaze and gave her the fliers.
“If you say so,” she collected the fliers and returned to her desk.
“Are you planning to attend one of her church programs?” Kemisola addressed Adaeze.



“Yes.”
She clapped her hands together and laughed out loud, “Wonders shall never end. Why will you waste your time at their silly church program when you can do something useful and much more fun with your time? You surprise me.”



She shrugged, “My choice.”
“Suit yourself,” her colleague could go wherever she wanted. It was none of her business.




Promise closed her drawer and placed a hand on her forehead.
“Are you okay?”
She heard Boma’s concerned voice, “I am fine,” she avoided looking at him.



He continued staring at her. He could discern that she was disturbed about something. What was bothering her? He hoped she would open up to him before the close of work that day.