It wasn't something crass like the way her hips swayed as she walked towards his office. Though sway like a rain dancer, they did. No, it was in her eyes, the way she smiled at him through the glass, like she could see deep into his soul. Bode was entranced, hypnotized, drawn like a moth to a flame. Even though he had no idea who she was, it felt like she knew him, like she knew things even Shalewadidn't know. Like a bucket of cold water, the thought of his wife knocked him out of his stupor. Just then, there was a quick knock before Jacinta opened the door to his office, a frown on her face. “I swear to God, Bode, I am not your secretary. They don’t pay me to walk people over to your office.” Jacinta looked over at the enchantress and rolled her eyes conspiratorially, “The boys in this office are clueless.” The enchantress was still smiling, her moon-shaped lips trembling as she held back a grin. “Thanks for walking me over, Jacinta.” It was years of polite etiquette that propelled Bode to his feet to shake her hand and offer her a seat. She smiled, “Thank you.” Doesn’t she ever stop smiling? Her smile slipped a little and a tinge of alarm ran down Bode’s spine. Had he said that out loud? “Um, Mr. Olaniyan, is this not a good time?” Bode shook his head. “Uh, what? No - no, it is. It’s just been a weird morning. My apologies. You’re here about the temp position, right?” “Yes, Mr. Silva said your team needed a temporary assistant to help with some communication-related tasks. I just graduated from UNILAG with a degree in Communication and I think I would be a great fit for the position.” No. No. Absolutely not. “Yes, of course. Of course. You came highly recommended, so I am sure the job is right up your alley. I just wanted to put a face to the name. Abby. Is that short for Abigail?” Her smile returned in full force and Bode stifled a groan. “No, actually. It’s short for Abisire.” Of course, her name is fascinating. Heaven forbid she has a plain name. “Oh, that’s - that’s a nice name.” Bode felt very out of his depth and he needed to be away from …her. He needed her to leave so his heart would stop beating so fast, so his eyes would stop trying to wander below her neck.
The Other Woman
#1 It wasn't something crass like the way her hips swayed as she walked towards his office. Though sway like a rain dancer, they did. No, it was in her eyes, the way she smiled at him through the glass, like she could see deep into his soul. Bode was entranced, hypnotized, drawn like a moth to a flame. Even though he had no idea who she was, it felt like she knew him, like she knew things even Shalewadidn't know. Like a bucket of cold water, the thought of his wife knocked him out of his stupor. Just then, there was a quick knock before Jacinta opened the door to his office, a frown on her face. “I swear to God, Bode, I am not your secretary. They don’t pay me to walk people over to your office.” Jacinta looked over at the enchantress and rolled her eyes conspiratorially, “The boys in this office are clueless.” The enchantress was still smiling, her moon-shaped lips trembling as she held back a grin. “Thanks for walking me over, Jacinta.” It was years of polite etiquette that propelled Bode to his feet to shake her hand and offer her a seat. She smiled, “Thank you.” Doesn’t she ever stop smiling? Her smile slipped a little and a tinge of alarm ran down Bode’s spine. Had he said that out loud? “Um, Mr. Olaniyan, is this not a good time?” Bode shook his head. “Uh, what? No - no, it is. It’s just been a weird morning. My apologies. You’re here about the temp position, right?” “Yes, Mr. Silva said your team needed a temporary assistant to help with some communication-related tasks. I just graduated from UNILAG with a degree in Communication and I think I would be a great fit for the position.” No. No. Absolutely not. “Yes, of course. Of course. You came highly recommended, so I am sure the job is right up your alley. I just wanted to put a face to the name. Abby. Is that short for Abigail?” Her smile returned in full force and Bode stifled a groan. “No, actually. It’s short for Abisire.” Of course, her name is fascinating. Heaven forbid she has a plain name. “Oh, that’s - that’s a nice name.” Bode felt very out of his depth and he needed to be away from …her. He needed her to leave so his heart would stop beating so fast, so his eyes would stop trying to wander below her neck.
“Okay, well, I think I have heard all I need to hear. We will be in touch soon.” Her smile dropped. Her lips formed a perfect ‘o.’ Her eyes shuttered, and then widened slightly. Bode hated himself for noticing every single reaction. “Oh, I thought - um, Mr. Silva had – um, he had made it seem like the position was mine. And all I had to do was come in to start working.” “Oh, I mean… yeah, it is practically yours but, um, I need to confer with the team and then we will get back to you.” “Oh!” Her face lit up, the fluorescent lights reflecting in her beautiful brown eyes. “Okay! I look forward to hearing from you.” Ten minutes later, Bode walked back into his office after seeing her out, sat heavily into his chair and placed his head on his desk. What the hell just happened?
Bode thought about her the whole day. Every time he remembered her smile, he hated himself a little more. Yet every time he realized that he would soon be working with her, his heart skipped a beat. He had never felt like this before, like he was coming down with a fever yet hearty enough to scale a mountain at the same time. What was it about her that was so compelling? As Bode drove through the gates of his condominium, he realized that he had barely thought about Shalewa all day. As he opened his front door and saw her curled up on the couch watching television, he felt deplorable. Shalewa turned to flash him a quick smile, “Hey!” All he said in response was “Hi babe,” and she immediately knew something was amiss. What had he been thinking? He loved Shalewa. So what if Abby made his blood burn like fire? Shalewa was his person. “Uh-oh, what happened?” She asked. “Did Mr. Silva give you trouble again?” Bode gave a bitter chuckle. If only she knew how accurate she was. Abby was trouble. “Yes, you know how he is.” “Aw, my baby.” She moved over on the couch and patted the space next to her. Bode hesitated for a microsecond before he walked over, feeling unworthy. “Do you want to tell me what happened?” She asked with concern. God forbid, he thought. He dissembled. “Hmm? No, he just wanted us to bring his goddaughter onto the team -” “Oh, and is she not qualified to help out?” “I mean, she is…” Shalewa laughed. “Then, what is the problem, babe?” What was he supposed to say? Oh, I am crazy attracted to her, but don’t worry, I think I can control myself?
“I guess...there is no problem.” Shalewa rubbed his arm affectionately, “Babe, I know Mr. Silva is overbearing, but we are in Lagos for at least another nine months. Just play nice with him until your contract is up. You know that his review will carry a lot of weight when we go back to Houston.” She was right. He only had to work with Abby for a few months, if that. And maybe his reaction to her was a fluke. It had to be. Maybe he was in heat or something. Surely this thing he felt towards Abby, whatever it was, would die. He would make sure of it. “Bode, you are not saying anything. I know I am preaching to the choir here, but I just want you to make the best of a bad situation.” In response, Bode leaned over and kissed her soundly on the lips, “I know, babe. I appreciate it. I needed to hear that.” Shalewa smiled. “Oh, okay. So you’re fine now, abi?” He nodded. “Good, ‘cause I didn’t want you to have an excuse not to cook tonight. That’s when you’ll say you’re not in the ‘right headspace’ to cook.” “Woooow,” Bode laughed, a full belly laugh that made his shoulders feel lighter.
#2 On Monday mornings at 10am, Bode had a Status Update meeting with his team. So, every Monday at 9:55am, he walked into Conference Room Axel with a box of Krispy Kreme donuts for his somnambulant team. This particular Monday, Bode was running late. He and Shalewa had a Netflix-and-chill date the night before that had lasted till 3am. Unsurprisingly, they both slept through their alarms. It was Shalewa’s horrified gasp that woke Bode at 9am, thirty minutes later than they usually left the house. By 9:15am, they were both out of the house, exchanging hurried hugs and goodbyes. Bode thought about not stopping to get donuts, considering Lagos traffic, but he didn’t want to be late and empty-handed. At 10:45am, Bode walked into the conference room and hollered, “Anyone in the mood for donuts?!” Laughter and cheers greeted him as he placed the boxes on the table. He opened his mouth to offer a quick explanation and apology for his lateness. Then he looked up and his mouth fell shut. At the far end of the table, flanked by Dammy and Rotimi, sat Abby. Abby. He had barely thought about her this past week. The only time he had even heard her name was when Janet told him she had accepted the offer. But to see her in the flesh, staring up at him with those beautiful brown eyes that saw deep into his soul, Bode was undone. “Um, Bode, is everything okay?” Jacinta asked. Bode hoped to God that he had not been openly staring at her like an awestruck teenager.
“Yes, yes. Sorry you guys, I was up late last night. I didn’t get enough sleep.” “Hmm -” Dammy responded with his mouth full, “Kank u for syill ringin the dood.” Toyin slapped the back of his head, “Swallow your food first, Dammy. How old are you? Two?” Dammy swallowed dramatically with a gulp, “Aunty Toyin, who asked you? I said, thank you for still bringing the food.” Bode nodded and was about to respond when he was cut off again, this time by Rotimi. “What I want to know is why no one told me that the new team member was this beautiful. I would have put more effort into my appearance.” “Shut up, Rotimi,” Rita joined the conversation, “Aren’t you engaged?” “And so? Does that mean I should not be attractive and attracted to other ladies?” “I think that is exactly what it means,” Toyin said. Rotimi rolled his eyes, “Who asked you, Aunty Toyin?” Dammy, wanting to get back into the conversation, turned to face Abby and wiggled his eyebrows, “In case you were wondering, I am not engaged. I don’t even have a girlfriend.” Toyin opened her mouth and widened her eyes dramatically. “Ah!! You are such a liar, Dammy! Abby, don’t mind him o. He was just showing us pictures of a girl last week.” “Aunty Toyin, who asked you?!” Dammy and Rotimi chorused exasperatedly. He couldn’t help it. Bode joined the room in laughter. Then, remembering he was supposed to be the authority figure, he cleared his throat, “Okay, guys, I already made us start the meeting late -” “Yeah, what happened?” Jacinta cut in. Bode shook his head, “If one of you will actually let me finish my sentence, I’d tell you. Shalewa and I slept through our alarms. We were bingeing a show last night and went to bed late. That’s all. Why don’t we allow Abby to introduce herself?” Bode sat down as Abby stood up, her smile growing wider. “Thank you, Mr. Olaniyan. I am very excited to join the team. I -” “I hate to interrupt, but you don’t have to stand, Abby. You can sit down. We don’t do formality here,” Jacinta offered. “Oh, okay…” Abby looked to Bode for confirmation. Bode agreed with Jacinta, but he was also really enjoying the way Abby’s floral dress swished around her hips as she swayed from side to side. “Yes, of course, please sit,” he said instead. “Thank you, Mr. Olaniyan. So, I was just saying -” Jacinta cut in again. “You also don’t have to call him Mr. Olaniyan. He hates that. We are very informal here. It -” “Jacinta, let her talk o!” Rita exclaimed, laughing.
Everyone else joined in the laughter and Bode shook his head at their antics. Perhaps he’d be too busy managing everyone else that working with Abby wouldn’t be a problem.
At 3:25pm, Bode was bone-weary. Maybe it was the little sleep he had overnight or maybe it was the fact that every time Abby left his office, her flowery perfume clung to the air like a long-lost lover. He was tired of his heart skipping a beat every time she popped her head in his doorway to ask a question. He was tired of how his stomach dropped every time she smiled at him gratefully. There were still two hours of work left, but he needed to be anywhere else but here. #3 “Guy, this one is serious o,” Dipo said, though he was clearly holding back a chuckle. Bode was not amused, “how is this funny?” Dipo propped his legs up on his center table and reclined back on the couch, an unmistakable smirk on his face. “I am not laughing o.” “Dipo, be serious. I don’t know what I’m gonna do,” Bode whined, his American accent more pronounced than usual. Dipo stopped smiling, though there was still humor in his eyes. “Americanah, calm down. Why are you behaving like a softie? You’ve not actually done anything, have you?” Bode shook his head in response. After he left the office, he had made his way to Dipo’s house to blow off steam. He hadn’t intended to, but as soon as Dipo had said “guy, howfar,” he told Dipo everything. “Bode, I think you are overhyping her in your head. Fine girls plenti for Lagos. What’s so special about this one?” “I honestly don’t know, man.” “Okay, okay. How would you rate her?” “J.Lo, for sure.” Dipo raised an eyebrow, “Darn.” “I know.” “Does she have sense?” Bode chuckled humorlessly, “I don’t even know what that means.” “...Maybe you just need to get her out of your system.” Bode turned to face Dipo so fast he gave himself whiplash, “You’re kidding.” Dipo shrugged carelessly, “Eh, this is Lagos. People do it all the time. That’s why I am asking if she has sense.” Bode’s eyes widened like saucers, “Are you being serious right now?” “Dude, I’m not saying she has to be a side chick. It can just be a one-time thing. If she has sense, she will recognize it for what it is and not cause trouble for you and Shalewa.”
Bode could not believe he was considering the rubbish Dipo was saying, but he was. “Wait,” he stopped, “what if she is not attracted to me?” Dipo laughed with all the arrogance of a Yorubademon, “Let me get this straight. She is a UNILAG babe, you have money, plus your Americanah accent, and you think she is not attracted to you? Please, please, say something else.” Bode shook his head at Dipo, but maybe Dipo was right? He needed to get her out of his head. He didn’t want to do anything to hurt Shalewa, so maybe this was the best way to just...do it? Next to him, Dipo rolled his eyes, “can we watch the match now? Or is there any other existential life crisis you want me to solve for you?” Bode punched Dipo on the arm, “Shut up, idiot.”
Bode considered it all the way home. The more he thought about it, the more he knew he couldn’t really do it. He couldn’t tell Dipo that, though. Dipo would have laughed in his face and claimed America had made him soft. If he was a praying man, this is when he would have prayed. He felt the beginnings of a headache coming on as he parked his car in front of his condo. Maybe Dipo was right. (Not about the one-time thing, that was stupid). Maybe he was overhyping Abby in his head. For all he knew, she could think that aliens were real, and that colonization was a necessary precursor to civilization. Surely, this feverish attraction would not hold up once he learned that she listened to Fuji music, for instance. Bode took a deep breath. Okay, this should work. Then he remembered her smiling up at him, her lower lip caught between her teeth and his heart skipped a beat. All it took to dismantle his resolve was remembering her smile? Oh, he was in trouble. Jesus help me.
Later that night, as they were getting ready for bed, Shalewa announced that she wanted to finish the show they were watching the previous night. Bode protested, “No - o, babe, we were both late this morning and I was so unproductive today.” Shalewa laughed, “Wow, you are now soft! We used to pull back-to-back all-nighters at UT Austin. What happened?” That stung. What was with everyone thinking he was soft? His response was curt, “I just want to rest, Shalewa, is that too much to ask for?” Shalewa turned to face him, one eyebrow perfectly arched. “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Don’t
give me attitude, okay? You can just say you don’t want to watch it. No need to bite my head off.” Still feeling put out, Bode grumbled, “I did say that, but you kept pushing.” Now both her eyebrows were raised, “Pushing? Really? I made one joke and now I’m pushy?” This was getting out of hand, but he couldn’t apologize first. He wasn’t a softie, darn it! “I didn’t say you were pushy, Shay. I said pushing.” “And the difference is? Also, don’t call me Shay when you’re being a jerk. Apologize.” He knew he started it. He knew he had to finish it, but something was stopping him. He had all this pent-up frustration inside, and he didn’t feel like saying sorry for something that wasn’t really a big deal. Bode rolled his eyes, “Why are you making this a big deal? The show is not even that good!” “Olabode, that’s not the point and you know it.” Bode exhaled forcefully, “Fine. I’m sorry. Is that what you wanted?” Shalewa threw her braids into a bonnet and said, “Yes. And for your behavior tonight, we are going to watch at least one episode before we go to bed. Do you have a problem with that?” Bode looked up at her in her T-shirt pajamas, arms akimbo and eyes blazing. He deflated. She wasn’t the one he was mad at. He chuckled light-heartedly, “No ma’am.” She smiled victoriously and got in bed next to him, “That’s what I thought.”
#4 At the end of week one of Project Get-to-know-Abby-so-he-can-stop-being-attracted-to-her, Bode had learnt that Abby’s favorite Premier League team was Manchester City, her favorite food was spaghetti, and she loved Big Brother Naija. Bode’s favorite team was Manchester United, rivals of Manchester City. He thought reality television was a waste of time, and who could love spaghetti when you had jollof rice? At the end of week one of Project Get-to-know-Abby-so-he-can-stop-being-attracted-to-her, Bode was failing miserably. He could feel his self-control slipping every time he talked to her. He knew that she knew the power she had over him and she enjoyed it. Every smile, every sway of the hips, every flirtatious remark. And Bode knew, he knew, it was just a matter of time before something happened. Bode parked his car in front of his condo, his head a jumble of emotions. In a few minutes, he would see Shalewa and Abby would become a distant memory again. Then Monday would come, and he would be back here, again. Just then, a text came into his phone from Dipo.
You don hit am? it read. Bode snorted, a mixture of anger and shame coursing through him. Hit what? He typed back. Almost immediately, Dipo’s response came in. You know what I’m talking about. You need to get her out of your head, man. Did Dipo think he didn’t know that? It’s not like he planned this.
#5 “Since when do you want to go to church?” Shalewa asked incredulously. Since I started seriously considering adultery. Bode rolled his eyes, “It’s not a big deal.” “I thought churches were an ‘organized madhouse filled with con men and gullible people in equal measure.’” Bode shook his head amusedly, “Nothing ever gets past you, does it? I’m sure not all churches are like that.” “Really?” Shalewa sat up on the bed, a teasing smirk playing on her lips. “You diz girl! Can't I just change my mind? Besides, you know Mumsi is going to ask when we see her later today at the family brunch.” Shalewa pouted, “Why couldn’t you have had your epiphany on a Sunday when I have had more than four hours of sleep?” Bode winked, “What fun would that be? This way, I can have video evidence of you sleeping in church for blackmail.” Shalewa laughed out loud and chucked a pillow at him. Hours later, it was her laugh that replayed in his head as he contemplated making the decision that could end his marriage. He hadn’t found the magical solution to his dilemma in church. Wasn’t that how it worked in stories like this? The protagonist goes to church and the pastor’s sermon is the exact life lesson he needs to hear? Except, in this story, his message came later in the day from an unlikely prophet, in the form of an overheard conversation between Shalewa and Tumi, Shalewa’s teenage niece. The message wasn’t so much the plot of the Mount Zion film they were discussing even though the plot was uncannily similar to his current dilemma. It was in something Tumi said just before he walked away. Men are trash. Except my dad and Uncle Bode. Aunty Shalewa, honestly, you found one of the good ones. That’s when it hit him. This was his story, and he had the power to choose how it played out.
All the way home, he had pondered it. It felt stupid, reckless even. How could he make this decision based on a movie plot? But as he stood in front of Shalewa, her melodious laugh replaying in his head, he knew it was the only way. “What is it? You said you wanted to talk.” Bode’s heart thudded. His mouth was dry. His tongue felt heavy and he wanted to die. Shalewa sat up straight, “Now you’re scaring me. Just tell me.” “I’m attracted to someone else.” She was silent for so long that Bode felt the need to repeat himself, “I think I might be falling for someone else.” “I heard you the first time. How did you go from attracted to falling for her in a matter of seconds?” How could she be so cavalier about this? He felt like flesh-eating bacteria was devouring him from the inside out and she was making jokes? “I don’t understand. Why are you being like this?” Shalewa scoffed, a sardonic half-smile on her face. “You’re the one attracted to someone else, Bode. You don’t get to control my reaction to that.” “I’m not. I just- I just don’t...” She stood up from the bed and sighed, “Why are you telling me this, Bode?” “Would you rather I not tell you?” She scoffed. “I would rather you not be attracted to someone else but here we are. So…what? Are you asking for my permission to sleep with her?” “No, I - I swear, Shay, I didn’t plan this. It just happened.” The hurt swimming in her eyes knocked the breath out of him, “Oh, so you already slept with her?” “No! I would never do that to you.” “I love you,” he added. He took a step towards her. She took a matching one backwards and shook her head, “But you love her too?” “No! I don’t think, ugh - I don’t want to lose you, Shay.” Shalewa shook her head as tears ran down her cheeks. “I don’t understand what you want from me! What do you want me to say?” “Nothing! I don’t know, Shay. I heard you and Tumi talking and I -” “You were hoping that now that you’ve told me and it’s no longer a secret, you’ll no longer be attracted to her? Bode gave a relieved grin, “Yes! So you understand?” “I understand that you are making life choices based off a movie.” “Well, nothing else has worked so far. Besides, wasn’t the film adapted from a Bible story
or something?” Shalewa chuckled dryly and shook her head, “You can’t even cheat right, Bode. What am I going to do with you?” “Say you’ll help me get over this.” #6 On Monday mornings at 10am, Bode had a Status Update meeting with his team. So, every Monday at 9:55am, he walked into Conference Room Axel with a box of Krispy Kreme donuts for his somnambulant team. This particular Monday at 9:55am, Bode bumped right into Abby in the doorway. Her eyes pulled him in as she stumbled backwards. Her lips and ...other parts of her enticed him as she offered an awkward but profuse apology. But the allure, the fever, the blood-boiling chemistry was gone. She was just a beautiful girl. And he was a married man. Perhaps those stories were right, after all.
Chapter Two
Bode thought about her the whole day, telling himself that he was only thinking of her because he had to. Because he had to make the right decision for his team as the Team Lead. But he knew, as everyone knew, that the position was hers even before he met her. Mr. Silva didn’t really take no for an answer. So, why was he still thinking about her? Every time he remembered her smile, he hated himself a little bit more. Yet every time he realized that he would soon be working in close quarters with her, his heart skipped a beat. It didn’t make sense. No woman, not even Shalewa, had ever made him feel this way. What was it about her that was so compelling? Abby. Abisire. Oh God. As Bode drove through the gates of his condominium, he knew he had to be honest with himself. This was ...scary. It was more than ordinary admiration. As he alighted from his car, he realized that he had barely thought about Shalewa all day. As he opened his front door and saw Shalewa curled up on the couch watching her favorite show, he felt like the most horrible person on the surface of the earth. He had a wife. For goodness sake, he had a wife! Shalewa turned to look at him, flashing him a quick smile, “Hey babe!” What had he been thinking? He loved Shalewa. Like, really loved her. So what if Abby made his blood burn like fire? Shalewa was his person. His safe place. “Hi babe.” Immediately she knew something was amiss. He didn’t know how she was so attuned his moods. “Uh-oh, what happened?” She asked as she paused her television show. “Did Mr. Silva give you trouble again today?” Bode gave a bitter chuckle. If only she knew how accurate she was. Abby was trouble. A red fire-alarm kind of trouble. “Yes. Yeah, you know how he is.” “Aw, my baby.” She moved over on the couch to create space for him and patted the space next to her. Bode hesitated for a microsecond, feeling very undeserving of her comfort, but his legs carried him there, almost unconsciously. He sank into the couch. “Do you want to tell me what happened?” She asked, her voice thick with concern. God forbid, he thought. He dissembled. “Hm… no, he just wanted us to bring his goddaughter onto the team…” “Oh, and is she not qualified to help you guys out?” “I mean...she is, she just graduated from UNILAG with Communications…” Shalewa laughed. “Then, what is the problem, babe?” Bode stopped. What was he supposed to say? Oh, I think I am attracted to her, but don’t worry, nothing will happen? “I guess...I guess, there is no problem.” Shalewa rubbed his arm affectionately, “Babe, I know Mr. Silva is overbearing, but we are in Lagos for at least another nine months. You have to play nice with him until your contract is up. You know that his review will carry a lot of weight with the headquarters in Houston.” Bode paused. She was right. He was only here for less than a year. He only had to work with Abby for a few months, if that. After all, the position was supposed to be temporary. And maybe this whole thing, his reaction to her, it was just a one-time fluke. Maybe he was in heat or something. Whatever it was, surely he could control himself. Surely this thing he felt towards Abby, whatever it was, would die. He would make sure of it.
“Bode, you are not saying anything. I know I am preaching to the choir here, but I just want you to make the best of a bad situation.” In response, Bode leaned over and kissed her temple, “I know, babe. And I appreciate it. I needed to hear that.” Shalewa smiled. “Oh, good. So you’re fine now, abi?” He nodded. “Good, ‘cause I didn’t want you to have any excuse not to cook tonight. Because that’s when you will say that you’re not in the ‘right headspace’ to cook.” “Woooow,” Bode laughed, a full belly laugh that made his shoulders feel lighter and made the whole Abby thing seem like a bad, distant dream. Abby who?
Chapter Three
Dear Abisire Alao,
On behalf of VOX Management - Lagos, I would like to officially offer you the Project Communicator position. This position is a temporary contract, with the potential of becoming a full-time position. Attached is an official offer letter with proposed salary and benefits. Please reply to this email within 24 hours with your response to the offer.
Abby squealed and did a little dance on her bed. It wasn’t that she was worried about not getting the position. Uncle Richard had assured her that the position was hers, and what Uncle Richard wanted, Uncle Richard got. Besides, Uncle Richard was the head of personnel management at VOX Management. Although he was not personally involved in the hiring process, he told her that the Project Team Lead was eager to please him, so he wouldn’t refuse his request to bring her onto the team. Although she was not worried about the position, she also did not want the Team Lead to see her as a beneficiary of nepotism. Even though that’s what she was. She had begged Uncle Richard to set up a meeting with the Team Lead so he could see that she was qualified for the position. She had expected the Team Lead to be dismissive, rude, or even patronizing because she was riding on Uncle Richard’s coattails. He hadn’t been any of those things. Instead, he was …so attractive. Based on what Uncle Richard had told her, she expected a mousy guy who wore glasses and suspenders as if it was 1950. She was expecting a guy who looked like a pushover. She was not expecting the six-foot-tall, broad-shouldered Mr. Olaniyan. She had not expected his dimples. Or his enviably long lashes that somehow made him look manlier.
As soon as she had seen him, a smile automatically spread on her face. Uncle Richard had given her a job and a husband. Then she saw the black band on the third finger of his left hand, and she was slapped back to reality. He was married.
Of course, he was married. All the good guys were gone, snatched up by the early birds. Only the Yoruba demons were left.
She found him so attractive and she hadn’t stopped thinking about him for the past two days. From the way he had reacted to her in his office, she knew he found her attractive too. She had worn her professional-yet-shapely blue dress that accentuated her figure. More than once, she had seen an appreciative gleam in his brown eyes.
Abby sighed and shook her head. It didn’t matter because he was very not available. She would never, ever be involved with a married man. Coming from a broken home where her father dangled his revolving door of mistresses before her mother, she had promised herself that she would never be the mistress. She would never be the reason any wife, anywhere, cried herself to sleep like her mother had done on several nights.
Yes, Mr. Olaniyan was cute. But there were cuter guys in the world. Besides, VOX Management was a huge, multinational firm. There were bound to be handsome, single guys who were not sporting a wedding ring. Now for those ones, she would wear all her professional-yet-shapely dresses. After all, she had a closet full.
With that resolve, she hit Reply on the email and accepted the job offer.
Chapter Four
On Monday mornings, Bode had a Status Update meeting with his team. So, every Monday, to help shake off the new-week blues, he usually brought in a box of Krispy Kreme donuts. This particular Monday, Bode was running late. He and Shalewa had a Netflix-and-chill date the night before that turned into a late-night Gossip Girl binge. They hadn’t gone to bed until 3am. Unsurprisingly, they both slept through their alarms. It was Shalewa’s horrified gasp that woke him up 30 minutes later than they usually left the house. In ten minutes, they were both out of the house, exchanging hurried hugs and goodbyes. Bode had considered not stopping to get donuts, but he didn’t want to be late and empty-handed, so he got donuts and coffee. At 10:25am, twenty minutes after the meeting was supposed to start, Bode walked into the conference room and hollered, “Anyone in the mood for doughnuts?!” Laughter and greetings were his team’s responses as he placed the boxes on the table. He took his spot at the head of the table and opened his mouth to offer a quick explanation and apology for his lateness. Just as quickly, his mouth fell shut and his eyes widened slightly. At the far end of the table, flanked by Dammy and Rotimi, sat Abby. Abby. Abby. He had barely thought about her this past week. The only time he could even remember thinking about her was when Janet told him she had accepted the offer. That was it. But to see her in the flesh, staring up at him with those beautiful brown eyes that saw deep into his soul, Bode was undone. “Um, Bode, is everything okay?” Jacinta asked. Bode hoped to God that he had not been openly staring at her like a starry-eyed teenager. “Yes, yes. Sorry you guys, I was up late last night. I didn’t get enough sleep.” “Hmm -” Dammy responded, his mouth full, “Kank u for syill ringin the dood.” Next to him, Toyin slapped the back of his head, “Swallow your food first, Dammy. How old are you again? Two?” Dammy swallowed dramatically with a gulp, “Aunty Toyin, who asked you? I said, thank you for still bringing the food.” Bode nodded and smiled fondly. He opened his mouth to talk and was cut off again, this time by Rotimi. “What me, I, want to know is why no one told me that someone new was joining the team. Especially someone as fine as Abby here. I would at least have put more effort into my appearance.” “Shut up, Rotimi,” Rita joined the conversation, “Aren’t you engaged?” “And so? Does that mean I should not be attractive to other ladies?” “I think that is exactly what it means,” Toyin said. Rotimi rolled his eyes, “Who asked you, Aunty Toyin?” Dammy, wanting to get back into the conversation, turned to face Abby and wiggled his eyebrows, “In case you were wondering, I am not engaged. I don’t even have a steady girlfriend.” Toyin opened her mouth and widened her eyes dramatically. “Ah!!! You are such a liar, Dammy! Abby, don’t mind him o. He was just showing us pictures of one girl last week.” Dammy and Rotimi chorused exasperatedly, “Aunty Toyin, who asked you?!” Everyone burst into laughter, including Bode and Abby. Bode cleared his throat, “Okay, guys, let’s get right to it. I already made us start the meeting late -” “Yeah, what happened?” Jacinta cut in. Bode shook his head, “If you had let me finish, I would have said that, Jacinta. Both Shalewa and I slept through our alarms.” Just saying Shalewa’s name helped restore some of Bode’s equanimity. He continued, “We were bingeing a show last night and went to bed late. That’s all I am going to say about that. Why don’t we allow Abby to introduce herself?” Bode sat down as Abby stood up, her smile growing wider. “Thank you, Mr. Olaniyan. I am very excited to join the team. I already feel so welcome -” “I hate to interrupt, but you don’t have to stand up, Abby. You can sit down. We don’t do formality here,” Jacinta offered. “Oh, okay…” Abby looked at Bode for confirmation. Bode agreed with Jacinta, but he was also really enjoying the way Abby’s blue flowery dress swished around her hips as she stood. Bode mentally punched himself when he realized what he was thinking. “Yes, of course, please sit down,” he said out loud. “Thank you, Mr. Olaniyan. So, I was just saying that -” Jacinta cut in again. “You also don’t have to call him Mr. Olaniyan. He hates that. We are very informal here. It helps us to -” “Jacinta, let her talk o!” Rita exclaimed, laughing. Everyone else joined in the laughter. Jacinta was the spitfire of the group, but she was really a sweetheart. However, because of her tendency to always say what she was thinking, she was never the one that was sent out to meet with the clients. “Okay, okay, you guys, we really need to move on. Please continue, Abby,” Bode said in a somewhat stern voice. “Yeah, of course, thank you. So, my full name is Abisire Alao. I just graduated from UNILAG with a degree in Communications. I took several classes in Corporate and Marketing Communication, so I am very excited to help out in any way I can.” “Alright, thank you Abby. You guys, please, go around and introduce yourself and remember to say what you do. In three sentences or less. Jacinta, I am looking at you,” Bode said. Dammy chuckled, “I am the client sales representative. I am the one reaching out to all our clients to see if they would be interested in the HR management software we are building. ” Rita jumped in. “That’s where I come in. I talk to the interested clients to see what features they would like want in the software.” “I do all the hard work. I am the one who has to discuss the cost with clients,” Rotimi said with a dramatic sigh. Jacinta rolled her eyes, “Well, after we discuss the features as a team, Toyin and I work with the developers to make sure they have the client specifications.” Bode concluded the introductions, “Perfect, thank you guys. Where we need you, Abby, is to make sure that all the meeting notes are taken and transcribed. We need to make sure that there is no communication breakdown during each stage of the process. That means you will also be working closely with me to facilitate the high-level stuff. And I think that’s it for the introduction. Now, onto the agenda of the day…”
At 3:25pm, Bode was bone-weary. Maybe it was the little sleep he had overnight or maybe it was the fact that every time Abby left his office, her flowery perfume clung to the air like a long-lost lover. He was tired of smelling the scent, whatever it was. He was tired of his heart skipping a beat every time she popped her head in his doorway to ask a question. He was tired of how his stomach dropped every time she smiled at him gratefully after he had helped her. Eleven times. That’s how many times she had needed him to help her. They had Slack. Why did she need him to walk to her desk? Bode looked at the computer screen. It was just 3:26pm. He needed to leave. He needed to be anywhere else but here. He had only slept for four hours. He was not master of himself and he didn’t want to do anything he would regret. He picked up his car keys and shut off his computer. Perks of being the Team Lead
Chapter Five
“Guy, this one is serious o,” Dipo said, though he was clearly holding back a chuckle. Bode was not amused. “What’s funny now? How is it funny?” Dipo put his legs on his center table and reclined back on the couch, an unmistakable smirk on his face. “Am I laughing? I am not laughing o.” “Dipo, be serious. I don’t know what I’m gonna do. Shalewa is going to kill me.” Bode whined, his American accent more pronounced than usual. Dipo stopped smiling, though there was still humor in his eyes. “Americanah, calm down. Why are you behaving like a softie now? You’ve not actually done anything, have you?” Bode shook his head in response. After he left the office, he had made his way to Dipo’s house to blow off some steam. He hadn’t intended to, but as soon as Dipo had said, “guy, how far?” he told Dipo everything. That he was attracted to Abby and that he didn’t know how he could keep working with her without cheating on Shalewa. “Bode, I think you are overhyping her in your head. Fine girls plenty for Lagos. What’s so special about this one?” “I don’t know, man. I honestly don’t know.” “Okay, okay. Let’s break this down. How does she look like? On a scale of 1 to Kim Kardashian?” “J-Lo, for sure.” Dipo raised an eyebrow, “Darn.” “I know.” “Does she have sense?” Bode chuckled humorlessly, “I don’t even know what that means.” “I’m thinking...maybe you just need to get her out of your system.” Bode turned to face Dipo so fast he gave himself whiplash, “You’re kidding.” Dipo turned his hand from side to side in a noncommittal gesture, “Eh. I mean, this is Lagos. People do it all the time. That’s why I am asking if she has sense.” Bode’s eyes widened like saucers, “Are you being serious right now?” “Dude, I’m not saying she has to be a side chick. It can just be a one-time thing. If she has sense, she will recognize it for what it is and not cause trouble for you and Shalewa.” Bode could not believe he was considering the rubbish Dipo was saying, but he was. “But wait,” he stopped, “what if she is not attracted to me?” Dipo laughed with all the arrogance of a Yoruba demon, “Let me get this straight. She is a UNILAG babe, you have money, plus your Americanah accent, and you think she is not attracted to you? Please, please. Say something else.” Bode shook his head at Dipo, but the wheels in his head were turning. Maybe Dipo was right? He needed to get her out of his head. He didn’t want to do anything to hurt Shalewa, so maybe this was the best way to just...do it? This way, no one gets hurt, right? Next to him, Dipo sniffed, “Can we watch the match now? Or did you want to whine some more? Any other existential life crisis you wanted me to solve for you?” Bode punched Dipo on the arm, “Shut up, idiot.”
Bode considered it all the way home. The more he thought about it, the more he knew he couldn’t really do it. It was all fun and games talking about it with Dipo, but his attraction to Abby wasn’t just physical. It felt like more, and that was what scared the crap out of him. He couldn’t really tell Dipo that. Dipo would have laughed in his face and told him America had made him soft. If he was a praying man, this, THIS, is when he would have prayed. Bode sighed. He felt the beginnings of a headache coming on as he parked his car in front of his condo. Maybe Dipo was right. (Not about the one-time thing. That was stupid). But about him overhyping Abby in his head. He hadn’t really even had a non-work-related conversation with her. For all he knew, she could think that aliens were real and that the British did Nigeria a favor when they colonized Nigeria. Bode chuckled to himself. He needed to get to know her first. Surely, she was not as magical as he was making her out to be. Surely, once he knew that she was one of those Instagram girls, whatever he was feeling towards her would die. That’s what he needed. He needed to feel her out and get out of his own darn head. She was just a girl, and he was just a boy. Bode took a deep breath. Okay. Then he remembered her smiling up at him in gratitude and his heart skipped a beat, again. All it took to dismantle his resolve was remembering her smile? Oh, he was in trouble. Jesus help me.
After dinner later that night, as they were getting ready for bed, Shalewa announced that she wanted to continue watching Gossip Girl. Bode protested, “No - o, babe, we were both late this morning. I was so unproductive today, ehn. Thank God I am technically the boss.” Shalewa laughed, “Wow, you are now soft! We used to pull back-to-back all-nighters at UT Austin. What happened?” That stung and Bode didn’t know why. What was with everyone thinking he was soft? He knew she was joking, but he wasn’t soft! His response was curt, “I just want to rest, Shalewa, is that too much to ask for?” Shalewa turned to face him, one eyebrow perfectly arched. “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold up now. Don’t give me attitude. Okay? You can just say you don’t want to watch it. No need to bite my head off.” Still feeling put out, Bode grumbled, “I did say that, but you kept pushing.” Now both her eyebrows were raised, “Pushing? Bode, pushing? Really? I said one thing and you know I was joking. And now I’m pushy? Really?” Okay, maybe this was getting out of hand. But he couldn’t apologize first. He wasn’t a softie, darn it! “I didn’t say you were pushy, Shay. I said pushing.” “And the difference is? Also, don’t call me Shay when you’re being a jerk. Apologize.” She wasn’t backing down. He knew he started it. He knew he had to finish it, but something was stopping him. He had all this pent-up frustration inside, and he didn’t feel like saying sorry for something that wasn’t really a big deal. Bode rolled his eyes, “Why are you making this a big deal? The show is not even that good!” “Olabode, that’s not the point. We don’t snap at each other. You owe me an apology and you know it.” Bode exhaled forcefully, “Fine. I’m sorry. Is that what you wanted?” Shalewa threw her braids into a bonnet and said, “Yes. And for your behavior tonight, we are going to watch at least one episode before we go to bed. Do you have a problem with that?” Bode looked up at her in her T-shirt pajamas, with her arms akimbo and her eyes on fire. He deflated. She wasn’t the one he was mad at. He chuckled light-heartedly, “No ma’am.” She got in bed next to him, “That’s what I thought.”
Chapter Six
At the end of week one of Project Get-to-know-Abby-so-he-can-stop-being-attracted-to-her, Bode had learnt that Abby’s favorite Premier League team was Manchester City, her favorite food was spaghetti, and she loved Big Brother Naija. Bode’s favorite team was Manchester United, sworn rivals of Manchester City. He thought reality television was a waste of time, and who could love spaghetti when you had jollof rice? But yeah...nothing had changed. He probably even liked her a little more now that he knew that she watched football, a sport that Shalewa did not care for unless Nigeria was in the World Cup. At the end of week one of Project Get-to-know-Abby-so-he-can-stop-being-attracted-to-her, Bode was failing miserably. He could feel his self-control slipping every time he talked to her. He knew that she knew how he felt. He knew that she knew the power she had over him and she enjoyed it. Every smile, every sway of the hips, every flirtatious remark. And Bode knew, he knew, it was just a matter of time before he cheated on Shalewa. Shalewa. Shalewa. None of this affected the way he felt about Shalewa. It was as if he had two separate wives. When he was at home with Shalewa, she was his everything. Then, he clocked into work on Monday and all he could think about was Abby. He had always wondered how his ancestors handled multiple wives. Now it made sense that the wives each had their own place. The man could go from hut to hut, eating his cake and having it. Bode felt sick at the comparison. Bode parked his car in front of his condo, his head a jumble of emotions. In a few minutes, he would see Shalewa and Abby would be a distant memory. Then Monday would come, and he would be back here, again. Just before he alighted from his car, a text came into his phone from Dipo. You don hit am? it read. Bode snorted, a mixture of anger and shame coursing through him. Hit what? He typed back. Almost immediately, Dipo’s response came in. You know what I’m talking about. You need to get her out of your head, man. Did Dipo think he didn’t know that? He didn’t want to lose Shalewa, but what was he supposed to do?
Abby fell back onto her bed heavily. Thank God it was Friday. She had never, ever in her life wished for Friday as much as she had this past week. Not even during the week of her final project defense. Not even when Skinny Girl in Transit aired on Fridays. Yes, Mr. Olaniyan (or Bode, whatever) was cute. Yes, his accent was nice. Yes, he was attractive, but he was unavailable! She was okay with that. Immediately she had seen his ring, she had carried her eyes away from him. So, why won’t he carry his eyes away from her? If not that everyone had basically confirmed that he was married, she would have thought his ring was merely decoration, with the way he behaved this past week. He hung on her every word as if they were words of prophecy from a pulpit. She had caught his eyes on her at least three times every day. He was always smiling, as if he knew something she didn’t. It reached the point where she would pointedly stare back at him until he lowered his eyes. Of course, she was flattered. But she was also disgusted. At the situation. At him! He was the married one, for crying out loud. She wasn’t pursuing him, so why was he on her case? Why her? She was just starting her career and she didn’t need this kind of drama on her first job. She literally couldn’t do anything, whether quit or transfer to another team, without raising eyebrows. She was also partly disgusted with herself because she enjoyed the attention. She had even caught herself flirting with him one time. But it was one time! Abby sighed. She just wished the whole thing would stop. If he were not married, it would be different. But he was, so that was that. She just really wished Bode would stop. Of course, she could not say anything to him since he hadn’t actually done anything. Abby sat up a little on her bed as she realized that. He hadn’t done anything. He had not made an inappropriate remark or touched her inappropriately (not even by "accident"). He had never even commented on her physical appearance, something Dammy and Rotimi did every day. What if it wasn’t what she thought? What if it was all in her head? What if he was just an extra friendly guy? After all, didn’t he buy lunch for Rita, Jacinta and Toyin almost every day? Which boss in Lagos did that? Which male boss in Lagos did that for a female employee without expecting something in return? The more Abby thought about it, the more she concluded that he was just really friendly. Okay, I officially feel like crap now. If anyone had asked, she would have sworn he was coming onto her. Wow, how crazy was she being? She had turned down lunch every time because she had convinced herself that she was the one he really wanted to take to lunch. She had found every excuse to not be in his office alone because she thought he was attracted to her. It was affecting her work since her responsibilities included facilitating communication between Bode and the other members of the team. Oh, my goodness. Abby shut her eyes, ashamed at herself. This was another classic Abby self-sabotage move. Well, not this time. Not this time. This time, she would stay. This time, she would put everything into this position. Whatever it took, she was not going to mess this up for herself.