PART VI On Monday, Fafa arrived at work in her brand-new Range Rover, leaving everyone wondering about her weekend with Boss B. Romeo, on the

PART V We forgot the champagne,” Fafa whispered, getting to her feet and sauntering off in search of it. She knew Boss B would be

PART III

On an unusual day, Romeo found himself running late for the office. As he entered through the main gate, an unsettling feeling washed over him, causing the ground beneath his feet to seem unsteady. He glanced at his reflection in the grand lobby mirror, which had become a daily ritual. His appearance betrayed the tension and confusion he felt. He lingered before the mirror for a moment longer but hurried away upon hearing voices approaching down the hallway. Thoughts raced through his mind about what Fafa might be thinking, how she would react, and how she would receive his news.

Upon entering the office, it felt as though all eyes were on him. Even Auntie Esi, someone who typically minding her own business, stared in his direction. Nervously, he made his way through the office, darting glances left and right, before finally reaching his desk with a sigh of relief. “Whew,” he muttered, “that felt like the longest walk of my life.” His coworker across from him whispered, asking why he was so late, given that Romeo had never been tardy before. Just as he was about to respond, Fafa entered the office, her eyes swollen and red, as though she had been crying all night.

Romeo was perplexed by her emotional state, unsure if their recent discomfort was enough to warrant such intense tears. Fafa brushed past him, ignoring his presence, and focused on her desk as if immersed in work. Romeo hesitated for a moment, then mustered the courage to approach her desk. However, Fafa’s glare sent him scurrying back to his own workspace, realizing that he had lost her, and there was little he could do to change that. This was a side of Fafa he had never seen before.

During lunchtime, the entire office gathered in the cafeteria, nearly filling it to capacity. Romeo was already seated with his male colleagues, engaging in lively conversation. Suddenly, Fafa entered, swiftly grabbed her meal, and surveyed the room for a place to sit. There were only two available spots, one beside Romeo at the table with the guys and the other at a table occupied by female coworkers who harbored envy and resentment toward her. She reluctantly chose the former, pretending Romeo didn’t exist, and quietly dug into her food.

After an uncomfortable silence, Romeo quietly disclosed, “I ended things with Lola last night.” With those words, he finished his meal, stood up, and left.

Fafa went on and finished her food, rushed to his desk, embracing him tightly, conveying more with that hug than words ever could. It felt like he had regained the woman of his dreams. She pulled away from the hug, wiped her tears hastily, and hurried back to her desk, hoping to get there before her colleagues returned from lunch.

The rest of the day took an unexpectedly positive turn. Romeo had a new-found spring in his step, and Fafa exuded a sense of newfound confidence. She approached Romeo’s desk with a notepad and pen, seeking his assistance with a challenging task. In a matter of minutes, Romeo cracked the code and solved her problem. They shared laughter and light conversation, unaware that their brief fairy tale was on the verge of shattering.

Suddenly, a security officer entered the office and signaled for Romeo. “Sir, someone is looking for you at the gate,” he said. Romeo requested that the person wait in the lobby, and he asked Fafa to accompany him. Initially hesitant, she eventually relented, and they made their way to the lobby, laughter still echoing. However, their joy was short-lived.

A familiar voice interrupted their moment. “Hello, babe. After all the work you did last night, I figured you’d be exhausted. So, I prepared something to restore your vitality,” Lola exclaimed, holding a large basket of food, completely ignoring Fafa’s presence. Tears welled up in Fafa’s eyes as she turned to Romeo, whispered, “I thought you guys… you know what? Never mind. Do what makes you happy,” and swiftly left the lobby. In a broken voice, she muttered to herself, “I’m so stupid,” breaking into a jog, consumed by heartbreak.

Romeo’s heart sank as he watched Fafa’s retreating figure, her footsteps echoing down the hallway like a sad refrain. He was frozen, torn between the woman he had just ended things with and the one who had been his confidante and support. Lola’s presence had blindsided him, and he couldn’t find the words to explain the situation. He knew he had to go after Fafa, but the guilt and confusion held him in place.

Lola, on the other hand, seemed oblivious to the tension in the air. She approached Romeo with a warm smile, still holding the basket of food. “I hope you like it,” she purred, leaning in for a kiss. But Romeo recoiled, avoiding her lips.

“Lola, what are you doing here?” he asked, frustration and anger creeping into his voice. “I told you last night that we’re over.”

Lola’s expression shifted from confidence to surprise. “Over? Romeo, you can’t be serious, that was yesterday. We both slept it off and should be ok by now. We’ve been through this before. You know you can’t resist me.” She attempted to embrace him, but he stepped back, his frustration boiling over.

“I am serious, Lola,” he snapped. “I’ve made up my mind. It’s over between us. I can’t do this anymore.”

Lola’s face contorted with anger, and she slammed the basket of food onto a nearby table. “You’re making a big mistake, Romeo,” she hissed. “You’ll regret this.”

Romeo turned and walked away, ignoring Lola’s threats. His thoughts were consumed by Fafa, and he needed to find her and explain what had just happened. He rushed down the hallway, desperately searching for any sign of her.

Meanwhile, Fafa had retreated to a quiet corner of the office, hidden away from prying eyes. Tears streamed down her face as she replayed the scene in the lobby over and over in her mind. She felt foolish for allowing herself to believe that there was something special between her and Romeo. Her heart ached with betrayal, and she couldn’t bear to see him with Lola any longer.

As Romeo rounded a corner, he finally spotted Fafa sitting alone, her shoulders shaking with sobs. He approached her cautiously, his heart heavy with guilt and regret. “Fafa,” he said softly, “please, let me explain.”

Fafa looked up at him, her eyes filled with pain and hurt. “Explain? What’s there to explain, Romeo? You chose her over me. It’s clear where your priorities lie.”

Romeo knelt beside her, his voice trembling. “Fafa, I didn’t choose her over you. I ended things with her last night. What you saw in the lobby was unexpected, and I didn’t invite her here. I promise you, I want to be with you.” And he wanted to hold her tightly and whisper sweet nothing. he also desperately wanted to kiss her…

Fafa looked into his eyes, searching for sincerity. She wanted to believe him, but the wounds were still fresh. “Romeo, this is too much for me to handle right now. I need some time alone.”

Romeo nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. “I respect your decision, Fafa. Take all the time you need. But please know that I’m here for you, and I’ll do whatever it takes to make things right.”

With those words, Fafa rose from her seat and walked away, leaving Romeo alone in the hallway, grappling with the consequences of his actions and desperately hoping for a chance to rebuild the trust he had shattered.

PART II

Fafa’s resistance to Romeo’s first kiss had taken him aback, leaving a hint of uncertainty in their budding connection. Despite this initial setback, Romeo couldn’t help but be drawn to Fafa’s intriguing mix of vulnerability and strength.

Days went by, and Fafa found herself unable to shake the allure of Romeo’s presence. His kindness, the way he made her laugh, and the genuine interest he showed in her thoughts and dreams were impossible to ignore. She soon realized that her resistance to that first kiss had been more about her fear of the unknown than any lack of desire.

One evening, as they strolled along the city’s bustling streets, the energy between them was palpable. The air was filled with the scent of blooming flowers, and the city lights cast a romantic glow over their path. Fafa couldn’t deny the pull she felt towards Romeo any longer.

Underneath the twinkling stars, Fafa stopped and turned to face Romeo, her heart pounding in her chest. With a trembling voice, she admitted, “Romeo, I was wrong to resist you before. I was scared, but I can’t deny how much I want to be with you.”

Romeo, his eyes filled with understanding and affection, gently reached for her hand and said, “Fafa, I’ve been waiting for this moment. I understand your hesitation, and I’m here with an open heart.”

They leaned in closer, connecting his almost frozen lips into a warmth he had been longing for; a warmth that didn’t resist him……Out of ecstasy, Fafa shuddered when Romeo’s lips locked hers, forcing her to breathe through her mouth. This didn’t deter the following actions; lips locked in bewilderment, gentle sucking of lips, heavy controlled breaths and eyes closed to savour the moment, their lips meeting for the first time in a tender and passionate kiss. The world around them seemed to disappear as they embraced the undeniable chemistry between them. It was a moment of surrender, a realization that sometimes love required taking risks and following one’s heart.

As their lips finally parted, Fafa looked into Romeo’s eyes and whispered, “I’m done resisting, Romeo. I want to be with you.” And with those words, they embarked on a journey of love, knowing that while there might be challenges along the way, their connection was worth every moment of uncertainty they had faced

They looked into each other’s’ eyes and all they wanted was to kiss the night away. A good half a minute…… “Romeo we’re in public” … she finally struggled to wryly draw some words from her mouth.

Fafa’s heart raced as she looked around at the curious onlookers, their gazes locked onto them like a spotlight in the dimly lit street. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, but deep down, she couldn’t deny the electricity between her and Romeo.

She chuckled nervously, “Romeo, you’re quite the charmer, aren’t you?” She tried to regain her composure, aware that they were indeed in public, and she had to maintain some level of decorum. But her resolve was weakening with each passing second.

Romeo grinned, his eyes never leaving hers. “I’ve been called worse things,” he said with a mischievous twinkle in his eye.

As the world continued to move around them, Fafa found herself getting lost in his gaze once more. She could feel the chemistry, the undeniable connection, and it was intoxicating. Her heart ached for more of this forbidden dance.

“You don’t care?” Fafa whispered, her voice barely audible over the city’s hustle and bustle.

Romeo leaned in closer, their lips almost touching. “Not one bit,” he replied, his voice husky with desire.

With that, their lips met in a passionate, electrifying kiss that sent shivers down their spines. The world faded away, and for that moment, it was just the two of them, lost in a sea of emotions and desire.

The passersby continued to stare, some in shock, others in envy, but Romeo and Fafa didn’t care. They were caught in a whirlwind of passion, ready to face whatever consequences their love affair might bring, determined to see where this journey of sweet guilt would lead them.

He looked into her eyes with an air of triumph, seeing her vulnerability almost moaning his name through her almost dilated pupils. “I don’t care” …. he said, sounding a bit more assertive this time. He wanted closure to this beautiful encounter. He was ready for the repercussions of his passions. He wanted to know if this journey of sweet guilt he had taken came along with a travel partner.

Just as Romeo leaned in again for a goodnight kiss, a familiar voice cut through the moment. “Romeo,” it exclaimed, filled with surprise and curiosity. Romeo’s heart sank as he instantly recognized the voice. “God,” he muttered under his breath, frustration building within him.

Lola, the source of the voice, approached with an enthusiastic smile, seemingly oblivious to Fafa’s presence. She threw her arms around Romeo, who awkwardly dodged her advance. His anger was brewing beneath the surface, and he couldn’t hide it any longer.

“Fafa, meet Lola,” Romeo said, his tone curt. “Lola, meet Fafa.” He attempted to introduce them, but Fafa interrupted with a forced smile, “His guest who was just leaving. See you later, Romeo.” Her words were laced with disappointment and hurt.

As Fafa walked away, her heart ached with the magnitude of the disregard she had just experienced. It was a painful lesson in the reality of their situation, a reminder of the clandestine nature of their relationship. “Well, what’s there to lose?” she muttered to herself, a mix of resignation and bitterness in her voice. “It could have been me who got caught anyway.”

Romeo’s anger smoldered as he watched Fafa retreat into the night. But what frustrated him even more was Lola’s behavior afterward. She continued to cling to him, seeking more hugs, initiating unnecessary touches, and displaying an overexcited demeanor that grated on his nerves.

Romeo realized that the night had taken a turn he hadn’t expected or anticipated, and he had some difficult decisions to make about his tangled romantic life. Romeo couldn’t shake off the turmoil swirling within him. His emotions were a tangled mess, torn between the magnetic pull of Lola’s enthusiasm and the lingering thoughts of Fafa’s disappointment. He gently pushed Lola away, his frustration finally bubbling to the surface.

“Lola, not now,” he said tersely, his eyes filled with conflict.

Lola, seemingly unfazed by the tension, pouted playfully. “Oh, Romeo, you’re always so serious. Can’t we just enjoy the night?”

Romeo sighed, feeling trapped in a web of his own making. He cared for both women in his life, but he couldn’t deny that the secret nature of his relationship with Fafa was causing pain and frustration for all involved. He had to make a choice, and it couldn’t be put off any longer.

“Lola, I need some time to think,” he admitted, his voice heavy with regret. “I can’t keep going on like this.”

Lola’s smile faded as she realized the gravity of the situation. “Are you saying… you need to choose between us?”

Romeo nodded solemnly. “Yes. It’s not fair to any of us to continue like this. I can’t keep hurting Fafa, and I can’t keep pretending with you.”

Tears welled up in Lola’s eyes as she took a step back, her hands trembling. “I… I understand,” she said softly. “Just promise me one thing, Romeo. Whatever you decide, make sure it’s what’s truly best for you and for your heart.”

Romeo nodded; his heart heavy with the weight of his decision. He knew he had a difficult conversation ahead with Fafa, and it was time to confront the consequences of his actions. As he watched Lola walk away, he couldn’t help but wonder what the future held for him and the two women who had captured his heart.

PART 1 Inspired by a topic discussed on “Keeping It Real,” a show hosted by three ladies on 3Fm, 92.7, I was motivated to share

PART VI I turned my head to look at the woman lying silently beside me, deep in the slumber that almost eluded me. Her beautiful

PART V I got to my room to see Abena standing here naked and in tears I was confused instantly. I have always dreamt of

PART IV One night, I got home early and sneaked into Duke’s room. I got naked and under the blankets of his bed. The room

PART III I was dumbstruck by the view that welcomed me when I got to the dining hall. The size of the dining hall itself