The One Who Holds Me (Sovereign Love #4)

7. Olanna

7

OLANNA

NOW

T he dreaded weekend is finally over and I’ve concluded that I’m done with falling in love, and I’m done with men. I refuse to let anyone trample on my heart again. From here on out, I’m only focusing on God, the assignments He has for me, and how I can serve Madu Health better as the CEO.

I did a video call with Dad yesterday evening and apart from some drama with the customs officers at the airport about his bags, he has settled into our family home in Lagos. The last time I was in that five-bedroom mansion in Lekki was when we all traveled back home four years ago to bury Mom.

According to the Igbo culture, when a woman dies, she has to be buried in her husband’s village. But Dad chose to bury Mom at our family home in Lekki instead of Bende village in Abbia state, where both Mom and Dad are from. Of course this decision ruffled the feathers of the elders of the village, but Dad couldn’t care less. He wanted his wife to be laid to rest in a place where she called home.

I still remember those summers when Mom and Dad would take Manny and I back to Nigeria and we would host parties for different family members at our house, play in the swimming pool, and go on various touristic expeditions with our cousins.

Those days brought me joy because my family was complete. But what’s the point of going back there now and seeing her grave every day, reminding myself that she’s really gone and never coming back? Why would I put myself through that?

I’ve been praying that nothing happens to Dad while he’s over there. I’m taking everything one day at a time and today is going to be a good day. No more worrying excessively about Dad and certainly no more thinking about Alex.

Lord, please take control. I turn to look at myself in the elevator mirror. I always cherish the alone time I have in the elevator every morning, as it gives me the chance to pray and motivate myself for the day.

Today, I went for a yellow pencil skirt, a one-shoulder yellow and blue Ankara top, and matching yellow stilettos. Bright colors make me feel like a ball of sunshine. My top bun and half down look was a last-minute decision, but the black lipstick is always my Monday choice. I’m all set to face the day. I’m ready for whatever comes my way.

“Good morning.” Lerato’s face welcomes me as I step out of the elevator, but instead of her usual cheery smile, she greets me with worry lines etched across her forehead, fidgety hands, and a shaky voice. Lerato never gets nervous unless something has gone wrong. What could possibly go wrong before the day even starts?

“Is everything okay?” I ask as she falls in step with me and we both walk down the hallway toward my office.

“Not really.” She swallows and clutches her notepad close to her chest before continuing. “Yin called ten minutes ago from the hospital to say that Jess started having early contractions, so the doctors have admitted her.”

“Oh, no. Is she okay?” I ask as we enter my office and I settle behind my desk.

Instead of responding, Lerato takes out her phone and dials. The phone rings once and Yin’s voice comes through from the other side. “I’m really sorry to bail on you like this, Olanna. Jess’ due date isn’t until another eight weeks, so this was unexpected.”

“Please, don’t be sorry, Yin. You’re prioritizing your family, as you should. Don’t worry about us over here. Take as much time off as you need. We’ll be praying for you and Jess. Please update me when the baby is here, okay?”

“Sure thing. Thank you so much,” he says and ends the call.

Breathe, Olanna. God’s got you, so you’ve got this. I take a deep breath in and out before holding Lerato’s hands, and we say a quick prayer together for Yin and Jess. “Okay, what do we have to sort out today while Yin is away?” I ask, before turning on the iPad on my desk.

“Yin was supposed to have a meeting with the HearCare representative at 8:30 this morning.”

“Of course. Can one of the other managers meet with him instead?”

Lerato enlarges the diary on the iPad screen and scrolls up and down before responding. “Actually, they are all in meetings this morning, too.” She pauses. “But you’re free for the next hour and the gentleman is already here.”

“Oh, okay. I can see him then. Yin already briefed me about this meeting and it’s just an introductory session, anyway. Where is he now?”

“In the waiting room downstairs.”

“Please apologize for the delay, inform him about the change of plans, and take him to conference room B. I’ll be with him shortly.”

“Got ya.” Lerato grabs her notepad and pen and scurries out of the room, almost tripping over herself.

You can do this, Olanna. Hiccups happen all the time and I can fix it. Even if we get a complaint from the client, I’m competent. I know my job and I can deal with it. There’s nothing to worry about.

I walk out of my office and make my way to the first floor, where the conference rooms are. In the open-plan office, I wave at Melissa and Neil, who are already arriving for the work day. I like to come in earlier than everyone else, so I can make sure everything is ready for the day. It also helps to straighten out kinks like this one.

Lerato is standing in front of the conference room with her hand on the doorknob as she beckons me over. “He’s inside,” she whispers, and I nod before stepping into the room.

Here we go. The back of our client’s head is the first thing I see through the glass doors, and even though I get the strange feeling the back of his head looks familiar, I shake it off.

“Good morning, sir. I apologize for the delay. I’m Olanna Madu, the CEO of Madu Health, and you are?” The client turns around as I extend my hand, but when I lock eyes with him, I freeze in my spot.

If I wasn’t staring into the same brown eyes I came to cherish for nine months, or the same smile I used to look forward to seeing every day, then maybe I would’ve convinced myself this is all a dream.

“Alex Obeng.” He stands and takes my hand in his before shaking it. A warm, tingling sensation travels up my arm and into my chest before setting off a lump in my throat.

If I didn’t know his voice so well as the one that prayed over me or sang for me on the days I felt low, then I would’ve convinced myself this is all a dream. Except it’s not. Alex Obeng is really standing in front of me.

The sound of Lerato closing the door jolts me into my current reality, and I remove my hand from his loose grip. A million and one questions flood into mind. All those questions I asked myself over the last two years, and the questions I wished I asked him.

A wave of sadness takes over me as we stand there, staring at each other in silence, but with so many unspoken words passing between us. This sadness is about what we lost and what could have been if he hadn’t been a selfish jerk.

When a small smile forms on his lips, all that sadness turns to anger as I grit my teeth and ball my hands into fists. If looks could kill, Alex would have dropped dead right about now.

How dare he think he can just show up here and pretend everything is fine? Is that smile supposed to be a peace offering, or is he smirking? With everything that has gone wrong today, why did God choose this day for my past to come knocking? This is not fair.

Tears gather in my eyes and blur my vision as Lerato walks into the room. I turn my face away, smiling at Lerato as I dab the corner of my eyes. I refuse to let him see me cry. I refuse to let him see how much of an effect he still has on me. I have to get out of here.

Taking a step back, I straighten out my skirt and clear my throat. “Lerato, I just remembered there’s something I need to sort out quickly first. Please, could you provide Mr. Obeng with some refreshments? I’ll be back shortly.”

“Okay?” Lerato frowns, her facial expression letting me know she suspects something is up. “Is everything okay?” she asks, her gaze shifting between Alex and I.

“Yeah, sure.” I force a smile. “Refreshments, please.”

Alex’s eyes follow me as I walk toward the door. “Actually, I think I’m okay, Miss Madu.”

“No, please, I insist.” I hold open the door. “It’s the least I can do for the inconveniences caused.” Without waiting for his response, I shut the door behind me and power-walk to the end of the hallway before taking the next left into the ladies’ room.

Finding an empty stall, I lock myself in it before slumping on the seat and letting the sobs out. This is too much, Lord. I can’t take this anymore. Help me, please.