HIRED WIFE

” I’m sorry sir for my attitude today.. I really don’t want to lose the job you’ve entrusted to me.. give me a second chance sir please” Oge said to me already crying

” Oge I never said I was going to sack you or did I?” I asked quite surprised that she mentally figured out that I was planning to replace her

” You may not have said so in words but your countenance shows that you will sack me for everything that happened today.. please sir I am sorry, it won’t happen again”

” Are you sure Oge?” I asked and she nodded in the affirmative while I heaved before giving a reply

” okay if you say so Oge, I will give you a benefit of doubt this last time.. please you can get up now, it’s weird seeing a fellow human being kneeling before me” I said and helped her up

” Thank you so much sir”

” You’re welcome.. and Oge for today you can go early before 8pm since I am home”

” Does that mean I can go now?” She asked happily

” Sure Oge! you can go if you want to do so now.. see you tomorrow then” I said and turned to go back into my bedroom but I halted when I heard Oge’s request

” How about I stay for a while and we talk over a drink at the bar.. I mean to get to know ourselves beyond the work and medication talks” Oge offered as I stood considering the offer

” It’s not a bad idea.. okay no problem let go then!” I said and made to follow her to the bar but I couldn’t continue as I kept hearing Angie’s voice call out to me from my bedroom

” Daddy! Daddy.. where are you?” I heard Angie’s soft voice calling for me

” Oh! My daughter is awake.. I’m sorry Oge you know I can’t leave Angie alone because of her condition.. we will do this next time, I promise” I said apologetically to Oge

” It’s okay sir, I understand” she said forcing a smile but I cared less, my daughter comes first to me

” Thanks for your understanding Oge!” I said and left to join Angie in the bedroom.

As I left, I heard someone hiss behind me or maybe it’s just my subconscious hearing things

I just hope Oge is really sincere with her apologies because as it is now I am beginning to nurse doubts about her competency to fit into the hired wife I need to fulfill my promise to Angie.

Anyways, I believe that the subsequent days will tell if she is fit for the role of a hired wife or not. For now I can only wait and observe.

Two days later, I walked into Angie’s bedroom that early morning which is a Thursday, I wanted to wish her a good morning like I usually do before leaving for work.

I opened her bedroom door only to see my daughter sitted on her bed, dejectedly staring into space. Angie looked so lost in thoughts that she did not even notice my presence at the door

I was alarmed as I walked towards her on the bed and sat beside her, worry clearly written all over my face as I looked at her

” Angie, baby are you okay?” I asked worriedly and she jerked back to reality

” Yes daddy.. I am fi.. fine” she answered stammering but her eyes said otherwiseCòntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

” Angie you are clearly not fine! when did you start lying and hiding things from daddy… please Angie talk to me, what’s wrong with you?” I probe further still looking at her although she couldn’t see me

” Daddy I am fine.. just thinking about mom, that’s all” she answered and sighed

” Are you sure?” I asked to be sure that was all that was bothering her

” Yes daddy.. is mummy really going to come back and stay with us as you promised me?”

” Yes Angie, she will.. she even wants to talk to you in a video call tonight” I said and watched Angie’s eyes lit up in delight

” Really daddy? Mummy wants to see and talk to me tonight?” Angie asked excitedly

I can understand my daughter’s excitement right now, because it has been a long while since Sophie her mother thought of having a video call session with her.

For reasons best known to her Sophie usually avoided having call sessions with Angie until after so much persuasion from me.

I’m only sad because I knew very well that she is only having tonight’s video session to lie to Angie about a voice surgery, and not necessarily because she sincerely wants to speak with her daughter.

She actually promised to do the call four days earlier when we spoke on phone but failed as she usually does, I pray she keeps to her promise tonight so Angie’s excitement and hope would not be ruined and dashed

” Yes baby.. mummy will be talking to you tonight so please cheer up, you know daddy hates seeing you sad!” I affirmed touching her cheeks tenderly

” I know daddy… thank you so much, I can’t wait to talk to mummy and tell her about my eye surgery and other things”

” Okay baby.. I will be off to work now, I just wanted to check up on you my angel before I leave” I said softly

” Daddy you are going to leave me all alone here?” Angie asked staring at me although she couldn’t see me

” Of course not baby… Aunt Oge your personal nurse will be here soon, don’t worry okay”

I watched as Angie’s face changed into a deep frown, and then into a dejected look

” please daddy I don’t want her today.. I can stay alone until you come back from work!” Angie begged as if her life depended on it

” common Angie.. Aunty Oge will take care of you better especially with your medication because it is what she’s paid to do” I explained to Angie and she heaved defeated

” Okay daddy.. I understand” Angie said with a plastic smile on her face

I stood up as I kissed her goodbye on the forehead, I was wondering why Oge isn’t here yet, she is probably making lateness to work an hobby already.

I had to stay a little longer with Angie to keep her company while waiting for Oge.