NO PLACE TO HIDE CHAPTER ONE

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Dr.  Ojakwu stared round the dining table at the faces of his family members. Sophia, his wife had a hard look, which made her beautiful face unfriendly. The object of her gaze, he could tell, was the poor innocent pretty that Emeka had invited over for dinner.

He knew the girl, her name was Ella and she had. been his darling daughter's friend. Honestly, he had nothing against her. He believed he'd heard somewhere that she was an orphan, brought up by the state orphanage, home but very intelligent.

He stole a look at Emeka. The young man sure had a glazed look on his face. Smiling from ear to ear, he was certainly happy. For Dr. Ojakwu, that was the most important thing. He made a note to talk to Sophia, his wife, to soften up more. He turned his attention once more to his food. Valentine, the cook, had outdone himself once again.

"So my dear, what are you doing now?"

Dr. Ojakwu looked up, his wife had thrown a question to Ella. He stared at her, and she smiled, a smile that melted his heart but his wife still wore that hard look.

"I'm a student at the university of Benin, study ... " "Oh I see!" Mrs. Ojakwu replied, cutting in before she could finish.

That was rude, Emeka thought to himself, trying not to glare at his mother.

"I heard you're an orphan. Raised in an orphanage, right?" she asked, her expression portraying the fact that she didn't look happy at the news.

Ella had stopped smiling, looking around as if seeking an escape. "Yes ma, I'm an orphan."

"Hmm, what a pity! So many young girls getting pregnant, and dumping babies ... " Mrs.

Ojakwu said.

"Sophia!" growled Dr. Ojakwu, barely containing his anger. "Mother, that's enough!" Emeka cried through gritted teeth. 

Mrs. Ojakwu looked up with innocent eyes, and then anger clouded her face on seeing everyone staring at her.

"What's the problem? I'm just asking an innocent question. There are so many prostitutes these days in Benin. Or haven't you heard of girls who travel to Italy and come back to give birth to bastards? Anything could happen ... "

"That's enough Sophia!" her husband cautioned in a tight voice. She stared at him, about to say something, but changed her mind and kept mute.

Ella felt ashamed and embarrassed. She'd never felt so humiliated in her entire life. She hadn't wanted to come but Emeka had insisted she came

Thirty minutes later, while she was waiting for Emeka, who had gone inside probably to get something, his dad came out of the room, his face grim with barely suppressed anger.

"I'm sorry Ella, please disregard my wife. She's under a lot of stress."

"Yes sir," she replied trying to smile through stiff lips.

He was a good man, and she wondered how he'd gotten hooked with such a snob for a wife.

********************************

An hour later, they were on their way to her school. "Ella, I'm really sorry about my mum." Emeka apologized. Ella shrugged. "Its okay, I just want to get to my room,

He stared at her wishing there was a way he could undo the harm his mum had done.

"I thought we agreed you'd get to know my new place? I have almost put everything in order"

"Look, Emeka I'm tired, I just want to go home. I'm not in the mood to see some fucking ... "

"What's wrong with you?" he cried, staring   at her. A surprised look on his face.  

"I apologized for my mum's behaviour but that shouldn't come between the plans we had earlier laid down Ella."       

     

Ella avoided looking at him. "Ella, I think you're being irrational," he snapped at her.      

She turned and glared at him. "You must be out of your mind, are you asking me not to get angry? I've a right to get angry after the humiliation I suffered in the hands of your mum ... .."

"You're being utterly selfish and self centered Ella and I have never known you to be such!"       

He brought the car screeching to a halt and the suddenness of it forced Ella forward, almost knocking the breath out of her. "You bastard!" she cried glaring at him. How dare you call me selfish? What do you know about me?" she glared at him in anger.   

"You've had everything you've always wanted, education abroad, money to spend the way you've always wanted, a warm home and bed to come home to and loving parents. Tell       me," she continued in a cold voice, tears streaming down her cheeks. "What the hell do you know about me?"        

"Open this godforsaken-door, I want to get out," she hissed under her breath. "I feel sorry for ... "he didn't expect the slap or the force of it when it landed on his cheek, cutting off his words. Not thinking, he grabbed her shoulders arid continued to shake her. While she fought back with clenched fists, tears streamed down her cheeks. 

Finally, exhausted, he stopped shaking her. She retreated to a corner. Angry with himself .or losing control, he tried to gather her into his arms but she resisted him. He allowed her to sob quietly. He hated himself for losing control.

"God!" he muttered. He'd spent four years trying to get this girl and just because of his mother's thoughtlessness, he'd almost lost her. Perhaps she was right; he'd been the smug, selfish and self-centered bastard.

Gently, he murmured soothing words to her and started the car. He joined the light evening traffic. On getting to his gate, he horned impatiently for the security man who must have fallen asleep to open the gate. He drove in and came round to open the door for her. She followed him in. she would have preferred to be on her bed in the hostel but she didn't have the strength to argue. She was drained of emotions. She sat down on the nearest settee, looking around and admiring the sweet tastefully furnished living room. This was her first time here. How many times had he invited her here? She always came up with an excuse one way or the other. 

Emeka came out of the room, and squatted in front of her. He'd changed into a Tee shirt and short cast off jeans. "You would like a bath? "he queried. "Yes," she murmured.

"Come on, let me show you the bathroom.

I'll get you my house coat." He stood up, leading the way, she followed him to a door, which opened into a beautiful room also with soft furnishing. "Over here is the bathroom. There's a towel in the bath." Turning to go, he suddenly stopped and turned to her. "Would you like a cup of beverage or coffee?"

She smiled shyly. "A cup of beverage would be fine" "Okay," he replied.

She stared after him as he walked away. She entered the scented bathroom and began to divest her clothes. Her mind reviewed the events of a few minutes ago. She acknowledged she was in love with Emeka.

Hopelessly in love, but she didn't want to get hurt. They had started on a platonic level and she had to admit he had been very patient with her. All they had shared was a couple of hugs and kisses.

CHAPTER 2
TO BE CONT.

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