THE GOVERNOR'S WIFE

10. HIS MANAGER

STELLA’S POV

Several years ago.

Losing a dad as a young age is my worst nightmare in my entire life. It really hurts like hell. I recall the day as if it was yesterday. I was in school, just playing my favorite sports of all time when the deputy head teacher called me to his office. That was unusual because I was not the type of girl who breaks the rules. I was a good student and I was just playing as I do almost daily.

I was buying time as I waited for my dad to come and pick me up from school.

My dad was my hero and my best friend and I can’t explain the excitement I normally feel when I see him waving for me to go and meet him when he comes to pick me from school.

This was just a normal day and I was waiting on him. He had dropped me early in the morning and I was waiting for him this evening.

The first unusual thing that happened this very day is being called to the office of the deputy head teacher. I followed him and waited to find out what he had to say. If it was about being indiscipline then, I would call my dad who would come and defend me.

I noticed my uncle Ephraim as soon as I got to the office. I wondered what the hell he might be doing her. He lives 30 minute drive away from my house. He picking me up from school does not really add up.

“Your uncle is here to take you home,” The teacher told me.

“Home, how about my dad?” I jutted my eyebrow up in surprise.

“He is in here, please act a bit kind,” The teacher pointed out.

“Alright, let us go home then,” I told him.

“Go get your staff first,” He ordered and I did as I was told. I also love my Uncle, don’t get me wrong but I just wanted to see my dad. I was used to him taking me home, not Uncle Ephraim.

I went and took some books from my locker and joined my Uncle. We walked to his car exchanging normal pleasantries.

He started driving, he took a lane to his house and that got me worrying.

“Aren’t you going to take me home?” I implored.

“Come on, today is your cousin lee’s birthday, don’t you want to spend time with him?” My Uncle inquired and I had no other option but to go to my cousin’s. I loved him and that means that I was going to have a good time because we will just play the night away.

We bought some turkey from the mall down the street before went home. Maria, Lee’s mother started preparing dinner and I went to play with my cousin. We cycled till it started getting dark.

“Uncle Ephraim, please take me home, it is getting late,” I told him.

“You haven’t had dinner yet, besides, today is Friday. You have no school tomorrow. Do you know what that means?” He implored.

“What does that mean?” I asked him.

“More play time with Lee on his birthday because I will drop you off tomorrow,” I jested.

The mention play made me forget about my dad for some time. Not forever because that night, I had a dream of my father talking to me. He was telling me that I should take care of mum and myself because he was going on a lengthy journey.

I didn’t understand why he said that to me then but when my Uncle finally took me to the morgue when my dad had been because of a road accident, my heart broke to tiny pieces.

For a moment, I could not breathe, like someone had stuffed stones in my airways breaking any passage of air. My lips parted and then closed as a butter lump formed at the the back of my throat.

I wanted to die because I knew damn right that I would never fully heal from the pain that I was feeling.

Now.

This is the same pain I am feeling right now when my mother is talking about him.

“You told me he dies of a road accident,” I told her.

“You know that is not true. Your diver was the best driver ever. The truth is that. Your dad was murdered by someone because of political reasons.” My mother let out the secret she had been hiding from me for all this years.

“Why should I believe you if you had to lie to me all those years?” I asked her as tears rolled from my eyes.

“I hid this to protect you. I am telling you the truth. That time, you were too young to understand.” She explained.

“I needed not to understand anything. I am a grown up now, I will take care of myself.” I made it clear.

“Please listen to me,” She begged.

“From what I have known for all this years is that my dad died in a road accident. Don’t tell me otherwise because of your insecurities. I can always take care of myself.” I told her.

“Please, don’t go into politics,” She begged me.

“The decision is already done mother. The least you can do right now is support me in something that is going to make me happy. That is the least you can do now that you have been keeping secrets from me,” I told her and went to my room.

I cried a little but I went to stand in front of the mirror, I told myself to be strong. I have been strong all this years and I was definitely going to do this.

I went to take a shower. The cold water somehow managed to relax me a little. I changed to comfortable tee with some jogger pants.

I was still reading Becoming by Michelle Obama when my cell phone rang.

Seeing Erman’s number flushing on the screen made me feel good. I had missed him already. I really needed to talk to him.

“Hello baby, how are you?” He implored.

“I am fine, what about you?” I asked.

“I am not fine, I have not gotten a campaign manager yet,” He said in a worried tone.

“Well, I might have the answer to that question.” I told him.

“That will be a very good of you. Should I come over?” He implored.

“I thought you would never ask. Please come,” I jested.

“Right away, see you in fifteen,” He stated and I was in cloud nine. God knows how much I missed him. I really needed that kiss right now.

In fifteen, he texted me and told me that he was right outside the house. I hastily walked out and went to join. I couldn’t bother listening to what my mother was saying. I am trying to chase my happiness and I hoped that she will come to understand me later on.

I loved her but I had to resent a little bit. She would never have some secrets behind my back.

Erman lowered the car window as soon as he saw me. I got into the car and closed the window. That meant one thing, we were going to kiss.

He slipped in close to me, his hand sneaking around the curve of my hip and he pulled me against his chest. I placed my hand on his chest after I opened two of the buttons of his shirt. I ran my fingertips along and I felt his muscle clench under my touch.

I looked at him a little smug knowing what a simple touch from me done to him. I soon stopped that when he crushed his lips hard against mine, a loud whimper escaping from deep in my throat.

Erman was quick smirk into the kiss, his turn to be smug.

“Mmm…”I moaned into the kiss.

He slipped his hand down my thigh grabbing it. I think we were going down into a make out session when I pulled away from him.

“Don’t ever pull away from me again, “He warned.

“We have to talk remember. We will kiss afterwards, okay,” I promised.

“Alright,”

“About the campaign manager thing, I think I can be a good campaign manager,” I told him and he was shocked.

“For real? I know you want us to spend more time together, but this is really serious. I really need an apt campaign manager,” I jested.

“Trust me when I say that I will be a good campaign manager. I was a student leader and things with politics interest me. With me, you will win,” I mumbled.

“Are you sure?” He asked.

“I am sure. You have to trust me. With me by your side, I am going to make you win the governor position,” I gave him my word.

He didn’t say anything else. He kissed me as if his life was on the line.

“Okay, I hire you to be my campaign manager.” He tattled.