This is an experience I'll never forget. Mike was everything perfect and gentle. Only friends for two months, I'll say those were the most confusing stages of my life.
I met Mike when I was travelling back to school. My eyes were glued to my phone as I studied my school materials. Oblivious of how much time had passed, it was at our destination that I heard him say, “You look like a brainiac. You must be a first-class student, right?”
I laughed weakly at his funny conclusion. He introduced himself, handing me his business card. Glancing through, I fixed him a knowing glance.
What was a branch manager doing inside a public vehicle? I thought.
Shortly after we met, Mike wanted me to visit him at his office. At first, I declined, since I didn't want some prying eyes on me, but after being persuaded that there was nothing to worry about, I went to the bank to see him. The warmth of his welcoming staff left me grinning as I followed the description to his office.
That day, I discovered that he was not only a branch manager but also a politician. It was commendable. It gave me that inner push to envision big things. There was a lot to learn from Mike.
As I sat on the luxurious seat across from him, I could not help but notice the long stare he fixed on me. For minutes he kept staring, his eyes perusing me. That I didn't find comfortable. I tried to start a conversation but he was smart enough to bring it down.
“Can I call you ‘babe’?” He asked. I remember how bizarre it sounded. Was he normal?
Finally, he opened up.
“Babe, I like you.”
I wanted to shut him from calling me 'babe' but something held my tongue.
“I'm helplessly in love with you.”
He leaned closer to maintain eye contact. “If you'll let me, I want to be your man. Can we take this a step further?”
It was my turn to reply. I felt my heart accelerating. Why was I suddenly nervous? Deep down, something didn't feel right. It wasn't because he looked a bit older than I, it was something I couldn't decipher.
The day didn't end well as I didn't give him a reply. Before I arrived home, a huge sum of money was sitting in my account.
A mixture of anxiety and fever overwhelmed me. Fishing out the card he'd given me, I unlocked my phone and googled his name online. There were pictures of him receiving awards. I took note of them. But to my utmost surprise, I found something more alarming. He was a divorcee! His marriage was dissolved years ago with two kids as the product.
I confronted him the next day and he confirmed it, adding that they'd both moved on long ago.
“So now what. Do you want to marry me?” I wasn't even going to agree to that.
He sighed briefly. “Let's see how it goes.”
I refused, telling him I didn't want to tread that path. He said it was fine with him.
Weeks passed, and Mike was still sending me money. He soon graduated to making some sensitive comments about my body shape. He'd tell me how he imagined me in bed with him feeding him with my succulent lips. I knew what he was doing; sowing a seed in my mind.
He'd tell me of his previous relationships, how the ladies were perfect in bed, making him believe they were there for good. But after a short while, they'd leave him broken. Now, he wanted real love with me.
That was when I began to connect the dots. I'm a disciplined girl which he knew. Countless times I turned down his appeal to come over to his apartment. He may have vowed to get me into his bed by using the tactics he used for the previous ladies — money — but seeing how hard I was, he'd decided to use emotional blackmail.
The last day I met him, I asked him the last question on my mind.
“What happened between you and your wife?”
Guess what? He said he owed me no answer. He'd only reveal that to me if I said ‘yes’.
“But what's so special about you? One minute you make me feel you're interested, the next minute, you're asking me questions. If you're not interested, say it!” He barked.
“But I've told you I only want friendship. If for anything, I accepted you as a friend because I believe in healthy connections. Or I would have thrown your card back in your face that night!” I spat in return.
He became quiet.
I peered into the face of the man I thought was gentle and humble, and I saw something: a flirt.
And yes, he admitted it. He told me to thank my stars I didn't come to his house, or he'd have lain with me.
That day as I arrived home, I dumped my bag on my bed and took out my phone.
I blocked him on all platforms!
All images were generated using Leonardo AI