BEHIND THE SMILE - Episode 4

She excused herself and stepped aside to make the call.
After few minutes she returned back and joined her.
“I’m sorry, my husband is not okay with the idea and I can’t convince him to oblige because is not something I’m used to doing. With my years of experience as a lawyer, I have learnt not mixup work with family life and this is isn’t about you Bianca. Is something I’m not very comfortable doing… maybe with time we can find a common ground and I will get to know you better. Not to worry, I will give you money to lodge in a hotel and also enough to get food…”

Bianca gave a heavy sigh and said “I totally understand…is fine ma’am. But is okay if you give me a push in your car… can I get a ride atleast or that too isn’t acceptable…”

“Off course, I will be give you a ride. Hop into the car let’s go please…”

They left while Dorcas was driving Bianca asked “I admire your strong stand… not mixing business with any other thing. This how I want to pattern my life and that’s why I want to get Jessica out of my late father’s properties after which I will focus squarely on other things. You’re beautiful and smart…I truly admire you. How many kids do you have? I believe one of your child will carry your personality. Sorry, maybe I’m running too fast…do you have kids? is your husband also a lawyer? sorry that I’m asking so many questions. I can be a little inquisitive… forgive my inquisitiveness”

“Is alright. I don’t have kids yet but soon. My husband is a professor… not a lawyer….” Dorcas replied while still driving.

“Ooh… really. I thought you have kids but I’m sure is because you and your hubby aren’t ready or you’re waiting for the right time… God’s time I guess. Wow… you said your husband is a professor, in which school please…?

“My husband lectures in highway University currently and sure God’s time is actually the best for anything which includes children. You mentioned you school in high way university right..?

Bianca appears excited as she replied Dorcas “right. I school in highway University and among all the learned professor and lecturers in highway, there are just few that stands out and almost the entire school respect this few. They have integrity, fear of God, respect for their spouses and family, they have patient to teach and they are good at what they do. The nice and loving man that takes us in religious and international studies…his name is professor Benny. This man is super good and teaches with clarity. Another person is Mario Pau…”

“That’s my husband… I’m glad he stands out as always…” Dorcas interrupted with a fat grin on her face.

Bianca smiled and asked “you mean Mario Paul is your husband or Benn….

Dorcas interrupted again “professor Benny George… that’s my hubby”

Bianca threw her hand up excitedly and replied “oh my goodness. You mean Prof Benny is your husband…what a small world. I’m actually a big fan of his work.. infact I’m his biggest fan. I pray to meet him personally someday to tell him how his books on “Humanity” changed my narrative about life and I have recommended his books to many of my friends. Please do me a favor… tell him one of his students who happens to be his biggest fan send her greetings…”

Dorcas who was smiling suddenly startled. She winced in pain and held her stomach with one hand while driving with one

“…Are you alright ma’am? I can drive and wouldn’t mind if I take over the wheel so that you can relax and get yourself…is obvious you aren’t feeling so good. Let me drive you home or why not go to the hospital? I can call your husband to come over from there…”

Dorcas remained quiet as she tries to suck in the pain.
Bianca was not going to give up easily.
She kept persuading Dorcas to accept her offer of either driving her home or hospital.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want….” Dorcas began to pray out loudly while still agonizing in pain.
When Bianca heard her praying she gave a silent disappointed sigh as she began to chorus Amen to Dorcas prayer annoyingly.

Within seconds the pain seems to subsides. Dorcas breathed deeply as she kept saying “thank you Jesus”

She later said to Bianca
“…Thanks for wanting to help. I deeply appreciate it but I’m fine now… there’s nothing to worry about…”
She paused and continued talking

“I guess is something I ate this morning. My stomach easily react to certain food. Thanks for your care. I will tell my husband that one of his students send his greetings. I will also continue the legal advice in phone… alright? Where exactly will you be alighting because I will soon be making a turn…”

A disappointed Bianca who’s mission was thwarted due to Dorcas not agreeing to any of her suggestions or pleas which was the only means to get closer and and achieve her aim told Dorcas that she should stop the car so that she can get down.

Dorcas moved to the side of the road, parked and Bianca came down.
She brought out money and offer Bianca for her hotel and feeding.
Bianca hesitated before collecting it.

Dorcas waved her good bye and zoomed off again.

Bianca stood there writhing in sadness.
All the tactics she used none of it worked.
Even when a great option presented itself, Dorcas was obviously having a stomach pain and she offered to help yet Dorcas rejected the help outrightly.

Bianca cursed loudly. She stamped her feet on the ground as she boils angrily.

Bianca knew her chances of becoming a friend of Dorcas and through that means get close to Benny is slim.
She will go home and restrategies on another plan.
Hopefully the next one will work out perfectly.
Dorcas is obviously very smart which is why she has to come up with something big and outsmart her.
Having Benny is a goal for her and ashe will do anything possible to be close to him.