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Gladys couldn‘t wait to get home. Their third quarter training had started this morning and they were still at it almost to the end of the day. She yawned discreetly and looked around the rest of the people in the seminar room. Most had their eyes half open while the speaker droned on. The funniest man in the team, Mr. Odetu was sleeping while sitting upright. She stifled a giggle and began to scribble on her notepad to keep awake. When she looked down, she had copied lines from the Pirates of the Caribbean which she had seen some time ago with Edward.
“Will, why is this happening?”
“I don‘t know but you look beautiful.”
Gladys muttered the next line from Elizabeth under her breath. “I think it is bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding.” Why did she think of this part of the movie in particular? Her phone beeped. It was a text from Edward and read, “My schedule has just been changed; will call to explain new plans”. What plans was he referring to? It had been over a month since their dinner date, and he had set up another one for Saturday for her to meet some of his friends. Was he about to cancel?
She breathed a sigh of relief when the seminar finished and packed her bags for home. She had just finished getting ready for bed when Edward called.
“Hey sweetie.” His deep voice gave her the tingles.
She loved that he always used endearments but not knowing if he was about to cancel their date, she assumed a cool tone. “Hi,” she replied.
“Did you get my text earlier?”
“Yes I did. What plans did you mean?”
“I‘m afraid I‘ve got some good and bad news. Which do you want first?” He usually played these guessing games with her.
Gladys smiled. “Good news, then.”
“My property company got signed on for a development contract today.”
“That‘s great news, congratulations.”
“The bad news is that I have to travel to Bonny for some business this weekend.” “Oh no, that‘s the Island in Rivers State?” Gladys replied flopping down on the bed. “Does that mean we have to cancel the dinner with your friends for Saturday right?”
“Yeah, and believe me babe, I wish it weren‘t so too.”
“But that‘s not too bad. I was already imagining the worst.” Though this wasn‘t exactly fun to hear, she was going to put on a happy face. “So what‘s this contract about?”