“Go on, I understand.”
Gladys continued, “It started with cheap ceramic figurines, I loved some we saw at Balogun Market and he got them. But he‘s since been showering me with expensive gifts. There has also been an evening gown and a matching leather shoe and handbag set.”
“We all know the danger of accepting expensive gifts from men particularly when you can‘t reciprocate. But you appreciate Edward may just be expressing himself?”
“Couldn‘t he also see it as me breaking my word and being after his money?”
“I think he just wants to show how he feels and these are things he can easily afford.”
“That‘s true but that doesn‘t make me less worried.”
Ola shifted forward and pushed the almost empty platter to the side. “Gladys, you have to know who you‘re dealing with. Some men don‘t always have ulterior motives.”
“I am just confused. Edward always has a reason that means I can‘t refuse his gifts without being churlish. Like the birthday party or the outfit and accessories for a meeting with his board members. My family is not rich but I don‘t want to appear money hungry.”
“Gladys anyone who knows one jot about you will know that‘s not possible. All I can add is that you may need to have a talk with him.”
“We actually just passed through that. But there‘s another; I‘m a devoted Christian, Edward attends church only on occasion. He is often jealous of time he wants us to spend together. He also disagrees with how I give. He prefers that I donate to charities.”
“That‘s not a serious issue; you can each give in your different ways. Still I can understand where he‘s coming from. It may be because he grew up in Kano; you know Muslims in the north just give alms.”
“I‘ve thought of that and suggested I split my giving in parts with some of it, especially my tithe, going to the church.”
“You know I don‘t believe in the concept of tithing. A lot of people also complain of the embezzlement that may be going on in churches.”
“You talk as if you were at the fierce debate we had on an outing with some of his friends, Edward and I were on opposite sides.” Gladys smiled as she replied. She should have known which side her friend would take. Ola wasn‘t a very committed Christian and was going to convert to Islam before her marriage.