She sat up for a few moments and curled back into bed. She didn’t want today to be the day. Her mind kept racing as she frantically thought of a way out of her dilemma. Just then, she heard the sound of the door opening. It was either going to be her Nana or her mum she thought. It was both of them. Gosh.

It had been her dream job. For years, she had applied for the job, different roles but never got in. She was brilliant. She knew, having graduated with a first class, and the best graduating student of her set. And being her, she just couldn’t let it be, so, she kept trying even after being promoted thrice at The Hudsons the nation’s top investment bank.

“Hello cutie pie it’s time to get up!” Nana said cheerfully as she drew the curtain. Thelma groaned and sunk deeper into the bed. Nana had been her nanny since she was four. It was a big compound so her dad had built a house for the nanny and her children. Being an only child it was fun growing up with her children but…

“My darling. It’s your wedding today. There’s so much to be done. I’d expect you to be up by now.” Her mother said in a matter-of-fact way typical of her mum. She pulled off the duvet and tapped her gently. ‘Thelma, my baby girl is getting married!” Her mum said holding her gently until she finally willed herself to get up. The hug was warm. Her perfume was exotic as usual. Her mum was strikingly beautiful. She smiled. She got her looks from her mother and height from her dad.

Thelma was excited when she got the invite for the final interview as an investment manager. A young but brilliant one using the words of the Vice President. She arrived at the Radisson just in time as she was ushered into the CEO’s office.

He was a tall and strikingly handsome man with nicely manicured fingers. She smiled. “Please have a seat” he said. Oh his voice. He had a very beautiful baritone voice. She smiled again. “So, tell me about yourself” he said staring deeply into her eyes. She was startled and somewhat annoyed. After a thirty minute epistle of her life which quite frankly she deemed unnecessary, he smiled, stood up, stretched out his hand and said, “welcome to the Radissons”. She was startled. She got up, her knees almost giving way under his intense gaze. Her heart raced. As she took his hand trying to muster a firm handshake, he smiled warmly. That was the last straw.

She avoided her mum’s gaze, as she walked towards the bathroom. Her mother held her hand for a second and turned to Nana and said – “she’s having wedding jitters”. They both sighed mischievously. She rolled her eyes, and grabbed her bathrobe. Just then, her father Chief Coker walked in. She smiled as he walked across the room to her. “Thelma Oluwateni Coker” he said. “You are my greatest pride and joy” he said hugging her warmly. She couldn’t help it anymore the tears just rolled down. He wiped them tenderly with his hands, and teased – “now see what Derin has caused”.

Derin. Oh Derin. Her head was cloudy. Derin had been her boyfriend for six months before he proposed. He had been just a family friend for years until  he asked her to dinner and officially asked her out. His attention to detail was something else. His love for her was out of the world. Derin was as handsome as he was cool headed. A self made man, he had returned from the States and started his group of companies – logistics, consulting, real estate, oil and gas. She wasn’t attracted to his money, it was his heart and purity that blew her mind. He had been everything she had ever wanted especially after surviving four failed relationships. She loved him dearly, especially since her father played the matchmaker, and everything turned out so nicely. She only wished he was there that night. Her phone rang. Her parents and Nana chorused – “Derin!”.

It was the Radissons’ annual dinner. Thelma had seriously contemplated not going, but had no choice since the CEO had mentioned the chairman, his father, was going to be in attendance, and it was company policy for all new intakes to meet him, usually at the dinner. She and Derin had gone shopping for her outfit. That was his way. He was always there for her and loved to shower her with gifts, love and his attention in spite of his busy schedule. They ended up leaving with four different outfits with matching accessories. Derin wasn’t excited about the dinner but as usual he wanted to encourage her to aim for the skies. So, the plan was they would go together. He didn’t like all those corporate guys with crisp suits he teased – especially not around his girl. Naturally she said nothing about the CEO and the effect he had on her. But then she thought to herself, I’ll just win the job and let it go – liar! She could almost hear everything in her body scream.

Derin was running late due to a meeting that lasted longer than planned. He dashed into the car and zoomed off but got caught up in the typical Victoria Island traffic. There was definitely no way he could make it down in time to pick her. A part of her was excited. “Focus girl!” She said out loud chiding herself. Nana wasn’t a fan of her going alone either especially as she watched Thelma blush over and over again as she got ready. Luckily for her, the dinner was a secret between herself, Derin and Nana, who also were the only ones who knew she was still pursuing the job at the Radissons. Her mum for one never liked the idea of the company while her father was totally indifferent as long as she was happy.

Thelma was running a little late but got there just in time. The Vice President who had taken a liking to her, was quick to show her around as she introduced Thelma to guests and colleagues. Secretly she was looking out for the dashing CEO when a hand caught hers from behind. “I’ll just steal her for a few moments” he said as his amazing baritone filled the air. She shivered a bit and wondered why she didn’t wear something thicker! Yeah right, came that silly voice from within her. He whisked her to the dance floor for his own introductions. He was playful and flirty all in one sweet package of cuteness. Girl, get a grip of yourself, she chided herself again. He drew her closer, at first she tensed up but then she couldn’t act all tense around her boss could she? She thought. No way! They danced slowly to Mariah Carey’s Always Be My Baby. He drew her a bit closer and she feared he was going to kiss her. She was somewhat excited. But instead he whispered – “my dad will see you now, come along”. She was stunned. He made his way to the foyer and she followed sheepishly.

Derin was excited. The day he had been waiting for was finally here. He went on and on and on while she barely uttered a word. “Let’s leave the lovebirds”, she heard her father say. “We definitely don’t want to be late.”As her parents walked out, her mum turned to Nana “please make sure she’s ready on time, and her makeup has to be pristine”. “Derin I love you” Thelma muttered trying more to convince herself than meaning it as an endearment. “I love you more” Derin replied. “Got to go now, we’ve got a wedding to attend”. Derin said in his typical boyish playfulness.

“Sit down my dear” Chief Williams the chairman said in a smooth baritone voice. Now she knew where his son got the voice from. “I hope my son has been a gentleman. He gets a bit tough sometimes but I promise you, he’s a great chap, you’ll love working with him” he said as he politely dismissed the CEO. “I guess you haven’t had anything yet” he said raising his hand as the waiter rushed to him holding a tray of ‘small chops’ while beckoning on the other waiter holding a tray with glasses of juice. They served her and left hurriedly. He was a cheerful old man and soon she felt comfortable around him. Now he was telling her about the good old days when he started his business, his rise from rags to riches and his values as a businessman. “Enough about me” he said. ‘Tell me something about you that’s not on your CV” he asked gently. She talked about how she was an only child, a striking look alike of her mother and how she was getting married this weekend. She then did something very unexpected. She invited him to her wedding as she brought out the invite from her purse. He paused for a moment, as he looked through the IV, she was worried that he was upset, but then he let out. “Young love… oh the feeling… oh the feeling. I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

Thelma got into the bath and turned on the shower. She needed ice. She hadn’t told Derin about how she thought she felt about her soon to be CEO. It made no sense. Even worse was the fact that he had been on her mind ever since she met him, which got worse after the dinner. There was just something that pulled her to him. She comforted herself by saying “I didn’t cheat on Derin” but deep down she knew if he had kissed her she wouldn’t have resisted – or would she…? She sighed aloud and wept, feeling totally ashamed. She got out of the bathroom, moisturised her body and applied a mild perfume. Derin’s favourite. She was going to marry her best friend, the one she loved. She smiled as Nana helped her into her wedding gown.

As Thelma left the foyer, Chief Williams started feeling unwell. His son rushed to his side, held him up and called the doctor. For some annoying reason, his father held onto his glass and refused to let it go. Luckily, it was just a scare. His fragile heart was still intact. He got away with a few injections and pills, while the doctor walked away with the glass cup in a sealed transparent bag. Chief Rotimi Williams looked at his son tapping him gently on the shoulder “your father is still here for good… my CEO!” Chief Williams said winking. “Now tell me, what did you think of that lady” he said smiling. “I kind of like her and I know you do too.”

The makeup artist did an excellent job. Thelma and Nana mimicked her mum  “pristine!” Then burst into laughter. Her jewelry set was given to her by her paternal grandmother. It was passed on from one generation to the next and she was expected to pass it on to her daughter or daughter in law. Nana’s eyes were misty. “My little girl is all grown up” she said. “Yes Nana, you and mum did a pretty good job if I may say so myself” Thelma said tickling her Nana.

It was a short drive from the house to the church. Thelma kept her head on her father’s shoulder all through. She was having serious doubts even though she knew deep down she was making the right decision. She raised her head and turned to her father. “Dad how did you know you made the right decision on your wedding day?” she said. Chief Coker sighed then smiled. “Mine was a different case. I loved your mother dearly and she was pregnant with you.”,  “Oh” Thelma said. “No, it’s not what you think. I wasn’t forced to marry her or anything of that sort. Your mum was my friend and first love, wished we had waited till marriage for all that stuff, but I am so glad to have you! You turned out to be the only one”. He said hugging her.

As they walked into the church the whole congregation arose as the organist played ‘here comes the bride’. Her father held her hand as he walked her down the aisle. He looked round and waved proudly to his friends, associates, family members and all. For some reason she couldn’t understand, she tripped and a hand steadied her. She felt the ‘current’ and knew who it was before she turned. It was the CEO of Radissons – Seyi Williams. Really! Like really! She thought. Focus girl – she told herself, as her father handed her over to Derin. Just then she saw the chairman and noticed the weird look on her mother’s face. Thelma blushed embarrassed fearing that her mum suspected something. Now you are imagining things, she thought to herself.

Derin was all smiles. He looked excited and absolutely handsome. He whispered into her ears “gorgeous one, this is it!”. Then came the part she dreaded. “Is there anyone who has any reason why these two should not be joined together in holy matrimony?” The priest said. She thought she felt her hand going up. Derin grabbed it. “Thelma what are you doing?” he said. “Nothing dear, just wanted to rub my neck” she said lying. She looked towards the CEO. He held her gaze. She stiffened. Derin stroked her hand and pulled it softly. Just then she noticed her mother turn uneasily towards Chief Williams who was strategically seated on the second row behind her parents. He raised his hand only to put it on his head as he rubbed it. Thelma wondered where his wife was, she could only see the Chairman and CEO.

They went through the vows smoothly. Thelma was relieved. Derin was ecstatic. Her father looked so proud. Her mother looked flushed. Yep, she was now Thelma Afolabi, she thought that sounded nice. She made all efforts to avoid the gaze of the CEO as she and Derin made it out of the church.

She wasn’t a picture person, so she excused herself for a bit as she made her way to the dressing room. Then she heard voices. First her mum, then Nana, then Chief Williams. “Rotimi, what are you doing here?” Her mum blurted. “Adetuke…’ she heard the deep baritone of Chief Williams’ voice. Adetuke ke, first name ke, she drew closer playing the Aproko. “Adetuke… how long do you think you’ll have kept this hidden?” said Chief Williams. “Kept what hidden Rotimi? Kept what hidden” her mum said. “Please keep your voices down, someone may hear” Nana knew the secret? Wow! She thought as she edged closer to the door. Thelma thought it wasn’t right to know her mother’s secret so she made to leave, just then Chief Williams blurted out “Thelma is my daughter!”. “Rotimi! Rotimi!” Her mother called out. “Maje kin da gbogbo e ru o” Chief Williams said angrily. “I have the DNA report to prove it. There you go!” Thelma heard Chief Williams say. It was a lie Thelma thought frantically, mum, Nana tell him it’s a lie – she thought, her head began to spin. Thelma made to leave but then came her mum’s voice. “Rotimi jor, se suru. Please be patient.” Her mum sighed. “I couldn’t marry you and my parents wanted me to marry Tayo.” “And her?” Chief Williams blurted. Her mum sighed again. “Things went bad after she lost her husband. She blackmailed me so I took her as Thelma’s nanny and settled her well” her mother said quietly. Nana made to interject but both her mum and Chief Williams thundered “shut up!”. “Well I just wanted to tell you that we’ve spent enough time here, before people start to wonder, the walls have ears you know” Nana said. Thelma knocked the door. “Mum! It’s time for the pictures” she manage to blurt out as she turned away and left.

First it was the picture with the couple alone. Thelma managed the brightest smile. Then came the picture with family. She survived that too. Then the pictures with friends and colleagues. She managed a tired smile.

As she and Derin made it into the car, Thelma turned to her new husband as tears welled up in her eyes. She wasn’t her father’s daughter. She was attracted to her brother. Her new father was her new Chairman and her brother her CEO. She knew she was jobless. She couldn’t take the job. She was ashamed and disgusted by her feelings for her new step brother. But she knew she couldn’t tell anyone. Not her father. Not Derin. Not her mum. And definitely not Nana. It was her burden to bear. What more could she do? She thought.

Derin thought those were tears of joy as he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. She knew better. The car zoomed off to the reception amidst cheers.

Hush…!

We all have secrets. But what’s interesting is the fact that God in spite of knowing our darkest secrets loves us anyway. He is ready to fix you, and make all things right if you’ll just reach out for Him today. That’s the best decision you can ever make.