Whispers of the Heart

By Chijioke Osuji-Ekwelem

When Dino loses his wife of ten years to a terminal illness, all hope seems to be lost save for Tonia who quickly comes to his aid, stands in as his strong pillar of support and helps him get his life back in order. But he is in for a rather rude shock as events unfold with time to bring him face to face with the reality that he is falling hard for her....and especially when he is not supposed to.
Tonia, following the tragic loss of her only sister has picked up the reins of her life and is ready to face her future with all the boldness she can muster... a new job, a bright future and plenty of attention from the men folk.
But when fate begins to draw her closer to the man she least expects to harbor deep feelings for, she knows she’s walking on a time bomb and has no choice but to question the whispers of her heart and rely on her unwavering faith in God.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Chijioke Osuji-Ekwelem
• Release date: Jun 26, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005006532

Chijioke Osuji-Ekwelem

Chijioke Osuji-Ekwelem is a Nigerian author who started writing at the age of twelve and has published over ten books. She is a trained lawyer and is happily married with four adorable children. She writes intriguing romance stories set in Nigeria. She is a hopeless romantic who loves happy endings, appreciates nature, enjoys reading and writing and watching movies at the cinema.Connect with her on her website www.fictionpen.com

Book preview

WHISPERS

OF THE HEART

CHIJIOKE OSUJI-EKWELEM

COPYRIGHT ©2020 CHIJIOKE OSUJI-EKWELEM

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without written permission of the author.

DISCLAIMER

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and situations in this story are purely fictional and products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events, is coincidental.

COVER PHOTO: Bestbe Models from Pexels

CONTENT

DEDICATION

BLURB

GLOSSARY

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

EPILOGUE

A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DEDICATION

To Dr. Mrs. Hope Gloria Ngozi Osuji, my beautiful mother, role model and super woman.

BLURB

When Dino loses his wife of ten years to a terminal illness, all hope seems to be lost save for Tonia who quickly comes to his aid, stands in as his strong pillar of support and helps him get his life back in order. But he is in for a rather rude shock as events unfold with time to bring him face to face with the reality that he is falling hard for her….and especially when he is not supposed to.

Tonia, following the tragic loss of her only sister has picked up the reins of her life and is ready to face her future with all the boldness she can muster... a new job, a bright future and plenty of attention from the men folk.

But when fate begins to draw her closer to the man she least expects to harbor deep feelings for, she knows she’s walking on a time bomb and has no choice but to question the whispers of her heart and rely on her unwavering faith in God.

PROLOGUE

She went round and made sure everyone was settled for the night. Dino had eaten a small portion of the dinner she set for him and the children had taken theirs and retired to their room where she spent an hour curled up under the sheets with both of them lying against her till they fell asleep. It was after she had made sure they were fast asleep that she covered them with the duvet and headed towards the kitchen to fix herself a light cup of hot chocolate. She had eaten nothing the whole day and still couldn’t find the appetite even after the stress and emotional drain the day had brought with it.

Sitting at the kitchen counter top with eyes glazed over, she clasped her mug in between her palms, letting the heat seep through them and the steam gently rise and snake in the air before she noticed him walk in.

She made to get up at once.

Brother Dino, do you need something?

He raised a weary hand and shook his head slowly before he leaned gently against the counter top. The white T shirt hugged his expansive chest, his height towering above her. Despite the sorrowful look on his face, he was still a very good-looking man.

Have you had anything to eat yourself? he asked, his voice, a warm baritone.

I’m not hungry.

You should eat something. I forced myself to eat and you should do likewise. We both need all the strength we can gather during this trying time.

She nodded. She knew he was right but she just couldn’t bring herself to admit the fact that her sister was no more. The burial had gone smoothly two days previously and they had just returned to Lagos today. After all the stress of travelling, running errands and getting everyone settled in once again, she surprisingly seemed to have an unending energy source that wasn’t running out anytime soon and wondered where the strength was coming from. But alas! It had to be God! Who was she fooling?

My grace is sufficient for you for my strength is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

The memory verse she had rehearsed one too many times in Sunday school with Maria popped up in her memory almost at once. She knew she had to be strong, not just for herself or for Dino but also for the kids and her parents. Everyone seemed to see her as their rock; or maybe because she was trying so hard to be. She snapped out of her thoughts and realized he was waiting for her response.

I’ll just round up with the cleaning then I’ll find something to eat before I go to bed. You don’t have to worry about me. She said as she fetched the table cloth she had been using to clean the counter top.

It’s okay. He attempted a smile but his eyes still wore the sad look in them.

The stress had been much on everyone, both emotionally and physically but having Tonia around to help out with the kids brought some comfort with it, he realized. It was like a part of their mother was still with them.

Tonia, I really appreciate your coming back with us and helping out with the kids. It really means a lot to me. Thank you so much.

Brother Dino, you don’t have to thank me. Kaife and Makuo are like my own children. I practically carried them like mine when they were babies. And it’s okay. It’s the least I can do, really.

He nodded slowly and placed a hand on her shoulder before he left the counter.

Try and get some sleep though.

I will.

She watched him leave the kitchen and head back to the room he had once shared with her late sister and heaved a deep sigh before she reached for the mug and drank its contents slowly, praying to God for the strength she so badly needed.

CHAPTER ONE

ONE MONTH LATER

The youth service postings came out and Tonia discovered with mixed feelings that she was posted to Rivers State. Considering the fact that it was blessed with several multi-nationals and oil money seemed to be flowing within it, she thought it was a good place to be posted to. However she was sad to leave Lagos.

Dino had some friends who worked in the oil sector and securing a place where she could be posted for her primary assignment was a piece of cake. He placed a few calls to some contacts in one of such companies and a Director whom he had done a favour some time in the past was more than willing to assist.

He saved a spot for Tonia immediately in their administrative office. As mind-boggling as it was, she already had a mouth-watering job waiting for her even before she arrived the state and before embarking on the two weeks orientation camp.

Her parents were elated at the news and called to thank Dino for the opportunity. He was indeed a blessing to their family and had always been generous to a fault.

Tonia visited him and the children as often as she could during the service year. On such occasions, she would visit the local market, come back with foodstuff and prepare soups and stews which she’d store in several Tupperware bowls in the freezer, enough to last them for at least a month or two before she would pay them another visit. She would then take the kids to the park and spend quality time with them, discussing their school work, their friends and how they were coping generally.

It was during one of such visits towards the end of the service year that she had sat watching television while Dino came back after seeing a friend off.

What have you done with those children? How come the house is so quiet? he asked as he sat on the sofa beside hers. Kaifechukwu and Makuochukwu could be a handful when they chose to be which was more often than not.

She chuckled. They’re in their room, doing their homework.

Seriously? Did you bribe them?

She laughed. How do you mean? Why would I bribe them to do their homework?

You have no idea what these children put me through just to get them to do their homework when you’re not around. It’s like a battlefield. I’m seriously considering sending them off to boarding school.

After rounds of ice-cream and Nintendo games at the park, plus some motivational talk, I think I can get them to do pretty anything I want them to, she smiled proudly.

He gave her thumbs up.

Well you’ve always been great with them, he commended her before they settled to watch the TV show airing on the screen.

His eyes roamed from the screen back to her where she sat oblivious, still concentrating on the show. She had on long box-braids in a chestnut shade of brown which complemented her creamy complexion. Very expressive eyes fanned with long dark lashes, high cheek bones and delicate features made her face very attractive. She was of average height, with ample flesh and curves in the right places such that one could not walk past her without turning to get a second look; not to mention her carriage and poise spoke of excellent upbringing. She was a remarkable woman, selfless and generous; truly a rare breed. To think that she had a long journey ahead the next day back to Rivers State and yet she had spent her weekend, cooking, cleaning and attending to his kids despite the fact that he had a paid help who lived with them was simply amazing.

How soon are you leaving tomorrow? he broke the silence.

As early as eight in the morning. I have some things I need to attend to before I prepare for work the next day.

Oh! he muttered. He always hated to see her go after spending a long weekend with them but go she must.

Dan says he’s planning to retain you as Admin Assistant at the company.

She smiled softly. Yes, he told me.

Congratulations then.

I’m thinking of declining his offer.

Excuse me? he looked baffled. Why would you do a thing like that? That’s an offer on a platter of gold. A permanent job in an oil servicing company. Come on, Tonia.

I know it’s a juicy offer but I was thinking… if I take it, I won’t be able to come back and spend time with Kaife and Makuo. I prefer Lagos to Port Harourt and family comes first, you know, she stated. Besides, I believe I can always get another good job here in Lagos, God-willing.

That’s true. His heart melted at the thought that she was putting his family first before her personal ambitions. When are you passing out?

Next month. I have just this month and a few weeks to go.

Before you graduate from copper to gold.

She laughed out loud. "Yes o! Thank God you didn’t say Otondo copper!"

He bellowed in laughter, joining her. In that case I’ll need to keep my eyes open for a good offer for you here in Lagos. How’s that?

That would be wonderful, Brother Dino. Thanks a lot.

I should be thanking you for considering leaving your oil-company job just because of us.

She looked down and smiled, saying nothing as they both focused on the TV show once more.

***

ONE YEAR LATER

Phoenix Consulting had gone global with foreign investors rolling in and showing interest in hiring the services of the consulting firm. Dino had moved to a bigger and expansive house in one of the estates in Lekki and the kids were now in a top notch international boarding school with global repute, foreign teachers and brow-raising fees to go with it.

Dino’s career was growing in leaps and bounds, not only was his personal company at its peak, he had also gotten promoted to Director of Procurement position in Hyperia Pharmaceuticals, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in the country, with a large pay check and mouth-watering perks to go with it.

Keeping to his promise, he had secured a position for Tonia in the company in the Human Resources Department where she was assisting his close friend and colleague, Brian Oti, whom they nicknamed Bourdeau after he wouldn’t stop rattling about his vacation in the commune located in the south-eastern part of France.

Dino warned her seriously not to have any relations with him asides from work as Bourdeau was a chronic womanizer and had a reputation of having slept with all the interns in the company. He didn’t discriminate and went after everything in skirt, despite the size, complexion or ethnicity. He was a warrior lord when it came to women affairs and made no attempt to hide it.

Tonia was beautiful in every sense of the word and seemed to be growing even more beautiful by the day, Dino realized and the last thing he wanted was for her to fall prey to a man like Bourdeau, not under his watchful eyes would he let that happen. But Bourdeau was not the only one showing interest in the beautiful new recruit.

There were a lot of young men on the floor where Tonia worked and she seemed to have caught the attention of most of them. They took turns to pay for her lunch on a daily basis while some practically offered to help her with most of her work.

The attention was a bit overwhelming for her but she only had to mention the fact that she was related to the Director of Procurement and they stayed on their respective lanes and gave her a breathing space.

They all knew and feared Dino Ofodile and no one wanted any trouble with him. No one but Kenneth Itigba dared to stand their ground in the pursuit to win the affection of the beautiful new recruit on the third floor.

Kenneth was a classy and neat fellow with good pedigree and excellent manners. He was a gentleman to the core and had an excellent record of being one of the best IT professionals in the company. He had met Tonia on a particular day when she had issues with her system and his boss had assigned him to go check out the crashed system.

On getting there, he had been mesmerized by her beauty and poise and had fixed the faulty system sooner than anyone had anticipated.

The next day, he had dropped by at her office to check on the performance of the system and she had expressed her appreciation once more, saying she had no issues with the system ever since.

He had politely asked for her number and had given her his just in case she had any further challenges on her system or anything at all and their conversations had gradually begun to grow from then onwards.

It was the second week that he asked her out for lunch. She had said yes and unfortunately had gotten an assignment with a 2 o’clock deadline to meet. This had delayed their lunch time and she had expressed how sorry she was but he offered to wait till she was ready.

Okay, let’s say three o’clock then. I’m done with the report. Let me just round up a few things here and I’ll meet you downstairs, she said to him through the intercom.

That’s fine. he responded before the line went dead.

Her cell phone rang the next minute and she saw it was Dino calling.

Are you done with work? I’m heading home.

Urm….no not really.

By this time? It’s almost three o’clock. Is that how Bourdeau overworks you there?

No. not really. I just have a few things to do.

Okay. I’ll wait for you.

No no, you don’t have to. I’ll find my way once I’m done.

A frown creased his brow. He wondered why she would be refusing riding with him when they were actually living in the same house.

Okay. I’ll see you later then.

Okay. Bye.

Thirty minutes later, she was done with work and slipped her feet into her stiletto heels before she headed downstairs with her handbag. Kenneth was waiting for her by the time she made it to the ground floor and he offered to help her with her bag which she declined with a chuckle. Together, they strolled out of the building, discussing how their days went and laughing at some silly jokes Kenneth cracked. It was when they got to the kerb leading towards the parking lot that Tonia instinctively looked back and saw Dino’s