CHAPTER 68

MERCY'S POV

FIVE YEARS LATER.

I stepped down from my BMW which Hakeem got for me as my birthday gift placing a sunshade on my face as I did. I walked down the parking lot returning the greetings of the other worker before entering my company.

Well not just mine but Anu's and I's own. we partnered together to form the company. It is not really a company though, we can call it an art gallery which befits it.

I am a renowned, worldwide photographer, yeah, a picture of mine went really global and now my services are high in demand right now. It has not been easy though, I would say it is the reward of hardwork.

Anu is an interior designer, her services are also high in demand. We partnered last two years ago. My works had a three months exclusive contract with her before it is taken to a gallery or being bought.

Most times, the people who demand her services end up buying my works or the other art works in the gallery.

I walked into the building, thanking God for leaving that hot sun and entering an AC filled building instead.

I greeted the workers present there too before getting into the VIP elevator. I tapped the top floor and watched the door get closed.

Anu spent a lot of money here, I don't blame her though, the money is in surplus. The VIP elevator is another proof too. It was so comfortable and I swear, if chairs can also be placed there, a big leather chair would have been placed there.

The elevator handle and bottons were all in gold.

I am not complaining sha, I love it.

The elevator pinged and I walked out of it, my heels making clicking sound as it touched the floor. The top floor had only mine and Anu's office.

I did not go to mine though, knew Anu have resumed and her Bugatti also prove me right. I got into her office instead without even knocking.

She was on a call so I just sat on the leather seat in front of her,

"look James, I can't anymore. I told you it was for fun only..... I know babe, I know but I don't feel that way...... come on James, I told you when we started that it is without any feelings attached... James, I have to go."

She said and cut the call.

Early in the morning and she was already breaking hearts.

We have both known each other for close to five years, we have been best friends for four and I can say I can't even count the hearts she has broken in that period. I gave her a pointed look once she dropped the phone but she just shrugged. James was a cute guy and it was obvious that he liked her but mama here does not like that idea.

"what happen to you? Don't even start your preaching this early in the morning."

I chuckled and dropped my purse on the table.

"and mama, remove your shades, you are inside."

I rolled my eyes and let out a hiss but still did as told,

"na you sabi."

I said back and made sure my scowl was visible, I was about to rant to her and she knew it.

"I thought you were not coming to work today, are you not going on that date with Hakeem?"

I hissed again immediately she said it. Exactly what I wanted to talk about. He made me dress up and everything, I even wore my stiletto heels today and my wine fitted gown which stopped midthigh. I looked hot right now, Anu and I planned the outfit together for the date and after dressing up and everything, he told me he had a yeye emergency meeting.

"that guy is not okay. He saw me dressing up oo and he did not tell me that he wants to cancel the date until I was done dressing up. I am even angry with him right now."

I said making Anu chuckle.

"that boy is not okay."

"I swear, emergency meeting my foot."

I said back, did I mention that we were back at Nigeria? Hakeem is working at their family company as the CEO of the aeronautic part of the company and that made him busy all the time but despite that we still had time to spare for each other.

"babe calm down."

"it Is just paining me, I thought he would propose this time. He has been dropping hints, sebi I told you now, he even asked me for my ring size. Why would he ask me that if he it is not that he is planning on getting me a ring? A wedding ring to be more specific."

She laughed at my outburst making me pout.

He has been dropping lots of hints, I am serious.

"look, maybe he wanted to get you a normal ring too?"

I rolled my eyes again, what is she saying now?

"you are not helping matters."

I said back resting my back on the seat.

"I can't dress like this for nothing. Let us go out together, you look hot already like this."

She rolled her eyes,

"you know I always look hot."

And she was not joking, I had to admit that she was right. She was wearing a gown similar to mine except hers was off shoulder. She had her bone straight original human hair packed high and dropping down while I parked my box braid high too and it was touching my butts.

"it is you that know. and I know you need to, after breaking up with James just now."

She sighed and placed her hands on the table, this girl and interior design, even her office and mine spoke someone professional did it. It looked beautiful with the wide window leaving us to the lovely view of the Eko Atlantic. Anytime I was stressed I would stand in front of the window and watch just how beautiful it was.

"I already told him that if there was a label to what we were it would be friends with benefits."

"babe, when do you want to settle? All these your friends with benefits stuff can't go on for ever."

She sighed,

"Look Mercy you cannot understand. And when are you and Hakeem finally going to get to it na. it is all your hormones that is affecting you."

I laughed out at what she just said, mumu girl.

"we are waiting till marriage but if we get engaged something must too go down."

I added a wink making her double over with laughter. I grinned while watching her laugh, if you see this girl with someone else outside you would think she is mute.

"the two of you be doing holy holy. Tell me you have not done something together."

"I never said we have not now but we have not just reach that stage. Are we going or not?"

I asked standing up from the seat.

She turned off her mac and stood up too. Advantages of being a CEO, you can leave any time you want but Hakeem does not seem to know that one because he would always be part of the last people to leave the company. I was proud of him though, after my baby became the CEO, their sales improved by a lot and when I mean a lot, I am saying it improved by millions of dollars.

She stood up too and we walked out of her office together. Standing in front of the elevator I remembered I had to take my mac home for some editing.

"babe I am coming, I will meet you downstairs."

I said and turned back to my office. I walked in and arranged my mac and its charger into the bag before stepping out. Tick tock by clean bandits played making me stop on my tracks and pick my phone.

It was Hakeem, what does he want now?

"hello babe."

He said and the thought of being angry with him flew out the window, I sat down on one of the couches in my office.

"hey."

"I just finished the meeting, so are you free for the date?"

I chuckled, see this guy ooo.

"you are not serious. I already made plans with Anu."

"please."

He begged and I could imagine the pout on his face,

"fine. And she has broken up with James oo."

"were they ever dating?"

I sighed, he would always make it seem somehow.

"whatever, are you coming to pick me?"

"yeah, I will reach your office in the next ten minutes or so."

"okay babe."

I said and cut the call, before I could stand up another call came in. from Idara this time.

I quickly picked the call,

"hey sis!"

"hey girl, your niece was asking of you."

I chuckled,

"bring her to Nigeria na."

I said and stood up from the chair. I walked out of the office and to the direction of the elevator. I know Anu would get angry if I make her wait any longer.

"I am busy Mercy. Or you would come and get her, she should live with you during the summer holiday."

I laughed out loud, I should come and get her.

I love my niece but that girl is troublesome. I might actually go get her though,

"I have heard. I will."

"you will?"

She squealed as if someone just dropped ten million dollars in front of her, I chuckled,

"yes, that is if her dad allows."

"Femi? He would be happy sef. Let me go and share the great news to everyone."

I laughed out loud again, she was definitely making a big deal out of it.

"okay. I will call you later."

"is the plan going? Hope I am not disrupting your date?"

Yeah, I told her about it too. I was just too excited to keep it alone and it might really happen.

"we are just going jare. I am nervous already."

"it will shock you he would not propose."

"you and Anu are the same."

She chuckled at that.

"I have to go, gist me how it turned out to be when you get home."

"sure thing."

We ended the call immediately the elevator opened.

I walked out the elevator and looked round the ground floor, different art works were arranged and I could easily spot Anu staring at an art work with a lady beside her.

I walked towards her quietly, once I got closer I realized they were having a conversation,

"here money talks."

Anu said rudely making me sigh. We needed more customers and her rude behavior was pushing the ones we had.

"I am so sorry about my colleague here. This is an art work by Yemisi Wade."

"it is alright, I knew as much."

The lady said with a warm smile, I smiled back.

"we also have Rini's work."

"Really, I will go check that out."

She said and walked away from our midst. She was dressed so diligently and walked with so much confidence in her steps.

"Anu what was that? we need more people here and that is how you would act?"

She rolled her eyes,

"sorry, I just don't see the reason why she will ask for my name."

"it is not an issue, Anu. You can even give her a fake name. you better find a way to bring people back. God knows I am trying my best."

"I am working on it. Tinu's gallery are having that show where new artist showcase their work, I will go there not to check and pick the most special artist. People will only be able to find his works here and of course we would promote it."

I nodded,

"sounds like a good idea. That means our date is cancelled."

"pelee, I have to go now."

I sighed and watched her sadly like I do not have plans of my own. we both walked out together,

"we are still going to the date. Pray for me."

I said once she was about to get into her car making her chuckle,

"mumu, you were now acting like you did not have plans too."

I winked,

"what can a girl do?"

She just laughed again and got into her car, zooming off at the same moment Hakeem parked his Mercedes Benz in front of me.

He stepped down looking handsome and yummy in that his blue suit, his first two buttons were left unbuttoned and his jacket was also not buttoned. My bad boy.

I smiled at him as we gave each other a hug. He dropped a kiss on my lips before opening the passenger door for me,

"thanks babe."

"Anything for my love."

I chuckled my stomach fluttering the way it would whenever he complimented me. I am still surprised how he still had all those effects on me despite the fact that we have been dating for close to eight years now.

"why did the meeting take such a little time?"

"well, I told them to rush. You were angry with me na."

I chuckled, so it was because I was angry. Let me just forget ring right now.

"when are you travelling again?"

"I told you last night now, next month."

I replied playing with his fingers which was on my lap.

"wow, do you have to go?"

I was travelling to Kenya for a tour and for pictures. It would be my first time going there but I was confident I would take good shots there.

"you know I have too."

He nodded,

"did I mention that you look hot today?"

"no."

"well you do."

I chuckled,

"you are not looking bad either."

I removed my mac from its bag and started with the editing. There was never a quiet time with us and this ride too was filled lots of talk.

"I told you that you should transfer her if you don't want to sack her."

We were currently talking about his secretary. It was obvious that she liked him and whenever I tell him about it, he would shrug it off. She was finally showed him her true colors and he was reporting her to me. he should better just deal with her himself, when I warned him he did not hear.

"that sounds like a good idea, I would do that."

I nodded and watched him park in front of the familiar restaurant. It has been close to six years since I have been here last. It was the restaurant we went too last before he traveled and it looked even more beautiful now.

I turned to him with a shocked look making him chuckle,

"wow, it looks even more beautiful."

"I know right."

He stepped down from the car and I waited for him to open the passenger's door before stepping out, I would have opened it myself but baba already said he would open it for me.

I stepped down and stared at the building in front of me, who remembers the building which resembled a ship? Yeah, that was where we were right now.

Hakeem held my hand and we walked towards the entrance like the power couple that we are.

"what is it babe? Just tell me."

I grinned,

"you won't believe it."

"you already said that a hundred times already just talk."

I grinned again,

"I signed a contract with windows to submit pictures for their latest edition. They need it for wallpapers."

He stopped on his track and turned to me with his mouth wide opened,

"you are joking right?"

I shook my head side my side making him laugh out. He pulled me closer giving me a sweet hug,

"I am so proud of you babe, have you told your mum or dad?"

"no just you and Anu learnt about it by default. Thanks."

"I am so fucking proud of you." He said before pulling back and dropping a kiss on my forehead.

"language mister."

I corrected,

"pardon me my mademoiselle."

"you are pardoned monsieur."

We both laughed at each other again before walking into the building, the inner design has also changed and it looked even more designed this time.

Hakeem stood in front of the receptionist,

"reservation under Hakeem."

"yes sir."

The receptionist quickly answered. Another waitress came to meet us immediately making me wonder how she called her so fast. The waitress walked in front of us leading us to where we will seat.

This time we did not seat in the ground floor eating with others, instead the waitress led us to another room.

This room looked kind of private, slow music were played in the back ground and the light ray reflected only on the table and two chairs in the center. Rose petals covered the floor adding another romance touch to the atmosphere.

"this is beautiful."

I muttered giving him a quick kiss on the lips. We walked towards the table and right at the center of the table was a ring, freaking ring!

A diamond ring! It looked so beautiful that I was entranced by its beauty. I stood captive watching how the diamond stone reflected, I could not believe this. Is he proposing right now?

I turned to him only to find him on one knee now. I placed my hand on my mouth to stifle the excited scream about to get out of my mouth.

He looked nervous as he watched my every actions,

"Peters Mercy, my one and only, I have known you for close to eight years now and there are some times that I wonder, what if I did not leave that house and pack into your apartment? What if I did not meet you? what if Trisha did not bring you to the restaurant? Would I have been able to survive?

And really I have no answer because I don't even want to think about my life without you in it. You make me a better man, you make me want to become a better man.

Your smiles are something that I would always look forward too, your chuckles and loud laugh makes me laugh too even in my moodiest time. I love you Mercy, I love you so much that the thought of losing you can kill me.

I love it when you scowl, I love it when you rant, I love it when you grab your camera to take a shot, I love it when we cuddle, I love every memory with you.

I know I have lots of baggage and even though you have helped made them lighter, I promise that I will always be there with you and for you. I promise that every day of our lives I would give you a reason to smile so bright.

I promise that every step I take, I will take it with you in mind. I promise to keep on making you happy. I promise not to make you cry. I promise to be your Hakeem forever babe. I love you, I love you so damn much babe.

Will you marry me?"

I cleaned the tears that managed to escape my eyes. I chuckled and sobbed at the same time, It just felt so surreal.

Of course I would marry him even though he did not say anything and just dropped the ring like that.

I did not know how long I was staring at him and wondering if I was dreaming until I heard him talk again,

"babe?"

I chuckled again, it looks like it is real oo. His words rang in my head and more tears fell from my eyes.

"yes, Hakeem. I would marry you!"

THE END!

we have finally reached the end of Love is Hard. 

it has been a tough journey, a long one to be exact.

i just want to say thank you to all my readers, you all are the best.

you followed this book right from the start to the end and your support kept me going.

there would be bonus chapters added as christmas gift but that would be later.

the end is just the beginning,

watch out for more in the crazy night which would start by next year.

happy new year in advance,

this year has been filled with obstacles but we all managed to scale through,

thank God!

i love you all,

2021 in a bit.

stay safe,

Eniola 💗