AFTER EFFECT.

It's been weeks since Michael's episode with Camille, he is in his office getting buried in work and trying unsuccessfully to get rid of all thoughts of her.

Sometimes, he is able to forget about her, other times, she creeps up in his thoughts darkening his mood for moments at a time like now. Why couldn't he forget about her? He asked himself for the umpteenth time. After all, she's not the first girl he would have a one night stand with. Sure, she made quite an impression on him, but what was so special about her that he couldn't bring himself to forget? She wasn't even that beautiful, so, what's the problem?

He is still busy with work when his secretary rings to inform him of his mother's presence in the reception. He tells her to show his mother in wondering what she could actually want that couldn't wait till he got home.

A knock on the door jerks him out of his reverie and he looks up to see his mother make her entry elegantly dressed as usual.

"Hi, Mom."

He stands up from his desk to give her a peck and  usher her into a seat.

"Hello, son. How are you doing?"

She replies sitting comfortably in the seat he offers.

"I am good mom. What are you doing here?"

He asks her going round the table back to his seat.

"Am I not welcome in my son's place of work?"

"Of course you are, Mom. It's just that I know we saw each other before I left for work this morning. Hope no problem? What would you like to drink?"

"I am okay. I was in the area and just thought to check up on you. Don't bother offering me anything. I am good."

"Alright, Mom. Thanks for checking in on me. How has your day been so far?"

"You are welcome, son. My day has been good I guess. I just went out to do some shopping. I have been bored sick out of my mind alone at home. I almost regret not going with your father on the trip he went. The house is so lonely."

"Sorry, Mom. He would be back soon. We both know he can't stand being away from you for too long."

She smiles in acknowledgment.

"Neither can I. So, how's work?"

"Business has been good lately, deals are getting closed and contracts are getting signed. Is that not what you and dad wanted?"

"Don't be like that, Michael. Admit it to yourself if you won't to anyone else, you enjoy it. You think I haven't noticed the proud gait in your walk these days? It comes with a feeling of importance associated with your acheivements. Tell me you are not proud of yourself".

He smiles grudgingly at her.

"Okay, fine. It's true. I really do enjoy working. Thanks for giving me the push, you and Dad. I really appreciate it."

"It's okay. I knew you would come to see reason."

"How's Mitch doing? I hardly see him at home these days. He leaves home before I am awake and I don't see him before going to bed."

Dropping her voice to a suitable tone of gossip. She leans closer to his table smiling.

"Don't tell him I told you, but your brother is in love."

"You don't mean it, Mom."

He chuckles incredulously.

"Did he tell you that himself? I thought he was going to get married to his work with the way he's always buried in piles of it. I was beginning to think my brother would die a virgin."

"How do you know he's a virgin? That he doesn't sleep around doesn't mean he's not into girls. Not everyone is going to be like you. To answer your question, he didn't tell me, but a mother can always tell these things. He always calls a particular girl before he leaves home, and right after he gets back. He doesn't know but I am usually around the corner watching."

She says winking at him.

"Lord, Mom. You are something else."

He replies with a grin spread across his face.

"Speaking of girls, are you seeing anyone?"

"I knew you would still get to the real reason why you came here. You don't fool me, Mom. I didn't buy your story of being in the area one second. You have come to hound me about dating again. Really! Mom. I am at work. I could do without the distraction."

"Okay, busted."

She raises her hands up in mock surrender. Putting on a tone of seriousness, she sits upright in her seat.

"I am worried about you. You ought to have a stable relationship by now. How long are you going to keep changing girls like underwear? You are not getting any younger."

"Gosh! Mom. Why is it only me you are always getting worried about? You just said Mitch is getting serious with a girl, isn't that enough for you?"

"It isn't, son."

She shakes her head vehemently.

"It's just not enough for me to stand by and watch you not be happy. You need to find a level headed girl to get serious with."

"What makes you think I am not happy? I am happy, Mom, honestly."

"You are not happy, I see you brooding these days. You need stability in your love life. So, tell me, what's got you brooding?"

Chuckling, he shakes his head at his mom.

"You are like the village gossip. Nothing ever seems to go unnoticed by you."

"Give me credit for raising you, I can tell your mood just by looking at you. Out with it son, what's the matter?"

Sighing in resignation knowing fully well she won't back off till he tells her, he launches into his story.

"I am not actually brooding. It's this girl I met......."

"Finally."

She interrupts him rolling her eyes in her head.

He ignores her interruption and continues.

"I don't know, I just haven't been able to get her off my mind. We only slept together once, but she's crazy. She doesn't seem to have an atom of respect for me. We once had a brush and it led to our time together ending badly. I am not sure, a part of me just wants to see her again, against my better judgment."

"Then call her. She just might be just what you need. You can't have every girl fawning over you. If you like her, call her."

"I don't have her number. I am not even sure I like her. Even if I wanted to call her, I don't have her number. I still wouldn't if I did."

"If you are not sure you like her, there's only one alternative. If you don't see her again, how would you know? If you don't have her number, look for it or better yet, look for her. Why wouldn't you call her if you had her number?"

"I told you mom, our time together didn't end well. I might have said some hurtful things to her. I am not sure how she would respond to me. Not like she didn't say annoying stuff to me too. In fact, she started it."

"Look at you, talking like a child. She started it? You need to take responsibility for your actions. What did you say to her?

He lowers his head slowly averting his gaze from his mother's.

"I might have implied that she was a prostitute."

"How can you say that? It's such a demeaning thing to say to a woman."

"There we go again, Mom. That's the problem I usually have with you? You are saying it's my fault? You women have got to be the most confused fellows on earth. You all go on droning about feminism, equal rights, and all. So, I am supposed to keep quiet when she was insulting me? Aren't we supposed to be equals? What did I do wrong?"

"You see son, feminism is a reaction, not an action. A reaction to how women have been treated over the years. Would you call your male counterpart a prostitute in the face of an argument? I am sure you wouldn't. You didn't treat her as an equal if you had, you wouldn't have said such. Besides calling a woman a prostitute is so low. It says more about you than about the woman."

"You can be so complicated at times. What am I supposed to call a prostitute? Let's just call a spade a spade."

"How about calling women who get paid to sleep with men sex workers? They are also working and getting paid for it. Why the discrimination? All they are doing is offering a service for money. How is that any different from what you are doing?"

"Totally different, Mom. I don't lay on my back for money."

"Not all of them lay on their backs, some are actually on top depending on the occasion."

"Mom! Stop it. I feel like your too many degrees have gotten you more exposed than you should be. This is Nigeria, not overseas. Things are done differently and issues judged differently here. How can you be justifying prostitution?"

"I am not justifying anything, I have just learned not to judge. The girl in question, she's not a sex worker though is she?"

"She's not. I just said what I said to insult her."

"That was so low of you. You owe her an apology.".

She declares authoritatively.

"I would accommodate no argument from you on this. You simply can't win."

"Can you and Dad be any more similar? Always talking about apologies. Why should I be the one to apologize? Why are you even supporting a girl you have never met?"

"That's because it's the right thing to do. I don't care who is at fault, and I am not supporting her, but there are lines you should never cross, words you should never say. You are a grown man and apologizing when you are wrong doesn't make you weak, it shows strength. A real man knows when to apologize for his wrongdoings."

Humbled by her words, he nods.

"Okay. I would seek her out and apologize. What makes you think she would even accept my apology? She's very rude and saucy."

"You can't know until you try."

She raises an eyebrow questioningly.

"Rude and saucy? I feel like you just met a female version of yourself. I really can't wait to see how this plays out."

"I would try to apologize to her but I would have you know that I am nothing like her. I am not rude and definitely not saucy. Men are not saucy, Mom. Come off it."

"Whatever, let's just agree to disagree, forget about that. Here's the thing son."

She begins excitedly.

"It doesn't matter if she accepts your apology or not, what matters is that you should do right by you. If she accepts, fine if not, you have done the right thing and that's that. There's a silver lining to all these you know?"

"What's that Mom?"

"It gives you an opportunity to see her again and decide if you like her. Who knows? She just might like you back."

"If you think so. I would try to see her within the week."

"You know where to find her?"

"Yeah, she has a eatery close by."

"That's good. Just make sure your apology is heartfelt. Let her know you mean it."

"I would, Mom. Thanks for the advice. I feel better already."

She stands with her bag in hand and pats his back.

"That's my boy."

"Are you leaving already?"

He asks in surprise.

"I have accomplished my mission here so, yes I am leaving. Make sure you come home in time for dinner."

"Sure Mom."

He stands .

"Let me see you to the door.

He sees her off to the door and gives her a peck before returning to his seat. He picks up his cell phone and dials a number after deliberating in silence for a while.

The phone rings for a while before a clear cut no-nonsense voice answers the call on the other end.

"Hello Michael, how are you doing? What do you have for me?"

"I'm doing great. I need you to do something for me, I need it done by tomorrow. Think you can handle that?"

"Yeah sure. I am on retainer for your family, and you know that I always deliver. Send me the details and I would get started right away."

"I would do that as soon as I drop the call. You take care and have a good day now, bye."

He clicks off and immediately proceeds to send the details to the private investigator who has been on his family's retainer for years.