Turned

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Jane was home alone after a hectic day at work. Not like she was sleeping but she decided to shut her eyes while lying on the couch in the sitting room. She was having her quiet moments when she heard Fiona screaming her name from a distance. At first, she thought her subconscious was playing tricks on her because Fiona had texted that she would be going for the weekend at her man's place.

After ignoring the first sound of Fiona's voice, the voice echoed again but this time, it felt closer. Immediately Jane jolted from the couch and rushed to the door to see if it was a cry for help. But just before she could open the door, Fiona badged in swinging the door open with full force, panting heavily like someone who just finished running a Sprint. As she struggles to speak, Jane tries to calm her down. She led her to the couch she was lying on and got her a glass of water.

Fiona didn't even wait for the water to go down fully before yelling, "Babe! I saw Wale! I saw Wale with another woman checking out wedding rings. After which they proceeded to the wedding gown section.” Fiona reached out for her bag and brought out her phone showing Jane some pictures she took of them. Jane's hands trembled, her eyes welled up with tears seeing her beloved with another woman. Like it wasn't enough, Fiona continued to add petrol to fire, “You need to see how his arms were wrapped around this woman. Jane! your man is gone, what are you doing?"

Jane did not know how to react to this news, she has been dating Wale for the past seven years and not once has Wale spoken about marriage. Anytime she tries to bring it up, especially seeing that he's now financially stable, Wale will brush it aside with the excuse that he's not ready.

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For a very long time, Wale has been without Job. He has been surviving on Jane's salary. The whole news of Wale with another woman came crashing down heavily on Jane like an earthquake.... She staggered and managed to get a seat on the same couch with Fiona.

Sliding her finger in-between each other, Jane cupped her hands and placed it underneath her chin. She took in several deep breaths, freed her fingers and placed her palm on her jaw. She couldn't utter any word, she just sat down with tears rolling down her cheek. She thought about all the times she denied herself luxury because she needed to come through financially for Wale and also all the suitors she had turned down to remain faithful to him.

Amidst tears and still in denial, Jane tried to confirm again from Fiona, "are you sure it is Wale you saw?"

"So I do not know Wale again? I will see another man and call him Wale? What foolish question are you even asking? Is that not him in the photos in the phone that you are holding?" Fiona fired, then continued in a slightly higher tone, "I have warned you severally before Jane, do not put all your eggs in one basket now see your life, look at what you have done to yourself. A man you gave your youth to, a man you slaved for, look how he repaid you." Fiona's words were like salt to injury causing Jane to cry harder.

"No! Wale cannot treat me this way, all my sacrifices? He thinks he can dump me and move on with another woman? No! I won't take this".... Jane rushed her car keys from the shelf but Fiona quickly held her back before she could exit the house.

"What do you think you want to do? To go and confront him? You want to invite more disgrace to yourself? Wait! You think he will admit? Apologize to you and leave the other woman?” Fiona scoffed, then continued, “you are even dumber than I thought you were."

"So what should I do? I'm in pain, Fiona! I'm hurt" Jane burst out crying some more.

"Good, that's exactly how I want you to feel so you will gather enough courage to administer your revenge and get your pound of flesh.

Now you listen to me, act like all is well, while you get involved with other men that will give you all the luxury and fun that you deserve.” Fiona paused like she remembered something, she looked at Jane sternly then questioned, “your birthday is coming soon right?"

Jane lowered and raised her head slightly affirming yes to Fiona's question.

"Good! Now this is what you are going to do, you see those men you turned down? Start calling them back. You will gather enough money from them to throw a big birthday bash. At the party, you will publicly introduce whoever gives you the most money as your boyfriend, leaving the other men who won't be invited as financial backup. Then....."

"How do I just start calling these men and start asking for money for my birthday that is in two months time?" Jane interrupted wearing a furrowed brow and a scrunched forehead.

"Keep quiet and listen. You will tell them you are financially stranded, you are sick and need to go for an operation. Trust me, any man who really wants you will send you money for anything health related."

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Fiona sounded so sure with her plans but Jane wasn't comfortable, she kept having double thoughts and felt she should speak to Wale about the whole thing but Fiona wouldn't let her. Every time, Fiona would ring in Jane's ear how confrontation won't yield anything as Wale would just deny.

Days passed and Jane acted like all is well, she and Wale communicated and saw like they used to. At first, Jane was consumed with so much anger but she put up a good show and pretended to be happy.

In a short while, after being with several men on Fiona's coaching, Jane became more at ease as she felt she was getting her pound of flesh by cheating back on her Wale.

She also became overly demanding, forcing Wale to meet her every demand. Jane's new found attitude was starting to get to Wale, he tried to talk about it with her but got brushed off. Both Jane and Wale continued to patch their relationship.

On another end, Fiona the master planner has coached Jane so well that she's now a pro in getting whatever she wants from men and in such a short time, she has gathered some good amount of money and everything was set for her birthday.

On the day of her birthday, she invited the most generous one amongst her boyfriends and even made him chairman of the occasion. Wale was also invited despite not being involved in the birthday planning. Jane was so brutal in getting her pound of flesh that she invited Wale's friends and family members who live around. It was a big batch and Wale wondered how Jane managed to pull it off.

Soon after, tongues started to wag because Jane was with another man at the high table instead of Wale.

“Guy what's going on? Why are you here and your babe is with another man on the high table?” Wale's best friend interrogated Wale.

Faking a laugh while trying to mask his confusion, Wale lied and covered up for Jane, saying that the man is Jane's brother.

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Wale was keeping his cool until it was time for the celebrant dance. Without waiting to be invited as the celebrant’s dance mate, he walked up to Jane at the high table extending his hand for a dance.

“What do you think you are doing?” Jane questioned Wale while eyeballing Fiona for a guide on what to do next.

“Can I have this dance?” Wale said smiling. A smile that soon turned to tears.

“What do you mean by can I have this dance? Why not go and dance with the girl that you are set to marry?” Fiona attacked Wale. By now Jane's new boyfriend Andy was also losing his cool.

“Jane what's going on? Fiona? What's happening, who is this guy and what does he want?” Andy questioned.

“Mr man I should be the one asking that question, who are you?” Wale fired. Hearing Wale's voice oozing of anger, his friends and relatives quickly got up to check what's going on.

“Wale, listen, I don't want any trouble, I invited you to this party to tell you that we are done, we are over” Jane summoned courage and revealed to Wale.

“What do you mean we are done Jane? You have been cheating on me?” Wale questioned placing both hands on his chest.

“Cheating? Oh my God! You are so shameless Wale! No ounce of guilt at all” Fiona roared.

She grabbed her phone from her bag, brought out the pictures of Wale and the other woman. Waving it for everyone close by to see, Fiona yelled… "This lying cheating bastard thinks he can play my friend but no Sir, she has me and we are wiser.”

By now, Andy was too embarrassed, so he got up and angrily left the party. Jane tried to run after him but Wale stopped her.

“You think I was playing you?” Wale questioned Jane with a shaky voice.

“Listen Wale, we are done. It's over, go and be with whoever you want to marry.”

“I swear on my life Jane, I have never been with another woman since I met you, I mean…”

“Liar! Jane, come let's leave this place, don't listen to this cheating bastard.” Fiona dragged Jane's hand to exit but got blocked by Wale. Standing in front of Jane, he went down on one knee and brought out a box containing a ring from his pocket.

Jane's eyes shone, both Fiona and Jane opened their mouths in surprise.

“The ring, the wedding shop, they were all for you babe. I had wanted it to be a surprise. That girl is a colleague who I have been discussing with for long concerning not knowing what ring to get you. Seeing that she has the same finger size as yours, we went to shop for the ring together. I will never cheat on you Jane.” Wale explained amidst tears.

The whole party was a mess and emotions were high. Fiona didn't know how to salvage the situation with Jane. She didn't even know how to process Jane's emotions as Jane just stood there motified, staring at the ring.