Chapter 1: The client before the client
Author's Note: Hi, I'm Amara Cole, 30, Lagos marriage counselor. I tell women to leave useless husbands — until I met Seyi Adebayo, my 4pm married client. This is how it started.
I tell women to leave their useless husband everyday. Today, I am the useless husband mistress.
Seyi Adebayo was not supposed to be my last client on Thursday. He was supposed to be referred to Dr. Bayo, male, 36years, architect,married,"emotional distance" that's Dr. Bayo specialty . Not mine.
But Dr.Bayo left early. The rain had started, the light flickered and the AC hummed low on the inverter. Seyi was already sitting on my couch.
He doesn't look like a man with marriage oroblens, he looks like the kind of man that causes them. Clean white kaftan, beard trimmed low, wedding ring he keeps spinning. Quiet
in that rich Lagos way the kind that doesn't talk to much but when he does you listen.
"My wife doesn't listen" he said "but you do" he finished. I should have penned that down, thats what therapist does. Write everything down. Don't feel it.
Instead I replied`listening is my job, Seyi"
"I know. That's the problem"he said
Rain hit the roof hard, Lagos rain that sound like it want to pull the roof off. The light flickered again.
He leaned forward "she says I am cold and I don't touch her anymore. But when I try,she pulls away".
"Why do you think she pulls away". I questioned him.
"Because she knows I am thinking of leaving"he replied
My chest did a stupid thing. I am a professional, I should not let my emotions slide in. I have heard men say worse but there was something about the wat he said it; he was honest, tired and not trying to impress or be charming.
`You should tell her that in a session with her present not to me alone" I said in a professional voice. Amara Cole, the Instagram therapist with 12k followers.
He chuckled ` Amara, if I bring her here, you will tell her to leave me. I have seen your videos ".
I gave light chuckle too before I could stop myself` I only tell them to leave if their husband is useless".
He settled himself in the couch then asked `am I useless " looking directly at me; and I made the first unethical decision of my career I didn't answer , I let the silence lingered.
He reached across the same table between us just enough to touch my hand. His ring felt cold on my hand.
` you have soft hands" he said quietly
` you have a wife, seyi" I replied
` I know" he shot back
I should have moved my hand. I have always taught women to move their hands, set boundaries but why did I let my own stay.
It was so quiet. My assistant Lola, had stepped out long ago so no one was coming.
He stood. I thought he was leaving but he didn't . He came around the couch he smelled like rain and expensive cologne.
` Amara" he said, like a question. I stood also; we were too close in my small office. My ethics certificate was hanging on the other wall behind him. 2019 Amara Cole, Certified Marriage Counsellor.
` This can't happen again" I said more like I whispered. But I was looking at his lips ` you are my client, Seyi"; he nodded like he understood. Then he kissed me anyways.
It was quick, guilty and hot. The kind of kiss that should not be good because its wrong but good because its wrong. One hand on my waist, my back hit my bookshelf. My most recommended book Things I Wish I Knew Before Marriage fell to the floor.
I kissed him back. God forgive me but I did kissed him back.
Then the light were back fully and the AC coughed loud and my senses returned. I pushed him gently fixed my lipstick with fingers they were shaking terribly.
`you need to go" I said. He picked up the book from the floor placed it on my table. His ring caught the light.
`Thursday next week? Same time?" He asked
`As my client" I said
`As your client" he repeated
He left. The door closed. I sprayed my air freshner twice then sat down on the couch trying to steady my breathe like a normal person.
My phone buzzed
Seyi A: I won't be able to sleep tonight
I stared at it, I should have deleted it buh I didn't.
My assistant Lola burst in, umbrella dripping with water. `why does your office smell like sin?" She said sniffing `And who was that handsome man that just left? You have a new client? Damn he is so hot."
`Lola closed the door" I said ignoring all her questions. She closed the door and gave me that sheepish grin ` you kissed him, isn't it". I threw a pillow at her then she dodged laughing.
I told myself it won't repeat itself. One kiss. Stress. Rain. Thursday madness. It would never happen again.
I believed my words for exactly six hours.
Until 11:42pm when he texted again
Seyi A: can I see you outside the office? Not as your client"
I glanced at my ethics certificate on the wall then I looked at my bed.
I typed `come".
