A Heart to Mend (collective work) (edit title/settings)

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Summary edit see section history

Characters edit see section history

• Edward Bestman: Edward is an all round man, tall dark and handsome, hard-working and successful. But he also has a lot of ego and pride in his character to counter for the insecurity, which is a large part of him. Edward has been seriously messed up in his previous relationships which he shows by holding himself back most times. His few close friends tease him with the nickname "Mr. Ice" from the way he bottles up and refuses to acknowledge his feelings.
• Gladys Eborah: Gladys is at the self-discovery stage, a little timid, but well brought up and level-headed. She also shows a highly principled, strong, and independent side when necessary, a woman who knows herself and is not easily swayed. She does not think too highly of people puffed up by their wealth and as such is a bit cynical of Edward's motives. Though not overly independent, Gladys is consistent and sticks to her guns when she thinks something is not as it should be.
• Isioma Dehinde Ojo: This is Gladys's aunt and acts as a helpful mother figure to her in the new city. She is a sophisticated Lagos socialite whose diary is filled either with social engagements or business meetings. She has been estranged from her brother's family for several years and hopes that she'll be able to mend bridges through Gladys. She is kind, generous, strict when she has to be but generally accommodating.
• Mr Odusote: Mr. Odusote is a struggling stockbroker who owns Top Asset Limited. He is constantly looking for opportunities to clinch the Big Deal, and in his search, he has learnt never to take ‘no’ for an answer. He tends to sail close to the wind in his approach to business dealings irrespective of any inherent risks. He can be found in most financial offices or parties on the Island in search of 'his break'.
• Chief Okrika: Chief Okrika (just call him Chief) is a successful businessman who owns a string of industries in Kano. He also sits on the board of several companies all across the country. He is arrogant and abrasive – in other words, he is a typical Nigerian Big Man who always likes to be seen to come out on top. He is married to an equally loud and imperious wife but does not allow it to crimp his style.
• Mrs. Olayomi: Add a description of this character.
• Odili
• Mama
• Jennifer
• Ogbonna
• Kanayo
• Tolani
• Bolaji
• Mr. Okereke

Quotes edit see section history

• “Gladys sat beside Bonny as he sped to meet Edward. She hadn’t been surprised when her phone buzzed a few minutes ago with a text from him saying he was finished with the Bestman Group’s general meeting and would be waiting at Eleko Beach for her. She’d wondered why he chose to meet there though they’d been there a few times in the past. He probably hoped the nice memories it evoked would put her in a better frame of mind to receive his apology. A couple of weeks ago, she’d read the apologetic email from him with mixed feelings. He’d asked for understanding and promised to see her once he was back. She’d not bothered to reply the mail or use the phone number he included because she’d been so angry and disillusioned then. It had been a relief that he no longer blamed her for the attempt to take over his company or believed she was out to make money from him. At the same time she’d wondered if he really loved her as she said. That had been a very painful week for her. However, she’d calmed down as time went on. Especially as she saw how the Bestman takeover was playing out in the media. She understood how busy and stressed he must have been and still was. That wouldn’t have been the best time to talk about them. She’d decided to wait till he was back. When she received the text yesterday informing her of his return to the country and that he would see her after this afternoon, she knew how it would turn out. The last two weeks had given her enough time to think about them and their future together. She’d started dating Edward because she liked the person he was and wanted to be with him. She’d not thought in terms of forever, but that it was working for them at the time. She’d fallen in love along the line as his deeper personality was revealed to her. She believed they’d both grown to become more compatible in the past year. This was the longest relationship for them both and she didn’t ever want to stop being with him. If their relationship was to have ended, it would have done so last year after her birthday when he’d said she was with him for the money. They’d weathered that problem and though she’d been shaken in the aftermath, from what he’d said and done, she had known then that she was in this for the long haul. She was realistic enough, and from talks with her mother and aunt to know their different social standings may come up sometimes. It had not been easy for her and her family and life had taught her a few lessons. You had to pick your battles carefully or you ended up with a chip on the shoulder. She didn’t believe there was anything like perfect, fairytale love. Most people were flawed and prone to mistakes. She thought herself a romantic but treated love with the same practicality she did most things. They’d had fall-outs and misunderstandings but she’d never been free to be herself like she was with Edward. She couldn’t imagine being with another person after him. She also believed they’d got most of their issues under control. Since he proposed, she caught herself fantasizing not about the wedding but about their marriage, being totally with him to experience life as one. Edward was a basically good person. He always brought out the best side of her. He made her mad sometimes but also made her laugh. He challenged her to think outside the box, to open up to life outside her small world. The butterflies took flight in her tummy whenever he was around and she’d never been as happy as he made her. Most of all, she believed that he loved her. No one could say what the future held but she had a very good feeling that having gone through all these troubles now, they would be stronger for it.”

  Gladys

• “Edward smiled thinly “My life makes good copy, doesn’t it?” “What does that mean? I read it because I was impressed by the details of the transaction.” “Oh I’m sorry, just that a lot of people read about me in the tabloids and then take that as gospel.” There was surprise on Gladys’s face and he continued. “I’m sure you’ve seen the gossip columnists who list my wealth and all the women I’m seen with.” “I’ve probably not lived here long enough to see any of that. So you’re wealthy?” He missed the tone of light mockery in her voice. “Yes, I’m very wealthy Gladys. I’m not just the MD of Bestman Group PLC but chairman too. Apart from my business properties, I personally own three houses here in Lagos, one in Abuja and one in Kano. But that’s not all, there are other investments too. What else do you want to know?” If not for the bitter inflection in his voice, Gladys would have thought what an arrogant sod he was. His voice was literally dripping with acid at the end of that sentence. “Let’s leave that to the columnists Edward, I am actually more curious about your background. What was your experience growing up in an orphanage? And, Kano is so far away, are you still in contact with them or any of your foster families?” “The orphanage is still there. I’ve never visited and I’m not planning to.” He snapped out before taking a deep swallow of his Chapman on the rocks. She stared quietly at him but Edward could almost hear the cogs turning in her head. Edward felt like kicking himself; other girls were most times distracted by talk about his wealth. Otherwise, he still managed to avoid the topic of his upbringing without raising suspicion. Gladys was the last person he wanted to rub the wrong way. “I’m sorry Gladys, this is a very sensitive issue for me and talking about it throws me off balance. Can we talk about it some other time?” “You said that the last time too. If we’re to go forward and if I’m to feel comfortable with you, I need to know you better. But of course that is your choice.” A waiter broke the heavy mood when he interrupted them to serve their entrees. They tucked in silently for a while and then Edward started again in a lighter tone. “How’s your fish? This chicken is just the way I like it.” Gladys followed his lead. “This is good too, but the portion is so big. I don’t know if I can finish it.” “How come you girls have such small appetites?” Gladys laughed with him, “You don’t expect us to eat like men now do you?” “Well some say that what a man can do, a woman can do better right?” Their laughter rang out over the restaurant and some of their fellow diners looked over at them. They finished their dinner and left the restaurant without returning to the subject. They were still lightly debating gender issues when some minutes later, the car engine purred to a stop on the street in front of her aunt’s house. “Thanks for the wonderful evening. I really enjoyed it.” She moved to open the door. His voice stopped her. “I want to be with you Gladys. I want us to move forward. What do you say, will you be my girlfriend?” Gladys sat back, her heart pounding. She blinked and exhaled. Their relationship was now official. She almost couldn’t believe it but she wouldn’t think about that now. She had to give him an answer. “I love being with you too. I’ll give us a chance Edward. But you have to too.” “I will. But I want you to know that I’m just a man not a saint. I know only the barest details of those who gave me life. I’ve done some wrongs, experienced a lot of hurts. In most ways I’ve risen above these setbacks, but I am still working on others.” Silence swirled around them for several more seconds before his voice tiptoed in. “I just want to ask now that you please do not judge me too harshly.” Gladys nodded. She would be the last to do that. “See you next week?” she asked and watched him nod slowly. They stared into each other’s eyes for another beat and then he leaned across and kissed her on the lips. Their lips clung as electricity crackled and excitement mounted between them. For a first kiss, it was all she could have asked. Gladys drew away breathing disjointedly. She pecked him on the cheeks and stepped out of the Mercedes.”

Setting & Locations edit see section history

• Zenon Oil: A real oil company in Nigeria with head quarters in Lagos.
• Bestman Group of Companies: A fictional holding company headquartered in Lagos
• Lagos
• Benibo
• Enugu
• Kano
• New York
• Nigeria
• London
• Udoka

Organizations edit see section history

• The Nigerian Stock Exchange: The regulator of all stock trading in Nigeria.
• The Nasarawa Orphanage: A real orphanage still working in Kano, Nigeria

First Sentence edit see section history

Series & Lists edit see section history

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

1. Myne Whitman (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Awards edit see section history

• Nigerian Blog of the Year (June 2010)

Classification edit see section history

• Library of Congress: 2009912479
• Dewey: 306

Notes for Parents edit see section history

Add a note to help parents select a book for a child.

Subjects edit see section history

• Books › Romance › Romantic Suspense
• Books › Literature & Fiction › Women's Fiction › Single Women
• Books › Mystery & Thrillers › Thrillers › Spy Stories & Tales of Intrigue

Links to Supplemental Material edit see section history

• Myne Whitman: The official webpage of the author
• Myne Whitman Writes: Myne whitman's blog
• Author's Amazon page: myne Whitman on Amazon with biography, video, etc...

More Books Like This edit see section history