Love ushered in by kindness.

There was scarcity of cement and other building materials in town. This development affected many construction projects.

Clara, with her amazonian figure sitting well on her wafer-thin body, was erecting a befitting duplex for herself. Clara had a challenging of having a successful relationships. At one point she thought that it was an affliction. Any man that came for a relationship ended up coming for her money and flawless skin and figure.

"Enough of living my life to impress men. It is time to spend my time and money to impress myself," she had told herself before embarking on the building project.

The contractor and the workers had spent a week on the site before the abrupt increments in the cost of building materials.

Clara closed from work and decided to check the progress of work.

---

"This is beautiful," she whispered to herself as she approached the building. She exchanged pleasantries with the workers as she walked to the makeshift office of the contractor.

"I love the pace of this work. It's so obvious that you will deliver this project within the stipulated time." Clara made her remark regarding her level of enthusiasm.

"There is a challenge," Charles, the contractor, stated as he walked to the section housing cements and other construction materials. "We are in shortage of cement."

"What happened? We spoke yesterday and you assured me that everything was in order for the next two weeks. What has changed within 24 hours?" Clara queried.

"You are right. I paid in advance to my suppliers, all that we needed for the next two weeks. Unfortunately, due to the increasing inflation, the prices of the materials began to increase abruptly. I went to my supplier this morning to get about 30 bags of cement but I was told to up the money that I already paid by 15% because the stock they got wasn't at the initial projected price. If I did that, it would adversely affect the contract sum."

"Why didn't you call me right there?"

"I dialed your phone number but it was off. I decided to return to the site to complete today's work before meeting you, probably at home to discuss the way forward."

"Ooh. I put my phone off for a few hours when someone was disturbing my peace. Deji, Clara's ex-boyfriend who left her for another woman had been disturbing her to allow him back to her heart. She turned off her phone when unending calls were coming from him.

"I would like to speak to your supplier. I believe I can plead to him to help me out. This project is about taking more resources than I budgeted."

Charles gave the phone number to Clara immediately.

---

"Good morning, Sir," Clara greeted Ola, the building materials dealer as he picked up the call from the other side. "My contractor paid for some materials to be supplied by you for my building project in Aso estate. He told me that there was an increase in prices due to the biting inflation. I called you to seek your assistance. The cost of the project is getting out of my projected reach."

"Are you the one that Charles' company is building a house for?"

"Yes, Sir."

"The economy is making everyone run at loss now. We are trying to remain in business too from our own part," Ola lamented. "I will see what I can do."

"I am very grateful," Clara appreciated him in her characteristic thin voice.

---

Ola invited Charles over to his shop and the 30 bags of cement were given to him at the earlier price.

"I am always thrilled with hard working ladies who don't wait for men to do everything for them. Your client deserves my maximum support."

The bags of cement were transported to the site and the work continued as scheduled.

Ola would call Clara once in a while to ask about the progress of the work.

At the face of the increasing inflation, Ola was very supportive in helping Clara get good deals for the needed building materials.

"When are we looking up to the opening of your magnificent edifice?" Ola asked Clara. Their prior discussion was on how to get a professional painter to paint the house. The calls were now frequent between them. Ola can't stay for a week without calling Clara.

"Hmmmm... I think in the next one month, the structure should be ready for opening. Why do you ask? Any big thing for the poor girl?"

"I am not talking to a poor girl. I am talking to a banker building a multimillion naira house. Her name is Clara."

"Don't tease me please. A millionaire talking to a billionaire businessman." Both of them busted into loud laughter on the phone.

"Clara, I think I have a special offer for you on the day of opening the building."

"What's the news about?" Clara asked with much enthusiasm.

"Can you guess, baby? Ooh sorry, Madam Clara."

"Baby? Hmmmmm. Well, I am not angry and I am not good at guessing either. Just give me a hint."

"Clara, I love you," Ola let the cat out of the bag. "Everything about you amazes me. I think that we have many things to achieve together."

"We need to meet and talk about this. I never wanted to go through the trauma associated with love again."

"We will talk about it." Ola cuts in.

"It won't be nice to meet at the opening of my house for the first time. Let's find time to meet and at least know each other." Clara demanded a meeting with him.

They agreed to meet at a garden to talk and familiarize with each other. Ola was totally in love. Clara was also falling deeply for his personality.

---

A few days later, she reciprocated by expressing her love for her crush. Both of them were eager to meet each other to kickstart a promising journey.

Posted using Neoxian City