PASSION AND AMBITION

Julia and Luis started their relationship in their first year in law school. Initially, she was reluctant to accept his proposal but later fell in love with him when he did not cease to stop pestering her. She was the type of lady every guy will want to be related to. Her entry into the registration room for newcomers in the school caught the attention of a bothered Luis who forgot his form back at home and was asked to return the following day to complete his registration. As she approached the table, his head turned in her direction.

Her flawless light skin was so obvious in the black body hug gown she wore, greatly complimenting her skin.

Her piercing blue eyes sparkled like sapphires. Her long, thin hair cascaded down her back in sleekly trapping the light coming from the window behind her and reflecting it in a million different directions.

She moved with her file placed on her left arm with natural grace and continued to smile to everyone she saw.Her lips were glistening from afar due to the lip gloss she applied on them. But it wasn't just her

physical look that made her striking. Something else was obvious; her subtle energy and her happy demeanor. As she drew closer to where he was seated, the air seemed to crackle with a wave of electricity. He

knew outrightly that he would like to have her even though he wasn't sure of the feelings he had for her. Luis knew he had to strike while the iron is hot before he loses her to another guy. Julia looked confused on the next step to take, Luis observed her and knew it was his best time to strike.

"Hello, pretty. I am Luis, a new student here. Can I know your name? You look confused." Luis said.

"Of course, I am Julia Baker. Also a new student. Yes, I am confused. I don't know the right tables to submit my forms to."

Swiftly, he led her to the correct tables to sort herself and made sure she finished all necessary registrations. Gratefully, she thanked him and asked if he has finished his registration processes. They both

burst into laughter as he says he hasn't completed his registration. Luis thought he heard music when she laughed.

"So it turns out that my angel hasn't completed his registration but has successfully helped me complete mine." she said with a fully lit smile on her face.

Before they parted ways, Julia asked for his mobile number so she could call to check if he had completed his registration the following day.

Their relationship started proper after two months of so much persuasion and pleading from Luis, he allayed her fears and promised her heaven and earth. He seemed like the most romantic person in the world to Julia, as she has never been into a relationship before. She gave him her heart, soul and body and was 100% committed to their relationship.

Julia had always been a lady who was fully committed to everything she is into. Whether it was her work, family, or friendship, she gave it her all. The chemistry between her and Luis was intense and she was sure that their relationship would last. Luis was handsome, kind and treated her like a princess. He spends valuable time with her and has never neglected her emotionally, their relationship was on a high pedestal and it was obvious.

All of a sudden, Luis began to change. He would cancel dates at the last minute and stand a worried Julia from a restaurant. On one of the nights after they both planned to meet at a particular bar in town,

Julia was there before 7pm as they planned and was waiting patiently for her boyfriend. She looked irresistible in her fitted bodice black satin gown that cinches at the waist and also had a backless design which added a touch of sexiness to her overall look. She exuded grace and charm in her dress which left a lasting impression on everyone who sees her. As she sat at the bar, sipping on her second glass of wine, her mind wandered to her Luis. His tardiness to their date was becoming rampant and she couldn't help but wonder if he had stood her up again. Julia played with her hair and continued to sip her drink, trying to calm her nerves. Her relationship with Luis has been on for some months now and he doesn't seem to be the man that asked her out some months ago. She tried to wave off the feeling that something is wrong somewhere and began to make excuses for him.

'Maybe something important happened at work and he has to be there' she thought but he could have called to inform her he was coming late. She began to feel uncomfortable because the guys in the bar were feeding their eyes with the sight of her bare back. She wasn't dressed like someone who just came to the bar to relax from the quiet safety of her routine at home. It was obvious that she was waiting for a guy.

As she sat there lost in her thoughts, she felt a tap on her shoulder and as she turned, she saw Luis and was relaxed a bit but ready to question him even before he sat down. He apologized for coming late and he made his order.

"What's wrong, babe?" Luis asked when he noticed that Julia wasn't interested in making orders and was just staring at him. He placed his hands on her back and began to rub it. She moved herself away from him and told him to hasten up with his wine so they can leave. Luis insisted on his question and she sparked.

"What happened?" she demanded.

"Why are you so late?"

He became uncomfortable on his seat and he tried to reach for her hands, mumbling some things under his breath about some work he had to do but she wasn't buying it. Deep down, she knew there was more to the story.

"Why didn't you call me to explain that?" she asked, her voice trembling.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. She knew she loved him more than anything in the world but his constant lateness and disregard for her feelings were starting to take a toll on their relationship.

"I just feel like I'm not a priority to you," she said, full of emotions.

"Of course, you're my priority. I just had important things to." Luis bursted out angrily.

Julia had been dreading this moment for weeks. She knew that she would eventually have to question her boyfriend's recent attitude towards their relationship. She began to pour out her heart. " Luis, I need to tell how much

you mean to me and how your recent behaviour has been hurting me for a while. Luis' expression changed to defensiveness.

"What are you trying to insinuate, Julia?" he asked. "I always treat you well."

"Yes, you do but that was then Luis. Now you don't appreciate me like before. You come late to dates we both fix and give flimsy excuses for coming late. When we're together, you're always on your phone talking and smiling to only God knows who. What have I done wrong?"

"You are exaggerating things, Julia. I did nothing wrong."

Julia! Did she just hear him call her Julia? Since they began their relationship he never called her Julia, he calls her pet names and only calls her by her name when they are in a fight.

"Julia it's not my fault. There's this lady that has been throwing herself around me and I've been trying to resist but I just can't resist." he blurted out exasperatedly.

Julia's eyes grew wild with unbelief. She heard him right, didn't she?

Realizing the damage he has done, he looked like a child about to read a poem, "I'm sorry to let you find out like this. I should have mentioned it earlier but I couldn't. I'm sorry for hurting you. I was feeling lost and insecure.I thought the attention from someone else would make me feel better, but it only worsened the situation."

"Okay." was what Julia could say because tears were already making their way out of her eyes, ruining her makeup. She stood up and said " I need to go now. I need to space to think about all of this."

"I understand, I'll do whatever it takes to make things right. I just hope you can find a space in your heart to forgive me."

The word 'forgive', yes she told herself as she walked out of the bar, forgiveness is what she will not give herself if she falls in love with another guy.

Eventually, they graduated from law school and she is as determined as ever to make it into a law firm to advance in her career. The stings of betrayal she felt wouldn't stop her from pursuing her career.