Maurice fixed her eyes on the screen displaying the airlines as they arrived at the airport. Her ears were on alert and she was restless as she paced around in front of the large screen.
She eventually sat down and tried distracting herself but nothing worked. Maurice was about to fix her ear buds to listen to music when she heard a loud beep tone from the speakers hanging at different points in the hall.
She paused to listen to the announcement the sweet voice makes whenever an airline arrived.
"Hello everyone, Hive Airways from the United Kingdom just arrived".
Maurice stood up immediately and walked quickly to the entrance of the arrival section of the airport.
She stood there for a few minutes before she sighted George from afar.
She quickly adjusted her gown and waved for him to notice her.
George was excited immediately he saw her and he fastened his steps as he opened his arm to embrace Maurice who ran to him as well.
The two were glued together for more than two minutes and Maurice's got emotional while they hugged. She was too carried away and didn't know when teardrops started pouring from her eyes.
She became shy when she noticed eyes were on them and she softly told George, "we need to get out of here".
The two held each other tight as they walked out of the airport.
Maurice led the way to the garage where her car was parked and it took her time to get over the emotions as they sat in the car.
"It's okay sweetheart, I am here now" George ran his hand through her hair as he muffled more words into her ear.
Maurice burst into laughter with tears in her eyes, "are you serious?" she asked with excitement.
George replied gently with a "yes" as he winked at her.
Maurice drove out of the garage and it was a joy ride all the way home.
They got to Maurice's apartment and spent the rest day cuddling while they shared how they felt without each other in the last year.
George's phone rang at 4 am and he was reluctant to pick up because it wasn't near him and he was trying to get some rest after putting Maurice to sleep.
The ringing didn't stop and he was left with no choice but to pick up.
"Hello, Drake it is 4 am " George said quietly to avoid disturbing Maurice.
The energy Drake sent from the other end of the call made him laugh and he gently wore his slippers as he left the room to have a conversation with his friend.
Maurice woke up later and wondered where George was. She left the room to check around and she heard him talking about a welcome party on phone.
She listened to everything and walked into the sitting room when George was through with the call.
"Hey honey" Maurice announced her presence.
"Babe, you are up. I am sorry I left your side, I had to receive Drake's call even though I was tired"
Maurice wore a shallow smile as she responded, "It's nothing, he must be eager to see you after a long time"
Maurice sat by his side and George placed his head on a lap.
"Is he planning a welcome party for you" she asked.
"No, not at all" George answered with a stammering tone.
Maurice smiled and they left for the room after a few minutes of teasing each other.
George fell asleep immediately after they got back in the room but Maurice was troubled and she felt like George was hiding something from her. She wanted to go through his phone but she didn't know his password.
" Could he be hiding something from me, or is he cheating? Maurice, you are thinking too far," she said to herself as she dropped the phone.
She turned off the light and George's phone made a message notification as she was about to place it on the drawer.
She looked at the notification and it says, Tina would be coming, it is going to be great buddy".
Drake sent it and Maurice knew something was cooking. She knew a party will hold but she just couldn't figure out why George didn't tell her.
***"He wants to leave me here to hang out with those girls, that's not possible," *** she said in anger as she left the room.
The morning came and Maurice started acting up. She didn't ask questions and was desperate to catch George in whatever dirt he was planning to do.
Later that evening, Drake came to pick up George and Maurice followed them secretly in an Uber car that was waiting on standby at their estate gate.
She followed them to an apartment and it looks like they will have an in-house party judging by the look of things.
Maurice was disappointed when she saw how George was been followed by a lady, she felt exhausted as she looked through the spaced fence while in the car.
"How could he do this to me?" She screamed in anger.
Maurice alighted from the car and went into the house.
She walked up to George and he was surprised to see her. " hey babe, how did you know about this" George asked.
Maurice took the drink George was having and poured it on him.
"Who among the girls bares the name Tina? So you have been doing shit while abroad and you want to continue here" Maurice screamed at George who was dumbfounded.
Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to the drama that was happening.
George tried to persuade her but she didn't listen and went on telling everyone how she has been catering to George's needs since their University days.
" Did your friends know I sent you abroad and paid for your Master's degree? This is how you intend to pay me back right?" Maurice already had tears in her eyes but she was acting brave as she revealed more about their relationship.
"I can't believe that you said all that because I didn't tell you about the party" George said as he dipped his hand in his pocket to reach for a box.
He pointed the box at her as he spoke in anger, "Oh Jesus, this was supposed to be perfect and I am glad you revealed your identity today. It wasn't just my party, it was yours because I intended to propose to you after I come and pick you up later."
Maurice didn't believe what she heard, she grabbed a chair to sit on because her feet were failing after George's explanation.
" The house is ours but you can keep it" George left in anger as he threw the keys at her.
She managed to stand from the chair and ran after him, "I am sorry dear, I was only scared because you don't hide things from me, and doing it now is strange".
George wasn't ready to listen but she knelt and held his leg as she begged for mercy.
His friends join her to apologize as she promised not to repeat such.
George was hurt because he wasn't expecting that from her, he didn't have a choice but to forgive her but he called off the party.
He went straight home in Drake's car and Maurice followed him in the Uber that brought her.
George went to pack his things and Maurice wept bitterly as she begged him not to leave her. He saw that she was sorry but he didn't such to happen again so it was best to leave.
" You mean the world to me Maurice but we should part ways and I promise to refund every penny you have spent on me" George said as he patted her on the back.
"Let's pretend that never happened and I will go out there to apologize to everyone that was there at the house earlier. Please forgive me, I can't live without you" Maurice replied.
He left the house that evening and Maurice was thrown into a deep sadness.
She was swimming in a flood of tears that night when she heard the doorbell.
Maurice was reluctant to reach the door because she didn't want anyone to see her in that state.
The bell kept ringing and she went to open it.
Surprisingly, it turned out to be George and his friends with candles, balloons, cake, and drinks.
George went on his knee and asked, "Will you marry me Maurice?"
She didn't believe her eyes and didn't hesitate to say "yes" as she hugged him. She kept whispering,"I am sorry" to his ear, and they all went to her apartment to celebrate the party he called off earlier.
