MAJOR AZUBUIKE (PART TWO)

When I last left you guys, Major Azubi K&I had shared a car ride to my lecture. You know what? The conversations I had with him in the car were so fascinating because I mean this is a uniformed man. This is a military officer. He is extremely dedicated to his work. He is extremely particular about the things that he does. He has a routine. He has a schedule, right? He is trained to be observant, to always look out for danger lurking in the shadows. He is as ruthless as he is kind. He is as ruthless as he is sweet. So in that car ride, I felt like I was listening to a layered man speak to me, okay? You were sitting in the back seat, okay? He was behind the driver and then I was on the other side behind the passenger seat. The front passenger seat, excuse me. And there was distance between us, but maybe once again, this was my delusional mind. But I felt as though there was some tension between us. And was I wrong to feel that way or to delude myself into feeling that way? I don't think so because he was definitely stealing glances. He was definitely holding that eye contact for a little bit too long if he catch my drift, but he kept things respectful. And that is something that I find extremely attractive in men when there is attraction, but they are respectful about the way that they approach or the way that they deal with their attraction for me, okay? So we arrived, he went to his seat and I went up to the front and I kicked off the lecture. Now during the lecture, I tried my hardest to not steal glances at Major Azu. If I said I didn't try hard, I would be lying. This wasn't an easy feat considering the fact that he was sat in the second role. And every time I looked up from my notes to make eye contact with the rest of the room, he would meet my eyes, his gaze soft, but intense. I didn't even think it was possible to look at someone like you wanted to unearth their soul and protect them at the same time, but that was exactly what I could read on the Major's face or maybe I was just being delusional again. Spending three months near an army base away from friends, home, loved ones will have you seeing things and creating scenarios in your head to take that from me. But me being the professional that I am, I didn't let the Major's intense stairs distract me. I didn't let the size of his rich, dark complexion throw me off my game. I didn't permit myself to imagine running my tongue down his face or sinking my teeth into his arms or letting him kiss me as deeply as passionately as he wanted. No. I didn't let my mind wander. I didn't trip over my words or even hold his gaze for longer than a second. It wasn't easy, but I did it any race. Major Azou had to know that I was not a badge bunny and I was not interested in playing hooky with an army man. I was here to do a job and to do it excellently well. The only thing I wanted from a man like Major Azou was access to his network. He was welcome to refer me and recommend me for similar teaching rules, but anything else was off the table, maybe in a different lifetime. If I was not Dr. K and he was not Major Azoube K, we would have crashed into each other like a pair of 40 waves, but that was not the case here. In this lifetime, the Major and I had to keep a respectful distance from each other. About 30 minutes to the end of my lecture, the doors swung open and a unit of uniformed men walked into the room. I had a little bit of deja vu. This time around, I counted 10 men. They, just like Major Azoube, were impeccably dressed. The men separated into two groups, five on each side and stood at attention with their hands raised in a salute. A few moments later, an older gentleman walked in and the rest of the host stood up to salute him. He was also wearing a uniform, but his was a darker shade of green and his chest pocket was adorned with pins, badges and stripes. This was definitely my special guest and visitor. He walked into the hall with measured steps, no rush. He moved like he owned the room and technically he did. He made his way down the stairs in the middle of the room and his men followed closer behind him. Each of them had a pistol attached to their hip. Even though I didn't have a reason to be nervous, I still felt a little bit nervous. I did, this was the guy at the top. This was the alpha at the top of the food chain. I had every right to feel a little nervous. My eyes for whatever reason found Major Azoube and he gave me a brief smile as to say, "Relax, Dr. K, you have this in the bag." As the special guest got closer to podium, I could make out four stars on his chest pocket. He was a general, "Oh my, I straightened my back and saluted him, holding the pose until he was directly in front of me." Dr. K, what a pleasure. I have heard so much about you. He greeted me with a straight face, but his voice was deep and gentle, like the voice a father figure would use with their little one. Good morning, sir. Thank you for visiting my lecture. His call me General Mustafa, apologies for interrupting your flow, carry on. And with that, General Mustafa settled into one of the empty seats in the front row. His men followed suit and filed into the empty row behind him. They moved in unison the entire time. I was both impressed and freaked out. Clearly, I was in the presence of highly trained men. But for some reason, I felt small and unsure of myself. Fuck. I had to get control of my emotions quickly and not let my feelings betray my expertise. So I cleared my throat, looked down on my notes, and continued speaking. As I was saying, communicating with enemies of the state requires you to meet them at the level of their communication skills. You must learn their secret codes and non-verbal style of communication. They will use their eyes, hands, faces and bodies to pass messages to each other. You must learn their communication style before you go face to face with them. I carried on like this for the last 30 minutes of the class, before wrapping up a little before 1 p.m. At the end of the class, General Mustafa walked up to me, stretched out his hand and said with a smile. With lecture Dr. K, I believed the boys at the Sahara Army base in the Northeast would appreciate your expertise. I would be sure to recommend you. I blushed hard. I could not help myself. I was giddy as fuck. Because this is exactly what I wanted to hear after the lecture. Thank you very much, sir. Your recommendation would be much appreciated and valued. You are welcome, Dr. K. By the way, I heard about your car troubles. I trusted Azubiki to good care of you. But if you need any help, call my office. I was shocked. Damn. News traveled fast around the base. And let me know here, the General continued, that you left your accommodation without an escort or driver again. Are we clear? His voice sounded so staring at the end that I felt compelled to obey him. Very clear General Mustafa, it won't happen again. Good. Enjoy the rest of your day. And with those words, the General made his way towards the exit with his team of soldiers watching his back like hawks. Dr. K, how do you feel? I turned my head slightly to see that Major Azub had joined me on the stage. When did he get up here? Was I so locked in on my conversation with the General that I didn't notice he had gotten that close to me? A little nervous and scared but very happy. The General said he was going to recommend me to the Sahara base. That is a big deal for me. As expected, Dr. K, you are a brilliant lecturer and today's lecturer was incredible. I learned a lot and I can say the same for the others in the room. You deserve that recommendation. I stared at him and he held my gaze. Fuck. was beautiful, a beautiful black man. I could not stop admiring his dark skin tone and perfectly shaped lips. What would it feel like to kiss them? Wait, what the fuck? Why was I thinking of kissing Major Azubi K? Dr. K, get a grip, a beg, he is your student. Dr. K, did you hear my question? My apologies Major Azubi, I spaced out for a second. Occupational hazard. What did you ask me? Would you be available to have dinner with me tonight? I know a great place closer to base. It is well guarded and will have an escort with us at all times. Wait, was this a dinner date or a friendly date? I decided to ask. Major Azubi, are we going to be dining as soon to be friends or something else? Major Azubi smiled at me and I swear I saw his eyes twinkle mischievously. A friendly dinner. For now, can I pick you up at 730? I agree to 730, but I was stuck on the for now part of his statement because what did he mean by for now? Fuck, I have a love hate relationship with being teased and edged. I like to know things as soon as possible so I can control any situation. But maybe this was why Major Azubi was being intentionally coy. He didn't want me to have any control. Thank you for accepting my dinner invitation. I will see you later Dr. K. Your car has been delivered to your accommodation. Don't go out without your driver again. Major Azubi smiled at me once more before walking off. He didn't even give me a chance to thank him for sorting out my car. Who was this man and what plans did he have for me? I guess I would find out at dinner tonight.