He Changed My Name

He Changed My Name

by Unoma Nwankwor

A KEVSTELGROUP BOOK

PUBLISHED BY KEVSTEL PUBLICATIONS

KevStel Group LLC

Lawrenceville GA 30046

Copyright © 2016 by Unoma Nwankwor

All Rights Reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without proper consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

This is a work of fiction. Any reference or similarities to actual events, real people, living or dead or to real locales are intended to give the novel a sense of reality. Any similarities to other names, characters, place and incident are entirely fictional.

www.kevstelgroup.com

Praise for Unoma Nwankwor

Unoma delivers a satisfying truth is stranger than fiction tale every time with her plot twists, plus some godly interventions. Romance isn’t a fairy-tale in Unoma’s Anchored by Love. It’s real! ~Pat Simmons, award-winning author of Carmen Sister series

Unoma has woven a compelling story of regret, forgiveness, love and God's amazing grace in this beautifully written novel. Poignant. Engaging, a great read -that cleverly demonstrates how God is able to use the most horrific situations and turn them around for his grace. Five stars! ~Abimbola Dare, Author of The Small Print and When Broken Chords Sing

This sexy romance weaves forgiveness and love into a warm blanket rich with comfort. Nwankwor writes a well written story with several universal themes of family, forgiveness and love ~ Readers Paradise on A Scoop Of Love.

 "Unoma sets up each scene in When You Let Go with an emotional punch that will keep your heart racing to the finish line. Warning: You will lose sleep trying to get there!" ~Pat Simmons, award-winning author of The Guilty series.

"When You Let Go is a true testament of the power of God within ourselves and our marriage. Although, we are tested every day, it is up to us to lean on our faith to get through those difficult times and offer forgiveness to those who may have hurt us in the process. Amara and Ejike’s faith was tested throughout this novel but once they learned to put God at the forefront of their household, they were able to weather the storm." ~ Diva’s Literary World

 "I love how Unoma Nwankwor weaves the distinctive, spicy flavor of West Africa into her novels. I feel right at home with the food, pidgin English, quirky expressions, and cultural norms. I'm also enjoying watching her grow as an author. ~Sherri L. Lewis, Bestselling Author and Missionary

Nwankwor adds more depth with the cultural nuances that could be a roadblock or a gateway to understanding. She expertly intertwines all of these elements, including faith lessons, to make a tightly woven story for a reader’s enjoyment.~ USA Today Review of An Unexpected Blessing.

"In An Unexpected Blessing, Unoma Nwankwor has penned a sweet romance with an important message about love and acceptance. She’s definitely a writer to watch." ~Rhonda McKnight, Black Expressions Bestselling Author of What Kind of Fool and An Inconvenient Friend.

"What woman hasn’t felt the pangs of unfulfilled desire? In An Unexpected Blessing, Unoma Nwankwor weaves deception, cultures and the intrigue of love for a romantic journey that spans two continents and challenges the cornerstone of faith."~ Valerie J. Lewis Coleman, best-selling author of The Forbidden Secrets of the Goody Box TheGoodyBoxBook.com

"I read An Unexpected Blessing and I must admit I loved it very, very much. I look forward to reading your next novel."~ Diane Ndaba, reviewer Africa Book Club

"Unoma’s writing reads effortlessly. There is the perfect infusion of faith and international flavor. Readers are quickly swept up on a romantic literary adventure. The Christmas Ultimatum is a great read for anytime of the year"~ Norma Jarrett Essence Best Selling author of Sunday Bruch

"I loved it. The Christmas Ultimatum is my first read from Unoma and it won't be my last. I enjoyed the international favor she gave to the story. There is nothing sexier than a Christian man who goes after who and what he wants. Kudos!" ~ Pat Simmons Award winning author of the Guilty Series

Dedication

To my husband Kevin, and my kids—Fumnanya & Ugo.

I love you loads. Your support is immeasurable.

Acknowledgments

To my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I thank you for paying the ultimate price that I may have life and for your grace which I do not deserve. Thank You for the gift of writing and I humbly pray I continue to be a vessel in this journey.

To my family, my husband Kevin who is my number one fan, cheering me along every step of the way. I love you and thank you. To my kids Fumnanya and Ugo, my gang, my pookies, my munchkins they keep me sane when insanity sometimes abound. I love you both more than words can express. I pray for God’s continued protection over you.

To my parents and mother in-law, Daalu. Thank you for your constant prayers and speaking words of life, courage and hope upon me.

To my readers, author friends and sistah writers thank you, thank you. Sometimes support doesn’t always come from the people or places you expect but trust in God and He will send the right people to you.

September

Chapter One

Mensah Afortey couldn’t will his legs to move no matter how hard he tried. The scene before him played out like one from America’s Most Wanted. He glanced at the clock in the kitchen of his condo and quickly reverted his eyes to the wide screen television in the living room. Even the importance of the meeting he had in an hour didn’t budge him from what was unfolding on the screen. He’d heard of the incident that had set Atlanta buzzing a little more than usual when he got back from Accra, Ghana, last month, but he hadn’t seen it. Until now. 

 Viewers you’re looking at pre-recorded footage from this past July. The surprising incident involved pop sensation Yanni.  As you may recall, the award winning, thirty-one year-old singer was arrested at the Buckhead home of her ex-manager and boyfriend, Matt Delote. The singer went on a rampage of destruction in the wee hours of the morning on July 17th, damaging cars and smashing windows. She attempted to start a fire, but was stopped by the timely intervention of a neighbor that called 911.

Mensah watched as the singer he remembered being West Africa’s prized possession when she won the The Next World Star competition fifteen years ago, was escorted in handcuffs to a police car. The newscaster cut her eyes to her co-anchor who shook his head.

I would never have imagined that sweet, young woman had so much power. There has been a lot of speculation as to the motive behind what her lawyers called temporary insanity, the anchor said.

Mensah wondered the same thing. He watched in amazement as the singer whose height he would put at five-foot-five inches and who didn’t look like she weighed more than one hundred and fifty pounds, wielded a bat destroying windows of cars parked outside the residence. She then slashed tires before she started shooting the windows of the house in a fiery rage.

According to the news, the video was captured by the security cameras and nobody was at home at the time. The trial that was meant to start next month had been cancelled as Yanni had recently accepted a plea deal offered by the district attorney. Sentencing was in a few hours. 

His phone buzzed. He removed it from his belt chip and silenced the reminder from his calendar. The grace time he always allotted himself before an appointment was over. He picked up his keys and his briefcase, walked through the open floor space to the living room and turned off the television.

He grunted as distaste laced his tongue. People that had been given a rare opportunity, but turned around and brought shame to themselves and their families rubbed him the wrong way. Yanni’s case bothered him because she had a good heart. At least that was what he had thought.

He remembered when she had first come to the United States. She was passionate about championing the efforts of young, female, African immigrants that came to this country on scholarships. She was in her late teens then, but had so much drive. His assistant, Lillian, had a niece who’d benefited from her initiative. That was all before Yanni was swallowed up by the wave of fame.

He was all for second chances, but this right here was just uncalled for. His jaw clenched as he remembered another woman who had misused an opportunity that she’d been given and was now paying for it behind bars. Sad thing was, she took his dreams down with her.

He made the short walk to the elevators of the building he’d called home for seven years as the image of his ex-fiancée, Abena Kwasi, flashed before his eyes. If only he hadn’t tried to make her into what she wasn’t, thereby trusting her with all he had, his life would have been different. He shook his head to clear his mind of the memory and said a short prayer for the embattled singer who would be facing justice soon.

As he walked into the parking garage to his car, his phone rang. He unclipped it and answered his drill sergeant secretary, Lillian.

Bypassing pleasantries, he responded to the question he knew was on her tongue. Yes, Lily, I’m on my way. He hung up when he heard her grunt of approval.

He tossed his briefcase into the back of the car, got in and donned his sunshades. He let down the top of his 2010 BMW convertible and welcomed the sunrays that bounced off his clean shaven head once he exited the garage. To him, they signified rays of hope. Hope that the unexpected financial problems that plagued his church for a while were about to come to an end.

***

A few hours later, Mensah, two members of the governing body of Calvary Is the Way church, and their lawyer sat in a conference room on the third floor of First United Bank. The bank officer, Mr. Oyode, followed by his assistant, walked back into the room a few minutes later. The assistant passed one of the folders in her hand to Mensah and placed the other one in front of her boss.

Mensah opened the folder, glanced over it, and passed it to the lawyer.

Lady and gentlemen, it’s a pleasure to see everyone again, although I wish it was under better circumstances, Mr. Oyode said. He stopped and glanced around the room. It was unfortunate that the lawyer you had then didn’t properly read through the lease agreement you signed and didn’t inform you of the monthly common area maintenance fee. And to make matters worse, the company you subleased the space from didn’t catch on that you weren’t paying the fee until it was too late. As a result, your church has not only been saddled with double the rent it thought it would incur, but has some arrears due.

Mensah didn’t want to rehash the unfortunate situation that had befallen his church four years ago. They had leased the perfect space at what they thought was a great deal for the square footage. With projected costs and money coming in, he agreed with the board recommendation that the payments wouldn’t be a strain on the young church. They had been worshipping in a school for some time.

Two years later, the church received a letter claiming that they hadn’t been paying a mandatory CAM fees. At almost the same time, membership stagnated and giving decreased. Many of the congregants lost their jobs in the unexpected shutdown of the largest food chain that employed most of the residents in the Auburn area where the church was located. The additional monthly expense had been a strain for the church, but they were able to negotiate a payment plan for the back payments until earlier that year.

Unfortunately, as you know, the subleasing company has now defaulted in their own payments and the owner of the building, Yamatt LLC, refuses to accept the terms of your lease and back pay arrangement. The banker’s voice jerked Mensah out of his reverie.

What about the proposal my clients put in? the church’s lawyer, Mr. Maxwell, asked.

Mensah watched the smile appear on the face of the banker. There it is. God is about to do something.

Ah, that’s where my good news comes in. I have no idea why, but earlier today, I got a call from Yamatt. They’ve decided to give the church six months to pay the $600,000 back pay and are willing to renegotiate the lease agreement after that, Mr. Oyode said with a Cheshire cat grin his face.

Praise God! Sister Agnes exclaimed, lifting her hands in thanksgiving.

Deacon Trevor and Pastor Charles also clapped their hands. Mensah closed his eyes and muttered a word of thanks to God. He knew that there was nothing close to $600,000 in the church’s coffers, but at least he didn’t have to tell his congregation they had to move in thirty days. They now had time, and he knew that God made everything beautiful in time.

Chapter Two

Ayanti Yanni Effiong wrapped her black, natural hair into a tight bun away