All know is when his lips intertwined with mine, I never wanted to let go.
**************
"This is wrong" I whispered as we broke the kiss. A tear slipped down my eyes as I looked away, guilt hit me like a pile of rocks.
"I-I just killed someone!" I yelled exasperated and frustrated. I shouldn't be doing this —what sort of person was I becoming?
"It was self-defense," Cole assured.
"What do you know?" I shot at him "I...I never wanted this, and now...” I trailed off looking away from both him and the water below.
“I think I should have stayed in Lagos if I had never left, he-he—” I tried to speak but was cut short.
"He would have still abused you. You would be at his mercy! If you had stayed in London, that body bag would have been for you! Are, I know it's hard and it's difficult, but you can get through this, we can get through this" He reassured once again, his blue eyes emitting nothing but kindness. I would have corrected him and laughed at his mistake but the question was, was I ready for this? No. I was not.
"There is no we! whatever happened a few minutes ago, was on impulse, we just got carried away by the mo-"He shushed me, his finger on my lips.
"Look, I know this isn't the best time or the best moment, but Ara, look into my eyes and tell me — tell me you didn't feel a thing, tell me you didn't want to as much as I did"
I frowned and looked into his eyes.
"Are you gonna drive? I need to go and see Bola" I said and started walking towards the car, completely ignoring the question.
*******************************
"I will never forgive you!" I whined as I sat down beside Bola. Her chuckles filled the room and for once, and I joined.
What can I say? Her laughter was contagious. And for the first time in five years, I didn't feel like I was problematic or dramatic, I didn't feel like I was drowned in an ocean of criticism, I felt light and free as if her laughter had won the war in my heart.
"See? coming to London was worth it" she commented.
I frowned. "but Dayo-"
"Look, you need to stop thinking about Dayo. Remember, he wanted to kill you"
"No, he-"
"Look," she said pointing in Cole's direction
"Out there, is your dream guy! From what you just told me, he was interested in you from day one, How did that even happen?”
“After the interview, I had an altercation with someone a few blocks away, He came down from his shiny, black jeep to settle the quarrel and gave me a lift home,” I said with a shrug.
“And after?” She urged. Such a gossiper.
“What do you mean "and after"? and after I found myself beside a dead body that I had killed”
“In self-defense” Bola corrected as she placed her frail hand on mine, giving me the exact dose of comfort I needed.
Bola frowned as she sat up on the bed, I was about to object before she spoke. "I know, it's hard, all of this, it's all so new to you, but Dayo made his decision. You need to make yours too."
"So tell me, what's more, important Aramide? Hanging unto your past, or enjoying a present that promises a great future?"
Oh, the future would be everything but great...
*******
"Is she okay?" Cole asked as I stepped out of the room.
what was he still doing here?
"Yeah, she's doing better. The doctor said she should be able to go home tomorrow.” I finished.
“Aramide, I know this might be hard to believe but—”
“People don't just fall in love overnight, you know that right? Cole, Between you and me, there can be nothing. If society does not stop us because of our background, Racism will and if racism does not, my fear will” I said as I proceeded to pick up my purse and leave, but he held me back
“One chance, just one chance, that's what I'm asking for"
“I'm sorry, But I've exhausted all the chances to give people” I responded and walked away. Then again, after rejecting one fate, I was walking right into another one. one that would hurt a lot more than I could ever imagine
"Ma'am, someone out there wants to see you," A nurse said and I stopped dead in my tracks.
"Me?" I asked in disbelief.
"Aramide Adegoke right?" She asked.
"that's me" I confirmed
"At the entrance of the hospital," the person simply said before I could ask about anything else.
"This is odd,” I whispered. I looked back at Cole who was just a few feet away from me, staring at me with longing in his eyes. That night, I made my choice and proceeded into my worst Nightmare. Walking out of that hospital and taking that leap of faith, would ruin everything. Yes, that was the point my stay in London went wrong.
I looked around, the streets of London were moist, maybe dew? or it probably drizzled. who cares anyway?
“Anyone there?” I called out as I looked around, taking two steps outside the sidewalk.
There was no one there. I raised an eyebrow at the ridiculousness of the situation. Was I being pranked? But before the danger bells in my head could start ringing, my phone began to buzz.
My phone rang loudly and I cringed as I pulled it out of my pocket.
Private number?
I looked around once again Feeling anxious. Then my eyes traced the phone once again. Every inch of me screamed that something was wrong. That something was off. But my limbs decided to go against my mind and I hit receive.
I was so engrossed in my predicament that I hadn't realized I was almost off the sidewalk. My breath quickened at the silence from the other end and before I could end the call, a deep voice spoke
"I've got you"
The last thing I could remember seeing was the black car that sped into me and the bracelet on the wrist of my attacker.
"...Please...please just wake up..." The voice was familiar and sounded like a whisper, I wanted to speak, but it seemed like too much effort, I felt like someone had dumped a bag full of bricks unto me, I was surrounded by darkness. I heard sniffling, shuffling and then a gasp, the sound of footsteps accompanied the whole movement. "She's awake!" The voice who I had now identified as Bola, - Spoke up. "Her fingers...she moved them!"She continued. Wait. What's going on? Am I unconscious? Do they think I am unconscious? These thoughts were enough motivation, for me to open my eyes, My eyelids fluttered open, they closed at the same speed though, It felt as if the world was spinning, I took in a deep breath, trying to register my surrounding, It w
I chuckled. Throwing another pillow at Cole, who had a pout on his face I was the only one having fun. I rolled my eyes at his antics as I tried to stand up from his bed, He pulled me back in, “And where are you going?” He asked with a smirk“To Work, where else?” I replied cheekily, before I Feigned a gasp, “Do you want to give me a day off cookie?” I taunted, Looking into his blue orbs, “Only if you spend it with me” He replied with a shit-eating grin, I rolled my eyes and slipped out of Bed, We had spent the whole Night cuddling, I had made it clear to him, that I wasn't ready for anything more than that.“Nooo” He grumbled playfully, as I headed into the shower, I stuck my tongue out at him, And closed the door, I undressed and stared at the mirror for a while, Scars never get old, now do they?It had been over two years since Dayo died, or better put Since I killed him. I ran my hands through my hair as the water poured
“She's your sister, right?” I asked, my eyes begging him to say yes.But of course, that answer never came. *********“Aramide! Aramide! Please listen to me!” Cole's yells echoed throughout the streets as he ran after me, I alternated between wiping my tears and trying to get a taxi, I felt used, pathetic, and stupid, once again, once again I had let someone play with me. Why? Why didn't I just stick to my career? Why? Why did I have to fall in love with the wrong person, all over again? “Aramide,” he said again, as he managed to catch up and held my arm, and in a split second my palm collided with his face.“don't touch me” I gritted out through my teeth“hit me!” He yelled, his eyes were red too, had he been crying? Who cares.“Hit me!” He yelled again,
"All of you are incompetent!" The brown-skinned, curly-haired lady spoke up, her eyes lit up with a familiar rage her workers had gotten used to over two years they'd been working for her, she tapped on her brown desk furiously, her eyes sending daggers to her employee's who were stood opposite her. The Lady was dressed in a black blouse and black trousers with a suit jacket, her fierce personality was on display, After all, she was the owner of one of the most important companies in Los Angeles "You had one job! Just one and you screwed it up!" she yelled, other workers had piled up behind the closed door of her office where the whole scenario was ongoing. "Ma'am we-" "Oh shut it! Get out! you all are fired! All of you!" She screeched as she sat back down on her seat, "Clarissa! Clarissa!" the woman barked till a timid lady walked in, holding a small tray, the fair-skinned lady h
“We'll be landing in a few minutes ma'am” Her attendant, Loose said. Aramide absent-mindedly typed away on her laptop, her thoughts were engrossed in only one thing, or better put, one person “Aramide Adegoke Do you agree to be my wife, In sickness and in health, through drama and fireworks, With sugar and cookies?” he asked I chuckled as a tear slipped down my eyes. I quickly took a hold of myself and nodded vigorously. I gladly watched as he slipped the silver ring unto my finger, He helped me up and held me close. “I love you,” I said as a tear slipped. “ I love you more..” he said “More you than you can ever imagine” I replied. And with that, our lips collided and before I knew it, I had given myself to him on a silver platter. Cole Dawn. The man who was the beginning of her end,
“Aramide! Aramide! Please listen to me!” Cole's yells echoed throughout the streets as he ran after me, I alternated between wiping my tears and trying to get a taxi, I felt used, pathetic, and stupid, once again, once again I had let someone play with me. Why? Why didn't I just stick to my career? Why? Why did I have to fall in love with the wrong person, all over again? “Aramide,” he said again, as he managed to catch up and held my arm, and in a split second my palm collided with his face. “don't touch me” I gritted out through my teeth “Oh my gosh! Aramide where are you? Cole just—” “Y-you knew?” “For how long have you known?” I asked my heart breaking, begging for the answer to be different f
Aramide felt everything at once, panic, pain, happiness, and then nothing at all, The melanin beauty barely registered being taken into Dante's Mansion. She was completely frozen, It had been two years, yet that voice sounded the same, deep, not too high pitched but loud enough to draw attention. "Thanks," I began, Immediately catching his attention "Thanks for everything" I finished. "We're gonna meet my parents tomorrow, Are you excited?" "More than I can ever express!" I giggled. Bola's words echoed in my head, but I tossed them to the back of my head, I wanted to be happy, to enjoy these moments, to relish the beauty of the beach, I just wanted to relax, for a while "Are you alright?" Aramide heard a voice speak, for a moment there she thought she had heard her Cole's vo
Cole downed another shot of vodka barely registering the impatient look on the bartender's face. He had been here for the past few hours, trying to get away from his present and maybe, just maybe reconnect with his past. his past, If someone had told him two years ago that his future wouldn't have his Aramide in it, he would have laughed in their face. but here he was now, tied to a woman he didn't even love because she had a child for him “Another shot” his gruff voice whispered. The bartender raised an eyebrow before speaking. “I am sorry, but you need to leave now, the bar had already closed for the past 20 minutes now,” the man said trying to reason with Cole. Cole looked around. Indeed he was the only one in this bar excluding the bartender. Was he so lost in his thoughts that he didn't hear the loud music go low till