003

“Jerome?” Sander said in a clipped voice, swallowing down the rage built up in her against him.

 He had a smug look on his face. He appeared nonchalant about the situation on ground. His eyes glinted mischievously, "Where is my girl?”

   His girl? 

  Sander's stomach growled in annoyance, she threw her gaze off his face.

“Take yourself away from here," She implored calmly despite the storm brewing in her chest.

  "Sander…" She heard Kensington call her from behind.

  She craned her neck to see a view of Kensington standing before the bathroom with a blue towel tied around her.

“Let him in." 

   Sander sighed. Jerome smiled victoriously and walked in with his shoulder raised high.

 Kensington felt a tingle in her. Butterflies swarmed in her stomach.

     He walked in and sat on the couch like a king with his leg crossed over the other. When she heard his voice, she literally flew out of the bathroom.

Maybe he wasn't a brute afterall? He was here to apologize for his malicious deed.

 He cleared his throat. Kensington blinked back to reality. 

  Sander slammed the door softly and grudgingly walked back to the bedroom. 

“I will be with you in … a minute,” she stuttered, fumbling for words. She still felt the same way she had always felt whenever he was around. His presence had driven every loathe she had for him. Instead, she was loving him again.

  His upper lips jerked in a smile, “Actually, I love the way you are dressed," He intoned lustily, biting his lower lip.

   Kensington felt a gnawing at the pit of her stomach. She blushed so hard that her cheek began to hurt.

“I will be back," She said and strutted to the bedroom.

  Jerome took his phone and began to scroll through his news feed.

“Girl, Do you know what you are doing?" Sander asked her while watching her go about throwing clothes over her head.

“I know he doesn't deserve a chance in my life. I need to hear him out at least." 

“He is a big time deceiver. Don't get deceived again," Kensington could feel the warning in her tone.

 Yes, she had been too soft and gullible the first time. This time, she would tread wisely.

   With a placid smile on her face, Kensington turned around. She stood akimbo, “I know, Sander." 

“I will be back." 

  Sander tried to say a word but Kensington gave her a wink. She put on a sweet smile, “Alright." 

   Kensington walked out of the room gingerly. Sander was right but then could she deny the feelings that bubbled in her heart when she set eyes on Jerome.

  She still loved him and will get back to him if he tenders an apology.

  She walked stealthily behind him. He was preoccupied with his phone that he didn't notice her trolling in behind him. He had a big smile plastered on his face.

 The kind that would always pop up if one is chatting with their heartthrob. She crept right behind. She took a peek at his screen. He was on a chat with someone whose contact he saved ‘FOREVER’

 That wasn't her number. Her brows snapped high. She stood behind him while the text box popped. A text dropped.

   –HAVE YOU SPOKEN TO THAT BITCH?–

   He returned a smiley emoji and a reply –I’M ABOUT TO DO THAT. I BET SHE WOULD BE PUTTING ON A HEAVY MAKEUP–

     He giggled softly. A sound that made her gut twist with irritation.

–SHE IS SUCH A FOOL.–

–YOU CAN SAY THAT AGAIN. YOU NEED TO SEE THE LOOK ON HER UGLY FACE.–

  Kensington held her breath. Her legs were shaky. Her eyes began to swell. She had seen more than enough. Jerome has always taken her for a fool.

  –SHE THINKS YOU WANT TO MAKE AN APOLOGY. PATHETIC LOVER GIRL–

Whoever he was texting returned a reply. Her chest caved in. A soft gasp tore from her lips.

 Jerome jerked, his phone fell from his hands and he scampered to his feet.

When he saw her, he gifted a wide smile and picked his phone from the couch.

  “Hello, I didn't see you there," He chimed in a friendly tone.

  Kensington was too lost in thoughts to give him a response. All her eyes had seen had stolen words from her mouth.

  Her eyes were sunken and morose. Jerome cared less. He rounded the couch and reached for her. He held her arms and pressed his lips tenderly on her forehead.

  "My love, What happened to you? You look so skinny and hungry?” She caught the slight tone of mockery in his voice.

 Her heart boiled over with rage. She looked up to him with eyes filled with fury.

"Why are you here?” Her tone was hoarse.   

 A smile cracked his lips, "I called you several times.”

 He slowly took his hands off her arms, "Where is your phone?”

  That was the reason she never got a call from him. She had smashed her phone out of fury.

“Why are you here, Jerome?" She asked insistently, he was trying to divulge.

  He exhaled, “No offenses but I was checking up on you." 

“Checking up on me?" Her voice cracked, “Why?" 

“Kensington.." he tried to hold her again.

“Don't touch me!!" She yelled at him, his hands hung midair. He retracted them and gave a shrug.

“Have you no heart, Jerome? I gave myself just to protect your dignity and what did you do?" Her voice quavered with the weight of pain crushing her heart.

   Jerome bit his lower lip and fixated his gaze on her.

“I loved you. I agreed to this stupid deal because I loved you. Did you love me, huh?" 

  Jerome shook his head with his hands on his waist. He gave out a deep laugh that came from the back of his throat.

"That's the point. I have always tried to tell you but you were too intoxicated with love that you failed to see it,” He confessed.

 His confession made her chest tighten. Is he telling the truth? Her chest tightened firmly as though a strong fist held it.