Chapter 28 PERSISTENT, MUCH?

Just a heads up guys, this chapter is fairly long

E V E

"I'm ready, mum." Her voice reverberates throughout the house, making me hasten what I'm doing.

"Coming, sweetie!" I finish making the sandwiches, place them in a zip lock bag and put it in her bag. Once I clean my hands, I hurry out of the kitchen towards her room.

I stand for a bit at the door, admiring the little beauty looking at herself in the mirror. She catches me staring and throws me a shy smile from over her shoulder.

"How do I look?" The edges of her dress lift up as she does a little twirl, only settling down around her knees when she stops and faces me.

I nod my head in admiration and raise a finger in the air. "One word -- cute!" You're so pretty, your uniform fits you like it was made just for you."

Stacy giggles, covering her mouth with her fingers. "It was made just for me, mummy. They took my measurement so it would be perfect." She uncovers her mouth and grins widely at me, showing a missing side upper tooth.

I find myself nodding in understanding as I move towards her, stooping so I can be on eye level with her. "Are you happy, sweetie?" My eyes search her's. What I'm looking for, I don't know, but I certainly don't expect her to launch into my arms at rocket speed, almost knocking me backwards. Her arms are tight around my neck as she holds on for dear life like her life depends on it.

"Mummy, I'm very happy here," she gushes. "If it weren't for you, I don't know ----" I shake my head and put up a finger to her lips, stopping her from talking any further.

"Don't say it. Just don't say it. Your father loves you a lot. He might not show it much because he's still learning to be less awkward around you, but I assure you, he's ----"

"Mmm mmh!" Someone clears his throat from behind me. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything." I stand up and whip around so fast I feel dizzy for a few seconds. When I finally steady myself, I see Aurey leaning against the doorway with an unfathomable expression on his face.

He begins walking towards us, stopping only when he's three feet away from Stacy. "You look nice in your uniform."

Stacy smiles shyly. "Good morning . . . dad."

My heart swells on hearing this, but Aurey doesn't know what to make of it. He rocks on the balls of his feet and scratches the back of his neck, as a silence so profound descends in the room.

I decide it's time to get rid of the palpable awkwardness. "Babe . . . why don't you change into something more appropriate and take Stacy to school." He doesn't budge. If anything, it looks like he shrinks in on himself, as a look of abject horror gets pasted on his face.

Oh dear!

With a gentle shove, I jerk my head towards the door. "Go on, go wear a top and jeans, and take her to school."

When I glance at Stacy, I notice she too is staring at the ground, so I sigh and drop my gaze to the floor.

Maybe, just maybe I'll find something interesting there.

I hear shuffling and look up just in time to see Aurey leaving the room.

"I'll be right back, sweetie." I tip Stacy's chin and our eyes connect. She nods and smiles sweetly at me.

By the time I get to Aurey's room, he's already changing into a tee and jeans, so I close the door behind me and walk stealthily to him, wrapping my hands around him from the back. I feel him leaning into me as his heart beat quickens.

"Hey! I turn him around and stare into his eyes. They look droopy and tired, so I gaze up at the man I love with my whole heart, and wrap my hands around him in assurance that I'll always support him.

"Hey!" He smiles as he lifts my chin up and kisses me on the lips.

"It's bonding time, babe. Go show her the wonderful person I fell in love with."

His eyes mist over as he gazes at me. "I don't deserve you." He shakes his head and moves away from me.

Anddd . . . sad Aurey is back.

I walk to where he's bending down and putting on a pair of slippers, so I curl my arms around his torso and murmur against his back. "How many times do I have to tell you that I love you and will be with you, no matter what? Can you please let go of that defeated spirit and go take your daughter to school."

I release him in time to see his tight nod. He turns round and holds me to him for a bit before releasing me. "Alright, princess."

And he walks off, without the slumped shoulders that has plagued him recently.

I see them to the car, help strap Stacy up at the back, flick her nose, kiss Aurey good bye, and wave as he drives off, hoping Stacy's hand stays glued to her body with the rate at which she's waving at me vigorously.

Once the car is out of view, I walk back into the kitchen, clear up any mess left, wash the few plates in the sink, then walk to Stacy's room. The girl is so neat, there's really nothing for me to tidy up here, so I move to Aurey's room next. After making the bed and picking up stray clothes from the floor, I take a shower, dress up, and walk to the sitting room to wait for Aurey to come back.

He'd called me two weeks ago to come meet him at this exact house. Not sensing anything, I'd gone and was bowled over to see an already-furnished three bedroom flat, complete with a detached bungalow which he'd turned into an office for himself. One of the rooms was bare, and so he'd begged me to please help him decorate it for Stacy, as she was moving in with him the following week.

I was pleasantly surprised he wanted to entrust me with the job, so I decided to get Stacy's input on it and we went shopping the next day for everything. We used a mix of pink and gold highlights, making the end result look simple, yet beautiful. We sat back and wowed at our handwork.

Ever since that day, she's taking to calling me 'mummy.'

Aurey also had another favour to call in. He practically pleaded with me, as tears shone in his eyes like a beacon. He wanted me to spend some time with them in order to make the transition easy for Stacy.

The first few days were difficult, because she and Aurey were very awkward around each other, but later on, they fell into a routine of few exchanged words, although the underlying awkwardness is still evident.

That will take a little more time to ease out.

Playing house with both of them has got me yearning for a family of my own, a child from my very own loins. Sadly, that is not to be, after several tests at different hospitals keep confirming the same thing ---- I'm barren.

I'm yet to tell Aurey. Don't even know if he'll still want to be with me after he hears the news.

Bile suddenly rises to my throat, making me shoot up and run straight for the bathroom where I spew out last night's dinner. Once I clean up, I walk back to the sitting room on unsteady feet.

At first I thought I was pregnant when the vomiting started, but when I ran some tests, the doctor said it was a mixture of bad allergies and a bacterial infection.

I pop two antibiotic capsules in my mouth and wash them down with a glass of water. With a weary sigh, I place my head against the sofa and wait for Aurey to come back.

*

The meeting should have ended a long time ago, but an argument ensued amongst the engineers making it extend to not just one hour, but going on three hours.

I should be at that meeting right now, but I've got to rush back home to be with Stacy and help settle big mama, the woman who looked after Stacy while she was living with Dipo. She will be the one staying with Aureliano and looking after Stacy from now on.

"Damn it!" I tap my phone in exasperation. Been checking different taxi apps, but all their drivers are busy at this time.

Big mama said she has to go see her brother at the hospital before visiting hours are over. That was an hour ago. Once she leaves, Stacy would be left all alone and I won't even be able to communicate with her.

Anxiety wells up in me, strong and fierce. I try to push it down again, but it gets stuck in my throat.

"Eve? That you?" A tall handsome man comes into view, looking all decked out in a . . .

"Nathan!?" I look around me, wondering what the heck he's doing here. "Are you following me? I'm not going to lie and say he doesn't look good, because that would be a terrible mistake. He looks really good in a suit.

"I work here. Just finished a shoot." He gesticulates to Aurey's land and the bungalow behind us.

"Here, where?" I don't understand what he means. The only thing behind us is Aurey and Dipo's land.

He smiles as he replies me. "Just finished a shoot for A & D company."

"What A & D company is this?" This can not be happening right now. I know Aurey said the model was around for the billboard shoots, but I can't believe Nathan is the model and he didn't tell me?

Is he back to being secretive Aurey again?

"Is something wrong, Eve?" Nathan's concerned gaze swims into my focus once again, so I decide to change tactics.

"Why are you still sending roses to my house? What part of ''I'm taken and not interested,' don't you understand?" I stand facing him like an avenging angel, a hand on my hip.

A smile slips onto his face as he regards me with something closely resembling admiration.

"Look, Eve, I get all that, but that doesn't stop me from showing you how much I care."

This nutcase is not just getting it.

"I need you to stop sending flowers to my place and please squash the thought process that something's going to happen between us, 'cause it won't." At this point in time, I'm just done. I huff and begin walking away, but when I look back I notice he's following me.

"What is it, and why are you following me?" My ire is rising. Nathan is pushing my limits. I'm trying to save his hide from Aurey's fury, but he's like a goat being led to the slaughter. I quicken my steps, drawing him away from the A & D property.

If Aurey catches him tailing me, he's toast.

"Slow down, Eve, I just want to give you a ride to wherever you're going. Been watching you tapping like crazy on your phone, complaining you can't find a cab."

I lift a brow in surprise, clearly taken aback at his words. "You've been watching me?" I stop and turn round to stare at him

incredulously. "You're now stalking me?"

"Oh none of that, I was actually going back to the hotel when I heard you -- from far away -- if I might add. You were complaining about not getting a taxi. Anyone within a 5 mile radius could've heard you."

He just might be right. I was pretty upset after finding out the drivers of three taxi companies were all busy.

I stand uncertainly, watching him and pondering on what next to do.

"You can come with me if you like, or you can stay here and wait for a taxi that will probably take an hour or more to arrive." He shrugs, and makes to walk away.

"Hold up!" I increase my steps towards him, hoping I won't regret what I'm about to do.

On the way home, he tries to make small talk, but I'm not having it. I clamp my mouth shut, stare out my side of the window, and reply with grunts.

Eventually he gets the message and keeps quiet.

After about fifteen minutes, I notice he takes a wrong turn. It immediately sets me on high alert. "What are you doing? This isn't the way to Lekki."

"I know, I'm sorry, I just . . ." He takes a hold of his collar and tries to ease it up against his neck, but it snaps back. "Damn! These clothes are just so stifling." I snake a glance at him. He does look a little green around the gills. His neck is all red where the collar is tight against it and he looks ill at ease. "I'm sorry, I should have told you before I made the turn." I feel his gaze on me, but I don't say anything. "Never mind 'bout how I feel, I'll just make a u-turn here at the next junction."

Now I feel guilty. A few minutes won't hurt me, I mean I'm already late, so why not let him change into more comfortable clothes. "No!" And in a more quiet voice. "It's okay, no problem."

He let's loose an audible sigh. "Don't worry, I'll be fast." And he goes full throttle as he presses down on the accelerator.

I watch in rising fear as the speedometer needle literally jumps upwards, but I swallow it down, grip the hand rest, steel my nerves and keep quiet.

Soon enough, we arrive at the hotel and he jumps out and turns to me. "Wanna come out?"

Do pigs fly? No, I don't want to come out.

But instead, I shake my head and stoically look straight ahead.

Once he's away, I check my phone for any messages from Aurey, but seeing none, I put it back in my bag and tap my fingers restlessly on the dashboard.

Five minutes pass, then ten, and then twenty. At this point, I'm wondering what the hold up is about.

What on Earth could he be doing that's taking so long?

Trying out his whole wardrobe?

Making a disgruntled noise at the back of my throat, I get down from the car and walk into the hotel, but stop short when I realise I don't even know his room number.

Never mind that, I don't even know his surname. How on Earth I'm going to convince the lady behind the desk to give me 'a Nathan's' room number off the bat, beats me.

How many Nathan's can one hotel harbour at a time, anyway?

Would be terrible if I walk into the room of another Nathan doing the nasty.

That's an image I do not want to see.

I shake my head and walk up to her with a smile. After painting a verbal picture of him, she nods, smiles and checks the computer.

Without further questions, she gives me his room number without even calling him ahead.

I thank her and walk briskly into one of the unoccupied lifts. After a nice ride alone ---- thankfully --- the lift opens up on the floor and I launch out, craning my neck this and that way in search of his room.

I finally find it at the far end of the corridor, but as I walk towards it, an ominous feeling settles in my guts making me quicken my steps.

Instead of rapping on the door, as any normal human being would, I try the handle all the way down and it opens up silently.

The first thing that assails my ears is singing, so I move inside, careful not to alert whoever is at it.

I walk past the ante room, inch into his room, and stand, transfixed by the voice --- his voice.

You should let me love you, let me be the one to, give you all the love you want and need, baby good love and protection -------

Wow, what a voice!

Show you everything you want and need, you should let me love you, love you, love you, looooooove.

The words flood my mind and punctuate my thoughts as they skid about, recklessly increasing my already frantic heartbeat.

I'm transfixed. I can't move even if I wanted to.

Then suddenly, the singing stops, then picks up again.

Something's wrong.

The voice. It's coming closer.

Shit

Closer, still.

I try to move. To unscramble my suddenly frozen limbs, but they refuse to budge.

They're stuck firmly to the ground.

You should let me lo -----

Holy shit!

He stops short when he see's me, his whole body freezing into immobilty, his mouth rounding into an o. After what seems like forever, he visibly relaxes and walks to the fridge in the corner of the room, the curve of a smile slowly finding its way to his lips.

Once he opens it, his voice sounds muffled as he peers inside. "So what can I offer you --- some wine, coca-cola . . . me?" His head shoots up, and a wide grin is plastered all over it, quite like a bandit that just got away with some precious jewels.

Warmth suddenly suffuses every part of me.

No ---- not the I'm-feeling-all-cozy-inside, type of warmth. More like, I'm-so-pissed-right-now, I-could-blow-a-gasket, type of warmth.

Needing to get myself under control, knowing that it'd only do me good to keep calm, I try to listen to the inner voice that's practically screaming at me to take it easy.

But when have I ever listened to my instincts?

"YOU MEAN TO TELL ME YOU KEPT ME WAITING IN YOUR FUCKING CAR WHILE YOU DECIDED TO TAKE A BATH?"

And that's when I realise something . . .

The white towel around his waist begins to loosen.

What do I do? Stand and stare or react to his almost-naked state.

Thankfully, he swings into action as he grabs onto the towel and . . . tugs.

Who tugs at a towel you're supposed to grab at?

So I stand in sheer horror -- yes --- as Nathan's towel totally slips from around his waist.

In a last ditch effort, he clutches the towel to his front, just as it fully slips from his laps. I clamp my eyes shut, but not before I catch a glimpse of his chiseled stomach. After a fee seconds, maybe a minute, not exactly sure, I peel an eye open and check. Thankfully, his hands are anchoring the towel, covering whatever lies in-between his chiseled thighs.

Whew!

In his flustered state, his hands go up and my mouth falls open.

Look up, Eve. No, look down. Shit! Turn sideways. No, idiot, turn around and make your way back to the car.

And that's exactly what I do.

I march out of his room, into the ante room, and march out of it as well. I sail down the staircase, forgetting to take the lift.

Once I get to his car, I grab my bag, and watch, as all the contents come spilling out.

I'm breathing heavily at this point.

Breathe. Just breathe.

I take my own advice and lean heavily on his car. Once I feel somewhat settled, I put all the contents back into my bag, and fast walk away towards the road. With a huge sigh of relief, I spy a yellow and black coloured taxi, flag it down and watch in amazement as it comes to a stop right in front of me.

After haggling on the price, I hop in without bothering to look back. By the time the taxi driver gets to the front of Aurey's house, I see him pacing in front of the gate.

Sometimes I think he's telepathic, because our eyes connect immediately and the relief on his face is palpable to the point of it being scary as he rushes to me.

I'm not yet out of the cab, when he opens the door and crushes me to him. He moves away, and holds my face in-between his palms and begins raining kisses all over my face, all the way to my neck.

"Princess! Thank God you're okay."

He crushes me to him once again, and I revel in his warmth. Finally remembering we have an audience, he dips his hand in his pocket, brings out some money and without even counting it, gives the cab driver, amidst profuse thanks for bringing me back home safely.

Once he's driven off, I turn to him. "Babe, I'm sorry, I got caught up in traffic, I -----"

"You've got nothing to apologise for, princess," and he draws me close to him again. "You've already done so much for me, let me do something for you."

He holds me close to him as we walk inside, all the while informing me Dipo called him earlier saying Stacy was with him. Big mama dropped her off at his place seeing no one was home.

A big weight lifts off my shoulders on hearing this, making me breath out a sigh of relief.

After being cuddled by Aurey some more, he peels off my clothes and gives me a warm bath, making my mind travel back to the first time he bathed me while we were in Abeokuta.

After the invigorating bath, he dries me up, wears me some clothes and drives me back home as we'd initially planned.

Dad meets us at the door on our arrival.

"Thank you sir for your understanding." Aurey bows low to him. He'd actually gone as far as taking permission from dad, if I could look after Stacy for a few weeks.

"That's alright, son." Dad pats him on the back. "How's your little girl doing? Hope she's acclimatized to her new surroundings by now?"

"We're taking it one step at a time, sir." Aurey has an easy smile on his face as he replies him.

After some more talk, dad goes inside, leaving us alone.

We don't linger outside for long, because mother's eyes sure will be watching, and I'm really not up for any cat and mouse game this evening.

He kisses me chastely on the cheek, but I know he wants to do more, I can see it in his eyes. Instead, he shakes his head and moves reluctantly away from me. After waving to him as he drives off, I make my way into the house, locking the door behind me.

Luckily I don't come in contact with mum, so I climb the stairs and come face to face with white roses adorning almost every surface of the corridor, leaving the middle free for walking.

Dad peeks his head out from their room at the end of the corridor, points to the door, mouths something I don't quite catch --- but knowing him, has to do with mum ----- then retreats into their room.

I smile to myself and walk into my room. After dropping my bags, I check my phone, only to see a barrage of missed calls from Aurey.

That's right, I remember putting my phone on silence earlier. Poor darling must have been sick wih worry that I didn't pick my calls.

I send him an apology text fraught with kissing emoji's and he calls immediately, telling me to get some much needed sleep.

With that last thought on my mind, I change into my pj's, just as a beep signals the arrival of a text on my phone.

When I check, I'm taken aback at what I see.

Hey, scaredy cat.

Just remember, next time won't be a mistake.

My eyes almost bulge out of their sockets.