Chapter 31 7

Get under his skin - make him pine for you!

SEGUN

"I fucking quit!"

I stalk off from his office, rage taking over, fueling my body with adrenaline.

My whole body tingles with wound up nerves as I thunder down the corridor. My fingers itch to throw a punch, but I struggle to get myself under control.

'the fuck does he think he is? I'm fucking done with him.

Once upon a time when he told me to jump, I'd have asked him how high.

Now I'm just over it -- over him.

I'd emptied my drawers of all my stuff and also cleared my desk of all my things, making sure to remove the only picture I have of Eve -- that's right -- I had a picture of her taken one day we went out on a date. She was laughing unabashedly, white teeth gleaming, dimples flashing, full lips inviting, head thrown back. She looked mesmerizing and I couldn't pass up the opportunity of capturing the moment forever. She never knew I'd taken a picture of her that day, had it developed and put on my desk.

She still doesn't know about the picture, and I aim to keep it this way.

So when I want to feel close to her, all I do is bring out my phone and there she is.

Really sappy of me, but I don't care.

I'm fucking whipped!!!

Anyway, I digress . . .

I should have stayed away when I got the text from Mr. Faseun telling me I was fired. I was so incensed because it showed no respect.

If you want to fire me, fucking man up and tell me to my face - don't hide behind a text to do it.

I should have been content to leave after I got the message, but no, I had to face him, ask him why after all these years, he felt it was okay for him to treat me shabbily, like some stray dog he had tired of.

Unluckily for me, he said he hadn't sent it, which made me wonder if it wasn't his son, AKA captain hook, who had sent it instead.

He had literally begged me not to leave him and how I was one of his best iconic staff, bla bla bla bla. So against my better judgment, I had come back to work at the company again.

Biggest mistake I made because it cost me.

It cost me some grave emotions, and at the expense of sounding corny, it also cost me my love too.

But I'm done sitting around, taking his crap over and over again.

Oh no - with my experience, I can get a high paying job and in any state of the country, too.

How many times have I come to his aid? Shit! Countless fucking times, that's what. Yet he'd taken me for a ride - every damn time.

I handled all his requests like a damn pro that I am. It was always one thing after another. One request coming along the heels of another.

Work with the solicitors and get a good deadline - yezir.

Have a meeting with some investors on my behalf - yezir.

Change the date on this document to give us more ground - yezir.

Segun, please help me clean my black ass - yezir.

I might as well have wiped his ass with all the things I've helped him do.

Do this for me, he had said. Just this last one, and I would always oblige him, thinking it was the last time, that it wouldn't repeat itself, but this last one -- this last one hit too close to my heart and I wasn't able to do a damn thing about it.

I've been there for him since day one I stepped into his company.

Maaan! I'm so over his black ass telling me what to do. I've got my own damn money, thanks to years of careful savings and Dipo, who helped me invest it, tripling my investments. He's like a whiz kid where money and investments are concerned. He's been telling me to leave Deuce so we can set up something but I'd always stalled. Now, this is the perfect opportunity, and I'm going for it.

He can be the brains behind it and I -- well, I'll be the handsome face behind it. But let's not tell him, shall we. He'll get offended and leave me in the lurch.

I think I just might travel to Michigan to see mama, make it somewhat of a vacation while I'm at it.

I keep muttering to myself as I walk away from his office.

Someone shouts my name, but I pay no attention, except to continue walking away.

"Segun, wait please!"

I turn round, a heavy frown on my face. Not in the mood for polite conversation - not with this volcano threatening to let loose inside me. Let's hope it doesn't erupt in the person's face.

"Segun... is it true what I just heard?" I lift a brow scornfully as I watch Bode walk up to me, panting with the exertion of running after me. He stops some feet away, leaning against the wall for support as he to tries to catch his breath.

"Bode... You be grapevine na. Since you already know, why you come dey ask me?" I cock my head to the side and lift an eyebrow, waiting to see his reaction.

His shoulders slump but I don't feel shit for him. I remember when we talked about Anita and how she came onto me relentlessly, he thought I was lying, he practically said I seduced her. Unfortunately for him, he found out the hard way when he walked in on her getting it on with another man. He'd come crying to me and I had to refrain from telling him -- I told you so.

"You know what, I'm done talking with you. You wanna know what happened - I FUCKING QUIT! Now, you can go tattle about it to all and sundry, like the bitch that you are." And I walk away from him, loosening my tie in the process.

As I step outside, the tightness in my chest eases and I breathe in the warm, balmy air of Lagos, filled with smoke from a nearby corn seller mingled with exhaust fumes from vehicles.

As I get close to my car, I pat my pocket, checking for my keys but feeling nothing, I dig my hands inside, still, I come up with nothing.

Shit!

I must have forgotten it in Mr. Faseun's office, so I make a u - turn, back to where the source of my anger started.

I avoid the front desk officer's gaze.

Since news travels fast here, I bet she'd have already heard I just quit. Well, eat your stare out. I feel her gaze trained on me as I continue towards the lifts.

As I walk into it, someone holds a hand against it to stop it from sliding shut. My breath hitches as I take in the person. The small enclosure gets filled with her musky perfume, bringing back memories that fill me with longing and sadness, instantaneously.

Lil' boy stands at attention suddenly, straining against my chino's and I mentally groan.

This can not be happening to me right now!

She hasn't seen me yet. She's on the phone, concentrating on the floor instead of looking up.

Will I ever be able to get over you?

She laughs into the phone, but it sounds empty to my ears.

With remnants of a smile still on her lips, she ends the call, puts her phone in her bag, adjusts the dress around her ample hips and looks up at me -- and the smile dies faster than I can say 'I told you so,' as our eyes clash.

It seems like a lifetime as we stare at each other, but I know it's only been a few seconds.

Shock and hurt are clearly splayed all over her beautiful face. It doesn't look like either of us is going to stop the staring contest anytime soon, but since my heart is clenching painfully at the sight of such naked emotions displayed on her face -- emotions that I clearly can't handle, I decide to look away first, clearing my throat and dislodging the knot that's suddenly sprung up.

She ignores me and turns 180° away, backing me in the process.

Wrong move, princess!

Now I'm face to face with her butt and I can't tear my eyes away from it.

Lil' boy keeps jerking in anticipation of something that is clearly not going to happen.

I should say something, but what - I don't know.

Instead, I keep trying to swallow down the knot in my throat that is clearly here to stay.

Damn it man, say something . . . anything!

And just as I'm about to croak something out of my suddenly parched lips, the ding sounds off, lift slides opens, and she briskly walks out.

Of course ... we just happen to be going to the same floor ... probably to the same office too.

I groan silently as I watch the swift sway of her hips as she hurries off.

Seems she can't get away from me fast enough and I don't blame her. Unfortunately, I still have to face her in Mr. Faseun's office.

I take my sweet good time, deliberately walking slowly, scoffing the toe cap of my tasseled suede loafers as I dig them into the carpet. I'm taking time to concoct some words in my head to say to her, because I need to talk to her -- tell her I'm sorry for being such an asshole.

I fucked up - I know.

I should have been with her in the hospital. I should have held her hand and smoothed away her sorrows.

Instead, Mr. Faseun was the one who did it.

He became her hero and I became the villain and I squirm just imagining them together.

Naah! She's just here for business. I console myself.

But I know he wants to get into her pants. What heterosexual man wouldn't want to?

One look at her and she screams sex . . . and multiple orgasms.

Fuck!

I should have been with her.

Correction: I should be with her, but I'm such a fool, and a pawn and a tool.

Shit!

I graze my palm down my face, willing the tightness in my chest to ease up, but all it does is clench tighter as I get near his office.

I hear voices filtering out.

Lilting laughter.

She's never laughed so freely with me before like she's doing with him now.

Jealousy slices through me, lightening fast, as I raise my knuckled fist, poised, ready to knock.

Changing my mind, I grasp the handle and yank it open in anger. My mouth hangs open in shock as my limbs become immobile, taking in the scene before me.

Eve is bent over Mr. Faseun's large desk, her butt jutting out precariously, while her two hands hold his tie, as her boobs practically spill all over his desk from the low neckline of her dress.

The fucker looks like he's ready to die and meet God right now. The expression on his face is disgusting.

I close my eyes against the sudden dizzying anger engulfing me.

Calm down, Segun . . . Calm . . . down.

You can't do anything. You can't . . . do anything. . .

. . . but the anger refuses to simmer down.

If anything . . . it grows, turning into molten lava. Something snaps as it bubbles over.

When I open my eyes, I notice they're still not yet aware of my presence.

Whatever little semblance of sanity I held unto initially, vanishes, as my legs galvanise into action, moving of their own accord.

With a growl, I lunge at Eve, dragging her away from the table -- and him.

I can feel my finger nails digging into her arms but I don't let go of her, even though she's making it pretty difficult with all her squirming.

That doesn't deter me, if anything, I dig my nails in further, my anger getting the better of me.

I drag her out of his office while he watches, open mouthed.

We get into the corridor and I locate an office, five doors away and practically wrench it open, almost snapping the handle in the process.

I push her roughly into it and slam it shut behind us.

Thankfully -- it's empty.

I spin her around to face me, and that's when I notice her eyes are red, tears glistening in them, threatening to fall any moment.

And then it dawns on me how roughly I just treated her and I almost punch myself for allowing my anger get the better of me.

I thought I had gotten rid of this rage inside me.

Turns out Eve is a terrible trigger.

Question is, can I let her go?

Do I even want to let her go?

Is she good for me?

God!

What a question.

She's perfect for me.

I suddenly remember she came out of the hospital one month ago after being in a coma for a month.

Yes, I've been keeping tabs on her through Dipo, who gets all the jist from his girlfriend - Eve's best friend.

Pathetic, aren't I?

All the anger deflates from my veins, leaving me weak and sad.

"Princess, baby, I'm so sorry. Please forgive me." I move close to her, trying to capture her face in my hands, but the slap that stings my cheek, literally makes me see stars.

"WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO THAT FOR? The anger rises up inside me once again.

"I warned you to stay away from me once before. You better see to it that you listen to me this time around." She spits out, venom written all over her face.

And she makes to walks off, but I snake out a hand to stop her, as I grab a hold of her wrist. I walk to the door and take up guard there, effectively blocking her from escaping.

"Look, I'm sorry, okay!" I search her face. We're both breathing heavily at this point, emotions having taken it's toll on us. "I ... I'm terribly sorry." I echo softly this time around as I gently let go of her hand.

"So, tell me..." She starts, backing away from me and moving further into the office. "What exactly are you sorry for?" She doesn't give me time to speak as she rushes on. "Oh wait, let me help you . . . you're sorry you made a bet to sleep with me?"

Shock spirals through me as I stare at her.

She knows about the bet?

She turns round to look at me, her gaze sweeping over my face. "Shocked that I know? You shouldn't be." She shrugs as she begins pacing the floor of the small office. She doesn't get very far before she turns and walks across the confined space, repeating her actions again and probably making her feet ache in the heels she's got on.

She cuts a very sexy figure right now and I take my time to work my eyes up and down her luscious body, drinking in every dip and curve. My fingers ache to touch her, to mould my body to her's and relive -- no -- top the only physical encounter we've had.

I know she has a lot of stored up anger and I want her to let it all out.

Sadly, she won't understand my true reason for agreeing to the bet, nor for abandoning her in the hospital.

". . . and that's why you, Mr. Segun Scott, need to leave me the hell alone, because I won't be a party to your sick game anymore."

What now?!

I realise I'd zoned off while ogling her as she was talking, and I mentally slap myself for that.

"Princess . . . please, just . . . please forgive me." I beg lamely. I'm clueless as to what to say right now. "I just need you to be patient with me. I'll make everything all right, I promise you." I haven't the foggiest idea of how I'm going to do that, but I look at her now, hoping she can see the emotions I'm trying to convey but not able to show.

"Patience?" Her alluring lips coil up in a sneer. "I'm so done with you right now, done with whatever this is." She waves her index finger back and forth at the space in between us.

And all I'm able to do is stare foolishly at her full lips.

I feel myself gravitating towards them -- towards her. . .

. . . but I stop my wayward body just in time, remembering her reaction the last time I kissed her against her will and also the fact that I need to salvage things, not mess them up further.

Damn!

"B ... But you can't give up on us so easily." I sound like a weak motherfucker.

She looks at me like I just grew a horn. I probably did. "Us? There never was an us and there never will be."

And I know she's done this time around. I see the determined look in her eyes. It's probably for the best, so I move away resignedly from the door, but before she's able to flit past me, I take a hold of her hand once again, and voice out an urgent note of warning.

"Be careful of Mr. Faseun, he's . . ." I search for the right word and decide to settle with one. "Manipulative." I finish, somewhat lamely.

I had been aiming for a bit of a paunch, but it just comes out as me sounding jealous.

Yes!

I am jealous. I'm punch - him - in - his - face jealous.

She shakes off my hand, and it falls to my side limply as she walks past me, leaving me staring after her shapely butt.

How fucking weird is it that her outburst has got me roaring hard.

I'm so horny right now, I could poke a hole in the wall.

Pure madness!

I walk back into Mr. Faseun's office but don't see any of them. Spotting my car key on the table, I grab it and dash out like a mad man in heat.

That's because I actually am.

I really need to fix this soon, otherwise I might run mad with lust and desire for Eve.

I'm not sure a cold shower is gonna cut it for me right now.