Chapter 50 10

When love trials come, NEVER shy away from them, face them head - on, otherwise all you've worked for would be all for naught.

E V E

There's something to be said about the period between complete wakefulness and actual wakefulness itself. It's a moment of suspension, that period where you don't know if you're alive or dead.

When I manage to fully become aware of my surroundings, I open my eyes to hear the birds chirping outside gaily. Light streams in from the parted curtains, almost blinding me with it's sunny glare. Taking a glance at the empty space beside me, I notice the indentation of a body still on it. When I place my hand on it, it's cold to the touch.

This means Aureliano has been up for some time.

Did he go out?

What could have been so important to make him leave me all alone?

My earlier fears slam into me with full force, making me gasp and sit up in fright.

Ever since we started this relationship, I'd often wake with a huge lump in my chest, scared that he would have absconded, leaving me in the lurch. An irrational fear, maybe, but it's something that lives in me and is currently making my heart beat double up, that is, until I spy his bag on the brown chair in a corner of the room and I silently cheer.

I begin to notice other things, also. His track downs are at the foot of the bed, hastily thrown, no doubt, because one leg of it is trailing onto the floor from the high length of the bed.

That's my Aurey --- no care for tidiness.

I get up from the bed, smiling as I snake my hand around his track downs and breathe in the musky, if not sweaty smell of him. Still smiling, I hang it across the chair to air.

I've got a bag full of dirty clothes that need washing and so does Aurey's too, by the looks of things. I had spied a washing machine in the kitchen some days back, time to put it to good use. So taking a hold of his bag, I lift it, anticipating heaviness but I'm met with an empty bag instead. On a hunch I check mine and notice it's also empty, even my lingerie bag is missing.

This means only one thing --- He took our clothes to get them washed.

I slip on a house coat, and pad bare feet out of the room and straight into a heavenly scent that fills the air. Once I step into the sitting room, the smell is much stronger, making me salivate, tieing up my stomach in knots. I continue following the trail of the smell which leads me right up to the kitchen. Here, I behold a sight so drool - worthy, my bottom lip actually becomes unhinged.

It's not the gob - smacking smell that assails my nostrils that tickles my fancy, neither is it the fact that Aurey is frowning, bent over a pot, stirring it like his life depends on it, neither is it the fact that my now clean clothes and his, are folded and sitting pretty in a laundry basket in a corner, although that is out of this world, because it seems I've hit jackpot with a guy that cooks and does laundry, too --- hallelujah, somebody. What actually irks me and gets my insides aflutter with mammoth - sized butterflies, is the fact that Aurey is . . .

"Hello beautiful!" He turns his head to me, giving me a lop - sided smile that instantly transports me back to a not - so - distance, dark time in my life. I shake my head and clear it of the fog that's begun to drag me under.

No! I won't think of that bastard. Not now and definitely not when the man that makes my heart beat speed up quadruple time, is standing in front of me with droplets of sweat currently trailing down his face, onto his bare chest, with the black and blue hues of the tattoo of the bird about to take flight and pooling at the v that leads to the unmistakable bulge in his . . .

"Don't look at me like that, princess. Don't make me bend you over and . . . " The spoon clatters from his hand, landing somewhere I don't know, but with two long strides, he's in front of me. Hands and limbs blur with a flurry of activity and before I know it, I'm smack on the counter with my legs wrapped securely around his torso.

"How did I ---?"

"Magic, baby!" And his tongue plunges into mine deftly, placatingly, as his hands work a pathway down my body, opening up the loosely clasped house coat.

And just like that, I'm under his spell, once more.

Once he has his fill and taste of my lips, he puts a little bit of space between us, picks up the spoon from the floor, drops it in the sink, retrieves another from the drawer, stirs whatever is in the pot and comes back, closing the little space between us.

He's like a machine, a cyborg. Alright, maybe that's probably pushing it too far, but, he's . . .

"So I've been thinking." He starts, smoothing my hair with his right hand and lulling me into a peaceful bubble. He makes me feel like curling up against his sweaty chest and sleeping off.  " ---- car away." He finishes.

Shoot! I zoomed out on a whole sentence.

He seems to sense this because he smirks and repeats his words.

"I need you to return the car Mr. Fash gave you." He pierces me with a keen gaze, gauging my reaction to his words.

"Done!" I manage to say weakly. His soothing hands on my hair, his broad, naked chest with the oh so lovely pectorals, his beautiful tattoo, his very presence and nearness is scrambling my brains and stopping me from thinking coherently.

"Dipo and I just bought some land at the Eko Atlantic and we want to start construction immediately. I would like to put you in charge." His hand slides to one of my boobs through the wispy housecoat and cups it, making warmth flood to my abdomen. He continues speaking, unaware of how his torturous fingers are making me feel. "You know. . . make you the Head Project Manager." He tugs on a nipple, twirling it around his thumb and eliciting a groan from me, all the while staring at me keenly. "That means you'll be in charge of other Project managers." His head begins to descend low towards my chest. "I mean, you'll get to choose who you want to work with and who you want to . . . " He parts the housecoat aside, and takes an already erect nipple into his mouth, rolling it around his tongue and tugging, flooding my lady parts with warmth and body juice. I clench the edges of the counter with my fingers and hold on tightly. "Please, say yes." He mumbles against my nipples, blowing on my bare skin and causing goose pimples to erupt all over my body.

I can't think. I can't move. I can't function.

He continues blowing air onto my cold flesh, but too soon, I feel the loss of his warmth and decide to brave a glance at him.

"Will you say yes, princess? Will you agree to my demands?" His eyes pierce into my very soul, exposing me, just like my exposed nipple is under his scrutiny, making me feel naked. I make to cover myself but he anticipates my action and holds my hand with a slight shake of his head.

"Say yes!" He urges, more forcefully now. His eyes have become like two pools of larva sucking me in. I can't look away even if my life depended on it, so I nod dumbly. He smiles smugly on seeing this.

Does he actually think by coercing me with his tongue I would give in to his demands?

If that's what he thinks, then he is absolutely a hundred percent . . . right.

Of course, apart from the fact that I had already decided to return Femi's car back and let's not forget the Atm card he gave me too, and yes, the gifts also have to be returned, as well.

A clean break in all ramifications of the word is always the best.

I feel hands groping me and notice with a pinch of disappointment, that Aurey has my boob tucked back into the housecoat and is already moving away to stir whatever is in the pot without sparing me another glance.

Seriously?

Get me all hot and bothered and leave me in the lurch to stew?

Well mister, two can definitely play the game.

Bring it on!

I smile grimly as I hop off the counter and without a backwards glance, waltz out of the kitchen, making sure to put an extra bounce in my step.

I know for a fact that when this happens, my butt cheeks shake and smack against each other, causing a rippling effect.

This time, my smile is victorious when I hear a strangled groan and not a second later, the spoon falls onto the ground for yet the second time.

That's right Aurey, victory is sweet, but I haven't even begun to make you squirm . . . yet.

After cleaning the room and tidying it up, I take a shower and dress up in a light cotton dress without any under wear -- no panties, no bra.

That means --- hello nipples and whoa bum bum.

Earlier on, Aureliano popped his head into the bathroom to inform me lunch was ready.

Yup! I woke up in the afternoon.

A luxury I know will soon end when we eventually get back to Lagos.

Sitting across from him now, I eat the eba and egusi soup in delightful bliss.

He's been giving me the eye ever since we sat down to eat, silence reigning like a thick, wet blanket.

"This tastes soooo good." I lick my fingers slowly, moaning in pleasure at the sweet spicy after - taste of the soup, intermittently glancing at him from beneath my lashes.

A fine sheen of perspiration has gathered on his forehead, despite the air conditioner being on. I keep licking and moaning until there's not an iota of soup left on my fingers. He makes a strangled groan, and suddenly, the morsel of eba he's holding slips from between his fingers and lands inside his plate of soup with a loud clunk.

Whoever said revenge was a dish best served cold, probably didn't warm it up first.

I smack my lips loudly, and watch as his eyes flick to them. A curve of a smile graces my lips as his eyes slide lower to the dip in my dress and lingers there. I feel his heated gaze soaking me up in their warmth.

Not a moment later, he gets up abruptly, grabs his half - eaten plates of food and strides off to the kitchen. And I take my sweet good time to finish up mine, chewing on the soft meat and relishing it's taste. He had to have woken up early to have prepared all of this.

I really struck gold this time around. A boyfriend that cooks and does laundry, too --- Wow! Make that a triple wow, actually.

Once I'm done eating, I take my plates to the kitchen, noticing the absence of Aureliano. By the time I'm done washing the dishes and stacking them in the rack, I turn round and there he is, gazing at me with a smouldering look in his eyes. Once more, I'm transported back to our first meeting at the club. The way he looked at me like he wanted to devour me.

Oh Aurey! I knew you were trouble the first time I set my eyes on you. Yet I wanted your trouble --- craved it, actually. Now that I've got you, I wouldn't want it any other way.

I watch with rising pleasure as he stalks towards me and stops, only when there's a distance of a hair's breadth between us.

"I've got another demand." He quietly states, his warm breadth fanning my face. I smell mint. Did he chew some minty sweets?

"It's a demand I hope you'll agree to." A worried look flashes across his face, and settles in his eyes. This piques my interest, making me wonder what has got him worried. "Baby . . . will you spread your legs for me? I want to eat you out."

I feel my eyes widen and my brows jumping up at least ten notches high.

"Please!" I miss the taste of you in my mouth. I know it was just last night, but it was only for a short while."

He takes my hand and like a zombie, I allow myself to be led out of the kitchen and into the sitting room.

He pushes me gently onto the sofa, takes a hold of my right leg and hooks it onto his left shoulder, baring my nakedness to his burning gaze.

Thank god for a flexible body.

I'm suddenly nervous as to what he is seeing.

Just like he hears my unspoken words, he leans close to my ears and whispers. "Eres muy hermoso." He notices my confusion and helps me out before I can ask. "You're so very beautiful, princess. Now don't say a word . . . except to moan." And he plants his lips and tongue on my hidden part, and takes me on a blissful orgasmic journey of sighs and moans.

-@-

S E G U N

She stretches her body languidly, her arms reaching up to link themselves around my neck. "The past one week has been --- "

"Fanfuckingtastic!" I finish, with a smirk.

She unlinks one of her hands from around my neck and punches me feebly. She really needs to build up some strength in her arms.

"I know, I know, but can we stay here forever?" I plead, playfully.

She wriggles a bit until she turns around to face me, so that we're chest to chest, or boobs to chest, rather. "Aurey, I'm scared. Scared we'll be separated once we get back to Lagos. This all seems like a dream, a very good dream I don't want to ever wake up from."

I take in her worried features and smile softly at her. Taking a hold of her face in between my palms, I shake my head and mouth words I'll forever remember. "I'm not going anywhere, princess, I promise you here and now. I've never promised a woman anything before, but you're not just any woman. You're my woman and when I tell you I'm going to protect you like my life depends on it, you'd better believe it."

She needs to know I always make good on my promises.

Just ask Dipo.

We go way back, but I don't voice this out to her. She'd probably freak out if she finds out what I've been through and the things I had to do that shaped me into the person I am today.

"Listen princess, I meant it when I said I don't want you holding onto any of the things Mr. Fash gave you. Before you call me melodramatic, I'll have you know that I can be that way sometimes, especially when it comes to you."

She smiles sweetly. "Yes, Aurey."

Whew! When she calls my name that way, I just fall in love with her all over again.

"How did I get so lucky?" I look wonderingly at her features. Twin dimples decide to make their appearance at this exact moment and I decide to do what I'd always wanted, but couldn't do -- test their depths.

Her eyes go big and round when I insert my two little fingers in the sides of her cheeks, right where her dimples keep flashing away. She giggles and tries to swat my fingers away, but I capture her hands and begin licking her dainty fingers one by one.

She giggles some more, clearly amused by my cave man antics. This somehow turns into a tickling fest as I tickle her, almost making her collapse from sheer laughter. Her laughter and giggles are like music to my ears.

She tries to reciprocate in turn by tickling me, causing a lot of wriggling to take place, such that we roll off the couch and land on the carpeted floor with a thud.

All her shyness is gone as she jumps up naked and begins to run, or maybe she hasn't yet realised it. Just as I reach for her, the door bell screeches loudly, ricocheting throughout the room and freezing us in our tracks.

We stare at each other, wide - eyed.

In all my time here, I've honestly never heard the bell ring. My mind is racing a mile a minute as I ponder on who it could be.

The door bell peals again, releasing us from our initial lethargy. "Princess, go make yourself decent." I order.

She nods and scuttles away, valiantly trying to cover herself with her hands. When I see she's gone out of sight, I pick up my jeans from the floor and put it on in one fluid motion, buckling it up tightly with my belt.

Alright, time to find out who it is.

The door bell peals more persistently, yet again. Whoever it is, is getting impatient.

"Alright, alright, keep a lid on it!" I mutter angrily as I stride to the door and open it forcefully.

Brown suede leather loafers are the first thing I take in, until I begin to notice other parts of the person's body coming into view. Light brown Chino trousers, a black long sleeved pinstriped shirt and gold cufflinks at the sleeves, ending with a plain gold wedding band sitting on one of his fingers.

Only one of my close friend spots a wedding band.

"What are you doing here, Femi?" I ask, non - plussed.

"Hey Sege, my man, I was in the area so I decided to stop by and see how you guys are doing." His smile looks forced.

"Femi, what the fuck is the matter?" He didn't just stop by, he must have come to tell me something important.

Something is off, I can feel it. I glance behind him, but don't spot anyone. His car is parked outside, like he doesn't plan on spending the night.

So what the fuck could he be here for, then?

I'd told him to steer clear and not disturb our stay here. He has so many other bachelor pads scattered around the country.

Why pick this one?

Maybe he's got a girl in the car, waiting. I crane my neck, looking behind him to see if there's anyone seated in his car, but I'm not able to see well.

He scratches his head. "Well . . . it's your --- "

"Veo que sigues usando maldiciones." (I see you're still using curse words.)

Who said that? I look wildly around, scared that I've begun to hear things.

A face comes into view and I almost collapse in surprise.

"Mama?!"

"Sí! Soy yo, hijo. Tu madre ha vuelto." (Yes! It's me son. Your mother is back.)

I stand in shock and surprise, staring at my mother who I haven't seen in seven years.

Time hasn't been very good to her. Deep mottled wrinkles are sprinkled all around the corners of her eyes and face, making her look older than her forty five years of age. Dark purple grooves are deeply etched under each eye, showing years of pain and suffering. They've already begun to water and redden.

As if in slow motion, we gravitate towards each other, but as I stand in front of her, I touch her cheek in awe, trying to convince myself that's she's really present. Suddenly I crush her slender, almost bony frame in a bear hug.

We remain like this for quite some time and I know just like me she's relieving memories of long ago, memories that forged who we are, bitter memories that have simultaneously brought pain and death our way.

We break away from each other and I grab her face tightly in between my palms and gaze in wonder at her. "Mamà, eres realmente tú? (Mama, it's really you?)

She nods and pulls me in for another tight hug as we cling to each other once more. Tears have begun to flow from her eyes and dare I say it, mine too.

Once we break apart, we look at each other in awe. Not letting go of her hand, I begin to lead her into the house, momentarily forgetting Femi's presence. I catch the look of relief on his face as he makes to follow us.

"Hola cariño, don't I get a warm hug, and a welcome too?"

A voice like a whip crack, cuts through the warm ambience, instantly chilling me to the bones.

No! It can't be.

I turn back around, as does mother too. Funny enough, she's smiling -- widely.

This is not who I think it is. Please God, tell me it isn't.

I'll pray to you, worship you, adore you, I'll do anything you want me to, but please don't let it be her.

I wait with in-held breath, watching to see where the voice is coming from, if it isn't just a figment of my heightened imagination.

While we wait, I sense movement from behind me and I know without turning around that Eve is a by-stander, a silent observer in this spectacle.

Panic rises in my chest and claws it's way to my throat where it gets clogged up. I try to turn around to say some words to her, reassuring words, but my tongue is glued to the roof of my mouth.

When a form materialises, my breadth hitches.

"Aureliano! I do hope you missed me. . . ?" At first her head is lowered as she inspects her fingers, all the while walking slowly, deliberately, towards us, but then she looks up and her eyes zone in on my face with a chilling malevolence as she continues speaking. ". . . because I missed you like crazy, and I'm back now to make everything right."

I hear Eve gasp and I stumble back a bit at the person standing before me.

The girl I thought I'd never set eyes on again.

The girl I thought I was in love with.

The one I thought the sun rose and set in her eyes.

The girl who used to set my insides to mush.

The bitch who betrayed me . . .

. . . is before me, with a slimy smile on her face. . .

Roxy!