You.

I swear that word had reverberated so much in my brain that every time I thought something randomly, I heard it.

You.

Who did he think he was? I was in this whole mess because of him and he said he wanted "me"? Well he could suck my left ball because the only me he would ever get was my leg down his throat.

Last night felt like a blur. Especially after he said he wanted "me".

***

"Me," I echoed, looking at the man sitting behind the wheel. What the hell? The more time passed, the more I regretted even getting into his car.

"Yes Kayla. You."

I took in a deep breath and tried to calm myself. It was of no use getting worked up. "Look sir, I've had a rough day, I've lost my job and right now all I want to do is cry myself to sleep. So I would appreciate if you stopped with the wanting me thing. I am not up for grabs."

Mr. Reeves looked at me for a short while, the only indication that he had actually listened to me. Then he asked, "What's your address?"

I sighed and turned my head. Then rattled off the address, too tired to argue. Surprisingly, he let me go to my place, without even touching me or doing anything to me. I was happy for that.

***

And now I was sitting here, wondering what the hell I was going to do about my job situation. I had paid the rent two months in advance, but I needed to survive. I needed to eat, I needed to communicate with my family, I needed so much. And without a job, all that wasn't going to be possible.

I closed my eyes then opened them brusquely when the door was slammed open. It was Chris.

"Chris? What are you—?"

"Who was that man who dropped you off here last night?" he asked, interrupting my question.

"Uhm Chris. Are you stalking me? How do you know there was someone who dropped me off yesterday?"

"Fucking answer my question. Who was he?" Chris banged his hand on the coffee table and I flinched, looking up at him before looking at the coffee table.

"I lost my job yesterday," I started quietly, "He dropped me off just as a means to help me. That's it. That's all."

"Kayla, if I find out you're fucking cheating on me, it won't be pretty."

I swallowed and stood up. I didn't know what to do, whether to try and touch him so as to make him calm down. But I didn't want to put myself in direct contact with him. Chris was very unpredictable when he got like this. He wouldn't hurt me. But it was better to be safe.

"I would never cheat on you Chris, believe me," I said, gulping nervously.

"You better not. Come here," he said. I rushed to him and he took me into his arms.

"So what happened that you lost the job?"

I stiffened. I hadn't planned and answer yet. Telling him the truth was just going to make him suspicious again.

"I... I broke a bottle of wine. And you know, he's been looking for excuses to get rid of me. So yeah," I explained, hoping that my half lie was going to pass.

Sure I had exaggerated the truth a lot. But that was basically what had happened. But when I looked up at Chris, he was staring down at me with a skeptical look on his face.

"Hmm okay. Maybe this will make you finally decide to move in with me," was the only thing he said.

I sighed and moved away from him. That was the only thing he could find to say? I had lost my job and all he could think about was me moving in with him. "I'll find another job."

Chris stared at me for a while and shook his head. "Why do you insist on being so stubborn? I want to provide for you. Just let me!"

"Chris..."

"No wait, let me finish. Everything I want to do for you, you never let me. You don't even want to let me in completely. I know, I know you think I'm the one who is being distant in this relationship. But that's not true. Every time I ask you about your past, you shut me out. Every time I want to help you, you deny me. Do you even want this relationship, Kayla? Cause the way I see it, you don't care."

"Chris please don't say that. I just... I'm not comfortable with asking or accepting help," I shot a pleading look at him before continuing. "I have been on my own for so long. But I promise I'll try. I'll try my best for you."

He looked down at me then sighed. "Move in with me then," Chris said.

"I... okay. Alright I'll move in with you," I finally acquiesced. "But I'll have to do something Chris. I can't just stay home like that."

It was almost like he didn't hear me. He bent and kissed me, making my heart beat a little faster. This man, no matter what he did, I found myself getting more and more attached to him.

"Let's go somewhere and celebrate this."

After I had changed, we went outside and headed towards his car. But we didn't get very far before I heard a deep voice call my name. When I turned my head in confusion, I saw that man. Roman Reeves. I swallowed and looked at Chris, knowing the beginnings of his anger when I saw them. His jaw was clenched and he wasn't letting go of my hand.

"Sir?" I answered, glaring daggers at him. He had better not fuck up anything Chris and I had going.

"I came to return this," he said, holding up my scarf. I hadn't even realized I had lost it with all the madness that had happened the previous night.

After risking another look at Chris, I tugged my hand free and went towards Mr. Reeves. "Mr. Reeves–"

"Roman," he interrupted.

"Sir," I continued firmly, ignoring the growing pit of dread that was growing in my chest. "You really shouldn't have. Thank you."

As I turned to go, he held my hand. I looked at him incredulously. This man was trying to get me killed.

"Please let go," I whispered, "You're making my boyfriend angry."

He let go, but after rubbing my wrist. I sighed and turned my back on him, going towards Chris.

"You have a lot to explain," he said through gritted teeth and I swallowed.

I was in so much trouble. So much

***

Word count: 1122

Hi y'all. Sorry for taking so long to update. Do give me your thoughts on the story and tell me how you're liking the book so far 💃🏾

Btw, I started a new series called GLITTER
There are only two books in the series so far and one of them is published

You can find it on my profile. I'll start updating regularly as from next month so stay tuned!

See y'all next time.
Love, Essie 🌺