Leri wondered what had possessed her to go to Tomiwa’s place.

That very moment, she stood before his mahogany colored double door, pondering why she had told Astrid yes in the first place.

“This is a huge mistake,” she told herself truthfully, “I have to g-“

The door suddenly opened, revealing a stunned Tomiwa.

“Ileri?” Tomiwa’s surprised eyes scanned every inch of her body before finally resting in her face.

“H-“ she cleared her glugged throat, “hi. How are you today?” If only Tomiwa could hear her heart beating nineteen to the dozen in her chest.

“I’m good?” Tomiwa responded, “what are you doing here?”

Was that a hint of excitement in his voice?

“Astrid gave me a package to deliver to you.” She lifted her hands, revealing a white package bag, “also, I came to check for my earrings. I think I must’ve forgotten them the other day.” Her voice was nervous.

“Of course,” Tomiwa shifted from the entrance, “come in please.”

For some unknown reason, Leri loved the peaceful ambience of Tomiwa’s house. She loved the calm colors, and most importantly, the neatness.

Unlike Dennis…..

Leri shook away the thought instantly. Why was she suddenly comparing Tomiwa to her ex?

“What would you like me to offer you?” Tomiwa asked her, “cold water? Juice? Smoothie?”

“I never really got to appreciate your house the last time I was here,” Leri told him with a smile, “but this is so lovely. I especially love this artwork.” She walked over to a bizarre but colorful art paining framed on the wall. She didn’t even know how to describe it, but it was soul-capturing. “I never knew you were into arts.”

“Not really,” Tomiwa shrugged, “but Wura painted that.”

Leri turned to him in astonishment, catching a whiff of his signature scent, “You mean our Wura? the-look at me twice and I’ll peel out your eyes Wura? She did this?”

There was a smile playing on Tomiwa’s lips as he nodded. “Yes.”

“I didn’t know she was an artist?” Leri murmured.

“She doesn’t paint anymore,” Tomiwa explained, “she stopped.”

“What? Why?” Leri did not expect to hear that. She thought that probably due to the ongoing mission at hand, Wura did not have enough time for her artwork.

Tomiwa shook his head in response, “I don’t know, and she wouldn’t tell me why.” He left where he stood beside her-much to her regret, “are you hungry?”

“No, thanks.” She shook her head, “but um I-I wanted to apologize properly.”

Tomiwa paused, turned and stared at her with brows raised in question.

“The other day, I said some insensitive things to you. I sincerely apologize. I may have hurt your feelings or emotions one way or the other-“ her words vanished when she felt something pressed gently against her lips. She looked up to see Tomiwa close to her, his index right finger upon her lips.

“Apology accepted.” Tomiwa’s voice was gentle, rough, inviting…. And his eyes, his full beards. Oh, how her hands itched to have a feel.

Wait. Her eyes widened in realization and she suddenly became self-conscious about her thoughts. She cleared her throat and Tomiwa withdrew his finger.

“Juice,” she hoped her voice sounded normal, “juice is fine by me.”

Tomiwa nodded and proceeded to the kitchen. The moment she saw he was in the kitchen, she scolded herself for having such intimate thoughts about him.

He was like thirty-one? Which was way beyond her suitable age difference gap. She preferred men who were her age or at least two years older, so it couldn’t even work.

Secondly, men with full beards weren’t her type. She loved the smooth face ones, the ones where she could comfortably rest her hands on both sides of his face without the prickly feeling of hair.

“Arrrrrrrgh,” she groaned, burying her head into her palms, “this is so annoying. It’s like my thoughts have a mind of their own.”

“Any problem?”

Leri whipped up her head instantaneously and shook her head recurrently. “No, none at all.”

“Well, that’s one bizarre smile,” Tomiwa pointed out, “are you sure everything is okay?” he poured juice into her cup and sat on the sofa opposite Leri.

“Of course,” she took up the cup and gulped its content. “this is good.” She picked up the juice carton again, “wow. Do you mind if I take a picture?”

“You can go ahead.”

Leri could feel the heat of Tomiwa’s stare as she took pictures of the juice carton, and for some inexplicable reason, she enjoyed being stared at by him…..

“What! Hell no!” it was after those words ran out her of her mouth, she’d realize she had said it, out loud.

“Oh my gosh,” her palms ran to cover her mouth protectively as she glanced at Tomiwa who had a blended look of amusement and slight confusion.

“It’s not what you think,” she continued, “I mean its not-err- how about I check for my earrings?”

Tomiwa chuckled-no, he laughed and it was one of the most beautiful sight and sound to behold. Leri loved his laugh, in fact, she took pride with the fact that she was the one who made him laugh.

When they arrived the visitor’s room where Leri had slept, she began searching for the jewelry and surprisingly, Tomiwa joined her.

“What does the earrings look like?” Tomiwa inquired while opening drawers on the wardrobe.

“They’re silver and round and really cute.” She described as best as she could. Men didn’t know a thing when it came to jewelry.

Truth be told, she didn’t forget any earrings. It was Astrid-yes her, who had orchestrated the whole thing. It was like she wanted her to be there by all means.

“Found it!” she announced after seeing them, under the bed. Very unusual place for Astrid to be hiding earrings. “Well, I guess my mission here is complete and I have to go.”

Tomiwa nodded understandably, but his expression was crest fallen. He pushed both his hands into his knicker pockets and smiled, one that didn’t reach his eyes which seemed to saying a different message.

“Ah Yes,” Leri suddenly remembered, “I brought something-“ she made her way out of the room, to the living room and finally her purse, where she brought out a checked colored handkerchief.

She strolled over to where Tomiwa stood and stretched it towards him, “I want to return your hanky,” she said, “it’s washed,” she added quickly, “I even sprayed it with my perfume so it’ll smell nice. So here.”

Tomiwa didn’t budge.

“Take na.” She urged again and Tomiwa did the unexpected. He collected the hanky, edged closely to her, held out her right arm and gently tied it around her wrist, jogging a past memory.

“The last time you did this, remember?” Tomiwa reminded her with a low voice, “I won’t let that happen again.”

“But-“ Leri started, but the words were stuck in her throat.

“Instead, why not give me this?” he pointed at her blue scrunchie that she had used in tying her braids together.

“May i?”

Leri nodded, and Tomiwa pulled down her scrunchie, causing her butterfly braids to fall to her shoulders, framing her face.

Tomiwa smiled in satisfaction. “I think you look more beautiful this way.” He pulled back some strands of hair, obstructing her face.

“I really should be going now.” Leri repeated in a small voice. Her heart was dancing skelewu at that point and if she didn’t leave, the violent butterflies in her stomach would explode. She paused. “do you hear something?” the sounds began to increase in tempo.

“I think-“ Tomiwa started but Leri bolted to the door, praying greatly in her heart that it wasn’t what she thought it was.

It was exactly what she thought it was.

“Rain?” she asked in an unbelievable tone, “No, really?” she wailed, “How am I supposed to get home now?” she asked rhetorically before returning her attention to Tomiwa. “Do you have an umbrella I can borrow? Possibly I can-“

“Catch pneumonia?” Tomiwa completed. “This type of rain causes sickness. Can’t you feel the chilly breeze?”

Instinctively, Leri robbed her bare arms due to the rush of cold that stung them. “How am I supposed to get home now?”

Tomiwa shrugged. “Looks like you’re stuck with me until the rain subsides.”

You’re stuck with me. His words resonated in her head.

She was stuck with Tomiwa alone in his house.

Oh no, she thought. What if I embarrass myself? What if I say or do something stupid?

Leri clutched her chest, hoping her heart would stop beating abnormally fast. She glanced at the rain one more time. It didn’t look like it was going to stop anytime soon.

Leri screamed in her head. Why did she agree to go there in the first place?

“The DSTV signal will be terrible due to the rain,” Tomiwa was saying.

“What?” she asked absentmindedly.

“We can’t watch anything because of the rain.” Tomiwa repeated.

“Err, that’s okay, I’ll just wait for the rain to stop,” Leri told him, as she tapped her fingers rhythmically on her laps, “don’t you worry about me, I’ll be quiet as a statue.”

Tomiwa sighed. “I would’ve dropped you off, but this weather is very unsafe to drive in.”

“I said its okay nau,” Leri said again, “but that was so thoughtful of you though.” She smiled at him.

Tomiwa looked away and smiled sheepishly.

Was he blushing?

“I’ve got a couple of manual games,” Tomiwa suggested which piqued up her interest. “I’ve got chess, monopoly and whot.”

“Whot please,” she decided immediately, “chess is too technical for my liking and monopoly would’ve been fun if we were more than two.”

“Okay, noted.” Tomiwa nodded, “excuse me while I go get them.”

Leri relaxed into the sofa and exhaled in content. Wasn’t it weird that she found a stranger’s place comfortable?

Tomiwa returned after a few minutes with the cards and Leri clapped in anticipation.

She, Iyanu and Ojite- No. she erased Ojite from her thought. She had deleted her permanently from her life so henceforth thinking or saying her name out loud was prohibited.

She and Iyanu had played the game countless times that she was a self-acclaimed master of whot.

“let’s play it on the floor,” she suggested, slipping from the sofa to the bare tiles. “Playing whot on the floor gives more clarity.” She explained.

“Okay Sensei, master of whot. Whatever you say.” Tomiwa chuckled as he sat opposite her, afterwards handing her the cards.

Leri shuffled the cards, picking five pieces at random, as well as Tomiwa. She set aside the remaining cards for the general market and the game begun.

One thrill about playing whot was the suspense. What was the next card your opponent was going to play? Would it favor you or ruin your chances of winning?

“Pick two.” Leri announced happily as she dealt her cards, “and then, I need a star.”

She glanced at Tomiwa who was so focused on his cards, and it made her smile. He looked so sexy when he was serious….

Stop! She warned her thoughts.

“So, I never got to ask you. But how did join TJH?” The inquisitive side of her took over. If they were alone, she could at least get to know him more.

Silence hung in the air for the next minute and Leri began to wonder if she didn’t over step by asking that question. Finally, her mouth had put her in trouble. She had said the wrong thing like her mother had always warned her about.

“Seven years ago, Sister Aminat-we’re cousins by the way-told me about TJH. She was just a topaz then. I was a fresh graduate but the labor market wasn’t favoring me and acquiring a good job was futile. I applied online and after, I was accepted-Suspension, then general market.” He dealt his cards.

Leri picked the cards swiftly, dealing her next card afterwards and waiting impatiently for Tomiwa to continue his story.

“I went through the physical screening for a year before I joined the agents. I got promoted recently to sapphire.”

“That’s quite the journey,” Leri said, “So TJH is like a sort of NIA?”

Tomiwa shook his head sternly. “TJH is a private agency. We are affiliated with the government when need be, but we are not controlled by them.”

Leri nodded slowly. “To be honest, I had no idea anything like this exists in Nigeria. Its amazing and at least, you enjoy what you do.”

“How about you?” Tomiwa inquired, glancing at Leri, “what do you enjoy doing? What’s your passion?”

“I’ve always wanted to be an on-air personality. I love radio broadcasting. I love to talk about several things, maybe have my own show and be one of the best-no, the best OAP in Nigeria,” She explained her dream.

Tomiwa smiled. “It suits you.”

Leri sighed in self-pity. “I always got fired at everywhere I worked after my NYSC. I couldn’t cope,” she shook her head, “so now, I’m a jobless Nigerian graduate, who was almost killed by my celebrity idol and in the process got intertwined with a spy agency and dangerous activities. Lucky me.”

“On the bright side, you got meet amazing people and friends.” Tomiwa said, “and I promise, you will get a better job. Its just a matter of time Ileri.”

“Do you think I’m TJH material?” She asked him, with hope gleaming in her eyes.

“Get up.” Tomiwa said after a couple of silent moments. She did as he said and he opened both his palm, like he wanted to give her a high-ten. “I want you to punch my palms as hard as you can with your fists.”

“Wait, what?” Leri scoffed, but when she looked at him, his expression was sullen. Tomiwa wasn’t joking.

“But I don’t know a thing about combat,” she admitted.

“I don’t care.” Tomiwa’s reply was curt, “the instruction was to punch. I never asked if you knew how to combat.”

Leri was surprised at his change in tone but she gave it a try. It was just to punch, how hard would it be?

Squeezing her fist as tight as she could, and taking her stance, she punched as hard as she could but it was like she was hopelessly hitting a pile of bricks. She tried again, hitting both of his palms with so much seriousness she could muster but it was all to no avail.

Just as she was about give his right palm another punch, Tomiwa enclosed her fist with his hand, like a glove.

Her eyes fluttered upwards to meet his gaze and every frustration in her evaporated.

“Everyone cannot be TJH material and that doesn’t make you any less special.” He told her softly, “being a spy or an agent isn’t the only way to save the country, so I don’t want you thinking that being one is the only way.”

Leri sighed. “I just thought I could…I could join TJH.”

“You can,” Tomiwa’s response amazed her, “but are you sure its really what you want or you just feel intimidated and influenced by what we do that you want to do it too?”

What Tomiwa just said burst a bubble surrounding her. He was right and she was naïve. It was just peer pressure and nothing else.

She didn’t want to be holding weapons, being undercover and jumping from one dangerous mission to another for the rest of her life. She was a baby girl who needed baby girl treatment and pampering.

Also, her dream was to become the biggest OAP in the country, and that wasn’t going to change anytime soon.

“You’re right.” She breathed out in pure relief, but was a little disappointed when he withdrew his hands from hers, “you’re totally right. I don’t want to join TJH, I’d doubt I’ll even be able to cope.”

“Glad the dust in your eyes are finally clearing away.” Tomiwa nodded in approval.

“I can definitely see better now,” Leri chuckled, “gosh I feel so relieved and I feel like just squeezing you into a hug right-“ she gasped before quickly covering her mouth with her palms.

How could she say that? What in heaven’s name was wrong with her?

“I wouldn’t mind that.” Tomiwa’s response made her head spin, “I’d love a hug anytime as long as it’s from you Ileri.”

Was it the weather that was making them act that way? Leri wondered. Tomiwa wouldn’t mind a hug from her? Was he hitting on her? Did he like her?

The thought was alone reason was her to burst into peals of laughter. Tomiwa liked her? Ridiculous.

“Is something funny?”

“I mean, us wanting to hug each other and me insinuating the idea,” she chuckled, “Its crazy. Please let’s continue our game.”

Sitting next to Tomiwa in his car was a thrilling experience for Leri. She cracked her knuckles and was doing her best not to continuously stare at Tomiwa driving. So, she focused on the view through the widow.

It was currently 7:30pm and yes-the rain had just stopped falling like an hour ago. It wasn’t like she had willingly stayed at his place. It was the rain and definitely no other reason at all.

PS: Leri keeps telling me to tell you all that they aren’t a couple and we’re all deceiving ourselves.But no be her go tell me wetin I do, cause I’m her MF creator.

Back to the story.

Iyanu had called her and asked to meet at Bigpig’s Sharwama joint saying he had something to give her and it was important.

The big sister instinct in her was anxious and full of questions so she agreed to meet him immediately.Tomiwa offered to drop her off.

“Don’t worry,” Tomiwa squeezed her arm reassuringly, “everything is fine.”

It was how that man said just five words which calmed the storm in her. Yoruba jazz perhaps?

Iyanu was waiting for her on their favorite table. Seeing her little brother after weeks of not seeing him made her heart tingle in joy.

Using both her palms to cover his eyes from behind, she whispered. “Guess who?”

“Who else, but my annoying and lousy elder sister.” Iyanu said with a bored voice.

“Werey,” she smacked his head playfully before sliding to her seat.

“See the way my brother’s skin is glowing,” she teased, “this Internship period is doing you good o.” she pulled his right cheek lovingly, but Iyanu swatted her hand away.

“Sis you’re embarrassing joh,” he rolled his eyes, and although he was putting on a hard-guy façade, Leri could see the undiluted relief and joy in her brother.

“I promised Aunty Folake that I won’t be home late, so here.” He dug his hand into his hoodie pocket and brought out a package. “apparently, they tried your number but since it wasn’t reachable-I’m guessing because that was your former line-they contacted me instead.”

The red box was small, about five inches, length and breath. “Did they say who they were because I don’t remember ordering anything recently.” Leri studied the box suspiciously.

“Oh, yes, it also came with this note,” he dug his hand into his pocket again, producing a note and passing it to Leri.

“Happy belated birthday Queen.” She read it aloud, “nawa o.”

“One of your friends maybe,” Iyanu shrugged. “Also, I saw Dennis two days ago.”

Leri’s mood suddenly became sour. The wound in her heart caused by Dennis was slowly healing, but it still stung occasionally.

“And?” She inquired, uninterested.

“I walked straight to him and punched him on his nose.” Iyanu announced proudly, “I also told him that if I ever see him around you, I would gather area boys to beat him to a pulp.”

“Iyanu,” Leri breathed out, speechless. Her brother had done that?

“You’re the best brother in the world,” she sniffled emotionally, “I love you so much.”

“Okay, okay. I have to go now,” he rose, “but come and buy shawarma for me sha, asper thank you gift.”

“Agbaya.” She rolled her eyes at him but still stood up anyways and together, they walked to the order area.

Tomiwa had waited for her and even offered to drop her off at TJH base, which she couldn’t refuse. On their way, he realized that he had forgotten some important documents at home.

As soon as they got to his place, Leri had to use the restroom. Afterwards, she sat in the living room, waiting for Tomiwa.

While she waited, she took out the red box from her bag.

Sheer madness? Impatience? Or high level curiousity? Leri didn't know, but she undid the binding ribbon and opened the box.

In it lay a slender silvery bottle and she held it up and sniffed it, but she couldn’t catch any scent which made her confused. What sort of perfume had no scent?

Fueled by more curiosity, she sprayed it just before her face, and when she leaned it to properly smell it, the world suddenly began to spin around her.

Leri’s vision blurred, her body became too heavy and before she could even blink, she slumped to the floor.

As she struggled to keep her eyes open, she could see Tomiwa running towards her. He yelled something, but his voice was too distant.

That moment she felt all her life force being sucked away with a straw. She was exhausted, so she closed her eyes to rest and drifted into nothingness.

Yikes

Will Leri die, or will she survive?

Happy new year guys🥰🥰❤️ this year is Gon be good and wonderful.

Don't forget to vote, comment and share.

I wrote this chapter specially for the Tomiri shippers in the house❤️