Playlist : Tonight by Nonso Amadi

Cordelia.

My eyes narrowed dangerously at the shitty smirk on her face after recovering from the shock of how I looked like.

The bitch.

I'm never going to allow her get Richard, trophy or not.

I strutted over to the dazed Richard, his mouth was still agape and he barely noticed how Cordelia the prostitute snuggled closer and brush her bare cleavage against his arm.

"You would want to back off that guy bitch, he's mine," I said in a too-sweet voice and Richard withdrew from her hold, she smiled slyly and motioned to Richard to call her before walking away with her stupid stretch marked thickness, faux synthetic hair and overly bleached skin, I was going to follow her and claw her eyes out but Richard's hand was already at my waist so I focused on trying not to cringe and get out of his hold.

"You look beautiful tonight," He whispered and I scoffed.

"So I didn't look beautiful all this while and we're celebrating two years of our union?" He looked flustered and fumbled around for words. Bisi bounced down the stairs just then, typing away on her phone with my clutch purse wedged between her arm and side.

"My favorite in-law, you're looking takeaway today ooo," She praised with a knowing look and passed me my purse, I rolled my eyes in impatience, wondering what was takeaway about a man in designer suit and over priced shoes. I noticed that peculiar look both Bisi and Richard shared but didn't pay attention.

"Can we just get going and get this night over with already?" They snapped of their staring contest and Richard hugged Bisi before wrapping an arm around my waist, it took all the self control I had in me not to jump out of his hold, he knew I hated that kind of proximity but I guess he got the wrong signal when he saw me all decked up for something as ordinary as a dinner date.

We said our goodbyes to Bisi and the other girls before walking out towards his expensive Benz that didn't impress me a bit, I preferred Audi even back in the days when...

When everything was beautiful, when I was pure and clean....

"Where are we going?" I needed the distraction else I would end up a sorry mess within minutes.
"Hilton's " He said as he maneuvered the vehicle out of madam Peju's compound.

"Oh," was the only word I said through out the drive, I drifted off to planning on a very less hurtful, painless way to breakup with him. According to my calculations, I had already tried twenty five different approaches without success, today's was going to be the twenty sixth and hopefully the final. It would have been much more easier if he was a bad guy but he was just too perfect that I couldn't find any reason to breakup with him.

I've tried the you're too perfect for me and I don't deserve you tactic, his reply being that nobody deserved anyone and I shouldn't beat myself up about it. I also tried the I'm not cut out for a relationship thingy, he said 'I'll teach you,' in a sweet way and closed off the topic.

"You need a woman you can have romantic access to,"

"Not everything in life is about sex Mokun, I'm with you because I care about you, not because of what you can offer me in bed,"

"You're too caring and your gifts and flowers are choking me!"

"My bad, I'm sorry, it won't happen again. So what would you like to have for dinner?"

"I have no reason at all, I'm just tired and I want to end this already," it got to that point, I'd thought he'll finally leave but he simply smirked and was like, "you should have a reason if you want to breakup, you're free to try again when you find one and I'll give you a counter reason why I wouldn't give up on you just yet."

So you see, that was the reason for my serious thoughts that didn't stop as I sat with a straight back by the poolside on the rooftop of the elegant hotel, providing us an excellent view of the vast sea lined with trees and sky scrapers. I ignored the memories it brought back and focused on the immediate issue.

"You're not eating your food, is there a problem?"

Yes, I'm trying to figure out a way to breakup with you without causing a scene and failing.

"No, my appetite isn't that great,"

"You should try the small chops, it might open up your taste buds," I forced out a smile and shook my head.

"How's work?" He asked while slicing a chunck of meat with elegance.

"Work's fine, business?"

"Getting better by the day, signed another contract with Google lately, everything's looking up for us...." He had a software designing company that was really successful even with the fact that he'd started it up a few weeks before he met me a little over two years ago.

"....the only thing left to complete me is marriage."
Not again.

"You see Chad, about that I -"

"I know you're not ready, but I have a surprise that would speed up the rate of your readiness,"

"Richard you know I hate surprises,"

"Don't worry you'll love this one, you done eating?" He stood up and held his hand out to help me up.

"Sure," I smiled and got up without his help.
Mokun never needs help from anyone.

The elevator ride back down was silent, even till we got to his expensive car, no words was exchanged, that was how our relationship was like, silent, tense, even too strained to be friendship and he was comfortable with it, he never complained, he understood and held on to me like a leech...

Things you wish David had done...

David...

****

"David please don't do this to me, our wedding is in a matter of months," I'd cried in alarm when he renounced our engagement after the whole tragedy befell.

He stood with a face void of emotions, looking at me with an indifference likened to that of a crawling worm, "The whole city is talking about how my fiancé spread her legs for a thug and you think I'll continue this sham?"

"It wasn't on purpose Dave, it was rape."

"Same fucking difference, if you had awarded me the honour of taking your cherry, I would have been considerate. But no! We just had to wait the the wedding night, now that you're an ajadi apeere, do you think I'll accept you with open arms? Oh, you think I'll marry a tainted nobody? Think aga-"

****

"We're here!" I snapped out of my reverie when Richard's hand touched my naked arm. I looked around startled and confused.

"Are you OK?"

"Uhm...yeah, why aren't we back at madam Peju's?" I squealed, trying to conceal the shakiness of my voice.

"I have a surprise for you, remember?"

"Oh, right."

We got out of the car and he told me to wait a while before disappearing into the gates of what seemed like a park, I took it as my cue to dab away treacherous tears and blow away mucus from my nose. He came back with a shit eating grin and ushered me towards the entrance, the sight and noise that greeted me was disconcerting.

"SURPRISE!!!" Everyone screamed and I turned towards Richard to ask if he understood the meaning of the word surprise, only to meet in a half-knelt position with an opened ring box in hand.

"Marry me Mokunfayo, please?"

Dun dun duuuuun!
What do you think would happen next?😏
Good morning from this end everyone, I trust your day is going well, mine is though I was able to deliver the third chapter of Melanin diaries so I'm in high spirits.
Ajadi apeere is a Yoruba term used for someone that lost her virtue in a shameful way, correct me if I'm wrong.
Your comments and feedbacks would be appreciated.
And please don't forget to vote, it encourages me to want to do more.
I wish y'all a beautiful Thursday from this end,
✌ illusionistic