Paul

"This is all your fault." Chi glares at me, her fingers threatening to make a hole in my chest from the number of times she has poked me. "I told you to tell her. I told you."

Running my fingers through my scalp, I sigh and offer her a contrite smile, I need her in my corner right now. "I was going to."

As if my words burn her, she hisses, spins on her heels and makes for her room. I follow behind and rake my fingers through my hair, Chi should have called. She did. The missed calls on my phone which is on silent mode shows that. But I didn't want any disturbances with Ify, yesterday was our first peaceful outing since that night. I sigh. She's right, I am an ass, all our fights happened because of me and my huge ego.

Ifunaya.

I wonder if she will ever let me call her by that name again. She holds a special place in my heart and I will never deliberately hurt her, she should know that by now. I care too much about her and hurting her equals hurting myself. We can't be done.

Closing my eyes to allow the image of her hurt expression tugging at my heartstrings fade from my mind, I let out an audible sigh. Our conversation replays itself over and over again in my head, I groan. What does she mean by my need to hurt her? I will never hurt her. Maybe in the past, I was too caught up with the cheating revelation to consider her feelings but now, I am trying to be the best version of myself for us, for her. I was only bidding my time, waiting for the right moment which never happened.

"I know I should have told her but what are we going to do now?" I ask Chi who has her back to me. "I don't want to lose her."

With supersonic speed, she turns around in only her bra and tights. I can't help a small smile from forming on my lips at the sight of my angry sister with her hands akimbo and cheeks almost turning red from trying to keep her temper in check. Ifunaya would have ordered me out of here if I barged in but Chi doesn't care so long she's not naked.

"First of all, who's we?" She puts on her shirt, comes in front of me so I can fix the zipper behind. I do that and she continues, "There's no we in this situation, only you."

She scoffs and eyes me from head to toe. I stifle a groan, I can't handle an angry sister and an upset girlfriend, it's the reason I didn't try to interfere when Ify was going off on her. Good thing she understands and doesn't hold that against me but now, I need us to be on the same side, to be a team again until this mess I created has been fixed.

"You don't want to lose her yet you kept mute all this while, didn't I tell you your stupid plan will backfire?" she asks and my head hangs low in shame. I was doing what I thought was best. "Since you always have things under control, fix this one yourself."

I muster my best remorseful expression and apologise but it falls on deaf ears. I sigh. "Your shirt is fine," I mutter as a last attempt to get her to talk to me. "You look good."

Chi is the fashionista of the house and some of her fashion sense might have seeped into my thick head. At first, it was fun to torment her with my poor taste, now, styling myself has become part of my routine. She puts her legs into a pair of suede boots, grabs her handbag after patting her hair. Her face doesn't give away the fact she heard my compliment and that's a sign I'll have to work harder to earn her forgiveness.

"I always look good," she finally replies.

A grim smile appears on my face, of course, I know that already. "Where are you going?"

"To work?" she replies in an obvious tone.

Trailing behind her, I rush in and out of my room while struggling to put on a shirt, confused as my feet find their way into a pair of sneakers. I know I heard right and as at this morning, our poor asses were fired.

"You got fired, we both did," I murmur and she nods. "So why are you going? You don't need the job, we don't need the money."

She pauses to stare right through me and I shudder. I am taller but she still manages to pull off the intimidating look. "But I need my friend. You should have listened to me."

After one final scowl, she walks out the door and I am forced to jog after her with my arm barely into my shirt. Calling out to her yields no result, I stop to catch my breath when she halts at the junction of the house. A grateful smile adorns my lips, I adjust my shirt, make a note to get Mentos for my breath and resume walking at a leisure trot.

The street is empty, it always is but if I listen closely I will be sure to hear the noises from neighbours television. We have an unspoken mind your business until I ask for help rule, one of the many reasons I chose to live here. The community spirit is almost overwhelming, a welcome change from the snobby elites of Enugu. I love living here.

I have cooked for a few of the houses on occasion. The first time was as a last-minute stand-in option for the chef who failed to show up the day Mrs Effiong, the woman who lives on the flat above mine, was having her granddaughter's naming ceremony.

My culinary skills have gone viral since then, all thanks to her. It's how I spend most of my off day which I make sure falls on a weekend and also get cool cash. A ghost of a smile crosses my lips at the reminder of Ifunaya's query, I wonder what thoughts went through her mind before I put her out of her misery. She stresses her pretty head too much by overthinking but I guess that's how she landed herself the role of a hotel manager at such a young age. Ify. My Ify.

Being a chef pays better than a lot of people realise, you grow connections and meet new people. I never tire to see the hosts faces when they see the cook is a handsome male who charges cheap. Left to me, I won't accept any form of payment but to avoid questions or suspicions, I always do.

The acknowledgements and praises always come first, the flirting comes last with a promise of a recommendation. If the host is older, they will try to set me up with their single daughters. Too bad for them, I already have a partner, they will have to get past my babe first for that to ever happen.

A cab stops in front of Chi, my beloved sister gives me the middle finger, slips into the car which zooms off immediately. I stand there in shock and surprise, unsure of how to react. It has been so long we had a fight of this magnitude, we are almost alike when it comes to how we react in angry situations but once she snaps, you have to be wary.

Hell hath no fury like an angry sister.

Cars drive past me without a glance until a black Camry slows to a halt in front of me. The window rolls down and I can't help laughing when I sight who it is. Chike; the first guy I met when I packed in. He claims I am the reason he got his new girlfriend, I helped improve his kitchen skills. Girls seem to love the idea of dating a man who can cook. I don't get it, he doesn't get it either but it helped him get his woman.

The passenger door opens before he says, "Good morning. Where are you going?"

"Work," I reply as I settle in. He has dropped me a few times so he knows the way but it feels odd saying work, I have no job right now. "Good morning. How was your night?" I ask and he offers a nonchalant response.

Ifunaya's face bursts into my mind, I smile sadly and look out the window, grateful he is also not in a conversational mood. I wanted her alone to myself for a few more months, away from my family drama which is certain to come once they find out about my love life. There is no hiding from those people, not with Chi, my fraternal twin who thinks she knows what's best for me.

The top of the hotel building comes into view, I eye it with the same admiration I did the first time and mentally prepare myself to see her. Her office is on the top floor, my human eyes can't locate it from here but I pretend she's on her laptop or sitting by the window, looking out and lost in thoughts.

Will she forgive me? I hope she can, I will treat her right this time. No more secrets.

"Have a great day, man," Chike says.

His deep voice pulls me out of my reverie, his hand on my shoulder feels heavy. I look around, we are here. "Yes." I get out of his car, bend over to say, "Thanks. You too."

I only realise where I am headed to when I reach the garage and can't find Ifunaya's car. She must have gone home instead. I head back to the reception area where Chi is talking to a man who she hands a bunch of keys. My fists clench and unclench when he winks before heading for the elevator. She is off limits. He and his bald, ugly self can enjoy the comfort of his room alone.

"Ifunaya," I heave a sigh and clear my throat, "I mean, Pauline, where is she?" I ask Chi, ignoring the fact she has resumed work already. I know better than to return to the kitchen without Ifunaya's approval.

She picks a key card on the counter, places it on a glass shelf behind her and returns to her seat without a word to me. I chuckle, the shocker would have been her replying me. Another customer approaches the desk, a female and she spends most of her time gawking at me instead of replying Chi's questions, much to both of our annoyance.

Chi lets out a sigh when the lady leaves, I pinch her cheeks and blink my unusually long lashes at her. She hates it when I do that, in her words: I am not cute and it doesn't fit me, I got lucky to have the lashes. I know she's jealous, she's the one who has to fix fake ones to match the length of mine.

"What do you want?"

I have a hard time keeping a straight face when she folds her arms on her chest, the childhood memories washing over me does little to help. Tickling has always been the remedy for an angry Chi but this is not the right place so I shove my itching hands into my pocket and settle for flowery words.

"My sweetheart," I start and laughter spills from me when her staid expression cracks.

"Please, I'm not your babe," she says and scowls. We stay in silence, I feel her anger dissolving, it never lasts. "You fucked up."

"I know and I am sorry. Forgive me, biko?" She scowls, I pinch her cheeks and a corner of her lips lift like she's fighting a smile. "I need your help, I can't have the two most beautiful women in my life fighting me."

She raises two fingers. "Me and mummy, what about Pauline? Is she not beautiful?"

It's my turn to scowl, she chuckles. "Okay, three. I don't want the three most beautiful women in my life fighting with me." Her smile grows, she nods as if satisfied with my statement. "Mind you, I spoke to mummy last month, we are cool." Not on the best terms but now we are talking, it's not the same story with him. She tilts her head to one side, I know what she wants to ask and I beat her to it, "Don't ask me about him."

"Okay." Her fingers drum on the counter. "Have you called her?" I nod and she sighs when I inform her Ifunaya isn't picking. "This is why you should have listened to me. I'm not just older than you, I'm wiser." She finishes off with a laugh, "I know things."

"Yes ma. Wise one," I mutter, it's her turn to shine. It doesn't matter that she is only older with less than ten minutes, I never hear the end of it. But if I mock her about her height, I will receive the silent treatment for a week. "You have not answered the question, what will we," I clear my throat at her glare and rephrase my statement, "will I do?"

She eyes me with disdain written all over her face, I chuckle, I know she loves me and I love her too. "Did you ask her out?" I nod, her face breaks into a smile and I receive a pat on my shoulder. "Good boy, first time you are acting like we are related. Idiot."

"Shortie," I fire back. Her nostrils flare, I wink and poke a finger into her cheek, she started it. "Help your baby brother na. Tell her that thing girls always tell each so she can forgive me." I jut my lower lip and blink rapidly. "I need my girlfriend back. Help."

Chi beams. Her expression turns serious, I get wary when she squeezes my arm. "I'm glad you finally moved on from El- "

The cold look that crosses my face, plus my arched brow stops her from completing the statement. She smiles sheepishly, gives my hand another squeeze and I relax, she's only looking out for me, that's what twins do. I am the one who put both of us in this situation but can I be faulted for it? The last time I introduced my lover to my sister, all she did was use Chi to get closer to my family under the guise of friendship. It's the reason I love her relationship with Ifunaya, it is natural. Two girls who genuinely care for each other with no hidden intentions.

My shoulders sag, that's not good enough an excuse, I should have still told her. Or, I should have let Chi do the telling instead of making her promise to keep it a secret. But I was trying to protect my heart, to avoid a heartbreak that will affect me and Chi. She felt the impact as hard as I did when I found out, maybe more. In our case, we feel each other's pain and I don't want us hurt again.

"If you touch my face again, I'll blow you," Chi murmurs through gritted teeth when I pinch her cheeks for the third time today. She swipes the back of her hand against her cheek and lets out a low hiss. "Idiot."

I know how much she hates me touching her chubby cheeks which is all the reason for me to want to keep doing it. But I only did it now to let her know I am not mad at her for mentioning that wolf in sheep's clothing. Ifunaya is nothing like her and I am stupid to have compared both of them. I can only hope my stupidity doesn't cost me.

"I'll call her but I doubt she will pick," Chi says after pulling out her iPhone. I don't understand her obsession with this apple device, she always has the latest version and since she can afford it, I don't care.

"Pick up," she murmurs under her breath as the phone rings without interruption. She tries again, a sigh escaping both of us after the third try. "She's not picking."

Disappointment settles on my shoulders, I nod and offer her a small smile, maybe she does need her space. But for how long?

"I will try again in ten minutes," she mutters upon noticing the sad look on my face. "I won't stop calling until she picks." Her hand finds mine. "She has to forgive us."

We share a hug over the counter and I feel much better knowing I have my sister's support. I can always count on her. Seconds trickle to minutes, I stand there, waiting. Without a job, I am in no rush. The familiar ringtone of Chi's phone brings us back from our musing. She slaps my anxious fingers tapping an uneven rhythm on the counter, glares me into silence and picks the call.

Emotions fleet across her face, none of them, except worry, last long enough for me to decipher them and a shiver drips down my spine. I wait impatiently, my hands shoved into my pocket to stop myself from drumming a hole into the counter. Fuck.

"Who was that?" I ask immediately she pulls her phone away from her ear. Her lips move into a grim line, she laces her fingers and places them on the table. I blink and try to convince myself this is one of her prank moments or simply her being dramatic. "I am not in the mood for any of your jokes."

She rolls her eyes and frowns. "It's the boss, Mr Adams. He wanted to know where she is, she has not been picking his calls." A pause ensues. "What if something happened to her? Or, she got into an accident?"

I clear my throat and raise a finger to stop her, she is the worrier of the family and a terrible driver. It's the reason no one allows her to drive. Biting her nails, she looks up to me and I see worry barely concealed in her eyes. I groan and take her hands, I don't like seeing anyone I love distressed.

"Maybe you should go to her house. I know I said she might need space but I'm worried." I am too but I have to put on a brave front for our sake. "Just make something up. Yes. Something along the lines of Mr Adams couldn't contact her so he sent you?"

She sounds unsure and so it comes out as more of a question than a statement but it is good enough for me. I don't wait for her to finish before I'm out the door, jogging until I am outside the hotel gates. I hail a cab which fortunately stops in front of me. My fingers drum on my knees as the driver meanders his way through the light traffic, making a stop at the address I give him.

Afraid our meeting will be brief, heated or end with me being asked to leave, I ask the driver to wait then head into the house through the open gate. The house is quiet as I make my way to the entrance only to meet the doors locked. I knock on the front door severally, circle the house and scream out her name when I receive no response.

Her car which I previously ignored calls my attention, I saunter to the classy ride, unsure of what I am looking for. My feet come in contact with something stiff, I look down to see it's the handbag she brought to my place. The one I was afraid she would use to slap my head with the way she kept switching it from her left to her right hand.

Fear trickles down my back, I shake my head and put up a mental block to prevent the negative thoughts from seeping in. Chi and Ifunaya are the overthinkers, not me and she must have rushed out in a hurry. I scan her compound, nothing is out of place.

On dialling Ifunaya's number, the annoying but unmistakable voice of a male singer filters from her bag and I am reminded of the single reason I hate her ringtone. The nauseating voice grates on my ears.

Thankful she has no password, I unlock her phone and twenty missed calls, no doubts from me, Chi and Mr Adams stare back at me. The worry which I tried so hard to subdue starts to build when I notice the key in the ignition. Keeping a firm grip on her bag, I lock the car and make my way back to the cab to give the driver new directions.

Questions and possible answers float in my mind throughout the ride home, I try not to think about them but I can't ignore the most important one: Where's my girlfriend?

**********

Picture is what Paul's room is supposed to look like, only bigger and better.

Did y'all notice we are on 5K+ reads, if that isn't something to be glad about ... I don't know what else is, plus I don't want to keep talking (writing) lest I say (type) the wrong thing.

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