Chapter 16

Unedited

"Time up!" Eniola yelled and Osas slowly pulled away and they both shared a look briefly. She wished it didn't have to end yet so did he.

Osas, wake up! Na your Oga oh!

Snap out of it Osaze, you have a girlfriend and she's your employee! He thought within then he cleared his throat.

Osas then returned back to where she was seated avoiding looks from every corner.

"That was fun" Vera answered and Osaze gave her a look, was it intentional?

Eniola frowned at her, she was no longer smiling at her future sister in law. Why will she pull off such a thing knowing fully well she was in their midst.

Couldn't she have asked her  to kiss Osaze instead?

"Osas spin the bottle" Vera noted but Osas rose up instead. "I want to urinate" she lied leaving and Eniola held the bottle spinning it and it stopped facing now Obianuju. "Truth or Dare"

"Truth"

"Two years being married, why aren't you pregnant? I'm curious and I'm sure everyone's curious too"

"We're not planning on having children yet" Raymond answered knowing how sensitive his wife can be concerning this topic. "It should be her reply, I mean afterall, it's just a game right?"

"Did you have to ask me something that personal?" She asked fighting her tears from pouring down then she rose and Eniola scoffed, "What's personal about that? You could have just said, I'm not ready and we'll move on"

"You only asked that question cause you knew how badly I want a child"

"Nuju" Raymond called out following her and she walked away and all eyes turned towards Eniola.

"What did I do?"

Osas entered into the guest toilet after searching for it. Her heart was still racing fast from kissing her boss. She bit her lower lips then she ran her fingers through the lips as flashes of the kiss replayed in slow motion in her head.

Then she remembered Ejiro's word and she tried to brush the thought off. "No! E no possible" she slapped her cheeks continuously, "Wake up Osas, wake up! Na on top one kiss you dey do like mumu for?" She asked and and the kiss once again replayed in her mind and her heart melted like ice then she exhaled leaning against the wall.

" Why I dey feel like this now? Jesus Christ of Nazareth, help me."

Obianuju entered into the room busting into tears and Raymond followed her in. "Why did you react that way? You just gave yourself out there. People are going to start thinking we're having issues with birth"

"Aren't we?" She asked and he exhaled.

"We're not. We're just experiencing mild delays"

"Are you sure? What if we can't have children?" She trailed off and Raymond shook his head placing his forehead against hers, "We will. At the right time"

"Did you see how she kissed my boyfriend like she was kissing hers?" Eniola complained to Queen in the living room after they had been left alone. "I felt the tension sha and it was like Osaze was even enjoying it."

"You're making it worst, I'm worried about that Osas girl, I think she's a threat"

"Babe, you have every right to be. If I were you, I'll have my eyes on the both of them"

Just as Osas walked through the halls after using the toilet, Goriola held her into the room hoping to steal a moment with her. She sighed in relief on seeing he was the one then he slapped his arm.

"See as you take fear me"

"I'm sorry"  he apologized to her with a smile then he pinned her against the wall.  "You didn't tell me you were coming with Kubi"  "You didn't ask" "You promised me you'll think of my offer, I asked you first" "And I said no. Na by force to come answer you? Why you dey act jealous?"

"Because I'm jealous"

"How?"

"You know I like you, I don't have to repeat it again"

"You like me and you still being get mind sleep with girl last week." She scoffed walking away and he held her back. "Were you jealous?" He asked and she frowned at him.

"Leave my hands" she demanded and he did.

"I'm sorry but I just.... I'm sorry for having sex even while asking you out. I promise not to do it again"

"And the girl way you bring kor?"

Goriola laughed assuming she was acting jealous, "She doesn't mean anything to me. She's just a random person" "And me?" "You're different Osas" he replied moving his lips close to hers and she pushed him away.

"Where's everyone?"

"Gone. You took forever in the toilet The game is over"

"Why?"

"I can explain more better if you stay for long"

Osas rolled her eyes, "Where your babe?" "You don't have to worry about her" "Where's Kubi?" "Probably in the room but you don't have to go. He doesn't have anything to offer you" he replied and she scoffed shaking her head. "The more you dey try toast me, the more your true character dey show" she snapped leaving him and he exhaled.

While Denrele drove Tacha home, he suddenly groaned as though remembering something and she tried not to look at him so not to start any conversation. Forcing herself to go on a date with him was just enough.

She was still sulking over her break up with Chike!

"Shit" he cussed taking another turn and Tacha glanced at him. "What are you doing?"

"I forgot something. It's my cousin's birthday"

"So?"

"I just remembered"

"And?"

"I need to stop by and say hi at least"

Tacha scoffed, "How does that concern me? It's late already and I need to go home. You can call him and apologize" "I can't do that, Jasmine will freak out!  And yes, she's a girl and I know you ladies and your tantrums. I don't want that. I promise to take you home afterwards"

"I'm tired and I need rest"

"You'll get the rest you want" he promised and she exhaled.

Osaze couldn't help but think of Osas and Kubiat sharing a room together while he took his bathe. He wondered what might be going on at the moment. Could they already be asleep or having a conversation or..... He trailed off in his thoughts.

Then he shook the thought off, "No! They're just here as friends right?" He said out loud, "Why am I bothered? It's her life and she can do whatsoever she damn feels like" he muttered turning off the shower then the kiss popped into his mind and he shut his eyes leaning on the wall.

Denrele drove into a exotic compound with music blaring and the security shut the gate afterwards. He got out opening the door of his car so Tacha could get out but she refused.

"I'll wait here"

"What kind of gentleman will that make me?" He asked and she scoffed. "Just come in and say hi"  he begged and she rolled her eyes, finally agreeing to his plea.

She stepped in to the chorus of Laycon and Deshinor Hip hop.

🎶This is hip hop hurray
The way we rap dem say Biggie ti de
This is hip hop hurray
The way we rap dem say 2Pac ti de oo

This is hip hop hurray, ho
Hey, ho 🎶

Immediately he stepped into the sitting room some guys walked towards him shaking his hands in a style that made Tacha conclude he was definitely in a cult group.

"My man, na your babe be this?" One of the guys asked and Tacha forced a smile. "Good evening" "Na fine Babe oh. Well, you don carry eyes go market oh. You see this guy?" He pointed at Denrele, "Na better guy, him go take care of you. You know what I mean?" He winked at her and Denrele laughed. "Bad guy!" He chanted and they all walked away.

"Can we go now?" She asked and he huffed, "I haven't even seen my cousin yet"

"You're the worst cousin ever!" A dark young lady approached dressed in a short yellow gown that exposed her cleavages.

"So you couldn't even call me"

"Mo gba gbe sha" he replied sincerely and she hissed, "Where's my gift"  "Calm down, you know I can get you anything you want. All you just have to so is name it" he answered and Jazmine laughed.

"Brag much?" She asked and he smiled wrapping his hands across Tacha's waist. "Tacha, meet my cousin"  "Hey" Tacha waved, "Happy birthday to you." "Yeah.... You must be Tacha, you're all my cousin ever talks about" she replied and Tacha blinked her eyes not sure whether to believe her or not. Maybe it was just a hype to win her heart. 

"Can we leave now" she whispered to him and Jazmine chuckled. "I'll be back soon, I'll like to have a word with my cousin first" He begged holding Jazmine away.

Osaze finally stepped out of the bathroom dressed in a navy blue round neck top and boxers, his eyes fell on Eniola's nightie which was on the duvet and Eniola underneath it.

"What took you so long?" She asked slowly bitting her lower lip. "Come on in" she added tapping the bed and he picked up the gown stretching it at her. For reasons not known to him, he didn't want to have sex with her.

If it some other person, maybe he would have. Could it be because he sees her more as a little sister than a lover?

"Dress up"

"You do realize that's..... Embarrassing right?"

"Enny, I'm sorry but... I'm not in the mood" 

"I can put you in the mood"

"Dress up or I'll be forced to sleep on the couch in the living room. I'm pretty sure that'll be more embarrassing" he threatened throwing the cloth close to her and she sat up, embarrassed by his response.

Tired of standing, Tacha sat on a chair beside a guy who was smoking. "Hey" Jazmine appeared from nowhere holding two drinks, "Where's Denrele?" "Talking to some of his friends"

"It's late, it's past ten already, when am I going to get home"

"You can sleep here. My boyfriend won't mind, I practically live here so....." "I can't do that"

"Babe chill" Jazmine encouraged seating close to her then she crossed her legs. "I know you're a lawyer and  but live a little, have fun?" She passed the glass to her and she collected it dropping it on the table and Jazmine's eyes trailed the drink.

"Hey Babe" Her boyfriend called out and she  raised a finger up, "Give me five minutes" she replied collecting the cigarette in his hands while he walked away.

She inhaled then she shut her eyes blowing the smoke out. "I hope I'm not inconveniencing you" she asked and Tacha shook her head, it wasn't her first time being around people that smoke, she has never had a taste of it; she didn't even have it in plan.

"Do you want?" She asked and she shook her head again, "I just want to leave"

"Don't you like Denrele?"

"Sincerely? I don't"

"Ouch, but the guy likes you oh. I can vouch for the love he has for you."

"I just want to go"

"Seems like you're in a bad mood. Come on you can talk me, I'm a fellow girl like you. You can tell me anything, I promise not to tell Denrele"

Tacha exhaled perceiving Jazmine was a nice person. "I just broke up with my boyfriend because my mother doesn't want him and I don't want to make her angry. She wants Denrele"

"Oh but you don't want him"

"Yes"

"What do you want? Your boyfriend back"

"And so much more! I want to be able to do what I love without influence from my parents, just because I'm from a rich home, doesn't mean I'll have to be a lawyer. I'm frustrated okay? I'm really frustrated and I can't do anything about it, I can't even show it"

Jazmine exhaled after listening to her anguish. She understood how she felt, she was also going through her phase too. "I know what can make you feel better" she replied stretching the cigarette at her.

"Just inhale it a bit"

Tacha shook her head, she has been through several stages of peer pressure growing up, there was no way she'll make herself fall for this one. "Thank you, I'll sort myself out another way"

She brought out a small sealed nylon containing a white substance from her pouch and she gasped, "Jeez! Is that....?" She trailed off and she unzipped her hand bag throwing it in.

"That's a gift from me to you on my birthday" she answered laughing, "You'll thank me later" she winked at her and Tacha picked up the drink taking a sip from it.

"I don't do drugs"

"Trust me when I say this, it'll take your pain away. It's my second Jesus, for Jazmine so love you that she gave her precious Jesus to you so you might have everlasting joy and happiness." She quoted and Tacha laughed.

"I'll pass"

"Vera, I think you might be right about your notion" Philip spoke up while in bed with Vera, "That?" "Osaze might actually like that Osas" he replied and she chuckled.

"Just wanted to hear you say it. I told you"

"Was that why you pulled the whole kiss dare thing? That kiss was truly intense" "There's just something about the way my brother looked at her, the interest that had me hooked. I know this makes me look and act like Mom but.... I want Osaze to be happy and I think a woman like Osas can do the trick" she answered and Philip smiled.

"Babe" she called out, "Huh huh?" "I want watermelon or avocado. Anyone you can lay your hands on. What's the time?"

Osas slept facing Kubiat and a smile curled up her cheeks. "A penny for your thoughts?" He asked and she shrugged.  Part of him assumed she was definitely thinking of the kiss. It's definitely the kiss!

"Are you thinking of the kiss?" He asked and she scoffed, "No" she lied, "I was just.... What if I didn't cook the soup?" She asked and he laughed.

"It would have been a disaster.  It tasted great"

"Thank you" she replied shutting her eyes and he smiled, "Goodnight Kubi" "Good night Osas" he kissed her on the forehead and she chuckled.

1: 25 am

Osaze gasped from having a nightmare and Eniola woke up in fear too. "What happened?" She asked and he exhaled laying back in bed. "It's just a dream" he replied and she shut her eyes then she returned back to snoring.

Osaze turned towards her and his stomach growled. "Shit" he rose up then he wandered into the kitchen to fox up something to eat. When he found a little Egusi in the pot he decided to fix a little Eba to eat.

Osas walked in while he was dipping the eba into the pot of soup and her heart resumed it's race, she had no idea where it was racing too.  In front of her was a guy she kissed hours ago, she felt strange and she wondered if he felt that way too.

"Good morning" she greeted feeling awkward a and he freezed on the spot and almost disappeared from embarrassment.

He closed the pot and she laughed, "Why are you closing the pot?" She asked and he shut his eyes. "I didn't want anyone to see me" "Why didn't you tell me you needed Egusi that time?" She asked folding her hands.

"I was hungry and I decided to just...." He unsuccessfully tried explaining himself then he cleared his throat. "There was nothing much in the pot" he opened the lid.

"I think the only thing close to fish in the soup was the fish bone i found in here" he raised the fish bone up and they both laughed.

"I'm sorry. I should have kept served your soup." "It's fine" he waved his hands rolling eba in his hands then he dipped it into the pot of soup.  "I'll prefer you leave, this is really embarrassing" he answered and she laughed.

"I'm not with camera, do I want to snap you?" She asked and he smiled. "It doesn't change it from being embarrassing" he answered swallowing the eba.

"It's like you're really hungry oh. Should I cook something"

"Don't bother" he answered  closing the lid of the pot then he turned on the tap washing his hands in the running water.

"Tomorrow's another day" he replied turning off the tap.

"It's today, not tomorrow"

"True" he replied and they both laughed.  "The soup tastes amazing" "You didn't even taste the main thing" "I thought the main thing is always at the bottom pot? I just literally ate the bottom pot" he answered and she chuckled.

She didn't understand why she was chuckling like an idiot!

"Thank you" she blushed. "Who taught you how to cook?" He asked unconsciously, it was one of those question you ask and you begin to wonder if you're the one who just asked the question or a stupid person.

"Well, i.... My mom taught me, I left her at the age of twelve so....... Then I went to Mama Loveth's house where I worked as a maid. She didn't teach me how to cook. She just......." She trailed off, "Assume that I should know how to cook and that was how I started" she explained sinking into a sad mood on remembering how she suffered in Mama Loveth's house.

The number of times she had to eat the soured soup and not the new one she cooked!

"Are you okay?" He asked and she nodded, "Yes Sir" "Are you sure?"  "Yes Sir" she replied and he cleared his throat.

"I hear s...... " I paused before she completed the sentence in pidgin, "I heard that Mrs Obianuju got angry because of the game" "Yes she did. Eniola took it far"

"Your girlfriend ehn..... Between me and you, she's annoying oh" she confessed and Osaze couldn't agree more" "You and Mrs Obianuju, how long have known each other?"

"Six years or so"

"Why does she call you Mr Osaze since. You guys are like friends"

"We're practically friends but she loves being professional"

"And you like it too shey? Somebody should be calling you Mister"

E dey make your head swell shey? She continued in her mind, then she thought of ways to translate it to English.

Abi is it It's boosting your moral? She thought within, "How will you put, e dey make your head swell in English?" She asked laughing at herself. This provoked laughter from him too.

"You can say, it feeds your ego, or you say, it makes you feel high and mighty right? There are other terms one can use, depends on the context you're using it"

Osas smiled, "Thank Mr Briggs" "Mr Osaze Benjamin" he corrected and she scoffed. "You said it yourself in the bus, your surname is Briggs"  "It's not mine" "I don't understand"

"You won't understand"

"Then make me understand" she moved closer to him, "I want to, if Osaze and Benjamin is your name, then what's your surname?" She asked and all he could stare at was her lips.

Wait.... Why am I looking at her lips? he asked within then he moved back and she blew air into her palm. "Is my mouth smelling? I brushed before sleeping"

He shook his head,  "It's not that. I can't have that discussion with you" he answered and she nodded in understanding.

"I understand. I'm overstepping my boundary." She moved back and he kept quiet.

"I remember when I asked you if you wanted me to call you Bengee." "Don't!"

"See, why do you hate the name?"

"I don't hate it. I just hate the fact it brings bad memories" "What kind of bad memories?"   She asked and he scoffed.

"I don't like talking about it."

"I prefer Bengee, in Benin, if your name is Benjamin, you automatically become Bengee. I like Bengee. There's this one person i knew one time" she smiled, "Benjamin" she called the name with so much admiration and then she exhaled.

Osaze grew interested, "An ex boyfriend?" 

"No" she shook her head, "My friend that year, well..... you can call him my crush. I being dey very young that year...."

"What happened?" he asked and she shrugged, "I don't like talking about that part of my life." She answered and he chuckled. "Was that intentional?"

"I don't know. What about we make another deal? If I tell you my secret, you'll tell me yours" she suggested and he shook his head.

"I can't. I'm sorry Osarieme, good night!" He said sharply leaving her alone in the kitchen.

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