Chapter 23
I trailed my eyes around Imade's penthouse suite and let myself enjoy the view. My moment was short lived, when Imade plumped herself on the sofa and stated plainly. "You owe me some details."

"Right. Your brother and I kissed. No big deal. We just haven't spoken about it since then."

"He hasn't been in Nigeria in a week, so I get why he's been absent."

"But he can call."

"Not if he's afraid that he has feelings for you."

I blushed. "Don't say that."

"I know my brother. He always prepares himself for everything. I don't think his feelings for you were in his plans. The question is, do you love him back?"

"Stop jumping to conclusions. Love's a really strong word, not to be thrown around carelessly."

She nibbled her lower lip, disappointedly. "So that's a no. I love my brother and I love you too, but I won't forgive you if you break his heart."

"I don't think I can break his heart. Tife's heart can't be broken by me. That's impossible."

She cast me a wary look. "You'd be surprised. You did it once."

My eyebrows furrowed. "What are you talking about?"

"He liked you back then, you know. He just felt guilty, that you were so young, so he backed away."

"He did? So how did I break his heart? I don't remember doing anything like that."

"You moved on, with someone his age. It pissed him off how stupid he was, to have not tried." I instantly remembered who. Isaac was a guy his age, and also his former classmate, that I dated for less than three months, after I came up to the conclusion that it was impossible trying to date my best friend's brother.

"So you've known all along, and you never said anything?"

"I just found out by accident a year ago. Drunk Tife is very chatty. He really liked you, back then. I guess it wasn't the right moment. He's awkward about the whole sister's best friend thing. Afraid that it'd change the dynamics. He likes to overthink things. Major idiot move."

I pursed my lips. "I liked him then too."

"And now?"

"I'm still figuring that out too. Cut me some slack."

Imade smiled softly. "When I wanted you two to get close, this wasn't what I had in mind."

"Me too, but then it happened."

"So what do you want to do about it?"

"I just want to see his face. That's all."

"Go to his house then. What's wrong with you?"

"I just can't—"

"Why not? You're afraid where the relationship would lead to?"

"He's not my type."

"And yet you want him so badly. What do you want to do? Sit down and wait, or will you take action, like the badass woman I know you are?"

I hesitated. "I'll just hold on and wait till Friday."

Imade scoffed. "You two are fucking idiots. I swear, you deserve one another."

"I'm just being careful."

"I know. I just want you both to be happy together."

.......
Abrupt knocks on my door, dragged me out of bed, early that Wednesday morning. I rubbed my eyes, trying to keep myself awake.
I pulled open the door and groaned, when I saw Desmond standing there.

"Why can't you just go away?"

Desmond's eyes turned pleading. "I needed to make an apology to you. Face to face. I broke things off with her."

I rubbed my temples. This wasn't how I planned my morning to be like. "Why would I care if you did? If you want my forgiveness, then fine, you have it. Now go."

"Not yet. I want to be a part of your life. Even if we don't date anymore, I want us to be friends. We used to be that."

"What alternate world do you think we are in? Why would I want you in my life, even as friends?"

Desmond's lips quivered. It was so ironic that I used to find that adorable. Now, I was just tired and done with him. "I know I screwed up and I totally deserve all the hate you're giving me, but I want—"

I shook my head. I wasn't in the mood to hear the rest of his unconvincing speech. "You want us to be friends? Fine. Ask me again in a year. Maybe by then I wouldn't want to cut your head off. Until then, get out of my house and don't make me call the police, because God knows how badly I want to."

He sent me a dejected look, but I didn't wait to see what he would attempt to say, so I went back in and slammed the door. Feeling content with what I did, I hummed a tune that played at the back of my head, and prepared myself for work.