~Somi's POV~

"Homachi!"

"What?" She asked, looking up at me from the bed where she was busy with her phone.

"Did you touch this perfume?" I asked holding the half-full bottle of perfume up for her to see. I had hidden it at the bottom of my bag, but someone got to it because the tape I put on it has been shifted.

"I didn't touch it o." she replied, sparing me and the perfume nothing but a glance.

"Then who did, because this is not how I kept it."

"Ask your sister." She huffed

"As you're my dog nau, abi? He-goat."

"That's not even logically correct." She murmured as I marched to the kitchen to meet Sarima.

On the stool beside the gas, she's sitting, knees apart, sweating with the pot cover in her hand. She looked up to meet my eyes longing at the noodles she was cooking.

"Sarima, I will eat o!" Homa shouted my thoughts.

We both hissed simultaneously. "Did you touch this perfume?" I asked her

"No o." she put the pot cover down. "Let me see."

I handed her the clear matte bottle which appeared to be rose gold because of the colour of the liquid inside.

"Please don't spray it." I warned her.

She sized me before hissing. "So you think I'll come and spoil the noodles I want to eat or better still cause an explosion because of one yeye perfume you were hiding?"

"Shebi it's yeye now abi?" I dragged it from her.

"Smells expensive sha. Rich woman." She hailed, a tinge of mockery mixed within, as I walked back to the room, hissing furiously.

"You people have started." I grabbed my dress from the chair where I rested it. "When I do my own back I don't want to hear complaints. Now perfume has started spraying itself. No wahala."

"Please stop shouting, some of us have headac-"

I picked the hanger from my dress and used it to shut her up.

"Owwwwww!" She sat up, holding the hand the hanger had hit

"Somi!" Sarima yelled from the kitchen. "Please don't come and give us wound to treat o! Not all of us have rich suitors."

"At least she's quiet now."

"Somi if you end up killing me, don't think you'll live in peace o. I will torment you." Homa murmured

"I will torment you." I mimicked her. "Have you finished tormenting your mother?"

"Somi, that's enough!" Sarima walked out of the kitchen staring me down.

"Tell her to mind her mouth, I'm not her mate."

"All this one is it anxiety or excitement?" Sarima asked me. "Because this pepper body is on another level."

"Please come and help me wrap my hair abeg, leave talk." I told her.

"Homa," She called. Homa turned reluctantly to look at her. "Help your sister, my noodles will soon burn."

"You will give me small?" Homa asked

God. This child is insufferable.

"When you're not handicapped to go and cook your own. Lazy girl." I add my unwanted opinion.

"Oh, okay na. Shey even you get hand. Do your hair by yourself." She laid back down, playing with her phone.

"Err, Homa." Sarima said before running back to the kitchen.

I turn to see her scowling at me and I start laughing. "My fren come here." I said, removing the rubber band that held it in a ponytail, allowing the braids to fall around my face and shoulders.

"So is this one a date or what?" Homa asked as she pulled the braids from my face together.

"We're going out. He might also take me to his house." I said

"Hmmn."

"What?" I asked, wondering why she heaved.

"Nothing o. Just be careful."

"About?" I asked. "If you know something, tell me o."

"Nothing o. Just that you should look after your heart. Rich people can be brutal when it comes to their kids' futures. Speaking from experience with Amira."

"What experience?"

"Her-Their parents seem quite strict and influential over them. Amira was supposed to go to school in London like Adams did, one art college like that. But her parents were scared that she'd start misbehaving there. They basically wanted her to stay at Abuja and go to one university close to their house.

"Sha, Adams got involved and after plenty of wahala. He brought her to stay in Lagos with him seeing how miserable she was about the whole situation. It's unlikely that Adams will defy them. That's all I'm saying." She explained.

"Okay, and?"

"And open your eyes. Get what you can but don't go and dream of family and marriage and all that." She added.

Makes sense, what she said. And if I'm being honest, she's right. It doesn't matter what Adams has said. I still have to be sharp.

"My dear, you're right o. Someone that told me he 'really, liked me'. Like o!" I emphasised.

"Imagine."

My phone lights up.

Adams.

Homa picks it up from the table and hands it to me.

"Hey."

"Hello, Somi. I'm downstairs. Do you want me to come in?"

Come here?

"No. I'm almost ready. Give me five minutes." I said, "and stay in your car please, try not to draw undue attention."

"Okay." He said and I hung up.

"Kai!" Sarima shouted. I turned to look at the plate of steaming noodles in front of her, a few strands wrapped around the fork in her hand on its way to her mouth.

"Why did you shout like that?"

"My sister is in love!" she replied dramatically, wiggling her eyebrows and grinning cheek to cheek.

Homa is smiling too.

"All done." She said, adding the final touches to my edges. "Good to go. You're fine sha."

"Thank you o," Sarima responded. We grew up taking each other's compliments.

I laughed, standing up and grabbing my purse. In the half mirror, I see my reflection. My blue short dress is showing some cleavage through the cowl neck but nothing too revealing. What I love the most about it is how the neckline frames my long, slender neck and how the blue seems to contrast my skin perfectly. Think azure waters and desert sand.

Perfect.

"Okay." I told them as I approached the door, "I'll see you people soon."

"Bring something for me-us o." Homa, who had joined Sarima on the floor, added.

"I've heard. Bye." I answered and stepped out of the door.

Minding my steps down the slippery staircase, making sure to avoid the walls so as not to stain my dress or myself, I walked with one destination in my mind, Adams.

Nearing the entrance, I hear cackling.

I know that witch's voice anywhere I hear it, the retard that that compound imbecile, Obi calls a girlfriend. I adjust my face and clear my throat. Adams is just right there, and I'm on my best behaviour today but that bitch better not push me.

Last last Adams will confirm that I'm hot but my head is hotter.

"Make una come see who dash monkey banana." Alice yelled like a mad woman, dressed suitably for the role she was playing too.

I ignored her antics. There's no point. She already looks defeated and if, God forbid, I was exiled to a life in the ghetto with a character like that Obi, God knows I'll be just as defeated if not more. So she's the proverbial crayfish and Obi is the condition.

Such is life.

"This one don catch another person man o. Ashawo on the loose. Better hold your man tight." She continued.

I stopped walking. My phone was ringing.

"Ehen?" Alice baited me. "Come make I use this algae add your yeye face."

"Hey, baby." I answered Adams.

He didn't say anything.

I was shocked too but at least the mad dog shut her mouth. "Yes, you'll see me in a few seconds." I added and he laughed.

I turned around and gave her a death stare, hearing her drawn out hiss as I stepped out of the compound.

As soon as he saw me, he stepped out of the car to meet me.

"You look hot," he said, running his eyes over me. They settle on the little cleavage, lingering and I spank his shoulders playfully.

"You don't look bad yourself." I said, tugging the sleeve of his fitted polo, taking in the comely sight of his contoured arms. The ridges, heaps, and valleys for days. "I wonder what you look like short less-I mean shirtless. Shirtless." I emphasised like it was going to make the already rigged situation any better.

"You have to stick around to find out." He smirked.

"No, I meant like when you're working out or swimming..."

"Hmmm." He pursed his lips.

"Adams, stop it." I chuckled, half amused by my sudden lack of composure. "I mean your work shirts do a good job toning down your toned arms and this tee-shirt is doing the most showing them off."

"Well, thank you for the observation." He smiled, "We should get going."

He opened the door and bowed as I got in the front seat for the first time. As we drove off, I sighted Alice recording us.

That scheming bitch. She better not be up to any madness. I cover myself with the blood of Jesus.

Adams too.

Amen.

God forbid.

"Are you okay?" Adams asked.

"Yes. I just have very weird neighbours."

"Expected." He added, looking ahead as he drove, picking up speed until we were on the highway.

The afternoon sky is clear with beautiful white clouds dotting the blue expanse. I love skies like that. They make the perfect weather for the perfect events. Hopefully this will be one of those. We pass by different new billboards, advertising different old products from different old companies. Adams turns on some music. I guess the silence wasn't interesting anymore.

"Where are we going?" I asked

"I was thinking that maybe I could take you to a restaurant. My favourite..."

"You go there with Amina?"

"What?"

"Nevermind."

"Somi, we can do something else if you don't want that."

I was silent and he would momentarily look at me from the corner of his eyes.

"Can we just grocery-shop and make the food together in your house?" I said. He turned his gaze to me again, a half-smile on his lips. I think he buys the idea. "You're driving please, eyes on the road."

"Okay so what do you want us to cook?" He asked

"What do you want us to eat?"

"Something tasty. But I can't cook to 'save my life' just so you know."

"I guessed. How do you like your pasta? Cream sauce or tomato-pepper sauce?"

"Tomato-pepper please." He inserted, quickly.

"Great. Shrimp or beef?"

"Both?"

"Then spaghetti Bolognese with grilled shrimp."

"Wow." He laughed. "Chef Somi."

"That's me." I answered, laughing too. "Please let's buy the items from Prince Ebaeno."

"Yeah, that's closer."

"And cheaper." I add. "Restaurants in Lagos are mostly overpriced."

"Really?" he asked, surprised.

"Yeah. It's just vibes and borrowed names with bad service. You save money making your own meals."

"Interesting. I thought that was your industry?" He said, driving into the mega parking lot, tipping the eager security man at the gate.

"Yeah, but I don't break my contract by setting you free."

"If you say so," He nodded.

We stepped out of the car together, he held my hands, just like in the office. I'm convinced he has fantasies of my hands the way they become his property anytime he has the slightest opportunity. I don't protest, I like how it feels.

As we walked in, Adams grabbed a big shopping cart. I guess because he usually shops for a lot of things at once and now it's just his go-to.

"Basket," I said. "The basket is enough for what we need."

"You are in fact, right." He said, smiling. I notice most of the young female's attention on him.

Adams doesn't seem to notice. Girls can be so thirsty. Is eligible written on his forehead?

"Rest. Notice board." I chide myself under my breath.

Around the open floor store we walked to the SEAFOOD AND BUTCHERIES aisle. Picking up the packs of frozen shrimp and minced beef we needed. Then to the NOODLES AND PASTA aisle, picking up two packs of spaghetti.

"Do you have any spices at home?"

"Amira brought curry and pepper the last time she stayed over. I think they're still there."

I looked at him, mouth slightly parted, eyes blinking. He didn't just say that now did he? Shocked at his confident audacity, I asked him, "Curry and pepper, that's it?"

"I have some salt too."

"Adams... Have you ever cooked to feed yourself in your whole life?"

"I'm about to." He grinned.

Wow. Grown man o.

"Please let's get some spices." I said, done paying attention to his shenanigans.

We walked around some more and grabbed the spices. I also grabbed a bottle of vegetable oil, and some vegetables before we walked to a cashier without a queue in her station. We were lucky. Adams paid and again we were out and on our way to his penthouse.

Once at his place, he ushered me in, and whoever said money doesn't buy happiness was a big liar. The place was so beautiful, I began to wonder what someone like this even wanted with me. The distance in class and background was too glaring... I started feeling like his whore, although he hadn't made any sexual moves at me. Maybe he wanted to take his time until I was already wrapped around his finger and wouldn't be able to escape until he was done using me to his liking.

I looked at him and he was typing away on his phone, eyebrows furrowed in concentration.

Abi he wants to use me for money rituals?

Nah, He was from a family with old money.

So what?

He looked up from his phone, "Umm, I have an emergency meeting, won't take long and I'd join you back here, hope you don't mind?"

"You're going to your office?"

"Nah, the meeting is via a call."

I nodded.

"I'm really sorry,"

"No, it's fine... work's important."

"You're important too."

I rolled my eyes at him. "I can handle myself over here."

He nodded and pasted a chaste kiss to my temple. "I won't take much time." He promised and dashed towards the staircase at the far end corner of the living room.

I packed the grocery bags and headed to the counter at another far end segregating the kitchen and dining and began unpacking.

I finished cooking an hour later and we ate at the diner. He asked me if I had plans of owning a restaurant as he couldn't stop praising my cooking.

I didn't want to own a restaurant at least yet. Yes, I loved cooking but I did it as business to make earnings. I was more interested in school, keeping my A streak and getting my degree with honours and now that I was almost done, I wanted to further my education still.

He showed me around after I insisted. The penthouse was class, we went into the fully furnished gym and I picked up a dumbbell, nearly toppling over the weight.

"Woah, easy." He picked it up from me and put it back in place, chuckling.

"Your house is beautiful." I smiled at him.

"I love beautiful things." His eyes were trained on my lips as he spoke and back to my eyes.

I was nervous, the long looks he constantly gave me threatened to throw me out of balance, so I moved to what he'd called a bench press and sat on it, inspecting the multi station and in a bid to get back my self control.

He sat beside me on it, with a faraway look on his face.

"Is something bothering you?" I asked him after a long minute of silence.

He looked at me like he'd forgotten he wasn't alone.

Something was definitely up with him.

"Is it work?" I pressed on and he masked his worry with a smile, nodding no to my question.

"It's nothing that should cause you bother." He dismissed.

I didn't like that. I let him in on my problems and he's shutting me out when it's his. Abi because he thinks I'm one dimwit with just fine face and curves, or I can't add value to his life asides lift his boredom and vibe.

"But I share my problems with you whenever you ask." I nodded, my expression communicating my hurt.

We were just friends, who shared one passionate kiss a few days ago, why would he want to let me in on his personal issues. I might be needed for kissing and when he was ready to make a move... sex and that's all.

I swore to myself never to give in to his sexual desires towards me.

But my resolve seemed to stagger when I caught the intense look he was giving me. The silence was loud and when our eyes met and held. He put his arm around my waist and scooted me closer. I didn't even have the time to think of what was happening his lips were pressed on mine begging mine to let him in.

My body was also pressed to his, and I couldn't think logically. The kiss blocked out my thoughts and unlike our first kiss, this was more demanding. I was hot all over, craving his touch in places and simultaneously scared to touch him too. His free hand slid up my torso as if he was listening in on my thoughts, a burst of pleasure rippled in my head as his hand rested on my breast. I didn't know when I started arching to press myself more into him, he gave into my needs and squeezed.

I bit on his lips to hold down my moan as my hands found its way to his arms. Touching every part of him that I wished to lay hands on.

The petting slowed and the sexual tension in the air thickened as his lips left mine and landed on my neck.

I couldn't bite down on my moan anymore, his hands left my breast and found its way to my exposed thighs. I felt my core heat up as his hand threaded gently, dangerously close to my panties.

Oh my God, what was I doing?

My senses were beginning to come back to me as I tried to picture the position I was in now.

I broke free, trying to catch my breath.

This was just a confirmation to my initial thoughts, my chest squeezed. Was Homa right? Should I just go with the flow and vibes and not hope for something more than attraction?

I looked everywhere but him. Pulling down my gown to give myself some decency.

"I'm sorry." He finally spoke up and I couldn't still bring myself to look at him.

His phone began ringing and he abruptly ended the call, after checking who the caller was. It started ringing again, almost immediately and I peered at the phone to check who was calling.

Amina.

My chest tightened and so was the knot building in my belly. What on earth was I even doing?

I stood up from the bench, mumbling disjointed words about leaving to him.

"Somi," he stood up and held me back from bolting for the exit. I managed to look at his face, and he had a distressed look.

No, you ain't fooling me anymore.

"I'm really sorry about what just happened," he apologised, nervously running his hand through his clean-cut hair. "I would never do that again, I promise."

I didn't even know exactly what he was apologising for. His phone kept ringing, and I swallowed the constriction in my throat before speaking. "She's calling you. You wouldn't ignore that forever now, would you?"

"I already told you it was over between us," he replied.

His words didn't make me feel any better. "I should just leave."

"No," he protested.

"Why?" I asked, feeling annoyed.

"I want you here," he admitted.

Imagine.

"What about what I want?" I asked, my annoyance growing. "I feel like a whore," I said, taking a deep shaky breath, and watched his expression soften.

"I make you feel like a whore?" he questioned, his voice filled with concern.

Silence followed, and I disengaged my hand from his hold and made for the door. He followed me. "Please talk to me. Tell me what I did wrong," he pleaded, holding me back. "Is it...?" He tried to find the words to describe what had happened on the bench.

"Not just that..." I replied.

"Still, that's among the reasons," he said.

"You're refusing to open up to me when you're bothered, but you expect me to tell you every single one of my problems, and you solve them on a whim. Do you know how that makes me feel?" I expressed my frustration.

"Am I doing too much?" I sighed. "We can stop this already. I mean..." I gestured at his phone, which was still ringing.

He pulled me closer to him. "I didn't know that it annoyed you that I'm closed up when it comes to my problems. I..."

"I can't solve your problems? I get it," I said, forcing a still smile.

"I'm not used to letting anyone in on my problems. No one really cares... everyone assumes I have a perfect life," he confessed, chuckling lightly.

My resolve crumbled at his revelation, and I felt bad.

I care. No, that will be too forward.

"I want you to talk to me about them too, just the way you urge me to tell you mine. I might even have reasonable solutions to give. I'm not one to blow my trumpet but I'm actually not dumb like some people assume... I mean, the stereotype on, you know..."

"I don't want it to seem like I'm forcing my way into your life, I just..." I added exasperatedly.

"I understand you." His eyes were smiling, little time passed and his expression straightened. "How do I make you feel like a whore, asides what I did at the bench press?"

I shook my head. "I didn't mean it like that, although... I'm not ready to open up myself to someone in that manner, I..."

There was a pause and he nodded understanding what I meant by my first statement. "I made you break your engagement and people feel I'm one cheap leech feeding off your money and attention."

He frowned. "People? And concerning the engagement, you did not. There was nothing going on there, I just realised there was so much more and I was settling."

"Me, more?" Or you're using me to hold body until you find the one...

He swallowed and I feared I was actually beginning to do too much. "I'm sorry." I apologised

He smiled, trying to revive the atmosphere. "Let's go back to the main building."

"I want to leave."

He glanced at me and nodded. "Let me get my car key then."

"I can go on my own."

"I'm dropping you off." He said totally dismissing my last remark. "Let me grab my key." His hold on my wrist was firm as we made our way back into the building.

The ride home that evening had been totally silent until he dropped me off at my place. I felt his watchful gaze on me from the car as I walked into the compound until I was out of sight.

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