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"When a woman wants your attention, she uses her smile. When she wants your wallet, she uses her charm. When she wants your heart, she uses her touch. When she wants your soul, she uses her kiss."
Matshona Dhliwayo
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Jules

Being in a relationship is stressful. Especially when the person you happen to be dating looks like one of those Greek gods you wish you could turn into a living being and marry.

After Diego, I had made a promise to myself that I would never go into a relationship with a ridiculously handsome man ever again.

But did I keep my own promise?

No. Rather, my foolish self decided to look for yet another fallen angel to date.

The exact scene playing before me is more than a reminder of my reason for making the broken promise in the first place.

I watch in an exasperated manner as the waiter who, despite all the makeup, still looks old enough to be Terrence's mother tries to touch his bicep.. again.

Never, I repeat never ever ever date an extremely good-looking guy if you truly value your wellbeing. Trust me, I am speaking from past and current experience.

I roll my eyes as Terrence writes something on a piece of paper and gives it to her before coming to sit on my side of the booth.

"People don't like side-sitters," I simply inform him even as I see a couple give us a displeased look.

"Do I look like I care?" he asks before moving even closer.

"Terrence," I call, possesively running my hand down his bicep.

Petty, I know.

"Yes, baby," he responds, albeit with a raised eyebrow since he's aware of my dislike for PDA.

"Did you give her your number?"

His already raised eyebrow  dramatically shoots up higher at my question.

"I'm sorry, I've got no idea of what you talking about."

"Don't play dumb with me," I deadpan.

"Well then, if you're talking about dear Ol' Miss Waters, the waiter, then nope, I didn't give her my number."

He looks into my eyes to gauge my reaction but I only give him an empty stare.

"I gave her my girlfriend's," he finally says.

"You gave her my number?" I snort.

"I wonder how fondly she would think of me when she realizes this," he says, a mockingly thoughtful look in his eyes.

"Like I would pick her call." I scoff.

"You don't know her number."

"Helloooo, 21st century. There's Caller ID, Mister."

"Here is your order," The waiter says stopping our banter. I turn to face the waiter, ready to mutter my appreciation, only to see that it is no other than 'Ol' Miss Waters, the waiter'.

And she looks super pissed off. It doesn't take a genius to know the person she's pissed at.

"Aren't you two youngies sittin' a lil too close together?" she asks with a smile so feral it made me grateful to all the gods that I wasn't meeting her young self.

"You'll forgive us just this once. Won't you, Miss Waters?"

"Now, boy, you really startin' to piss me off. How many times I done tell you not to call me Miss Waters like some ol' granny. My name is Sheila and that's what you shall call me."

"Sheila. That's one fine name you got," I comment, purposefully to rile her up.

As if just noticing my presence, Miss Waters gives me a very bitter look which I return with a delightful smile.

"You going round with rich girls these days, uhn? I tell you, they ain't want nothing from you but yo body." She babbles on like I'm not even present.

Terrence only smiles at her. "Really? I guess that's cool since I want her body too. And I'm not gonna cease wanting it until the day I die. So I guess that's settled."

"Ugh. She done cast a spell on the poor lad." I hear Miss Waters mutter as she shuffles away.

I stare at the glass window which is still foggy from the earlier rain as I recall that windy morning a month ago when I finally agreed to be Terrence's girl.

Terrence's girl.

Now why does that sound weird?

Could it be because I still have reservations due to our age differences?

"Did you?"

I jerk back to reality at Terrence's voice.

"Uhn?"

"Miss Waters said you cast a spell on me so I'm asking if you did. Cos this days, heaven knows I can't think of anything else but you."

"Shut up, Sugar tongue." I admonish him playfully.

"I'm serious," he says with a hard expression. "These days, I find myself constantly thinking: "What's Jules eating. Jules must be sleeping right now. Jules is probably in a meeting right now." At the mall, I'm like "Maybe Jules will like.."

Moved, I press my lips to his, not caring that we're in a very much public place.

"Thank you," I whisper in his ear and hold him tight for a second before letting go.

"Now let's dig in," I pick up my fork while silently praying that Miss Waters didn't poison my meal.

When I hear no response, I look at him only to catch him giving me a curious look. "I got to ask, you okay?"

"And why the sudden question?" I ask defensively.

"Maybe it's just my imagination but you look like something's bothering you."

I fall silent, slightly dissapointed at my failure to mask my inner feelings from Terrence.
Something is definitely bothering my mind. And that something is none other than my best friend, Metisha who hasn't so much as said a word to me since sleep over. I'm highly worried because we've never fought like this. And sincerely, if I had known that her feelings for Father Nathaniel ran that deep, I would have chosen another method to let her see the obvious.

I suddenly hear Terrence laugh beside me.

"What's funny?"

"You were pouting."

"I was?"

He nods. "And it was cute. Care to tell me why."

"It's nothing," I say as I quickly search for a believable lie. "Just that the way that woman talked the other time made it seem like I'm only using you for your body."

Mission accomplished! Lie found!

Crossing his legs, he places his arm around my shoulder and whispers into my ear. "Use me away. I love being used by you." I raise an eyebrow at him, unable to keep myself from grinning at his cheesy words. "But I must say I am surprised. You didn't look like you were bothered by what Miss Waters said."

He is absolutely right.. again. I am not in the least manner bothered by what Miss Well or River or whatever her name is said. But I feel like Terrence and I's relationship is still too early for me to be discussing issues between my friend and I with him. Plus, I'm sure Metisha would come around sooner or later.

Or at least I hope so.

"You know, while you went to order, the couple seated over there argued over us," I say, swiftly changing the topic. "The wife said I'm your big sis while the husband said we look like lovers."

"Aah," he says before turning to give the nosy-parking couple a long stare until they had to look away. "Since they seem to disagree about what we are, how about we giv'em some demo of what we really are, hmm?" he asks in a carelessly caressing whisper as his lips brush my ear.

I give him a playful shove on the chest. "Keep your horniness to yourself."

He grins that boyish grin of his and I swear my heart goes into a thump-thump mode.

"Am I still meeting your band members today?"

"Definitely."

"At your apartment?"

"Mmf," he answers with his mouth full.

I shake my head at him even as I slightly increase my eating pace. I surely can't wait to meet the boys...

We leave the restaurant as soon as we finish our meal. On our way out, I throw Sheila a quick wink (which she of course returns with a scowl).

"I'm driving," Terrence informs me as we get to where my car is parked.

"Okay." Without further thought, I throw the carkey to him.

However, I realize my mistake too late when he grabs the steering wheel and smiles like an evil feline. The words that follow his devilish smile only heightens my panic.

"I'mma make those tyres smoke."

Oh no.

******

"You really shouldn't drive my baby like that! The car is precious!" I scream as Terrence suddenly swerves into the tiny space between two cars. I grab hold of the chicken stick like my life depends on it, which, considering Terrence's horrific driving, it actually does.

"Precious? All the more reason it needs to be rode good," he says and accompanies his words with an exaggerated wink.

Jeez. I really can't stand this guy.

"And the speed rate of over 100 mph is your definition of 'riding it good'?"

He grins and presses the pedal.

"If I die from all this speed, you better do well to follow suit."

"Be rest assured I would."

"Why does that sound mighty creepy?"

He only shrugs.

I close my eyes tightly and jam my hands together. "Buddha, Judda, Shiva, Dracula."

"Dracula?" Terrence snorts.

"Shut up," I respond without opening my eyes. "Adonis, Zeus, Apollo and all the others I forgot to mention, if you can save me from this terrific car ride, I promise to fix things with Metisha."

"Amen."

My eyes snap open as I realize my slip up. The grin on Terrence's face screams: 'Now I know.'

Oopsie.

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I'm back guyzzzzz. How you been?😊