In the few weeks that have turn into months since Joelle had arrived,
She had grown to love Emilia with the whole of her heart.

She knew it was foolish.
She knew her heart would break into pieces when it was time for her to say goodbye to the little girl.

There was nothing she could do about it.  Not everything just seems to have a cure.

And it also appear there was nothing she could do to stop her foolish heart from falling in love with Emilia’s daddy either.

Victor was proud, annoying but beautiful and tender when it comes to his child and she couldn’t stop her love from growing for him even when she knew he didn’t want her.
Sometimes she lay awake and hope that he would find her attractive, her feelings were getting out of control.
There was nothing she could do but shake her head off from thinking nonsense knowing that what she was thinking would never come through.

He hadn’t made a move to her direction since he had mistakenly kiss and made her felt like a fool.
And he had also created a big distance between them, after the incident in the kitchen.

He spent half of his time in his room and the other half with his daughter.

Even when they accidentally come across each other on their way out from their rooms, they just greet each other avoiding eye contacts.
She didn’t want to inconvenience him in his own house but it was as if that was exactly what she was doing to him. 

One night, Emilia woke up and was crying impatiently for food.
Joelle had known she would wake early because she had refused to eat dinner before sleeping.
She took Emilia who was crying and went to the kitchen to feed her.
when she was in the kitchen, she tried to sit Emilia down in other to be able to get the stove on, so she could heat water.
But it was as if Emilia had another plan, she was not in the mood to sit or to give the word "patience" a try and this was given Joelle  tough time. she was confuse about what to do.

Joelle felt the urge to wake Victor up but just wave it.
she carried Emilia and was trying to get the both things done anyhow.
When she was still trying to calm Emilia and at the same time get the stove on, she saw victor hands stretched towards her to get Emilia.

When Emilia was in her father arms, her screaming and crying suddenly come to an end.
And in less than five minute Emilia food was ready...

Joelle tried to get Emilia from her father so she could feed her, but the little girl refused. rather she rested her head more firmly on her father's strong shoulder.

“I think she wants you to watch her eat” Joelle said smiling lightly at victor and was surprised when victor smiled back at her adjusting his daughter as he sat so Joelle could have access to feed her freely.

Her hand torched his several times but she pretended not to notice but he could tell she was not comfortable.

Emilia used her hand to pushed Joelle’s as she was about to put another spoon in her mouth, then her hand touched victor’s arm again but this time it was as if electric current had pass through her hand to her brain.

She look at victor to say sorry, but her mouth remained opened forming the shape of sorry but no word came out.
Victor on the other didn’t stop looking at her she paused motionlessly with the spoon in her hand.

The normal Joelle would have shyly removed her eyes as victor was also looking at her intensively but she didn’t. Before she knew what was happening victor lips were already on hers she did nothing but remind still.

When victor broke the kiss, Joelle was staring at him totally lost.
She was later brought back to reality when victor changed Emilia position, the little girl was already sleeping.

With her whole body shaking, Joelle took Emilia from victor, wipe her body and take her back to her bed.
When she returned, she met Victor cleaning the table where they had feed Emilia she stood and was staring at him when he turned to face her, she stood still like a child who been caught committing an offense.

When victor left the table and began to walk towards her.
Her body was already shaking, she didn’t know what he was going to do next.
her body was shaking but her heart and mind was waiting eagerly for what was to come next.

She didn’t know she was holding her breath until he past her and sat on the dining table. that was when she was brought back to reality...

Victor sat and immediately grabbed a book that was on the table.
He was slightly starring at Joelle who stood  playing with her fingers shamefully...

“should i get you something to drink as you read” Joelle asked trying to save herself From the shame she was trapped in.

Victor looked at her for a while before responding “yes”.
He didn’t know why, but he was enjoying seeing her this way so shy of him.

breaking that kiss was like the most difficult thing he has ever done he wanted to go after her to complete what he started  but he forced himself to remain where he was, because he knew what the end point would be he followed her to the kitchen.

She could be so stubborn but her shyness was indeed her weak point, he thought as he smiled to himself.
Joelle left for the kitchen and soon she returned with tea and kept it close to him. When she kept the it, Victor reached for hand and then looked up to face her.

Joelle eyes meet his also..
“go get some rest Joelle” victor said caressing her hand before releasing it.
Joelle stood for a while before walking away.
After she left, Victor sat there for some time , he felt good, he wasn’t sure what it was about her, 
All he was sure about was that, when he was around her he didn’t feel the deep  grief that he has been feeling since the love of his life Maya had died.

Joelle was always looking great and beautiful even in her law fashion dresses.
there was this unique beauty and tenderness in her eyes and her smiles.
And every day he was finding it difficult to suppress his feeling for her.

Victor turned and saw Joelle standing close to the door that led to the passage looking at him.
“Are you okay”
he asked getting up from his seat. When he got to her, he placed his hand on her shoulder to draw her close to him 
Joelle had never believed in people just falling into people’s arms especially a man.

for a long dead moment,
They were silent she felt blood race to her cheeks.
She felt the heat of Victors gaze on her body. it was as if victor was already touching and making love to her.
Her breath seemed caught in her chest.

Victor knew this will be one of the most stupid things he will ever do. But he couldn’t stop.
He was suddenly staring at her more intensively
She was indeed very beautiful in every way but she was still Maya’s half sister he thought but that didn’t matter at that moment touching her did.

He pulled her close and kissed her.
The he broke the kiss and was looking at her with his hands still holding onto her waist.
“Joelle”
He called her name sweetly, pulling his hands from her as if he was beginning to regret all that had happened.

"There are something’s I’d like us to talk about if that would be okay by you"
Joelle said biting her lips after victor's hands were off her.
"What is it?
Victor asked with curiosity.
" First of all, I want to tell you, that you’re the most loving, smart and wonderful man I have ever seen"
She tipped her head down, fixing her gaze on the place where her finger touched his chest.
“I feel something very strongly about you… I mean, for you, I care about you so much this is what I am trying to say victor...
I know I shouldn’t be saying this but I can’t help it, please you have to understand this... I don't even know what to say ” she said looking confused.
"Joelle look at me,
I am very sorry for everything that’s happening, it unlike me to lose control this way.
your sister was my wife and I should at least show her some respect I don’t know what get over me I thing we have to end this before we both get hooked up I have to get you another place to stay…
"No victor,
I mean yes but she is no more, I know how much you loved her, believe I do.
But she is gone she’s no more. Joelle said before he could finish his statement.
“Joelle.
I am several years your senior you are just nineteen, you should be loving someone like Nelson not me, and my dear, you are still…”
“I am a full grown woman Mr. victor I had hoped you had noticed”
He cleared his throat
“ you never call me Mr. Victor Joelle what is happening... ”

"Please victor don’t send me away"
she leaned her body toward his as every nerve in her being anticipated her next move.
When he didn’t retreat she was hearted.
He cared, she could feel it. But what was she going to do for him to admit it and tell her he loved her?

Closing her eyes, she ran the tip of her tongue over her lips to ease their tightness.
Then reaching on tiptoe she brushed her lips against his but he didn’t hold her nor returned her kiss he just stood like a statue.
He held her and pulled her away
“go to bed Joelle”
Those this make sense? he asked her and then walked away leaving her alone.
“That make sense”, she responded nodding her head gently. What was wronged with him?
He thought he could say something totally stupid and had her believe him
She was a woman no longer a girl and she feels she is doing the right thing by telling him just how much she love and cares about him...  

Victor was in his study, trying to get some business problems fixed, few days after.
He was working on his company ledger he needed to understand something but this was indeed given him a hard time.
He tried to concentrate but still it wasn’t working what was wrong with him, he had asked himself?
Maybe his brain was getting scrambled, he thought and was strongly agreeing with that, because no matter how hard he tried to concentrate and add the figures he didn’t still get the same sum twice and that was driving him crazy.
He knew the problem was from him, firstly he hardly concentrate in his office, he goes to the office whenever he felt like and now if he wasn’t careful a big lost was awaiting the company.
He got up from his chair and began to walk around robbing his head in a mean manner not caring if it hurt or not all he cared about was fixing the dammed thing that was giving him problems.

Joelle was in her room when she heard him angrily hissing and swearing to himself she could tell he was angry with the way his voice sounded.
He has been angry since that night he had told her she was still a child he had not said much to her after that night and he was avoiding her. Joelle thought,  he should be given an award in the school of avoiding.

She stood up and grabbed a drink from the refrigerator and then walked to the study door. She opened it and walked in.

Victor who had sat back close to his desk to rest for a while, was surprised when he turned and found Joelle standing close to his door with his favorite drink in her hand she was putting on a long gown that covered even her toes, but yet her curves were all visible as if she was actually not putting on anything.
She was looking so beautiful, young and innocent.
Just seeing her, made His heart leap with joy that he had to clench his jaw to keep him from smiling at her he had been avoiding her it wasn’t easy, but it was for the best for both of them.

Victor was about saying something, when Joelle spoke.
“I brought you this” before he could protest she was already standing close to him with her hand stretch to keep the drink.

“You look as though you are having a fight with your system Mr. Victor” she said with her head held up high in a professional way as though trying to tell him the was no room for him to say anything but exactly what was wrong.
Victor wanted to laugh, but he dared not he thought.
So he decided to just thank her and ask her to leave but when he opened his mouth to tell her that, he found himself not saying what he had intended to say but rather he was explaining everything to her

“I have been trying to fix this up, but no matter how much I try it’s not just woking” he said pointing at his system and Relaxing his back on his chair waiting to see her reaction.
He had expect her to just say a word of encouragement to him or even just shake her head, but that was not the case
“Can I have a look?” She asked and before he could respond, she was already leaning and looking at the figures that were displayed in his system with great concentration.

When victor adjusted in other to pick his drink, his shoulder brushed her breast and she jump away as though she had been scalded.
Unaware of her reaction he spoke
“don’t give yourself headache by looking at that don’t worry I will get it fix when I am in the mood” victor said to her
“Can I...”she looking at him trying to gain permission.
Victor wasn’t sure what was happening, he never allows people temper with his work, but somehow he just gave her permission though she had proving herself to be intelligent in so many ways he was sure she couldn’t handle this. she had only finish
high school.
Victor got up and allowed her have the seat, and then he walked out from the room saying he was going to check on Emilia.

In about an hour time,
Finally running her fingers in the system, Joelle jotted some sums down on a plane sheet, after checking her work once more; she went to look for victor.
Victor was in the sitting room with Emilia sleeping in his laps after so much playing, he had even forgetting Joelle was in his study with his laptop.
He was surprise when she showed up smiling at him
“I think I am done” she said joyfully
“You are done, done with what” He asked in confusion
"don’t tell me you have forgetting I am done fixing up your headache" She said smiling beautifully.

“Oh my God Joelle I am sorry I totally forgot thanks to Emilia she kept me busy throughout but you can’t be serious you mean you were able to deal with that?” he asked
“Yes I am done” she responded nodding her head
"Well thanks a lot,
I will check on that later"  victor said with a smile that Got Joelle shy and happy at the same time
“Can you please help me out” he asked looking at Emilia and then to Joelle, and with a smile, Joelle lean and pick Emilia from him.

Later in the evening, After Victor had had his dinner; he went to the study leaving his daughter with her aunty.

Thirty minute later, After Joelle had got Emilia to bed, she was about switching off all the appliances so she could retire to her bed when she turn and saw Victor standing close to the passage door that lead to the bedrooms with his back rested on the wall staring at her,
She didn’t know what to do so she smiled slightly at him and quickly ask him if he needed to something.

"How on earth were you able to fix that" He asked walking closer to her with his face displaying
“surprise... it was actually very easy, you were just tired and mixing things up that why the computer kept giving you different figures”

"You’re amazing, he said when he got to her place, he was looking at her, and then he quickly removed his eyes from her and then turned away from her.
He fix his eyes towards her again but this times as if he was sure if he should be looking at her face or not.

“thanks, and I owe you one favor”
he touch her arm tenderly then he move closer to her not breaking eye contact with her and then kissed her lightly at first,
then again and then more deeper then he looked deep into her eyes but didn’t say a word to her.
“Is there more?” Joelle asked with her voice unsteady and her eyes clouded with desire

“I want to know Victor, please and I want it to be with you” She saw resistance in his eyes and in the firmness of his Jaw coupled with the intensity in his gaze,
“I don’t think we should sample more Joe sweetheart”
Please Victor, with her arms tightly cinched around his neck, she pulled him down to her reach and kissed him with her heart pounding and clamoring for more.
She pressed the vital part of her body closer to his in hope of relieving the need but she was so restricted by the barrier of her clothing.
When he pulled her tight against him kissing her deeply, Joelle thought she would die, those feeling was new to her, but yet she wanted them.
she wanted to feel them and experience them and she wanted it to be with this man who had captured her heart soul and mind, her sister’s husband.
“Joelle,”
"we have gone too far already" victor said breathlessly.

"Please don’t stop Victor" please she said shaking her head pleading but victor shook his head in disapproval and he set her away from him.
“Please don’t push me away, please I am begging you” she cried.

I can’t do this Joelle this is madness I can’t do this to Maya, he lifted his head to look at her, clasping her face in his hand keeping her close and making her feel precious
Oh how could one be in love like this? 
He thought he never felt this way, he love Joelle in a special way that he can’t even explain and he was even afraid because he felt he never loved Maya in this manner but that was what he never wanted to admit, NEVER!.

“Joelle, you’re making a terrible mistake you think you are in love with me even though you don’t know me, but you’re wrong you are so young Sweetheart so innocent my Joelle” he smiled at her.

he called her his Joelle did she really heard him, she thought that was the best word she had heard from anyone the man she had come to love with the whole of her heart, her sister husband.
“I love you victor I really do and I know what I am doing please don’t push me away”
I think about Maya also Victor, but she's no more I am sorry If I sound stupid and crazy but I feel she’s ok with this I don’t know how but I just feel it
I can’t help it victor, I love you I am sure of my feeling for you and I am not a kid victor you are just older than me with Nine years I know I found out.
please stop feeling as if you can father me.

With a little smile, he kissed her tenderly yet firmly with desire then he slowly pull away puttibg a little distance between them.

“You should go to bed its late" victor said

“I don’t want to sleep,
I don’t want to.
I want to be here with you please” she mumbled into his shirt collar.
But Victor did not say a word anymore.

“Alright” she said, as she lower her arms, sliding them down the front of his shirt then he kissed her forehead and then shifted given her space to pass

After she had left,
Victor remained in the living room for awhile before he went to his room he laid on his bed unable to shot his eyes.
That night, none of them had a good night sleep.

The next day Victor woke up very early and left for work, even before Joelle could wake up he left a note for her on the table... saying he had to leave early.
When she saw the note,
Memories of the previous night showed up that she couldn’t help but get a place to sit down.  she stare at the place where victor and her had stood the previous night...

Two days after, Joelle was in her room lying on her bed, it was two noon, Emilia was in her room sleeping.
She was thinking,  about everything she had checked on the admission list and discovered she has been accepted in the university she had applied.
But instead of being happy, she was sad.
it was always her dream to further her Education.

All through her waiting period, she had forgot to think about survival.
How was she going to cope in the university? How was she going to afford  money for all the expenses that would be needed.

How foolish she has been, how had she not even thought of all this. Everything was getting her crazy, because she couldn’t just think of a way out.

She didn't want to think of Victor,
not with how she has been acting  shamelessly around him.
she was in love with him she loves and cares about him so much but it was unfortunate for her that he didn’t feel the same way for her.

Seeking help from  victor was total out. She couldn't. He would think she wanted to use her body to get him into helping her.

She got up from her bed as she began to walk around the room crying silently and hurting her nails with her teeth which she didn't even noticed.

All she wanted to do was to think.
She sat down pulling her knees up wrapping her arms around them and buried her face in her cloth weeping slowly. she didn't even know what exactly she was crying for.

She was lost in her misery when she felt a touch in her shoulder looking up she found Victor standing close to her with unasked question in his eyes.
He knelt down besides still looking her at, “What is it Joelle, what happen to you”?

Joelle couldn’t say anything,  she started cry all over again then she use her hand to wipe her tears
"I am so sorry,
I didn't know you will come back this early I thought you won’t be back till evening"

“I actually came back because I forgot something, and is this what normally happens when I am not around”? You just sit and cry? Victor asked looking intensively at her
“No that’s not it” she responded shaking her head in disapproval
“So tell me what it is then”
“please” he added

Joelle gently and fearfully throw her arms around his neck and rose up on her knees to bring him closer to her then she began to sobbed all over again.
“What happened Joelle, please talk to me” he asked still letting her cling to him.
Victor kissed her forehead and then her cheek and held her tight to his chest he didn’t want to see her this way.

he didn’t know why but his heart was breaking into pieces seeing her cry.

Joelle was so close to him that she could feel the beat of his heart through her cloths.
She looked up at him then he slightly smiled at her with his hand moving tenderly on her arms.

“Better now”? He asked tenderly
She nodded gently then he removed his handkerchief for her from his pocket.

when she sniffled he didn’t released or moved an inch from her when she was done with his handkerchief,
She looked at him for a while before standing on her toes reaching for his lips. she wanted him to love her, his love was all she needed, she didn’t care about anything anymore.

Victor kiss her in return in same measure and the kiss grow deeper and more impassioned and the was no more tears of pain in her eyes but that of joy.

Tears of happiness rolling down her cheek. this was what she wanted, to be loved by him to be in arms.
She would give her life, for him not to pull away from her and wound her heart again.
she felt complete in his arms.

Breaking away from her lips, He began to follow the line of her neck with tender but yet deep kisses the beat of her heart was becoming stronger that she couldn’t stand it anymore.

Carefully, they maneuvered to the bed that was close bumping her head on the bed until he was lay flush across her.
Then he pull away breathing heavily...
“I shouldn”
Victor tried to say something, but before he was able to say anything,
Joelle drew him back, kissed him tenderly, shutting him up and making him forget what he had intended saying.

The kiss deepened that they couldn’t break away from each other anymore then victor began to remove her dress, and then his.

“I have wanted to feel all of you since the day you show up in my door post” he murmured.

She wanted to be beautiful for him; she wanted Victor to find her beautiful and attractive and she could give anything in other for him not to be disappointed.

Shyly she found herself freezing into uncertainty.
He seems to sense her sudden hesitation as he went further
“You know, I always knew you were beautiful.  But I never dreamed you’d be this beautiful”
He whispered to her as he moved between her legs

Joelle couldn’t suppress her joy, She felt wonderful and wished she could remain there forever she was delighted with both pleasure and passion and she wanted nothing more but to remain in his arms,
In victors arm the arms that her heart was always crying out for. The arms of her half sister’s husband.

“I love you victor, I love you” she said sincerely her innocent eye staring at him like a frightening pupil.
Victor looked at her as though he was looking through her soul for a while and then swallowed hard before moving away from her.

Was that regret she saw in his eyes she thought?
How she wish he could say he loves her also but she knew that was impossible and that hurt more than anything had ever in her entire life.
she was in love with a man who didn’t love her in retune her late sister’s husband the man her heart long to have, the man she had willing gave away her innocent to. But he didn’t feel anything for her.

After that day, Joelle was thinking things would change between victor and her but it didn't.
Victor regreted making love to her and that hurt Joelle more than anything had in her life.
He avoided her in every possible way he could he even went out on a date with a lady that was having a crush on him.
He thought that was the best thing to do, but he didn't know he was killing her slowly as the day went by.
  Each day they wake up and try to behave normal around each other but they were both dieing silently.

     
Sorry for any grammatical errors.
Please, don't forget to vote...
Love you all.