Chapter 10

HENRY DECIDED TO FRESHEN UP TOO before Kezia or his housekeeper arrives. He stood up from bed; something caught his attention as he pushed the cover cloth aside, a blood stain. It's not like it's much or anything, checked his body searching for any form of injury. The injection Sean gave him couldn't have generated this kind of blood he is seeing. "Did I injure Kezia? Oh God I think I did. That's why she was acting strange. Damn." He curse silently. "I will need to talk to her about it."

He dashed into the bathroom, setting the shower dial on full blast. Henry discarded the black briefs he wore, stepping into the cubicle. Bracing his palms on the glass he allows the water to stream down his body. It helps to awaken his body to the reality of things. He switched off the shower, securing a towel around his waist, with another hand towel to dry his head, slinging it around his neck; Henry stepped out of the bathroom into his bedroom. He heard a soft knock on his door, "come in?" He called out, certain it must be Kez. His suspicion was right as she eased the door open.

"Oh I'm sorry I caught you at a wrong time, excuse me" not going further into the room. Kezia's face heat up at the sight of Henry clad only in towel, scenes from their encounter crossed her mind as she hasten towards the door.

"It's okay Kez. I mean there's nothing to be embarrassed about. I was planning to have a word with you. Please tell me; last night did I hurt you?"

"What! I mean no. Why will you say that?"

"It's because I need an explanation as to why there's blood on my bed sheet." Gesturing to the bed behind him. "And since I'm sure it's not mine then the logical thing I can think of is that maybe it's yours" he concluded, his eyes boring into hers.

Kezia's mind starts beating like she run a marathon. "It's not mine, maybe it's from the injection" she suggested, her eyes not meeting his. Henry knew he is up to something, Kez is lying. But why?

"You are lying and I don't know why. So why don't you just come out and say the truth. I hurt you, didn't I?" his gaze daring her to lie again to him. Kezia felt the intensity of his gaze right through her. "Oh God I did. This is why I hate drugs. I'm so sorry let me see" closing the distance between them.

Kezia knew there's no avoiding the truth, it's better to just come out clean about everything. "I think you should get dressed first, and then we will talk. Excuse me" moving back before he could touch her. She duck out of the room, leaving a perplexed Henry standing.

Henry dragged on a polo shirt with a knee length knickers. Leaving the bedroom to join Kezia in the sitting room. He found her pacing around. "This is more serious than I thought" he mutters to himself. Kezia stopped her pacing when she saw him join her. "Please sit Kez" Henry said, occupying one of the chairs.

Kezia took a sit as well, taking a quick breath before launching into her rehearsed speech. "The blood is mine but it's not what you think" she mutters, not meeting his gaze. "We. Err— we sort of had sex last night" she quickly rushed. Henry reared back, eyes rounded like a deer caught in the head light.

"Wait. What! How is that possible? Oh my God. Please tell me it's a joke." Jumping out of his chair, pacing the length and breadth of the room with his hand resting on his hips. "What exactly happened?" He demanded.

Kezia recounted how it all happened to him. How she ended up in his bed, and his arms. All the while she was telling him, her eyes could not meet his. Henry could not believe his ears. Now it all makes sense. What he thought was a dream, was actually not a dream but reality. The drugs must have messed up his head. This is not happening to him; he practically forced himself on her. No matter how he looks at it, he is the older one here.

A thought hit him about the blood. "Oh God you are a virgin! This just kept getting better! God damn it." He cursed, his hands running through his head.

"Please don't blame yourself. I know it’s not your fault, it's mine. I should have been properly dressed—"

"Please stop talking Kez, this is not helping. I feel horrible right now, I raped you! Don't you get it! What will my father and family think of me? The press must not get a wind of this—"

"I think you need to calm down. Nobody will know about this, because I don't intend to tell anyone talk less of the press. I'm an adult not a baby like you think. You didn't rape me, I was well able to stop you if I want to, so please stop with the act" Kezia snapped, surprising both of them. "I'm sorry I spoke to you in such manner" she whispers "No offense taken. But what you are forgetting is-- we didn't use protection, what if you get pregnant?" He pointed out to her. "From the look on your face, you didn't consider that there's no other option. We are getting married." He declares, concluding. It's the honorable thing to do. He needs to put aside his aversion towards the marriage institution and take up his responsibility. His father taught him better.

"What! No way, I mean I'm not marrying you just because I may or may not be pregnant. I think we are getting ahead of ourselves". Kezia responded, biting her lips. He would hate her forever if he married her. God please don't let me be pregnant. She prays silently.

"I don't think you understand the gravity of what happened here. I'm not asking you, I'm telling you we are getting married. I can't afford any scandal, especially for the sake of my father, his health is important to me"

"Please try to understand me. I don't want to be in a marriage with someone that hates me. I know we are trying to get along and all, but deep down we both know you are just managing. I'm here because your father ask you to hire me, not because you want me here. Now imagine us in marriage together" she pleaded.

"A lot of people have gotten married for worst reasons. My brother got married to his wife because her father owes him a debt he could not pay. And they are doing just fine. I'm sure we will be fine too" Henry said, already warming up to the idea. Taking the sit opposite hers, he clasps his hands with his. His gaze boring into hers. He felt he hands trembling in his slightly. "Okay let's do it this way, we will wait for you to be sure you are pregnant, I think we should be able to find out within two weeks. If you are—know that we will get married."

"Okay then." She mutters, sniffing gently. "Please excuse me, I need to rest" unclasping her hands from his. Kezia walk out of his presence, closing the door silently. She trudged to her own apartment, still in shock at his declaration. Everything is spinning out of control, and she can't even get a grip of things.

******

Henry sighs in defeat. His past still haunts him, even years later. She still manage to torment him, and ruin things for him, despite his attempt to forget everything. Will he ever be able to escape? He wonders. Jennifer was the first and only lady Henry was ever in love with, he love her enough to consider marrying her, her betrayal really hurts. Now all he feels for her is hatred, resentment, he vowed he will never trust any woman again, or love like that. Marriage is not in the agenda for him. Now he is about to do what he has vowed he wouldn't, just because he couldn't control himself.

Maybe if he had truly let go of the past, let go of the hate, he wouldn't have been in this fix. Who knows right? He mutters, bitterly. It's going to be a long two weeks for him, the wait to know if Kezia is pregnant or not, either way Henry knew things will not be the same again. He was surprised when Kezia said No to him earlier. It's refreshing to know she has some backbone and it's starting to show lately. At least their marriage will not be boring, he consoled himself. He will give her time, for the test to show them what his gut has confirmed to him.

There will be a baby, and his single days are over, he needs to start deciding.

Kezia closed the door of her apartment, resting behind it. Letting out a quick breath.

"This is getting out of hand" she groans.

You think? And it's all your fault. Her subconscious taunted.

"No, it's your fault. If not because of the stupid bath I had, it will not lead to this!" Her hands dropping in defeat, as she drags herself away from the door to her bedroom, "and now I'm arguing with my subconscious. This is just great" she mutters, flopping on the bed. She felt so disappointed with herself. Now she has to face the consequences. Her phone rang besides her, with reluctance she picked it up. Her throat suddenly felt patched when she saw that it was her mother. It's like she has a sixth sense.

"Hello mum" Kezia answered, trying to sound gay. "It's good to hear from you"

"How are you darling and how is Abuja treating you?" Eunice asked.

"Very well mum"

"Good to hear that, how is the Prince as well?"

"He's fine" Kezia replies, her voice sounding hoarse even to her own ears. Guilt eating her up.

"Is everything okay?" Her mother ask, sensing something is off.

"Yes, everything is fine. The Prince is not feeling too well that's all, but he is fine now" Kezia quickly said, to cover up. After all it was true that he was not feeling well. Her mother can't find out beyond that.

"Oh so sorry to hear that, please send my regards to him. You take care now"

"Yes mother, send my regards to everyone as well. Bye” Kezia ended the call, dropping the phone beside her.

THE WEEKS FLEW BY, With Kezia trying to pretend nothing serious happened between her and Henry. A task that seems to be looking like mission impossible for her. The graphic image of them together, keep popping into her head at every instance, causing her face to warm up anytime she recalls it. Henry did not seem to be bothered by it all. He was back to his commanding arrogant nature, though he has tone it down a notch. In all he was not having a hard time.

Kezia wonders if it's the right time to use the home test pregnancy kit she bought. After all it's been two weeks since the incidence. It's not like she's having any pregnancy symptoms or anything but the agreement is to do the test after two weeks. She has been praying that, the result will come out negative. God knows she really want Henry to be in her life, but not like this.

"Are you alright Kezia?" Martha asks bringing her out of reverie.

"Oh I'm sorry, you say?"

"I was asking you if you are okay, you look pale. I hope the bug has not got to you too"

"What! I look pale. But I feel fine. I'm fine" Kezia was taken aback by Martha's observation. God don't let this happen to me, I don't want to be pregnant.

"Oh maybe it's just my imagination dear. Either way take care of yourself." Martha smiles warmly at her "I will thank you." Kezia mutters. She decided to run the test, the moment she gets home.