Thirty-seven

Nothing was appealing about that statement, especially coming from him.

This was where I should have delivered a stinging slap to his cheek, a fitting retort for his audacity. After days of neglect and humiliation, he had the nerve to utter those words to me.

Yet, here I was, my body betraying me, responding to the husky tone and piercing gaze that seemed to see right through me.

But don't blame me.

Blame the tequila sunrise that had somehow managed to pump arousal into my veins like liquid fire, clouding my judgment.

It was what had given my body a mind of its own, and the reason I was currently fighting with the urge to repeat the words he dared me never to say. Our eyes were locked, the air thick with suppressed desires, as I struggled to maintain my composure.

When I saw that my restraint was getting weaker the longer I stared at him, I managed to break free from his hold and turned to walk away. My heels clicked on the ground as I walked faster than I wanted because I knew it was either that or I did what my body wanted me to do.

It seemed like Mene had given up on chasing me because he didn't prevent me from walking away like he did last time and it gave me a little sense of satisfaction that I'd won our little exchange. Even though I missed him, I wasn't going to let him mess with me like he did and get away with it just like that. Chinwe always said you teach people how they should treat you. If I let him .....

My triumphant thoughts were cut off when I was lifted off the ground and slung over a hard shoulder like a rag doll. I let out a scream, but just like the other day, the bystanders seemed too engrossed in their worlds to care.

"Mene, put me down!" I demanded, squirming and kicking in a futile attempt to break free but this man was just too strong. It was like I was trying to push down a mountain.

"You had your chance to willfully comply with my order and you didn't, so we're doing it my way," he retorted, his voice firm.

I continued to struggle but to no avail and eventually, I exhausted myself, my body going limp against his. He deposited me into the car and slid in beside me with a possessive air that made my skin crawl.

"We're going home," he stated to the driver who started the car immediately he heard those words. I, on the other hand, was not going down without a fight.

"I came here with my friend. I can't leave without her," I protested.

His gaze flickered to the window briefly before it returned to mine. "Don't worry, Suka is here too."

My eyes widened in surprise, my mind reeling with the implications. He knew about Suka and Chinwe? Does that mean that Suka knew about us? And if so, how much did he know?

"I hope Suka doesn't know about us," I ventured, trying to sound nonchalant.

His eyes narrowed, his voice taking on a taunting tone. "You're scared of Suka too?"

Anger flared within me at his jab, and I lashed out, my words tumbling out in a rush. "Yes, I'm scared of Suka because if he knows, there's a high possibility that your mother will eventually find out. I've told you countless times that I don't want her to know about us but you're just too selfish to care".

Mene's gaze faltered, his eyes moving back to the window. "I don't even know why I'm even bothered, there's nothing to find out. Nothing is going on between us anyway."

His head whipped to me like I'd slapped him. "What does that mean?"

I laughed, a harsh, mocking sound. "Are you even asking me that? Nothing is going on between us, my dear".

Fire lit up in Mene's eyes, one that silently dared me to counter what he was about to say. "A lot is going on between us, Tarila. And you know it."

"You should have thought of that before ignoring me for days".

The car fell silent, the only sound was the soft hum of the engine and the sound of my heavy breathing. I knew I had to confront him, to demand answers for his sudden disappearance and ignoring me for days. And so, I took a deep breath and dove in, my words spilling out in a torrent of emotion.

"Why did you ignore me? Tell me why or I swear I'll come down from this car".

"You're not coming down from this car". He deadpanned.

"Try me". I dared him. I wasn't joking at all. If he didn't tell me why he ignored me, I was going to get out of this car and call the police if he didn't let me out.

His eyes dropped and his jaw clenched in a tight line. "I was busy with work."

I threw my hands up in exasperation, my voice rising in disbelief. "Then why did you ask me out on a date to start with?!" A sharp sting permeated my head as I yelled and my hand dropped to my forehead to massage it in a bid to reduce the intensity of the ache.

"Are you okay?" He asked, placing a hand on my shoulder as he noticed my grimace.

"I just want to go home". I shrugged his hand off me, still massaging my forehead.

"You're coming home with me".

"I'm not going home with you, Mene. I have a house and that's where I'm going to". I didn't raise my head from my hands as I retorted.

"Suka doesn't have a house in Port Harcourt and he's going to be staying there with your friend".

"I have a room".

The car fell silent once more before Mene finally spoke up, his voice low and husky. "Please, come home with me. I promise I won't touch you. I'll give you your space."

I raised an eyebrow at him. "Then why do you want me there?"

Mene's eyes locked onto mine, his gaze pleading. "I just want that peace that comes with knowing that you're right there with me. I missed you these past few days, Tarila, and whether you believe it or not, it was never my intention to abandon you. I'm sorry for my actions, and I assure you it won't happen again."

Now that he had said the words I wanted to hear, my resolve shattered to pieces.

******

The visitor's room Mene led me to immediately we got to his house was just two rooms after his. It was sparse, with only a bed, desk, and wardrobe as furniture.

I turned to comment on the bland interior of the room after taking it in but my tongue thickened in my mouth when I saw the unmistakable desire in his eyes as they roamed over my body, lingering on the sheer fishnet dress that exposed my flimsy underwear.

I felt a flush rise to my cheeks, suddenly self-conscious about the revealing outfit which was quite funny as I'd been so confident in a crowded room.

Mene's jaw clenched, his eyes flashing with something that seemed like restraint and anger when he finally met my gaze. "My help will get you some clothes, food, and drugs for your headache".

I nodded, my voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you."

Mene nodded in response, his eyes never leaving mine. Then, he turned to leave but stopped halfway, his back still facing me. "I wasn't joking about my statement earlier though," he said, his voice dripping with warning. "The next time you call yourself a slut, there will be consequences."

*****

My headache was gone. I had devoured a delicious meal, taken a refreshing shower and some painkillers, and also changed into a comfortable romper courtesy of Mene's thoughtful help but I was still restless.

Chinwe wasn't replying to my texts, and I had scrolled through my phone for hours, liking and commenting on posts until my eyes blurred.

Sleep remained elusive, taunting me with its absence.

I dropped my phone to the bed and rolled over to the side, staring blankly at the wall as boredom feasted on me.

Mene left me alone, giving me space like he'd promised, and I couldn't help but wonder what he was currently up to. I hoped he wasn't working tirelessly as usual. That man needed rest.

My mind shifted from Mene to keep searching for something to save me from this torment of boredom and a thrill bustled in me as it finally settled on one thing.

Swimming.

Mene had a swimming pool here and it had been a while since I swam.

Without wasting any time, I slipped out of bed and shed my romper. There was no need to wear it since I was going for a swim. I donned a purple robe over my naked body before I made my way out of the room down to the corner of the living room which led to the pool.

The gliding doors slid open with a gentle whoosh, revealing the pool's tranquil surface, its waters reflecting the starry night sky like a mirror.

I wasn't even in it yet but I already felt a strange sense of relief attack me just at the sight of the pool. This was exactly what I needed.

I pulled off my robe, not bothering about anyone seeing me since it was one o'clock in the morning. The help was probably asleep and I was sure Mene was either asleep or buried in his work. I silently prayed it was the former.

I dipped my feet into the pool and a low squeal followed by a giggle erupted from my inner child at the refreshing feel of the cold water and then without wasting time, I slipped into the pool.

A relaxing sigh left my lips as the water soothed my nerves, cooling me off in its embrace and rejuvenating my warmth-starved soul.

Fela was right. Water doesn't have an enemy.

After relishing in the feel of the water, I decided to do a few laps. I tried giving the butterfly stroke a try but I laughed as I failed woefully. It has been ages since I did it. I played with the water in the pool till I started to feel cold and then I decided to retire.

I heaved a fulfilled sigh before retiring out of the pool. Something above me caught my eye as I made my way out of the pool and I didn't have to squint to know who it was. The dull light radiating from the night sky made it obvious that it was Mene who was leaning on the balcony, shirtless with faded jeans hung loosely around his waist.

I sensed his stare at me like a palpable force even though his eyes were hidden in the shadows of the dark. I couldn't tell whether the goosebumps prickling my skin was because of the chill of the night or the weight of his intense that caused my body to tremble.

A wicked thought took hold of me as I emerged from the pool and with a sly smile, I took deliberate steps to where I'd dropped my robe, taking my time to put it on.

He'd promised me that he wouldn't touch me. Let's see how good he really was with promises.