chapter 15☄️

Kunle

"Who the hell is that?" I heard Kenneth asked, with a sharp intake of breath that made me turned. I searched the crowd hoping to see the lady who took my cousin's breathe away, an effect only Temi had on him.

I gasped for air watching her stood at the entrance of the hall looking like heaven and hell conjoined.

She was in black just like my dream yesterday morning, her curves all enlightened in the sexy dress that had a slit at its left side.

"Grace."

"You know her?"

I noticed Chris left the side of a guest to her's. "Yeah, she is my assistant."

"She looks good, better than Simi," he said and got a smile as my response. I was not ready to ride the Simi's train, not now, not ever.

I deflected my eyes to the wine that lost its taste the instant I sighted her.

"Is she in a relationship with Chris?"

I sipped my drink hoping it has been restored to its former glory. "Nope, why are you asking?"

"Well, he is clouding over her," he said, in a tone that spiked interest in my head. Kenneth was a teaser especially in affairs that had to do with me, but it was not a problem since I always got back at him.

I moved my attention to Grace and watched her searched the hall with a face filled with worries.

Following her gaze and caught other men stealing glances at her just like I did. It was understandable, I mean I've seen her in only panties and bra, but something was different tonight.

She caught me staring and won a smirk that was just a cover-up to what I really felt.

"Are you sure you are ok?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," I said.

"Temi is going to invite you and dad for dinner tomorrow, she has been talking about it all day long."

"That will be nice considering the fact I planned on visiting before leaving for Lagos."

"True she, I'm just worried, the baby will be due soon."

"Where is she self?"

"Gisting or gossiping with the other ladies of course." He searched the crowd for his wife and I scanned the crowd, but not for Temi.

I saw her walking hand in hand with dad towards us, taking slow strides that made.

"There she is," Kenneth said and signalled his wife to come over. She nodded and started towards us but got held up by a chubby lady in a brown belt that was a wrong match for her red dress.

"Good evening," Grace greeted, her hands still entangled with dad's.

I nodded acknowledging her greeting, I was trying hard to hold my tongue and reserve my comments.

"Kenneth, where is my daughter?" Dad asked, intruding on my intended introduction.

"She's behind you sir."

He turned, just as Temi walked to us in her tight black gown not minding her heavy pregnancy. Her hair was cut and jelled like little worms, the hairstyle made her rounded face blasted with markup even more beautiful.

"Temi, we are fighting ooh."

"Daddy mi don't say that, I was telling Kenneth today that it's been long I saw you and because of this pregnancy I can't fly to Lagos," She explained, her smile a pleading one.

"Your excuse is valid, how is my little lion Elvis?"

Kenneth, Grace, and I watched the drama without interrupting.

"Temi, I want you to meet my friend and Kunle's assistant Grace," He said, I stood stealing glances at Grace beside me.

"So you are the beautiful lady that got all the other ladies shooting daggers?" She asked, extending her hand.

"I'm sorry if I caused any trouble," Grace apologized, taking the extended hand, but Temi pulled her into a hug.

"They can stare daggers if they want to dear, but as a friend of my in-law I take back all my own daggers," She said and I noticed the smile on Grace's face touched her cheeks.

"Kunle, did you even ask of me?" Temi inquired, finally acknowledging my presence.

"Baby he did, that's why I told you to come over," Kenneth defended, before I could say a word.

"You must come to my house tomorrow, you, dad, and Grace."

"You will be able to make it right?" She asked Grace, who looked ready to scream no.

"You must come, it's a must," Temi said, moving slowly to the chubby woman who looked desperate.

I turned and noticed dad was in a deep but quiet conversation with Kenneth, this left me with Grace.

"Thanks for the ride."

"It's ok but why didn't you go with something less revealing?" I asked, not certain why the question popped out of my mouth.

"I'm sorry, you said?" She tilted her head to the left and her eyes flashed will confusion.

"Your dress is too revealing, it's showing everything, makes you look like a hoe," I explained.

"Because I work for you doesn't mean I should dress in a rag?" She countered, in annoyance.

"Well at least dress responsible," I sneered.

"Trust me, you look like a prostitute," I continued, not breaking my eyes from her's.

"You know what? I'm done with all this shit," She said, in total dismay.

She huffed and turned, taking hurried steps that caused stares from onlookers.

"What did you do?" Dad asked, standing beside me.

I smilled at him. "Nothing."

"Go make things right with her now."

"I will do that later Dad, I have things to do now," I said, nonchalantly.

"Kunle, mio to é ko da bayi, now go make things right." He pointed to the door, disappointment in his frowned face.

"Ok sir."

***

I stepped out of the hell, my eyes searched every corner as I walked out of the bar gate.

She won't have gone far nah, she does not know anywhere in Abuja.

Fuck Kunle what have you done?

I thought as the stupidity of my action hits me. Sending her into the street was a very dangerous and reckless act from my part, especially since she had no idea of places.

Damn it, I won't forgive myself if she get hurt.

I stood in front of the less busy road with street light on both sides, looking around and scratching my head, praying she was ok.

I sighed, relieved as I saw her strangling with her gown and heels across the road. I crossed over and advance to where she stood.

"You didn't have to leave," I started, tucking my hands in my pocket.

"So I should stay so you can insult me and call me all sort of names abi?" I moved closer to her and noticed traces of tears on her cheeks.

"I had to say something, your dress is improper for an assistant."

"What were you expecting me to wear, suit?"

I nodded avoiding direct eye contact as I stared at the empty road.

"Which other assistant did you see wearing a suit? You know what? I don't want to talk about this Kunle."

"It's ok if you don't want to talk about it," I said, thankful it was all over.

I pointed to the hall. "Let's go back inside."

"You don't get it." She shook her head as a tear slide down her cheek.

"I quit Kunle, I quit." She raised her hands in defeat while my lips parted in shock. I never expected things to move fast or come this far.

"I quit, I hate you soo much." She paused, emotions flowing with every word.

"I mean, you've been a pain in my ass ever since I started working for you. It's been you shouting at me, calling me names or you shooting me arrows with your eyes." She pointed at me.

"Why did you employ me if you knew I was not perfect for the job?" She asked, struggling to breathe as more tears flow down. I watched her lamented with heavy hearts.

"I just asked you a question at the club Kunle and you've been taking it upon me for months now. You don't have a heart. I swear you no get heart, I hate you!" She yelled.

I couldn't place why I did it, maybe it was her tears or the look of fiery in her eyes. Maybe it was the fact she told me she hated me thrice already or the fact I couldn't stop staring at her lips as they quivered.

I pulled her into my arms and pressed my lips on hers. But she stood with her hands on both sides not responding to my kiss.

I bit her lower lips indicating my need to explore her, but she pulled out of my arms and her right hand connected to my left cheek.

"I told you, I'm not a prostitute," She sneered through tight teeth.

She pushed past me. "I'm going back to the hotel."

"At least let me take you back," I said, my tongue restored to perform its God-given duty.

"I can find my way," she said and waved a taxi.

I watched her stepped in and the car zoomed off while I stood processing what just happened as the warmth on my cheek increased.

***

Authors note

Hey guys, tell me what you think about this chapter.

Meaning of words/sentence

mio to é ko da bayi-- it is spoken in Yoruba a Nigerian language, which means I did not train you to be like this.

I swear you no get heart- I swear you don't have a heart.