Chapter 39🎸

Kunle

She fell butt first from my push while I took a step backwards, wiping my lips with my palm. "What do you think you are doing?"

"Are you that dumb? Can't you see I love you?"

"Shit," I mumbled as I helped her off the floor and watched her dust unseen dirt off her ass before I cleared the air by saying, "I don't love you Cassie."

"I want more to our friendship. I want you." she moved closer and tried placing her hands on chest.

"Get your hands off me," I sneered irritated. I wasn't ready for this and the little patience I had, I let go as I pushed her hands.

"You love that bitch." It was not a question but a finalized answer that made me wish she could zip her lips and walk out. "What the fuck did she give to you?"

"Mind your words Cassandra... In fact, I need you to leave my room," I said pointing to the door. But she folded her hands and stroke a defensive pose while staring at me with what I presumed to be hatred.

"Leave Cassie."

"No."

"Leave!" I yelled and pulled the already parted door wide open for her.

***

Grace

"Natalie, can you get me a glass of water?" I said with pregnant eyes that were filled with water as I stared at the ceiling while replaying the scene of seconds back.

"O...k." She stressed before rushing to the kitchen.

Everything between us was going fine, the few days we spent together was enough to break all barrier's and I knew for sure that I was in love with him.  I thought he felt the same but how could he feel the same if he loved someone else?

Or was this a game to him?

Just then a loud crash drew my attention pausing my thought as I suddenly grew alerted by the thought of Natalie in danger.

I jumped from the bed and dash out of the room in hope she was ok. But as I opened the kitchen door, I was met by a scene less dangerous than a break-in but I was more electrified by the sight of Natalie's hands pressed to her cheek and Cassandra's smile.

"Just who I wanted."

"What did you do?" It came as a whisper that sure didn't get to her ears as I moved forward.

"She deserves that slap you know. And maybe more."

"Cassandra if you try it, I swear-" I was cut by a loud whining sound which echoed in in my ears,  as my sister held on to her other cheek.

Without saying a word, I advanced to where she stood, picking a mop-strick which was the item closest to me.

Just then, a hand wrapped around my waist, stopping me from my murder attempt. "Let me go!" I yelled while Cassandra burst into laughter.

"Let me handle this," he said, pressing me to his chest and pulling the mop stick off my hands. "Please."

I let it go and raised hands, "Ok."

"You won't do anything?"

Nodding, I smiled up at him. The moment he let me go, I launched towards my prey and this time I was ready to use my fingers that were without artificial nails. But again, he pulled me back and advanced towards her while I slipped, hitting my head on a stool.

***

Kunle

"Grace." I knelt beside her still body, alerted by the drop of blood on the floor.

"Get my key!" I yelled picking her from the floor as I checked her pulse while Natalie ran to get my keys

"Oh Jesus," I said, picking her from the floor and rushing her out of the kitchen to where the car was parked as regret pumped through my vain's.

I could have let her beat the hell out of Cassie. I thought just as Natalie rushed from within, opened the door and I placed Grace in the backseat.

***

"Is she ok?" I inquired walking down the alley with Doctor Kevin.

Before getting to the hospital, Grace regained consciousness causing a great flow of relief in my body but still, her bleeding continued, a sigh that all was not well.

"She's fine now," He said as we walked into his office. "And the baby is fine."

I stopped with my hands to the door as my brain processed his words. "Baby?"

"Yes Kunle," He said sitting on the black leather chair with his hands folded on the table.

I took the seat before him unsure of what to feel. Happiness or sadness, I was stuck in between as my heart pounded in its caged louder than the bass of music. "No, I am not aware," I whispered.

He picked the top file from those on his desk and handed it to me.

"Are you serious?" I said, staring at the unreadable jargon.

"Yes." He nodded smiling as I pushed the file back to him.

"Can you run this again? Like Now?" I inquired pointing to the file and shaking as it dawn on me. If she was carrying a child then I  nearly killed her and the innocent baby.

My baby.

***

"How is she?" Patrick inquired as I sat between them in the waiting area with my head hung in misery.

"She is fine."

"Cassie is at my house, she will leave Nigeria tomorrow."

"Better because right now, I no won see that girl," I said, shading my eyes with both hands.

"It's not your fault bro," Chris said.

"No I should have let her go wild and crazy on Cassandra, I nearly killed her and my baby."

"Baby?" Patrick inquired.

"You heard it to? Guy you serious?" Chris asked.

"She is pregnant."

"Bravo bro, such hard-working guy," Chris said wearing a smile that heightened my misery.

"Calm down, I am just congratulating you," he said the moment he noticed my glare and my raised middle finger.

"I don't think I can face her."

"Kunle, she knew you didn't do it purposely. You don't have to stress yourself, I am sure she understands," Chris said and Patrick nodded in agreement.

After seconds of silence, I turned to my friend, "Patrick, can you check on her?"

"Sure." He patted my shoulder before leaving Chris and I in the white-painted waiting room which other occupant was a nurse on desk and Natalie who strolled from the restroom to where we sat.

**

Grace

"Where is Kunle?"

"He is in the waiting room going crazy."

"It's not his fault, I slipped," I said sitting straight and feeling an ache on my back and head. "Can I see him?"

"Of course," Patrick said but paused by the door. "He told you we caught the last inmate?"

What?!

I bit down my lips, holding back the shock from Patrick's questions and stuttered, "Ye...yes he did."

"You don't have to worry anymore Grace. You are safe, " he said and I nodded but felt unsafe as I thought about Kunle and all his selfish reason for holding back such information.

***

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to push you." I couldn't help but feel pity towards him as he walked in and kept his distance.

"I know."

"I swear Grace I will never hurt you."

"I know, see just drop it Kunle."

"What is it, tell me?" With arched brows, he moved from the door to my bedside more alerted than ever.

"Nothing really, I just want to go home."

A smile slowly aligned on his lips as he puffed air and sat beside me. "When the Doctor is done with his check-up I will take you home, Linda is so worried about you... I am worried about you baby."

"You don't get it? I want to go home, to my  house...my old life."

"What do you mean?"

"I am free to leave abi? The last guy has been caught abi? why didn't you inform me?"

"I..."

"Cat got your tongue baby?" I said with a sad smile that went with the feeling of betrayal in my heart... It all started from the kiss he shared with Cassie to the secret he hid and probably more discovery waiting to be unfold.

"I wanted to tell, I just-"

"Maybe if you told me this wouldn't have happened Kunle... The truth is, I want my life back."

"You can't,  you just can't."

"And why is that? Because the almighty Kunle said so?" I tilted my head now smiling sarcastically as the chair lost its balance from the swiftness of him standing and turning his back to me.

Immediately, he turned. "No, because you are carrying my child."

"Wait...What do you mean?" I inquired, slowly.

"Doctor Kevin ran various test and you are pregnant." Each word he said came with the gesture of his hands.

Pregnant.

The 'P' word came with an alarming feeling that suddenly made me sick as blood rushed to my tongue and my trembling lip's. "It just can't be. Not now, " I whispered, fumbling with the sheet that covered my legs.

"Grace... Baby."

I turned to him and watched him moved closer as the need to stay clear him took hold. "I still want to go home."

"Grace please. Don't do this to me... To us... To the innocent baby," He pleaded holding my hand while I searched for solutions to my problem.

"You will be fine without me."

***