Chapter 38🌲

Kunle

I woke to her stares that were filled with keen interest as she rested her head on the pillow and slowly ran her hands down my cheek. The feeling was one that could not be compared and only the urge for its reoccurrence was all I longed for and silently prayed for.

"Hey."

"Are you watching me sleep?" I whispered, my voice deep and cracked as she smiled.

"I was watching you snore. God, you are a horrible sleeper and a terrible dancer."

"I don't snore I told you."

"You were like my alarm clock. So loud..."

"Lier," I said, knowing it was a made-up tale aimed at teasing me.

"I ordered room service."

Sitting straight, I mumbled, "Glutton."

Without warning, she slammed a pillow to my face and fleed from the bed, faster than I anticipated as I tried gripping. "Grace It's too early for a pillow fight."

"It's 8:00 am you lazy ass," she giggled brushing her hands through her hair as she stood before the large dressing mirror.

"You just called your boss a lazy ass, you are fired."

Turning, she gave a salute and said, "Sorry sir."

"You dey mad." I threw a pillow which missed my target and went straight for the mirror, causing rapid noise as the content on the dressing table fell.

"Ah!" Laughing, she rushed to the door to answer the bell.

***

I sat at the bar, observing the movement of workers while sipping a glass of red wine after getting the rundown of the week from Victor. The sound of laughter, the comfortable feel of the stool and the smiles from the waitress brought back memories of the last time we were in the hotel. But everything drifted to a different direction, a more perfect and beautiful path.

She was a candlelight in my dark lonely world, her impact was felt even when far apart and the changes were visible, so was the smile that crawled on my lips as I thought about her.

Grace.

Just then, the vibration of my phone drew me back to reality as I stared at the ID with my still unblemished smile.

"Kunle, what's up."

"Good, any update?" I inquired.

"Yeah, we caught the last inmate and traced some communication down to the airport last night," Patrick explained.

"That's good news. So she is safe?"

"Yeah, investigations are still going on and they both confessed to the crime." He paused. "Should I convey this to her? or will you do it? I mean she can leave now."

"Don't worry, I will break the news to her," I said now frowning for I knew it was my responsibility to inform her of the good news which could ruin our present relationship.

"Alright, take things easy over there," He advised before ending the call while I sipped my wine as the thought of losing her made me sick.

***

"Can you drive?" I inquired, throwing the keys to her as we stood beside the car ready to get dinner away from the hotel.

"Yeap, I just don't know the route's."

"Let me be your GPS tonight," I said, smiling as she pulled the door and took her seat.

"That's a flimsy line, it won't attract a fly."

"I thought it would bring you to your knees?" Narrowing her eyes she turned to me while continuing, "Well Let's see how well you control the wheels."

Without saying a word, she turned on the engine and sped out of the hotel into the less busy motorway.

"Ok sweetheart, slow down."

Taking her eyes off the road, she turned to me. "Are you scared?"

"Nope but to be safe, I'm putting this on," I said fixing my seatbelt as she continued her race with a smirk.

A few minutes later I said, "Take the left turn and pack in front of the next restaura-"

She took a sharp turn and parked the car in the lot of SZY Restaurant along Aminu Kano crescent Wuse while I puffed out caged air, truly amazed and a bit scared.

"What?"

***

Grace

"God I am filled," I said, placing my cutlery on the plate before emptying my glass of water in a gulp.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. You look down... Are you ok?"

"Yeah." He smiled but looked past me with worries creating map lines on his forehead creating an obvious opposition to his early calm of being fine.

"It's just, Simi is over there." He nodded and I stylishly turned and caught the sight of her date leaving the table.

"Are you sure she is ok?"

"I don't know."

"Go check on her," I advised but Simi equally stood and slowly walked out of the restaurant in her jean and baggy shirt.

"Go check on her Kunle."

Exhaling deeply, he followed her out of the restaurant while I filled my glass with wine and waited patiently for his arrival.

Spending time with him was filled with memories that made me smile. I wasn't sure what I had for him was real but still, I didn't want it to end. I didn't want to lose the happiness I just found.

Sipping my drink, I stared at my phone. It was five minutes already and there was no sigh of Kunle, this made me scared as I rushed out of the restaurant thankful that the bill has been paid.

I rubbed my hands together as fear mixed with cold breeze brushed my skin and soul aligning with the full moon that glowed as I moved to the parking lot only to see Simi in his arms. Immediately, I turned ready to retreat my steps but his voice froze me.

"Come here," he commanded.

Slowly, I ambled to them just as Simi wiped her eyes with her elbow.

In a flash, he pulled me into his arms. "Don't ever do that, not for anyone," he whispered before letting go but still holding my hand.

"I'm sorry about that." She pointed at the hand I held before slowly strolling to her car that was parked beside ours.

"What happened to you?" I inquired, staring at his hands, his index finger was stained with fresh blood.

"It's nothing, don't worry."

"Make I see." He lifted the hands to full view while I shook my head as I brought out my handkerchief from my purse.

"Just five minutes and you are bleeding, what did you do?" I scolded.

"He slapped her," he replied, innocently.

"And?"

"He is presently missing a tooth," he smiled showing off his still intact and perfect teeth. "I'm ok, don't worry."

"Kai God. We need to treat this but first, let's go before you break someone's eyes." I paused noticing the car keys that jingled in his hands.

He took the passengers seat and fixed his belt. "Are you sure you are not a race driver? Because I am scared... Honestly, I am scared."

Starting the car's engine, I turned and tapped his knee with a smile. "No boss-man, but sit back and relax, your secretary is in-charge tonight."

***

"Natalie!" I placed my bag on the sofa and rushed to her room as a creepy feeling generated from the silence which welcomed me into the mansion after Kunle dropped me off and hurried to the office.

"Natalie!"

"I need gift!" She yelled from the kitchen while I changed direction to her location.

"No gift."

"Don't you dare," She sneered, pulling out of the hug which I was enclosed In the moment I stepped into the kitchen.

"You will braid my hair, then get your gifts, " I said, thankful for the necklace and chocolate I got on our way to the airport.

"I'm done helping with the dishes, let me get my phone." She zoomed off leaving me in the empty kitchen.

Shaking my head, I picked my bag the living room and head for my room but stop from the sarcastic laughter and clapping behind me.

"Welcome back. How was the trip bitch?"

Holding on to the tiny thread of patience I had, I turned to her. "What do you want? Is it Kunle?" I paused waiting for a response but she rather changed her pose like a model and hissed.

"See Cassandra, if you like him, why not tell him? Stop stretching your neck and hands like an antelope." With that, I veered around and matched to my room.

***

Patting my newly braided all-back while seated on the dressing mirror I smiled at Natalie. "Thanks for the hair."

A load honk echoed from downstairs an indication Kunle was back which was faster than I expected for he claimed to have a lot in his hands and I presumed seeing him would be later at night.

"I think he is back, let me go get another gift."

"Thief," I said but Natalie ignored me and jogged out of the room while I waited patiently for him.

After twenty minutes of waiting for prince charming, I stood and head for his room while praying he wasn't asleep for I wanted to plead that he let me resume work.

His door was left open, a sigh he was in and probably in haste to leave again. Curiosity took hold of me as I peeped and was shocked by the scene which immediately had me shivering with wide eyes.

"Oh...oh... God," I whispered, cured of my shock as I quietly slipped away from the scene of Kunle and Cassandra kissing.

***