chapter 19

" should I be jealous that you and Ayo are spending too much time with my parents instead of me?". Kemi asked as she took her seat on the edge of the pool beside Ivonne who just returned from what looked like a very exhausting and fun filled day with Ayo and her parents.

She sighed when her legs entered the pool. She placed the cups on the floor and opened the wine filling up the glass cup.

" No joor ". Ivonne brought the glass to her lips " Another day, another success. I should be expecting my Dad's call in a few days. At most 3 days".

" I can't believe we're leaving tomorrow. I don't want to go". Kemi whined. " I like it here. The boat cruise today was amazing. You would have loved it".

" You know me and water nah. I can't swim".

" You're going to be on a boat that is on top of the water". Kemi pointed out.

" What if the boat turn upside down? What if something happens and the boat starts to leak? What if...".

" Do you have to be so pessimistic all the time?".

Ivonne shrugged " I can't help it. The earth is just out there... In the open... What if there is a Universequake?".

Kemi palmed her head and laughed " I know say you no get sense before. You just dey hide under many things". She threw her head back, emptying her glass before refilling it.

This was the best place to be. Out of the office and her boring house and into a wonderful place. Right now, she was sitting at the edge of the pool that was Infront of their house on the Island. They had switched off the lights so the only source of light was the moon. It shone bright, alongside the many stars that decorated the sky.

Tomorrow would be the last day on the Island and so far, what they came for was a success. Mr and Mrs. Bankole can't just seem to get enough of Ayomide. He was funny, smart, handsome, religious, good mannered and charming. By the time both families love him too well, he would be gone. Out of her life and also out of theirs.

What if he refused to go? She smiled. He was indeed stubborn and would probably - that is if they settled this...no talking thing - touch and talk his way to get a few more days and then the days would roll into weeks and weeks into months...

No.

She shook her head.

" Are you okay?". Kemi asked " This one that you're shaking your head like there is a tree on top... Did Patricia do something she's not supposed to do?".

Speaking of Patricia, she had not heard from her for today.

" No. I've not even heard from her. I've been ... Busy".

" With Ayo".

Ivonne turned to face Kemi who quickly put her drink in her mouth and turned her face away.

" Ok, what are you implying?".

Kemi furrowed her brows and dropped the cup. She held Ivonne's gaze " who? Me? What did I do this time?".

" It's obvious I've been busy with Ayo and your parents, but the way you said it was just so... Weird and suspicious".

" Ah! Ok ooo. So what were you thinking about?".

Ivonne shook her head " Amebo ( gossip) will not kill you".

" Amen ooo". Kemi laughed.

" I was just thinking about... Everything".

Kemi paused, waiting for more information. " Everything as in?".

" Everything na ".

" Everything can be anything. So be specific". Even without looking at her, Ivonne could hear the smile in her voice. She was teasing. She knew what Kemi wanted to hear.

" I know what you want to hear ..."

Kemi raised her hand in surrender " I know not what you speak of. I'm just a concerned bestie who wants to know what's going on with her... Bestie". She grinned.

Ivonne thought for a while before looking back. She looked left and right to make sure that no one was around and then she moved closer to Kemi who was eyeing her suspiciously.

" Is this the part where we whisper?". Kemi said in a whisper and Ivonne shushed her. The action made her feel giddy inside. Whatever she was going to hear must real juicy.

" I was thinking about... Him". Ivonne finally said in a whisper.

Kemi felt her face freeze with the smile on her face " like I didn't already know that. Gee! I'm so surprised". She rolled her eyes. Ivonne shushed her and she whispered " don't tell me to shush. It's not like the topic is a new one. What is it this time? Let me guess". She tapped her fingers on her chin and tilted her head to the sky "he is still not talking to you. Voilà ".

Ivonne slapped her thigh and she yelped but quickly covered her mouth with her palm. " What was that for?". Kemi asked as she rubbed her thigh to make the sting go away.

" That was for being too loud and forward. Yes it's about Ayo but not really about him... It's more about me. I mean..." She sighed " what he is making me go through".

" I think it's the other way round but ok. Talk to me". She poured herself a drink.

" I like him".

The confession made her choke on her drink "Jesu! (Cough) oh waw (cough) T-that is (cough) stupid girl (cough) ".

Ivonne bit her lips to contain her smile and began to pat her back. After a while of coughing and coughing, it stopped.

Kemi pushed her hand away " keep your hands to yourself joor. You want to kill me ni? ".

"Ahn ahn!". Ivonne exclaimed. " What did I do now?".

" You just dropped a bomb like that". She hissed and shook her head " na wa for you oo. Anyways, since when?".her eyes widened and a simile splitted her face.

She shrugged suddenly feeling self conscious " I don't know, it just happened".

" Well it's about time". Kemi squeeled and spread her arms wide " I'm so happy for you". She moved closer to hug her but Ivonne pushed her away.

" Don't be. It's not a good thing". She covered her face with her hands.

Kemi furrowed her brows and dropped her hands " I don't understand. How is that not a good thing?".

" I don't know Kems. Just..". She sighed. " Weren't you like this when you meet David? I'm sure you didn't want to fall for his talks and looks and smile and his charming personality, his dimple, cute body, skin like chocolate...".

" Wow wow wow". Kemi cut in " That is not David. Yes I didn't want to fall for it as I believed business and pleasure shouldn't mix but then I learnt to live in the moment plus... Are you sure you're not... You know... Falling for him".

"Jeez! No". She replied immediately. Right? " No. I'm not. Why would you even think that?". When Kemi shrugged, she rolled her eyes "whatever. Let's leave that. You said something about  ' living in the moment ' . What's that?".

" It's where you live in the moment. You know, you bask in it, the love and care you're getting. When you feel it won't last, you just enjoy it at that moment". She explained.

Well that was a great idea. Not!

" That doesn't even make any sense. I mean, when you know it won't last, why hurt yourself and enjoy what you'll crave more than ever once it's gone?". So scary.

" Why stay in silence when you can just take the risk and see if he'll stay? If you don't, you'll keep questioning and wondering what his answer or action would have been. But by then it might be too late, who knows? He might be ... Planning his wedding".

Super duper scary.

She didn't want to take the risk, and she didn't want him to be with someone else either. She sighed. People like him should not be existing. It was just too dangerous. They made monsters outta girls. Now she's having the thought of killing him so he would belong to no one, but it would ...hurt more not to hear his gentle voice and laugh. Hear his crazy words and see his lovely grin.

" Ivonne, don't make this such a big deal. I understand that you're scared, don't be. For some reasons, I know Ayo won't mess up and hurt you. So far, he hasn't done anything wrong".

Ivonne scoffed " now you're trying to make me feel like a bad person. It's working though".

" No no..I'm just saying that you gotta stop being bitchy".

She furrowed her brows " well that's a really nice way to put it".

Kemi grinned " Glad you like it".

" So what do you suggest I do?". She needed all the help she could get.

" Apologize to him for the stunt you pulled at your place. That was really cheesy and so ...you. After that, tell him how you feel".

" Excuse me?". She didn't hear well. "Did you say to tell him how I feel?".

Kemi nodded " Yes. What's wrong with that?".

Ivonne gaped in terror " Idiot. What is not wrong with that? What is not? How do you expect me to walk up to a guy and tell him that I like him? Ah! See me see gbege oo! ".

Kemi laughed as she could hear the anxiety behind Ivonne's words. It wasn't everyday you get to see her scared. Inching closer to the water, she got in and sighed as she relaxed immediately, loving the way the water was cold.

" Ivonne, I don't know what you want me to tell you...".

" Exactly what I want to hear. Tell me that". She groaned with a rise in her voice. Her hands moved to her hair where they stayed, as if her hair would fall off.

She felt Kemi's eyes on her and lifted her head to hold her gaze. She had her eyebrows arced and her mouth was curved to the side. She was observing.

After a while she sighed " You know what? Don't talk to him. Just let it be strictly business, no pleasure and no distractions. He'll be gone sooner or later. Everything that he is making you feel inside, try to wave it off. You gotta be strong Ivonne. Don't let this guy break down your walls".

What the hell was that?

" Er... What the hell! What are you saying? Few minutes ago, you wanted me to enjoy it and now you want me to stay far away... Can you just make sense?".

" What? That's what you want to hear right? I just told you what you wanted to hear and now compare it with what you don't want to accept. You know that I'm right and you know that I know that you're going crazy for this guy Ivonne".

Ivonne groaned and palmed her face " why me? Is it too hard to ask for just a pretence partner? Why all these drama?".

"Quit being so dramatic. I'm tired of this conversation because I believe I've done my best. Now it's up to you. If you want to push away this guy who is the first in years that has made you think twice, then do so. I'll just hear about it over the phone in another country".

Ivonne scoffed.

Kemi got out of the water, took her wine and the glass and headed for her door.

Ivonne furrowed her brows. They weren't done talking " where are you going?".

" Inside. To cuddle with my darling". She replied with a bright smile " you should get some rest and think about your life".

Ivonne rolled her eyes " There's a party at the beach. Since it's the last night we're spending here, why not just go have fun?".

" I'm sorry did that just come out of your mouth? The word ' have fun '? Wow! That was fast. You go have fun with Ayo, while I go to bed"

" Blah blah blah. Whatever you say Your Highness". She teased.

" Goodnight". She turned to leave.

" It's morning. 12am".

" You get what I mean".

" I don't". She answered absentmindedly and stood.

" Love you too".

She heard the door close and she sighed heavily. It was true what they said, a problem shared, was a problem solved. So in her conversation with Kemi, what she learnt today was to learn to live in the moment.

oh.

She forgot to ask how she would know the right moment. She palmed her head and walked over to her house, butterflies filling her stomach already. As she got to the door, she held the knob and stopped.

What did she learn from Kemi again??

Darn it!

Talk to him and get this over with, maybe by the end of the month or job, the attraction she had towards him would have definitely faded away.

Or...

Keep avoiding him by being bitchy and tough so when he goes, she would be doing great with no sense of delay or distraction.

She didn't know how long she stood there, but by the time she came back to the present, her legs hurt badly and she'd come up with what to do.

*****

After changing into a mini gown, she hurried out to catch up with Kemi's parents.

With each step she took, her stomach knitted and her lower lip was hurting as her teeth had been busy biting it!

She ran her fingers through her hair that she let down and sighed, looking up to the heavens as she silently prayed that this cup pass over her.

Why me?

Why now?

Why him?

So he didn't have money or some big ...job, connections or those material things she craved.

He did say he was a web designer... That could fetch a lot of money. But he didn't have an account. Maybe he was using his Mother's own?

Now you're being a gold digging bitch!

Correct. What if he had money somewhere, would that make her jump in his arms? She was a millionaire already.

She shook the thought out of her head and continued walking. She was close already as the music was getting louder. Joeboy's song baby was playing and she hummed to the beat.

Baby Shey you dey for me,

As I dey for you?

Baby Shey you dey for me,

As I dey for you?

Oh na na

She saw Ayo and Kemi's parents walking towards her and she slowed down. It was bright thanks to the lights that were turned on and Ayo held her gaze. He immediately held out his hand and she hurried to him, ignoring her decision to stay away. it would be impossible. As long as her eyes could still see him and her head still knew his address. Why fight away the feeling?

Ignoring everyone around, she ran into him and wrapped her hands around his waist.

" Ahn ahn! Amaka, where did you come from?". Mr. Bankole asked.

She snuggled closer to Ayo's body, inhaling his scent. His hand rested on her waist, pulling her humanly closer to his body and she forth the urge to rub against him.

" Ivonne". Mrs. Bankole called.

"Go away joor". She said, not batting an eye at them.

" Leave the man alone. You make it seem like you've not seen him for days".

" It's late, two of you should go and rest". They were ruining the moment!

" You're pushing us away because of a boy. So if we were drowning, you'll save Ayo first?".

Ivonne scoffed " I won't even think twice". She turned and grinned at them. " Don't worry, before that happens, I'll get you both someone that'll teach you how to swim so that you will save yourself".

" Stupid girl". Mrs. Bankole shook her head. " We'll be leaving quite early tomorrow. Your Father and I have something to take care of".

"Oh ok". Ayo said.

" You can come visit us anytime, be sure to come even if she does not want too".

He laughed and they talked some more. After a while, Ivonne moved to his side and held his hand as they walked them to their house.

" What time would you be leaving here?". Mr. Bankole asked as they got to his door.

" 12pm. Call me once you get home and please make sure that everything is going ok at my dad's company. I would literally kill Patricia if one thing goes wrong".

" I believe you. I so much do. Oya let's go inside. I'm exhausted". He Said and opened the door, his wife walked in and they said goodbyes before shutting the door.

" Well that went well". Ayo sighed and she held his hand tighter, knowing that he would take them away once they were indoors.

She felt his eyes on her and turned to face him. Holding his gaze, she marvelled. How could someone be this gorgeous?

Ayo knitted his brows " what?".

The corners of her mouth quirked "Just thinking about how gorgeous you are".

She didn't miss the way his brows shot up in surprise, his eyes widened and his mouth formed an 'O'...

His mouth...

What did it taste like? Chocolate?

At the thought, she licked her lips and he did the same. His tongue swipped at his lower lip. She looked up at him and his eyes were glued to her lips. Was he thinking the same thing?

Was this the moment Kemi was talking about?

What if he didn't want this?

Only one way to find out.

She stepped closer, leaned in, closing the distance between them with her body. Her breasts brushed his chest and she closed in to inhale his scent. Cologne, deodorant ...

She furrowed her brows " is it just me or do you smell like a woman's perfume?".

"Some girl ran into me earlier today".

" Is she blind? She just ran into you like you're an invisible block?". Suddenly angry.

Ayo rolled his eyes " no she's not blind. She was even wearing glasses so she was seeing perfectly. Maybe she wasn't paying attention".

" Rubbish! She even has four eyes and she still ran into you. Attention seeker".She said trying to control her out-of control emotions.

" Ivonne, she...".

She cut in " why are you even defending her? Did her face accidentally run into you too and her lips rubbed up against yours?". The nerve of that woman.

Ayo scoffed. He couldn't believe they were having this conversation " no, nothing of that sort happened and ...why you sounding like a jealous woman all of a sudden?".

Jealous?

She wasn't jealous. Was she?

" I don't know what you're talking about". She murmured, burying her nose in the crook of his neck. " Na wa ooo. I can smell her on you so bad that if I had a boner, it's dead now".

" That's intense".

She shrugged. Pulling away from his body, she slid her hand into his and didn't miss the look of surprise in his face but he didn't say anything as he walked away with his hand laced in hers.

The walk back home was silent but Ivonne didn't mind, she was pressed against him and was living in the moment.

Ayo on the other hand was thinking. Who was the woman beside him? What happened to his Ivonne, the boss lady who despised him with a passion? He didn't miss the tone of jealousy in her words when she spoke about the other woman, nor the way she was rubbing against him as if she wanted to smell herself on him.

He glanced down at her and immediately regretted it. The gown she was wearing had a long V neck and one could see her breasts on either side. They were so full, beautiful and he wondered what it would be like without any coverage.

He imagined her, kneeling on the bed, with nothing but a red strapless bra and matching panties. Her hair held up in a bun, face void of make-up and red heels. Red was his favourite colour and she looked good in red.

With an insatiable look of hunger in her eyes, she gazed at him as he stood at the edge of the bed. She knew just what she wanted and exactly how to get it. Reaching behind her and her eyes never leaving his, she reached behind and unhooked the bra. It sagged, almost sliding off. Gently, she pushed it down and tossed it aside, her beautiful breasts on display. Her areola was the lightest shade of pink and her ** which looked so hard as she rubbed her hand over it, throwing her head back from the pleasure, was pink as well.

" Take them off". She said, her voice filled with impatience and slightly on edge. Looking down at himself, he knew he had a raging hard-on even though he was putting on tight briefs that were starting to get uncomfortable.

" Take it off now". She said but this time when he looked up, he wasn't fantasizing, he was inside the house on the beach. Ivonne was in front of him, hands folded and her eyes were eyeing him from head to toe.

When he held her gaze, she had that look ... The one that silently screamed " I'm about to pounce on you like it's your last day on earth". she arced a brow.

" Sorry what?".

"Take. It. Off"

Oh boy!

Clearly she didn't mean... Surely she wasn't trying to say... Right?

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