9. LUKE
Chapter 9
LUKE
I know, I was a tad bit overbearing, texting her all day, but no way was I going to give her a crack to wiggle out of marrying me, let alone a small room for the crack to get bigger. It upset me when she didn’t respond to a single text, and even more so when my calls went to voicemail.
I called Osei, who informed me that she always turns her phone off at work and at study group. Who does that? Most people put their phone on silent, not off. That’s the first thing she and I are going to address.
When Osei texted that she was at his place, I knew she was defying me on purpose, and no fucking way was I going to let her spend the night there. Did she not realize how much pressure spending another night at Osei's places put on my mind? I grabbed my keys and drove to his place. I arrived right as the dinner order was getting delivered.
“I knew you would show up,” Osei mocked, stepping aside as I barreled my way into his unit.
“Where is she?” My tone was harsher than intended—maybe subconsciously I intended it, causing a raised brow and a confused look from Osei.
“Taking a shower and getting ready for bed.” He scoffed.
“She’s not sleeping here tonight.” My voice was firm as I headed towards her bedroom. She came out in my brother’s T-shirt and no bra. How fucking close are they? Seeing her so relaxed in Osei’s shirt upset me more than I would ever admit. Her braids were pulled into a messy bun on top of her head. I was almost positive she had no panties on under those leggings. No fucking way was I allowing her to spend the night there. She was quiet as Osei talked nonstop about their favorite restaurant. It was clear they’d been there several times. I laughed along with him, even as I realized I needed to chip away at some of that closeness. Jealousy is an emotion I’d never experienced before now, and I do not like it at all.
Our ride home was quiet. All I could smell was Osei on her. She had showered with his toiletries, and I absolutely disliked the smell of another man on her. It didn’t help that she was wearing his shirt. It all irritated the fuck out of me.
Now, she’s in our home. I didn’t get much out of her, but I sense she likes the unit and the décor, most especially her room. Though she had her back to me, even as my eyes were trained on her. I want her to be comfortable and happy living here with me, but I’m also realizing that it's an uphill battle.
Why would she think I would ever let any man touch her underwear? I don’t know how I felt when Osei mentioned he would get that done. I’d asked him to let Paula do it and follow the movers to my place and have her arrange everything for her.
An hour after pacing in my bedroom, I went to check on her, only to find her bedroom door locked. Oh no, she didn’t. I unlocked the door and moved towards her bed. She’d left the closet light on. I stood at the foot of the bed and watched her sleep. My God, she’s beautiful. I moved closer to the bed and kissed her forehead. She stirred, and I tiptoed back out and locked the door. No point in letting her know I snuck in despite the lock.
I slept happy, knowing she was in my unit. When I woke up the next morning, it was clear she’d left. Her bedroom door was wide open. I controlled the annoyance building up in me at the fact that I didn’t see her before she left.
I call her, and to my utter surprise, she answers.
“Hello.” Her soft tone cracks my armor. I'm happy she answered, but now I'm at a loss for words.
“Return home after meeting with your lawyer. There’s a lot we need to discuss,” I state, regretting how forceful my voice sounds.
“Okay.” Before I could say another word, I hear a masculine voice in laughter saying, “Got ya.” And her voice responds, “Eww, Kai, don’t put those stinky lips on me again, especially when I have no idea where those lips were last night.”
“You love me,” the male voice replies.
“Do not,” she responds, and the line disconnects. Does my blood pressure rise? Abso-fucking-lutely!
I bottled up my emotions and head to work. My dad is feeling better this week and plans to make an appearance today.
My day goes nothing as planned, with my dad making more demands and changes to things I’d already set up. The only good thing is Dele’s ring is delivered, and the deed changes to have her name on our home are sent to me. I signed it without question, and her signature is also needed. I take both items home when I notice it’s after seven pm.
I dash out faster than I normally do because my soon-to-be wife just might decide to head to work again, and I won’t see her. I get home to find Dele singing and dancing with Osei and Paula laughing alongside.
I watch her carefree and happy as she sings, laughs, and dances to the beat. I’ve heard the song before; it’s some afro beat tune that Osei plays all the time. Please don’t tell me, they have a song. It's a good thing Paula is here, because I sure as hell feel like punching Osei for how close he is to her and how casually he touches her. Dele is getting down and twisting her hips to the beat when she sights me looking at her. She stops right away and taps Osei, who turns off the music. Paula is now fidgeting with the dough. Guess I’m the party pooper.
“Can I speak to you alone, Dele?” I say to her, shooting my brother a glare. She nods, just as Osei says, “Hello to you too,” in a snarky tone. I ignore him and head towards Dele’s room. I know she’s following me. The moment she steps in, I close and lock the door. I notice her eyes widen in fear, her lips tremble, her hands begin to shake, and her chest heaves like she’s about to go into shock.
Fuck! I quickly unlock the door and open it wide. She doesn’t look at me but makes a brisk move closer to the door, like she’s about to run. What the fuck happened to her?
“I would never hurt you,” I say in a gentle tone. “I wanted to speak with you alone, without the noise or Osei coming to interrupt.” She starts to relax but won’t leave the door. “I brought your ring.” I take the box out and open it. She moves a tad closer and leans in to look at the ring.
“It’s beautiful,” she says in a soft murmur. I take the ring out, dropping the box. I extend my left hand to her. She’s hesitant, but slowly, she places her hand in mine. The moment our hands touch, a shocking wave passes through me. I know she feels it, too. I slip the ring on. It’s a perfect fit and looks beautiful on her slim hand. She quickly withdraws her hand, and I watch her admire the ring.
“I can’t wear this at work; it looks very expensive.”
“Wear it whenever you're not at work. Once I put your papers in, you might be watched, and it’s best you always have the ring on.” Dare I make her believe I’m not claiming her as mine?
She nods, but I doubt she’s convinced by my lie. “I had the deed changed to include your name.” She gasps, quickly covering her mouth with her hand, and I have to control the urge to kiss that mouth. Getting a hold of herself, she relaxes.
“You didn’t need to do that,” she says, looking at me in awe.
“I want to, and I didn’t want anyone second-guessing our marriage.”
“Thank you.” She comes in and closes the door, drowning out the music and Osei’s laughter. As relief washes over me that she’s comfortable enough to be alone with me behind closed doors, I realize something happened to her, and I intend to find out who hurt her.
“How was the meeting with your lawyer?”
“He said everything looks good and is fair, so I signed.” Yes!
“How much is his fee? I can have the money sent to him.”
“It’s free; he did it as a favor to my friend.”
“I thought he was Osei’s friend?”
“No, Osei’s friend said he was busy, but Deji said he could review it. Osei said we should go with Deji.”
“Do you have any questions for me?”
“When are we getting married? I need to clear my calendar and get a dress.”
“A week from tomorrow, at a church. I’ll get you all the details. I can arrange a stylist for your dress.”
“No need. My friend Jax will help me with that.” I nod. Though I want to be involved, I let it go.
“When Osei and Paula leave, we need to start getting to know each other.”
“Can we do that after I return from work tomorrow? I have the next day off, no work, and no school.” A wide, happy smile graces her face. I like seeing her happy. “Osei has said we should go out, but I can let him know now that I’m staying in.”
“Sounds like a good idea.”
“Anything else?”
I shake my head, and she opens the door and turns to me.
“It’s a beautiful ring. I promise to keep it safe. Thank you.”
“Glad you like it,” I reply as she dashes out, hollering to Osei.
I follow her out but head to my room to shower and change into lounge pants and a T-shirt. When I come out, Paula is gone. Dele’s laughing at Osei, both sitting at the dinner table. Osei has a pouty face.
“You lost, so we’re seeing the cheesiest rom-com,” she grins at him.
“I so dislike you right now,” Osei replies, pouting.
“Sore loser,” she replies with the “L” sign to my pouty brother, who knocks her hand off.
I clear my throat, and she immediately starts cleaning up the plates and heads to the kitchen sink. Osei gets up and goes to hug her.
“See you tomorrow,” he says. She doesn’t say anything. I want her to say something about tomorrow, but I remain quiet.
“Night, Luke,” he says to me.
“Night, Osei.” He leaves, and the moment he closes the door, I head to the fridge.
“We left you some food in the warmer,” she says. I nod and head to the warmer.
She quickly rinses the kitchen sink and says, “Goodnight, Luke.”
“Goodnight, Dele,” I answer, though my body craves a hug too. I stab the grilled potato.
I grudgingly finish the food and dump the plate in the dishwasher. Work is all I need now to take my mind off my future wife.
When I come out of my office, I notice her light is off. When I try to open the door, I find it locked. Explicit words explode in my head. I soon calm my mind and unlocked the door. She’s asleep with the closet light on. I move closer, kiss her forehead, then leave and lock the door.
The next morning, she’s out before I wake up. I head to work with a happy feeling that tonight will be just us, and we can talk. I’ll get my chance to know all about her. I’m happy all day and excited on my way home.
I get home, expecting to see Dele, but she’s not here. Her room is empty, with no shoes on the mat or evidence she has returned since the morning.
I grunt in frustration. I call her phone, and it goes straight to voicemail, exacerbating my annoyance at not finding her at home.
I call Osei, who answers right away.
“Hey,” he shouts. He’s in a crowded place. I will fucking beat him up if he’s with her.
“Where is Dele?”
“Library, I think. She said something about an impromptu exam tomorrow, and she can’t afford to fail, so it’s study time.”
“Okay, can you have her call me when you speak to her?”
“I doubt she will call me, but sure.”
I hang up with him, and my anger dissipates. I decided to go out too. Maybe I need to fuck some girl to release the tension building up. On my way out, I called Adam, who I’d turned down earlier in the day. He’s the software guy in our group. Though he believes he’s the most fun of us all.
Adam and I drank and chatted. Soon, Adam and I find our picks for the night. As soon as I step onto the street, the lady kisses me. It feels wrong; I don’t want her.
“I’m sorry. I just realized I have an early day tomorrow.”
“Can we do this some other time?” the lady asks, though I don’t remember her name.
“Sure, we can share numbers.” I nod and give her the number to my second phone, the one that’s not my private line. Martin pulls up, and I get in the car, and we drive off. I’m upset at myself for not taking a willing partner, and the one I want is somewhere in Chicago, and I’m the least important thing on her mind. I say good night to Martin and take my ride up, feeling lost.
Dele still isn’t back when I enter our unit; it’s after midnight. I call her line again, and it goes to voicemail. No point calling Osei. I go to shower and change, then return to the living room, TV on, sitting and waiting for her.
When I suddenly woke up, I look around. The TV is off. There’s a blanket on me with a Lavendar scent, Dele’s smell. I check my phone, and it is 2:30 am. I turn towards the door and notice her shoes on the mat.
She’s back. Relief washes over me. I jump right up and race towards her room. I slow my pace at her door, touching the knob; the door is locked.
I unlock the door to find her sleeping. I kiss her forehead and return to my room.
I’m up at eight, and it’s clear Dele is gone again. She’s a fucking energizer bunny that doesn’t stop. Before leaving for my day, I call her phone.
“Hello.” There’s a lot in that one word. My heart races at the sound of her voice. A year ago, if anyone had told me the sound of her voice would affect me, I would have laughed. Now, hearing her voice wakes my heart.
“How are you?”
“I’m fine. Heading to my exam, then another class, and work.”
“Okay, what time will you be back?”
“Around midnight.”
“I’ll see you then, and good luck in your exams.”
“Thanks, I need it. Bye.”
The week goes by in the same manner. We don’t get a chance to sit and talk. I can’t conclude if this is how hectic her schedule is or if she’s using every tool in her playbook to avoid me. I only talk to her a few times during the week and send her details about our wedding. I know she comes home late every night, and every night I sneak into her room and kiss her forehead.
At one point in all the craziness, I question whether she will show up for our wedding. Osei assured me she’ll be there. A part of me is preparing for my next move if she doesn’t show up.