12. DELE
Chapter 12
DELE
6 months ago
I’ve just finished a twelve-hour shift, and I’m burnt out. I’m also glad Ramsey is out of town, which means I can sleep in peace and have the apartment to myself for a few days. I should be heading to my warm bed, not Osei’s party, but I have to show up or Osei will never stop reminding me about not showing up for his spectacular Halloween party. The plus side of going to his party is that my dinner is guaranteed.
I’m sure Osei will be pleased when I show up, even if it’s only for a little while. We went Halloween shopping together, and I settled on just the mask while he purchased the police costume for his party. He called me ‘boring’ for wearing just the mask. I reminded him that I can be creative with my scrubs and a mask, though Halloween isn’t my favorite holiday. Even worse now, as a nurse, I see all kinds of crazy stuff on Halloween. I’m glad my shift ended before the madness in the ER begins later tonight. Osei laughed, saying he can’t wait to see what genius costume I would come up with.
Unfortunately, I’m too tired to think of anything creative, so I’m driving to his place in my plain scrubs, a mask, and crocs. I’m sure his friends won’t notice my boring costume, which is really my everyday life.
I start my car, named Jace, and the damn thing sputters like it’s about to die. I pump the pedal and try again after giving Jace a pep talk; he comes to life, as if I’ve just woken him up from his slumber.
As annoying as Jace is, he gets me from point A to point B, and right now, I need him to do just that for a little while longer. I’m saving for Jace 2.0. Osei nicknamed my car Jace, and somehow, I agree with him that the name suits the car, so now I talk to Jace whenever he acts up or goes into a deep sleep, reminding him to please hang in there with me a little longer.
Getting into Osei’s place and seeing the party in full swing is a good thing. I can sneak in and out easily. I find Osei as soon as I step in. He gives me a hug and whispers, “Boring,” making me laugh.
“Too tired after my shift, and I doubt most people will notice,” I reply, smirking.
“Still boring, but you came and I’m glad.”
“Me too,” I say, hugging him again.
“Food is in the kitchen. I made sure to order lamb chops from our place. If you don’t find any in the tray, I saved you some in the oven.” I smile and grip his hand in thanks. He nods, and someone bumps into him. Letting go of my hand, he turns to the person, and my eyes lock with a guy across the room wearing a mask. He holds my gaze, and weirdly, I get a warm feeling and a racing heart just from looking at him. I’m grounded in place. Another bump from one of the party dancers interrupts our smoldering gaze, and I head to the kitchen to get some food. The tray is empty, just as Osei guessed. I open the oven and find a foil wrap. Taking it out, I sniff, inhaling the sweet aroma of flavors that fill my nostrils, sending a growl from my stomach. I grab a plate, filling it with roasted potatoes and veggies and my lamb chops. I find a spot in the kitchen and eat the whole plate like no one is watching. Only I feel eyes on me as I gulp down my drink. The guy in the bespoke suit with the mask—we locked eyes earlier. He comes into the kitchen and breezes out like I’ve suddenly stung him. Oh well. I’m not interested either, even as my heart beats rhythmically like a talking drum whenever we lock gaze.
He must be just as boring as I am, wearing only a mask like me, though with his height, his visibly chiseled jaw, and non-smiling face, he certainly looks more mysterious. “Girl, you need to stop etching his lips into your brain, ” my mind chastises. I take a drink to calm my nerves and head to the balcony. It’s getting hot in here—literally—but the heat I feel is between my legs from gazing at a guy with lips I want to kiss and caress.
I need air as some kind of nerve relaxant. I step onto the balcony, inhaling the fresh air and exhaling every emotional attraction I’m feeling toward Mr. Mysterious. I’ve just done my second exhale, feeling good with myself when he steps in behind me. Damn it!
I’ve just finished letting out every nerve-racking aura of his presence, and he just kicked it all back in. I scream inwardly, unable to control my body’s reaction, experiencing a desire for him.
“Hi,” I say, hoping his voice would be a turnoff.
“Hi.” His deep voice caresses me like a breeze.
“I needed some air; it’s a bit stuffy in there. Plus, I’ve been inside all day,” I hastily state to control whatever this attraction is between us. Hoping that speaking to him would make him magically go away. Of course, I’m two hundred percent mistaken because the moment I sit, he sits beside me. This isn’t good. The laws of male and female attraction don’t apply to me. My body is seemingly immune to the pulls of physical chemistry, so it makes no sense that my heart is racing as I sit next to him under the blanket of stars. Despite my confusion and inexperience with these emotions, I can't deny that I want to know what it would be like to kiss him. Lord, help me.
We sit in silence, our eyes locked on the twinkling lights above us, but I can feel the tension between us growing stronger by the second as we both hide behind our masks of indifference.
He mentions the other side with a better view, and my immediate answer is to turn it down. Until he says all he wants is to show me the view. I don’t trust men, but I find myself feeling a subtle comfort and some annoying butterflies swirl around in my stomach. I know I shouldn’t follow him, but the moment he stands, I find myself following him.
We weave through the dancers, and he keeps turning to make sure I’m following. I smile each time he checks on me.
I feel a little skeptical when he opens the door to a bedroom. My mind questions why I’m following a guy I’ve never met. Yet, something about him is comforting and draws me in. I want to know him. He must have sensed my hesitation because he leaves the door open, almost as if he’s telling me I can be free with him. I venture into the room and onto the balcony, and yes, the view is spectacular. I smile.
Again, we gaze at the sky, and I feel the need to do something, so I grab a scrunchie to pull my braids back. He grabs my arm, the one where Curtis caused a cut. I yanked my arm away, shocked by the electric pulse of his touch.
He relaxes when I tell him about Curtis, and I notice he steps back. I’m glad he does because something tells me I’m on the verge of jumping him.
I don’t react to men; my life is work and study. The few times I laugh are when Osei insists on taking me on walks or says something silly enough to crack me up.
Why am I attracted to a quasi-mystery man behind a mask? I have no idea who he is, yet my body craves him. Before I can process my thoughts, his lips are on mine.
I should stop this or push him away, but my god —the feel of his lips on mine is incredible. Without my conscious permission, my mouth opens for him. I deepen our kiss as a moan escapes me, and my tongue swirls in harmony with his, sending tidal waves of desire through me. If a kiss could have sound, then our tongues and our entire being are dancing to a beautiful crescendo. If a kiss—
His phone ringing abruptly shakes me from my haze. I break the kiss. I look into his eyes, though I can’t see them. But I feel them—his eyes caressing me. I wish I could see his eyes, but his height blocks the light, and the mask doesn’t help.
He pushes my mask off, and I look at him, hoping he’ll remove his mask and reveal himself. His sandalwood scent envelops me. But before I can speak, his phone starts ringing again. The moment he answers it, I push him away, pull my mask down, and rush out of the room. It was probably his girlfriend. A guy like that surely has one or two.
I found Osei immediately.
“I need to get going,” I tell him. He gives me a sad look.
“I’m burnt out—the ER was brutal today. I need sleep. And since I’m a glutton for punishment, I’ll be back there tomorrow.”
He smiles. “Yes, you really are a glutton for punishment. I’ll walk you out. I have no idea how you do these long hours daily.”
“Not all of us have rich big brothers.” I look around at the sea of Halloween costumes and makeup. “Is he here? I’ve heard so much about big brother Luke.”
“Yes,” Osei replies. He looks around too. “He was here; maybe he left.” He shrugs. “Let’s get you home. You’ll meet him some other time.”
“Okay.” We head towards the door, and bump into Derek in a clown costume.
“Hey, you two, where to?” he asks, his clown makeup looking like an artist’s furious work, but I smile at him.
“Dele’s tired. I’m walking her to the car. Be right back,” Osei replies. I wave at Derek.
“Goodnight, Dele.”
“Bye, Derek.”
Osei and I head to the elevator. He tells me about the crazy things his friends are doing. I laugh along, but truthfully, my mind is on the kiss with the quasi-mystery man. All I have is his voice, smell, touch, and a taste of him. And boy, does he have me twisted.
I can’t tell Osei, he’ll surely grill me. Right now, I lack the energy to respond.
We get to my car. “Good ol’ Jace is still standing. You know the offer to co-sign on a car loan still stands.”
“Yes, I know, and I’ll let you know when I need your help.” I hug him goodnight and get in my car.
Thankfully, Jace starts with no pep talk or hail Mary from me.
I wave to Osei and drive home to the quiet apartment. I’m saving money to move out. Once I get a place, I’ll think about a car. Ramsey’s a fucking asshole; I don’t know why I thought he would stick to our agreement. I should’ve known better. Guys like him keep my faith in men at its all-time low.
I head straight to my room to shower. I need to wash a few times to dry out the lingering wetness. Mr. Mystery Man sure did a number on me today. No more kissing guys you don’t know.
But it was a good kiss, though. I roll my eyes at myself. Back to reality, girl. You’ve stepped out of your comfort zone, give yourself a pat on the shoulder and move on. No need for girlfriend drama. End of story.
Today , I’m married to the man I thought was a mystery. We pull into the garage, Osei and Amaka following right behind us. We ride up to our unit in palpable silence. As soon as we get in, I grab Amaka’s hand, and we head to my room.
“What’s going on?” Amaka asks the moment the door closes.
“First, help me out of this dress,” I say, turning my back. She unzips me, helping me out of the dress. I pull her into the closet, and my tears flow uncontrollably. She hugs me.
“What’s wrong? We can walk out of here if you don’t feel safe. He can’t stop us.”
I chuckle at her ready-for-a-fight mode. “No, I’m physically safe with him. I’m afraid my emotions are unsafe with him.”
“Start from the beginning.”
I tell her about the Halloween party, Luke rejecting my hand and never noticing me, the agreement in the marriage, and then discovering that he’s the mystery man. I stop speaking, and she wipes my tears.
“Call me crazy, but I think he likes you. He may have gone about it the wrong way.”
“You’re too much of a romantic,” I snicker, sinking into my seat in my undergarments.
“And you’re too cynical,” she retorts, throwing me a dramatic eye roll. “Maybe try being a romantic just this once. I saw his eyes when you walked in, and the way he kissed you. He didn’t want to let go of you. That guy looked happy. You have two options here: You can have fun and not fall—”
“I’ve already fallen for him.” I interject.
“Well, have fun with him while you can, or you can bury your head in books or—”
“Or what?” I keenly anticipate her words.
“You can find a boy toy, whose only task is to help you extricate all that tension however, I doubt that your newly minted husband will let anyone near you. He has that vibe—” Her hands wave around.
“What vibe?” I ask in anticipation.
“A vibe like, ‘She’s mine, so back off,’” she barks in my face with a wide smile.
“I doubt that’s the vibe. Remember, he doesn’t like me,” I remind her, though it feels more like I’m reminding myself.
“If a guy doesn’t like you, but looks at you the way he looked at you when you walked into the church, and kisses you the way he did, I wonder what it would be like when he does like you. Babes, you are pretty, whether you want to admit it or not. I know what happened in New York lingers, but I think your husband is a mountain that wants you to climb, and I think you should climb this sexy mountain. I’m quite sure the view at the top might be worth it. And if you don’t get to the top, you’ll never have to wonder about climbing such a sexy mountain.” I laugh out loud and pull a boho summer dress over my head.
“Only you, Maks, would find the silver lining in my romantic mess.”
“Isn’t that the reason you made sure I got on the flight?”
“I needed my bestie here with me. Plus, I certainly can’t announce us to the world.”
“You may not want to announce, but your hubby is ready to bullhorn. Anyway, you have me for tonight. Nosah wants me back tomorrow.”
“Come on, he can’t give us two days?” I tossed a dress at her.
“He’s travelling for two weeks, and you know him, he has to make sure I can’t walk for three days after he’s gone.” I laugh.
“How true.” I snicker. At least I no longer need to pretend I didn’t hear the sex marathon with her fiancé, Nosah. My adopted big brother.
“Let’s fix your makeup and go talk to Osei and your sexy hubby.” I nod.
She applies powder to fix my tears and some mascara. The smell of food hits us as we step out.
We all sit and eat, laughing at Osei’s jokes. Ever the life of the party.
Amaka soon takes the third room, and I can hear her talking to Nosah. Luke heads to his office. Osei and I talk for a while before he leaves. I decided to speak with Luke.
I ignore the frantic beat of my heart and knock on his office door. Slowly, I open it. The moment my eyes lock with Luke’s, I’m transported back to the moment I entered the church and saw him looking debonair and downright handsome. The best part was the fact he was waiting for me. He stole my breath away as his hazel eyes bored into mine. Osei squeezed my hand, grounding me as my stomach fluttered with excitement. I couldn’t believe I was marrying Luke Blythe. I looked away to hand my bouquet to Amaka, but the moment Luke took my hand in his, I felt a shiver down my spine from his touch. My eyes shot back up to his, and all I saw was warmth and desire. I didn’t hear a thing the pastor said. I was so lost in gazing at him that I hesitated in saying ‘I do.’ Good thing Amaka nudged me.
“Did you need something?” His words interrupt, breaking me out of my trance.
“I came to say goodnight and thank you for letting Amaka stay.”
“Your best friend is always welcome. Goodnight.” I nod and turn to leave.
“Dele, we are going to my parent’s place for dinner tomorrow.”
“Okay, goodnight.” I leave, though I want to ask him about the balcony, but I’m too chicken to bring it up. So, I head to my room, change, and lock the door.