The Warmest Embrace
It had already been an hour, and he was supposed to be back by now. I was getting worried. I would have called him, but he had left his phone in the car. How could a grown man be this carefree?
I debated whether to go look for him, leaving the car there. Though it was a lonely road, there was no telling if it would be robbed, adding to my financial troubles. After thinking it over, I decided it was best to go find him—it was stupid to weigh human life against a few drinks.
Just as I stepped away from the car, I saw him coming toward me. He looked exhausted and sweaty. I pitied him, but that wouldn't stop me from giving him a piece of my mind.
"I'm back," he said with a grin.
"It was just a thirty-minute journey at most, but you took over an hour!"
"Sorry."
"Sorry doesn't begin to cut it! I'm always the one taking care of things, worrying about everything. And now, on top of it all, I have to worry about you too?" I asked, frustration bubbling up inside me.
"I got to the filling station easily, but on my way back, I took a wrong turn. I was too far gone before I realized it. Everything looked the same—the roads, the grass," he tried to explain.
"I don't know how you've survived this long with your terrible sense of direction," I said, and he stepped closer.
"I may have zero sense of direction, but I will always find my way back to you. So you don't have to worry about that," he said. And just like that, my anger melted away.
I remembered how he had bumped into me after we lost contact, how he had managed to find me at the restaurant despite his lack of direction, and how he had still made his way back now, even though this was his first time here.
I wanted to tell him how much he meant to me, how much I wanted him close, how much I wanted to pat his back and tell him he did well. Above all, I wanted to hug him and never let go. But I couldn't. Because of the situation, I had to lock my feelings away and look the other way. Nothing hurt more than bottled-up emotions.
"Just pour the fuel so we can leave," I said, and he chuckled.
"Sure, Bunny."
I went inside the car to wipe away the tears that had already fallen.
"So, off to the second customer?" he asked, and I nodded.
He kept following me to work every day, and we grew closer. He always made me forget my troubles. I still chatted with my family, who remained oblivious to everything happening. My mom was healing nicely, Henry hadn't tried anything stupid, and Timi had finally left me alone. For that, I was grateful.
"My father's birthday is on Friday. I'm hoping you'll come?" Henry asked, sounding pleasant for once. But I knew better. If I refused, he would threaten me with my family, and I didn't want to give him that chance.
"Do I have a choice?" I asked.
He smiled. "No, you don't."
We were in his office. He had called for me, and I had decided to come. Avoiding him too much would only provoke him. Alfa also kept his distance whenever I met Henry, giving us space while considering himself our best friend and the godfather of our future children. He had no idea how much that annoyed me.
"I hope you're not getting carried away by Alfa's charm," Henry said.
"I think we should stay out of each other's personal lives," I replied.
"Well, he's not what you think he is. He might even be worse than I am," Henry said with a sinister smile.
"Don't paint him black just because you are." The fact he never made a move to woo me or try anything funny, despite openly admitting how he enjoyed my company, showed how much of a better person he was.
"Show me your friends, and I'll tell you who you are. That saying is as old as time. Besides, the devil you know is better than the angel you don't," he added.
I couldn't deny that his words got to me. After all, he had said Alfa took everything from him. Maybe Alfa really had done something in the past.
"Fine. I'll come to the birthday party," I said and left his office. Was I misjudging things? No. Henry was keeping my mother hostage.
"Hey, Bunny. Care to grab something to eat?" Alfa asked the moment I stepped into the office.
"Sure."
"Ro—Chioma, can you help me out?" Nnedi called, nearly calling me Rose. I was glad she caught herself in time. This would be the worst way for Alfa to find out.
"Sure. Give me a second," I told Alfa and left with Chioma.
The day of the party arrived. Henry sent his driver to pick me up. Alfa also invited me and specifically asked me to wear a red gown. I couldn't help but smile ear to ear. He used to do this all the time before we lost contact.
"Wow, you look beautiful," exclaimed Henry when he saw me. The party was grand, filled with guests, including some of Maris' shareholders.
"Come meet my family," he said, leading me toward them.
"This is my father, Mr. Collins, and beside him is my beautiful mother," Henry introduced them, and I noticed how differently he acted around his family.
"Good day. I'm Chioma," I said with a polite curtsy. I didn't know why I chose to introduce myself as Chioma—I never did. It was a name I hardly used.
"Nice to meet you, dear," Mr. Collins said, and his wife echoed the sentiment.
"So, how is the company doing?" Mr. Collins asked.
"Splendid, sir," I replied, scanning the room for Alfa.
"Don't bother searching. He's never known for his punctuality," Henry whispered.
"So, who's the girl stealing my shine?" a woman beside me said. I turned to see a younger version of Mrs. Collins.
"Hahaha, nobody can take your shine, sister," said Henry. "Where's your husband?"
"He's traveling. I told you already. And don't bother asking about Junior—I dropped him off with Nana. She's been begging to have him."
"Introduce the beautiful lady, then."
"Her name is Chioma, and she's my plus one for the party." Thankfully, he didn't call me his girlfriend.
"Wow, she's beautiful," she said, turning to me. "I'm Isabella, his big sister."
"Nice to meet you," I replied with a smile.
"So where's Al?" Isabella asked Henry.
"Not here yet," he answered.
"Dad, you're sixty! Wow, you're old," Isabella teased.
"Happy birthday, Mr. Collins," I said, handing him the small present I had bought.
"Wow, that's very thoughtful," he said, opening it. "A beautiful pen!"
"Thank you, my dear. You're really thoughtful," he thanked me, and I smiled.
"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. C," I heard his husky voice, and it was like fireworks inside me. He walked past me, making sure to brush against me. His scent engulfed me. He had no idea how much control he had over me.
"What other gift can I give to a man that already has it all, except for my warm embrace." he took Mr. Collins in for a warm embrace. "I wish you more beautiful years." He said as he broke the hug.
"Thank you, son."
"Don't think I have forgotten about you Mrs. C." he hugged her too, and I felt jealous of them since that is what I have been hoping for since the day I saw him.
"Since we are in a hugging business, where is mine?" Isabella pouted.
"How can I forget my big sister, get in here for a bear-crushing hug." his big frame enveloped Isabella and I wish again I was the one.
"No hug for you bro, except this." He stretched out his fist.
"Thank God, I was already thinking of how to avoid it." Henry joked and the family laughed as they watched Alex and Henry fist bumped.
He then turned to me. He paused for a moment and took in my appearance and I could have soon his eyes danced. "And for you, beautiful lady, I give the warmest hug," Alfa said, embracing me before I could protest.
He was warm and big, and with him being taller, my head rested against his chest. I listened to his heartbeat—faster than normal, but I loved how it matched mine.
"I love this," I whispered.