Chapter 18 Niyi #2
I still her hand. “You also need to rest. It’s Saturday.”
“And I will, once this is done. Don’t worry about it.” She smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes.
“Can I hel—I want to help.”
Moyo looks up at me. The light seeping in from her curtain hits the side of her face perfectly, giving her an angelic glow.
“This is work, so, no. Thank you. HIPPA, you know. But thank you for the ironing. You’ve saved me some hours this weekend.” She looks around. “I think that’s all you can help with. In exchange, I’ll get the questionnaire back to you ASAP.”
I sigh, not wanting to leave her like this, working alone on a weekend. Surveying the room for anything I can do, my eyes land on the white tote and the DVDs from earlier.
“How about I sort these for you? Save you more hours.”
“I’ll do those during the week. I have a system.”
“So, explain the system.”
“Niyi.” It sounds like a warning.
“Moyo.” I smile. It takes her a second, but she eventually releases the smile she was fighting back.
“I have a way of doing things. Don’t worry, you can go. Everything will get done eventually.” We’ve had numerous back-and-forths, but those were slightly different. I thought her resistance was only towards Cupid’s Bow, not all help in general.
My voice softens. “You don’t have to do everything alone, even though I’m sure you’re used to it. I have nothing better to do today.”
“Really? You wouldn’t rather be at home, or out with friends, or out with—doing whatever it is you do?”
“And give up a chance to iron and arrange DVDs? Never.”
“Blu-rays. Well, I have a couple of DVDs, but most of these are Blu-rays.”
“There’s a difference?”
Moyo looks at me like I’m a lost puppy. “You have so much to learn if you want to be of any help.”
“Teach me.”
She bites on her lip for a moment, and the image sears into my mind before I focus on her spiel about the differences in video quality.
“I’m still hearing it’s a DVD,” I tease, sifting through her storage basket to find new spots for her most recent purchases.
“Well, then you’re a horrible student,” she says.
“I did get a little distracted.” I catch her eye, but she looks away.
“I know. My collection can do that.” She beams at the almost-full basket. After work and her girls, it’s an easy bet that her film collection is the next big thing in her life. When she said she liked horror movies, I wasn’t expecting this. It reminds me of my wine collection.
“It’s arranged by genre, subgenre, last name, and then by color.” She hands me a list of subgenres.
Our fingers linger for a second as I take note of the feel of her hands. “I’ll get to work.”
We work in silence for a few minutes, the sorting and rearranging becoming easy after adding the three new movies to her collection.
So easy, it affords me time to glance at Moyo’s stern work face.
She looks so much like the passionate, no-nonsense woman I first met, and as hot as she is, I wish she’d take a break.
“Does it make that much of a difference?” I ask when I’m done sorting.
“Huh?” she asks, looking up from work.
“Blu-rays and DVDs. Is the quality that different?”
Moyo smiles. “Trust me. It is.”
“You’ll have to show me one day.”
“I can send you a YouTube video showing the differences.” She reaches for her phone, but I place a hand on her shoulder.
“I meant a movie marathon. One DVD and one Blu-ray, and I’ll tell you if I can spot the quality difference.”
“Two movies don’t make a marathon.”
“Okay, four movies then.”
She pauses and a crinkle forms on her forehead. “You don’t ha—”
“I don’t have to, but I want to. You work extremely hard, so I’m sure you’ll need a marathon soon. Plus, I want to see what the fuss is all about.”
“But—”
“Unless you know there isn’t that much of a difference, and you don’t want to admit it.”
“First of all, I do admit when I’m wrong,” she says. I laugh, and she almost looks annoyed, but her eyes surprisingly soften.
“You couldn’t even admit I volunteered to iron.”
“Whatever.” She rolls her eyes and nudges my shoulder, closing the distance between us. “Second, I’m always right, and you’ll see. Not today, but you’ll see. If you’re sure about watching four horror movies with me…” she repeats with a downcast expression.
“Why do you keep asking for clarification?” I ask, turning my head toward her. She doesn’t move, so my jaw rests on the top of her thick head of hair. “I’ve said I want to be here, and I’m suggesting this.”
“You don’t even like horror.”
“Maybe your superior quality and taste will change my mind.”
“You think I have great taste?” she asks, moving her head back to meet my eyes. Somehow, our thighs touch.
I can’t help it, my eyes lower to her lips. “Moyo, you know your taste is perfect.”
“Is that so?” She tilts her head, giving me a full view of her neck. I use all my strength not to use my tongue to explore her lines. It takes everything to soften my heavy breathing.
I clear my throat but despite my attempts, my voice is still thick with desire. “Tell me when you’re available and I can confirm it.”
“I wish I had time, but…” She gestures to the mostly arranged files I forgot about. Their presence brings me back to my senses.
“I’ll leave you to it,” I say, getting up, hoping my arousal isn’t on display. Moyo gets off the floor with me.
“Thank you for your help today. It means a lot.”
“It’s no big deal. You’re my favorite client.”
“Am I your only client?
“Does that make a difference?”
Moyo kisses her teeth. “But really, thank you.”
“I never thought you’d be this nice to me,” I joke.
“Guess you’re growing on me,” she says, and the way she looks at me, I get the urge to step closer. To feel her skin against my fingertips. To have her lips on mine. But I can’t. I’m not her goal. She isn’t mine.
“I’ll see you later then,” I say, stepping away.
“Have a good rest of your day. And I’ll send the questionnaire tomorrow.”
“There’s no rush. Take your time.”
“You sure?”
“Absolutely.” I smile because it’s true. There’s no rush. I’m not ready for her to fall in love with someone, even if that’ll help me as Saturn.
The door shuts behind me and I release a deep breath.
I can’t keep doing this—working against her wishes to steal these little moments of selfish joy.
Between our meeting and today, one thing is clear: Moyo’s not used to the support she deserves.
She works day and night helping others, but refuses help in her personal life.
Even in the most minute ways. Today, I managed to connect with her, but she needs someone who can be there for her at all times.
The answer is clear.
Her happiness is the most important thing, and I can’t not be Saturn. It’s impossible to quit. Right? Therefore, I need to stop kidding myself, schedule her second date, and play Cupid.