Chapter Twenty Five
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"Are you okay?" He asked, startling me once again. My mind spiralled, going different directions. How could he even ask me that? But then again I hadn't told him anything ever since... I was sure he didn't know what else to say to me after he picked me up.
About an hour ago...
"Miss me already?" He chuckled.
"Hey..." I cringed at the sound of my voice, it was hoarse from all the crying I had done.
"Can you come get me, please?" I blurted out before I could hold back, I didn't want to be a burden but I had no where else to go at the time and going back to Tunji's place was not an option.
"It's okay if you can't come, I totally understand. You don't have to..." I blabbered, it almost felt like I was guilt tripping him when he shushed me.
"Its alright Lola, where exactly are you?"
"The junction, the one leading to Tunji's place"
"I'll be there in a few minutes, just stay put" He said hurriedly and hung up before I could dissuade him.
Ten minutes later, I saw him, rushing out of his vehicle, his suit jacket off him, his white dress shirt hugged his very masculine upper body. Very swoon worthy but I was in no state of mind for all of that. I rushed into his awaiting arms as I sobbed, his hands gave me soothing rubs and by the time I was stable, he led me into his car, made sure I was comfortable enough before driving off.
We stayed in silence as he drove expertly, the ride took about thirty minutes and I was beginning to wonder how he got to me within ten minutes. I suppose my befuddlement was fully expressed by my facial features as he went on to explain immediately.
"I was in the neighborhood when you called. For some reason, I found it hard to call it a night so quickly, so I stayed back and had a few drinks with the guys before your call came in" He stared at me like he was studying my expressions but I simply nodded in response, turning to look at the surroundings. I stepped out of the vehicle and stared at the beautiful house right in front of me. White washed walls with intricate marble designs, a chandelier that gave the place an ethereal glow, it was simply amazing. And it definitely wasn't the mansion Mr and Mrs Nnadi resided in.
"You live here?" I asked out of the blue, he raised an eyebrow at me in amusement.
"Of course I do, come on in" He chuckled and took me by the hand leading me into a more beautiful interior, nothing compared to what I had seen outside. I can't even begin to explain the interiors of this place, just magnificent.
"Welcome to my humble abode, miss Titilola Gregg" He gave a mock bow and I could only give a half hearted smile in return. He sighed before gesturing to a chair.
"Have a seat" I sat. "Would you like anything to eat or drink?" I shook my head in the negative, I had had my fill from our dinner date, not that I could bring myself to eat anything after everything that happened.
"I'll go freshen up, be right back" He caressed my left cheek a little bit before dashing up the stairs. I simply sat in a crouched position, my head on my knees , my hands around my ankles and my braids splayed all over, awaiting his return.
Back to the present...
"Honestly?" I asked, throwing him a cursory glance before going back to my initial position.
"Honestly" he stated, putting his large arms across his equally broad chest. He was in a simple white T-shirt and khaki shorts. He looked so good, I nearly forgot we were in the middle of a conversation. I gulped, heaving a breath before going on to narrate everything that transpired within the last few months. He listened with rapt attention, not interrupting, he only nodded and hummed a few times, but as soon as I told him about the marriage proposal he clenched his fists, his eyes filled with fury.
"What are we going to do?" He asked out of the blue, after several minutes in silence.
"We?" My brows shot up in confusion.
"Yes" He answered monotonously. "In case you missed it, Lola I like you, a lot" He paused, probably for dramatic effect cause my breath hitched for a few seconds.
"And I can't watch you going through this alone, so what are we going to do? "He said with a lot of emphasis. I blushed in spite of myself.
I heaved a sigh. "David, I can't keep running every time, every time something goes wrong, I run for the hills, I want to stand up for myself but it's way harder than I thought" I replied, pensively.
"I understand" He crouched in front of me, holding my palms in his. "Look at me" He urged huskily and I did "We'll figure this out, okay?" I nodded like an eager five year old before he placed a kiss on my forehead then getting up again.
"Let's get you ready for bed Missy, it's been a long day" I chuckled, he sounded like a dad, the kind of dad I wanted. I sighed at the thought, snapping out of it, I took David's outstretched hand as he helped me up. Taking the stairs, I walked carefully behind him, taking in the scenery before me. The hallway looked really cute, there were pictures of him but mostly Mirabel's. They looked really adorable.
"She insisted on this part of the house being dedicated to her" David stated smiling amusedly at the goofy pictures.
"You don't want to know how many relationships this Mira shrine has ruined, they always think she's my daughter and that is too much of a responsibility for most young ladies" He chuckled but my heart tugged at the mention of his relationships, I didn't want to start thinking of the number of ladies he had been with.
He must have noticed the change in my demeanor because he turned to stare at me. "I'm sorry for... " He started but I hushed him.
"It's fine... really" I managed a small smile to reassure him, he just nodded and then we arrived at our destination, the awkward air barely dissipating.
"So here's your room, there's a bathroom right over there" He pointed at a door just by the left, the moment we stepped in.
"Uhmm" He scratched his neck nervously. "I don't have any girly stuff in here so I hope you don't mind wearing one of my shirts" He cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Uhh it's not like I have choice right now" I let out a nervous chuckle in a bid to ease the tension.
"I'll go get the shirt, there's a towel in there for you, so you just have to freshen up" He said and hurried out of the room before I could say anything.
The bathroom looked lovely, the blue tiles had me mesmerized for a few minutes.
I stayed underneath the shower for a pretty long time, lost in my thoughts as usual.
When I finally came out of there, I found a pair of boxer shorts and a really cute T-shirt. I put them on and since I could not bring myself to sleep at that time I headed out, straight for the living room, that was the only other place I knew in the huge house.
There he was, seated in front of the huge TV, laid back on a wing chair, his feet propped up on a stool. He seemed distracted, he was not paying attention to the soccer game in front of him.
Suddenly his gaze snapped up to mine, and I saw him gulp visibly.
"You look cute" He commented casually but his eyes said something else, they could not even snap away from me for a second. I almost smirked.
"Thank you" I whispered and sat on the sofa next to him.
"You're sure you don't want anything? I mean you're supposed to be asleep right now, it's kinda late" He said worriedly glancing at the digital clock on the TV stand.
"I just don't feel like sleeping yet. Why are you still awake by the way?"
"Couldn't sleep too"
"Hmm" I hummed, nodding as well.
We stayed in awkward silence for a few seconds, staring at anything and everything.
"This is so awkward" He said nervously and I just burst into laughter. He joined in, and we continued laughing for no reason. I was seated on his lap before I knew it and we just stayed gazing into each other's eyes only to interrupted by a phone call.
It was my phone again. I picked up after much hesitation.
"Hello?"
"Lola, where are you? I've been so worried, are you okay?" Laila gushed over the phone.
"I'm fine, I'm safe. I just need space" I replied in a monotone. Something my sister was not accustomed to.
"Lola please, I don't know what else to say but you know I need you"
"I promise I'll tell you everything, just come home" She pleaded.
"Home? Where's home? We're squatters we don't have any where to call home Tolani" I was confused.
"I'm back at our parents' house" She stated hesitantly. Shell shocked, that was the state I was in after her utterance. I stood up abruptly, startling David whose laps I had been sitting on.
"What are you doing there?" I asked through gritted teeth.
"Just come over tomorrow and I promise I'd tell you everything. Don't worry about your stuff, I carried them with me"
"But... " I tried to resist.
"Please, you can't keep running, we've got to face this"
"I know, I just don't know if I'm ready for all this" I stated my fears.
"You have to"
"Fine... I'll see you tomorrow" I muttered and hung up before she could say anything else. I turned to David who had been silent ever since.
"I'll call it a night, thanks for everything" I mumbled. My mood had gone sour, no thanks to that phone call.
"Wait" He called out before I could mount the stairs. I halted, swiftly turning to him.
"I was wondering if you'd like to sleep with me tonight" He said. My eyes widened and he mirrored my expression.
"No, no, no. I don't mean it like that... " He clarified and I visibly heaved a sigh of relief. He chuckled at that.
"I mean we could just share a room. You need all the cuddling you can get" He continued with a smug smile on his face.
"Last time I checked, you were the one begging to share a bed with me so... " I feigned a thoughtful stance.
"You're in dire need of a cuddle, and being the amazing person I am, I would gladly take up the offer" I teased and he just laughed.
We went up to his bed room, it was a simple place, few framed pictures, a king sized bed in the center, a closet, bathroom and small shelves stocked with books. It smelt just like him, lavender.
"Is there something wrong?" I asked when he remained quiet, as soon as we entered.
"It's nothing, just a few things on my mind"
"Care to share?" I asked concernedly.
"Don't worry about it, I'm just glad you're here" He muttered and a yawn escaped his mouth. That looked adorable.
I did not understand what he meant by the last statement, but I decided to not mull over it because he was obviously tired and sleepy. I just snuggled into him as he let out a contented sigh.
I listened to his beating heart for a while, before letting myself slip into dreamland. I must say, I slept like a baby. Being cradled up in his arms made me feel safe.
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