The water pelting Lawrence's skin wasn't cold enough, but it managed to calm him down. For the past ten minutes, he kept his head bowed under the shower head, eyes closed, breathing steadily.

What had he been thinking? But he hadn't. Not when she was involved. Finally Lawrence stepped out with a towel around his waist and another which he used to dry his hair then placed on his neck.

Plopping down on the couch, he spread his hands over the top, titled his head back and sighed, closing his eyes yet again. And there she was, cheeks full with food. He smiled at the picture. Adorable.

***********

The dress was silky. Red was a good color on her very fair skin. Balancing the tray on her left hand, she hitched up the dress up her thighs. It was her sister's. Finally something of that harlot could be useful. Her heart was racing as she rang the doorbell. Tonight was the night.

"Amara?" Lawrence forehead creased." Isn't today your day off?"

His state of dishabile made her body tingle. She stared down his chest to where his towel was secured loosely around his waist, no doubt naked beneath. She flushed. He called her name again, and she looked at him with a blank expression, then remembered the question.

"We clo-closed early, sir." She fumbled in English. " I say make I jus come hepp."

"As much as I appreciate the effort, Amara. Off is off. I want you to have time to study, and do other things." Lawrence eyed the content of the tray. A single plate. " I don't remember ordering anything."

He was upset; she could tell. Did they have an argument? "It's suya and Zobo." Nervous, her voice quavered." You tell me say you be want suya before."

Lawrence's expression softened. He gave a remorseful smile. "And you went through the trouble to get them. You shouldn't have. I was only half serious, but thank you." He took the tray. "How much did you get them?"

"Noo o. I no say make you gemme money."

"Amara,"

"Oga. Rest."

"I keep telling you Lawrence is just fine." He exhaled deeply, said. " Thanks again," and appeared to consider something. " Would you like some? There's enough for both of us."

Amarachi smiled, nodding eagerly.

"Give me a moment," Lawrence told her as he walked towards one of the doors after picking out clothes for the night. " You can help yourself to some of it if you like."

She smiled. Alone, Amarachi reassesed herself in the mirror. Her sleek, brownish hair teased her shoulders; the dress accentuated her moderate bust and the slight curve of her hips. Perfect. She was striking provocative poses when Lawrence's phone rang, the light flickering on the surface as it vibrated on the bed. She saw the name, glared. There would be no interruption.

***********
He wasn't picking up. Uche cursed after the third try. Was he ignoring her now? For some strange reason that didn't sit well with her. There was a knot in her stomach. She tossed her phone aside, miffed. Then it pinged. The way her chest swelled at the sound puzzled Uche. But it was Huma. She just wanted to know if all had gone well.

"Yes. Already had dinner." Uche replied, unaware her lips were pouted; she caught herself. What in the world....?"Yes, I'm taking my medications." About sending another reply, Lawrence name( rather his stored alias) filled the screen. When she answered the other end of the line was silent.

"Hello?" Breathing. Laboured breathing. Uche sat straighter, brows furrowed. "Hello?" Moans came through but they were not of pleasure.

**********

Lawrence's head was literally in the cloud, light and not his own. He had a vague sense of floating, but he was on his bed, half naked,wrists tethered to the headboard posts. He was also rock hard.

Amarachi was positioned astride him, securing the knots. "There. That should do it." She giggled. " Can't have you going anywhere."

"What did you give me?" He knew the answer, yet he felt certain there had been something extra to deprive him of strength.

"I wish I knew. Blackie says it's pure magic, and I never did manage to get him to tell me what was in it. Who knows. It works that's all that matter and the daddies like it."Amarachi climbed down to marvel at his length, her eyes rounding, lips in a sultry grin. " You're really big."

His vision was fuzzy, and he squinted his eyes against the pain drumming his temples. " Did you always speak so well?"

"When it serves me," Amarachi said as she stripped him of his boxers. Now he was truly naked.

"Why are you doing this?" Lawrence swallowed. " What do you hope to achieve?"

She rolled her gaze up, hummed. "First question- no harm in telling you.Why I do this? Let's see....I have dreams. Big ones." Plopping on the bed, she sighed. " And I need you to get it. It's not like I want to, I mean, I would have preferred our first time to be....special. But she was winning you over, and you barely notice me. I had to do something! What do I hope to achieve? I haven't been here long but I know how much you care about people, and something tells me you wouldn't neglect a woman pregnant with your child. Look on the bright side, Jidenna will have a brother or sister."

At this point, blinking groggily, Lawrence's addled brain failed to comprehend, there was only a vague idea of what was to come. "You won't get away with this."

"Oh yes I will. You'll hate me but won't let me suffer(I can live with that). This room is soundproof. The door is locked. No one disturbs, unless you permit it. So you understand when I say I will." She drew closer and leaning over him, smashed her lips on his briefly. "Our first kiss." She blushed, smiling ear to ear." Don't worry. I'm good, Oga. You'll enjoy it." She stroked him once; Lawrence couldn't hold back a moan, his body wasn't his. "See?"

"Think about what you're doing, Amara. We can't.... You're underaged. Think about your family---"

She snorted. "Don't worry, my family will be more than happy to have you as their son in law." Straddling him, she peppered kisses slowly down his chest. He tugged on the ropes with what strength he could muster. The knots tightened instead. Energy dwindling, he fell back.

**************

Someone was keying open the door. Impossible: her plan had been infallible. Startled, Amarachi jumped off the bed, eyes on it. Two persons came in, and she bared her teeth at them.

"Wow, it's worse than i thought," the first woman remarked, eyeing Lawrence's body. She was unfamiliar to Amarachi. Her skin tone rivaled her coarse black hair. Amarachi was certain she'd never seen anyone so dark or thin before. But her flashing eyes focused on Uche as she limped towards the bed.

"Stay back!" Amarachi barked. Uche proceeded despite, covering Lawrence with the duvet, his erection protruded. He appeared sound asleep. From the corners, determined to remain uninvolved, the other woman spectated, arms folded, her face amusement bright. Two women were too much to handle, even for her.

Again Uche walked away, no sign of recognition crossing her features. That infuriated Amarachi. "Why do you always interfere? Always ruin everything!" She was ignored." I'm talking to you!" She bellowed.

"I think something's talking," the other woman said, tone contemptuous."No respect whatsoever. Children these days."

Regarding her coolly, Uche appeared dispassionate. " You do look familiar. Ah, yes.....The thieving brat. How much did you sell my watch for?"

Amarachi was silent a moment, glaring daggers. "You can't prove anything."

"The big guy," Uche said. " Can you get him in here?" She glanced at the other woman.

"His lines aren't going through."

"Try again," As the other woman brought out her phone, Uche added. "Outside."

"You sure? I mean what if --" Uche gave her a meaningful look." Okay, okay," the woman raised her hands in surrender. "Have it your way." The door shut loudly.

For some time they stood watching each other, then Amarachi scoffed. " What is this? A staring contest?"

Uche's eyes driftedto Lawrence's dormant form and back. "Tell me what you gave him."

"You're getting nothing out of me."

"So you'd rather do the explanation to...Tony was it?"

At the mention of Lawrence's henchman, Amarachi bristled.Her heart skipped a beat. " If you're trying to scare me, try again. I heard that woman say he can't be reached."

"For now...oh, I assure he will be reached. Otherwise, we'll just have to call security. Then it'll get real messy. You're not too young for jail time. Tell me and step aside, and maybe you'll walk out of here with your own two feet ."

Amarachi fumed at the threat but did nothing, motionless, as Uche, once again limped towards the bed,going past her to bend over Lawrence.

No. The plan was  unravelling before her eyes which smarted.  She had to do something. Her hands fisted.

*******
Softly tapping Lawrence's cheek, Uche called out his name. He roused, grumbled but didn't open his eyes. Whatever he had ingested was very potent.Suddenly there was a weight on her back. Pain shot through her injured ankle.

"I won't let you spoil everything, you witch!" Amarachi screamed in her ear, tightening her arm around Uche's neck. "He's mine!"

Uche held onto the point of most pressure and shoved Amarach's back against the closest wall then flipped her over when the girl refused to let go. Amarachi landed heavily on the tiled floor with a groan, one hand behind her arched back, face in a grimace of pain.

"If you know what's good for you, you'll stay down,"  Uche warned as Amarachi got to her feet, eyes fierce. The hand was fast, striking hard, and Amarachi flumped back on the floor.

The sound of her neck as Uche twisted it made her wince. Such strength for someone so young. She turned to Lawrence and  shook him lightly. Movement from the corner of her eye caught Uche's attention.

"Get your hands off him. Now." There was blood oozing from a wound on Amarachi's  lips which she wiped with the back of one hand, the other held the knife firmly.

Uche froze, watching it catch light. Then she saw the blood stains, heard the laughter, heard the voice. Killer. She stepped back as the image moved forward. Stay still and it'll all be over soon. You'll finally get what you deserve.

The image lunged for her as she shook her head to dispel it. Uche caught the wrist with ease and twisted the knife free. It fell on the bed. Amarachi cried out in pain before she was shoved away. She lunged again, assaulting with vicious fingernails which Uche dodge easily. When the girl tried to unbalance her by kicking her injured ankle, Uche pushed her back but Amarachi returned. This time Uche retaliated by backhanding her in the face.

"I warned you."

"Jesus! What the hell are you doing?" Henrietta had come in and was holding her back. Amarachi was on the floor, unconscious. She checked her breathing. Slow exhales warmed her finger.

"She's fine."

"What happened?"

"Self defense."

Herrientta snorted.  Her eyes rounded incredulously." She's just a brat!"

Now Uche snorted. She'd seen those eyes. The child in them was long dead. Besides, no child would conceive such thoughts or deeds.

"Okay, okay, so ,uh, what do we do now? Call security or-"

"Were you able to reach him?"

"Who?" Herrientta asked dazed, and Uche cocked a brow. " Oh. Yes but he won't be back until tomorrow."

"Did you tell him the situation?"

"No, just that it was urgent. As you told me to."

Uche nodded. "Tie her up."

"Excuse me?"

"Tie her up."

After Amarachi was gagged and bounded Herrientta approached Uche who was leaning against the night stand. " Shouldn't we untie him?"

"Not at the moment."

"Christ! It's been over an hour and he's still ready to go."

"You can leave now."

"Why? I think I'd like to stay and enjoy the outstanding view. " Herrienta grinned lewdly. " It's rare to see him so open, so....willing." She reached for him and Uche caught her wrist, squeezed it. "Okay, I'm going," she winced shaking off the pain when Uche freed her. " You're stronger than you look."

Sobering up, Herrientta stepped forward. Uche let that bony hand carress her cheek. "So beautiful." One finger trailed her bottom lip. "You owe me now." 

"You weren't here."

"Where?" At the door, Herrientta winked," You need to properly rest that leg. It could get serious,"

"Wait,"

Herrientta paused.

"Take the knife with you,"  A question seemed to be on her tongue but she said nothing, retrieved the knife and left.

The pain was excruciating. Uche eased herself on the bed, bowed her head and held on to the sheets. Sweat poured out from her pores, her body trembled. Her stomach cramps had also gotten worse.

"I told you to rest,"

Startled, Uche inhaled sharply. Lawrence was looking at her through half closed eyes. "Don't you ever listen?"

"Luckily for you, I didn't."

" My head," he groaned, grimacing. "Fuck."

" Do you know what she gave you?"

" What she what? What are-" His expression became one of disbelief as he grasped the situation. He looked from himself to Uche and to Amarachi who was still bound and asleep. " What happened?"

"Long story, but you won't father another child for now." She looked at his erection. " It's been over an hour. I couldn't get her to tell me what it was you ingested. Do you need to call it in?"

"What? No. There's no need. I'm not walking out there like this."  He shook his head as though to clear it. "It'll... it'll wear off. Has anyone been in here, besides you?"

"No,"

Lawrence exhaled, relived. "Good." He sat up with effort, his strength returning.  For a moment he observed Uche. " You're in pain. You must have exerted yourself. The ankle, let me see. "

"I'm fine."

"You're not. So if you just untie me....."

There was the subtlest change in Uche's countenance that had him trailing off.

"Uchechukwu,"

"Don't call me that." She hated it when he called her full name.

"Uchechukwu, untie me."

She didn't move, didn't speak.

"I'm not," Lawrence snorted at how desperate he sounded, "going to hurt you." Then he relented. She wouldn't be swayed. They were quiet awhile during which he could only continue to observe her. "What is it?" He asked when he saw Uche furtively clutch her stomach.

"Nothing." She gingerly got to her feet.

"Uche," Lawrence eyed the stain on the bed. " You're bleeding,"

A/N

Another chapter. I don't know about you but it was fun to write. Let me know your thoughts, as usual.  Thanks for reading! I'm always grateful.