PRISS

Ringing the door bell the second time, a beautiful creature finally opened the door. It was crystal clear that she was one of the workers in that house. Ushering me in, I felt a pang of nervousness course through me, I would finally meet my penpal,my best friend and my confidant whom I'd been dreaming of meeting.

The house was more than beautiful,No! beautiful is a very big understatement in the house of understatement, it was marvelous and incredible. Sitting on a sofa, the beautiful lady left to call Cliff-my pen pal as I admired the house. I'd gotten back from Nigeria yesterday and had decided to write to Cliff after getting his new address with the intention of finally meeting him, it would definetely be a big surprise to him.

Looking around the living room to get an hint of what he looked like, I could see there was no picture at all and I was left to decide on what he looked like.

A couple of minutes later, the lady walked out with another lady. Turning askance to look at her, recognition struck me. The lady! The lady that caused an accident some weeks back. Why was she here? could she be his sister? No,he only mentioned he had one sibling whose name was Chloe. She could be related to him, I concluded.

"Oh!Hi",the lady greeted smiling widely at me, jolting me out of thoughts. Giving her an amazed look along with a small smile,I greeted,"Hi, you are the lady I met few weeks back right?"

"Yeah",she replied turning to the other lady to get me something which I'd been unable to hear before she sat on a loveseat beside the sofa I was sitted on and the lady vanished.

"So I'm Zina",she introduced with a big smile and I knew she was a jovial person,always smiling.
"Priscilla but you can call me Priss".
She looked intently at me before mumbling"I've heard that name from Cliff ".She probably didn't know I heard her but that made me confirm Cliff was an occupant in that house and I.wasn't in the wrong house.

"So how did you know I was living here?It's a very big surprise to have you around", she admitted in an ecstatic manner.
I wasn't here for her and why would I even come for her,I'd long forgotten about her since the accident and didn't that lady inform her I was here for Cliff and not her. And whereas the big surprise was meant for Cliff and not her.

"Emm...I actually came here to give someone,I mean my pen pal this",I stopped as I rummaged through my ladylike purse to bring out the envelope,pointing it at her, her eyes was looking intently at me.
"Penpal?,who could that be?We're only three in this house".I scoffed and wondered if the workers were plants.

"Cliff",the word bursted out as she gave me a questioning look.
"Cliff?well,he isn't around now, he went to work".Work!why did he have to go to work,it was Christmas eve for goodness sake.
Nodding my head like an agama lizard and twirling my hair with my index finger,I noted,"That's right, so can you please help me give this to him",trying so hard to hide the sadness from my voice. I was sad I wouldn't meet my pal today but would have to come again.

She grinned and responded,"Sure",as she collected it from me. In a split second,the other lady came with pancake and frozen yoghurt, she dropped it on a table,smiled at me and walked away.
"Please make yourself comfortable,I'm really glad to have you around",she mentioned amidst pleasant grins and I believed she was a pleasant lady and I liked her.

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

CLIFF
Everywhere was bubbly and vivacious as we were all planning for the next day,no one had to be informed that tomorrow was Christmas and it would surely be a big celebration,it was as clear as crystal.

We had rolled paper a week before concerning our Santa date as we were to exchange gifts and to be each other's date to the award night. Priss was my partner and I was really excited about this,I'd been looking forward to this day and had dreamt numerous times about it.

The door opened abruptly and a pretty lady walked in,I didn't have to be told that it was Priss.
"Hi",she greeted smiling widely as I tried so hard to shift my gaze from her.

"Hi",I responded in a mutter but I knew she heard me,she pointed a plastic bag at me,apparently it was my Christmas gift.
Collecting it from her,I opened my mouth to talk but she did,"I saw your gift on my table and I really appreciate it,thanks a lot".

I shouldn't have left her gift on her table, it was rude of me but I was actually scared to look at her,I should have presented the gift to her when she gave me hers.

"You are welcome,thanks anyway",I appreciated smiling charmingly at her and I noticed she looked away,was my smile affecting her?
Silence fell and I.decided to talk seeing she intended to leave.
"So about the date,should I pick you up?".

An amused smile appeared on her face and I couldn't help but smile back, she broke the smile when she said,"Yo don't have to worry,Tenola and I would come on our own".
I didn't want the discussion to end,I really enjoyed having her around me.
"But Tenola could come with her date,yes,Frank is her date right?".

She nodded in apprehension and when she didn't say anything,I continued,"So I'll tell Frank to pick her up while I pick you".
She grinned and twirled her hair with her index finger as I found it attractive.
"Well,I don't think you have to worry over that".

"I insist",I deadpanned hoping she wouldn't stop me.
She smiled before saying,"Okay,if you say so, I'll text you the address",she stood up without waiting for my response as she granted me a warm smile and headed towards the door. My eyes didn't leave her until she caught me and halted halfway,turning back she said thanks and walked out.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

PRISS

Awwwwwn,he's so sweet.
My mind kept going back to the discussion we had earlier as I couldn't help but grin.Why is he making my head swell?

"Hey"，Tenola called waving her palm across my face and I realised I'd blanked out for a short period while discussing with Tenola.
"Sorry",I mumbled trying to cover up with a smile.
"I think you're actually making a progress in your love life,this one that you're blanking out at the mention of Cliff",Tenola teased tickling me.I gave out a loud laugh.

"So I think it's time to go home,we really have to prepare for your date",Tenola announced standing up.
"My date or our date?".

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Tenola had just finished applying my make-up when my phone buzzed,I looked at the message to see an unknown number that had texted me he was downstairs and I knew instantly that it was Cliff.My face turned into a big smile as I looked forward to the night ahead.

"Cliff is here",I almost shouted as I turned to Tenola who was admiring herself in the mirror.
"Frank is also here",she announced turning to give me a suspicious look,"You are really excited over this thing and I hope you wouldn't spoil the show".

Was I really excited?What is wrong with me?Why am I so happy about this?
I made a note to stop this but I knew it wouldn't stop once I see Cliff.
Tenola and I walked out of the room as we descended down the stairs to meet our dates.

CLIFF

Frank and I were talking with a guy whose name was Kelly, he had told us he was Priss's brother after he approached our car,we actually got along well.
"Hi",a voice greeted and I knew from the sound that it was Priss's beautiful voice, the one that made my heart beat faster.Turning back abruptly, I was shocked by what I saw.

Priss was dressed in a red dinner gown that fitted her really well showing her well endowed body to match with a silver wedge and a silver clutch bag,her face had been made over as she looked gorgeous.She was stunning and was as radiant as the sun.God!she was damn beautiful.

"Hey",Priss shouted waving a palm across my face bringing me out of my small reverie.I realised I'd stared really hard at her and Frank was already in his car with Tenola.

"Sorry,I zoned out",I explained as Priss walked pass me heading to my car, I ran forward hastily as I opened the door for her.
"Thanks",she muttered with a beatific smile.
"You look breathtaking",I complimented as she got into the car I could notice her eyes following me till I got into the car.

"Thanks",she said again and I wondered if it was her mantra.I dashed her a cool smile as I drove out of their compound.
I slid in a CD and Celine Dion's beautiful voice filled the air as she sang "I'm alive.Priss was actually singing along with that beautiful voice of hers that made my heart melt.

"So you actually know this song,do you like Celine Dion".
Priss turned to me and smiled before saying,"I love her,I love her nice songs and she's my favorite artiste,funny isn't it?".

"Not at all,she's also my favorite artiste".
Wow was all she said as she continued with the song. I really loved the fact that we had the same taste in music.
I listened to her sonorous voice as we drove to the office peacefully.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
PRISS

We sat opposite each other as the four of us were on the same table.He didn't take his eyes off me and I was getting uncomfortable.Tenola and Frank had really gotten along well and in no time,they were on the dance floor and I wondered if Tenola had learned the dance steps from someone 'cause we were both amateurs in dancing let alone slow dance.

Cliff extended his right palm at me and I sincerely knew what he was driving at and I pretended not to know.
"What?",I queried with pretence laced in my voice.

"Let's dance", I looked around for someone to come to my rescue but I realised we were the only one seated,others were dancing and I felt a flush of embarassment.
"I don't know how to",he gave a short laugh before saying he would teach me.I had no other choice than to take his hand as we walked to the dance floor.

Suddenly,I felt a strong pair of hand placed on my waist and I stiffened it feeling really uncomfortable but I loved the way his soft hand rested on my waist. That single action made my tummy erupts with fireworks. He took my hand and placed it on his shoulder and I couldn't help but stare into his eyes,his eyes searched through mine and I could feel my stomach tingling,butterflies were dancing in my stomach. Our gaze remained locked as his free hand took mine and I couldn't help but cringe. Holy shit!Why was I feeling this way?

The flow of the soft music made our feet move as I followed his pace,our eyes wre still looked as his face creased into a cool smile and I returned it with a warm one. Together, we danced to the music as I felt my heart exploding in any moment.Gosh! why was he having an effect on me?

As the song progressed, I felt relaxed and I couldn't help but wonder how fast I knew the dance steps.His eyes searched through mine and his smile didn't reduce,I could feel our hearts connected as I decided to savour the moment.

"You look stunning",he complimented,my heart beat faster and I couldn't help but feel myself.No guy had complimented me this way as I didn't give them the chance to get close to me.

"Thanks，you don't look bad too",I commented as I decided to break the gaze, I might do something stupid if I didn't break it.I noticed Tenola and Frank were still dancing amidst talks and giggles.

"So...what do you like doing apart from listening to songs?",he questioned as he got my attention back with my eyes fixed back on his,the smile was still fixed on his face as I smiled in return.

"Emmm...I'm a boring type of girl,"he cut me off by saying,"Who said so? you're fun to be with".
I giggled and gave him 'you're not serious' look.
"Trust me,I'm not fun to be with 'cause I'm an introvert".
He casted me an amused look and laughed out heartily,geez his laugh was making me crave for more.

"Okay,not all introverts are boring infact they make a good company,so back to the question?".
I looked at him with amusement shouting all over my face and I wondered why he was making me amused,why I was enjoying his company and why I was getting attached to him.
"I love watching movies,reading and writing as well as listening to songs",I announced .

"That isn't boring,I also love watching movies and reading and listening to songs but I do engage in games".
"That's nice".
Silence fell and it lasted for some minutes as it felt really awkward and I silently prayed the music would come to an end but instead,Cliff broke the ice by asking,"Are you in a relationship?"

WHAT!The question screamed in my head and the music stopped abruptly bringing the dance to a halt.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
CLIFF

We sat in silence as we munched our chips.Tenola and Frank were obviously into each other as their mouth didn't stop at all,they kept on talking and I couldn't get a slight idea of their discussion and I didn't give a damn,all I really cared about right now is Priss who had been trying really hard to avoid my gaze. Was she mad at me because of the question I asked earlier?I wondered as the voice from the microphone brought me out of my thought.

"And this year's award goes to...".
What!seriously?
Priss looked up at me and finally smiled as she walked to the podium while I followed her.The gifts were presented as we took pictures and to crown it all,I pulled Priss into a hug and she hugged me back without hesitation,I drew back and pecked her on her cheeks.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
PRISS

I couldn't sleep as I rolled on my bed, my mind was betraying me as it kept going back to all that had happened today.
Cliff and I actually danced and the worst of it all was the hug,I really couldn't fathom why I hugged him back,maybe I was just too happy.

Sincerely,I loved his body warmth and I wanted him to hug me again. His body's scent was really nice as I learnt we were wearing the same perfume. ZINA CAULIL.

My hands went to my cheeks as I felt the peck.His peck had made my body crawl.
Geez!what is wrong with me?Why am I feeling this way?
I knew I was nearing destruction.

Guys,longest chapter so far.
Priss and Cliff are actually getting along and the chemistry is building up.
Do you think Priss would really allow her belief to get shaken?
Would she allow her emotions to grow?
Will Cliff also allow the feelings to grow?
Will he give love another chance?
Let me know your thoughts about this and if you enjoyed this chapter,click on that orange star and share with your friends.
Love you