(066b - The Enemy of My Soul Part 2)

It's been a while 😂.

I know I've been slacking in updates, but you have to work with me guys. I've tried to create a schedule but the only time I can update in a month is once. If I can update more than once, I honestly will... but right now, it's not working.

Don't worry, I'll make every single update worth your while, just like this one (I hope). Thank you so much for growing with me, guys. I really appreciate it ❤️.

You might really enjoy this chapter... or not🌚. More of the former than the latter sha😌.

I think 🤔.

Hehe hehe💀.

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𝐉𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐍𝐀
(Jidenna Leo Okojie)

Till my car halted in front of Adela's house, I couldn't stop thinking about what just transpired between me and Tekena.

More so, I couldn't stop thinking about the statement he made concerning Adela. Those downgrading and irritating words he wasted no time uttering from his mouth about her just to get to me.

And it worked. It did get to me... infuriating me beyond anything I have ever felt in my entire life, and that says so much because I hardly get angry at anything.

But it was even more infuriating because I didn't want to think about it.

I wanted to stop thinking about it because I knew it would only ruin my mood more and more, and I'd just keep grimacing till I have a permanent scowl on my face.

But I couldn't stop, mostly because I was angry with myself for not punching the asshole in the face when I had the chance.

This was something I wouldn't think of doing to anyone, talk less of Tekena on a normal day. Probably because he was so much strong and if I tried it, I'd end up getting beaten to a pulp. But for the thoughts to start surfacing, it meant something.

Tekena crossed the line in this one and I wasn't having it.

Funnily, it just started occurring to me that this won't be the first time he'd be saying degrading shits about people around me, including myself, and I've only been accommodating the nonsense till now because I thought he was right.

Maybe that's why he deemed it fit to continue such nastiness.

Never again.

This one was even totally uncalled for.

We were only arguing with us. It was about us and no one else, but he just had to chip in Adela. I wasn't the problem. Adela is definitely not the problem, so that leaves him and him alone.

Come to think of it, this has been a regular with us for years. Him having a problem with everything and everyone that had anything to do with me asides from him. At first, I thought it was just because he cared more about me, even though he was always saying the nastiest things to me that will make me feel bad about myself.

Looking back now, that was just gaslighting at its finest.

Major, hardcore Gaslighting.

And it has been working up until now.

How could I be so foolish?

Looking at the last records, I have never had a friend that makes life so complicated for me as Tekena has in the last couple of years, all because of the high school drama that I'd "benefit" from. High school drama that broke me more than it made me. High school drama that made me lose all my true friends.

I already have so many complications in my life and I won't allow him to add to them.

As I said earlier... Tekena Joshua Tamuno was far from my friend.

And now, weighing everything I have lost just by being friends with him... he might as well be an Enemy.

It's how all this took a drastic turn for me. I chuckled humorlessly to myself.

Now parked in front of Adela's house, I tried to push l the negative thoughts to the deepest part of my mind, not wanting to ruin my day with her. Thoughts of Tekena cannot ruin what I already envisioned to be a perfect day between Adela and me.

If at all any of my days with Adela get ruined, he is the last person that will ever be worth that privilege.

I honked, letting whoever was in know that I was there. In a matter of seconds, the black gate slid open automatically, slowly revealing Adela several feet away standing in front of the big building. And my lips stretched in a big smile as soon as I sighted her.

That was the last push I needed to bury thoughts of Tekena.

She pointed at where I should park when I started driving in and I did, turning off the ignition when I was properly parked. And by the time I got down, she was already making her way toward me, her eyes on the car.

"Wow," She mused, her voice coming out in a croaky tone that sounded oddly sexy. "I never knew you could drive."

Her gaze shifted from the car to me. My breath almost got knocked out of me with the kind her force her eyes used to meet mine. I had to concentrate a little harder to remember what she just said, trying to keep my composure.

I bobbed my head to the side, my brows furrowed.

"Why would you think I don't know how to drive?" I asked her. "Most guys our age are even far better drivers than the adults, you know," I stated. She shrugged and hummed lowly like she agreed and didn't agree at the same time.

"But you are not like most guys," She chipped, giving me a look. That would have been a flattering comment in any other context. But in this, it felt like a low blow. I gapped, holding my hand to my chest in shock.

"Ahyi, Adela," I shook my head, feigning hurt. "You wound me. So this is how little to rate me ehn? It's not good o," I pouted. She laughed, the delicate sound like the tinkling of wind chiming on a gentle breeze.

It made her glow.

It made me smile so wide.

"Of course, I rate you, Jidenna Okojie," She said with laughter. "I always rate you," She added, her eyes sparkling with so much delight that I was getting so familiar with.

I would have focused on that if I wasn't thinking about how my full name rolled off her tongue so easily, with perfect pronunciation and diction with poise and sensuality, making me fight the urge to take my bottom lip between my teeth.

I'm not sure if that even makes sense to you, but it does to me.

My eyes took a sweep of her figure, taking in her rather uncharacteristic, yet beautiful outfit. She was wearing a cozy knitted sweater that looked extremely soft, keeping her snug and comfortable. And she was wearing a pair of long jeans; miles different from the shorts I'm already used to seeing her in.

She completed the look with black socks covering her legs and slides as footwear, as well as a wool head warmer protecting her head.

She looked so covered up; obviously, because this was the coldest time of the year. It was unlike her but didn't make her look any less hot.

If anything, she looked hotter.

Again, I'm not sure if that makes any sense to you, but it makes sense to me.

"So..."

Adela's voice drawled out, piercing through my thoughts. When my mind settled back on her, I realized she had already closed in on me and I didn't even notice.

"... are you just doing to stand there?" Her voice was drawn in a whisper, barely audible but filled with a sense of suggestion.

It brushed against the air, carried by a delicate breath, as it traveled towards its intended recipient... me. The words, soft and hushed, lingered briefly before fading away, leaving a subtle trace of intimacy in the air.

She was standing in the same air space as I was, her head bobbed to the side as she peered at me with those alluring cat-like eyes of hers.

I inhaled sharply, keeping my hands shoved in the pockets of my joggers, fisted if I might add as o tries to control my racing heart and the urge to take her in my arms. I don't trust myself not to touch her if I bring my hands out.

But I wanted her to ask for it. Beg, even.

So I put on my game face, mimicking her head movement by bobbing it to the side as well, keeping my spectacle-covered eyes peering at her intently.

"I don't know," my voice came out grouchy and husky... breathless. "What do you want me to do?" I asked her, giving her the full invitation to choose whatever she wanted me to do... to her.

Adela didn't blink, her stance unflinching. Instead, the closed the remaining distance between us, her body now touching mine. Her hands didn't leave their position clasped together behind her just like mine didn't leave my pocket no matter how desperately I wanted it to.

My heart was pounding fiercely within my chest, its rhythmic beats reverberating through my body. Each thump felt powerful and urgent like a drum pounding relentlessly in my ears. The rapid tempo of my heartbeat matched the intensity of my emotions as if they were trying to break free from their confines.

The raging heartbeat echoed a surge of adrenaline, signaling the excitement, fear, or anticipation coursing through my veins.

All I could focus on was our proximity, the beat from her body radiating at a very high degree, mixing up with mine.

What did I say about her intentionally pushing me over the edge? This is a perfect example.

She stared at me, her gaze unwavering.

"Why do you wanna do, Jidenna Okojie,"

Fuck, the way she says my name! I resisted the urge to groan.

Now, I was at her mercy.

"I want to hold you," I rapped out in one breath, unashamedly if I might add.

Her lips quirked slightly in a smile, and I found my eyes following the slight movement unconsciously.

I exhaled shakily, trying to control my breath.

"You know you don't have to ask before you can," She whispered, further pressing herself into me, her hands trailing into the jacket I had on and wrapping her hands around my middle.

That was all the go-ahead I needed to wrap my hands around her, puffing out the breath I didn't know I was holding.

"Hey, you," I whispered breathlessly.

"Hey, beautiful," She mumbled back, nuzzling her face into my chest, tightening her hands around my midriff.

I chuckled at the endearment she has dimmed fit for me, tightening my hands around her too.

This wouldn't be the first time she'd call me beautiful. And while some guys would see it as some sort of jab or dent in their manliness, that wasn't the case with me. If anything, I loved it with everything in me.

I love the way it made me feel whenever she called me that. It was a unique endearment, specially made for me.

I need to get her one too.

Maybe I'll ask Tola for help. I noted to myself.

"Adela!"

A child-like shriek resonated through the compound, nearly piercing through my eardrums. I winced, but Adela didn't even flinch... and she didn't step away from me. She only sighed, looking up from my chest before following the direction the voice came from. I followed her gaze to see a rather tiny figure emerging from the house.

I recognized her immediately. She was the little girl Adela was taking shots of the day we met at the park about two months ago. My lips quirked in a small smile at the thought of the moment. It was the very first time Adela and I would have a good conversation, bonding over shutter speeds and small talk.

She's Adela's younger sister. I could easily tell by the striking resemblance between them. But I can't remember her name.

"Aaliyah, what have I told you about screaming when we are together in the house?" Adela scolded but her voice was gentle, finally stepping away from me.

Aaliyah. I mused. That's her name.

The tiny girl pouted.

"You said I should not scream inside the house." She said. "Technically, we are outside the house." She defended herself, punctuating her statement with a shrug and a cute, toothy grin.

I found myself chuckling at how smart that was, noting that she can't be anything above seven years of age. My laugh hung in my throat when Adela scowled at me, giving me a massive bombastic and criminal offensive side-eye.

Aaliyah's attention turned to me, her eyes went huge and recognition clouded her eyes.

"Hey! You are that guy from the park that day." She recalled, snapping her fingers in recollection.

My lips stretched in an automatic smile, my heart swelling at the fact that someone in Adela's family was more or less familiar with me.

"I am," I affirmed, moving away from Adela to be closer to Aaliyah, crouching down to her level. "Hi Aaliyah, I'm Jidenna." I introduced myself.

"I know," She shrugged again, the toothy grin on her lips stretching as she twirled on the ball of her feet. My brow quirked in inquisition, wondering how she knew my name.

"Adela talks about you a lot." She chipped in.

Oh my. My eyes went huge at that revelation.

"Aaliyah!" Adela chided, her voice in a harsh whisper. The tiny girl didn't stop talking.

"It's kind of shocking really, because she never really talks about boys," She rambled on and I listened with rapt attention, so interested in all she had to say.

"You are practically the only boy she ever talks about. Jidenna this, Jidenna that," She said the last part in a sing-song voice, gesturing left and right with her hands. "She talks about you so much that my ears are about to fall off."

Wow.

I chuckled, glancing over my shoulder at Adela who looked everywhere but at me. If she was lighter, I'm pretty sure I would have seen a little hint of pink on her cheeks.

She was blushing. And it was such a thrill to see her that way.

"So, she talks a lot about me," I repeated.

"Hmmn hmmn." Aaliyah bobbed her head up and down. I kept my eyes trained on Adela. When she glanced at me and saw that I was still looking at her, she looked down at the interlocked floor.

It was so comical to see her like that, all flustered and out of balance. Adela was never flustered or out of balance. This was a first. It was so uncharacteristic, not the bold and audacious Adela I've grown accustomed to.

But I equally liked this side of her.

In a way, it kinda made me feel... in control.

It was evident that I have taken over her thoughts just like she has taken over mine.

I looked back at Aaliyah.

"All good things I hope?" I ask her. She nodded again.

"So many good things," She affirmed, then looked rather thoughtful for a moment. "Some things I'd rather not hear though–"

That piqued my interest... and also got Adela's attention.

"Yeah? Things like what?" I asked the tiny girl.

But before she could open her mouth to tell me, Adela was beside her in a flash, hand clasped over her sister's mouth, muffling whatever was at the tip of Aaliyah's tongue.

My smile widened.

"Nothing more from you," She said to Aaliyah who mumbled in disapproval.

"And you," she turned to me, her face scrunched up slightly in a frown. "Why are you smiling?" She glared at me as I tried so hard to suppress that smile that was about to turn into full-blown laughter. I shielded my mouth with my hand, shaking my head.

She tutted and turned to Aaliyah.

"Did you come to blab about what we discussed in private or do you actually have something to tell me," She asked her sister, taking her hand off her mouth.

"Ohh. Mum said I should tell you that you people should come inside before you catch a cold." And with that, she skipped back into the house with no care of the world.

"Your mum is home," I stated, standing upright. Adela looked at me and shrugged.

"Christmas is in a few days. She won't be anywhere else. Dad is the one still running around." She answered and I muttered Oh, majorly because I couldn't relate.

I can't remember the last time we celebrated Christmas in my house. Did we ever even celebrate it? Just mum buying us, the kids some presents and having the chefs prepare jollof rice for us. But that was it. It didn't make it feel like Christmas, at least not like people around me described how their celebrations were.

I was lacking... greatly.

"Hey,"

I heard Adela's gentle voice call to me before feeling her hand slipping into mine, dainty fingers trailing down my wrist to lace between mine. I met her eyes, seeing the concern in them.

"Are you worried that she's around?" She asked me. She must have noticed the change in my countenance and assumed it had something to do with her mum being home.

This wasn't the first time I'd be meeting a mum. I mean, I met Hilary's mum way back in JSS 1 when we became friends, even subsequently when we were dating. I'd admit that this felt different. As much as this was just a casual visit, it didn't feel so casual.

But I wasn't worried.

"I'm not worried," I assured her with an easy smile... which soon transcended into a teasing one when I remembered what Aaliyah mentioned.

"What I'm more concerned about–" My voice dropped an octave lower and I closed in on her. She didn't move, her gaze unwavering from mine with a ghost of a smile playing on her lips.

"– is what you have been telling your sister about me." I completed with a smirk, bobbing my head to the side, peering at her intently.

Her smile disappeared, replaced with that flustered look of earlier. It made my smirk stretch even wider.

"Forget what she said,"

Like hell.

"Never."

As I walked into the house, my eyes widened at the breathtaking beauty of the interior, but my attention quickly shifted to something else.

A sweet aroma engulfed me, and it felt like all the air was filled with the mouthwatering scent.

I couldn't help but be captivated by it, my senses solely focused on the irresistible fragrance coming from what seemed to be the kitchen. It was a blend of all things sweet, a tantalizing mix that made my mouth water.

I couldn't quite identify the specific food or foods responsible for the aroma, but it didn't matter. The delicious smell enveloped me, almost blowing up in my face, leaving me with an overwhelming desire to taste whatever delectable treats were being prepared, making me salivate.

On cue, my tummy started to rumble and I immediately clutched it, my eyes widening instantly. I looked at Adela but she was so preoccupied with telling Aaliyah to put off her flip-flops at the entrance of the house that she didn't hear the rather embarrassing sound. The smaller girl didn't pay her elder sister any heed, skipping away into the house.

I exhaled in relief.

Now, that would have been humiliating.

"What have I told you about wearing something so flimsy in the cold, Adela?" An older, yet tiny voice filled the room before the face of its owner appeared.

In a matter of seconds, I was staring at a much older version of Adela, and when I say a much older version of Adela, I wasn't only talking about her physicalities. I'm talking about her entire demeanor.

She entered the room with an audacious presence that commanded attention. Her every step exuded confidence and regality as if she were a queen in her own right.

Her gaze, sharp and unwavering, swept across the room with a sense of authority that left no doubt about her power. Her stature, though petite, was graceful, her posture erect, radiating an aura of undeniable strength.

She embodied the essence of a true queen, leaving an indelible impression on all who had the privilege of crossing her path.

And now, I realized where Adela has gotten that energy from, hers even more intense.

Adela was a carbon copy of the woman, taking her slim and petite figure as well as her glowing dark skin. And her beauty; Damn! The woman is beautiful, and she looked like she hasn't aged a day over 21 years.

She was what Netizans would popularly call a "Sweet Sixteen".

"'Yata, you will catch a cold faster than you can cure one," She continued speaking, wagging the wooden spoon at her daughter, her thick Hausa accent intertwined with poise and sophistication, completely oblivious to my presence. "And you know how prone you are to cold," She added.

I wasn't looking at Adela but I could have sworn I heard her eyes roll at that statement right in that moment. That was so Adela.

"I'm covered up, ain't I?" She gestured to her heavily cladded body. "I just went out to get my friend and now, kina bani kunya a gabansa."

I wasn't sure what that last part was because she said it in a language that sounded like Hausa. But when Mrs Yongo turned her gaze to me for the first time since I got in here, it told me that Adela has chipped in something about me.

And by God, her gaze pierced directly through me, as if it could unravel every secret within my soul. They seemed to penetrate through my very being, searching for truths hidden beneath the surface.

I nearly cowered.

I quickly brought out my hand from where it was buried inside my pockets, knowing that adults hated it when guys did that, seeing it as a sign of disrespect. I gulped and adjusted my glasses, bowing my head slightly as a sign of respect.

"Good afternoon, ma." I greeted, inwardly commending myself for not stuttering like an idiot. I raised my head to meet her eyes, trying not to cower in her presence.

"Good afternoon," She responded, her lips quirked in a small smile as she gave my figure a once-over. "What's your name?" She asked me, bobbing her head to the side, a gesture I noted Adela definitely got from her.

Before I could respond, Adela has already started answering on my behalf.

"His name is–" She stated.

"I'm sure the young man can say his own name, Adela." Mrs. Yongo cut her daughter off, her eyes unwavering from mine. I gulped again, louder this time and I was sure all of them heard.

"Mum–" Adela sighed, rolling her eyes.

"What's your name?" She asked me again, totally ignoring her daughter. A smile was still playing on her lips and it suddenly started making me feel uneasy.

"Urgh..." I stuttered, trying to remember my own name. When I did, I cleared my throat. "Jidenna Okojie, ma'am," I answered her.

I expected her to just nod and welcome me, or worse, snub me. Either of those reactions would have been much more preferable than what came next. Not that it was remotely "bad", but it was grossly weird. It really disturbed me, I'd I'm being honest.

The smile that was playing on her lips was wiped off completely, replaced with a slight but still visible frown.

"Okojie," she repeated, her tone laced with a hint of familiarity. I became confused, glancing at Adela who was looking at her mum with equal confusion written all over her face.

"Yes ma'am," I answered.

She was silent for a moment, a thoughtful look marred across her face but she didn't stop looking at me. When she spoke again, the question she asked threw me completely off balance in a way.

"Are you in any way related to the Senator and Godfather, Kingsley Okojie?" She asked, holding my gaze intently with her, searching my eyes as if she would find the answer there without me saying it.

I stopped short, looking back at her wordlessly for a couple of minutes, not sure how in the world I was going to answer that simple, yet extremely difficult question.

Kingsley was unarguably the most popular man in the state, one of the most popular in the whole country if I'm being honest. Anyone that has ever heard my name would always ask me if I'm related to him, so this wasn't a first.

But there was a way she asked this, with an undertone of familiarity and a hint of something else that I couldn't place, something that made me want to deny knowing that man.

But before I could speak, Adela beat me to it.

"You are scaring him, mum," She said, breaking the icy silence and staring down between her mum and me. She took my hand in her, weaving her fingers through mine in a sort of protective way. I don't know how bold she was to do that in front of her mum though.

Mrs. Yongo smiled, chuckled even. But it did nothing to ease me.

"Don't mind me," She said, her voice easy and void of any suggestiveness. When she looked at me again, her eyes were gentler this time, her smile wider.

"Welcome, Jidenna." She said, sounding a lot nicer than before. But I'm not sure how to feel about it now.

I managed a small smile still.

"Thank you, ma'am," I bowed again.

Adela sighed.

"Now that the introductions are over, I'm taking Jidenna upstairs."

"To, ba matsala," She shrugged, agreeing easily. "Keep the door opened oh," She instructed. Adela muttered as if with a scoff, and I fought to smile.

As we moved up the stairs, I glanced back over my shoulder at Mrs Yongo, only to find her already looking at me... strangely if I might add. When she realized I was looking at her too, she smiled again, but the smile didn't reach my eyes.

So weird. I looked away from her, allowing Adela to pull me away.

"I don't think your mum likes me very much," I told Adela when we got to the top of the stairs, away from earshot. Adela paused in her steps and looked at me.

"My mum?" She glanced down the stairs. Then she scoffed, waving her hand dismissively. "Oh, because of all that extra?" She chuckled.

"Don't mind her," She said. "She is always like that with everyone, trusts me. Talking to them as if she's interrogating one of her clients at the firm." She rolled her eyes.

That did nothing to ease me because it didn't feel like that Adela just said at all. It was so much more intense like there was something more to her questions. But I tried to push those thoughts down, forcing out a chuckle nonetheless.

But Adela, being the ever-observant person that she was noticed the strain in my laugh, and her smile dissipated immediately, replaced with a concerned look.

"Are you okay?" She asked, leaving my side to stand in front of me, her eyes peering right into mine. I exhaled, shaking my head.

"I am," I answered, my voice drawn in a whisper. "I just–"

"You just what?" She asked as she closed in on me, causing my words to hang back in my throat. Her scent cocooned me, and suddenly that was all I could think about.

I swallowed, mustering a smile.

"Nothing," I breathed, shaking my head again. "It's nothing," I affirmed. Adela stared at me for a moment before nodding slowly.

"Okay," she said. "If you say so."

Maybe I was even the one overthinking this whole thing. Maybe it was just my mind playing tricks on me because of thoughts I already have about my Dad. Maybe Mrs. Yongo was asking a very harmless question, only curious.

Besides, this isn't what I came here for.

I came here to have a good time with her, and that's what I'm going to do. That's what we are going to do.

So I took her hand back in mine, reminding myself that I was happy to be here... with her. Only her.

And that was enough for me to muster the biggest, most genuine smile of the day.

"So..." I drawled, smiling. "What is it you wanted to show me?" I asked her, referring to her text, the reason she asked me to come here.

Her forlorn expression disappeared, and a big smile appeared in place.

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"Whoa," I gapped in awe as I stepped into the room.

The room was bathed in a soft, dim light, casting long shadows that danced across the walls, the air heavy with the scent of chemicals.

My eyes widened as they took in the sight before me. Photos, like suspended dreams, hung from dry lines, their corners gently curling in the stillness. They told stories of moments captured in time, frozen fragments of life that yearned to be explored.

The aesthetic allure of the room was mesmerizing and captivating. Each photograph, composed and expertly printed possessed an ethereal quality. From monochromatic landscapes; their shadows imbued with a sense of mystery, to vibrant portraits bursting with life.

Each film helps its own unique narrative. The artistry of light and shadow, color and contrast, was on full display, captivating my senses. This mode of photography was something that people saw as archaic but a real photographer knew the worth of capturing things on film.

It was... BEAUTIFUL.

I turned around to look at Adela standing behind me, my expression full of awe. She was trying so hard to fight a big smile creeping up to her face, her teeth digging into her bottom lip.

"Did you do all this?" My voice came out in breathless awe. She shrugged, further entering the room.

"Most of it." She answered and I let out a breath of fascination. "You know what I told you about my Dad picking up this hobby? Well, together went all out." She twirled around and raised her hand to gesture around.

"When he dumped it, I took it over and did most of this," She finished.

"Oh, my God." I gasped, clasping my hand over my mouth. I wasn't sure how to express how officially wowed I was with her... with everything about her.

This is amazing.

"Do you like it?" She asked me.

"Are you kidding me!" I was legit screaming now. "This is fucking impressive!" I laughed and she joined me, the beautiful blend of it echoing through the room.

"And I thought I was carrying photography on my head. Adela, you are a Boss!"

I hyped her and she laughed even louder, blushing unashamedly at my words. My fascination for her increased a thousandfold. I don't even have the right words to properly quantify who- what she was.

A King and Girl Boss in her own right.

She was a force to be reckoned with. Her talent and charisma for this art were undeniable, effortlessly drawdown me in with a magnetic charm. In her presence, I felt inspired and motivated to push my own boundaries, to stay far away from mediocrity, and strive for excellence.

She was a shining example of everything I wasn't but wanted to be– but instead of it to push me back into a cage of self-pity, it only inspired me to do better. To witness all this was a privilege, and I couldn't help but be in awe of her.

"This is mind-blowing," I whispered, placing my hands over my head.

"Thank you," She whispered back, looking at me from beneath her lashes with shyness in her eyes.

I was drawn toward the corner where a faint red safelight cast an otherworldly glow on a countertop. There was an array of developing trays and glass jars, their contents holding the key to unlocking the latent beauty within each image.

I looked at them in amazement.

"I have never tried this stuff before, I swear," I admitted with a chuckle, not knowing what anything in front of me did or how it worked. Adela was beside me in a moment.

"Do you want to try it?" she asked me, and I could see her eyes glistening with excitement even in the dimness of the room.

"Are you going to teach me?" I answered her with a question, anticipation laced in my voice. Adela scoffed back at me.

"Why do you think I called you here?" She rolled her eyes but still had pretty smiles tugged at the corners of her lips. I felt overwhelmed by excitement, bustling inside me and I could stop smiling in eagerness.

"So, how does this work?" I asked her. She reached into the drawer and brought two pairs of white rubber gloves.

"First off, Gloves." She held them up.

"Gloves," I repeated with a nod.

In no time, I was done wearing mine but Adela was still struggling with hers.

"Help me help with that," I made a move to assist and she allowed me, letting me take her hands in mine.

I carefully took hold of one pair, and as I slide it onto her hand, all I could feel was its softness and the gentle warmth of it that radiates from her skin. This wasn't the first time I'd be noticing the delicacy of her hand but everything felt like a discovery with Adela, even when it wasn't.

"You don't have to be so gentle, Jidenna," Adela said with slight laughter in her voice. I looked at her and found her already looking at me.

"Your hands are so soft," was all I could mutter, even before I could stop myself. She giggled.

"Thank you?" She said that like a question.

I was finally able to get her gloves on and we got to work. Adela started putting me through everything I needed to do to develop the films into pictures. While I loaded the film into the reel and place it in the film tank just like she taught me to, Adela created the developer mixture and measured the temperature.

"This is where the magic happens," Adela said and I grinned.

"Let's do this." I was so excited.

Adela poured the mixture into the gum tank and turned the tank to help the mixture circulate. That took about a minute and a half. Then Adela poured something that she called a fixer into the tank.

"This is what stabilizes the film so that it would be exposed to light without damage." She explained to me and I nodded, paying close attention.

Omo, e be like Chemistry practical. I thought to myself with a small laugh.

In about three minutes, it was done. I carefully lifted the freshly developed film out of the tank, my anticipation mounting.

"Here." Adela brought the tray filled with cold water in front of me. I spread the film in and allowed the water to do its work. Thirty seconds in and I brought it back out, water dripping from it, glistening in the dim light of the room.

"Now watch," Adela whispered. And I watched, my eyes widening gradually at the way the images began to materialize like magic, unfolding before my eyes.

"Oh my God," I gasped.

The once-transparent film gradually transformed into a work of art. The droplets of water clung to its surface, creating a surreal texture.

"This is... amazing." I breathed.

"I told you," Adela whispered from behind me, her breath fanning my cheek. I looked at her from over my shoulder, smiling.

"Thank you..." I whispered back. She looked at me quizzically, wondering what I was thanking her for. "For showing me this," I added to clarify. Really, I was thankful. This was a discovery, a big one.

Adela breathed it a laughter, wrapping her hands around me from behind, and pressing her cheek to my back.

I chuckled, leaning into her.

This was a gesture that I have grown very fond of. I liked it when she did this with me. It was one level of intimacy I can boldly say I have never experienced with anyone except with her.

"Don't be too dramatic." She said in hushed tones, the breathlessness of her voice sipping through my jacket and shirt to fan my skin.

I almost shuddered.

We did more, and it got even more and more exciting and interesting with every artistic revelation. But a sudden mishap disrupted the fun.

A mishap that mothered all mishaps that happened soon after. 

The bottle of developer slipped from my grasp, its contents cascading out of the container and to my shirt in a surge.

"Fuck!" I cussed. The acrid scent filled the air, mingling with my slight annoyance.

"Shit." Adela cussed too, her face contorted in a grimace. "That's definitely going to leave a huge stain." She said.

"Yeah, no kidding." I chuckled, shaking my head.

"Let me see if I can get it off," She mumbled, more to herself than to me before soaking a towel in the cold water and trying to clean the spill. But it had already completely stained my shirt.

"I'm sorry," She apologized, her gaze empathetic. I shook my head.

"It's okay." I brushed it off. "It's one of the hazards, right?" I chipped on with a smile.

"You know what?" Adela dropped the towel and moved closer to me. "I can quickly get the stain out if I put it in the washer. It will dry up in no time." She told me, her words coming out in jumbles that I couldn't quite get the words.

"What?" I blinked.

"Take your shirt off." She said without batting an eyelid, knocking the breath right out of me.

Oh wow.

My eyes widened at her order, and I didn't make a move for about thirty seconds, just staring at her like a deer caught in a headlight. Adela, undeterred by my lack of comprehension took a step closer to me. Her presence immediately filled my personal space, her proximity making me hyper-aware of her energy.

In a bold move, she reached out and started helping me take off my jacket, her nimble fingers brushing against my skin, sending an unexpected shiver running down my spine. Her actions caught me off guard, leaving me flustered, but I managed to keep my composure.

But not once did I stop her.

I helped her shrug my back off my shoulders, and her touch lingered, her fingers tracing the edge of my sleeves. I couldn't tear my eyes away from her as her gaze met mine. She held it, staring at me from beneath her lashes with pseudo-innocent eyes that made me feel nothing innocent.

Quite the opposite actually.

Very unholy thoughts.

My heart pounded in my chest, the intensity of the moment making it hard to catch my breath.

When my jacket was off, I thought she'd give me some sort of privacy to take off my shirt but that didn't happen. Her hand ventured lower, grazing the hem of my shirt. I felt a jolt shoot through me at her touch, my body reacting instinctively.

My mind spun, struggling to comprehend the situation. My heart throbbed fiercely in my chest as her hand disappeared beneath the fabric, lightly grazing my toned abdomen. The sensation caused a rush of goosebumps to erupt across my skin, heightening my senses.

I had anticipated this closeness, but I never expected the atmosphere to be this intense between us.

This... Charged.

"Adela–"

I choked out breathlessly when I felt her hands graze the band of my jogger tentatively.

"Raise your hands,"

Adela whispered that instruction, her voice just as breathless as mine and her eyes not leaving mine.

In my disoriented state, I complied, lifting my arms as she directed, failing to fully grasp the danger of that instruction, the danger of me heeding that instruction. I was way too captivated by her presence, too caught up in the whirlwind of emotions swirling in me, my mind too clouded to register the potential danger that lay ahead.

Her touch guided me as I allowed her to remove my shirt, revealing my naked torso. My heartbeat thundered in my ears, drowning out rational thought. I could feel the weight of her gaze on me, her eyes drinking in the sight of me.

Adela's gaze fell upon my body, and I could sense a mix of awe and fascination in her eyes. I couldn't help but feel a mix of self-consciousness and a strange exhilaration.

The way she looked at me was anything but innocent.

Fuck!

"Whoa," She mumbled, clearly flustered by the sight before her, only adding to the flurry of emotions coursing through me.

While I may not have been the most muscular person, my dedication to sports and workouts had sculpted my body with definition. Adela's awestruck expression and unwavering gaze sent goosebumps scattering across my skin, her unabashed scrutiny made my heart race even faster.

She cleared her throat, gulping rather audibly.

"Um..." She trailed off, shaking her head in an attempt to regain her composure. "I'll t-take this to the w-washer. It'll be d-done in a few m-minutes," she stuttered, her eyes trailing back to my exposed form.

Another soft "whoa" slipped from her lips, before she staggered back slightly and hastily made her way toward the door. I assumed she had left, allowing me a moment to regain my composure.

Turning around, I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding, attempting to calm my racing heartbeat. My emotions remained heightened, every sensation heightened and on high alert. Just as I was regaining my composure, Adela's piercing scream shattered the silence, reverberating through the room.

"What the fuck is that?!" She exclaimed, her voice filled with a mix of shock and disbelief.

I turned around to look at her, my heart pounding in my chest, only to see her staring at me with her entire demeanor radiating with utmost dread. It was at that moment I realized what exactly she had seen.

Oh, Fuck no!

𝐀/𝐍

💀.

Biko, what did Adela see that made her shout like that? I'm actually very scared because, for her to shout like that, then something is about to shele 🥲.

This chapter wasn't meant to end here, but it was already getting rather long so I had to extend the part a little further. There is will be a lot of emotional rollercoaster in the next chapter, more or less, and a whole lot of revelation.

Also, what's with Adela's mum 👀. Do you think Jidenna was overthinking things or she was actually being quite Suss. Let me know what you think in the comments😌.

Adela and Jidenna tho... their chemistry is so fiery!🔥

Omo... things are getting very interested.

Till the next update, kisses😘.