(075 - A Love That Burns)

It's been a minute. Just completed chapter 2 of my thesis and I decided to push myself to complete this chapter before I start my chapter 3. Actually, I haven't gotten the materials to even begin my chapter 3 so what the heck 😂.

This chapter will include a mild amount of Espanol (Spanish) at the beginning of this chapter because the Dayo family are multilingual (of course, y'all know that). So, I decided to be spontaneous and make them speak a little bit of Spanish here and there because that's how their family is.

The English interpretation of the words that are written in Spanish will be added to the in-line comment directly beside it so that you guys will understand what is being said.

Good? Good!👍🏾

Now let's dive in!

⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆

𝐃𝐀𝐖𝐍
(Dawn Damipe Dayo)

🎶Father Abraham had many sons,
Many sons had Father Abraham.
I am one of them, and so are you.
So let us praise the Lord🎶

"Right Hand!"

Damien and Daniel screamed at the top of their lungs, shooting their hands into the air with so much force that Damien nearly knocked a tooth out of my mouth.

Egbami!

My mum also joined the madness, her right hand going out of the window and waving it into the open air. A poor bottled water seller thought she was waving him over and started running with the speed of flash with his carton of chilled bottled water, only to be waved off when he got to her side of the car.

I swear, I saw him throw my mum a waka hand, but she was too engrossed in "Father Abraham" to care.

Even my Dad was waving his hands in the air like he just don't care. If I didn't trust his driving abilities, I'd be seriously terrified of his tendencies to cause an accident on the highway.

Just another day in the Dayo Family.

It was Sunday afternoon and we were on our way from church. As a tradition, we would play junior church songs and rhymes that would keep the twins engaged throughout the ride so that they would wear themselves out, and when we got home, would fall right to sleep instead of turning the entire house upside down.

And now, everyone was involved in it.

Everyone except Dean and I.

Even Dean was a little involved, bobbing his head to the rhythm of the song and tapping his foot on beat as he typed away on his phone, chatting with God knows who.

For me on a normal day, I'd have joined in on the fun. But I just wasn't in the mood today. Heck, I haven't been in the mood for the past two weeks.

Today officially marked the end of Chima's suspension, meaning he would be back to school tomorrow, and still, we haven't said one word to each other since that day at the health center. My messages have gone without replies, my calls unanswered and my house calls met with dead ends.

He completely ghosted me.

And it fucking hurt.

We have never had such a huge fight before. Sure, there have been the usual disagreements, hilarious and stupid disagreements. Like the time we argued over whether people should fold clothes immediately they come out of the dryer or leave it for later.

Chima insisted on folding it right away, blabbering on about organization and maintenance. I was a big procrastinator, so I argued against him that day, insisting that the clothes would eventually get folded, not just right that second.

Then there was this infamous debate we had over the great toothpaste squeeze controversy that everyone seems to talk about these days.

Chima saw me squeezing toothpaste from the middle and nearly lost his shit. He said it was better to squeeze it from the bottom up so that no toothpaste would be wasted. I said it didn't matter and he went ballistic, nearly pulling his hair out.

It was actually funny watching him get so unhinged over something as small as toothpaste, and we laughed about it minutes later.

So yeah— we have had our fair share of petty squabbles that peppered every relationship but never a fight that has stopped us from communicating for two weeks.

Two whole weeks!

And for whom? That piece of cow shit, Tekena Tamuno.

Just the thought of his name made my blood boil.

It was still mind-boggling how someone so insignificant, so utterly inconsequential could cause such a rift between Chima and me. Someone who wasn't even worth it.

Tekena Tamuno should be the last person who would have the power to ruin what Chima and I had, the very least. For God's sake, he shouldn't even have the power to. Chima knew that more than anyone else, yet here we are.

It was maddening— infuriating even.

It was suffocating.

Heaven knows I can't wait to see him tomorrow so that I can give him a piece of my mind. On God, I'll go off on him, yell at him, and shake him with my bare hands so that his senses will return to him. I need him to know how upset I am with him.

I need him to know how angry I am with him.

But honestly... I don't want to see him just to yell at him. I might not even do any of that when I see him.

There's this void inside that only Chima can seal up, an emptiness inside that only he can fill up.

I ache for him so much that it feels like my heart might just burst out. I miss him with an intensity that bordered on physical pain, every cell in my body aching for the sound of his voice, the warmth of his touch, the low rumble of his laugh.

His kisses.

Even though I was pissed at him for ghosting me, felt hurt by the things he said to me that day, all I wanted was for us to fix things and go back to the way we used to be.

Our love was that powerful, and I had so much faith in us.

We cannot end like this.

I won't allow it.

"Dawn?"

Dean's deep voice pierced my train of thought, bringing me back to reality. I turned my head sharply in the direction his voice came.

"What?" I nearly snapped at him, wanting nothing more than to be left alone in my brooding like I'd been for the past two weeks.

"We are home already," he said, giving me a look.

It was after he spoke that I realized that we were home. Everyone had gotten out of the car and I was the only one left. I could see Dad ahead, carrying the twins in his hands, and mum helping him with the door of the house so that he would walk in. Dean himself was out of the car, just holding the door open for me.

Oh.

"Oh," I muttered out my thoughts, and my brother rolled his eyes at me.

"Yes. Oh," he mimicked and I hissed at him, wanting nothing more than to stone him my nude heels. But I honestly didn't even have it in me to banter with Dean.

"Let me be, Dean," I sighed, picking up my bag and making my way out of the car. "I'm not in the mood," I added, giving him a look.

"I know. You haven't been in the mood for two weeks now," he stated shrewdly, shutting the car door. "You are senior Chima should just kiss and make up for heaven's sake. I don't like this side of you at all." He shook his head.

If there was anyone who understood how affected I was by what happened that day, it was Dean. He saw everything unfold. He was pretty much at the center of it all.

"Well, that could happen if your Captain would just return my calls or reply my messages," I said, sarcasm tinged in my voice. "But he isn't doing that, so I guess there isn't going to be any kissing, or making up."

Dean didn't say anything after that, or pretty much had nothing to say, so I sidestepped him and started walking toward the house. I heard his sigh of resignation before his footsteps followed behind me and we both made it into the house.

By the time we got in, Mum was coming out of the kitchen, holding a tray with bowls of cookie-dough ice cream on it.

"Estoy preparando el almuerzo ahora, pero you guys should snack on this while it's on fire," she said, giving the twins their blows. Dean wasted no time in snatching his bowl, digging right in, and ignoring Mum's warning to slow down because of brain freeze.

Dean can never get a brain freeze. His brain is already frozen.

Chuckling at their banter, Dad picked his bowl.

"Thanks, babe," he kissed mum on the cheek.

"Damipe?" Mum turned the tray to me so that I'd pick the last bowl on the tray.

I stared at it instead.

Cookie-dough was my favorite flavor and if it was any other day, I'd have jumped to get my bowl before anyone else

But not today. I didn't feel like it today.

"I'd pass," I said, shaking my head with a small smile playing on my lips.

It was as if I had just said the most abominable thing ever because everyone, even the twins, stopped what they were doing and turned to look at me like my human head had been replaced with that of a cow.

There was absolute silence, like those kinds where you can only hear the creaking noise of crickets. Dad's eyes widened in disbelief, his spoon suspended mid-air. Mum on the other hand looked more concerned than in disbelief, her neatly carved brows tugged up in inquisition.

"Estás bien? Are you feeling alright, Dawn?" She asked, her tone laced with worry.

"Why?" A faux chuckle escaped my lips. "Because I said I don't want ice cream?" My eyebrows quirked up in question.

"Because you said you don't want your favorite ice cream, baby girl," Dad chipped in. "You love cookie dough. You never pass up the opportunity to take cookie dough ice cream. You once sent me out close to midnight to get you a bowl because we are out and you didn't want to wait till the next morning for your mum to make a new one.—"

"—Not to mention, you nearly decapitated me last Christmas when I took the last scoop of cookie dough," Dean interjected, wrapping his hands around his neck to demonstrate how I nearly strangled him to death that day. "Tienes tu mano alrededor de mi cuello, ahogándome como—"

I shot him a glare that had him shutting up immediately. The twins laughed at him.

"Ignore your brother," Dad continued and I turned my attention back to him. "My point is, for you not to want it then there is something up. You are off. You have been off for a while now and I have noticed. But I can't keep quiet anymore so tell me what's going on, Damipe?"

Daddy didn't call me Dawn, or baby girl. He called me by my middle name. He only did that when he was being serious.

But I couldn't tell him what was going on. The last thing I wanted was to tell my Dad that Chima and I were on the outs and there was trouble in paradise. He was skeptical about me getting there again, but when he met Chima, he finally trusted me with handling my emotions again.

He also trusted Chima.

I didn't want him questioning my boyfriend's integrity. At least, not now. Not until I'm sure that there's something we should be worried about.

"I'm fine, Dad." I simply said, and a sigh escaped his lips. "Don't worry about me," I forced a smile, trying to reassure him. I turned to Mum and saw the way she was looking at me.

She didn't but a word I just said.

I turned my gaze from hers.

"Estaré en mi cuarto," I muttered, turned around, and ascended the stairs. I could feel everyone's eyes on me till I was out of their sight.

It wasn't until I got to my room and the door shut behind me that I was able to breathe– though not properly.

Because almost immediately– pretty much routinely, my eyes began to sting, unshed tears threatening to spill.

"Get a grip, Dawn," I chided myself, sniffing and trying to blink back the tears, resolving not to keep crying behind the closed doors or soaking my pillows.

It won't change anything, and it will sure as hell not make Chima pick up his phone to call or text me.

So, I just flung my shoes and bag to a corner of the room I didn't even bother to look at, and plopped down back first to the bed, staring directly at the chandelier attached to the ceiling, counting the diamond tendrils adorning it.

One Diamond tendrils.

Two Diamond tendrils.

Three Diamond tendrils.

Four Diamond tendrils.

Five Diamond ten— His kinky fro, a crown of untamed curls that framed his face with regal defiance. Running my fingers through his hair feels like diving into a sea of lush, dense curls.

His handsome face with strong likes and a graceful contour, high cheekbones, and a gentle curve of his jaw.

His charming smile, a beacon of warmth and charism, capable of lightening up my being. When he grins, it's as if the world slows down to take in the curve of his lips and the slight dimple that appears on his left cheek.

His soulful eyes, deep pools of dark chocolate that are windows to his innermost thoughts and feelings, shimmering with profound intensity. Framed by thick, expressive brows, they draw me in, making me feel seen and understood in a way that is both intimate and profoundly moving.

And his kisses...

His kisses were an intoxicating blend of tenderness and passion, slow and deliberate, converging a world of emotion with a single stroke, starting with a gentle caress that sends a shiver down my spine and transcending into movements with more depth and intensity that leaves me breathless and craving for more—

I sat up with a start when I realized what— who I was thinking about instead of counting diamond tendrils.

Where in God's name did all of that come from!

"ARGHH!"

I screamed, plopping back down to the bed and snatching my pillow from under my head, pressing it against my face to muffle my screams of frustration.

My own has finished. I have been plagued. I am not getting over this. I am never going to get over this.

I am a finished girl.

"Parece que tú y Sochima no han arreglado las cosas." Mum's voice voice filled the room, halting my lamentations and train of thoughts halfway. I removed the pillow from my face just to see her leaning against the closed door.

When did she come in?

Better question, how long has she been in here?

"No te escuché entrar." I stated, sitting up.

"No, you didn't," she answered, pushing herself off the door and walking toward me, her elegant chiffon floral bubu gown flowing behind her like water. "You were busy screaming into your pillow." She noted, her lips tugged in a small smile.

My lips twitched, but it didn't firm into a full smile.

I clearly wasn't in the mood.

Mum got to me and settled on the bed beside me.

"Whatever is going on between you two, you know you can talk to me right?" Her eyes didn't hold judgment.

Only understanding.

"Am I that obvious?" I asked, chuckling humorlessly. Mum laughed lightly, shaking her head slowly.

"I am your mother, Dawn," she stated. "I know my children more than I know anything else in this world, and I pride myself in that fact," she said pointedly, and my lips turned in a small smile.

"Also, you seem to forget that your brother has a rather big mouth—"

Damn you, Dean! I groaned.

"— and besides, this place is like a second home to your boyfriend, so him not showing up for two weeks is already telling how bad things are, isn't it?" It was a rhetorical question but I found myself nodding.

"I guess it is," I whispered.

"And you still don't want to tell me what happened between you two?" She asked again, her voice persuading.

I exhaled.

"I don't want to bother you, Mum," I shook my head.

"My daughter speaking to me about her love life will never be a bother to me, Dawn," she said shrewdly.

"And I also don't want you to lose your trust in Chima," I chipped in and she kept quiet, looking at me quizzically. "The last thing I want is for you to start second guessing him or start thinking that you weren't a good judge of his character—"

"Dawn, nothing you say can make me second guess that boy," Mum interjected softly, her gaze steady as she met my eyes. I turned to look at her, feeling a weird mix of relief and annoyance swirling inside me.

I wasn't sure whether to be happy that she would never second guess Chima, or be annoyed that she wasn't joining me to be upset with him.

"He has proven himself time and time again that he loves you and puts you," she continued, her voice unwavering. "And I won't start doubting him because he is making a mistake. If what is going on with you two is a couple's fight, then it's completely normal. Couples have disagreements all the time, Dawn," she maintained.

"But why does this feel like more than just a random couple's fight!" I exclaimed, throwing my hands up in frustration. "It's been two weeks, mum. Two weeks. Simi and Hilary had a hiccup and within forty-eight hours, they were good again. Why is mine different!"

The weight of my words hung in the air, the atmosphere charged with tension and unease, mostly from me. All Mum did was offer me a gentle smile that did nothing to ease me.

"Dawn," she started speaking softly again, her gentle gaze lingering on me. "Maybe you and Sochima are putting too much pressure on yourselves. You are still young, sweetheart, and you both have a long way to go. Expecting everything to be perfect all the time might be asking for too much."

I blinked, her words sinking in slowly.

What does she mean?

"I... I don't understand," I admitted, feeling a little confused by her advice.

I was expecting her to go into details, but instead of elaborating, Mum simply stood up, smoothing down her gown.

"Get dressed. We are going out," she instructed, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Ehn? I stared at her in disbelief.

"Are you serious?" I asked, my confusion intensifying. But she just smiled back enigmatically.

"Be ready in fifteen," she said before turning to leave the room, leaving me to wonder what exactly was going on in her mind.

(Dawn's outfit)

"So, you brought me out of the house so that we could take a walk in the park and drink boba tea?"

I asked Mum, staring at her incredulously as she paid the vendor of the boba tea shack and thanked him. Then she turned to look at me, not responding to what I said but held out one of the cups which I begrudgingly collected.

"I thought you won't take it naw," she teased me. "Since you rejected cookie dough ice cream back at the house," she added, nudging me with her elbow.

I rolled my eyes at her, but my lips were tugged in a small smile.

"I won't lie, I kinda regret it now," I confessed and she laughed at me.

"See yourself!" She chortled. "What do I always tell you? No matter what you are going through—"

"—Don't forget to eat junks." We chorused together, doubling up with laughter right after.

Thankfully, there were only a few people at the park since it was Sunday, so no one was staring at us like we were insane.

"See, you are already loosening up," Mum said after our laughter had subsided, and I took in a breath. "Being cooked up inside the house won't do you any good, Damipe, especially with the way you have been feeling. You should be outside, getting some fresh air and clearing your head." She elaborated.

"Was that why you brought me here?" I asked. Mum bobbed her head to the side as she answered.

"That, and because we haven't had a mother-daughter time in quite a while," she replied, flashing me a look. I felt my lips twitch again in a small smile that eventually transcended into a big smile, my head bobbing slowly in a nod.

"Thank you," I whispered and she grinned back at me in appreciation to my appreciation.

We soon found an empty bench for us to sit on and took it. And just like Mum said, I let myself go, feeling the fresh breeze kiss my face and hoping it would clear my head. It helped a little bit, but I still couldn't stop thinking about my mum's words back in my room.

...Maybe you and Sochima are putting too much pressure on yourselves. You are still young, sweetheart, and you both have a long way to go...

She still hadn't elaborated on it, even on the ride to this place. I've been trying to make sense of it but I haven't been able to and I really needed clarity before I start to overthink things.

In all honesty, I was already overthinking things and I certainly didn't like the direction my mind was headed.

"Mum," I called and she turned to look at me, her beverage cup to her lips as she took a sip.

"Yes, baby," she answered, urging me to speak.

"I still don't understand what you meant when you said Chima and I are putting too much pressure on each other," I started, pausing when I saw the realization in her eyes. "You also said that we are still young and have a long way to go," I recounted.

"What part of that don't you understand so that I can elaborate?" She asked, taking another sip of her beverage.

"All of it," I admitted and she hummed in response, urging me to go on. "I've been trying to understand the context and make sense of it but all I can come up with is something I don't even want to think about," I shook my head.

"And what is that?"

"That you want me to break up with Chima," I responded, my voice edged with a mix of confusion and fear. But despite this, all that escaped Mum's lips was a chuckle as if I had just said something funny, the sound echoing in the air.

"It's not funny," I poured, folding my hands across my chest.

"It kinda is, honestly," Mum answered between laughter and I rolled my eyes at her. "Okay, I apologize because this is very sensitive to you. But let me ask you this."

She paused to see if she got my attention, and I turned to her, silently telling her that she could ask me anything.

"Whatever happened between the two of you," she began and I nodded. "Is it enough for you to break up with him?"

"No," I said in a heartbeat.

"Then why would you think that's what I was insinuating?" She asked, and I didn't have a good answer to give. "Is it because of what happened in the past?" She asked again, and I exhaled.

"I don't know, maybe?" I sighed, massaging my temple with my fingers. "It kinda took a while before you could accept me dating again due to what happened in the past. I just thought you insinuating that I should break up is your way of protecting me." I said.

"If it comes to that, yes, I would advise it," she stated pointedly and I blinked, trying to understand her. "But you just said it yourself that what's happened between the both of you that caused this issue isn't enough for you to break up with him... and I trust you."

A smile spread across my face because I felt understood. It meant so much that Mum trusted me, it also meant so much that she had so much faith in Chima and me.

"The point I was trying to make is that," she continued and I listened, "it seems like both you and Sochima have forgotten that you are still kids. Or rather, putting it in the context of this issue between the two of you, you seem to have forgotten that he is a kid." She said.

My nose scrunched as I tried to understand the point she was driving at.

"Can you explain more?"

"Okay."

Mum set down her boba tea and turned in the seat to look at me better. My eyes remained trained on hers as I paid attention to what she was about to tell me.

"Given the events of your last relationship and it more or less brought you and Sochima together, you have made yourself believe that you cannot do worse than Tekena," she remarked, and I nodded slowly.

That's not a lie.

"So, Sochima coming into your life and treating you like a princess, you have automatically and dare I say, subconsciously put him on a pedestal, squatting him to the perfect guy who can do no wrong. But that's wrong because he is not perfect. He is a kid and he is bound to make mistakes." She deadpanned.

I remained mute for a moment, digesting everything she said and making sense of it.

Did I put Chima on a pedestal and now that he has topped, I'm spiraling?

"But..." I choked out. "It's not like I don't expect him to make mistakes. We are human, and we are all bound to make mistakes. I, for one, have made my fair share of mistakes. The main issue is that fact that he is allowing those mistakes to get between us." I cried out in frustration.

"Damipe, you guys have never had such a big fight before," Mum began again, putting her hand around me and drawing me close. "And unlike you, he has never been in a relationship before now to know how to handle big fights. He probably thinks staying away or asking for space is the best way to go about it—"

"—Well, he is wrong!" I interjected sharply.

"Yes, he is," Mum agreed with me. "But he probably doesn't understand the gravity of what is doing and that's why you have to let him know," she said.

"As if he will pick up my calls or reply to my messages," I mumbled, cleaning angry tears that were welling up in my eyes. Mum chuckled.

"Damipe, listen to me," she called to me softly and I looked at her. "You have to remember that in this context, you know better because you have experienced worse. Sochima hasn't experienced anything so he doesn't know better or worse," she said and I exhaled, taking it all in like a sponge soaking up water.

"Don't assume he is an island of knowledge in everything all because he is an academic genius," she went on and I hummed, taking that in too. "He is still young and still learning, just like you are. Remember that."

Mum was right. Very right.

I sighed, feeling a wave of calmness and clarity wash over me.

"I just wish he would speak to me," I whispered, leaning into Mum and placing my head on her shoulder. She gave my arm a comforting and reassuring squeeze.

"I'm going to ask you this again," she spoke. "Whatever happened between you two, is it enough reason to break up with him?"

"No," I answered again in a heartbeat.

"As he been good to you in the last five months of your relationship?" She questioned again.

"Yes," I responded immediately.

"Then that's all you need right now," Mum said, and I sighed. "Get angry with him and let him know that his behavior has been wrong but don't throw away a good guy because of all the emotions you are feeling right now. Sochima is one of the good ones." She reminded me, her words sinking in like anchors in the depths of my soul.

"I know, Mum," I whispered back, the weight of her advice settling over me like a warm blanket.

We stayed in silence for a while longer, the only sound being the gentle hum of the air conditioning. I closed my eyes, letting my thoughts drift as I mulled over everything my mom had just said.

Memories of the past five months with Chima flashed through my mind, each one accompanied by a surge of emotion. From our very first date at Wonder Coast, he made me feel like I was floating on air, filling me with laughter and my heart with joy.

His presence was always like a warm embrace, wrapping me in a blanket of comfort and security, like a constant sense of reassurance that he is never going to leave me.

I remember the way his eyes always sparkled with affection whenever he looked at me, his smile melting away any worries or doubts I had. He always had a way of making me feel special, loved, and cherished like I was the most important person in his world. And he made promises of more – more adventures, more laughter, more love.

More of us.

Everything about him was infused with a depth of intimacy that transcended words.

I didn't want to throw it away because I was angry at him. Heaven knows I missed him more than I was angry at him.

"Sorry," Mom interjected, breaking the silence abruptly. She moved so I had to remove my head from her shoulder. "I need to grab something from the car real quick," she said.

"Okay," I nodded. She flashed me a smile before standing up and making to leave. "Mum," I called to her and she looked at me.

"Yes, baby,"

"Thank you," I said.

Her lips stretched in a bigger smile before she leaned down and pressed a kiss to my forehead. She didn't say anything else, turning around and walking away. I watched her leave, feeling a sense of gratitude wash over me for her support and guidance.

She made me see this situation in an entirely new dimension.

Feeling more relaxed, I continued drinking my boba tea as I waited for my mum.

One minute passed. I continued waiting.

Two minutes.

Three minutes.

Okay...

I glanced at my watch at four minutes, wondering what was taking so long. What was it she even wanted to get from the car? She didn't tell me.

Maybe I should be a little patient. I relaxed again, sipping my boba tea.

Five minutes.

Six minutes.

Seven minutes.

Okay, this is weird.

At this point, I was already getting worried.

I stood up from the bench and looked around the scanty park, retrieving my phone from the pocket of my jogger and dialing her number, praying that she would pick up and ease my concerns.

God answered my prayer because the clicking sound came, indicating that she picked up.

"Mum?" I breathed out in relief. "Where are you? Are you okay?" I asked frantically.

"I'm fine baby," there was a little laughter in her voice. "But... I have to tell you something." She said, and the way she said that made me feel very uneasy.

"What is it, mum? You are scaring me." I was legit fidgeting already, ready to bolt out of the park and should KIDNAPPER.

"I'm sorry," was all she said, plunging me into deep confusion.

Ehn?

"What—" the beeping sound cut me off, indicating that she had hung up on me. I removed the phone from my ear and stared at it like it was an alien.

What in God's name—

"Dawn."

In that instant, everything seemed to stand still.

My heart skipped a beat as a rush of emotions flooded over me like a tidal wave, my heart fluttering and dancing to the rhythm of the voice as if it recognized the melody. The cadence of the voice, the depth and richness of it was like a familiar melody that echoed in the recesses of my mind.

It was a voice I knew all too well.

It was the voice that whispered sweet nothings to my ear and shared my deepest desires.

My body reacted instinctively, every nerve tingling with recognition as if it had been waiting for this moment. A shiver ran down my spine and goosebumps sprouted on my skin as the voice reverberated in the very core of my being, igniting a flame of longing that burned brightly in my chest.

I turned slowly, almost hesitantly in the direction of the voice, my heart pounding in my chest.

And there he was, standing just ten feet away from me, his presence filling the space between us with a tangible intensity.

Our eyes met and in that moment, it was as if the entire world had faded away, leaving only the two of us in our private universe.

I drank in the sight of him, every line of his face etched with familiarity and longing. His eyes, pools of depth, and emotions held me captive, warm and soulful.

I wasn't dreaming. He was standing right in front of me.

Chima was standing right in front of me.

But despite all the giddy emotions that came with his presence, anger and hurt accompanied them, washing through me like a tsunami.

"What are you doing here?" I fired at him, my forehead creasing into a deep frown.

"Okay," he breathed, holding his hands up in surrender. "I know you are upset with me but—"

I laughed, cutting his off abruptly.

"Upset?" I asked incredulously. "No Chima, upset doesn't cut it! I am more than upset!" I snapped.

"Justifiably so, Dawn. You have every right to be."

He agreed with me so easily, soulful brown eyes gleaming with remorse and regret that made me want to drop everything I have, everything I held against him and kiss him to breathlessness.

And that fucking annoyed me to my core.

I looked away from him, telling myself that I wouldn't be brought into subjection and submission by his irrevocable charm.

"I am not speaking to you," I stated defiantly.

"Dawn, please..."

His voice trembled with so much raw emotion that shook me to my knees and almost had me thawing.

Almost.

Stand your ground, Dawn! I chided myself.

"If you would excuse me," I picked up my boba tea and flashed him a faux charming smile. "I am going to look for my mum."

And with that, I started walking away from him as fast as my tiny legs could carry me.

"You won't find her."

That made me stop in my tracks and turn around to look at Chima.

What?

"What do you mean?"

My tone was cynic and skeptical, my hands folded across my chest as I fought to keep up with the hard girl demeanor. Chima exhaled and moved closer, apology written all over his face. 

"She has gone home, Dawn," He said, plunging me into deep confusion.

Ehn? Mum left me here?

I was so confused, trying to make sense of what Chima just said. But the next words that came out of his mouth cleared up all confusion.

"She brought you here as per my request," he said and I looked at him. "I told her to bring you here so that we could talk." He elaborated, allowing the implication of his words to settle in my mind.

The silence that followed after that statement was deafening.

I stared at Chima as the words finally registered in my head and made sense, Mum's last words on the phone call and the reason she was apologizing to me finally taking shape.

It all made sense.

Blinking, I opened my mouth to speak but no words came out, so I closed it back.

This was all a setup. Mum didn't bring me out here so that I would relax and clear my head. She brought me out here because of Chima and went ahead to "soften" my heart towards him so that I wouldn't be too angry with him.

It was all a fucking conspiracy.

I opened my mouth again to speak but all that came out was a small, breathless humorless laugh, still trying to grapple with the reality that I was played by my mum and my boyfriend.

Big time.

"So, what I'm hearing is," I started speaking again, feeling that maybe if I said it out loud, it wouldn't sound as bad as my mind was making it out to be. "You shut me out for two weeks—"

"— I didn't shut you out, Dawn," he interjected softly, trying to defend himself but I held out my hand to stop him from speaking further.

"You shut me out for two weeks," I repeated, looking him dead in the eye and daring him to interject again. He didn't. "And then you conspire with my mum to bring me out here so that we could... talk?"

No, it didn't work. It sounded so much worse saying it out loud.

I was baffled at the sheer audacity of this man.

Chima exhaled in dejection, his shoulders slumping in what seemed like resignation.

"That sounds about right, but—"

I didn't even wait to hear what more he had to say before I spun on my heels and started walking away from him.

"Dawn! Dawn wait, please!"

He called after me, heavy footsteps sounding right behind me as he tried to catch up with me. I tried to walk faster but he caught up with me in no time, jumping right in front of me to stop me from walking any further.

"Dawn."

He tried to touch me and I went ballistic, everything coming out of my mouth being Spanish.

"No me toques!" I snapped and he held his hand up in surrender. He might not have understood what I said, but language has absolutely no barrier when one is angry.

And I was furious.

"De verdad crees que puedes simplemente acorralarme y esperar que todo vuelva a la normalidad? No, Chima! No!" I screamed at him. "He estado tratando de comunicarme contigo durante dos semanas, Chima. Dos semanas!" I held my index and middle finger up to indicate. "No respondías mis llamadas, en algún momento incluso apagaste tu teléfono. Intenté mandarte mensajes de texto, no obtuve respuesta. Incluso fui hasta tu casa, pero tus hermanos seguían diciendo que no estabas, lo cual estoy segura de que es mentir—"

"Oluwadamipe—"

He called my middle name softly, tentatively, rolling off his tongue like a seductive melody and sending shivers running down my spine. There was an undeniable allure in the way he pronounced each syllable, correctly if I might add, infusing it with a richness and depth that seemed to resonate with the very depths of my soul.

I refuse to be seduced!

"No he terminado de hablar!" I yelled, jabbing my index finger into his chest and stopping the rest of his words at the tip of his tongue. He rose his hands in surrender again, allowing me to ramble on.

"Intenté darte espacio, quería darte espacio, pero por el amor de Dios, Chima, también estaba sufriendo y necesitaba a mi novio. Te necesitaba y no estabas en ningún lado," I cried out. "Me ignoraste por completo! Me excluiste! Y por quién? Por ese tonto, Tekena Tamuno? Estás bromeando? Me ignoraste cuando simplemente podríamos haber tenido una conversación, Chima. Una maldita conversación!"

There was absolute silence right after my outburst, the silence smothering the air with an oppressive stillness. My heart was pounding in my chest, the only sound echoing loudly in the silence, along with the faint sound of our breathing as I waited for Chima's response.

Nothing.

Not a word came from him at that moment, but I couldn't help but notice the subtle twitch of his lips, just a flicker of movement.

He was fighting back a smile.

Chima was fighting back a smile.

He was struggling to maintain his composure because of my outburst. But then, despite his best effort to keep it together, his resolve broke and his lips stretched into that bright charming smile of his that illuminated his entire face.

And immediately, a layer of my facade broke.

Shit!

"What in God's name is so funny!" I snapped at him my frustration in being completely weak in his presence very evident.

Still chuckling, he held two fingers up.

"Two reasons. One," he started. "You know I don't understand a word of what you just said, right?" His eyebrow tugged up teasingly, reminding me that I just rambled on and on in Spanish about my feelings and he had no idea what I said.

I mentally face-palmed.

"Two," he continued. "You sound incredibly hot when you speak Spanish."

He breathed out in that husky, seductive voice, and just like that, I melted like an ice cube in a microwave.

On God, I thawed like Anna did when Elsa held her in the first part of the Frozen Animation. Every single anger I felt vanished into thin air.

Poof.

Just like that.

"Argh!"

I shrieked in utter annoyance and exasperation, throwing my hands out to hit Chima across the chest and push him away from me. I cannot think straight with him being this close to me.

But Chima had other plans.

Before my palms could make contact with his chest, he caught them mid-air, delft swerving them behind my back and grooming them together with one of his own. In the process, he pushed my body against him, eliminating any space between us.

Fuck.

A sharp breath escaped my lips against my better judgment, but I couldn't help it even if I tried. His touch sent a jolt of electricity coursing through me, igniting a fire at the pit of my stomach that spread throughout my body like a forest fire in the harmattan.

I felt a rush of warmth suffuse every inch of my being.

The sensation of his chest against mine, the rhythm of his breath mingling with my own, the whiff of his scent enveloping my senses, all of it sent shivers running down my spine, making me weak to the knees. I could feel the heat radiating off his skin, the subtle tension thrumming through his body like a taut wire.

Our eyes met and immediately, the rest of the word faded into oblivion.

I could feel the intensity of his gaze. It was as if he could see right through me, right past all the bravado I was trying to put up, peeling away the layers until all that remained was raw vulnerability and hurt.

"Let me go," I whispered, my voice weak.

"No," he adamantly refused, his eyes gentle and pleading. "Not until you agree for us to speak."

"You are in no position to demand that from me right now, Chima," I retorted.

"I know," he agreed so easily again, breaking every tiny bit of resolve I had left. "But I'm not demanding, Dawn. I am asking— no, I am begging you. Let's talk... please," he begged.

I looked into his eyes and I could see the whirlwind of emotions swirling in them. There was a pleading desperation, a yearning. His eyes were filled with raw vulnerability, baring his soul out for me to see. And then, there was fear. Deep-seated Fear. A gnawing uncertainty that tugged at the edges.

Fear of losing me.

I broke, a shaky breath escaping my lips, my body automatically relaxing against his. A breath left his lips too, a sigh of relief.

"I'm going to let your hands go now," he said and I nodded. "Promise me you won't run."

"I promise."

Agreeing with him at that moment came easy so, he let my hands go, and just like I promised him, I didn't run. I just folded my hands and waited for him to make his case. He breathed out again, clasping his hands in front of him in a pleading manner.

"I messed up," he began.

"You more than messed up," I retorted, my voice not harsh but firm.

"I know, Dawn," he whispered back, admitting his wrongs again. But I wasn't satisfied.

"No, Chima. I don't think you do," I fired back and he kept quiet, shoulders slumping in dejection. "I get it, our emotions were heightened and all over the place after what happened in the court, but still, we could have just talked things through—

Instead, you went off the deep end. You lashed out at me, hurling really hurtful words at me, blaming me for what happened when you knew better than anyone else in that room that I was just as much of a victim as you were. Do you have any idea how that made me feel?"

Tears were welling up in my eyes at this point.

"I am sorry," his voice was still in a whisper, but his eyes remained trained on me as he begged like he wanted me to see how sorry he was. "I made a mistake. I needed someone to blame aside myself for the way I was feeling in that moment and that's why I blamed you. It was wrong. I was wrong, and I swear, I didn't mean a word of what I said. I wanted to take it back, Dawn. As soon as I got home and thought back on everything I said to you, I wanted to take it all back."

"But you didn't," I countered. "You shut me out for two weeks, Chima. Fourteen days. You wouldn't answer my calls, or reply to my messages. You wouldn't speak to me!" I cried out.

"I never wanted to shut you out," he defended. "It wasn't my intention to, I swear."

"Then why didn't you reach out?" I questioned him.

He was silent for a bit, but he reached into the pocket of his jeans and brought out his phone, holding it up for me to see. I glanced at it and looked back at him in confusion, wondering what it meant.

"For the first time since that day, I'm just getting my phone back," he answered. "It has been off and it's still off," he pressed the power button to prove himself. "I can even put it on right now to show you that I haven't seen any message or gotten any phone call in the last two weeks."

There was nothing but sincerity in his voice, nothing but honesty in his eyes.

Chima wasn't lying.

He doesn't lie.

Even if he tried to, I would catch him because he was such a terrible liar. He would legit break into hives and confess within two seconds of telling a lie.

That's how much of a terrible liar he was.

So he wasn't lying.

"How did you call my mum then?" I asked anyway.

"My mum's phone," he answered in a heartbeat. "Dawn, I was grounded as soon as I got home because Sir. Isaac called my parents as soon as I left his office. All my devices were confiscated, including the diary where your number, your parents' number, and Dean's number were. Every single day for the past two weeks, I'd follow my mum to her boutique very early in the morning, run errands for her including market runs, pick up orders for her, and come back home very late in the night.—

That was my punishment. I couldn't reach you even if I tried, and Heaven knows I tried so hard to because I couldn't live with myself knowing that I hurt you the way I did,"

He was laying it all out for me, laying it bare, offering up his most vulnerable self in a desperate bid for forgiveness, and I didn't even know what to say to him at this point.

A lone tear escaped my eyes and I quickly wiped it off.

"It was torture, Dawn," he went on, his voice quivering. "It was torture not being able to speak to you, not being able to tell you that I didn't mean a word of those hurtful things I said. It was torture having to think that I have ruined us, that I hurt you just like he did.—"

No... I choked out a sob.

"But I did hurt you," he said like he could hear my thoughts, indicating that I said it out loud. "Even after promising you that I'd never make you cry, I made you cry, Dawn. You cried because of me and I hate myself for it.—

That's why as soon as the time frame for me being grounded ended at noon, I called your mum," he continued. "I didn't call you because I felt that you wouldn't want to speak to me," he confessed and I sniffed. "And I'm sorry it seems like I tricked you, or played you, or conspired against you to bring you here, but I needed to see you, Dawn. I had to. I need to fix this."

I could hear the pain and regret of his own mistakes in his voice, could see it etched into the lines of his face.

"Chima,"

I started to speak, but my words halted at the tip of my tongue when he reached out to gently cup my face in his hands, his thumb daintily brushing the drop of tears that had escaped my eyes. I leaned into his touch.

"I should have never blamed you for what happened," he spoke, his voice thick with emotion. "It wasn't your fault, none of it was your fault. You are my anchor, but in that moment of weakness, I pushed you away and for that, I am truly sorry,"

His gaze bore into mine with an intensity that bordered on despair, sending shivers running through my spine. He was stripping himself for me to see, stripping himself of all pretense and artifice.

"I know that words alone can't undo the hurt my words brought you," he went on, his voice trembling with sincerity, his thumb caressing the skin of my face absentmindedly. "But please, Dawn, give me another chance to make things right.—

I'll do whatever it takes to earn back your trust and forgiveness, just please, don't give up on us. Don't give up on what we have."

The desperation in his voice and the helplessness in his eyes touched me to the core, a vulnerability that spoke volumes of his genuine remorse, his desire for my forgiveness, and his determination to make things right.

At this point, I couldn't even stop the tears from cascading down my eyes, my breath quivering.

"I love you more than anything in this world and beyond this world."

He declared without batting an eyelid, and I could see the depth of his love shining through, a love that burned with the intensity of a billion suns.

"And I'll spend every moment of the rest of my life proving it to you. So please, Dawn, give me that chance."

I didn't think I could thaw more than how I had already thawed but I did, because in that moment, I saw someone ready to fix things no matter what it took. His eyes and his words showed regret for what went wrong, a longing to make things right, and an unyielding love.

And right there and then, I knew I couldn't turn him away.

They don't even born me well to turn him away.

"Chima," I started, my voice trembling as well as I trained my eyes on him. "You have to promise me that nothing like this will ever happen again,"

"I promise," he responded in a heartbeat.

"Promise me that if something is bothering you, you'll speak up so that we will have a conversation about it,"

"I promise."

"Promise me that we'll never let the sun go down on any of our agreements. We will talk about it right there and then and end it."

"I promise, Dawn," he said softly, his voice laced with conviction and determination. "With all my heart, I promise."

And I believed him.

"Good," I could finally breathe. "Now, please hug me."

As I uttered those words, a sense of relief washed over me, like a heavy weight lifting from my chest. And when Chima's lips stretched into a smile at my request, it felt like the sun was breaking through the clouds after a huge storm.

Without hesitation, he legit gathered me into his arms, while I lifted myself on my tippy toes and threw my arms around his neck.

Home...

I could feel the warmth of his embrace seeping into my bones, comforting me in a way words never could. He held me tighter, wrapping his arms around me and burying his face in his favorite spot— the hallow of my neck, a shaky breath of relief escaping his lips and tickling my skin.

I did the same, inhaling his familiar scent, feeling safe and relishing in the feeling of having him this close to me which was exactly everything I'd been craving for the past two weeks.

Still, I wanted more. Wanted to feel him more.

And as if Chima could hear my thoughts, he heeded.

With effortless ease, he lifted me, and I wrapped my leg around his waist, holding on to him with all my strength, not caring that we were in the open. Our bodies molded together seamlessly as we held on like we were each other's lifeline.

I've missed him so damn much.

Soon, we pulled back slightly, our foreheads touching and our breaths mingling in the air between us.

Finally...

I looked into his eyes.

"I Love You," I whispered.

"No Capping." He whispered back, his voice hushed with core affection and my lips twitched in a smile.

If there was anything I missed more in these two weeks, it was No Capping.

"Mum would be so thrilled to see you," Chima said as he drove into the barracks, making a turn that led to his house. "She would act as if she's not the reason we didn't see you in this house in the last two weeks," he rolled his eyes and I chuckled.

"Don't blame her for it," I nudged him playfully. "You legit brutalized a human being— who is a piece of shot and deserved it by the way, but still. Any parent would have reacted the way she did."

"Not my dad," he scoffed and I gapped in shock. "Despite recounting how it all went down to my parents, my mum still went ballistic on me, confiscated all my devices, and sent me to my room. Dad came in and asked if Tekena bled. When I said yes, he gave me a high five and said 'good job'. I was so shocked."

I burst into laughter.

"You are kidding." I couldn't believe it.

"I wish I was, babe. I wish I was," he replied with laughter in his voice too, shaking his head. "I think that was what made me finally be at peace with what I did," he continued and I listened. "The bastard went after the love of my life and her brother. He is lucky he isn't dead."

Those words tugged on my heartstrings in more ways than one. I had to bite down hard on my lower lip to stop me from smiling so hard.

"So," I drawled. "You don't feel bad anymore for beating him up?" I asked.

"Feel bad?" He scoffed out a laugh, turning his head to look at me. "I'd do it again in a heartbeat, but this time, I'll finish the job."

"Then I'll come and visit you in prison?"

"Then you'll come and visit me in prison."

We burst into laughter, laughing at our silly joke.

Soon, we reached the front of his house and he parked. We had not even gotten out of the car fully when the door of the house burst open and the twins came out running with the speed of lightening.

"Dawn!" They shrieked, running toward me.

I laughed heartily, holding my hands out for them to hug me and they lunged themselves at me, almost toppling me over.

"Careful guys!" Chima chided, but I told him I was okay, hugging the twins back.

"I missed you guys so much!" I cooed.

"I missed you more!" Ariel cried.

"Have you and Ansel finally broken up?" Axel shot out of the blues, knocking the breath right out of me.

Oh wow.

I looked at Chima and found him staring back at his brother like he just sprouted an extra limb.

"Somto, can you stop making a move on my girlfriend, please?" He came to my side and wove his finger through mine, adding a little emphasis on the word girlfriend. "And yes, she is still my girlfriend, so back it up." He added a hint of possessiveness in his voice.

"Well, it's only a matter of time before she dumps your ass and comes running to the real man," Axel beat his chest in pride. Then he turned to me. "Shebi he beat up a guy for you? Me, I'll take a bullet for you!" He boasted.

"Why, you little—"

And they went into a full-blown argument on who deserves me more.

Watching Chima try to assert and mark his territory around me against his own younger brother was so comical, I couldn't help but laugh.

"Boys," Ariel rolled her eyes and nudged me. "Am I right?"

"Right!" I matched her sass, laughing even more.

God, I missed this family.

When Chima and Axel were done with their antics, we all walked into the house together. As soon as I entered, I was hit with the smell of delicious home-cooked meal. Mama Johnson wasn't in sight so I knew immediately that she was in the kitchen.

I am definitely staying for dinner.

"Mum,"

Chima called out as he took my hand and led me toward the kitchen like I didn't already know the way. When we got there, she was backing us, humming to herself as she ran around preparing this and that. It was obvious she didn't hear the first call.

"Mum," Chima called again, a little louder this time and she turned around, her face lighting up as soon as her eyes met mine.

"Dawn!" She screamed in delight and I smiled wide, leaving Chima's side to go hug her.

"Good evening, mum," I greeted her.

"Good evening my love!" She kissed me on both cheeks, eliciting a fit of giggles from me. "I missed you so much!"

"Yeah, and who's fault is that?" Chima accused.

"Will you shut up there!" She snapped back at him. "Shey you know your punishment isn't over? In fact, no meat for you tonight. I'll give it to Dawn."

"Yes!" I concurred wholeheartedly.

"And just like that, I'm chopped liver," Chima grumbled.  Mama Johnson tsked at him before turning back to look at me.

"I'm so sorry for the last two weeks, but you understand why I had to do what I did,"

"Of course, mum," I nodded. "It's okay."

She smiled.

"Hope you are staying for dinner?" She asked me.

"Definitely!" I answered in a heartbeat. "Everything in here smells good." I looked around, clapping my hands with glee.

"Good!" She said with a grin. "We have a lot to catch up on."

"Okay mum," Chima spoke up, taking my hand in his again. "I'm whisking my girlfriend away now. We will be in my room, catching up."

I cleared my throat at how wrong that sounded.

"Catching up." She repeated with her face contorted in a knowing look, folding her hands across her chest. I paused my lips to stop myself from laughing.

"Mum." Chima gave her a look.

"Fine!" She rolled her eyes. "Keep the door open."

"Yes ma'am," Chima replied, hijacking two pieces of fried plantain sitting in a bowl on the counter. He took one in his mouth and put the other one into my mouth.

"I saw that!" Mama Johnson called behind her and we laughed, hurrying out of the kitchen and making our way to Chima's room upstairs.

And like a good son, he did leave his door open.

(Sochima's Room)

Since we started dating, I've only been in Chima's room once, so entering it still felt kinda new to me. His room was rather spacious, but simple, painted in a neutral color but still chic and well-lit.

His bed was queen-sized and on either side were minimalistic bedside stools. Just beside the bed was a reading table, and on the wall above the bed were Lakers posters. A typical boy's bedroom but not so typical. It looked homely.

It felt homely.

"You know I've only been to your room once," I told Chima, plopping down on the bed.

Oh, soft.

"Are you serious?" Chima sounded rather shocked at that fact.

"On God!"

"Wow!" He chuckled. "We are going to have to change that," he said with a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. I bobbed my head to the side, my lips mirroring his smirk.

"Sochima Ansel Johnson," I called his full name. "Are you trying to get me in bed?" I teased him, not thinking hard and deep about the several ways this could backfire.

And yes, it did backfire.

"I never said that—" he replied, shaking his head slowly as he closed the gap between us till he was towering over me.

My breath caught in my throat when he moved closer and leaned in till his face was just inches away from mine, his hands came to rest on either side of me on the bed, holding his weight up and in the same sense, trapping me... a gesture that sent a thrill coursing through my veins.

I couldn't feel his breath on my face, mingling with mine.

There was a teasing glint in his eyes, a playful smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he leaned in even more, his face now just a breath from mine.

I swallowed.

"—but now, you are giving me ideas." He finished, his voice in a husky whisper. Then he moved a bit so that his lips would brush mine. I gasped, trying to lean into the kiss...

But he pulled away, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.

"I hate you,"

Gosh, why am I so breathless?

"No, you don't," he chuckled.

And with a casual flick of his wrist, he tossed his shirt over his head, his movement fluid and effortless. My breath caught in my throat as my eyes traced the lines of his physique, instinctively pulling my bottom lip in between my teeth.

Is it two weeks of not seeing him that's making me this horny?

"I'm going to shower," Chima said, bringing me out of my reverie. "Wanna join?" He smirked, teasing me.

Argh! I picked a pillow and chugged it at him.

"Get out of here!"

He laughed, walking into the bathroom. It wasn't until he was safely within the confines of the bathroom that I was able to breathe properly.

This boy. I shook my head and chuckled to myself.

After sending Mum a quick text that I'd be having dinner here, I got up from the bed and busied myself with looking around the room, memorizing the features so that the next time I came in here, it wouldn't be strange or new to me.

From my peripheral vision, I caught sight of a picture frame sitting on his reading table and picked it up to have a closer look. Then, I smiled when I finally interpreted the image.

It was a sketch of younger Mama Johnson carrying a baby which I immediately knew was Chima.

So pretty. I stared at it longingly, my smile stretching even more.

"What have you got there?" Chima's voice rang out behind me, nearly startling me.

That was a fast shower. 

I turned around to see him coming out of the bathroom, using the edge of the towel around his neck to dab his hair, water dripping down his naked torso and disappearing down the band of his joggers. I raised the frame for him to see and a smile immediately appeared on his lips.

"You and your mum." It was more of a statement than a question but Chima nodded anyway.

"Yeah," he answered, his eyes glimmering with a mix of love, longing and reverence. "I had someone sketch a picture that was about to get destroyed. He sketched two and I framed both. I gave Mum one for her last birthday and kept one for myself." He said.

"It's so pretty," I cooed. "And it's such a thoughtful gift too. I bet she loved it."

"Oh, she did," he chuckled, adoration twinkling in his eyes. "She wouldn't stop thanking me for it, and kept waving it in my Dad's face to pepper him."

I laughed at that.

"I would have done the same," I admitted, looking back at the timeless image. "My brothers will not even come near it," I added and Chima laughed, only this time, rather softly.

Still smiling, I placed the picture back on the table, my fingers trailing the frame absentmindedly till I felt— saw Chima's hand on mine, his fingers daintily trailing over mine.

When  I looked up at him, he was already gazing at me, the intensity of his eyes piercing through the minuscule space between us, sending shivers running down my spine and stirring emotion I had had to keep in check for the past two weeks.

Heaven knows I didn't even know we were standing this close to each other.

"What?" My voice came out in a whisper with a hint of laughter.

"I missed you."

He whispered back, his voice resonating with a deep husky timbre, every word dripping with longing, carrying the eight of the time we spent apart. Warmth flooded my chest and a soft smile tugged on my lips.

"I missed you too,"

It was a simple declaration, yet it carried so much weight.

In one little stride, Chima closed the remaining distance between us till there was nothing left. Every inch of my body tingled with awareness, my heart quickening its pace as anticipation coursed through my veins.

He was a little hesitant, just like our first time... and dare I say it, there's an intimacy in hesitation. His left hand hovered above my cheeks, prodding the question that he didn't even have to ask.

Can I touch you?

A single nod from me was all he needed and his fingers met my skin, causing my eyes to flutter close and dragging a shaky breath from me. Then his other hand slipped into the flannel I had over my black tube top, circling my waist and pulling my body to flush against his.

I literally melted, our proximity igniting a familiar yet intoxicating sensation. It didn't help matters that his fingers kept tracing delicate patterns along my naked spine, sending jolts of desire coursing through me.

He held my gaze intently as he leaned his head lower, stopping just when his lips were a breath from mine.

My lips tugged.

"You are not going to tease me again, are you?"

Damn it, I couldn't even recognize my own voice.

"Nah."

His voice was equally unrecognizable, breathless, his eyes glancing down to my lips before meeting my eyes again, clouded with so many hardcore emotions that made me weak to the knees.

"I've wanted to do this since the moment I saw you in the park." He confessed and I giggled, my giggles transcending into a soft main when his lips met mine.

Okay, I lied. No capping comes second.

This... kissing Chima, or rather, having Chima kiss me, is what I missed the most in the last two weeks.

I closed my eyes, flinging the towel around his neck to a corner of the room I didn't bother looking at before snaking my hands around his neck. I soaked in the feel of his soft lips tasting mine, experimenting like he was trying to re-memorize the feeling of kissing me, and then pressing again.

He was gentle, yet rough, sending scorching hot flames coursing through my veins, and with each tender kiss, I felt myself surrendering, my body responding eagerly to his touch.

Oh my...

With each passing moment, our kisses grew more urgent, more passionate. His tongue swept across the seam of my lips, which I immediately parted, inviting him in without reservations. His tongue slipped in tentatively, tangling and dancing with mine with an intensity that left me breathless.

I moaned softly against his lips, my fingers tangling into his hair as I pulled his face closer, craving him with every fiber of my being.

But suddenly, Chima pulled back slightly and I whined in protest.

"What?" I was confused, my voice coming out in a breathless whine.

"The door," he replied urgently, sounding equally out of breath. That was when I realized the door was still open, leaving us exposed to whoever came to this side.

The twins.

Mama Johnson.

Shit.

In one swift motion, Chima left my side to shut the door, the click of the key turning in the lock echoing in the room. Once the door was shut, he came back to me and wasted not even a second before cupping my face in his hand and lowering his face to continue kissing me.

I sighed into the kiss, relaxing into him.

He kissed me— Chima kissed me like he had been starved for eternity. Just like a beast meant to devour me. And I wanted him too, so bad.

I felt drunk on him.

Feeling a little bold, I gently pushed him, watching him plop down on the bed with a hint of surprise flickering across his face. His eyes darkened, getting a whiff of what I wanted when I claimed to the bed. He adjusted, moving till his back was pressed against the headboard.

With a small smile, I got to him and threw my legs on either side of him... straddling him. His hands went into my flannel, wrapping possessively around my waist as he helped me settle on his lap. I leaned in closer, my hand instinctively cupping his face.

Our eyes met in a silent exchange of longing and desire, a connection that didn't need words before speaking volumes.

"I love you," he whispered and I smiled.

"No capping."

Our lips met again, but this time, our kiss was back to being slow and tender, shooting blazing surges of electric bolts through my body.

The movement of our lips was deliberate and hurried, slow open-mouthed kisses, sensual strokes of tongues dancing the tango.

His teeth grazed my bottom lip in a teasing gesture, sending shivers of pleasure coursing through me. I returned the favor, nipping at his lips with equal fervor that seemed to shock him.

He made a low guttural noise at the back of his throat and the erotic sound vibrated through my body.

My hands began to explore, my fingertips gliding delicately over Chima's bare chest, tracing the contours of his muscles intricately and feeling the rhythmic beat of his heart— erratic but strong.

His body responded to my touch as if it knew me, arching slightly into me as my fingers roamed lower. A growl— a deliriously low growl left his lips and disappeared between mine. He sighed into my lips like he was breathing into me.

Without his lips leaving mine, his hands left my waist, fingertips trailing along my skin till they reached the opening of my flannel. And with a gentle, yet confident movement of his hand, he helped me shrug it off, leaving me in only the black tube that covered my boobs and my joggers.

He pulled back, leaning back slightly as he drank in the sight of me with a gaze that felt primal.

"You are so beautiful,"

He said that with so much tenderness that contrasted with the raw, untamed passion I could see in his eyes.

I let him keep kissing me with a hunger that bordered on unbridled greed. His teeth grazed harshly over my lower lip, eliciting a soft gasp from me. He tugged and nibbled, teasing me and I melted into him, moans and gasps leaving my lips like silent prayers, my finger tangling into his hair just the way he liked it.

When his lips moved from my lips to my neck, I shivered against him.

Each kiss and nibble sent sparks of pleasure shooting through, his lips leaving a trail of fire in their back. Sighing, I tilted my head back to give him better access, my breath hitching when I felt his teeth graze my sensitive skin, right above my pulse, undoubtedly leaving a mark.

His mark.

His lips trailed to my collarbone and further down to the swell of my cleavage, feeling his way up till his hands were right under my bust.

I didn't stop him.

Rather, I didn't want to stop him.

Then his thumbs disappeared into the band of my tube, delivering dainty, feather-like touches over the under-swell of my boobs, breezily grazing my *** that was literally as hard as rocks now.

I arched my back against him, sharp breaths escaping my lips, and started grinding against him. A wild growl escaped his lip and I felt his hands leave my middle to palm my bum, his large hands feeling me up— grabbing, groping, squeezing.

He was greedy, and I loved it.

Chima pressed me into his hips, making me feel the heat of his hardness against my thigh in a way that punched a moan out of me and a strangled groan from him. He couldn't seem to stop touching me, wanting nothing more than to feel me against him, holding me so that I could feel what I was doing to him.

And Damn... I could feel it

He brought his face back to kiss me some more and I kissed him back. Soft, slow, and deep, brushing tongue and lips against my own.

"We should stop," I whispered against his lips, even though it was the last thing I wanted us to do.

"A few more seconds," he growled back like he knew what was going on in my mind, his lips back on mine again, sending my head spinning and making me forget even my name.

Hot, scorching passion was all I felt...

And the need to kiss him deeper...

And an alarmingly overwhelming desire to shed my clothes—

"Dawn! Ansel!"

An aggressive knock came to the door, followed by a series of attempts to open the door.

"Kaima!" Chima growled in annoyance, burying his face in my chest. I giggled as I cradled his face.

"She can't come in," I reminded him.

"I know, but she just ruined the mood." He lamented, pouting his swollen lips and I laughed.

"You people should come out o!" Ariel kept screaming. "Daddy is back and dinner is ready!"

"We have heard you! Get out!" Chima screamed back at his sister and I laughed again at how aggressive he was.

I looked at the door when I heard receding footsteps, indicating to me that Ariel was leaving. Then I turned back to Chima and there he was, already looking at me, his eyes gentle but darkened with lust.

He was staring at me like he wanted to consume me.

"I guess we have to stop now."

His voice seemed to kiss me too, his lips dragging a sensual touch across my cheek, his scantily bearded chin grazing my skin, tickling me and making me giggle.

"God... you have no idea how much I want you right now." He groaned, his voice strained like he was in so much pain.

So fucking sexy.

"I think I have a pretty good idea," I whispered back with a sly smile playing on my lips, slightly moving my hips against his. His eyes widened and he grabbed my waist to stop me.

"Dawn!" He whispered-yelled, shocked at what I just pulled. I threw my head back, laughing.

When I looked back at Chima, he was smiling, looking at me like he was peering into the deepest corners of my being, with a tender intensity that spoke volumes of his desire. His eyes were soft, yet filled with the fire of need and passion.

With a soft smile playing on my lips, I reached out, allowing my hands find their way to the back around his neck.

"Twenty seconds," I whispered, and he bobbed his head to the side in question. "We have at least twenty seconds till your mum comes knocking on that door herself."  I elaborated.

Chima's face lit up and his lips stretched in a Cheshire grin before his mouth covered mine again.

It was a soft kiss. No tongue. Just his lips taking mine, teasing and tugging playfully. My eyes fluttered close and I smiled against his lips.

Perfect.

This was perfect.

"I thought I told you people not to lock this door!"

Blood of Jesus!

My eyes flew open.

𝐀/𝐍

Sprinkles holy water and anointing oil 🥵💦🔥.

See what Bridgerton has caused 😭. I blame Bridgerton for all this because normally, I'm a good girl. I don't used to do bad things. Daughter of Zion to the core. But look at me now, I am writing bad bad tinz! Oh God! 😭

Chima and Dawn though😮‍💨🔥. Who knew Chima had it in him? I knew sha, but who else knew? All dem good boys are always the baddest boys 🌚. All they just need to say is "ov yah paynt" and everywhere will just scatter.

Dawn sef, The seductress 🌚🔥. I like that she's already getting comfortable enough to explore this side of her with Chima because she's safe with him. She's no longer shy or hesitant. She's bolder, and I'm all for it.

But unfortunately, this is the last you will see of them this way. Maybe in other characters POV, which won't be as detailed as this anyway.

The next chapter though😌. Disclaimer; it might be divided into two but the final part will end with something you have all been waiting for and I cannot wait for you guys to see it. What do you think it will be?🌚

Till then, you know the drill. Kisses 😘.