It's been a three weeks Aunty Sholly gave me a studio to work on the fashion line I was planning for. I was still in awe as to how Aunty Shola managed to get me this space. It was a huge workshop that needed a few touch up in them but that wasn't a priority for now. I had spent my day and night working on a clothing collection with the dead stock fabric Aunty Shola stored in them. I didn't think I was ready enough to make this wide space open for anyone to come in yet, I only came in here with the sewing machine I got and other sewing equipments I needed to create the collection.

I smiled whilst I tore each fabric into pieces and getting a white chalk to mark on the sewing patterns I needed.

Alot had happened in the space of just three weeks, if you are going to ask about Tunde, no bother! Things turned downhill with us for a bit after I ghosted him ever since our date saga. Well... here was a quick replay.

*flashback*

I got back home exhausted and frustrated hoping not to encounter any of Iya Yeside's endless nagging. What had happened with Mariya hadn't left my thoughts, her sobbing and her horribly bruised eyes. I didn't know why but I was emotionally drained, drained because Mariya didn't want us involved in it. I thought of so many things there was to do to that bastard, Yusef. Stab him? Hold him hostage and bath him in acid? Hire a hit man? So much intrusive thoughts that roamed through my mind.

Besides Yusef was a powerful man, a well known automotive business tycoon from a generation of bastard old money, in fact globally Yusef had that connection. My heart sank, pounding beat by beat in fear because I knew there was never going to be a downfall of Yusef next to Mariya. Of course Mariya came from a wealthy home of connections but not that of Yusef's. There was clearly a play of hierarchy abusers like Yusef would use to his advantage if ever he was to be exposed as an abuser.

Sure, there might be ways of helping but that man had Mariya wrapped around his fingers. A urge to feel a bit disdain for Mariya rushed to through me as well, why wouldn't she just let us help her? Their wedding ceremony was also around the corner and deep down, I knew Mariya wasn't going to call off the wedding.

"Yeside!" I groaned as Iya Yeside's high pitched voice from my door brought me back from my thoughts.

"Not now, iya Yeside." I called out in response.

"Someone is here to see you, it is Tunde."

Tunde? What could he be doing here by this time of the night? Was he here to berate me like he did during our date again?

I let out a heavy sigh, rubbing my temple in frustration and then walked to meet him. There he was, standing with an apologetic look along with roses in his hand.

"Hey," he greeted with a little smile. I was glad he could get a hint that I wasn't buying any of his friendliness. I held my arm in akimbo, still staring at him as no words left from my mouth. "I brought you flowers," he uttered again gesturing his hand to give them to me.

With Tunde, there were always red roses or lilies to give.

"What do you want, Tunde?" I voiced out finally.

"You haven't been answering my calls, I was worried and I figured-" here he was again, making it about what I did but never about the disrespect he constantly put me through.

"Well, there is no need for you to worry!" I cut him off curtly.

"Baby I am sorry, you know... I wasn't in the right frame of mind," he reached to hold my hands with guilt laced in his voice.

"Tunde, not at my expense. You were a bully that night!"

"I realized that baby and that's why I am sorry."

"You buy me flowers, telling me how much you love me yet you do nothing but bring me down. For how long is this going to continue, Tunde?"

"I didn't mean to. I was overwhelmed with work, the investment and got caught up in this dark-" I shook my head slowly at his rambling.

"Yes, that's the thing with you, Tunde. I am always the punching bag for every of your dark moment! Do you think I don't have shit going on for me too? I lost my job! I don't even have anything figured out for my life at thirty-three and I am battling with a family who cannot stand me for going through these things yet you don't see me spewing so much bile at you. Why? Because I love you! I love you, Tunde!" I let everything out to him word for word, it had to be said eventually.

"My dark moments?" Tunde replied defensively, I looked at him in shock, he was at it again feeling no remorse. "Your family and friends can barely stand me either and you know it! You think I don't hear their sneers and rude remarks about me? That you are dating a poor unsuccessful man who doesn't provide for you. Do you defend me when they say this?" He shot at me angrily, I stood there saying nothing to him and I could feel tears prickle my eyes. I thought to blink hard maybe all this was going to go away."Maybe you are right, I do not know for how long this is going to continue."

I shot another glare his way. Whatever he meant by 'this'?

"... I stand up for you all the time Tunde, are you even aware that I love you?"

"I don't know anymore, maybe we should take a break."

Egbami! Did he not come here with flowers trying to apologise to me?

"A break? We could-" I pleaded but he interrupted.

"No, Yeside. I need more time and you aren't giving me that."

"I have! I always give you time, Tunde! What about our travel plans? We can't put that on hold... Tunde..." tears stung my eyes with my hands reaching out to his.

"That can be on hold till we figure things out, we need this break," I felt my heart thumping when he said that. I really loved Tunde, the thought of him leaving me even when he was clearly in the wrong felt gut wrenching. "I hope you can accept my flowers, still..." he added not looking into my eyes.

"Tunde..."

"It's just for the meantime, I have to get going," he said in a low voice.

"Did you ever love me, Tunde?" I let out, a part of me feeling devastated that I ever wanted a reassurance from him.

"I do but do you?" He replied and there, I watched him leave.

Tears wobbled out my eyes, I must have been at fault or I was overreacting. I was sure I was going to spend the rest of my life with Tunde but us taking a break wasn't what I expected. Maybe he was right after all.

"I told you that boy isn't good for you," in came the tone I dreaded.

"Not now!" I yelled at Iya Yeside angrily, rushing back to my room.

Her judgement was the last thing I needed to hear.

*flashback ends*

Ever since, I made the decision to drown myself in projects I was planning for atleast to help get my mind off Tunde. Our mini break was the last thing I wanted to think of.

This week, I was going to start afresh. Money wasn't flowing in yet for enjoyment but with the little ajo I had, partying and spoiling myself would be a priority. No more man! I was only going to focus on my new found fashion business with no distractions.

Yinmu, sha mark your words.

My gaze shifted to the chiming smartphone I placed on the table beside me. I reached out for it to glance at whoever was calling.

Kamal Madaki. Shit!

I forgot about us getting to meet.