Sometimes, the best things in life are unexpected.
                           — Julia Sullivan

"So we have talked about almost everything except one thing." Kemi slipped a fork of spaghetti into her mouth. A new glint appeared in her eyes.

"And what is that?" Dora looked up from her plate of rice and shrimp sauce.

"You haven't told me how your meeting with Gerald went." She winked.

Dora groaned and rolled her eyes.

Not again!

"It was like every other meeting." She shrugged and took a spoonful of rice.

"Nope, it wasn't just any other meeting. It was a meeting between future husband and wife." Kemi smirked and wiggled her eyes at her.

Dora scowled and shook her head. "Don't say that; it was a meeting between two people doing business."

Kemi scoffed. "Keep feeding yourself lies.  Anyway, tell me, how did it go?" Kemi dropped her cutlery and leaned closer.

"I have already told you how it went." Dora sighed and broke eye contact.

"Hmmm, you are lying!"

"No, I'm not!"

"Yes, you are!" Kemi stated with confidence. "You are avoiding my eyes and that means you are lying."

Dora frowned and toyed with her spoon.

"And when you are nervous, you fiddle with something which is what you are doing now."

Frustration climbed up Dora's spine. And she squirmed in her seat.

"Come on now, tell me!" Kemi whined in a semi-shrill voice.

Dora slowly turned to face her. "What should I tell you?"

Kemi produced a satisfied grin as their eyes connected. "Tell me everything." She leaned back in her seat and a lazy grin spread on her lips.

Dora slouched forward and shook her head. "Well, we met at a fast-food restaurant, he told me about the information he got on Amara, and then we left. That's all!" She looked straight into Kemi's eyes.

"Hmmm, that's all nice. But something else happened, I can feel it." Kemi's eyes bored into her.

"I don't know what you are talking about," Dora said and broke eye contact.

"Yes, you do!" Kemi leaned over and glared at her.

Dora stared ahead, clenching and unclenching a fist around her cutlery.

"Fine, two can play the game. We are not leaving here until you tell me everything."

"Why are you so interested in what happened?" Dora swung to face her with frustration gleaming in her eyes.

"Because you are my friend and I care about you."

Dora huffed. "That doesn't warrant you to pry. If I don't want to tell you then accept it.".

"No, I will not let it go. Something big happened, that's why you are avoiding the question."

"Fine! Let me tell you!" Dora said in a slightly raised voice, "we had a run in with Ayodeji and after that, I hugged Gerald." Her jaw hardened and she glared at her friend. "Happy?"

She gritted her teeth and clenched her spoon tighter. She felt a hot sting on the face of her palm.

A hush fell over the table as both women struggled to recover from their shock.

Dora jammed her eyes shut as she fought the images that filled her head.

How could I have done that?

A rock landed at the pit of her stomach.

You were vulnerable. A voice said.

She shook her head and flickered her eyes open. With trepidation roiling in her body, she turned to face her friend.

Kemi's jaw hung open and her eyes popped out in disbelief.

Dora squirmed in her seat as Kemi's silence made her distressed.

She's probably disappointed with me.

Dora grimaced at the thought.

"Please say something," she whispered.

Her eyes watched with attentiveness as Kemi released a shaky breath.

"I can't believe it! You hugged Gerald?!" Amazement shimmered in her eyes. 

Heat rushed to Dora's cheeks and she ducked her head. "I know, it's terrible."

"No, it's not! It is wonderful!" Kemi squealed in a  loud voice. A sheepish grin split on her face as the people on the other tables tossed her a glare.

"I am beyond happy!" She clapped and bounced in her seat. "You have to tell me everything." She stressed the last word and leaned forward with sparkling eyes.

Dora's cheeks grew warm and she refused to make eye contact. "There is nothing to tell; it ended faster than it started."

"Pfft, I don't care how long it was. All I want to know is how it all happened." Kemi smiled widely.

"Fine," Dora dragged out, "there is no chance  trying to  convince you." 

"Well, I am glad you know that," Kemi smirked. "So tell me everything."

Dora took a deep breath, licked her lips, and divulged into the story that flipped her world upside down.

As she spoke, the memory came alive in her mind.

                     ★Flashback★

Anger boiled inside Dora as she and Gerald walked in the direction of the car.

Their shoes clicked on the concrete floor.

She noticed he never took a step behind or ahead of her. He remained by her side throughout.

A smile threatened to appear on her face but her anger quenched it.

She gripped her handbag tighter.

It's probably just a ploy to make her lose her guard. She thought.

Am I just a game to them? She wondered bitterly.

Angry tears stung her eyes and fogged her vision. She felt her body tilt over as she tripped over an uneven patch.

Her breath caught as Gerald's hand grazed her arm to support her.  However, the touch disappeared before she could acknowledge It.

Don't lose guard! She chided herself.

She hardened her heart and increased her steps.

Brick by brick, she built a wall around her heart.

She will not let herself fall again. 

She will never let her heart be wounded again.

Determination flowed from the top of her head to the sole of her feet.

She stifled a groan as Gerald resumed his position beside her.

Finally, after a few more minutes of trekking,  they stalled in front of  Gerald's car.

He rushed forward to pull the door open for her.

She whispered thank you and slid inside.

She stared ahead with empty eyes as she waited for him to enter and start the car.

The car vibrated as the engine roared to life. Gerald eased the car out of the parking lot and onto the highway.

Dora stared ahead with heavy eyes. She bit her cheek to hold in a sob.

Suddenly a volcano of memories erupted inside her. And then, every mean word Ayodeji ever uttered muddled her mind.

Every promise Gerald broke pushed her into despair.

Her heart constricted in pain and bile rose in her throat. 

The straps of her bag dug into her palm and she flinched.

Her lips trembled as she struggled not to shed tears.

No more tears.

Especially not for them. She told herself and braced her heart further.

Minutes went by with silence as its companion. 

Dora's tears lost the fight and her eyes welled up. However, the tight hold on her bag did not cease. That was what held her restraint in check.

Suddenly, the car screeched to a halt and her body jolted forward.

She darted confused eyes to Gerald who didn't spare her a glance. Her wide eyes scanned the area and her brows scrunched up as the realization dawned on her.

They were parked in front of a park.

She turned back to Gerald and gaped at him with wide eyes and furrowed brows.

Anxiety spread across her body as he pushed the door open and stepped out of the car.

She sat unmovingly and watched him saunter to her side to open her door.

A lump the size of an apple stuck in her throat as Gerald stretched out a hand.

"Let's take a stroll," he said with a sober expression.

She stared at his hand for a few seconds before she begrudgingly placed her hand in his. A tingle spread across her hand as their hands connected.

Time seemed to be still as their eyes collided. Tension encompassed them in a spell.

Dora's heart pounded against her chest. Warmth crept up her cheeks and flowed through her body.

A pull on her hand brought her back to reality.

Her breath caught as she realized what happened.

She mentally chided herself for losing control.

She snatched her hand from Gerald's hold and rubbed her arms.

There was a sudden chill in the air.

A glint of disappointment shone in his eyes.

A shiver ran down her spine as a gust of wind whipped at her face and bare arms.

"Shall we?" He gesticulated to the entrance of the park.

Her head jerked in affirmation and she took a step forward and he fell in step beside her.

The grass crunched beneath their feet. Ahead lay towering trees with glistening green leaves.

Other couples milled around chatting and laughing while lone people lounged on the wooden benches watching children run and play in the grass.

There was a kind of peacefulness in the atmosphere.

The breeze that slapped on Dora's seemed to ease her turmoil.

Gerald led them to the other end of the park. A pond with swimming ducks beckoned them over.

They took their place in front of the pond and watched the ducks swim with no care in the world.

Dora couldn't help but produce a wistful smile. As she watched the golden ripples in the water, a question popped up in her mind.

She slowly turned to face Gerald with curiosity brimming in her eyes. "Why are you doing this?"

She stared at him, waiting for his answer.

"Because you needed it." He twisted to face her.

"What do you mean?"

"You either need to cry." He gave a light chuckle, "or you need to smile."

Her heart did a double flip and her eyes skirted away in nervousness.
"I am tired of crying and there's nothing to smile about."

"That's a lie," he declared. "You may be tired of crying but if you need to cry then you must."

Dora shook her head vigorously. "I am done crying for people who hurt me."

"That's fair. But if you don't cry you won't be able to smile."

Dora arched a brow and gazed at him with confusion.

He sent her an understanding smile. "What I mean is that if you don't cry and let it all out then you will be too sorrowful to see reasons to smile."

Dora's eyes darted ahead of him as she digested his words. Something within her agreed with him.

"Is that why you brought me here?" She turned back to him.

"I brought you here for you to choose whether to cry or smile." He sent her a small smile. "Because mind you, you can't fully smile without pouring out all the pain. Withholding your pain will only hurt you more." He jerked his head to the angry red marks on her palm.

She looked down at the marks that marred her palm as a result of gripping her bag so tight.

Her heart constricted from the burden of holding her pain.

Her lips trembled and hot tears stung her eyes.

"I am tired of everything. I just want to be completely free." She muttered through tears. "I thought when my wounds heal I will be okay but no! My past caught up with me." She shook her head and let her tears fall.

Dora sniffled and her tears fell harder. A white handkerchief blocked her line of vision. She stalled and looked up at Gerald.

"Have it!" He gave her an encouraging smile.

She looked at him a little longer before accepting it.

"Thank you," she whispered.
The smoothness of the material soothed her cheeks as she dabbed them.

"I am sorry if I caused you pain. I didn't mean to." His sincerity pierced her.

She drew in a shaky breath."Then why did you return to my life?" Her eyes bore into his.

"Because I couldn't deny my love any longer."

A tremor coursed through Dora at his declaration. Her tear glands broke free and tears rushed out.

"That's the problem!" She whirled away from him. Her shoulders shook as her sobs filled the silence.

"I am sorry, I am so sorry," Gerald said from behind with anguish. "But I believe we should have another chance together.

Dora pressed her lips together and she balled her fist.

His words of apologies was having the opposite effect.

She swung to face him with narrowed eyes. "If you are so sorry then leave  my life for good!" She said in a loud voice.

Gerald's face contorted to one of helplessness but he shook his head. "I can't do that."

Dora's jaw clenched. "Of course, you can't. It's all a game to you." She shook her head and covered her face with one hand.

Dora's body convulsed as waves of sobs rocked her body. Her muffled tears were mixed with the occasional quacking of a duck.

She twisted the handkerchief tighter as her tears poured out faster.

Suddenly, the grass ruffled and a figure shadowed her. An arm curled around her and pulled her in. 

Dora stiffened but she was too wary to resist, she let herself be pulled in. Her face collided with a hard surface and a woody scent wafted into her nose. A feeling of warmth wrapped her in an embrace.

Her body quivered and Gerald held her tighter.

Minutes slipped away and the ducks swam away but Dora remained in his arms.

Finally, Dora's tears reduced to light sniffles and the fog in her head began to clear. Her eyes peeled open and a chill ran down her spine as reality crashed on her.

Gerald must have felt a change in her because he loosened his hold.

Dora drew away unable to look up. Her face burned with heat at the gravity of what took place.

"Are you okay?" Gerald's voice was a notch above a whisper.

She quickly nodded and rubbed her arms. Without looking at him, she murmured, "Please take me home."

                       
                         ★★★★★

"Oh my, that is a lot to take in." Kemi wore an incredulous look.

Dora frowned. "It was a terrible mistake, a mistake I don't plan to repeat," she said in a cold voice and turned to face Kemi with a warning glare.

Her brow rose in surprise as Kemi released a slow grin.

"You can keep telling yourself that. But I know that was just the start of something new and beautiful."

                          ★★★★★

Welp—Dora and Gerald hugged!! Who saw that coming? 😂

Anyway, what are your thoughts on the unexpected intimate incident? 😁

Well, moving on, I am too wary to think of a random question. But I am curious about something. So Our Question of the chapter is: Do you think Kemi was right to press Dora for information?

I would really love to hear your thoughts so please don't hold back. XD

And also, don't forget to 👇

Until next time, remain beautiful ❤