Juwon had knocked on the door ready for war until Gini opened it with her face set like stone. He'd forgotten he had to apologize for missing dinner the night before. He tried to right his wrongs by apologizing but it seemed Gini was already in a sour mood before he knocked. He hoped the gift he bought her would make her feel better. Juwon went to his car and carried in the present.

"Birdie?" He tried to get her attention as she read a magazine that looked too boring to require the amount of attention she was giving it. "I said I'm sorry." He tried again.

Okay. He had to go the hard way then. He snatched the magazine from her and tossed it on the table. Gini finally looked at him and he smiled.

"What's bothering you?"

"Nothing is. You don't need to apologize for not coming to dinner, I wasn't offended."

Gini must have forgotten how well he could read her. He saw through her facade like no one else could.

"Will you come over tomorrow night then? I'll cook and light candles."

"Alright," she accepted with no joy in her voice.

"Why didn't you go to the store today?"

"Didn't feel like it."

"Must have been because of your visitor." Juwon waited for her to deny it but Gini remained mute. It infuriated him to no end that she'd allowed him touch her in that manner. "Did you have fun with him around?"

Gini stood from the couch and took the glasses to the kitchen. "I don't know what you're talking about."

He followed behind her. "I saw him kiss you."

"And?" She rinsed the glasses and place them on the counter.

"And?" he snapped and turned her around. "You think it's okay for some random guy to have his lips on yours while I'm around."

"J, I haven't seen you in ten years. What do you want from me? We're not dating, you don't have my number, you don't want me around- "

"I want you around, don't say I don't. You barely looked at the present I got for you, do you know how far I drove for it?"

"You're trying to buy my love."

"I don't have to buy your love, that's not what we do. Gini, I went crazy without you."

"It doesn't feel like the old times. You don't, ahem." Gini looked away as she cleared her throat.

Juwon realized he'd been too subtle. Gini didn't want that so he had to accommodate her needs. He pulled her closer and placed her left hand on his chest. "It beats for you, always have, always will."

Gini's countenance changed and she smiled shyly. "I just miss what we used to have."

"We can get it back," he reassured her.

"Are you sure?"

He nodded. "Will you be my girlfriend again?"

She smiled then nodded. "Please, kiss me already."

Juwon didn't hesitate this time. His hand went around her neck and he choked her lightly as his face got closer to hers. He rubbed his face against the side of hers and smiled at the sensation her nearness caused.

"I love you," he said as his lips hovered close to hers. Gini looked at him with uncertainty. "I mean it," he said to reassure her.

"I love you too."

Juwon kissed her then. As his lips merged with hers, he lifted her and she wrapped her thin legs around him.

"I love your haircut," he said as he touched her hair. He kissed her again and his hand went to her waist. "I love your body." She smiled as he kissed her again. "Will you have dinner with me tomorrow?"

"Yes. Let's go see what you got me."

"One more kiss." Gini took his face and he deepened the quick kiss she was going to give. His hand went under her tank top as she moaned. "Does he make you feel this way?"

"Don't ask."

"Answer." He wanted her never to think about her visitor again.

Gini looked at him with clouded eyes and answered, no. He rewarded her by kissing her again.

As they left the kitchen, he said his piece. "I really don't like someone else touching you, can you respect that?"

"Same applies to you."

"I'll hold my end of the bargain, do the same."

"I will. I love you."

Juwon dragged her closer as they sat on the sofa. "I drove out of town for these, I hope they fit."

"What did you buy?" Gini asked smiling.

"Check the bag and see for yourself," he teased.

Gini got the bag and brought out the shoe boxes first. She looked at Juwon after she read the name of the designer on the box. She took out the dresses and grinned as she felt their material.

"These are too over the top, J."

"I'm not complaining and neither is my account balance. Will you wear the slit dress for me tomorrow?"

"Anything you want."

"Come, birdie. Tell me why you left town." He pulled her to himself so she wouldn't bolt for the door in her own house.

"I'll tell you soon but I can't right now."

He knew he'd promised not to ask but he couldn't resist. "Why not?"

"I want to get to know you better. I want us to have at least established some sort of connection."

"I just asked you to be my girlfriend, what other connection do you want?"

"It's too soon to tell you so much. Can you trust me and wait?"

Juwon knew her tactics. She wanted him so invested that by the time she told him of she and her father's evil doings, he'd be too in love to blame her. He could pretend to understand her decision for now.

"Alright, then. Can I tell you about the resort I'm building in town?"

Her grin spread. "Are you serious? Tell me about it, can we go see it?"

He smiled at her enthusiasm. "I'll take you there some other day."

"Tell me about it." She shifted in his arms and Juwon stretched his legs on the sofa and pulled her closer.

"I came into town about two years ago, got a large piece of land and decided to turn it into a resort. The town is perfect for the idea, the locals are welcoming and it's like the outskirt of Lagos."

"You're hoping people from the city will come here to relax when they are tired of the city stress."

"Exactly and not just that alone. My engineer is adding honeymoon suites and wedding halls."

"That's amazing."

"It is. You'll love it when you see it."

"I'm sure I will. You've always had grand ideas, you're such a genius."

Juwon's head expanded as a result of the compliment. He liked hearing her praise him and his hand went to her butt as she stared at him.

"I missed you so much."

"You left."

"I had to."

Of course, she said that. "No, you didn't."

"I'm sorry."

Juwon nodded and caressed her neck as she had her head on his chest. He was enjoying the position too much to ruin the mood by thinking about the past. "Did you have lunch?"

"No."

"What will you have for dinner?"

"Dunno yet."

His hand went to her hair. "I can make you something."

"I'm not that hungry. Can we just remain in this position?"

"As birdie wants."

Gini sighed contently and kissed his chin. "Sleep."

Juwon realized he was indeed tired and closed his eyes.