PREVIOUSLY ON PAPER HEARTS

Please Kemi I really need to see you.
Meet me at the lounge in twenty.

Kemi turned to Adaeze who was still in a heated discussion with Mike and whispered. "I'm going to talk with him."Kemi laughed.

"No don't worry. I really want to do this alone."

Ada hesitated for some seconds before she sighed. "Okay just call me if anything goes wrong."

Kemi squeezed her hand softly in silent appreciation and shuffled out of her seat. She couldn't believe she was really doing this, she was going to settle things with Nnamdi.

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Nineteen | Myriad of emotions

Of all base passions, fear is the most accurs'd— Shakespeare

~•~
Warning! This chapter contains some parts that is strictly not for the underage audience.
Ps: Author is Seventeen 😊

Kemi decided that she did not want to use the elevator, it was too risky especially after she got stuck once at a convention center. So, she took the stairs frequently looking behind her to see if  anyone was following her. She reached the fifth floor where the lounge was located. It had been an extra room before but as time went on, it was used to entertain important clients and sometimes the workers went there to 'chill out'.

Kemi thought she heard voices coming from the corridor as she reached the top of the stairs. Taking tentative steps, she found out that the voices were coming from the cleaning closet. She planned to leave dismissing it as nothing but curiosity got the better of her and she pushed the door lightly— it was open.

She stifled a gasp as she saw the lovers kissing and touching each other intimately oblivious to the fact that they had company. She cleared her throat and laughed a little as the lovers jumped back startled by the intrusion. Linda frowned as she glared daggers at Kemi who didn't seem to notice as she watched Rita arrange her dress in amusement.

Kemi wondered why they were behaving like this, it wasn't like if she was going to tell anyone. She wasn't one to gossip but who would have known? Kemi didn't know about Rita but she knew that Linda seemed to be interested in men but maybe she played for both sides.

"What are you doing here?" Linda spat.

Kemi laughed hoping to ease the tension. "Relax I was just leaving anyway." She turned leaving the duo to gape at her retreating form for a while before Rita called out to her.

"Wait Kemi," she said while shuffling her feet. "I umm... What you saw—"

"What she means is that we were just leaving," Linda said while grabbing Rita hand and brushing past Kemi

"Wait!" Rita said adamantly as she yanked her hand loose. "What I meant to say..." she started facing Kemi.
"...is that I really want to talk to you about something."

Kemi cocked her head and looked at Rita. "I'll see you later I really need to meet someone," she stated unable to keep the excitement from her voice.

"Okay I'll see you when you get back." Rita frowned to show her disappointment.

Kemi watched as they bundled down the stairs with Linda whispering harshly to Rita, the latter turned, looked at Kemi and smiled a little before she disappeared out of sight.

Kemi flicked on the light in the lounge immediately she stepped in. The florescent blub cast a warm glow on the red sofas in the small room. Kemi made herself comfortable on a loveseat closer to an air conditioning unit as she waited anxiously for him to arrive.

Fifteen minutes later she was still pacing the room, her heels treading noiselessly on the beige rug as she waited for him. She checked her phone as she wondered what was taking him so long. Her excitement gave way to anxiety then fear as she feared that it was just a misunderstanding.

Her heart leaped as the door opened, she frowned when she saw the man leaning on the door jam.

Emmanuel.

The glow from the light made his hair seem darker and cast shadows along the planes of his hard face, he was smiling as he stalked towards her.

"What are you doing here?"

Emmanuel didn't answer as he stared at her letting immoral thoughts fill his head. He basked in the euphoria of finally having her alone with him, was it sheer luck or destiny that he had overheard Nifemi and Adaeze's discussion. He was probably going with the latter— it was his destiny to have her he thought. Even if it was forcefully.

"The real question is what are you doing here alone sweet one," he finally said.

Kemi rolled her eyes and crossed her arms across her breasts, she scoffed when his gaze flicked to them as he licked his lips.

"Pervert!" She muttered while bringing down her hands. "I'm waiting for someone that is obviously not you," she smiled at him proudly.

Emmanuel threw back his head and barked out an obnoxious laugh. "Oh really?" He shoved his hands into his pockets. "God you are so naive."

Kemi frowned remembering when Nnamdi had called her that. She looked at him in confusion as he bent to her height, the smell of alcohol and cigarettes emanating from him.

"Nnamdi's not coming Kemi."

She gasped, "how did you—"

With one swift motion, he yanked her towards him and pressed his lips to her neck whilst his arms pressed against her bum. Kemi was numb as she felt her face heat up from embarrassment and fear when she felt something hard poke her stomach.

"God Emmanuel let go of me," she cried wriggling against his body. Emmanuel moaned as he pressed her flush against him using his large hands to squeeze her bum.

"Say my name again sweetheart," he breathed against her plump lips.

Kemi let out a sharp breath and pushed away from him. "What is wrong with you huh? Have you gone insane?"
With that she picked up her purse from the sofa with the intent of leaving the room.

Emmanuel chuckled darkly as he pushed her down unto the sofa and straddled her.

"Get off!" Kemi yelled as he pressed against her. She beat against his hard chest and groaned when he held her hands while leaning in to study her face.

"Why should I huh? Do you know how many nights I spent jerking off since the first day I saw you sweetheart? Do you?" He squeezed her hands tightly.

"Let go please. We can talk about this."
Kemi watched as his eyes darkened, she decided that pleading only made it worse.

"Talk about what? Those times you threw my gifts into the trash? Do you know how much that red rose cost? Do you bitch? Or that jewelry box you gave out to that fucking cleaner!" He looked at her spitefully. "And here you are looking all pretty and sexy in this little black dress. How could I resist?"

He grinned evilly, "I can't wait to have you bitch."

Kemi winced at his tone as she stopped struggling hoping he would release his hold on her. "I'm so sorry." Her filled up with tears.

He fell for it as he loosened his hold on her wrists. Without wasting time, Kemi pushed him off her and dashed for the door. She let out a strangled scream as he tripped her, she groaned as her body made contact with the rug.

"Damn you bitch," he growled angrily. Emmanuel tugged at her sleeve forcefully making the silk material to give way under his hands. His eyes darkened with lust as he leered at her breasts—the lacy black bra did nothing to cover the soft mounds that hid underneath.

"Help someone help me!" she screamed fanatically as she thrashed against him.
Her voice trailed off as he struck her across the face.

"Just keep calm love and make this easy. No one is going to hear you up here. It's just me and you sweetheart." He struck her again. "Let's make this easy for the both of us." He laughed with reaching out to grope her breasts.

Kemi closed her eyes and sobbed softly as she waited for the nightmare to end.

"What the hell is wrong with you?!" Kemi felt her eyes flutter open as she felt someone forcefully drag Emmanuel from above her. She gasped weakly as she saw Nnamdi throw quick deadly punches at the bastard's face.

"You retarded imbecile! You freaking son of a whore! How dare you touch her?!" Nnamdi asked as he wrapped his hands around Emmanuel's neck threatening to squeeze the life out of him. "Don't say anything you goat!" He yelled as Emmanuel opened his bloodied mouth to speak.

"Hey bro calm down," Kelechi tapped his back. "Leave him to the judge. I'll handle it from here." Kelechi said calmly but inside he was seething, he hated when men took advantage of women— it was all kinds of wrong.

Nnamdi looked at Emmanuel's sorry face and threw another punch across his jaw.

"Go take care of your girl friend." Kelechi pulled him away.

Nnamdi nodded at his friend and glared at Emmanuel before yanking him up to his feet. Emmanuel staggered back unsteadily as he used his shaky hands to block his face expecting another blow from Nnamdi.

"If you ever touch her again, I promise I'll cut off your balls and send them to your mother." Nnamdi glared at him in derision as he whimpered.

He made his way to Kemi who was folded by a corner of the room and wrapped his hands around her. She sobbed into his shoulders as he cuddled her tightly. "It's okay I'm here now. I won't let him hurt you."

She opened her mouth to thank him but she ended up shedding more tears. Nnamdi understood as he drew her closer and placed his chin on her soft hair.

"It's okay."

He heard as Kelechi dragged Emmanuel out of the room, "Don't bother coming to work after the holidays buddy because newsflash, you're fired!" Kelechi growled angrily.

After they left, Nnamdi drew back and studied her face. He swiped it slowly with his calloused hands suddenly wishing that he could kiss the tears away. He looked away as he draped his jacket over her shoulders when he noticed she was shivering.

"Do you want me to call—"

"I just want to go home," Kemi said in a feeble voice. She didn't want anyone else to worry about her, not yet.

Nnamdi exhaled sharply and carried her up bridal style. Kemi released her breath and cuddled his chest inhaling his sweet scent. He wrapped his arms tightly around her wondering what would have happened if they had arrived a tad late, he would not be able to forgive himself if anything had happened to her. She was his weak spot.

He and Kelechi had met at the top up the stairs and had come running when they heard the strangled scream. Nnamdi could have sworn it was Kemi when he heard the cry for help and would have killed the idiot if Kelechi hadn't stopped him.

Nnamdi felt her stiffen against him when they reached the parking lot. He heard her mumble something inaudibly.

"What?"

"Put me down!" Kemi demanded for the second time, her voice sharper this time around.

Nnamdi put her down gently and steadied her when she wobbled a little. "I can help you get to your car if you want?"

"Don't—"

"Don't what cupcake?"

Kemi ignored his endearment. "Don't pretend to care Nnamdi. You remember those things you said don't you? You're just like Emmanuel!" She spat at him.

"What?! How can you compare me to that dog Kemi? I would never hurt you!" Nnamdi said. His voice was a little bit shaky. She's unbelievable, he thought running his hands through his dense hair.

"You wouldn't but you did," she snapped. "He called me naive and you did too. He almost raped me because he was lusting after me and last time I checked the only thing you had for me was lust." She looked at him desperately waiting for him to say something. "You said that didn't you?!" she yelled.

Nnamdi sighed in defeat. "I'm sorry."

She scoffed bitterly glancing at the people that were littered around the parking lot enjoying the show. "You're sorry? That's it—"

"What do you want me to say Kemi?!"

"Just get away from me Nnamdi! Stay away! I want to hate you I really do! But then I wanted sort out this thing— if it could be called that— between us but that was when I thought you sent the message. You weren't planning on talking to me this night were you? And now you're sorry?" Kemi beat against his chest with each sentence.

He looked at her torn, he wasn't sure if his feelings. She confused him. Hell, I confuse myself!

"Kemi I was planning to—"

"But you didn't!" She sobbed into her hands that throbbed from hitting his hard chest.

Nnamdi put his hands into his pockets and sighed looking at his feet away from her face. "Yes, I didn't. And I'm sorry I won't bother you anymore. Goodbye Oluwakemi."

Kemi watched distraught as he turned and walked towards his car. It wasn't until he drove off that it dawned on her—he had left her again and this time he had taken her heart with him.

She broke down on the tarred floor and wept.

💎💎💎💎

She watched as Kemi's black car left the parking lot. She had seen everything—all of it. She smiled in the shadows mentally thanking the odds for being in her favour.

Turns out the message wasn't useless after all.

She glanced at her wrist watch, the diamonds glittering in the dim light from her hidden corner. She sighed as she was running out of time. She had to act fast.

She didn't like it when people took what belonged to her. It made her angry.

And now, she was very angry.

Teddy: Author do you have anything to say?

Author: No comment.
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