After their agreement last night, Gina couldn't wait for dawn to break. And once the sun arose from slumber, she was dancing and prancing around the room in promise of a fun-filled day.

In her state of euphoria, she had failed to notice the small suitcase that was still on top of the shelves when it shouldn't be there on a Monday morning. She had also misunderstood the maid when she inquired if she'd be having lunch with Mr. Gabriel later in the day. She had even missed noticing the black sleek car --that the man loved so much he never went anywhere without it-- still parked exactly where it was on Friday.

With all these near misses, it would be counted as 'strange' when she strolled out of the bathroom late morning after a relaxing bath to find the hunk whistling as he strolled into the room, a newspaper in hand.

She had gone for the first reaction her brain came up with, not necessarily the most sensible. Her mouth parted widely to let out a screech as she jumped back in fright.

"Blood of Zechariah!"

She quickly made a sign of the cross repeatedly over her rapidly beating chest muttering obscenities about ghosts and apparitions, while Gabriel dressed in a white robe stared at her in amusement.

"I'm not a ghost, at least not yet," he clarified, sauntering towards her with a smirk on his lips, and newspaper in hand. She inched backwards when he got closer, only to tilt her head slightly to the left when he leaned forward towards her neck to inhale her fragrance.

"I'm going to enjoy this break."

She waited till he stood straight up and walked away from her, heading towards the bathroom for her brain to boot.

"What break are you talking about? What are you doing here?" And as if all the passive clues she had missed all morning had been quickly dumped into her brain, she blurted out in disbelief, "Why are you not at work? I know work is your life."

He paused and turned at the same time she did, and they stood metres apart watching each other.

"I'm on suspension. I was banned from stepping foot in the company for the next two weeks. 'A break from work stress should do me some good', their exact words, not mine." He shrugged nonchalantly.

She narrowed her eyes at him, trying to fish out why this break was not a good idea. "Why were you suspended? Is it because of your fights with Malcolm? In my opinion, I think it's disrespectful fighting with your younger brother."

He tilted his head slightly to study her, a chuckle emanating from deep within. "I think so too, which is why I've stopped it," she gave him a wry smile, and he chuckled before amending, "For now."

She knew he had an ace up his sleeve when he appeared too calm with the news. Did he want the suspension? "Well, why were you suspended?"

"I was suspended because I deserved it. Although my altercation with Malcolm is on the list, the board unanimously agreed that I was too unruly, and my Father 'pleaded' on my behalf that the reason for my recent outbursts was stress-related."

Forgetting she was still wrapped in a towel, she folded her hands across her chest as she continued to watch his demeanour surreptitiously. His eyes roved from her face down to her legs, only to come rest on her bosom. When he licked his lips slowly, his pupils dilating at the action did she comprehend.

Huffing, she unfurled her arms and turned around, marching towards the vanity table to go get her essentials done. Her skin was getting dryer as she progressed in her pregnancy.

"Well, happy suspension week. Enjoy your break while I enjoy mine."

"As far as we're enjoying it together, I definitely will."

Her head snapped to his frame instantly. "You can't be serious. I'm not enjoying my break with you. You agreed on letting me have my freedom..."

"I agreed on a compromise, and this is nothing more than that. You get to leave the house, and I get to ensure my child will be safe. It's a win-win for everybody."

"No, this is unfair. This is not what we agreed on!" She couldn't believe he'd use her words against her.

"Well, you don't have a choice since you didn't specify what and what should be a part of the compromise. You're still leaving this house, just as you wanted," he pointed out unapologetically, forcing her to grit her teeth and wish him a thousand deaths.

Ignoring her glower, he offered, "Go out with me, or stay cooped up inside with me, your choice. You should know by now I prefer being cooped up under the sheets."

Two hours later, and Gina was debating if being under the sheets wasn't a better idea. He had won their meaningless argument and she had strung him along just to punish him. When he claimed he was fine with whatever activity she chose, she had dragged him with her to her first port of call: her sister.

She was surprised when the landlord happily informed her Rissa had relocated, and was stunned to realise Gabriel was aware. Fuming, she insisted on going over, only to chance upon Rissa and a pot-bellied Iyke having a lover's reunion. Appalled, she had stormed out of the two bedroom apartment in Lekki, muttering incessantly on how Rissa was squandering her hard-earned money foolishly.

To calm her down, Gabriel had invited her to Lekki Conservation Centre, claiming a game of chess was supposed to help her unwind from stress. Denying her ignorance of the game, she had repeated every move Gabriel did successfully, leaving them at a standstill, or arguing over a fallen piece. She had laughed her head off when Gabriel grew frustrated at her antics, claiming he had never played with such a 'cheat' before, finally calling an end to their day out.

Tuesday, as punishment for calling her a spoilsport yesterday after the game, she had dragged him along to her bakers' meet. Due to her absence for over four months, the others had been willing to sacrifice the day for her. She had made reservations at a popular restaurant with all bills on Gabriel's card, and he had smirked at her for 'being bold.'

Eight ladies soon arrived, looking elegant, a trademark she would never associate them with. They all made new weaves, and smelled exquisite, looking as models one would find in a lifetime magazine. It didn't take her long, however, to realise they didn't dress up for her sake judging by the numerous flirting glances and comments they showered on Gabriel every second that trickled by.

To reduce the sexual magnetisn he was exuding, and drag the spotlight back on her, she had called for the menu, claiming they could order whatever they wished. They had not been merciful at all.

By the time the fifth lady had enquired if he was already in a committed relationship, despite knowing she was sitting directly beside him, she had called for her check, hoping to drag Gabriel away from the vultures before they devoured him.

To her shock, her card was declined due to insufficient balance, and after three retrials, she was full on panicking. After Gabriel managed to extricate her guests from the mess, the hotel management had ushered them to the kitchen to wash plates as a form of payment. Gina was beyond mortified.

"You said you were suspended, not that you were broke!" She hissed at him, as she scrubbed furiously at the greasy pan, wondering how she found herself in this mess.

Sleeved rolled up to his biceps, his hands covered up by water as he rinsed the plates she had washed earlier, he replied flippantly. "The card is tied to my company bank account, as well as the one in my wallet. To avoid me acting 'drastic', the account is on partial lock down at the same time period as my suspension, which means I can only spend very little from it at a time."

She scrubbed the pan in angst, and then puffed when soapy water sprang up and splashed on her forest green gown. "Please, don't tell me you don't have money elsewhere." She refused to believe she was relieving her childhood horror.

"Well, I have some savings stashed up somewhere, and it would have covered your expenses conveniently." He paused to take a breather, and she watched him, waiting to hear he would bail them out of their predicament. "Unfortunately, I left it at home. Next time, remind me to leave the house with it, alright?"

As she lifted a burnt pot from the pile of dirty dishes, she promised herself there would not be a next time.

After the mess on Tuesday, she willingly allowed Gabriel to choose where they would go next. Sister cancelled, friends deleted, the only place she knew people was the strip club, and she was avoiding that place like the plague. His idea of a fun day out was the Lekki sports center where he was a member, and being that the only sports she enjoyed he was 'deathly afraid' of, she allowed him to convince her into playing a Lawn tennis game with him.

He taught her the rules, as patiently as he could, since she kept getting distracted by the number of hot dudes that paraded the center doing one type of sports or the other. Eventually, she understood the ball was meant to 'fly over the net' to the other side, not on the net or under it, and they began for the umpteenth time that afternoon.

A barely-there lawn tennis match soon turned into a disaster when she started juggling the balls instead of hitting it over with the bat, which annoyed Gabriel resoundingly, and he declared the day over before storming out of the court.

To avoid the fail that was the lawn tennis, they paired with two other couples for a mini football match on Thursday morning. The females were allowed to use 'whatever' tactic to score a goal while the males were prevented from using their hands or attacking the women when in possession of the ball.

A fair game turned into a child's play when Gina, tired of trying to strike a goal, lifted the ball mid play with her hands and ran to throw it into the net, consequently scoring a goal. When the referee sided with the pregnant woman, the men were stunned while the women cheered and screamed like crazy. Soon, the men started playing hard ball and evened the score board.

At the last minute, out of desperation, when Gabriel dribbled the ball from under her legs, she collapsed quickly to the ground, screaming she needed a 'penalty' or she'd die. The referee awarded the kick quickly without wasting a second, and the men yelled at Gabriel in frustration for attacking her.

Knowing she'd lose the kick, she carried the ball, ran towards the net and kicked the goalkeeper powerfully on his leg. As the man crouched to massage the pain, she threw the ball inside the net amidst jubilant cries and shouts. In the course of the celebration, the amused referee went to shake her hand, and collected an envelope before turning to walk away, leaving Gabriel gaping at her.

They argued the match on their way home and did not stop until they were locked safely in their room. Gina wasn't sure who reached for who first, but clothes were torn and shoes were kicked into another continent by the time they finally found the bed.

In the aftermath of the blissful copulation, Gabriel had chuckled at the crazy day they had.

"That was 'handball' you played today, not football. And where did you find that referee?"

Gina laughed, explaining how she had walked up to a cleaner there and promised her a reasonable payment if she officiated the match. His reaction had been to laugh his head off, claiming he had never had such amount of fun in one day.

Friday late morning, they drove off to Lekki beach for a relaxing day out. Gina had been so excited, she failed to register the hesitation on his part even as they dressed up. He tried to dissuade her from going, but she wouldn't relent, chattering on about not being that close to a body of water for so long.

They eventually made it to the beach, and while she danced and laughed at the water that soaked her feet, wishing she could take a dive, Gabriel had tried to prevent her from going deeper on the shoreline.

Soon, more people started flooding in, mainly couples as most were taking a break from work early. At first, she and Gabriel ran around on the shore, trying to make quick sketches of random things before the waves returned. She enjoyed taking selfies with him, even though he had only one look all through the snaps. Then later, she convinced him to help her build sand castles when she borrowed his feet to bury them under the sand. Tired, they bought some snacks and went under the shades to relax while making jest of girls looking weird in their various beach attires.

After resting under the shade, she ran back to the water when the waves returned to join some girls who opted making it a race to see who could outrun the waves the fastest. Some guys joined their crew, and she got particularly annoyed when one of the guys wouldn't stop hanging around her. He followed her wherever she went, taking selfies at every twist and turn, linking their arms together and telling random people she was his date much to her horror. However, when he stepped out of line and kissed her right smack on the lips, she reacted and kneed him in between his legs, watching with satisfaction when he dropped to the ground moaning in pain.

Excusing herself quickly, she went in search of Gabriel only to find Solomon waiting for her. Gabriel, she was informed, had left for home earlier and she could almost infer why.

Saturday morning, she decided to take things up a notch and be the bigger person. He didn't initiate any form of contact or conversation with her throughout yesterday, and she perceived Mr. Fine boy from the beach was the precursor for his present mood.

She understood her action at the beach was a bit too flirty, and the stupid selfie guy had taken the advantage of parading with a curvy lady all day too far. Gabriel's reaction was sparked out of jealousy, and she wanted to debunk that theory fast before it went out of hand.

Changing into her two piece black bikini with polka dots, she headed to the patio where she was informed earlier Gabriel was. She was surprised he didn't go out to spend the weekend with his friends, but was grateful for the change of heart.

She reached the patio in seconds and settled quickly into the deck chair opposite him. He turned a page in the newspaper he held, purposely ignoring her presence. She had noticed daily newspapers took over the function of his tab, and couldn't help but wonder if that was banned for him as well.

Biting her nail on how best to go with her apology, she caught sight of the calm, beckoning water.

"Swim with me."

That broke his aloofness, as he lowered his paper to stare at her as if she had horns atop her head. "What?"

"Come, swim with me. I'll teach you," she repeated, getting convinced of her earlier request the more seconds that went by.

"I told you I can't swim..."

"And I promise to be a patient teacher," she interrupted quickly, flashing him a convincing smile.

"This is a bad idea."

"What would you lose? I'll be in pool all the time, and I'll never let anything happen to you. I'll teach you, and we'll swim together."

"I'll be too heavy for you to carry if I go under."

"Then, I'll ask the guards to be on standby," she protested, being quite relentless. Reaching across the table, she touched his arm and curled her palm around it, feeling the biceps that bulged. "Remember when you taught me how to play lawn tennis."

"And you started juggling balls instead." He was quick to remind her.

She giggled at the memory before continuing, "it was hard, and if I had my way, I'd have played some other sports like football where I can win."

They both chuckled at that.

"Point is, let me do this. I had fun teaching my brothers how to swim, and now they're like fishes in water. If you agree, you'll be like a fish in water, too. Or a big fish since you're really tall."

"Is this your way of making it up to me for yesterday?"

She pouted when she understood he blamed her for yesterday's matter. "I wanted to let you know nothing that happened yesterday was my fault. I was jejely enjoying the race against the waves when this horny guy from nowhere decide to use my bum-bum to shine. He wouldn't stop shouting to everyone around us that his date was well endowed."

He gave her a look that clearly showed he believed she brought the problem upon herself. Ignoring his views, she carried on with her request, adding a little bait. "If you come into the pool, I'll tell you how I got rid of him after you left."

That seemed to do the trick and half an hour later, he was standing inside the pool, close to the step. Somehow, the tale had managed to lure him into treading a few metres from the ledge, but that could only work for so long.

When he finally took note of the encompassing body of water stretched out beyond her, he refused to move any further, forcing her to yell at him in frustration. No matter what she baited him with, he'd not move, until she realised he may not have been mentally prepared for this.

It wasn't the lack of practice, she discovered, when his eyes kept looking all around the water, never really seeing anything, or even her. It was an inane fear, and she couldn't help but wonder if her rash action had affected his phobia negatively.

"Gabriel, it's okay," she began slowly, trying to get him to focus on her voice. When his eyes landed on her and paused, she knew she could try and talk him through this. Moving closer to him, she linked their palms together, providing the support he needed.

"If you are not ready today, we can do it another day, or any day that you are. Just know that I do want to teach you how to swim."

His gaze locked on her, he nodded slowly, inching closer to her. "Since you're making the effort, I can try."

Seeing him take bold steps, she treaded water stealthily, so he wouldn't pick up on that and close up again.

Nodding, she moved her arms across the water surface, laughing when he copied her movement easily, until they were moving in synchronisation. Soon, they were standing in the middle of the pool, and Gina paused to take a breath, laughing at the way he panted.

"Tell me, why can't you swim at all when you're quite good in sports?"

He looked lost in thought for a moment, probably remembering an incident. "Don't get me wrong, it's not like I haven't attempted to swim before. It's just that whenever I try to, I get cold feet, my palms get sweaty, and I become jittery. I can count how many times my friends have tried to save me from drowning in what they said was a 'ridiculously small pool'. A sports therapist once told me the fear is psychological, and that I would overcome it with time, but that time is not today."

"Your friends are mean for calling it a small pool. They make me look like an amateur."

"Well, you were an amateur when you were racing against the waves with Mr. Fine boy," he remarked sourly.

She pouted again, remembering that incident. "I take offense at that. Are you saying that playing with waves is a childish thing?"

His response was a chuckle as he recounted her exact reaction when he reminded her he couldn't swim. After a good belly laugh, her curiosity prompted her to ask.

"Do you know how you acquired that fear?"

She guessed it was a childhood trauma from all he had said, but she refused to believe someone may have been instrumental to that.

"I missed a step and fell into the pool when I was young, and they didn't find me on time. Luckily, I only swallowed enough water to last me a lifetime."

She shook her head at the playful smirk on his face, wondering how he could see humour in his shortcoming.

He was still laughing when a pair of hands wrapped around him tightly and squeezed. Shocked, he leaned forward and hugged her too, when he couldn't find another reaction to exhibit. When her hug constricted free movement, and the body of water loomed before his eyes, he began to panic.

"Gina?"

"I'll never forget you in a pool, or allow to drown, Gabriel Asika. I promise."

~~~~~~~~

Well, someone here knows how to have fun, and Gabriel seems to be loosening up a bit. Hopefully, his actions are genuine.

Do you think they'll get closer or 'drift' apart?

*did you notice the word pun?*

Vote, comment and share.

Thank you. 😄