Chapter One

Sometimes, love hurts --- jiro

Cover page above by the lovely uforoabasi. Please show her some love by requesting a cover page.

E V E

Something is going to change.

The feeling crawls under my skin and niggles it's way into my nerves, leaving me feeling light headed and shaky. Goose pimples suddenly erupt all over me and I begin to perspire. My tongue feels heavy against the roof of my mouth.

Not even the fact that I'm starkers can take away the tight heavy foreboding feeling in my chest. As I walk into the room, my heart thuds heavily against my ribcage.

Something tells me I have a fight ahead of me, maybe not a physical one, but a battle, nonetheless, so I decide to opt for tight jean trousers and a plain t - shirt.

You never can tell what will happen next.

I dress quickly and walk out even more quickly. Hearing noises outside, I almost break into a run in a bid to get to the root of the cause, but then I slow down when I see Aureliano hugging a woman. My heart begins to beat harder now.

Who could she . . .

" ---- Mama, eres realment tu?" (Mama, is it really you?) He says soulfully, staring into her eyes.

Mama? As in, his mother?

I watch as they finally break apart, then I catch a glimpse of the face of the woman he calls mama, and I recoil in shock.

The whole side of her left face is burnt. The skin is all puckered up with red welts dotted around, right down to her mouth, curling it up in a permanent sneer. It makes her look like she's about to say something mean.

When she turns, I notice the other side of her face is wrinkled and mottled, like it was barely spared. Huge bags lay under each of her eyes. She looks scarred, never mind that, she looks like someone took part of her face through a blender, barely sparing the other side. It's quite gruesome to look at.

Pity courses through me as I stare in shock at the woman Aureliano calls mother.

I don't know what to do, either to go greet her or stand and stare. My feet feel stuck to the ground. I can't move. I am caught in a quandry. Against my better judgement, I choose to stand and stare instead.

Even with all her gruesome scars, I can tell she was once a very beautiful woman. Her once - clear caramel mocha skin is dotted with wrinkles on her hands, but her legs, from the little I see of them, are smooth and beautiful. She stands tall and regal, carrying a stately baring that even Queens don't possess.

I'm going to have to tell Aurey to teach me how to speak Spanish. I can't hear a word of what they're saying to each other.

Does this mean she doesn't know how to speak English?

Does she even understand English?

I recognize the other guy standing aloof watching Aureliano's reunion with his mother. Same face as the one in the picture hanging on the wall in the bedroom. He owns the bachelor pad we've been staying in. Aurey had told me a bit about him. A chronic womaniser who just got married recently to Fiku, the same girl's wedding I attended, the same person who invited me for her bachelor's eve.

How can I forget that day?

I shake my head, clearing it of old memories and snap back to the present when I see Aureliano stiffen.

This doesn't look good.

Did I miss something?

And then I hear scuffing noise, like someone is walking towards us, but taking their sweet good time in doing so.

Whoever it is, is a female -- a drama queen wanting to make a grand entrance.

Closer and closer the footsteps get. I see Aureliano tensing up faster now. I want to go to him, to reassure him that he has nothing to worry about, but I don't want to come in between mother and son, so I stay put, anxiety spreading throughout my body like spilt ink.

When the drama queen finally decides to grace us with her presence, the first thing I see are pencil thin heels worn on cream, almost white long slim legs, with not a blemish in sight. They reach into equally slim curvy thighs that are sporting denim shorts. I check for a belly button, but all I see is a diamond stud in it's place, twinkling away and catching the light as she comes closer. I take in the tight denim top she's wearing. Her boobs are fighting for supremacy. They're so large, I think they're fake. I hear you can get a boob job on almost every street corner in America. And women jump at it, trying to accentuate their bodies to perfection.

This one is definitely not an exception.

I dismiss her chest and look up into icy green eyes, the colour of the tumultous sea at high tide. Her heart-shaped face is small and perfectly sculpted, framed with long, wavy hair that flows fluidly onto her shoulders and stopping at her elbows. I doubt if such hair would have split ends. I finger my own kinky hair as I continue taking in her features, sweeping my gaze up and down her body.

I raise my eyes back up to her face --- the face that is currently assessing me also.

Now I know the true meaning of jealously eating one up. The look she's throwing me is a constipated look filled with all things rotten.

I know that look. I've seen it on many a face before.

I dare say I get thrown such looks all the time.

It got thrown at me when I was studying at the University. Same look gets thrown at me at the market when I go shopping for groceries, even when I go to fill up my car at the petrol station, and also when I step out of the house for a stroll on the street.

It's a look thrown at me by other women.

Why, I've even seen this same look on Chioma's face many atime.

I see that same look on this drama queen before me now, except it's magnified.

It's a look of dislike and unnecessary fear, borne out of foolish jealously.

Maybe others can not, but I can clearly see the word -- threat, tattooed boldly across her forehead in permanent marker.

Gracious God, not again.

Not another contender, vying for Aureliano's attention.

I once called Chioma a rattle snake, well this one is a black mamba. She could strike with just one icy look.

" ------ here to make everything okay."

Her barbie doll voice permeates the suddenly - still air.

Sorry, what?!

Make everything okay? What did she say before that?

Shit! I was too busy sizing her up.

I frown as I recall her last words.

Who the fuck is she to make everything okay?

What is wrong with the way things are presently?

These questions swirl around in my head begging for answers, but as usual, none are forthcoming.

Her gaze is presently centred on Aureliano. She's looking at him like she wants to devour him.

Oh hell no!

Definitely not my man!

I glance at Aureliano only to see him clenching and unclenching his fists.

This can't be good.

Femi notices and looks at Segun amusingly.

There's obviously history going on between these two and Femi knows about it.

As I move away from my perch against the door, ready to walk towards Aureliano, Femi's eyes land on me. His eyes widen, whether in appreciation or shock, I can't tell, neither can I decipher either, because he begins to make his way towards me.

I continue walking, intent on passing him, but as he gets close and I try to sidestep him, he's not having any of it as he stands solidly in front of me, blocking my pathway.

"Well, hello there! I haven't had the pleasure of meeting you. My name is Femi, but you can call me whatever you like." He finishes with an oily smirk.

I fold my hands and take a pose, ready for arsenal. Ebere calls it my attack pose. "Hello Femi, I've heard a lot about you, some of which are not particularly . . . but never mind." I wave my unspoken words away with a flick of my hand, and continue speaking. "I happened to be at your wedding, and as a matter of fact, your wife, Fiku is a friend of mine."

The smirk slips and falls away from his face completely.

Bull's eye!

It's replaced with a shaky smile. "That's . . . good. You must be Eve. Can't say I haven't heard good things about you and I must say, seeing you in person now, tops the description I've heard."

Tops?

Is that good or bad?

I can't tell whether he's complementing me or just being sarcastic. Frankly speaking, I don't care, because I'm trying valiantly to squelch my rising anger.

My brows furrow fiercely, because how dare Aureliano describe me to his friends?

I turn stormy eyes back to Aureliano. He's speaking in terse tones to the female who seems amused at his words, a coy smile wrapping around her lips. His mother stands to the side, listening and smiling at them. Sensing my gaze, he turns round and keys his eyes onto my face.

Just as the drama queen smiles and lifts her hands to touch his face, he steps away from her and walks towards me, not once breaking eye contact.

He takes a hold of my hand when he gets to me and begins leading me away from Femi, who has begun smirking once again.

Once we get to where his mother stands, silently talking to the girl in low tones, Aureliano clears his throat to catch their attention. "Mama, I'd like to introduce you to my girlfriend, the love of my life."

She doesn't look at me. Instead, she centres her attention solidly on her son and speaks in rapid - fire Spanish. "Roxy, Lo sé, porque ella era el amor de tu vida, pero quién es este extranjero que dices que es tu novia?" (Roxy, I know, because she was the love of your life, but who is this foreigner you claim is your girlfriend?)

So she understands English, after all --- Interesting.

Aureliano stiffens, tightening his fingers that are still clasped around mine. "Mama . . . " He expels some breadth, visibly trying to get himself under control. "I'll pretend you didn't just say that. Whether you or anyone likes it or not, she's mine and I'm her's, entender?" (Understand).

This is some, we - against - the world - statement.

I stand in shock, not knowing whether to say something or just stand and stare at the ground. I choose to stare at the ground, but then I look up and catch the distateful look on the girl's face as she stares at me, and I'm instantly reminded of the look Chioma gave me at the club.

Aureliano tugs on my fingers. "Come, princess, let's go inside."

I nod and follow his lead, leaving his mother and the drama queen, turned black mamba, staring after us.

Once we get into the room, I round up on him. "Don't ask me why I'm feeling threatened, but it's obvious your mother doesn't like me. What did I do to deserve the attitude? And then there's that . . . female who reminds me of Chioma --- who on earth is she and why did she give me that distateful look? And what did she mean by she's here to take care of things? Take care of things as what? Mother Christmas or what exactly?" I'm left breathing heavily when I finish. Clearly I'm on a roll. I can't help but ask all these questions. I think he would obviously know the answers to all of them.

He doesn't answer, instead he begins picking up some of my clothes that are on the chair, and stuffing them into my bag. When he's done, he starts gathering his own clothes scattered all around the room.

"What are you doing?" Anger begins to sizzle inside of me as I watch him turning his back on me.

Why now of all times does he think it's right to ignore me?

He continues dumping his clothes in his bag haphazardly, still not saying a word. "Are you not going to say anything?" I hold on to the shirt he's about to throw into his bag.

I know he's angry. I can feel the negative emotion rolling off him in waves. This irks me. I should be the one acting up. I should be the one storming around, definitely not him.

We're barely one week - old in our relationship and we've already begun to fight.

And then it literally hits me.

He's in a fix.

His mother who he hasn't seen in a long while doesn't seem to like me --- his newly acquired girlfriend, if I might add. He's now having to defend me to her. He doesn't know what side to pick. He's confused.

Heck! So am I.

But why take it out on me?

All the nervous energy seeps out of me as I slump onto the bed, weak in the knees. I release the in - held breath I didn't know I was holding, and close my eyes as I bury my head in between my palms.

"I'm sorry, baby."

Two words.

Just two words close to my ears set my heart aflutter, energizing it once more. Firm hands gently take hold of my hands and remove them from where they are holding my head.

Once I open my eyes, I see him kneeling in front of me with a beseeching look on his face.

"You've got to understand this is very sudden for me." His eyes plead with me for understanding. "I don't do very well with pressure." He wants to say some more, instead, he gently plants his lips on mine, melting away all my anger.

"Ahem! Excuse me Segun, may I speak with you alone." We both break apart, but he doesn't stand up, neither does he look away from me.

"You can say whatever it is in the presence of Eve, Femi. She's my girlfriend now, so when you see her, just imagine it's me you're seeing." He continues looking at me as he speaks, this time with a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

I smile back at him and look up to see Femi creeping closer to Segun, a look of shock on his face. "Are you alright, man? This is very unlike you."

"I'm very fine, thank you very much, but why do you think it's alright to barge into a room without knocking first?" Aureliano snaps. This time he stands up and faces Femi. "What do you want? I was having a moment with my girlfriend."

Femi looks confused as hell. He coughs and scratches the back of his neck, then looks down at his shoes. "Well em . . . I'll soon be leaving for Lagos, so ----"

"Good! Please take my mother and the . . . the . . . girl, back to Lagos. We'll follow shortly."

"But don't you want to spend some time with your mother . . . in the same car?" Femi looks confused as he stares at his friend. Frankly speaking, so do I.

Does he not he want to catch up on time spent away from her while speaking Spanish gibberish?

And being away from her for so long --- doesn't he miss her company?

And what is that awful burnt mark on the side of her face?

Better question is, how did she get it?

I suddenly wish I had allowed him to continue talking about his past. I wouldn't have been worried not knowing anything about his mother and the drama queen that accompanied her.

Femi frowns, stands uncertainly as if meaning to say something else, but gives up, shrugs and walks out.

"Princess, let me speak to my mother for a bit, I'll be back, okay baby. No one's separating us, I promise." He touches my cheek tenderly and then follows Femi.

I stand uncertainly, wringing my fingers together and wondering what to do. On a hunch, I decide to follow him after only a few seconds have passed.

Words hit me the moment I step into the corridor. I think the intention was actually meant for me to hear them. So instead of making my presence known, I stay hidden in the corridor but make sure I plant an ear close to the door.

And you know what they say about eavesdroppers, right?

"So this is what you two have been doing? What kind of girl throws caution to the wind, opening up her legs for a man before marriage, eh hijo, dime?" Aureliano's mother's voice rings loud and clear over to where I remain hidden. Her voice is heavily accented. Anyone would think she was speaking gibberish, if you didn't listen hard enough.

But what is she mouthing off about this time?

Then my eyes slip to her hands . . . and I catch sight of my red neon lacy bra.

Crap, crap, crap and more crap!

I'd forgotten to pick it up from where Aureliano had used it in tying my hands so I wouldn't move as he was eating m ---- but that's not the issue right now.

I brave a glance at him. Looks like he's about to burst with anger. I can't see his face because he's backing me, but I can definitely tell by the stiffness of his stance and the tell-tale clenching of his fists.

He snatches my bra from his mother and raises his fist at her. She recoils in shock and I'm momentarily struck with fear as I clamp a hand across my lips to stifle the gasp threatening to escape.

I hope to God he doesn't hit her.

A fraction of a second later, his hand drops to his side and he whirls around and walks towards the corridor --- towards me.

Just as I make to turn, I catch sight of the drama queen - black mamba, sitting opposite Aureliano's mother with a devious smile on her face.

I can bet my last bottom naira that she was the one who fished my bra from the floor and handed it over to Aurey's mother.

Before Aureliano can get to the corridor, I make a quick escape back to the room, but I hear Aureliano's last words as I fast - walk away.

"Femi will take you back to Lagos. I'll meet you there in a few hours."

By the time he gets back into the room, I'm a picture of serenity and peace as I stand against the window, staring out at the sunny view. Inside me, I'm all roiling dark storms. These storms are threatening to turn into grade four hurricanes.

"Come, baby!" Taking me by the hand, he leads me to the bed and beckons on me to lie down. Wondering what he's up to, I arch a brow, but he just shakes his head and smiles. And like the marionette that I am, I sigh and climb onto the bed grudgingly. He wastes no time in laying down beside me, holding me to him and cradling my head against his chest.

Is he trying to start something?

Now, of all times?

But he says nothing, except to hold me and smooth back my hair soothingly.

The tightnes in my chest loosens as the emotions I'd been trying to keep at bay come spilling out through my eyes as hot tears. I struggle against the tide, but it's pointless, so I let the tears flow.

Aureliano doesn't say anything except to hold me close, his mouth at my nape, a hand on my hair, smoothing my fears away.

I cry until I become spent -- until I realise my tears have soaked his bare chest. . .

. . . until I realise something else.

"Please tell me you're not having a hard on right now?" My voice carries weighted surprise.

He begins to chuckle.

"Seems you don't know the effect you have on me, princess." He tips my chin and I look up into sombre brown eyes that are practically staring into my soul. I'm suddenly aware of how I must look. Red rimmed eyes blurred with tears while snot treakles down my nose. I know I look a mess, but hey, he's already seen me in a worse - off state, so I'm not fazed.

"Don't you know how much we've fought to be together? Don't you know the shit that's gone down to keep us apart? Do you honestly think I'm going to mess it all up because of some hootchie that thinks she can waltz back into my life and pick up from where we stopped?"

I stare at him in shock.

I guessed right. He and that drama queen actually have history together.

I'm definitely not going to let this slip, no, not this time.

"You two dated?" I steel my nerves as I wait for his answer.

It isn't far behind.

"Worse! That woman with a sweet face and an I can - do - no - wrong - look, is actually a hell - raiser. If you thought Chioma was evil, this one's the devil herself."

I stare at him with wide eyes and a rapidly increasing heart beat. His eyes take on a faraway look as he takes a walk down memory lane.

Breathing heavily, he sits up, cracks his knuckles as if preparing for a fight and stares into space, while he let's loose a string of words that leave me gasping.

"She introduced me into the drug business."

*

A/ N: Hey Lovelies... it's me again. I hope you liked the first chapter of the rest of your lives. Hehehehe.

Aurey has more secrets to divulge, and Eve has so much more to learn about him.

But there are so many things Aurey doesn't even know about himself, either --- things that would definitely rock his whole world, probably forever.

On another note, what do you think of the cover page?

Thanks for giving chapter one a read.

Unfortunately. . . this is the end of this story here on Wattpad. You can however access it on the NovelNow app.

Just search for it!

Love and peace 💕❤️