Happy new month guys, may the blessings of this month not pass us by🙏.
I am sorry for the late update, like I said I was sick but I am better now. Thank you for you goodwill messages.
I updated a long chapter as a compensation I hope it's worth it, meanwhile thank you for over 400 reads, your votes and comments. 'When she loves' is getting to it's height so sit tight and get thrilled. 💃
This chapter is dedicated to Ambivert_Amba Teefabulous MadamToree Amyirechi nice_nado_123 I can't heart you guys less❤.

Here we go...............................

***APRIL'S POV********

I blinked my eyes into reality and groaned loudly, I took in the features of the room I found myself with a confused expression.

There was a dresser at the right hand corner with few cosmetics displayed.  I sat upright to understand my new surroundings better leaning against the dashboard which had dimples with milk layers. The bedsheets was soft and sank as I placed my hands in them, orange colour with white strides.

A table with four chairs settled at another end of the room, wait!! Where am I? and how did I end up sleeping? I rubbed  my eyes out of frustration with the back of my hands while today's earlier incident came rushing back.

I have heard of quite a number of rape cases and the trauma young girls undergo after going through such hell but today I was close to being a victim, thank goodness Jordan saved the situation. I had a panic attack again...

The thought of Jordan scooping me in a bridal style made me blush furiously.

I faced palmed myself

But where am I? I am definitely sure this is not my room. Just immediately the door which I assumed to be the one leading to the bathroom swung open and  I starred in awe.

Jordan was standing there in all his glory with bare chest, revealing his chiseled abs. He was putting on a black sweat pants and a damn towel lying across his shoulders but that didn't help my situation. He looked like he just came out of the shower, droplets of water slided across his face, gosh this is dripping.

"Hmmm" he cleared his throat to get my attention.  I guess I have been staring for long. I turned away blinking my eyes randomly to clear my nervousness but it wasn't helping.

"You're up" that was more like a statement.  He shoved his hands into his pockets and walked towards my direction.

"Hum..... mm... Jordan?" he raised a brow which I found very attractive. "Where are we? I mean this is not my.. our room right?" I asked fiddling with the edge of the duvet, nothing is impossible with him maybe he must have changed the beddings and everything but the paintings on the wall tell a different story, screaming white.

"We arrived Abuja" Whoa how? When? I mean I was in Lagos hours ago and now... I guess being married to a someone as complicated as Jordan is not an easy task.

'don't give yourself too much credit' whatever!!

I wanted to ask about the weird looking guy that tried putting up a stunt earlier but I didn't muster enough courage instead I just kept mute and nodded at what he said earlier drinking in my new surrounding.

He walked into the closet but came out just a minute later with a dried tower hanging across his shoulders. I wondered  where he was heading to because he picked his phone.  I was still sitting on the bed with my legs curled up to my chest.

"Wanna swim?" he starred at me with a genuine expression.  I didn't have a quick reply instead I just nodded. Did he just ask to swim with me? Weird I didn't know he could do anything different apart from work.

"The private swimming area is after the garden, join me if you want to" with that he left slamming the door shut. I pulled the duvet off and got out of the bed, rubbing my forehead in frustration and trying to process my thoughts.

I stretched my weak self by standing tiptoes and my stomach growled loudly, gosh I'm starving!!. The door knob twisted revealing someone I didn't expect to see here, she bowed as usual passing me a small smile.

"Emily, What are you doing here?" I asked without thinking twice, I smacked myself mentally for asking such stupid question. I have learnt from my little time in Jordan's mansion that Emily is the most trusted maid, he referred her on important matters.

"Madam, Master insisted I accompany you to Abuja" she answered robotically.  I dragged the chair in front of the dresser to sit, at least Emily would help clear my curiosity.

"First question how did I, I mean we get to Abuja and where are we?" I know if I had asked Jordan these questions I will end up getting mono syllables as an answer.

"Madam we arrived Abuja with Master's private jet and we are in his hotel" she answered like a pro, as if she had rehearsed her words.

"Jordan's hotel?"

"Yes madam, he owns several of them" I felt slightly embarrassed that the maids knew more about my husband than I did but then again it's not my fault. My stomach growled loudly, Emily passed me a knowing look and chuckled lightly.

"Emily please get me food while I shower, I am starving"

I stripped out of my clothes, entered the shower and turned the water on.  I glanced at the bruise on my wrist though already treated and I used my hand to trail the ones on my neckline. I gulped a lump that was forming in my throat, the cold water ran through my body then down the drain and I felt fresh pain as it touched the bruised area.  I wished the pain in my heart would go down with the water.

It's almost a month into this fruitless marriage and my life has taken a big turn. I had built strong walls around my heart which made me look strong but within I was broken. People see my life as a perfect one getting married to Jordan; the rich, successful, handsome, abs blah blah blah

I scoffed

If only they knew better. Maybe I should take a bold step to make this work. Communication is very important in marriage, I might unravel his mystery.

After washing up, I wrapped my wet body with a towel and my hair with another.  I walked into the closet revealing several ranks of clothes. Some of my clothes where displayed at one end. I guessed Emily did the packing. I pulled out a red and white bikini with horizontal strides and a matching kimono after minutes of rummaging the closet.  I left my hair flying sending drops of water to fall across my shoulders.

Emily had served the food I ordered so I just went down to business, I picked up my phone and exited the room when I was done with the tasty meal. Three guards were standing in front of the door to the room when I got out, I saw Emily rushing towards my direction.

She motioned the way to the swimming area with a guard trailing behind us then she came to halt in front of a foreign-like door and  twisted the door knob to reveal a magnificent site.

It was indeed a private swimming area, the swimming pool itself was at the center of the place filled with sky blue water resonating under the sun and it responded my making tickling sounds.

There were slightly bent white chairs and a light umbrella to shield it from the sun.  The base was tiled with light blue and white tiles, just a perfect combination.

I caught a glimpse of Jordan diving out of the water, drops of water used his chiseled abs as a slide to return to the pool. He leaned on the base and started scrolling through his phone. I took slow inaudible steps towards the pool and when he caught sight of me, he kept staring like he was observing my features.

His eyes ran down to my exposed thighs but I couldn't tell where those hazel eyes were fixed, the butterflies in my stomach danced around as I removed my slippers and sat on the base. My legs sank in to feel the warm water and I kept kicking it in a playful manner.  Jordan's eyes kept boring holes and I swallowed hard still kicking the warm water causing droplets to fall across my feet.

"Are you going to keep doing that or you're gonna swim?" his velvety voice snapped me out of my sub consciousness making me squeal.
I didn't realize I had been doing that for long and I didn't have an answer so I just slide into the pool welcoming the warmth and comfort it offered.

Jordan used the rare to exit the pool and settled on the base while sipping a red wine. He used the towel to dry his now wet hair and I unconsciously stared at him mouth slightly ajar.

I went deep into the water while my hair floated on the surface, the quietness and calm serene under here was overwhelming. I instinctively shut my eyes, my thoughts trailing.  I just wished my life would have such calm serene.

I resurfaced after a brief communication with nature down there, using my hands to wipe off the droplets of water on my face.  My hair was plastered on my shoulders following the effect of the water.

I used the rare to exit the pool and walked over to where I had earlier hung my kimono so that I could cover my self. I was turning red like a tomato because of Jordan's heated gaze on me. My bikini hung to my body due to it's wetness causing great exposure. I sat close to Jordan on the base with our feet's touching the water surface, Emily poured me a glass of red wine.

"When was the first time you had a panic attack?" Jordan asked with concern written in his voice.  I almost choked on my wine but I was fast enough to gulp it down.

"Humm.... When my mum died" I said almost in a whisper.  This time I spared him a glance, he dropped his phone giving me full attention,  something I had always craved for.

'But why?'

That's a puzzle I am yet to put together.  I mean, I am meant to hate him for ruining my life, family, happiness and future but the opposite is the case. The stupid butterflies that danced in my stomach whenever we engaged in a conversation started their business.

'April put yourself together'

To make the situation worse, he moved closer causing goosebumps to rise. He began to trace the bruises on my neckline cursing under his breathe. I earlier felt pain when I touched it myself but Jordan's touch sent chills down my veins, I wasn't in control of my body anymore. I instinctively shut my eyes savoring this new feeling. He kept muttering things I obviously didn't hear because I was lost in his world.

                             ~°~

"Jordan, please can I visit dad and Adrian when we get back to Lagos?" that was my voice and it was directed to Jordan who was on his way out but reluctantly gave me a listening ear.

He was standing in front of the dresser obviously scrolling through his phone as a way to pass time while listening to the rubbish I had to say. It was morning around 8:18am, he informed me of our journey back to Lagos towards evening and I was somewhat elated, his mansion has suddenly become my new fond home.

"No, you can't" he replied with a cold expression, I could sense his body stiffen at my question though I could only see his back view because I was sitting on the bed legs crossed.

"Please Jordan, dad has been quite sick I need to see him" I pleaded with the most assuring voice I could muster.  I stood up from the bed moving a bit closer even though I could sense his rising anger.

"April!!" I flinched immediately, he turned around revealing dark eyes that dared me speak, a transformation of those hazel eyes that stirred something in me. "What part of 'NO' do you not understand? You're not going there and that's final.  I am very possessive about my things" he blurted out not minding the hurt his words caused me. I was not one to back out easily so I stood my ground inhaling sharply to calm my nerves. He turned around to face the dresser and began fixing his very expensive wrist watch.

"I am not your possession Jordan!! I am your wife, don't I have a say?" I replied him without thinking twice.  Sure I am not a possession to anybody but I don't think I have a say. He turned to my direction again with an evil smirk playing on his lips and the next thing he said...

"No, you're just a means to an end" I read his lips as those heart piercing words ran out freely. He picked his phone and shoved his car keys into his pockets and strode out. My legs felt numb and I crumbled to titled floor

'you're just a means to an end'

Those words kept replaying in my head. I felt a hot liquid touch my exposed thighs, then another. I realized I was crying, I couldn't believe it after so much attempt to tear open my teary gland on the wedding day but failed miserably.

Jordan, Jordan

He has successfully brought down the strong walls I built around my heart for years, only him could make me cry and feel things I had never felt before. I curled my leg up to my chest, buried my head in my thighs and sobbed out loud, loud enough for the guards outside to hear.

I released everything I had successfully piled up for a long time. Soon my eyes began to hurt from a lot of crying, my orbs felt weak. My thoughts began to trail back to four years ago, the day it happened.

~°~

I scrunched my nose in disgust as the smell of hospital disinfectant, antibiotics and drips filled my nostrils, how much I hated that smell.

I walked down the hallway consciously glancing at both sides; nurses and doctors randomly walking out of patient ward with hospital files and kidney tray, relatives of sick patient walking into their respective rooms.

I had consciously prepared mum's favorite even though I knew she won't eat much out of it.  I was close to her room when I sighted aunty Naomi. She seemed in a hurry and failed to notice me so I stood in front of her.

"Aunty Naomi" I grinned and gave her a side hug because of the basket I held in one of my hands. Her face was pale, her orbs darker than usual. She smelt of the hospital disinfectant too probably owing to the fact that she has been with mum in the hospital for quite a long time. Her lips curled into a weak smile and her eyes brightened a little on seeing me.

"My darling, you are early" she cupped my checks playfully.

"Yes Aunty, I wanted to spend more time with mum" I replied grinning from ear to ear. Yes I had worked extra hours with Wura to prepare the meal on time.

"Alright my darling, I want to get some tissue paper from the provision store. You can go and stay with her, I'll join you soon" she said hestingly and left immediately without waiting for my reply. Anyways I strode through the hallway then minutes later came to a halt in front of a room inscribed 'VIP Room 5'

I walked into the room only to be greeted by the smell of antibiotics and I ignored it as much as I could and walked over to where mum was lying down.

There was a drip attached to her left arm. The liquid finding it's way into her veins, her eyes were shut so I assumed she was probably sleeping.

I dropped the basket containing food and other miscellaneous on the side table were other provisions and her medications were properly displayed. I found myself a comfortable chair close to the iron bed and settled in.

A petite nurse holding a kidney tray walked in few minutes later with a female doctor trailing behind her.  I greeted them and returned my gaze to my sleeping mum. They both starred like I had grown two heads.

"Who are you beautiful angel" the fair complexioned doctor asked me the obvious making her way to the opposite side of the bed.  Her hair was black and curly which brought out her outlined V-lined face.

"April Beacroft, the patient's daughter" I answered confidently, the doctor was not intimidating at all instead she passed me a reassuring smile. She placed the third end of the stethoscope on mum's chest and her face suddenly fell.

'maybe mum isn't responding to treatment' I thought.

She muttered under her breath then whispered something into the nurse's ear who nodded in return.

"April darling you have to excuse us for a moment" the doctor said with a suspicious smile. I reluctantly stood up and took sluggish steps towards the door. I unconsciously snapped  my head back when I had reached for the door and I caught a glimpse of the nurse covering mum up with a white piece of clothe

'This only meant one thing'

I immediately ran back to the bed and pushed off the white piece of clothe with so much energy, only to stare at my lifeless mother.

"April darling put your self together" the nurse grabbed my wrist but I jerked my hands away from her grasp. Mum wasn't passing me her contagious smile, she wasn't calling me Ada, she just lay there lifeless.

"She's dead" I intended to make it a question but it came out as a statement, something I was sure of. I might be fourteen but definitely not naïve enough to fail to recognize a dead person.

My vision became blurry, my heart beat sped up and everything began to spin. My breathe hitched and I began gasping for breathe. I welcomed the solemn darkness.

I woke up on the hospital bed, there was a drip attached to my left hand and my head ached badly. I caught sight of aunty Naomi tapping her foot out of nervousness.  Dad was pacing near the door, Where is mum?

"Where is mum? " I suddenly asked after gulping down the lump in my throat, the duo turned to my direction immediately and their bloodshot eyes answered my question. Aunty Naomi reached  for the bed, caressing my forehead

"Darling, the doctor said you need a lot of rest" she answered totally ignoring my question. I looked away from her and my eyes began to water up. Without any hindrance, traitorous tears slipped down my eyelids and I felt the hot liquid touch my earlobe.

I sat upright leaning my back against the iron dashboard and I allowed my tears to flow freely. My teary gland was almost empty when my face heated up with a severe fever, my head ached badly. Aunty Naomi later informed me that Adrian was suffering the same plight in a separate room.

* ****************************

End of Chapter Seven

Ouch!! How would you feel if someone told you that you're a means to an end?

April has finally cried credit goes to Jordan

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xoxo❤