Zaria's POV

It was the weekend and the maids had it off so every household duty was left to me, Aisha and my mother. Fortunately Sam hasn't bothered me or tried anything funny since that night and I was glad about that. I don't know if I am strong enough to handle him.

The last time I tried, it went ugly.

As I busied myself with sweeping the floor of the kitchen as my mind subconsciously went back to what Joel has said the last time we had a "chat". He claimed he wanted to know me. The real me.

I scoffed.

Yeah, right.

The real me isn't someone anyone should know about.

Joel was harmless, I know but so were my other friends and yet they have no idea the tiniest detail what is going on in my life. And I intend to keep it that way.

You are just the one over thinking all of these. I doubt that's what he meant by the real you. I pretty sure he just wants to know a good side of you. The tiny voice in my head said and I sighed.

That's how it all begins. I don't want to risk it at all.

I chuckled as I remembered how the girls bombarded me with questions when I got back to the garden.

Especially Ada.

She comes off too strong for her own good. I shook my head thoughtfully and got back to doing my chores.

I finished sweeping and went to put out the trash in the big dumpster across from the house. For estates, the government had already arrange men to be in charge of taking out the trash when it's filled up. I returned to the kitchen and started to do some cleaning. I was the only one at home and I was quite bored.

An idle hand they say, is the devil's work shop.

I plugged my ear with headphones and sang along to Simi's song "Chemistry". I was so engrossed I didn't hear anyone come in and me backing the entrance of the kitchen door, I didn't see or hear anyone come in.

The only thing I felt were strong arms around my midrib, close to my breasts and that alone made me jump almost sky high, turning around in the process.

"Sam?" I removed the headphones I had on and placed them on the island. His body had me trapped between him and counter and his hands blocked my sides. I couldn't escape.

"Did you miss me, pumpkin?" He whispered, bringing his lips close to my ear. I shivered at the contact. It gave me goose bumps but definitely not the good kind.

"What are you doing back this early?" I asked as I placed my hand on his broad chest and pushed against him, trying to bring as much as possible space between us.

"What's with the questions? Can't I see my favourite niece anymore? I am back to give you some company." He started to kiss my earlobe softly that I didn't even know when a whimper left my lips.

He chuckled at that, his chest rumbling beneath my palm. "See, you like what I do to you, don't you?" His kisses trailed down to my neck and his hands moved up my mid-rib to my right breast.

Suddenly, I came back to my senses, pushing him back with all I have got.

What the hell?!

"No! We can't keep doing this. You can't keep doing this." I told him, my voice quivering. I saw a flash of anger cross is face but it left just as quickly as it came.

"Come on, Zaria. You want this just as much as I want you. You always have." He said, his husky voice rumbling through the quiet house.

"That was before, okay? And you forced me into it. You are my uncle for Christ sake! Doesn't that tell me you anything?!" I screamed at him as tears left my eyes.

"I love you and I want you. I am going to get you no matter what!" His eyes flashed red indicating he was angry. I shut my mouth immediately. He closed In on me like before and held my throat. His grip was quite tight so I could barely breathe but he didn't care.

"Now, listen to me and listen good. You wont tell anyone about all this, alright?" He gestured between both of us. Then he added with a wicked grin. "Who would believe you anyway? You and I know how the first time went. I'm pretty sure you don't want that." He let me go and I gasped to catch my breath.

"Now get me something to eat. I am starving." He said and left the kitchen. I fell to the floor and burst into tears.

God, what do I do?

***

It was dinner time and everyone was seated at the table, eating a meal of Eba and ila alasepo (a local meal in Yoruba land). Unfortunately, I was seated beside Sam but luckily he hasn't made a move and I'm so happy about that.

Suddenly, I felt a hand on my exposed thigh.

Spoke too soon. I said to myself as I gently took his hands off.

That's didn't stop him because I felt it again on my upper thighs, running his fingers across it. That gesture caused cold shivers to run down my spine. I looked at him and his attention was on his meal. He acted like he wasn't even doing anything.

"Aisha, can I exchange seats with you?" I asked. She looked up from her discussion with Father and Mother. In fact, everyone was looking at me.

"Why? What's wrong with your chair?" She asked with complete innocence.

If only you knew?

"Yes Zaria, what's wrong with your chair?" Sam looked at me unfazed, a smirk playing on his lips. I so wanted to slap it off his face.

"I am not just comfortable here that's all." I murmured.

"Well, we will soon be done with dinner so endure." Mother said with a tone of finality. I groaned inwardly. Sam chuckled and went back to eating.

"Father, I don't think all the maids should go home on weekends." I started. Everyone turned to face me again.

"What are you saying?" He frowned at me.

"The house is really boring without them and when I come home I am always the one alone and they should still help with chores and all...." I tried explaining but my mother caught me off, clapping her hands in a typical Nigerian woman style.

"I knew it. You are already becoming a spoilt brat." She snapped at me. She faced my father. "Omo yi ti baje. This girl is already getting spoilt. Because people now do your chores for you, you think you can sit back and do nothing in this house?!" She glared.

"Mum, stop..." Aisha started.

"Shut up, my friend! You are also supporting your sister, abi? Are you not supposed to learn basic house chores as a lady? So you want to go and disgrace me why you get to your husband's house in the future? So that everyone will say her mother did not teach her, abi?! " Mother kept shouting. Sam just sat there looking at the drama with a sly smile on his lips.

"Mum, that's not what am saying..." I wanted to explain myself but she interrupted me.

"Then what are you saying? Because as far as I am concerned, you are becoming a spoilt brat!" She snapped.

I have had it!

I couldn't take it anymore. I stood up from the table and ascended the stairs.

"Don't walk out on me when I am talking to you, young lady?!" I heard my Mother scream but I didn't stop. I went straight to my room and closed the door, fell on my king sized bed and allowed the tears to flow.

Why is it that whatever I do isn't good enough for them? I asked myself. Several thoughts ran through my mind.

A knock on the door brought me down from my thoughts.

God please don't let it be Sam. I prayed quietly.

"Can I come in, Zaria?" Aisha's voice asked. I didn't reply but she came in anyway. I sat on my bed, hugging my pillow. She came to sit beside me and held my hand.

"Are you okay?" She asked.

"Well that's a very stupid question, Aisha. Do I look okay to you?!" I retorted harshly. She chuckled in return. "I don't really see what's funny." I told her.

"I'm sorry. You are just so cute when you are angry. Mum really crossed the line, I know." She said.

"I had my reasons for asking that question. I am not lazy or spoil or whatever she called me. You and I know that." I replied.

"No you are not. Why exactly did you ask that question?" She asked.

I can't tell her about Sam and I, no I can't. I decided.

"I just get really bored being alone at home after school hours. That's all." I lied. Well it wasn't exactly a lie. I get really bored.

"Okay, if you say so. I will talk to her for you." Aisha smiled at me.

"Thanks Aisha. You are the best." I told her and I really meant it. She's the only reason why I want to keep staying in this house. She kissed my forehead and walked out of my room. I followed behind and locked the door behind her.

I returned to my bed to think but my ring tone Little Mix "Reggaéton Lento" filled the air. I fell to my bed and took my phone and checked the caller.

Joel?

I don't know why I had his number saved on my phone but it was saved. The phone stopped ringing and I turned to look at it. In a second it began to ring again and I sighed in resignation, picking the call.

"You will never give up, will you?" I asked rhetorically and I heard him chuckle in response, the sound coming off as a deep sexy rumble.

Where the hell did that come from?!

"I'm very good, thanks for asking. How are you?" He asked, sarcasm written all over his voice. I chuckled softly, suddenly feeling lightheaded.

"Why exactly are you calling me, Joel?" I asked him, settling more comfortably on the bed.

"Can't I call my friend anymore? To see how they are doing." He feigned hurt through his tone and I groaned in frustration. His persistence was very annoying

Yet cute.

But I wasn't going to admit that.

"Give it a rest, Bamidele. We can never be friends." I told him instead, for the thousandth time hoping this time it would stick in his thick headed skull. But he responded with an hearty laughed .

"And yet, you are talking to me so freely over the phone, Zaria Omolara Coker." He said, picking my name one by one, his accent making my name sound so...

...so serene.

I quickly shook off that thought.

"I'm cutting the call off." I threatened, taking the phone of my ear.

"Whoa, Whoa, wait." He stopped me and I chuckled silently. "Why don't we make a deal?" He asked me. I placed the phone back to my ear.

"I'm listening." I told him.

"Okay. I will try every possible means to make sure we are extra cool with each other. If I succeed, you'll agree to be my friend." He stated.

"And if you don't succeed?" I asked him, a smirk evident on my lips.

I'm definitely going to win this.

"I'll let you be for the rest of our school year. Deal?"

"You should know that I don't give up easily." I said the same words I did at the beginning of the term.

"Well this would be fun, 'cos neither do I." His voice went a notch lower and I found myself biting my lips, trying to press down a smile.

"Good night Joel." I said.

"Good night Zaria." He replied and I hung up, a smile playing on my lips. I dropped my phone on the bed side table and laid on my bed.

He isn't so bad after all