Jamal's POV

Turning off the ignition, I got down from the car and walked around to open the door for Elyon. I kept a smile on my face while she scrunched her face up animatedly, getting down from the car.

"Who are you trying to form gentle man for?" She asked me, indirectly mocking me and my face contoured into a feign frown.

"Haba. I'm always a gently man." I replied and rolled her eyes as me while I closed the door behind her and pressed a button on the remote to lock the car.

"For your mind." She mocked again, looping her arm with mine as we made our way inside the building. "You just don't want to give away the fact that we are bunch of teenagers." She added and I chuckled, reaching over to tuck a strand of her braids behind her ear.

"I prefer the term young adults." I said and Elyon rolled her eyes again but I didn't miss the small smile on her lips.

Fortunately for me, few of my works amongst others, were opportune to be displayed at a gallery opening in the city and I decided to take Elyon with me to check it out,mainly because there was a surprise I wanted her to see. Now, we dressed like classy young couples. With the way I saw ladies look at me, I knew I was slaying the deep blue blazer, white turtle neck and black tailored pants, topping it up with a designer shoe.

Elyon was definitely not exempted because I could see the male specie like myself staring at her, jaw dropping. I don't blame them though. My babe looked hot in a simple black gown, with a puffed sleeve that was held by an elastic against her wrist. Her braids were left to fall freely against her shoulder and back, her beautiful legs showing off with the black strap heels she wore. She didn't even put on any make up, her face holding its natural glow.

Chai! I carry eyes go market!

A waiter passed us with a tray of champagne and I picked two glasses for Elyon and I. I stretched one over to her and She gave me a look but took it from my hand.

"We are too young to drink." She whispered to me and I chuckled.

"You are too young to drink, love." I teased her and she scoffed. "I'd be nineteen soon, remember?" I sassed, taking a sip of champagne.

"I don't like you." She muttered and I smirked at her.

"Of course you don't." I told her and she watched me through hooded eyes. "You love me." I said, my voice going a notch lower and she giggled.

"You know I do." Elyon replied but I shook my head.

"I still need you to tell me." I told her, seriousness hinted in my voice. "But not now. Let's enjoy our afternoon." I whispered to her, taking my other hand to caress her that was looped with mine.

"Oh, I love that." Elyon pointed to a painting at her far right and we walked towards it, admiring it.

****

Elyon had excused herself to go use the ladies room so I decided the survey the paintings that were not mine. I was looking at a painting when my eyes caught one unique art by my left. Sipping my champagne, I walked up to it and my eyes ran through the exquisite work of art.

It was the painting of a small boy, a sad and lonely small by. Every thing around him was vibrant except him. Children were playing, the sun was shining, the grasses were green but he still looked gloomy. From a distance or without looking pass the strokes of beautiful paints, you'd miss the message. But I couldn't miss the message even if I wanted to.

Because I used to be like this boy.

Sad and Lonely.

"You seem really interested in this painting." A voice suddenly came from beside and I looked to see a guy standing right by me, his eyes on the painting as well. I looked back at the painting.

"Yes. It's a beauty. It's pretty sad but it passes a very deep message." I replied and he chuckled.

"You were one of the very few people that has actually been able to connote the in depth of this painting. I'm very impressed." He nodded his head, turning to face me. I suddenly realised that he looked familiar, very familiar at that. He seemed to be having the same thought because his fave was scrunched up in thoughtfulness.

"I know you." I stated, trying to recollect where I had seen his face before then it all came to me. "Oh. You are Kunle's friend." I exclaimed, my lips quirked in a smile. That seemed to juggle his memory because he smiled.

"Yeah! From last year's Mountain Adventure Tours. It's been a while." He stretched his hand for a shake and I gladly shook it.

Mountain Adventure Tour was a male only recreational Summer camp that my parents and Mateo's dad had forced us to go to during SS1/SS2 long vacation. Kunle and Adams were placed in the same lounge as we were so we bonded a lot. Actually, Mateo, Kunle and I bonded. Adams was always on his own, mostly in the arts and craft room.

Now I see why. The guy is talented.

"I'm Jamal by the way." I introduced myself.

"Adams." He replied and I nodded, turning back to the painting.

"So, I'm guessing this is yours." I stated and I didn't have to look at him before I knew that he nodded.

"Yes, this my baby." He gushed and I chuckled.

"I'm just glad I'm not the only young artist with their work here." I told him and he looked at me.

"You also have your work here?" He asked me and I nodded, turning to move to where my works were.

"Come, let me show you." I motioned for him to follow me and he did. I took him to where my paintings were.

We began to talk, analyzing every stroke and every splash like it was a puzzle. When I met Adams, he was a pretty quiet kid but didn't seem to like to come out of his comfort zone. But now, he seemed more open. We were vibing and bonding and it was really good.

"Am I interrupting anything, boys?" A familiar voice came from behind and we turned around to see Elyon smiling at us.

"Not at all." I replied, pulling her closer. "Elyon, this is Adams. He's an old acquaintance." I started and then looked at Adams.

"Adams, this is my girlfriend, Elyon." I said pride laced in my voice. I'd never get old of calling this girl mine.

I might as well shout it in the middle of third mainland bridge.

"Wow. Your girlfriend." Adams awed voice snapped me out of my reverie. I heard Elyon's soft giggle and him shake her hand.

"Nice to meet you Adams." She said.

"Nice to meet you too." He smiled at her before looking at me and giving me and giving me a not so subtle approving nod, causing me to chuckle and Elyon to laugh. We spoke for a little while, getting to know more about each other.

"I should get going now." Adams said, looking at his wrist watch.

"It was really nice meeting you." Elyon said.

"Likewise." He waved and walked away. I looked at Elyon and found her looking at me.

"What?" I asked her and shrugged.

"Nothing." She shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. That smile made me remember the surprise I had for her.

"I have a surprise for you." I told and she furrowed her eyebrows at me I'm question.

"A surprise? Here?" She asked me and I nodded.

"Yes, here. Please close your eyes for me." I asked and she did, a beautiful smile gracing her lips. I clasped my hand over her eyes for extra precaution and led her to her surprise. It was a rather private place so I wasn't worried about anyone coming to disturb us.

"Are you ready?" I asked her and she nodded. Immediately, I removed my hand from her face and she opened her eyes. A gasped followed after.

"Jamal." She muttered, breathless, staring at the master piece in front of her.

She was staring at a picture of herself.

I had started drawing this picture since I set my eyes on but I wasn't able to perfect it. I was looking for the perfect Angel, the perfect shade, the perfect everything. I couldn't decide any of that. Until that day.

The day I told her I loved her.

It opened my eyes and I got the perfect picture in my head.

Cliché but true.

In the painting, her head was thrown back in laughter and her hair was all over the place. I was able to capture the moment on my phone in real life on time before it ended. I then captured every little detail with strokes of brushes and splashes of paint. It was a serene, beautiful piece.

The most beautiful piece I've ever done.

"What do you think?" I whispered, standing right behind her, my hands resting on her shoulder. I heard a sniff and I tried not to chuckle.

Tiwatope, the hard girl.

"I-I honestly don't know what to say." She chocked out.

"At least tell me you like it." I pleaded.

"Are you kidding?" She turned to look at me, her eyes glassy with tears. "I love it. I love it so much." She chanted, pulling her face down gently so that her lips would meet mine. I gladly welcomed it, wrapping my hands around her middle.

The heel she was wearing covered up for the obvious height difference so it was very easy for me to crotch my head a bit lower to kiss her the way I really wanted to kiss her. My fingers drew circles on her back as her tongue played with hers, each gentle stroke mirroring the gentle strokes of my brush while drawing that masterpiece.

Her fingers played with my skin as her back arched against my body and I let out a throaty growl, pulling her impossibly closer to press my body against mine, to feel her soft body against mine. I could feel her shiver at the contact and that made me shiver as well, electricity coursing through my veins.

Tiwatope, you live wire.

Reminding myself that we were in the public, I took my hand from where they were holding her around her waist and brought them to cup her face gently, while her hands wrapped around my middle. I placed short, heated kisses on her lips, pausing at intervals so we could catch out breath.

Pressing my forehead to hers, I pulled back a bit, trying to stop my raising heart from bursting out. I opened my eyes and saw Elyon's lips stretch in a small smile before she opened her eyes to look at me.

"It's so beautiful." She muttered and it took me a minute before I realised what she was talking about. I ran my knuckles against her cheeks and watched as her eyes fluttered softly.

"You are beautiful." I replied and she smiled again, letting out a sigh.

"I love you." She whispered, catching me off guard. I had to stop myself from widening my eyes. I just buried my face I'm the hallow of her neck and placed light feathery kisses on a spot, earning a weak moan from her.

"I love you." I whispered, making sure my lips brushed her earlobe and I felt her shiver against me. On cue, the instrumentals of I've found a love by Ed Sheeran began to play in the background and instinctively we began to sway to the rhythm,

...singing the lyrics in our heart.

****

Everyone had gone to bed by the time I got home. I had dropped Elyon off and made my way home. After the art exhibition, we had changed into a more comfortable wear and had gone to the beach, spending our entire day there. When I dropped her off, we ended the day with a kiss. A Kiss that held so much possibilities

It was something I'd never forget.

Making my way up the stairs, I saw my sister's light, indicating she was still away. When Mateo left three days ago, she was pretty devastated but she tried to cover it up with smiles of her own and always keeping busy but Skye's my sister so her forlorn look wasn't missed by me.

Dropping my bag on the chair on the hallway, I made my way towards her room. Knocking the door, I didn't hear anything but I still went ahead to open the door. I saw he lying on the bed, back facing the door but I knew she wasn't asleep.

"Skye." I called and she sat up immediately.

"You are back." She noticed. "I honestly didn't hear you come in." She said and I chuckled, walking further in and shutting the door behind me.

"You were obviously in your own world." I said and she smiled, that forlorn look in her eyes again.

"I'm sorry. I just..." She trailed off. "I miss him. The time difference isn't even working. I can't chat with him as often as I wanted." She said.

"Hey, it's okay. It's alright to feel this way." I told her and she nodded. An idea came to my mind and I looked at her. "Hey, do you want to cuddle?" I asked her and she eagerly nodded. I went ahead to put off the light and went to join her the bed. She snuggled closer to me.

"How was the exhibit?" She asked me after moments of silence. I smiled as the memory came rushing back.

"It was amazing. Very amazing." I replied and she chuckled.

"I take it, it's because of Elyon." She stated and I nodded nonetheless.

"I'm so happy you finally found someone. Someone to help you grow. Someone you can grow with. Someone that is not ready to give up on you." She started and I listened.

"Elyon is a good girl and you guys are great together. But..." She sighed. "Everything won't be all rosy. Your loyalty and trust for each other would be tested. You just have to hold on, both of you so you won't fall out."

"That's what Tolani wants and we are not going to give her that satisfaction." I said.

"Not just by the word of mouth, baby brother. Action." She said and finished off with a yawn. I nodded, my mind playing every word she said.

"Thank you. I won't forget your words."

"I hope you don't. There is absolutely nothing you can do without me." She teased and I chuckled.

"I love you, Skye."

"I love your too, baby brother." She replied, snuggling closer to me as we drifted off to sleep.

The End!

Or is it? 😎

A/N
I'm sorry for the last chapter. Wattpad and it glitches. I even had to go and update my Wattpad maybe it would help but if it doesn't, you don't have to comment. Its frustrating sha.

So it's a wrap! Partially 😎

Who likes how this one ended though. I didn't want it to be the cliche love/ romance ending. I decided to finish it off with a little sibling love. I hope it turned out well.

Who remembers Adams from "Perfectly Imperfect" by Rihanna_Adedeji

Anyway, I'd be uploading the Characters and Trailer for Stilling the Storm! So stay tuned and watch out for it. That's when you will officially meet the new character. Also, I'd be posting the Trailer as well. Do well you watch and tell me what you think.

Drama is coming.

Who is ready!