This Chapter is dedicated to dheenmah for being such a sweetheart. She just started this book and her comments are just gold🥺🥺💖💖. Thanks baby. And to everyone that has gotten this far without getting tired or dropping the book, God bless you 🥺🥺💖💖.

I rewrote the blurb, I think it is way better than the last one. You should check it out and tell me what you think. Also, there is a YouTube video above in the media that everyone should watch. Please watch it.

Who is ready to dive into Khalil's head?🥴.

Don't forget to Vote oo!!

✯𝕂ℍ𝔸𝕃𝕀𝕃✯

I parked the car in front of the very familiar building, turning off the ignition before getting down, gently closing the door behind me. I knew how much it took for me to get Uncle Joel to hand over the keys of one of the cars.

Thank God for Aunt Zaria and her undeniably amazing gift of emotional blackmail.

"Uncle Joel, I promise I won't reck it." I said, following him from the kitchen, watching as the taller man kept munching on the slice bread he had taken from the fridge earlier.

He didn't even acknowledge me.

"Uncle Joel na!" I whined, unconsciously stumping my foot on the floor like a five year old. But that did the trick because he turned around to look at me then sighed.

"Not that I don't trust you with my babies," he started, referring to his cars, "but that's the thing, I don't trust anyone with my babies." He finished and I sighed in frustration, scratching my temple.

"I thought you had only one baby." Aunt Zaria's partially edgy voice rang out as she came out their room. I saw the way Uncle Joel visibly paled before he let out a nervous chuckle.

Ohhh, I see what this is. I smirked, knowing very much that this all end in my favour.

"Baby!" He called out, stretching his hand out for a hug as she closed in on us but she didn't even acknowledge his hug. She only side stepped him and crossed her hand over her chest.

"I just heard you call your cars your baby, again." She rose her eyebrows challengingly and I saw Uncle Joel fidget right in front of his wife.

I wanted to laugh at the scenario playing out in front of me, but I couldn't because I really needed one of the cars.

"You know I didn't mean it na." He pleaded, pouting.

"Okay then." She smirked mischievously. "Give Khalil the key to your Lexus." She said so casually. My eyes went huge just the same time Uncle Joel's did.

"My what?" He asked like he didn't hear what Aunt Zaria had said. Me sef, I had to clean my ear with my pinky to get the wax out, just in case it blocked my ear.

I was even aiming for the range rover or the small BMW but the Lexus?

Cruise!

"Your Lexus na. Abi, is it your baby?" She asked him, her tone daring him to give her an answer she would definitely not like. Uncle Joel grumbled, running his hand through his hair in frustration.

Ever since I've known this couple, Uncle Joel has always done everything to please aunt Zaria. Aunt Zaria literally has Uncle Joel where she wants him Everytime and he is always at her beck and call. Mumu button activated.

It was just the same thing with my parents.

My lips twitched in a small smile at that thought.

"Baby please," His voice jerked me out of my reverie and I looked up at both of them. "Not the Lexus."  He was pleading with aunt Zaria, while I fought so hard not to burst into laughter.

Let me put him out of his misery.

"Aunt Zaria, don't worry about it." I told her and she faced me. I heard Uncle Joel heave a deep sigh of relief. "I can take the Range Rover. That should do."  I added and Aunt Zaria stroke her chin in a faux thoughtful manner. Uncle Joel looked at me and mouthed a "thank you", which made me chuckle.

"Fine." She replied, swerving on her feet and walking towards the kitchen. "I'll take the Lexus out then." She stated matter-of-factly as entering the kitchen, leaving no room for argument. Uncle Joel began to throw an inaudible tantrum that had me laughing my guts out.

"Ah, Oga! Welcome." The gateman's hoarse voice rang out, jerking me out of my mind trip. I flashed him as smile, thanking him as he allowed me into the compound.

"Is she in?" I asked him and he nodded. I thanked him again and made my way towards the front door. From the number of cars in the drive way, I knew that her parents were around.

Not that they would be a problem.

I knocked on the door twice, shoving my hand into my pocket to wait for someone to open up. Soon, I began to hear shuffles at the other end of the door before the door knob turned and the door opened, revealing just the person I wanted to say.

My lips spread in an automatic grin immediately.

"Happy birthday." I chirped in excitement, expecting her to return the same energy only to receive a scoff and an eyes roll.

"What are you doing here, Khalil?" Tolani asked and I pouted.

"I'm fine, thanks for asking. How are you too?" I replied in sarcasm and she let out a barely audible sound, before hanging her head.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be rude." She apologized and I shrugged, more concerned about what was wrong with her than the way she had replied me.

"You don't seem too thrilled about today." I stated and she shrugged, that same uninterested look on her face.

"Because today is just like any other day. Nothing special at all." She replied but I shook my head, disagreeing with her.

"Too bad then because I am here to take you out." I said and she scoffed, again.

"Thanks, but no thanks." She answered, moving to retreat back into the house and almost slamming the door in my face. I was quick to stop her from going any further.

"Come on." I drawled in persuasion. "It's your eighteenth birthday, you are legal now. You can do a lot of things. There is definitely no way you will want to waste this good day staying in doors." I rapped on while she stood there, watching me with a bored look on her face.

"It doesn't really count that I am legal now." she air quoted the legal. "I have been doing a lot of legal shit before today." She added and I sighed.

"Fair point." I agreed with her and she smirked. "But I can't just come all these way and not take you out. I have a lot of things planned for today, Tolani." I was legit pleading with her.

I knew her spending her day would be toxic for her, especially with her parents around. It was just a matter of time before they start fighting and I honestly didn't want Tolani around all that toxicity. Especially not on her special day.

Just on cue, I began to hear a ruckus going on inside. Shouting and yelling, threats flying around. Her parents were at it again.

I looked at Tolani and saw the way she paled. Though she had mentioned to me severally about how things were getting really bad at home, I have never experienced first hand like this. I could easily tell that she was embarrassed. I sighed, reaching out to take her hand in mine, causing her to look at me.

"Is this really where you want to spend your eighteenth birthday? In this haiku of toxicity?" I asked her, searching her eyes and getting my answer.

She didn't want to be here.

"Go wait in the car." She said, her voice calm. "I'll be down in ten minutes." She added before going back into the house and closing the door gently. I smiled, turning around and walking out of the compound to go wait in the car like she asked me to.

☆☆☆☆

"Where exactly are we going?" She asked me as soon as I pulled out of the place I had parked, reversing the car and driving towards the gate that led out of the estate. I chuckled slightly, my eyes before glancing at her for a nanosecond then took my eyes back to the road.

"Wherever you want to go to, Tolani." I replied and I felt her eyes on me. "You are the birthday girl, you get to choose. Just for today." I added.

"I honestly didn't think I'd go out so I don't know where I want to go." Was her reply. I glanced at her again before looking back to the road, heaving a sigh.

"Tolani, I need you to relax." I told her. "Today is your birthday..."

"I don't need you to keep reminding me, Khalil. Because I know that's it's my birthday." There was an edge in her voice, that I didn't like. But I decided to keep my mouth shut, knowing how much she had on her plate already.

Besides, I was the one that offered to take her out. She didn't beg me to come pick her up from her house. I just wanted to make this day memorable for her.

She deserved it.

"Alright." I said after exhaling. How does the movies sound?" I asked and all she did was shrug. I let out another breath.

"There is this new movie that's out. I'm very sure you will love it." I said again, trying really hard to get her to talk to me. She didn't say anything again and it frustrated me.

Knowing the best way to get her to talk to me, I took a U-turn. Just like I thought, she noticed.

"What are you doing?" She asked. "Why are you turning around?"

"It's obvious you really don't want to go out." I stated matter-of-factly. "I don't want it to seem like I'm forcing you to, so I rather just take you back home." I added, keeping my eyes on the road.

I heard her chuckle, before it graduated into a full blown laughter. My lips unconsciously twitch in a smile as I parked the car at a corner of the road, turning off the ignition.

"Guilt trip." She said when her laughter subsided, nodding her head slowly. "That's a new low Khalil." She smirked and I smirked back, getting mischievous.

"Oh, you like it when I go low." I winked at her, my tone went deeper in insinuation, which she cut very fast and that made her gasp out in shock.

"Jesus, Khalil!" She exclaimed, her voice laced with embarrassment which had me bursting into laughter. "That's wasn't what I meant, you dirty minded fool!" She chided, reaching across to my seat and slapping me gently on my arm.

"At least, I made you laugh, finally." I said, letting out an exaggerated sigh that made her giggle again. I smiled, feeling proud of myself that I got her to laugh, especially with how gloomy the day had started.

Her laugh subsided and we settled in a comfortable silence for a moment.

"Alright," she spoke up first and I turned to look at her. She was staring straight ahead but I didn't miss the way her lips twitched in a small smile.

"Take me to the movies." She added and I grinned, kicking the car back to life.

"That wasn't so hard, was it?" I asked rhetorically and she let out a mock scoff in reply.

"Stop feeling yourself and drive." She hollered and I chuckled, taking a U-turn again and moving us back to the express way.

☆☆☆☆

"There was so much blood!! It made me feel so elated!" Tolani screamed on top of her lungs as we made it out of the mall and towards the parking lot. I turned to look at her, my face morphed into an expression of shock.

We had just left the cinema after watching an horror movie that Tolani picked. Throughout the movie, she didn't bat an eyelid, watching the movie like it was a romantic comedy while I hung onto her hand for dare life.

I was still very much shaken by all the blood shed and nonsense I saw in that movie.

"I should be very scared of you, Tolani because you definitely have serial killer tendencies." I said in one breath, shuddering as I replayed a particular scene where someone's head was slowly cut off my by a chain saw.

Who are the people that act these monstrosities!

"I kinda take that as a compliment." She flashed me a grin then threw a popcorn up before catching it into her mouth effortlessly which have me chuckling. Not only because what she had just done was sorta funny but also because she was smiling, really smiling and having fun and that was a good thing.

I really wanted today to go well for her.

We got to the car and we both got in, with me telling her that we were going to the beach.

"How did you get your uncle to give you this car?" She asked before shoving a hand full of popcorn into her mouth and munching on it. I smiled, retrieving the car keys from the pocket of my jacket.

"Let's just say, the power of a woman should never be underestimated." I replied and she looked at me in confusion. "My aunt Zaria persuaded him." I clarified and she made a sound, her mouth shaped in O form.

"I thought they didn't like you." She stated, and I could hear the way she was picking her words carefully. She didn't want it to seem like she was prying, which she actually wasn't. I chuckled instead.

"What gave you that idea?" I asked, starting the car and reversing out of the lot. Tolani shrugged.

"Maybe because Jamal and Skye don't hide the fact that they loathe you. I just thought their parents would on their side." She explained and I chuckled again.

It's not surprise that those two loathe me.

"Aunt Zaria and Uncle Joel are basically by second parents." I started, glancing at her as I drove into the road. "They have done so much for me and they have given me  so much chance to prove to them that I'm worthy of their love." I smiled in nostalgia, reminiscing a certain incident that happened years ago.

"There is definitely no way that I am throwing out relationship away, especially not for something as pretty as whatever reasons Jamal and Skye don't like me. It's basically their business." I concluded, not wanting to worry myself about Jamal or Skye.

Though, I hate to admit, I was really curious as to why they despised me.

But I dare not tell anyone that.

"That has a double meaning to it." Tolani pointed out and I glanced at her again, my brows furrowed.

"That the twins hating me is their business?" I asked her, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible. There is no way she could have picked an hesitation in my voice.

"No," she replied and I had to stop myself my sighing in relief. "The part about them giving you so much chance to prove that you are worthy of their love." She clarified and I smiled, shaking my head.

"That definitely has a back story." She stated matter-of-factly.

"A long one which we don't have the time to talk about. Today is for you, not me." I replied her, not wanting to drag the issue any further.

Thankfully, she didn't say anything else. She only chuckled and muttered something like why so secretive. I chuckled at that but was interrupted mid way by my ring tone. I just glanced at the phone that was settled on the compartment that separated my seat from Tolani's to see the caller ID.

Mum❤️

My face lit up immediately.

"Who is that?" Tolani asked when I veered off the road, looking for a safe place to park the car.

"My mum." I answered, picking my phone up. "Please, I need to pick this call." I told Tolani.

"Of course." She nodded and I picked the call, beaming in excitement immediately. It's been a while since I really spoke to her. Like, actually spoke to her.

"My baby." Her voice rang out, laced with so much love and affection that I couldn't get tired of. It made my grin widened even more, my cheeks began to hurt.

"Mummy." I cooked right back and Tolani chuckled, mocking the way I had said mummy. I stuck out my tongue at her and went back to listening to my mum.

"I've missed you so much, Olumide. How have you been?" She asked me eagerly in one breath and I chuckled at how frantic she sounded.

"I'm very fine, mummy. And why are you missing me? I'm coming back home on Sunday. You will basically see me.in two days." I told her and I heard her sigh over the phone.

"It hasn't been the same since you went to lagos. I can't wait to have you back here." She maintained and I sighed.

"Soon mum, very soon. You know, I can't..." I was cut of my a ruckus in the background and then a voice that I knew all too well. My mood automatically became sour.

Oh no.

"Is that Olumide? Give me the phone let me speak to him." That was my father's voice. I sighed, scratching my temple  as I prepared myself for whatever he was going to say.

"Olumide." He called, his thick voice coursing shivers to run down my spine. I could hear my mum trying to pacify him, telling him not to yell at me.

"S-sir?" I answered, gulping down. I could feel Tolani's eyes on mine but I couldn't look at her. Not when my dad was on the phone.

"When did I ask you to come home?" He asked me and I sighed.

Dad had wanted me to come immediately after vacation from school but I debunked his order and stayed extra two week. I spoke to mum about it and she already promised to pacify him but I guess it didn't work.

"Immediately after vacation, sir." I answered calmly. He chuckled humorlessly and my heart picked up the beat.

"Olumide, you are becoming disobedient abi?" He asked rhetorically and I sighed again, shaking my head like he could see me.

"No sir." I answered. "I just needed to stay for a while because I have something to do here in Lagos. I promise I'll be home first thing..." I rambled, wanting him to see reasons with me, certainly not wanting to get more on his bad side.

"I want you home before the end of tomorrow, Olumide." He ordered in a very calm, yet threatening voice that had me gulping. "If you don't come home tomorrow, don't bother coming home." He hung up immediately he said that. I removed the phone from my ear and looked at it like it was some sort of alien.

"The fuck?" I muttered to myself, hissing immediately after in utter disdain and flinging the phone to the back seat in anger.

"Khalil..." Tolani muttered, carefully reaching out to touch me.

"I'm fine." I quickly said, raising my hand up to stop her from touching me. My shaky fingers reached to the car keys that were still in the ignition and made to start the car.

"Stop!" She stopped me, quickly removing the keys from the ignition and keeping it in her bag. I took in a deep breath and exhaled, throwing my head to the head rest, my mind in turmoil.

My father was never like this.

Not while I was growing up.

"You can't drive in this state. Take a breather." She told me and I took a deep breath again, wanting to calm my nerves.

How the hell does he want me to come home before the end of tomorrow. Changing my flight at this point will be very expensive but I guess it won't be difficult for him to provide the money. That's why he can talk so easily.

Doesn't he care that I have plans.

"That was your father." It was more of a statement than a question but I nodded anyway then chuckled bitterly.

"Who else could it have been? No one has the power to make me shiver like that apart Magistrate Hakeem Gobir." I flashed her a small smile and she smiled back.

I leaned my head back and sighed, staring ahead to the road. Cars weren't really moving on this road and I was glad. I needed a breather, needed time to get rid of all the bad energy I was feeling.

Suddenly, I began to feel Tolani's hand on my thigh. No, not in a comforting way but in more of a sensual, seductive way. Just as I looked at her to ask why she was doing that, her lips met mine, her tongue immediately parting my lips, deepening the kiss. In as much as I wanted to indulge her, I didn't want to use her a distraction.

She was way too precious to be a distraction.

So I pulled back.

"What are you doing?" I asked her, trying to keep my heart from beating any faster, trying not to let my voice sound too husky though I was failing miserably, especially with the way she was looking at me.

"I want to make you feel better." She whispered sensually, her breath fanning my ear, making me shiver involuntarily. Before I could say any more, anything else to stop her, her lips were back on mine.

Good God...

The kiss was heated just like every other one we have always shared, sending deep arousal coursing through my veins like a tidal wave. In the next minute, she was off her seat and was straddling me in mine, grinding against my rather obvious bulge. My arms automatically wrapped around her thin waist, guiding her at the pace I wanted, indulging her

Khalil, you shouldn't be doing this.

The tiny voice of reasoning reminded me but it immediately faded away when Tolani began to hump on my bulge, coursing me to throw my head back as a groan escaped my lips. Tolani's lips went down to my throat, her hand inside my shirt.

I didn't have to bother that someone would see us because the glasses were tinted, but I couldn't stop the tiny voice of reasoning for reminding that I should stop this.

It's so hard...

Don't indulge her.

I felt her hand move down to my belt buckle and all sense of reasoning came rushing back. I was quick to hold unto to hand, stopping her from going any further. She looked up at me and I saw how aroused she was. I could literally feel the heat from her core on my erection and as much as it was driving me crazy, I wasn't going to indulge her.

For her own good.

"We should stop." I tried to mutter but my voice came off as husky, raspy and breathless.

"Why?" She asked, her voice mirroring mine exactly.

"This isn't why I brought you out here. I'm sorry." I looked away from her, feeling utterly embarrassed. I heard her let out a very shaky breath, releasing her hands from mine and that made me look at her.

Her eyes were no longer dilated, instead they were watery and her breath became uneven and shaky. I came concerned.

"Tolani," I called her name but all she did was to shake her head, getting off me very fast like I burnt her. I became even more concerned.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." She muttered fast before opening the car door, dashing out of the car and into the road.

Confused and certainly way more concerned and scared than before, I rushed out as well, going after her to catch up with her. Cars weren't really passing this road so it made it very much easy. She kept running but I ran faster, catching up with her and stopping her from going any further.

She then began to struggle against me, tears cascading from her eyes like a torrent and I began to panick.

What did I say?

"Tolani." I gently called to her, holding her against me even though she kept struggling, unconsciously jabbing her elbows into my ribs repeatedly which hurt like hell but that wasn't the issue. I just needed to know what was wrong.

"I shouldn't have done that. I'm so sorry I did that." She muttered after she had relaxed against me, her back to my chest. I turned her around to face me and for the first time, she was avoiding my gaze. I had to cup her face in my hand and tilt it up so that she could look at me.

I still didn't get what she was apologizing for.

"It's okay. I am not judging you, Tolani. I understand." I whispered, using my thumbs to clean the tears that keeps calling from her eyes. She shook her head vigorously, looking at me with blood shot eyes.

"You don't understand, Khalil." She countered and the intensity of her voice had me almost tripping on air. She pulled away from me and I let her, standing rooted to the ground.

"This," she motioned to herself, looking at her body like it was shit, "isn't okay. I am not okay, Khalil." She sniffed, looking down at herself like she was filth.

Taking a deep breath, I walked up to her and gathered her in my arms, hugging her like my life depended on it. She burst into fresh tears, burying her face in my chest while I held her,

...telling her that all would be well...

...even though I had absolutely no idea what was going on.

☆☆☆☆

I parked the car in front of her gate, glancing at her to see that she actually wasn't asleep like I thought she had been. She was just staring outside the window, quietly. She's been quiet for hours, not saying anything since her breakdown in the middle of the road but I didn't pressure her.

After she had cried, I led her back to the car and we both snuggled up at the back seat. I didn't ask her any questions and she didn't say anything until it became dark and Aunt Zaria called to know why I wasn't back yet. At the same time, Tolani just muttered that she wanted to go home and here we are.

"We are here." I said, picking my words carefully even though I knew she could see it clearly through her window.

"I'm not blind, Khalil. I can see." There was a hint of humour in her tone that had me smiling subconsciously.

"Good to know your sass is back." I said and she scoffed, leaning away from the window to look at me.

"My sass never left, thank you very much." She smirked and I chuckled. Soon, the car was silent, even the street was silent, only the sound of dogs barking the the neighbors and distant noises from houses were heard.

"Thank you," she started and I looked at her. "I'm so sorry, I ruined your day." She muttered the last part and I shook my head.

"You didn't ruin my day. I don't regret taking you out, Tolani." I told her and she nodded, her lips quirked in a small smile.

"The funny part is that this was my best birthday on a long time." She confessed, shocking me to my wits. She must have noticed the look on my face because are laughed then said, "don't be too surprised, Khalil."

"I'm not." I denied and she laughed again muttering of course you're not under her breath. My curiosity got the better part of me.

"Do you want to talk about..." I saw the way she tensed up so I stopped, regretting that I had asked before. "I'm sorry I asked.

"It's okay. You will know, soon." She looked at me, her lips curved in a smile. She beckoned for me to move closer and I did. Then, she pressed her forehead against mine and my heart picked up the beat.

And yes, in a very good way.

"I'm pretty bummed that you are leaving tomorrow." She whispered, her breath literally fanning my face. "You are basically the only factor in my life keeping me sane, Khalil."

Her words hit me to more heart's core and I let out a shaky breath, feeling light-headed at what she said. I don't think I have ever had someone like Tolani in my life before. She might not know but she was also the only sane person in my life. Without her, I'd be a mess.

We stayed in that position for what seemed like hours even though it was just minutes. I saw the look on Tolani's face. She wanted to kiss me, not like earlier but she wanted to. She just didn't know how to make the move. I didn't know how to make the move either.

Since when, Khalil?

"I don't know if I should..." I started

"Please..." Was all she had to say to make me completely lean in, pressing my lips to hers.

Knowing Tolani, she was only familiar with fast, heated kisses. But not this time. I wanted to savour her. I wanted to leave an imprint in her through out the break. Something that she would never forget. Something that would always make her to remember me.

I wanted her to feel what it was like to be cared about.

So I pulled away slightly, much to her confusion.

"What's wrong?" She asked breathlessly and I smiled, weaving my fingers through her hair.

"Nothing." I leaned again and brushed my lips against her slightly, teasingly. A small gasp escaped her lips and my smiled widened as I looked at her. Her eyes held a lot of emotions,

None of which was lust.

"Follow my lead." I instructed gently and she nodded slowly.

I pressed my lips against hers again, and this time she followed my pace. Our lips moved slowly, sensually, passionately against each other. The small mewl of pleasure that escaped her lips indicated that she was enjoying it just as much as I was. I kissed her slowly, tenderly, marking her, branding her.

Just like she had done to me.

A/N

Wow!

Khalil and Tolani will soon start giving y'all "God when" vibes. Too bad they are not exactlya couple. Will they ever be sef? I don't know🥴🥴. I also wanted to give you guys a glimpse of Khalil's relationship with Joel and Zaria.

They Love Him to bits.

This is the longest chapter I have written in this book and it's because I want you give y'all something to hold unto while I wait for the goals to be met.

What goals am I talking about? Read the previous "chapter" to find out.

I want to apologize to my loyal readers because this is definitely going to affect you guys and I'm so sorry but it has to be done. I am not being encouraged enough with the number of ghost and silent readers I have on this book. I hope this will make you people change so that I should be reaching my goal by the end of next week.

It's all up to y'all.

On the bright side, I'm going to be writing more chapters in my draft, pending the time I reach my goal and once I reach it, y'all should know that it would be back to back updates all the way.

You have my word.

If you haven't watched the YouTube video in the media, you should. Don't forget to VOTE!! and comment. Also Share!!!

Kisses and See you when I see you ❤️