𝕁𝔸𝕄𝔸𝕃

Khalil in all his poise, stood few feet away from me, holding my sketch pad in his hand. I looked around and saw two suitcases and a duffel bag that I was sure belonged to him, lying by his feel. I looked back at him, watching his lips still turned in that familiar lopsided grin.

He is not a figment of my imaginations.

My eyes swept the length of his body, giving him one over. He has changed, a lot. He was taller, probably two inches taller than me and he was buffed, muscular. Khalil as always looked like his mum growing up but now, he looked more like Uncle Hakeem, having a more chiseled face and a demeanor that basically screamed fuck off.

Why the hell did my parents agree to this?

"What are you doing here?" I asked immediately I was done accessing him. He titled his head at me like my question made no sense.

"Your parents didn't tell you I was coming to stay?" He questioned back. It took me a lot not to roll my eyes at him.

"They told us but you weren't supposed to come till the day after tomorrow. Why are you here so early?" I repeated my question in another way. His mouth formed in a o shape, indicating that he understood my question and he shrugged.

"The #ENDSARS protest is getting hot in Port-Harcourt, so my parents felt I should get here as soon as possible. I took the next available flight from Calabar to down here." He explained, plopping down on my bed and making himself comfortable and I frowned.

And he didn't think to call any of us?

"And you didn't think to call any of us?" I asked him incredulously, voicing out my thoughts and all he offered was a nonchalant shrug of his shoulder. That annoyed me but I let it slide.

"The protest here is just as bad. You could have given us heads up about your arrival. Maybe Dad would have sent someone to pick you from the airport." I tried not to make my voice sound like I was scolding him.

"Well, I know my way around and I'm already here." He replied. Another question popped into my head and I jerked my head towards him

"How did you even get in?! The door was locked!" I exclaimed.

"I picked the lock." Was his simple reply. My eyes automatically went huge like saucers and I stared at him like he had developed another head.

"You picked the lock?!" I exclaimed in horror. "What the hell, Khalil. Do you know how dangerous that is? What if the security guard had taken you for an armed robber or bugler!" I snapped at him and he scoffed.

"What's with all the questions, Jamal?" He asked, his voice having an edgy undertone. "If you don't want me here, I can as well call my parents and I'd take the next flight back to PH."

You have no idea how much I don't want you here.

"This is not about whether I want you here or not." I told him. "This has to do with the fact that you took a security risk. You should be thankful I'm even being smooth with you. Dad and Mum must not hear what you or they will flip." I stated and she chuckled.

"What are you talking about? Uncle Joel and Aunt Zee love me." He boasted and I scoffed, rolling my eyes.

"Of course they do." I replied, sarcasm dripping in my voice. I noticed he still had my sketchpad in his hands. I quickly snatched it away and he looked at me with a smirk.

"Why so secretive?" He asked, an undertone of mockery in his voice."I've  seen everything you drew. Even the hot girl." He stated and I rolled my eyes at me.

The Hot girl was Elyon and in as much as I want to keep her away from him for as long as Khalil would be here, that was impossible.

"We need to set up some ground rules." I told him and he rolled his eyes at me but ignored the attitude.

"First of, that's my bed and this is my room. You can't just come in here and touch my stuffs. They are off limit." I instructed him.

"If I'm staying in this room with you then I'd probably be touching a lot of your stuffs." He chipped and I was quick to shake my head.

No way I'm sharing my room with him.

"No, you are not going to be sharing a room with me." I stated.

"If I am not staying here, then where am I staying?" Khalil asked me. I sighed.

"I'm not sure mum has set up the room yet because you just gave us an impromptu arrival. But come on, let me show you." I beckoned to him.

He stood up from my bed and carried one of his suitcases and duffel bag while I carried the other suitcase, leading him out of my room and down stairs to where the spare room was located. After helping him settle in, which was against my better judgement, I went back to my room, thoughts plaguing my mind.

Adjusting to Khalil's presence here would be hard. There is no way for me to avoid him. He'd be in my school, in my class, in my house and knowing my parents, they'll ask me to help him blend into the environment. So, he'll be all up in my face.

And so will the dreadful memories of all that happened.

And I hope to God that he doesn't make anymore dreadful memories while he's back here.

****
𝔼𝕃𝕐𝕆ℕ

I greeted the security guard when he opened the gate for me to come in to the house. I walked to the front door and knocked. I had told Jamal that I would be coming over so I knew he'd be expecting me, even though he tried dissuading me from coming, saying he would come over to mine.

I knew that was a bad idea because my Mum was home and she has been disturbing me about the talk. If Jamal by chance walks into my house, my mum will chew him raw. I knocked again and began to hear shuffles and footsteps. I leaned back when the door knob shifted and the door opened, revealing an unfamiliar face.

A shirtless unfamiliar face.

A hot, shirtless unfamiliar face.

My ovaries!

My eyes on their own accord ran through the length of the hunk in front of me. I couldn't help but admit to the fact that he was fine, might fine. His naked torso was dripping with sweat and I didn't need anyone to tell me that he had been exercising or something along that line though, I don't know if people gym by 1.30pm in the afternoon but it didn't matter at the moment. It literarily looked like he was sweating diamonds in his brown skin.

Damn! Jesus.

"I know I'm hot, Love." His voice pierced through my sinful reverie and I looked up at him to see his lips turned in a malicious smirk. "But, I'd need you to tell me who you are and who you are looking for." He added, his deep voice had a hint of pride in them and I almost scoffed.

He's corny. That's such a turn off.

Wait, who is he?

"I'm sorry, I doubt I'm in the wrong house." I started, looking over his shoulder to see inside the house. Surely, it was the Bamidele's.

"It depends on who you are looking for." Was his reply. I was about to speak when I heard a familiar voice speak.

"Khalil, please step away from the door and allow her to come in." Jamal spoke from behind the diamond-sweat guy who smirked at me and moved away from the door so he could let me in. It was then that his name clicked.

This is the Khalil? I asked myself as I looked over my shoulder, only to find him watching me. I tore my gaze away from his and turned to look at Jamal who was walking towards me. An automatic smile spread across my lips when he got to me, pulling me into his arms and pressing a soft kiss to my forehead.

My safe place.

"Are you not going to introduce me, coz?" Khalil's deep voice came from behind me, interrupting us. I heard Jamal cuss before he released me, but his hand still hung around my waist. I looked at Khalil and he still had that smirk on his lips.

What's with this dude and smirking?

"Elyon, meet my cousin, Khalil." Jamal started, his voice dull like he wanted to be doing anything but introducing us. "Khalil, meet Elyon. My girlfriend." Jamal concluded.

There was a way he said my girlfriend. His voice had an undertone, an undertone of possessiveness. Like he was laying his claim and marking his territory. Or maybe, I was just the one imagining it. I looked away from Jamal to Khalil who now had a grin across his lips in place of that smirk.

"The girlfriend." He began, his eyes travelling to every inch of my body. "Wow, Jamal. You need to teach me how you snagged yourself such a beauty." I don't know if it was just me but his voice went a notch deeper than it already was.

And dare I say, it was hot.

"And you are the infamous, Khalil." I started, smirking myself and trying to seem tough. "I've heard a lot about you." I added.

"Good things I hope?" He asked and I rolled my eyes.

"Not even close." I replied and he let out a loud rumbling laughter in that effect.

"Ouch!" He said when his laughter subsided and looked at Jamal who had no said anything for the past minute. "I like her." He stated, his eyes coming to rest on me again.

"Let's go babe." Jamal grabbed my hand and pulled me along. As we ascended the stairs, I looked over my shoulder at Khalil and saw him still standing by the door, his arms crossed across his chest, his fixated on me. I quickly looked away from him.

Weird guy.

                                             ****

"I'm so sorry about, Khalil. He can be a pain." Jamal said as we settled on his bed. I chuckled, moving to get comfortable while Jamal sat close to me.

"Well, from everything you guys said, I was already prepared for what to expect. So, it's okay." I told him. He sighed, taking one of my legs in his hands and began to play with my toes. I giggled as it tickled. He did this unconsciously, holding my leg and playing with my toes.

My boyfriend has a foot fetish.

And I loved it.

"Was that why you didn't want me to come over?" I asked him after a moment of comfortable silence. Jamal looked at me and nodded.

"As much as it sounds stupid, I didn't want you to meet him." He replied and I frowned, sitting up.

"Why not?"

"Because he is Khalil, my cousin and I know him. He has the most mischievous shit up his sleeves and I don't want to take my chances." Jamal responded, whilst pouting and I chuckled.

"But you know, I'd have gotten to meet him one way or another, right." I stated and he rolled his eyes.

"I would have prevented it." He replied and I laughed.

"Jamal..." I cooed, leaning close to touch his face. His eye fluttered close as my thumb caressed his cheeks. "Why are you so worked up over him?" I asked, knowing for a fact that there was something more to it. Jamal's silence confirmed my suspicion.

"Is there some sort of back story I am not aware about?" I asked and he sighed in return.

"I really don't want to go down that memory lane." He said and I nodded in understanding.

"It's okay. I didn't come here to talk about your cousin anyway." I stated. Jamal's gloomy expression quickly changed as a mischievous grin spread across his lips.

"Oh really..." His voice became dangerously low as he moved closer suggestively and I let out a hearty laugh, pushing him back gently.

"Your mind is a mine field of dirty thoughts." I told him and he let out a dramatic gasp.

"I'm an artist. My imaginations must run wild." He defended, resulting to picking my feet again. I giggled but didn't say anything me as I was beginning to enjoy his finger ministration on my feet.

"So, I am now your personally masseuse, uhn?" Jamal asked, a smile spread across his lips.

"You are supposed to be. If my boyfriend isn't my personal masseuse, who else will be?" I teased and he scrunched his face.

"Touché." He simply replied.

I picked my phone when I heard it vibrate and began to check through my messages and then began to view status. I saw the one of Skye had posted. A picture of her and Mateo and I smiled. Since Mateo got back, they have been spending so much time together to make up for lost times. It was really sweet.

Suddenly, I felt Jamal's lips press again my big toe. The feel of his lips against the sole of my foot sent series of current flowing from my leg to my hearts core, so much so that I almost dropped my phone. I looked at me and saw him staring at me through hooded eyes, his lips still pressed against my skin.

"W-what are you doing?" My words came out in stutters, my voice in whisper.

"I'm testing a theory." His voice came out huskily, his fingers trailing the side of my leg gently. I let out a shaky breath, propping myself up with my elbow.

"What theory?" I asked.

"That the feet is also a weak spot for ladies." Was his simple reply before his lips came back down to press against the arch that connect my leg to my foot. I let out a soft gasp, tingles coursing through my veins.

Fuck, that feels good.

Jamal's gaze didn't break away from mine as his lips continued their assault on the sole of my feet, my teeth biting down against my lower lip to stop me from moaning. I couldn't help but let out a moan when his tongue darted out and touch my sensitive skin, my head falling back to the pillow and my breathing uneven.

"Jamal..." I gasped out, not recognizing my own voice as they were laced with want.

Elyon, see what man has reduced you to. Shiuur.

"Yes, baby..." His voice was dangerously low, it sent a tidal wave of electrifying current flowing through  me.

He stopped his sweet assault on my feet and I was almost protesting when I saw him hovering above me, his head hanging low, close to mine. I saw the look of desire in his eyes, mixed with passion, want and a mixture of other deep emotions I couldn't place.

"Seems like the theory is correct." His voice did things to me, Amazing things. His lips were turned in a smirk.

"Hmmmn..." I hummed, not knowing what else to say. Feeling like it was the only thing left to be done, I tilted my head upwards and brushed my lips against his slightly, teasing him. A throaty groan escaped his lips and he brought his lips down to mine.

The kiss was slow, painfully slow but I loved it, loved how it felt. His soft lips moved against mine in perfect sync, his right hand moving to hold my face in place as he tilted his head to deepen the kiss. I moaned when the tip of his tongue slipped in between my lips, coming to contact with mine, twirling sensually with the contact giving me goosebumps all over.

Oh God...

Jamal's hands moved to my waist, the blunt tip of fingers trailing my exposed skin as his lips moved away from mine to settle against the skin between my neck and my ear. I struggled not to moan, biting hard against my lips so much that I tasted blood, my fingers clutching his shirt. His tongue darted out to touch my skin and I shivered, letting out the moan I was fighting to hard to keep in, my toes curling.

When mum and dad were saying you have the talk, you didn't listen.

We should stop.

Like he had heard my thoughts, He brought his lips back to mine, kissing me softly and nibbling on my lips gently. He finally pulled away slightly, burying his head in the allow of my neck, his heavy breathing tickling the sensitive skin of my neck. I took a shaky breath.

"Jamal..." I called breathlessly.

"Just a minute." He replied in an equal tone, breathless. "I need to catch my breath." He added and I couldn't help but chuckle softly.

"Are you good?" I whispered and he nodded, holding his head up so that he could look at me. Desire was still evident in his eyes, mirroring mine. This was what simple kisses did to us, how much it affected us.

And we embraced it.

"Yeah..." He answered my question, his voice still husky. "I-I might just need to go and take a cold shower." He revealed, his face gaining more colour.  I couldn't help but laugh.

"Yeah, yeah. Laugh at my expense." He added while I was laughing and I tried to stop the laughter.

"Okay, I'm sorry. I'm sorry." I apologized and he pouted, nodding.

"Give me a few minute." He pecked me quickly on my lips and stood up, rushing into the bathroom while I laughed.

Well, this won't be the first time he'd be having an hard on while kissing me.

And it would obviously not be the last.

****

While Jamal was in the bathroom, I had gotten a bit hungry and decided to go and grab something to eat. I was by the fridge, grabbing two sachet of Maryland cookies and two cans of diet coke. Carrying them with my hand, I closed the Fridge with my leg, only to meet Khalil standing behind it.  I let out a yelp and almost dropped what I was carrying.

"Jesus!" I exclaimed. "Don't do that again!" I snapped at him and he laughed, walking further into the kitchen.

"I didn't mean to scare you." He rose his hands up in mock surrender and I glared him.

He can't even apologize.

"Well, you did." I replied him harshly and he veered back like he has been hit.

"Wow, take it easy girl. I'm sorry." He finally apologized and I rolled my eyes.

"No wahala." Was my simple reply before I picked the junks again and made to leave the kitchen.

"I'm sorry if I acted weirdly when you came by earlier." He called behind me and I stopped short, turning around to face him.

"It's fine. You were not expecting to meet me and I wasn't expecting to meet you." I stated, watching him as he came closer to me.

"I'd definitely learn to behave myself in front of pretty girl like you next time." He smirked and I scoffed.

"You are so corky." I told him and he shrugged, the smirk not leaving his face.

"So I've been told." He replied. I scoffed again, turning around to leave.

"Nice meeting you Elyon." He called from behind me again and I chuckled lightly though I didn't respond to him.

Even though I will not admit it when the others are around, he didn't seem as bad as everyone thought he was.

In fact, he was pretty fun.

A Charmer definitely.

A/N

So Khalil and Elyon met and Elyon is tripping. 🤣🤣🤣 Not exactly tripping sha but you understand what I mean now. Jamal is obviously not glad to have his cousin over. They have had a pretty rocky history.

What do you think Khalil did to Jamal in the past?

The next chapter will be the Tolani's Party. Are you ready for a tiny bit of drama? Who knows what Tolani has in store for couple? Is Tolani even paying them any mind at all in the first place? That's the most important question.

How much do you rate this chapter? On the scale of 1-10?

Don't forget to drop your comments and your votes. I'll see you when I see you. ❤️❤️❤️