That's Ola at the Media.

IRENE

Opening my eyes to the brightly lited room, something struck me hard causing me to wince and close my eyes back. My head was banging terribly.

Holding onto the night stand, I managed to get up. Finally up and aware of my surrounding, I realized I was not in my room but in someone else's and I knew too well who's room it was as the very familiar dark Gothic decor reminded me of large bags of curls.

Walking to the mirror stand, I saw a sticky note and picked it up.

There's a new brush for you in the bathroom.

Theodore.

I walked into the bathroom and brushed my mouth. That done, I slipped into a pair of huge crocs I knew belonged to Theodore and headed down the stairs.

Walking into the kitchen, I sighted Theodore by the sink in an apron and my breath got caught in my lungs.

Heck, the boy was shirtless.

I was literally ogling at the beautiful boy standing as he flexed his muscles probably doing the dishes or something.

"You're up." Theodore stated not looking away from what he was doing.

"Yeah, good morning." I replied regaining my composure.

He turned to me, pulled off the apron and giving me a better view of his beautiful body. I was subconsciously running my hands over his chest when suddenly he pulled a shirt from the counter and pulled it over his head.

Bummer.

"Morning Irene, Did you sleep well?" He asked walking over to the door of the kitchen where I stood.

"I'm guessing I did, though I woke up with this brain wrecking headache." I said running my hands on my forehead.

"If only you accepted that your drink was spiked." He muttered folding his arms around his chest.

I looked down feeling ashamed. "I'm sorry."

He moved closer to me, so close I could feel his breath fanning my face and his body almost pressing into mine.

"W-what are you doing?" I managed to whisper.

"Closing the door." He responded and the sound of the door closing followed. He moved away from me when he had closed the door and walked back to the sink.

"Did I do anything stupid last night?" I asked as I could barely remember anything from the night before.

"Oh you did. You were grinding on that KayCee guy."

My face burned in utter embarrassment. "Please tell me you're kidding."

"I'm not. In fact if I hadn't been there in time, you both would have kissed and maybe from there it would have escalated."

He turned to me leaning on the counter. I was trying to picture what Theodore just said and I could swear it brought a bile to my mouth.

KayCee was good looking no doubt about that but I just didn't see him that way.

Feeling Theodore's eyes boring holes into my person, I looked down to take notice of what I was wearing. I was draped in a large T-shirt. I was guessing it was Theodore's.

"That shirt looks good on you." He stated and I nodded.

"I know, but it'd have been better if you got a proper nightie for me."

He snorted his gaze not wavering. "I couldn't get it anywhere and I am certain you wouldn't have liked to wear my maids clothes."

"Of course not."

"This is all I could get, don't worry, it's new I haven't worn it before." He said walking to the gas cooker.

"Fair enough." I replied and walked to him standing on my toes to have a decent view of what he was doing and in the process lifting the T-shirt I had on exposing my flawless thighs.

He handed me a glass of water."This will help with the hangover." I accepted it and gulped it down quickly and placed the cup in the sink.

"What are you doing?" I asked as I walked back to the gas cooker where he stood.

"Cooking."

The look of shock I had on was replaced with amusement as I doubled over in laughter. I found it really funny.

"For real now, what are you doing?"

"I am cooking." He replied in the same serious tone he did before. He couldn't be serious.

"Where are the chefs?" I asked looking round at the empty kitchen.

"Probably resting, I'm making my meal myself because I want to," He said.

"My parents are out and the workers are at their quarters, I wanted to have pasta and I decided to make it."

I nodded and hoisted myself in the kitchen counter watching him. "Okay then, I'll just take a seat here and watch you cook because I know absolutely nothing about cooking."

I watched how he chopped, diced and sliced vegetables like he was trained to do so.

When the meal was ready, he served it and we sat at the miniature dining at the other end of the Kitchen to eat.

I was wowed at how great the food tasted and couldn't help but get another plate of it.

"Thanks for the meal." I said walking to the sink to do the dishes. It wasn't something I'd do on a normal day but I was beginning to feel really weird that Theodore was doing every single thing and I was just sitting down watching him.

"You don't have to wash the dishes, I'll do it."

"Oh no it's fine, they aren't much. I'll get it done in no time."

He grabbed my hand and held it in his for a while. "How about we do it together then." I concluded that was a great idea.

He washed and I rinsed talking and laughing. He gave me more details about his extended family than he already did when I was away.

In no time we were done. Funny how we did the dishes even when a dishwasher was staring back at us.
I found myself smiling at the caption Shade Onam had used on her last post.

"You're in his DM but I'm wearing his clothes."

Looking away and chewing on my lips softly I could say it applied with us here too.

Other girls would only be in his DM, Osaze included but I would be in his house and in his clothes.

Oshey, baddest! My subconscious mocked causing me to erupt in laughter at the direction my thoughts were taking.

The look Theodore had on his face was priceless. I was beginning to think he'd put a call across to an asylum.

"Why are you laughing?" He asked and I smiled at him.

"You won't understand." I replied that smile not leaving my lips and my teeth doing my lips no good.

Oh Irene, you're whipped! My subconscious voiced out and my smile even widened.

I know dear subconscious, I know.

➪➪➪➪➪

"Just be careful wherever you go, someone is on to you." Theodore said running his hands through his curls lazily.

A gentle knock was heard at the door. "Come in." Theodore said and the door opened revealing a girl about our age. I was guessing she was Theodore's maid.

We were in Theodore's room after we both had our baths. I was putting on another of his shirts. I had just told him about the text I received during the week.

"Ah, Lucy. Come on in." He urged and she walked in greeting me.

I ignored her greeting and watched her closely as she walked to Theodore's bed to start working.

Something about her placed me over the edge and I wasn't comfortable anymore.

"Can we go somewhere else?" I asked Theodore and he watched me in confusion. After a while, he accepted and got up and I did the same.

"First you have to change into something else?"

I glanced down at the T-shirt I was wearing. "What is wrong with what I'm wearing?" I asked as I watched him rummage through his wardrobe.

"It's short."

"I wear short clothes all the time and-"

"Irene, it's different." He said.

"Wear this." He said handing me a pair of sweatpants.

"I'm going to look like a chipmunk in this." I whined.

"No you won't. I got this when I was fifteen and it was small for me then so I'm guessing it'd be just your size."

I walked into the bathroom to get changed and when I walked out I could sight Theodore stiffle back laughter.

"Aren't we almost age mates?"
He started in between fits of laughter. "This trouser was too small for me when I was fifteen and now it's too big for you."

I rolled my eyes and walked out. "Wait up." Theodore called and pulled me by my wrist.

I turned to him sharply,"Make fun of me all you want."

"Come on, stop being so hard, I'm sorry." He replied and I gave him a hard look and sighed.

"Whatever."

Trailing behind Theodore, he pulled open the door to a room downstairs and walked into it.

I followed him in and my eyes widened as I looked around. It was so beautiful.

It was a music room.

"Wow, this place is beautiful!" I exclaimed walking around feeding myself with the beautiful view of the room we stood in.

I stopped by a grand piano and moved my hand softly on the keys.

"This is my grandma's favorite place in the entire Thompson mansion." He said as he took a seat by the piano.

He started moving his fingers over the keys and began producing some familiar sounds. I knew the tune he was playing.

It was my dad's favorite and I knew it too well. Suddenly, I found myself singing along to the medley already created.

THEODORE

Standing in the music room with Irene, I watched how she touched and looked around an amusing glint in her eyes.

"Wow this place is beautiful!" She breathed out.

I watched her as she moved her hands on the key of the grand piano.

"This is my grandma's favorite place in the entire Thompson mansion." I said taking a seat by the piano. I had learned to play as my mum's mother was a lover of music and she said it reminded her of her dead husband.

Doctor Theodore Gabriel was my paternal grandfather but we lost him to the cold hands of death way before my mum got married.

Somehow, grandma said I reminded her of the man after her heart and that was why she gave me the name Theodore and because I was a gift from God.

Theodore means God's gift.

Funny how I had his looks, curly head with pearly white teeth and that was how I became a pianist, he was too.

I ran scales on the piano before I started playing a familiar piece. One that I used to play when I was younger.

On a hill faraway, stood an old rugged cross
The emblem of suffering and shame.

I had to turn back at the intensity of that voice, gentle and peaceful.

And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

I was awed at Irene's voice. She sang from her heart and I was amazed at how perfect those words flew out of her mouth.

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross
Till my trophies at last I lay down
I will cling to the old rugged cross
And exchange it someday for a crown.

The notes she was able to achieve left me dumbfounded. Only the likes of Celine Dion, Ariana Grande and Billie Eilish could achiever that.

To the old rugged cross, I will ever be true
It's shame and reproach gladly bear
Then he'll call me someday to my home faraway
Where his glory forever I'll share.

Her voice gave me goosebumps, she sang every word like she meant it, like she wrote it and like she loved it.

And I'll cherish the old rugged cross
Till my trophies at last I lay down
I will cling to the old rugged cross
And exchange it someday for a crown

As she ended the song, she opened her eyes and my eyes met hers. In them I saw raw emotions, tears and I couldn't help but get up and pull her into a hug.

"That was beautiful." A very familiar voice exclaimed.

"Grandma?"

I pulled away from Irene and turned to the entrance. "Grandma!" I called out, ran to her and engulfed her in a big hug.

*
Old rugged cross....
I love that song sooo much.

I want to thank you guys for being patient with me. I was supposed to update two chapters before the end of January but I couldn't so here they are now.

Hopefully I'll update another before Monday, no promises made though.

I'm sleepy already, heading to bed guys. Do well to vote, drop comments and share. ILY

Word Count: 2089