3 Part One

          Dedicated to urban

Song for the chapter; This is what you came for-Rhianna ft Calvin Harris

      "You're overreacting Ella" Yemi complained as she accompanied her cuckoo friend up the flight of stairs.

 

          "That I do not dispute." Noella replied, her heels clicking against the concrete floor rapidly.

           Yemi huffed behind her crossing her arms then unfolding them after realizing it was harder to climb.

              "Personally, I think you need sex. Loads of it."

              "It's a good thing I do not take advice from you then."

              "Hey! I'm sure Doctor Aare will agree too."

              "We'll find out now, won't we?" Noella replied dashing down the hallway as soon as she hit the last stair. Call her whatever you will, but she was a mad woman on a mission.

            "Jesus Christ!!! Ella slow the eff down! On second thoughts, keep going! I do not know her, people!"

          Noella would've laughed if she wasn't trying to find a cause... And a cure for her current state of emotions. Although she had a niggling feeling about what it was.

        A brief knock on the door, she stumbled in attracting a raised eyebrow from Doctor Aare.

          "Seriously? Ella we've been through this." the older woman sighed leaning against her office chair.

           "Sorry A." she replied with a shrug flopping on the sofa near a tall vase. The artificial flower had a pleasant comforting smell- something between tea and lemon.

            "Well you look the least bit sorry." the older woman's eyes narrowed in slits before she rose up. "I got your emergency text." she stated air quoting the 'emergency'.

            "Oh c'mon A. My emergency is really an emergency.... This time."

            "Gee! We'd better wheel on the bed and drips." she replied sarcastically but the hint of a smile on her face couldn't not be missed.

            A loud knock interrupted Noella as she made to speak and Yemi stepped in, boisterous.

             "What's up Doctor A. This witch tell you her problem yet?" she asked sitting beside her friend.

             "She was about to. And my! You're glowing. Richard's doing it well, hmm hmm?" Aare asked throwing a wink.

          Yemi giggled before giving a shy nod.

            Noella fought to ignore the pang in her chest as she watched the exchange.

             "So A, my emergency." she'd tried not to sound wistful but apparently she had no control over her emotions. And she made sure to tell that to Aare.

             "Hmm.... Mood swings?ĺ

              "No... They're different. It's like.... God! I don't know how to explain okay? That's why I'm here. That's why I'm asking for your help. I don't understand me anymore."

            "Calm down Ella. Breathe. I'll get you a cup of lemon tea." she urged then proceeded to order a cup of lemon tea and two cups of coffee and within a few minutes they were sipping from respective cups.

            "So Ella, any sudden desire to spend greater amount of time in bed?"

            "Uh...yeah. But then the bed feels cold recently nowadays. Very strange. They bed was- is  the comfiest."

              Aare nodded, pondering over her words.

            "Okaaay, do you feel like being in bed with someone?"

             "As in doing the dirty?" Noella asked gripping her cup tightly.

             "Well.... That and just cuddling... Maybe?"

              "Yeah.... I guess so. I did feel like cuddling my cats." and she did. But she wasn't going to admit that.

        That didn't stop the darned knowing smile on Aare's face as she scrutinized her.

             Noelle was one beautiful piece of work. Her dark hair complimented her dandy brown skin. Her eyes were as dark as night and her lips were the sweet colour of her skin with a soft tinge of pink. And God she was lusciously slender. Or slenderly luscious. However it goes.

               "Sexual urges?"

      As expected, Noella tea flew out of her mouth her face abashed.

                 "Sorry... What... What?"

                "Do you have sexual urges Noella."

          If she was any lighter, Ella's face would be crimson or maybe coated with a pink blush. The shuffling of her feet and stutter testified so.

             "Uhm... Yeah. Wh-what has that got to do with anything? I'm a woman.... Of course... Of course I have this....this... That."

             Yemi scoffed rolling her eyes at her ridiculous behavior.

            "Noella, you're being cuffed."

          A woosh escaped from her as she slumped in the sofa. Her suspicions had been confirmed.

              "But I've never been cuffed before. This is ridiculous. Stupid. I don't have time for relationships! Is there some pill against it? Please tell me there's a pill against it."

           Aare barked in laughter, her whole body shaking.

               "Noella! You're really something else. It's completely normal for you to feel that way. It's the season. The weather. The cold incites us all to search for bed warming partners."

            "So you're saying, all I need to is get laid? You know I can't do that A." Noella asked ignoring the 'I-Told-You-So' look Yemi threw her way.

             "That's putting it simply. There are so much more to being cuffed Noella. Besides, the cold doesn't last for only a day does it?"

              "Then I need to get laid repeatedly? With different goons? For five months? Gross!"

          Aare gave a vague chuckle at her blatant disgust.

              "You don't have to have sex Ella. You just need someone to talk to. Someone who gives you a hug and a kiss every evening and leaves you with warm thoughts to carry through the night. And that someone is not us. I believe I speak for both of us when we are as straight as tower."

            "As a pole, Aare. A tower has too many zigzags."Yemi countered.

             "So what do I do now? Grab a guy on the street and demand he be my cuffing buddy?"

             "I can't guarantee your safety if you do that. But tell you what, there's a dinner party I'm attending tonight, and you my dear, are coming with."

          Noella sank further into the cushion.

             "I don't know A. I don't think I want to go to a party."

              "Yes you will! You'll march your sexy rack into that party and find yourself a man or a cuffing buddy or whatever you call it." Yemi stated standing up to prove a point.

           "But there are certain rules you must follow. Especially the one that says 'Don't get too attached and ask him to stay after its over. It's five months and five months only. Or maybe shorter, depends on the harmattan." Aare added.

             Noella stared at them like they had just uttered a secret password to some secret world.

              "Can we put this in writing?"

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         "Don'ts;

          _Don't post pictures of him on media. (No matter how hot he is)

          _Do not think of his babies. (That future is bleak!)

         

              "I'm sure you wrote the third rule. It sounds like what you'll say." Noelle complimented Yemi who rolled her eyes in response as she dressed the latter hair.

        

             "_Don't get too wrapped up okay? You do not want your heart getting smashed. The relationship goes but everything else stays.

              _Don't get attached. He's only with you until the harmattan is over."

               "So the main problem afterwards is letting go. How hard can it be?"

               "You'll be receiving an answer to that question soon."

               "The rules are so many by the way. And complicated! Do I spend time with him? Oh no I'll get too attached! Do I play hard to get? Oh no I'll chase him away before I can say cheese! You know what? Eff this! Stop yanking on my hair Yemi!"

             "Oh sit still and shut up! Aare, have you picked a dress?" Yemi asked running her hands and doing only God knows to Noella's dark locks.

             "She literally has the wardrobe of a nun."

             "Hey!"

             "Go back to the rules Noelle."

            Noella huffed, threw them both a death glare which they paid no cognisance and read the last rule.

            _Use protection! He will refuse the darn baby.

            Her face burned.

             "Seriously Aare, was the last really necessary?"

             "It's the truth! You do not want little Ellas popping everywhere. Now stand up, I've finally found a worthy dress. But girl, your wardrobe is my nightmare!"

             Noella shook her head in amusement, closing the sheet of paper as she rose to her feet towering above the two with a couple of inches.

              "I'm going to wear this? How the hell did this get to my closet?" she stuttered gripping the soft flowing purple dress. It had a low neckline and a slit on the thigh.

         Noella vaguely remembered wearing it once or twice.

              "You're going to look perfect, idiot!" Yemi chastised, hitting her on her back.

             "Yep! This dinner will be with them classies. You need to look the part. Especially if you're going to get some." Aare joined in, prancing around the room. For a woman in her early forties, she was still rocking the spinster look.

          "Awww.... I wish I could go with you guys. But Chad has a surprise for me and I can't wait!" Yemi squealed.

          "I'm pretty sure it has to do with fresh bed sheets and a bottle of wine." Aare remarked winking.

          "And loads of used condoms."

               "Too much information!" Ella screamed blocking her ears while the other women laughed like hyenas.

               "I really hope you find what you're looking for Ella. Or who rather."

               "That's the question isn't it? What do I want?"

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                 Aare was a liar.

        It was no dinner. It was a freaking Cinderella ball.

               Chandeliers, huge buffet table, shiny attention seeking dresses and the host sitting at the top of some castle throne thingy watching the guests, it seemed more like a "marriage partner search"  ball to Noella.

           She eyed the buffet table, the image of those poor starving kids on the streets running through her mind. She was sure all sorts of rich people were present and that not one of their financial status was any lesser than hers if not far greater. But apparently, everyone reacts the same way to free food.

               She stood beside a bar, holding a glass of champagne so as not to look too out of place. Aare had abandoned her, and was now flirting with a man old enough be Ella's father but was good looking nonetheless.

           Partially or at least half of her hoped that no one notice her until the night was over while the other felt insecure.

             Am I seriously that ugly? No one has approached me in the past hour. Not even an hello.

         

           Sighing, she leaned against the pillar beside the bar, her eyes roving the hall. And bam!

                They fell on him. He stood admist Mikhail's group. She had known Mikhail thanks to Aare who made sure to announce that he was the Host's only son.

        He wore a red suit instead of a black and was among the few-like her- who drank champagne. He was certainly a couple of inches taller than her, broad shoulders defined that he definitely worked out and his hair was in a simple buzz cut. He didn't smirk like most of his friends did. No, he gave a full blown gasket smile. An absolutely panty dropper. His eyes weren't visible from where she stood but she was sure it wasn't black.

                   Sin.

         The guy was sin on heels.

  And Noella felt her alarm bells blow off.

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             Evan  knew the dark haired bella who stuck out like a sore thumb ;a sexy sore thumb; was watching him.

             Very Boldly.

        Her eyes were wide with some emotion he'd like to think of as excitement. The lord knew how much he craved release that night and had sent a dark haired angel. Her dark alluring eyes looked like they could snuff the living shit out of him -and he'd enjoy every minute of it.

             Evan threw a smile her way and watched her jaw slack in surprise clearly not expecting him to see her.

                "Who's she?" he asked tapping Mikhail's shoulder since it was his darn party.

                 "Who?"

                 "Her." he gestured towards her. 

                  "The sexy purple?" Nicho butted in.

                   "Yes the purple. And I saw her first Nick." Evan warned.  Nicholas had the habit of taking what he wanted.

                    "Staking claims already broseph? She's all yours. If you've forgotten, I'm married."

              Of course he was. To the woman Evan had wanted. Sure he wouldn't have promised her a life time of love but she had turned his head; both; a million times and had never been more than determined to claim a woman until Nick decided the bro code was lame and went after his prize.

                "Whatever. Who's she Mikhail?"

                "I don't know man. Maybe she came as someone's date." The latter replied indifferently.

              "Well her date definitely isn't a man. I'd have that piece of ass on my arm all night if she was my date" Evan muttered, more to himself.

             Sexy purple was who he would call his type. Evan didn't specifically have a type though. Fat, slim, curvy, voracious, whatever. As long as they had vajayjays, he was good.

            But her?

       Tall! Her neck slender and graceful and he could already picture his hands wrapped around them. Her legs looked like they went on forever and the slit on her thigh was doing all sorts of crazies on his brain. Her lips were painted wine red and he hoped they tasted like grapes.

             "The things I could do to that mouth.... Or that skin." he grinned envying the Bordeaux her fingers held tightly.

            At least he could start a conversation about the champagne and then drive it south ward. Good plan.

              "I'll be back. Or maybe I won't." he threw a knowing wink at his friends and walked confidently to where she stood.

             And boy, was she hotter when closer up.

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                "Hey,"

     And this was when Noella would use the clause;

               'Sin comes knocking on your door."

              She turned to face the fine male specimen and choked on her breath.

                  Grey eyes. There were touches of brown and the colours were interwoven like smoke and fire. His teeth was so fuckin white, she had to lick hers hoping it wasn't so bad. It had been a while she visited the dentist.

           "It's rude, where I come from, to not reply a greeting." Adonis commented folding his arms giving her a good view of his muscles as the suit stretched tautly over them. A view she gulped in greedily before his words sunk in and she whipped her face quickly away from him.

                "God! I'm so sorry. You're.... Pretty hot."

               He gave a chuckle stepping beside her.

             "And you my darling are beautiful. I might've gotten a whiplash from doing a double take."

             "Oh you're just flattering."

            "I assure you that I am not. But the flattery does suit it's owner." he muttered and a shiver ran down her spine. The good kind of shivers.

             "So tell me, Miss-"

             "Noella."

             "Noella." he echoed and suddenly her legs felt like jello.

              "Noella. Can I call you Ella?"

             "Yeah..." she whispered breathlessly.

            "So tell me Noella, this doesn't look like your kind of.... Scenery."

            That apparently rubbed her in the wrong way, because she stepped away immediately, fixing him a glare.

             "What the heck does that mean? That I am not worthy to be here cause I'm not like you rich Suckers?"

               "No no, Ella no. That came out wrong. I'm sorry. I'm just saying you stand out okay? You're not mingling or trying to dance or...anything. You've stayed in this spot probably since you came in."

              "Oh." she flushed, once again her anger had gotten the best of her. "You noticed."

             "I couldn't exactly miss a belle in the ball." he replied smoothly and then the alarm bells began ringing.

             "You're definitely a ladies man." she muttered more to herself but he heard it anyways.

             "You could say that. So am I ranking it to being called your man?" He leaned close now, his mouth in a too wide and very charming smile.

              "Well that was straight forward."

              "No need to beat around the corner now, is there? You want me, I hell as hell want you, let's skip the hellos and head straight to bed!"

                "What? No! I'm not going to have sex with some random stranger!" she spat, flabbergasted by his ridiculous proposition.

             And he had the decency to look surprised.

             "First off,  I'm Evan. There you know my name. Secondly, you can't be dressed like that and not want some of this. Look it's okay to play hard to get, but-"

              "Excuse me?!" if Noella had thought him to be hot, he was down right annoying now. "I am not, and do not, play hard to get. I am here, because I want a cuffing buddy not to look for some one night stand which I am definite, you are a huge fan of. I intend to save every bit of myself for the guy worthy to be called my husband. Thank you very much. I'd love it if you walked away now!"

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             Evan was furious!

         "The fuckin nerve of that woman!" he cursed grabbing a beer filled mug from a waiter. Darn the champagne. Beer was more appropriate for his mood.

          How he hated the judging look on her face when she'd made a comment about him being a fan of one night stands. She had sneered and her beautiful mouth was curled in distaste.

              Distaste at him!

         He downed the mug and reached for another. He hated the way she acted all prissy and righteous like some China doll. He hated that she'd made him feel like he had to go to the priest for purgatory. Oh he hated that although he was mad at her, he couldn't take his eyes off her and couldn't help the stupid warmth that enclosed in his chest.

             "Man you look like you want to kiss someone goodbye and murder them at the same time. Calm down will ya?" Nicholas stated patting his shoulder. "Not too much luck tonight?"

            "Pssh" he scoffed. "If it were a matter of luck, I would've had my way with that vixen a long time ago."

              "So what is it? Speak up Evan. You don't usually get this riled up when a lady says no."

              "The birch had the audacity to.... To judge me! To make me, ME!, feel bad for who I am."

              "What did she say?" Nicho asked frowning slightly.

              "That she was sure I was a fan of one night stands. She fuckin indirectly called me a manwhore!"

          Nicholas roared with laughter.

              "That's what's got you yabbering? Not like she's wrong."

         Evan's eyes narrowed in slits at his friend.

          "Seriously?"

         "Whoa whoa, calm down. Okay? The truth hurts, we get it. I doubt you can last two weeks without sex anyways."

          Now Evan was seething.

    He threw a glance at Ella then back at his whistling friend.

            "I bet I'll last five months without sex." he challenged.

            "You're kidding right?"

             "Do I fuckin look like I am? Look, she wants a cuffing partner for the harmattan. I'll be that guy for five months. No shagging."

          Nicholas stared at him incredulously before bursting into some crazed laughter.

           "God! Evan you can not."

           "I'll surprise you!" he spat furiously.

            "I'd looove to see you try dude. All the best! Cause you'll need it. You? With a woman like that, for five months, NO SEX? Man, I bet on my fuckin Porsche. You fuckin can't."

             "Oh it's on like donkey Kong."

           And with a determined look on his face he stomped towards Noella.

           "Hey! I'll be that cuffing buddy thingy of yours. No shagging, five months. I can totally do it."

         She only gave him a look of indifference strengthening his resolve more.

          "So how does it work huh? I'm serious! Do I buy you a ring or something?"

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