DON'T FORCE YOURSELF IF IT'S FRIUTLESS

𝑁𝑖𝑛𝑜

I opened my eyes and was welcomed by the morning rays that inundated my room through my open windows and parted curtains. I stretched out my numb and lazy bones, feeling the urge to remain in bed. Sincerely speaking I don't want to go to work today or face the harsh reality of life. Not after reading those comments from yesterday's night.

I felt bleak to do anything useful today. I felt lazy, to be honest, I yawned and willed myself to sit up. I moved my head to my alarm clock on the nightstand and the time says 11 am. God! Did I sleep that long or is something wrong with my alarm? My heart sped at the time but slowed when I picked up my phone and saw the exact time '8:24𝑎𝑚' though I might be the CEO of my company I try to set a norm for my workers by being early to work. I slowly descended my bed, feeling my whole body weight a lot as my feet touched the cold of my floor.

The coldness reached out through my body that I had to shudder. I yawned again, stretching out my bones and made my way out of my room. I droop my shoulders with my head hung low, my hair dangling from side to side. Making my way to the toilet when my head came in contact with a hard wet surface. I stopped, slowly tracing up my eyes and stumbled backwards at the sight of him.

His wet jet hair was glistening in the morning sun and his face outlines seemed to be prettier, especially his eyes. They charred through my skin and his right brow was arched in a manner I don't seem to understand. I will never know what goes on in his head. If I wish to have a special power, that will read his mind only. I fumbled away from him, losing my footing but he stopped me in time, orbiting the small of my back.

I gulped nervously and tilt my head a bit back from his, his face was so close and I could perceive the aftermath of his bath. He smelled of soap and in as much I don't want to admit it, he smelled so divine. I narrowed my eyes to him when his deep husky tone came.

"I see this has become a habit of yours," he sighed. His sharp eyes brooded me.

"Because you do take me unawares," I return my eyes to him, clearing my throat. I quickly pulled myself out of his grip and moved away from him, pouting. '𝑊ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑑𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑚𝑒? 𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑎𝑙𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑢𝑝 𝑢𝑛𝑎𝑛𝑛𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑑.'

I made my way into the bathroom, I walked in. Perceiving the divine scent of his soap. Man, that soap must be expensive to have a perfume like this and from the look of things this guy must be filthy rich but he seems vague as well? I can't seem to know him and whenever I tried to read his expressions. He completely shuts me out. I dismissed the thesis on who he is in my head and did my business in the bathroom/toilet. They were built together with the exotic transparent door demarcating them and a white strap of curtains hung over it.

I washed my face and stared at my reflection in the mirror, my hair was in a messy bun and there were large eye bags under my eyes and my lips looked chapped like one woken up from a long sleep. Fuck! And he saw me like this! I bit my lips as hot blood of embarrassment rushed to my cheeks. I can't believe I caught myself staring at his physique, at his torso. I facepalm myself inwardly at my silliness and washed my face the second time. Got rid of the sleep in my eyes.

Another day comes with another great responsibility. I quickly had my bathe and dressed for the office.

~~~~~~~

𝑇𝑜𝑟𝑜

The look she gave when she replied to me kinda amused me, I felt the side of my lips tug upwards in a smirk. I've got to admit she's strong-willed and sticks to her principles. I wonder what business transpired between her and Mr Warren, he had to sell off her house and from the way, she kept sounding. I don't think she's going to give up soon. I nudged the thoughts of her to the back of my mind as I pulled the chair off my desk, answering Kenny's call.

"One will think you are gay by the way you kept calling me," my lips curved into a small as he draws close to the video camera as usual.

"You are my friend and I worry about you," he said and paused before resuming. Wearing a worried look on his face. "I care about my friend, who's lost on the other side of the world."

I muffled a chuckle at his choice of words. "I'm not lost on this side of the world and I like it here. No one knows me here and I'm okay with it."

"How is mom and...," I paused and as if the words got stuck in my throat and no will to come out, I forced myself to ask the question I don't want to ask. "And father, how are they doing?"

Kenny heaved a sigh and slouched his head before responding but his eyes held more questions than answers. "Your mom is still doing fine including your dad." He paused momentarily and then asked. "Don't you have the plans of coming back? I missed you already."

"You've been gone for a week."

"Now you are sounding like I'm your lover." I let out a quiet dry laugh. Watching the expression on his face. Kenny is like a brother to me, we practically grew up together. In the same neighbourhood. I share a brother's intimacy with him more than my stepbrother. I shook my head at the memories of my awful childhood. I had a few good memories especially because Kenny was a part of them.

"Of course, I am," Kenny's bright voice brought me out of my daze. "I am all in one, your lover, brother and friend." I smiled at his words.

"By the way, your room looks beautiful," he came close to the camera. His eyes darting everything and I need not to be told he's trying to see my room.

"Thanks." I got up and went over to my wardrobe, pulling out a dark coat, the height of my knees.

"Are you going somewhere?"

"Not really," I shrugged. "I need to tour the new city and get familiar with it and the people. Staying indoors is draining."

"Now you sound like you never going to come back," I looked at Kenny's face which is turned into a frown. His eyes lacked hope. I wore the coat and shook my head at his silliness.

"I will call you later when I get home, bye." I smiled and ended the call before he could utter another word. If I let him, he will go on and on about this or that.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

𝑁𝑖𝑛𝑜

I crashed into some Starbucks restaurant uptown to have a break with my two friends. At least I got two loyal and caring friends who are just like me but the difference between us is that back in our school years they don't care about what other students thought about them but I do. I do care back in my school days but not anymore.

I went for a plate of french fries and an apple pie frappuccino accompanied by a straw. Joana and Yassmine sat opposite me, munching their faces with the burger they ordered. Joana went for a raspberry peach lemonade drink while Yassmine went for strawberries and a cream drink.

I leaned back in my seat, watching my two friends who were more engrossed in their food and phones. I bit my lower lips, wondering how I could break the news of losing my house to a stranger and he isn't giving me room to stay. I sigh and moved my mouth. Savouring the last taste of my French fries.

"Do any of you have a place I could stay in?" I muffled out the question. Joana is married which seemed impossible and Yass, I just don't know. I just needed a place to squat in before finding a new place or house.

"Why? Did something happen?" Yass inquired, taking the last bite of her burger?

"Did you sell off your parent's house to pay off the debts?" Joana asked, sipping her raspberry lemonade drink.

I gave them a momentarily look as a small worried smile tugged on my lips. 𝐼𝑡'𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑤𝑎𝑦 𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑, 𝑚𝑦 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑏𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑠𝑜𝑜𝑛. I wanted to say but I bit back the words. "It's not...." I halted on my words when I discovered a purplish and red bruise on Joanna's temple and neck when she turned her head to the side and tucked some of her hair behind her left ear.

"Jojo, what happened to you?" My question got Yass's attention who turns to her. Joanna quickly pulled down her hair and I bet she was on the mission not to let it out in the open. "Joanna, did something happen again?"

"Nothing," she put in quickly and dressed her hair in a way that made sure it covered the sides of her face. She avoided my gaze and sipped her drinking in a rushed state. In her eyes lay fear. She almost choked on her drink when Yass pulls it away from her.

"Jojo?" Yass tapped her back soothingly to stop her from coughing. "Take it easy."

"He did this to you, didn't he?" A scowl found its way to my face as I balled a fist. "How long are you doing this, huh? For how long?"

She lifted her eyes to me and I saw tears building in them. I felt weak at the look in her eyes. I wished I could do anything for her, I don't buy the idea of seeing my friends in some kind of misery.

"Jojo, listen," I leaned close to her and took her hands in mine. "If it's not working, put an end to it. You don't have to keep pushing yourself when you know it's fruitless."

"I'm fine," she gave a weak smile and gently pulls her hands from me. "This is nothing, I fell that is why incurred this injury. "No need to worry…..you two." Even her voice sound shaky.

I knew she was lying, it's all written in her voice and face. I wanted to speak up when I was cut off by a voice from behind.

"Nino?" The voice called and I know that voice. I shut my eyes for a minute before opening them. I leaned back and swerve my head to the right. I saw him smiling so cheekily at me and beside him stood a woman. I plastered a fake and sarcastic smile, just to return the favour.