CHAPTER TEN

Looking up, I saw him after almost 2weeks. He seems to be more handsome than the last time we met. Though not as handsome as my Aderemi. His hair was cut short in a punk style. His high cheekbone added something exotic to his body. His polo grey T-shirt clings to his chest and biceps as if he had been in the gym for months. His white shorts also hug his thighs like an aphid on an orange tree.

Gosh!!! I couldn't believe I could be thinking like this. People would think I'm in love with him already.

"You are not stripping me naked with your eyes, are you?" I didn't even know when and how I got to be in front of him.

"Are you crazy?" I squeaked. That was the only reply I could mutter. Why will he think that I'm stripping him naked with my eyes? Does he think I'm cheap? Because I like his style doesn't mean I'm interested in him.

"Sorry, it was meant to be a joke" he sounded jovial but I was not in the mood for jokes.

"Are you still angry? I was just joking" he explained.

"Okay, just tell me why I'm here" I told him so we could get everything over with and everyone would continue with his or her life. I felt like I'm being watched right now maybe because we are out of the gate. I couldn't help but think about how Aderemi would feel if he gets to hear that I've been talking to another man apart from him. Even though he has never restricted me from talking to male friends, I felt that I needed to make him trust me by abstaining from guys that could ruin my relationship with him, especially the handsome face staring at me right now.

"Do you hate me that much? The look on your face shows that I'm not welcomed at all" he complained "Is it so bad to let my intentions and feelings known?" He continued almost screaming.

"Can we find a better place to talk instead of calling attention to ourselves here?" I gestured to our environment. He must have understood what I meant because he allowed me into his car. I almost hesitated but I needed to hear him out. He helped me into the passenger's seat and shut the door after me. He came around to the driver's side and started the car engine.

Our little ride to a nearby restaurant was a silent one. Neither of us said anything to each other. It is like we were in our world, thinking and meditating. Sometimes I felt his gaze on me but I was quite preoccupied with my thoughts to spare him a glance.

He stopped the car at a restaurant not too far from my school and helped me out of his car. Even his car looks expensive and I felt he brought it just to impress me. He, almost touching my middle back, led me to the door of the small but nice restaurant. The doorman opened the door for us and Mr trying-to-be-gentleman led me in.

"Thompson Olufemi, please" I heard him say to the waitress. She looked like a filthy prostitute ready to pounce on him on sight. She kept clapping her fake lashes at him and it irritated me.

"This way, please?" She said at last and led us to a booth designed for couples. He helped me into one of the chairs and helped himself to the other.

"Just pick whatever you want from the Menu or should I pick your favorite?" He looked at me smiling.

"Can we just go straight to the point? My exam is in a few weeks and I think you also have a busy schedule than just sitting around and gisting" I was still irritated with the voluptuous waitress.

"Why didn't you tell me you are getting married?" I looked suddenly at his face. The hint of a smile I saw a few minutes ago was gone and replaced with a sad look. I couldn't help but feel a lump in my throat, I felt guilty for not telling him. The truth is that I didn't know why I was feeling that way.

I looked away from him, I wanted to look at everything in this room except his face. The guilt I was feeling wasn't necessary; I don't like him but I can't explain why I don't hate him either. But either way, it's not stopping me from getting married to the man of my dreams.

"Why are you not looking at me" he touched my cheek gently and I pulled his hand off my cheek.

"I don't see any reason why I should" I told him.

"I think I'm in love with you"

"Are you kidding me? The feeling isn't mutual, Olufemi, I have someone I like, or what part of I like Aderemi don't you understand?" I almost screamed. He looked at me, unmoving, meeting my gaze.

"Calm down Rachel, I know you don't love me but I can't deny my feelings and I will be damned if I don't tell you how I feel even if you are getting married for love or without love. You give me sleepless nights. I thought if I leave you alone maybe you might consider my feelings for you but the next thing I heard is that you will be getting married to that guy. It hurt at first but I realized later that it's not a love-based marriage but a marriage based on agreement. I don't care about him but I want you to consider me while you are with him and I don't mind being just a friend pending the time it will come to an end. I adore you Rach" he sighed.

I was boiling furiously with anger not at him but at the person who told him I was getting married for a reason. I felt like screaming and cursing but I also had to accept he was right. When the 6 months agreement is over, then I will become single again or maybe divorced. Nothing hurt more than that reality and I just needed to take my mind off things that hurt till I was done with everything.

"You wanna be my friend? Okay, done". He seemed to be surprised by my outburst but I think he realized I meant every word I said and it didn't take long before he understood that. I didn't want to fight him though I didn't see us together in the future, I also wasn't going to criticize him for saying his mind.

"You don't mean it?" He gave me a genuine smile like a baby I've given candy to.

"I mean every word I said. We being friends won't hurt, but please keep your feelings at bay. I want your friendship and not your feelings for now" I guess he understood because he gave a nod affirmatively.

"So?" He asked, looking at me expectantly.

"So what? Okay, I'm getting married in 2days and as you have been told it's discreet, so please keep your mouth closed" I zipped my mouth to make him understand my words.

"I will attend but please be careful because...Never mind. I know you are a hard nut to crack" we both laughed. I don't know why he said that and I wasn't ready to ask him what he meant by that. I didn't know how everything resulted in this. 2weeks ago I wouldn't have guessed that I would laugh with him and I can't help the sigh that came out of my mouth because now I feel safe and at ease. He might have feelings but I know I will feel safe with him. We ate our meals heartily, gisting, chatting and getting to know each other and I didn't even know the time had gone...