Subdued (18+)✔️ [A Nigerian Romance]

6~Easy

Kachi watched her go, cursing the tightness in his jean. The girl had put on a show for him and he'd been so into it that he'd almost asked her to spend the night with him. He didn't like rude, mouthy girls that always had a reply for everything. He liked his women docile and pliant, women who'd drop to their knees to worship him at the snap of his fingers. So why was he attracted to this one who said no to everything?

He gave himself ten minutes to calm down from his anger and arousal before pushing up from his seat. He pulled open the door and almost slammed into a short girl on his way out. On instinct, he stretched out his hands to keep her steady on her feet and the girl gasped as he broke her fall.

"Sorry," he muttered and she looked up at him, her eyes blinking a few times before settling. There was something familiar about her and he couldn't place it. The girl gave him a polite smile and pulled away before hurrying out of the hallway.

He watched her go and just when she was about to turn, he recognized her. The hair was the same, along with the eyes and body. Even the sway of her hips was just the same as Ria's, except not as pronounced. This one was shorter as she was wearing flip flops and not the red heels like Ria. What confirmed it for him was the anklet she was wearing. The braided leather was exactly the same as the dancer's.

Kachi stopped himself from yelling her name as he quietly followed her. All the while, he was questioning his sanity. He couldn't believe he was intrigued enough to follow her but he did.

"Baby!" the girl screamed as she ran towards a young man. The man pulled her in for a hug and then placed kisses on her cheeks.

He couldn't believe his eyes. Minutes ago, this girl was dancing half naked with thin scraps of clothing as the only form of coverage. And she had a boyfriend? He watched as the two hugged each other for a few more seconds before the man threw an arm over her shoulder and led her out.

Kachi resisted the urge to follow them out, having seen enough. He tucked his hands in the front pockets of his jeans and rocked back and forth on his feet as he waited for his friends.

"Hey handsome, are you on your way out?" Kachi turned to look at the owner of the voice. He could read her body language and the way she kept fluttering her lashes at him. "You can give me a ride," she added, biting her lips.

He gave her a quick once over. She didn't evoke the same reactions as Ria did tonight but he guessed not many people did. The dancer was a master of seduction, unlike the coy, little female in front of him. However, she would do for tonight.

"Let's lodge," he grinned at her and she immediately blushed before nodding her head.

It was easy and Kachi didn't like easy.

***

Pete held her hand the moment they were in the car and he'd shut the doors. "Aria," he said, his voice strangely firm.

"Babe, what's up?" Aria removed the elastic band from her hair with her free hand, allowing the braids to fall freely. It alleviated the headache she'd been struggling with all evening.

"I heard something and it scared me," Pete said, squeezing her hands in his sweaty palm.

"What is it? What happened?"

"My mom called." He let go of her hand to hold the steering wheel that he also began squeezing. "Remember aunty Nkiru?"

Aria remembered the woman vividly. She stayed in the same compound with Pete's mom and the woman had an ear for information. There was no gist this woman was not aware of.

"Yes, I know aunty Nkiru. What happened to her?"

"Apparently, she heard someone in their town experienced something horrible." Pete's fingers were holding the steering in a death grip now. "a woman was contacted to come cook for a set of guys. When she got into the car, she was blindfolded and taken to the place. She found out they kidnapped a lot of women for money."

"Pete! How sure are you that aunty Nkiru knows what she's talking about. That woman gossips a lot."

"I'm serious. It's all this get rich scheme people. They're now doing a lot for money."

Aria hissed. "you just want to spoil my evening. How does this news affect me?"

"I just want you to be careful, especially because of where you work. Most of these money are not pure."

"I'm always cautious, you know that," she sighed.

"I'm just glad they arrested the people involved. Aunty Nkiru said the woman went into hiding after reporting the crime and it took weeks for them to find the girls and the culprits."

"How did she find them? I thought she was blindfolded."

"She saw the plate numbers before she got in. They got caught in the same car weeks after." Pete shook his head.

"Thank God!"

"Just promise me that you will be careful. Don't follow any men home, biko," Pete pleaded.

Aria nodded, her mind going back to the events at the club. The four guys had spent a lot of money. Where they among the people she had to look out for? She doubted it. The men were well known in other clubs as big spenders and she was sure their money was legal. She wanted to tell Pete about her night and meeting the guy from earlier. She especially wanted to complain about how rude and cold he was, but with one look at Pete who was still gripping the steering wheel, she dropped it.

Besides, she had made up her mind to not think of the strange man anymore. Her crush on him had died the moment she realized what kind of person he was.

Pete finally steadied himself enough to drive and Aria put on music. Soon it was like all the horrible things hadn't happened as the pair bobbed their heads and sang along with the radio. This man was someone she wouldn't trade in her life, he was too special, Aria mused.

***

Thoughts on this chapter?

If there are terms you do not understand, please don't hesitate to ask me.

Thanks for reading. It will make my day if you voted and left a comment for me ☺️🤭