Subdued (18+)✔️ [A Nigerian Romance]

43~In love

The three of them walked to the car and Aria wondered if Ada was going home with them. Kachi and the light skinned woman were walking together while she walked a few steps behind. It pissed her off, but they seemed to be having a serious conversation. Ada's hands wouldn't stop moving as she waved them around while talking.

They got to the car and they all stopped, Kachi turning to face Ada. "Stay with us. You're leaving Awka in a few days, so there's no need for the hotel room."

"No o. I can't inconvenience you more than this," Ada said. Aria held herself from scoffing. So the woman knew she was inconveniencing them and still continued.

"Stop this Ada. You're my guy's babe so I can't just let you stay there," he protested.

"No. I'm sure your guest wouldn't like that." The two turned to look at Aria who rolled her eyes. As if her opinion mattered, she thought. "and don't call me Chike's babe. You know we're just friends."

"Can I at least drop you at the hotel?" Kachi asked, obviously frustrated with the woman. Aria found it fascinating that even this woman who was his close friend could still annoy the hell out of him.

Ada opened her mouth to say something but Kachi eyed her. She laughed before nodding. "Fine, I'll go with you before you finish me with your eyes."

Aria wondered who would seat up front with Kachi or would they just leave her here? From the conversation, it seemed like they'd forgotten about her. Kachi turned to the front passenger door and pulled it open then turned to face her. "Babe, get in," he said. Aria delayed, unsure who he was talking to. "Zariah," he said again before she got into the opened car.

"Thank you." She smiled and he returned it, surprisingly.

"Madam, I'm not opening door for you, go and meet your bobo," Kachi said to Ada, then walked to the driver's side. Aria felt her heart soar. With the way the two had been ignoring her and gisting, she'd assumed that Kachi was happier with Ada.

The other woman laughed then entered the car. The drive was filled with Kachi and Ada bickering, and per usual, Aria stared out the window, letting her mind roam free as she watched the passing scenery. The two didn't bother her until Ada got off and left them alone in the car.

"I'm so sorry. I've neglected you this evening," Kachi said when they'd driven for a few minutes.

This was not the man she was used to and she wasn't sure how to feel about it. Things were moving too fast for her and she was feeling too much. Just this night, she'd felt something tender for the man and then she'd felt jealousy and later, it was instant relief when Kachi put her first.

She refused to accept what was going on. There was no way she was catching feeling for this man. She was sure it was too much regular sex and the fact that she was out of her comfort zone.

"I don't like when you're quiet," he said again when she didn't reply.

"Why?"

"Because you're not a quiet person. You staying quiet means there's something wrong and I can't help but think it's because of me. Are you upset?"

"What right do I even have to get upset? We're just fucking, it's not like we're dating or anything like that," she snapped. She didn't have the energy for this his switch. By the time she would grow attached to it, he'll behave like someone possessed and ruin everything.

Kachi's gaze flew to her. "Right," he said quietly.

***

He watched her climb the stairs slowly. Somehow, hearing her bringing up their arrangement had irked him. It was the second time that day she'd mentioned that their relationship boiled down to the sex and the money.

Was taking her out a wrong move? She was acting like she was upset with him.

He had read somewhere that Ada was singing at his favorite pepper soup joint and thought Zariah would like the place. That was the only reason they'd gone out, because he wanted to please her. Ada was someone he could have seen later, he didn't need to come out for that. It's not like he was even invited.  Why did he suddenly feel the need to make her happy? It wasn't like he felt anything for her, or did he?

It wasn't possible. He'd never liked a woman before. The closest he'd come was tolerating Rose all these years and he was also bad at keeping friends so he couldn't understand what he was feeling. If he were to rate how important Zariah felt to him at this moment, he'd probably say after his guys. And that revelation scared the shit out of him.

Why did it have to be her? This girl with sharp mouth that he was paying to have sex with him. How was it even possible?

His phone started ringing so he pushed away the mess of conflicting thoughts and focused on Chike. The man had been blowing up his phone since he sent the selfie he took with Ada.

"Guy, I'm not one of your women o. Why are you blowing up my phone? We talked like an hour ago," Kachi said, teasing his friend.

"Ada is ignoring my calls. Is she with you? Is she okay?"

"You're so fucking whipped man. I dropped her at the hotel and she texted to tell me she's inside. So there's nothing to worry about."

"Then why is she not picking up? Was she with someone else?"

His friend had it bad for Ada, Kachi thought. "So you think I'll carry her and a man inside my car? Because of what?"

"Can you call her? Maybe it's just me she's avoiding."

"Ah! You don commit. What did you do this time?"

"Kachi I swear I didn't do anything. She didn't even tell me she was out of Lagos and we talk everyday."

"Have you considered the fact that your girlie might be in the bathroom? You like to stress o."

"Fuck," Chike cursed before hanging up. Kachi burst into laughter as he pocketed his phone. This love was a bastard o. He couldn't believe how Chike was fooling himself for a woman that friend zoned him. This conversation was enough to give him clarity. What he felt for Zariah was not love, it was a great dose of sexual attraction. There was nothing to it.

***

Shorter than I planned and kinda wobbly but I tried.

This week has been rough for me and I'm trying to pull through.

If you have spare time, just say a prayer for me.

Please vote and comment o. I want to know your thoughts. Do you think people are catching feelings?