Subdued (18+)✔️ [A Nigerian Romance]

74~Revelations

"I know you will say no, but Pete wants to see me. He's very worried about me," Aria said. Kachi was seated beside her with Azu and Chike opposite them at the dining table. She watched the other two men exchange glances before looking at her. There was definitely something going on between them. What? She was yet to figure it out.

"If you don't want me going out, he can come visit," she added on.

Kachi had been anal about protecting her. Granted, it was just been a day since the kidnap incident and it was still fresh on his mind. However, he'd refused letting her go to her apartment or even stepping out for a little bit of shopping. She needed a new phone and some hygiene stuffs. There were clothes she could wear at his place so she didn't have to worry about that.

"As long as you're careful, I don't see why you can't go see him. Usman will take you," Kachi said.

"For real?" This was exciting news. Maybe she could convince him to even let her go shopping. She'd started to feel a little bit claustrophobic at the thought of spending all day at home.

"Yes." He smiled at her, then continued eating.

"Wow. You got lucky in the boyfriend department," Azu said, causing everyone to look at him. "Not every man will allow their women keep male friends, especially Igbo men. I know I wouldn't."

"Says the man who's never been in a relationship," Chike teased.

"That doesn't mean I don't know how one works," Azu bit back.

"Point of correction," Kachi intoned. "I'm her husband to be, not her boyfriend."

Azu and Chike exchanged another look. "For real? He proposed?" Chike directed his question to Aria who nodded. "Wow!"

"I said yes a few minutes ago." Aria beamed.

"My boy, you couldn't even wait to do it properly? Where's the ring?" Azu asked.

"That doesn't concern you. Pay up." Chike tapped the table in front of his friend.

"The formal engagement will be soon. After we clear up everything and settle what needs settling," Kachi said, this time he looked at his friends. Aria was sure there was something they were keeping from her.

"What needs settling?" she immediately asked.

"Just some stuffs. We'll talk about it later." He turned to his friends. "Did you guys bet on us?"

Chike grinned. "We sure did. I said you'd propose to Aria but Azu said you were not the marrying type."

"How much did you guys stake?"

"A lot," Azu said then sighed.

Aria excused herself to go get dressed. She also grabbed Kachi's phone so she could call Pete and let him know they could see today. As she walked away, she heard the three men tease each other and laughed. It brought her great joy to see them all happy and healthy. To think something terrible would have happened to them because of her. She shuddered at the thought.

It was too early in the day for negative thoughts so she put them aside and focused on getting dressed. She decided on a jean and polo, then spent a few minutes fixing her face. Most of the swelling had gone down but she still looked like she'd gone through something major.

After getting ready, she grabbed her purse, making sure her ATM card was with her. When she was sure she had everything she needed, she shut the door, leaving Kachi's phone behind. The guys were nowhere to be found when she came back downstairs so she just walked out of the house. Usman was waiting for her.

On seeing him, she realized why Kachi had let her go out. Standing with Usman were three guys who obviously looked like bodyguards.

"Good afternoon ma," Usman greeted. "Mr. Onyekachi said we're not to leave without your personal security."