Besotted (18+) ✔️ [A Nigerian Romance]

Fourteen

John was sleeping when she got in. He had curled up on the couch, the TV on mute in front of him. It looked like he'd slept off while waiting for her. They'd texted early in the morning and she'd let him know she'd be back before noon.

Ada quietly entered the house, hoping he'd remain asleep for the minutes it took her to hide the gifts. She removed her shoes, holding it in one of her hands, her suitcase in the other. Her small duffel would be left here, till she'd successful stowed away the bags and shoes.

When she was safely in the bedroom, Ada finally let out a relieved breath. It was a small battle to get her considerably heavier bag on the bed. But when that feat was achieved, Ada smiled. Chike knew her too well. He'd chosen three bags and two shoes; all from her favorite brands. She couldn't remember the last time she splurged on anything without being guilt-tripped. If John were to see all the new stuffs, he would go on and on about the waste of money. He'd remind her that millions of children were dying of hunger.

His caustic remarks wouldn't have been so bad because children were suffering. However, he knew Ada supported a lot of charities. Was it really too much to buy a few nice things? Especially when the money was hers? She supposed John would never understand, even though he splurged on cars, clothes and shoes, he felt like he deserved it since he grew up dirt poor. Seeing the extravagance she grew up in would probably upset him more, so arguing with him would be pointless.

She hugged a Jimmy Choo shoe to her chest, already putting together outfits that would do the heels justice.

"Where did these come from?" The voice sounded from behind her, hostility dripping of the edge of that hard voice. "You want shopping?"

She immediately froze up, the shoes falling to the ground. After a dramatic slow turn, she found John leaning on the doorpost, his countenance as sour as a stormy day.

"They're gifts," she replied cooly. "I thought you were sleeping when I got in, didn't want to disturb you, that's why I didn't say anything."

He eyed her, his gaze harsh, searching. She relaxed when his eyes moved on, only to tense up at the sights of her goodies again. "Those shits are expensive, Ada. Who gave you the gifts?"

"My mother."

"Your mother?"

"Yes. She hasn't seen me in so long, plus my birthday gift from months ago."

He huffed, walking further into the room. "Rich people and their spendings. You know how many people are homeless? How many kids die on the street each day? Well, why would they care? Especially when the source of their income is uprooting those people."

"You keep saying rich people like you're not rich. You buy expensive things too, John." Her body was hot, too hot.

"You came from money. What have you done to deserve it, except being born into a rich family?"

"John!" He knew she'd refused her parents' money since she graduated from uni, choosing to run a clothing business before her music career boomed. Except the monetary gifts her parents forced on her once in a while, she was pretty much independent.

"What?" he snapped. "Everything I have now, I had to fight and bleed for it. I clawed my way up, so why can't I guy a few things? They're important!" He threw her closet doors open. "You already have so much, why do you need more?"

"John."

"Your father gets government contracts to redevelop slums, without caring for the displaced people!"

"You know that's not true. His job is just to build. There are other people in charge of relocating and housing those people. Besides, the lands are government property. My father does what he can by setting up funding for these people. So don't come at me like that."

"We're getting rid of them," he stated. John began pulling clothes and shoes out of the closet and flinging them on the floor. "We're getting rid of all of them!"

"No!" This was madness. How could he decide what she could keep? She rushed forward, grabbing each article of clothing as he flung them out. She pushed them back in, silently daring him to remove them again. John did just that, and the duo continued in this manner until he'd had enough.

He pushed her away and Ada fell, her head getting caught on the side of the night table. The rotating ceiling fan was the last thing she saw before she blacked out.

***

The air smelled like disinfectant and something metallic. Ada tried opening her eyes and immediately shut it when the bright light gave her an intense bout of pain in her head. After a few more tries, her eyes adjusted to the bright florescent light. She listened to the quiet drip drip of the IV line that was attached to her left hand and the ticking of a clock nearby.

John was sitting at the far wall, his head pushed back and his legs propped on a stool. His quiet snores reached her and she forced herself to swallow the rising bile in her throat. She hated him so much, yet, she was still in love with him.

As if sensing she was awake by her thoughts, his eyes opened. They widened slightly before he hurried over. "How are you feeling? Can you see me?"

Ada didn't respond, merely continued to look at him.

"I'll get the doctor." He rushed out, and a few minutes later, a nurse and an older man came in. His lab coat was pristine and his glasses perched on his nose.

The man smiled at her before nodding at the nurse who began checking the IV.

"Luckily, you were out for a few hours and you suffered a minor injury. I think the fainting was mostly out of shock. However, we'll keep you overnight for some observation," the doctor said, offering another small smile. "Please be careful when walking around stairs."

So that was the story John had given them. Ada shut her eyes and tuned out the conversation, content to just let time crawl past.

"Are you feeling alright?" John asked when they were once again alone.

"Leave," she said quietly, her eyes still shut.

"I should go out? You probably need a few minutes by yourself." His chair scraped back and his hands clutched hers. "I'll go get a drink or something."

"No. I mean leave the hospital and don't come back, I'll come home once this is over." She tugged her hand from his grip.

"Are you sending me out?" John asked, his voice hard. She didn't reply, neither did she look at him. She knew when she saw that displeased expression, her resolve will falter. "Ada!"

"Please leave."

"It was just a push. I didn't know you'd fall. You can't fault me for that!"

"I could have died!" she yelled, her eyes flying open to glare at him.

"The doctor said you were fine."

"Don't you understand? It could have been worse. I could have had a brain injury or snapped my neck, John. I could have died." And the reality of that scared her, very much.

"Babe. You can't think like that. You know I didn't mean to hurt you."

"John go. I need space and I need time."

He gave her one long, last look before stepping out, slamming the door behind him. Ada let out a shaky breath, shutting her eyes again and hoping for sleep to find her. She didn't want to feel or think, not now.

***

Hopefully, this is the last straw and she finally gets free guys.

Life has been busy so late update. I'm sorry.

Let me know your thoughts about this chapter. When I'm having a hard time, I go through my comments and it helps me work things out. That's how important your words are to me.

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