Besotted (18+) ✔️ [A Nigerian Romance]

Twenty Four

He'd seen her lights on and it had taken sheer will to place one foot in front of the other towards his own house. His entire body and soul screamed at him to go Ada but it was night and this wouldn't be the best time to begin to sort out their issues. So, imagine his shock when someone yelled out his name followed by the sound of hurried footsteps.

Chike turned just in time to break her fall as she tripped. His arms wrapped around her body tightly as he held her steady. Although it pained him, he separated their bodies immediately she seemed stable.

"I know you hate me," she said, her voice breaking on the words. It was then he took a good look at her. Ada had been crying; her usually bright eyes were dull and tinged red. Her entire face was red too and seemed swollen. "Can you forgive me?"

"Ada..." he trailed off, unsure whether to continue the conversation or not.

"We can work out everything later, just say you forgive me. If I have to beg everyday and make up for it for the rest of my life, I'll do it. Just forgive me please. I'm sorry."

"It's not that I can—"

"I'm sorry," she interrupted. Ada took a few steps forward so they were standing toe to toe. "Chike, I'm very terrible, I know. But please forgive me."

"On one condition." Even before he uttered those words, Chike knew he couldn't stay mad at her forever. He never could handle her tears. All he'd been waiting for these years was for her to reach out to him. If she'd done that, all would have been forgiven. It would be up to him to guard his heart going forward but cutting her out totally was not an option he could live with.

"Anything. I'll do anything." She pouted those pretty lips of hers and Chike was putty in her hands.

"You'll explain everything to me in detail and you'll answer every one of my questions. If you refuse, we're done."

"I promise, I'll explain everything. Whatever you ask."

"Why did you leave?" he immediately asked.

Ada blinked, then looked away. Just as he'd expected, she wasn't going to answer him. Chike turned to start walking away with whatever was left of his sanity. He was tired from the push and pull that was his relationship with Ada.

"It's a very long story," she called after him, her footfalls sounding quite close as if she was following him. "It's late in the night and we're standing in the street."

Chike turned back, almost slamming into her before she stepped back. "Do you want to come in and talk? Or would you prefer to talk in the morning?"

"Do you have food?" she asked.

"I do."

"Okay, let's go in."

Chike swallowed to keep the appreciation from his lips. He shouldn't thank her, he was the one doing her a favor. She still had a long way to go before he could feel free around her but he was so glad that she'd decided to even explain anything to him.

***

Where to start? Ada wondered as she heated the vegetable sauce. Chike had already peeled and boiled the yam and they'd done all these in awkward silence. She watched him plate the food and thanked him when he handed a plate to her. She followed him out till they were in the living room. He walked past the dining and she paused, wondering why he wasn't stopping.

"Let's eat on the couch. I'll put on a movie, it's much more comfortable that way," Chike stated, as if reading her thoughts.

Ada would have preferred the formality of the dining room. There, they would have the table separating them and it would be easier to find her words when Chike wasn't so close. But the couch? That was much closer. She could already imagine their thighs pressed against each other and knew he would feel warm. Her cheeks reddened and she shook her head, ridding it of the thoughts. She had to focus. It was unlikely that Chike would give her another chance so if she blew it, that was it.