Entranced 18+

Twenty Eight

Something was wrong. He could feel it deep in his gut. One moment, she'd been smiling and getting along with his friends that his heart had stirred, and the next she'd frozen. Tracing back, he realized that it was the call that set her off. Who was it?

Ijeoma had completely withdrawn and he could clearly see something was wrong. All through the rest of dinner, his mind had been on it, distracting him from his friends. He'd been terrible company for his friends and he'd apologized, promising to make it up to them but his friends hadn't minded. They seemed to have a lot more on their plates, that too was another cause for concern and he couldn't be of help at all.

When he'd eventually excused himself to go to her, she'd been pretending to be asleep. His instincts screamed at him to confront her but he held back. There was only so much running she could do, sooner or later she would talk. So, he'd gone to bed and when he woke up, it was to a note from her telling him she'd ride with Kachi and Aria. That his friends had offered her a mini tour before lunch at Ada's. That was bullshit and he knew it.

When he tried to call Kachi, he saw his friend had texted, asking if everything was okay between him and Ijeoma. He'd left him on read, served the man right for offering her a tour of the town without inviting him.

Now he was pulling into the mansion the Nwafor's called home and not even the beauty of the house could ease his mind. He'd go in, find Ijeoma and made sure they spoke. This was enough running, it was all he could allow. Any more and he feared he'd never be able to catch her.

He parked his car and strode towards the front door, but a hand quickly dragged him towards the side of the house. "What the hell?" He pulled away, glaring at Kachi who had grabbed him. "Why are you putting hands on me, man?"

"Guy chill," Chike patted his back and Azu immediately turned the glare on his other friend, putting space between them as well. "I haven't seen this look in your eyes in a very long time, boy. What's up?"

"I'm fine," he grunted, looking away from Chike's inquisitive eyes. Kachi, on hearing that came to stand in front of him, he held his gaze, and Azu could read the man's expression too well. He was worried. Azu stepped back as Kachi lifted his hand to touch him.

"What do you two want?" He tried to stop glaring at them, but he was far too gone in his head.

"Look, if it's about me taking Ijeoma out, it was all Zariah. I was just their driver." Kachi tried placating him.

"Way to go man, throwing your woman under the bus," Chike grimaced.

"Coming from you that's hiding out here? That's low," Kachi shot back.

"What's going on?" Azu asked again already irritated by their banter.

Chike stepped forward and gripped Azu's shoulders forcing him to look up at him. The man was only a few inches taller than him and Azu had never hated their height difference till now. "My man," Chike said, still holding onto him even though he was trying to pull away. "My brother, right now I need you to chill out. You guys are here as my family, the only family I have. Whatever is going on, I promise I'll help you sort it out immediately we are done today."

"There's nothing going on. Where's she?"

"She's inside with Aria and Ada. They're helping Mama U with lunch," Kachi replied.

"So why are you guys out here?" Finally he was able to pull away from Chike's grip, forcing his emotions under control. Chike was right, he needed his friends. He'd been no good to them last night, it would be very bad to let him down again today.

"He's here," Chike replied, running his fingers through his short hair.

"Who?" Azu glanced to Kachi because Chike didn't seem inclined to explain more.