My Precious

TWENTY-EIGHT

She ignored the call, then sent a text to him.

'I'm busy, you can swing by later at my house if you want.'.

She couldn't talk to him at that moment, she feared her voice would fail her. It would sound teary and that would give her away. She thought about him this time without making an effort to stop the thoughts of him. He was different and he was good. She wished he had been truthful with her from the very start.
Anyway, thanks to him. If not for the suspension, nothing would have pushed her out and motivated her. She would have still been shy Grace that takes everybody's shitty attitude.
Looking at it, he has been an angel in different ways.

She jerked as her phone vibrated in her hands. She looked at it, she received a text. It was from Tobi.

'I'll see you later then. Bye.'

Her heart smiled. Though, it was short and concise it carried a lot of words and it somewhat settled a lot of things.

She was happy and she knew why. She hurriedly wrapped up for the day, picked Precious from school and went home directly to cook. If he was coming by, he should eat something nice. She prepared Fried Rice and Salad with fried chicken.

Precious was glad, her favorite meal was being prepared while she expected her favorite person.

Some minutes past six, the doorbell rang. Precious ran to the door excitedly, as she opened the door, she jumped on him and he twirled.

'How was school today?' He asked.

'Fine. How was work? Did anyone trouble you today?' She asked.

He laughed and just then Grace joined them in the living room.

'As a matter of fact, Yes. A mean lady troubled me today but I dealt well with it plus your mother helped.' He said and winked at Grace.

She blushed, then smiled.

'Hey.' She said and came closer.

He dropped Precious, pulled her to his arms and hugged her. He missed this, he missed her. He held on tightly to her and she slowly wrapped her hands round his waist.

She missed this, she missed him. She loved how warm she felt in his arms. She kind of received this affirmation that everything is alright.

He pulled back and looked at her eyes. They were so lovely, he felt the need to dive into them. He held her chin and brought her lips to his. He kissed her lightly but the rush he felt through his bloodstream won't make him stop there unless, there was an external force.

'Eewwwww!' Precious said disgusted. She placed her hands on her eyes.

They stopped and looked at her. Grace felt a bit embarrassed. Tobi laughed and picked Precious up, giving her a peck all over her face playfully. She giggled.

Grace used that opportunity to escape into the kitchen. She staggered as she reached the kitchen.

Oh my Gosh!

That was briefly intense. She touched her chest, she could feel her heart beat fast. Her legs felt weak as she recalled how she melted in his hands. She pulled herself together and continued her work.

They had dinner in silence. The only time they spoke was  when Precious said something. Though, their hearts communicated alongside with their eyes. Tobi apologized over and over again and she urged him to stop that and it was all behind her. They smiled repeatedly at each other.
After dinner, they went outside to talk and left Precious in the living room watching cartoons.

'How are you?' He asked holding her hands.

She wasn't sure the answer to give. Great! Awesome! Happy! Loved! Blessed!.

'I'm fine.' She replied.

They were silent.

'I'm sorry.' They chorused and then laughed.

She gave him the look to go first.

'I'm sorry for not being honest with you and for being a total jackass. I messed up big time and I'm a jerk for that.'

'True.' Grace said and they laughed again.

'I'm sorry too. I went out of line, I should have calmed down and listen. I mean, it's something I always do but I don't know why that button went off when I  needed it the most.' She apologized.

He shook his head. 'You had every right to be mad. Don't be sorry.'
He said and stroked her hands.

She looked at him.

'Well, I got your letter of recommendation.' She said.

He shifted.

'Oh. Uh, it was the least I could do. Considering my bad deeds.'

'It's cool.' She made him feel rest assured.

'You said a mean lady troubled you today. Who is that? Me?' She asked childishly.

He laughed. 'So cute.' He said and touched her cheek.

'Tell me.'

'Well, it was Mrs Abba.'

Grace countenance fell.

'Theresa? Why? How?'

He let go of her hand and rested fully on the chair.

'She's such a bully.'

He nodded. He wasn't sure if he should ask but this seemed like the right moment to him.

'Uh, she told me something and I just want to know. It's okay if you don't want to talk about it.' He said seriously. 'Okay?'

'Okay.'

'It's about Precious.' He said and looked at the door.

Grace knew. That run mouth Theresa. Can't people find out things on their own. Dumb woman.

'Is she your biological-'

Grace was vexed. Should he even ask that.

'No. So what? You think it is wrong and bad. Are you going to judge us the way others do? See Precious as a defect in the society? Someone who shouldn't be given a good life? Well, go ahead and judge us. I wouldn't be surprised.' She said in a raised tone.

Those words hit Tobi real hard, it hurts him that she thinks of him as the rest but he wasn't. He understood she was angry and protective of Precious.

'Grace.' He said calmly.

'What?' She said with a frown.

He held her hands.

'I think and I know Precious deserves the best and the world. Alongside with all those kids you visit every Saturday. They deserve the world and I'm mostly proud of you. I appreciate your good heart and I award you the medal you deserve. These children are lucky to have you and I want you to know you are not alone in this anymore.' He said with great inspiration.

She was his inspiration.

She was delighted, she was grateful. She smiled.

'I was beginning to think you were against us.'

He shook his head.

'Never.'

She leaned forward and they clasped their body in a warm long embrace.

😍👫

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