Balogun

SPOILED

What is affection supposed to feel like? To some people it evokes in them feelings of calm and tranquillity.
Some experience the stormy violence of it; the butterflies, the thunder strikes. I think that's what I want. I don't want calm, I want to be utterly possessed by them and them, by me. I want the butterflies.
- adetayo_first.

It was her last day working for the Prince and Abike couldn't wait to finally be rid of his shadows; to finally be rid of the constant fear that he could walk in at any time.

After that first encounter, she had not set eyes on him and she was so grateful for that divine intervention. She couldn't stand being in the same room with him, surely not after what had happened -or almost happened- between them.

It was 08:00 a.m, and he was absent, so she relaxed by reading a book. His room was spotless, as usual, so there was no work to do.

After this morning round, she would be reassigned to another task. Hopefully, she would work close to Teju this time. She had missed him. She needed a familiar face after almost a week in this dreadful place.

Thankfully, Abike finished the book just in time to go get the Prince's breakfast and disappear from his life forever. By the time the clock hit eleven, she was already heading toward the kitchen. She planned to get his breakfast tray and leave it in his room before he arrived, to avoid any encounter with him. No matter how minute.

The walk back from the kitchen was a bit slower because she was carrying a tray of food, but it was okay because she still had about ten minutes before he would show up. Balancing the tray with one hand, Abike pushed the door open. It was only by sheer miracle the tray didn't drop from her hands. The Prince was sitting on the bed, his gaze on her.

Abike was scared of him, she realized. And as she waited unfailingly for recognition to dawn in his eyes, she thought she just might hate him more than she feared him. He took her innocence and couldn't even be bothered to remember her. 

She shuffled forward, disappointed in herself for expecting more from someone who has shown more than a few times that he was simply an animal who had nothing to offer.
She should dump the tray on his beautiful head.

"My Prince, I brought your food," she said, sighing in relief when he took the tray without a word. She made for the exit but stopped when his voice reached her.

"What is this?"

She turned to him, her fingers curling around the knob as she eyed him speculatively. "Your breakfast," she answered, quelling the urge to roll her eyes.

He looked up at her, his expression harsh. Abike couldn't look away. It was like he expected something from her, but what?

"Is there a problem, My Prince?" She asked sweetly, pretending to be concerned. He stared silently for a few more seconds.

"Are you one of those servants from Amu?" He asked with a tilt of his head.

"Are you one of those servants from Amu?" Abike repeated in her head. This man thought the world revolved around him.

"Yes," she gritted and his mouth widened in a very cold smile.

"I would like to believe that is why I am sitting here with this rubbish on my lap." His voice increased with every inflection. "I would let Mrs. Jamila know to educate the servants properly before they are allowed to serve me." He covered the plate. "Get this away from me," he ordered.

How very rude! Abike couldn't believe his rottenness.

"Are you deaf, perhaps?"

"No!" she answered and marched towards him, lifting the tray.