HER

Part Ten

"Hey" I called out with a smile as I got to them.

"Hey babe," Yemi said back with a smile "you're late"

"I know...I'm so sorry. I had a lot of work to catch up on" I apologized with an exaggerated depiction of a pout, to which she rolled her eyes.

I laughed and turned my attention to Shawn who was staring at me with a smile playing on his lips.

"Hi," I said as I returned his smile "what are you doing here?" I asked abruptly, praying I didn't sound rude or defensive. But he didn't seem to mind me asking.

"I came in with Johnny and some friend a while ago when I spotted Yemi" he replied pointing behind him to an alcove that appears to be a private section "they're seated over there?"
Johnny was his closest friend and colleague.

"I was just asking Yemi if you both would like to join us?" he said with that attractive smile of his.
Shawn was the perfect man. His success aside, he was good-looking.
His dark skin practically glows, he has better skin than me... it was unfair.

"I think we'll be ok here," I said with an apologetic smile, "I have something important to discuss with Yemi" I added hastily before She could say anything, because I know she was about to protest against my rejection and accept the invitation.
She's been hounding me to get back with Shawn, always yapping on about how I was a cold-hearted bitch who should stop playing with his feelings.
whatever that means. I have been explicitly upfront with Shawn about my feelings toward him. His continued insistence is not my problem.

"Thanks for the invite anyways" I continued and gave him a wide smile to soften the blow.
I only ever seem to give about him when I need to get off. And also the fact that I fucked him twice the past week 'cause another man got me worked up, made me feel guilty.

"That's no problem" he smiled
"Call you later," he asked.

"Sure" I answered. Then he took his leave after giving Yemi a nod.

With a sigh of relief, I turned back to my friend only to find her staring at me with a judging look on her face.

ugh

"What?"  I asked defensively.
"Nothing," she said flipping her hair sassily, "you do you, I won't say anything"

"God," I said "cause now is not the time, I have something to tell you"

My words must have come off anxious because she immediately looked worried.

"What is it?" she asked suddenly serious.

Taking a deep breath, I told her everything. From how I met Kieran and to our meeting yesterday.
And after I'm done, she had a look of incredulity on her face.

"what the fuck?" she exclaimed softly "This is some Netflix drama type shit" to which I nodded frantically in agreement.

"So what do you think," I asked urgently"what should I do? cause I'm so confused right now"

"I'm as lost as you are right now babes"
"but what I want to know is why he wants to marry you?"

"well it's not because he loves me and wants to spend the rest of his life with me, that's for sure," I said sarcastically "but I still don't get why and he refused to tell me"

"Do you like him?" Yemi asked out of nowhere. Her tone was dead serious.

immediately the feeling of embarrassment washed over me.
I know that even though I didn't know him well, and after finding out how much of an asshole he was...my answer was yes.

"I mean I don't hate him," I said hesitantly "and I am attracted to him... kinda"

I didn't know what I expected her reaction to me to be, especially after I just told her he threatened me. And also the fact that he was younger than me.

But she just nodded her head in understanding, which I didn't expect from her.

"I understand, we can't help who we're attracted" she smiled,

"And I've met that guy, he is one sexy motherfucker," she added "even if he does seem to come off as ice cold"

"He is a fucking asshole" I laughed "A rich sexy one, but an asshole nonetheless"

"look" she started, once again serious, "I think you should just ignore him, and if he persists, threaten to inform the authorities"

"I know he might be powerful, but I don't think he holds enough sway in the fashion world to do D'orleans any harm if that's what you're scared of" she added.

She's right, if he tries to push the issue I'll threaten to inform the authorities. And if he persists, then I'll have to call the cops for real and get a court restraining order against him.

That should keep him off my back, right?

But I do not want him away from me...

Oh God I have a problem