Balogun

BEAST

"Love is the riskiest of all risks"
- adetayo_first
xXx

Abike had a bad day the day before; and as she walked to the Prince's room with his glass of milk by six a.m. the next morning, she hoped today would be better.

She loved him, she knew it.
He had hurt her so badly yesterday but she couldn't stay away. She would give anything to see him smile at her again and she didn't understand why.
Why was she so desperate for him? Why?

She came to a stop as she rounded the bend into the hallway, her heart beating wildly in her chest.

Jamal was standing outside the door talking to Murewa who was shutting the door as he exited the room.
The two men saw her at the same time as they turned to walk in her direction.

Jamal's steps faltered in surprise at seeing her standing there like a ghost holding a glass of milk, but Murewa didn't even break stride.
He kept walking, moving past her without stopping. It was like he had never seen her before. Like he didn't know who she was.
She heard his heavy footfalls as he clambered down the stairs.

Jama stopped in front of her, with an actual smile on his face.

"A glass of milk?" He raised his brows.

"He takes it every morning," she answered, tilting her head to look up at him.

"Well, he doesn't seem at all interested this morning."

Abike lowered her head in embarrassment.
"Well, May I?" Jamal reached for the glass and she released it to him. He downed it in one gulp and handed it back.
"He would come around," he said with a wink and walked past.
Abike stood in the empty hallway, holding an empty glass feeling so empty inside.

She had thought she might catch him in a better mood this morning, so they could have a proper discussion, but that had proved futile.
With the way he acted when he saw her minutes ago, she didn't think she had been forgiven. Or would be forgiven anytime soon.
But, forgiven for what?
If she was to think her being with Bola was what caused the friction between her and Murewa, then she would be forced to think he actually liked her.
But he didn't. Or did he?

She was confused as hell as she trudged back to the kitchen to return the glass.
She had woken up this early to talk to him, why was he always so difficult?

As she entered the kitchen, she was assailed by a loud voice.
"It was that stupid Yomi's fault. I am scared right now..." Mrs. Jamila was saying to Iroko.

Abike froze halfway in and was about to turn to make a clean escape, but it was too late. The woman already saw her.
"Abike Kolawole.." she smiled with a wicked smile. Abike stared back warily.
"Good morning, mistress"
"I knew you couldn't keep the Prince" the woman eyed her up and down with undisguised delight.
"All the attention he was giving you, all the disrespect I took because of you, Iroko was beaten because of you and yet..."

"Iroko?" Abike glanced at the quiet giant beside her. "I don't..."

"Shut up!" Mrs. Jamila snarled. "You came all the way from Amu and you think you can come here and misbehave with our Prince."

Abike shook her head at the immaturity the woman was displaying.
"Mistress, I..."

"The Prince has rescinded all claims on you. You no longer work for him."

Abike took a confused step back, but the kitchen sink stopped her from moving further.
"What do you mean?"

The woman seemed to enjoy her bewilderment and agitation because she danced forward, her smile widening into dangerous proportions.