Chapter 2 LETTING HIS CHARMING SMILE TAKE OVER

Chapter 2

The last time, the guy and I were running until we got tired, and when we looked at each other, we laughed.

Tiana said in my heart, "Oh Jesus, that's when I realized how handsome this guy is - he has dimples that could kill, white teeth, beautiful lips, soft skin."

I looked at him, almost in tears my body was getting hot, and he said with a smile, bringing me back to reality:

The guy said, "You have to pay me cash; I don't have a bank account."

I remembered I had agreed to pay him 30,000 RWF if he saved me from those thugs and i remembered that i didn't really ask him to sleep with me ,it was all in my head but i really wish he could but I'm not bold enough to do something like that. I felt like a drenched puppy. Normally, I don't waste money, but when I thought about it he actually s, he was smiling at me - those dimples were killing me.

I stared at him and completely forgot what had brought me there. He said, 'Why are you looking at me like that? I hope you're not falling for me.'

I replied, 'Oh no! By the way, my name is Tiana.'

The guy said, 'I figured - with beauty like yours, you don't need a made-up name. Even if people say you look like Rihanna.'

I said, 'Wait, how did you know? My friends actually call me that!'

The guy said, 'Every girl is compared to a celebrity, but you're even prettier than Rihanna. Plus, she's getting old.'

I laughed so hard because of the way he told stories. Then I remembered he hadn't told me his name, so I asked, 'By the way, what's your name again?'

He said, 'Remember it well. You said "by the way what's your name again" like someone who already knows.'

Hahaha - I laughed harder than ever at a stranger.

Right then, we saw the guys who had been chasing us come out and hop on motorbikes - they must have passed by here looking for us.

I was standing under a streetlight anyone could see me because of lights, but the guy who saved me was standing behind it in the shadow none would notice him. Suddenly, he pulled me in for a tight hug - zero distance!

I hugged him back. He smelled so good - girls love guys who smell nice!

He wasn't heavy like a "Zaddy" - he was light and tall. I was wearing high heels, and even so, he was taller.

My body felt hot; I didn't know what was happening to me.

I couldn't explain what this boy did to me in those few seconds - but I liked the feeling.

After the bad guys passed, we let go, but I noticed something had changed in the way he was looking at me.

I wondered to myself, Maybe he's falling for me too?

Then he grabbed my hand and said, "Let's get out of here before they come back. I'll escort you home, and then you can pay me."

When he said escort me home, I remembered my mom was angry and waiting for me at home.

I said, "Actually, I don't want to go home yet. I'm starving. Let's find somewhere to eat."

He laughed, grabbed me, and spun me around: "Come on, I'll show you a place."

We walked a bit, and I started feeling cold and tired.

He took off his jacket and put it on me, staying in just a white T-shirt.

He said, "We're almost there."

We arrived at a poor-looking market center - it looked rough.

People there stared at us, but I was used to getting stares anyway cus I'm gorgeous.

Food was being cooked right on the roadside.

The girls there were checking him out, and he would sneak glances back at them, but he kept holding my hand.

We reached a spot where they were grilling potatoes, meat skewers, and more.

I asked him, "What are we doing here?"

He laughed and said, "We're here to eat. I told you I knew a place!"

I said, "Seriously? You eat in places like this? I can't eat food that's not clean!"

I couldn't believe I found myself walking with a guy like this.

I kept staring while people cooked by the road.

He brought a plate with grilled potatoes and meat skewers, smiling.

People passing by were greeting him: "Chike, how are you?"

He smiled back and said, "How can I not be fine when I'm with such a beautiful girl?"

Then he said, "Here, eat."

I refused. I didn't want to eat that food.

He took a bite himself and started chewing happily, even closing his eyes to savor it.

Seeing that made me so hungry - but people were watching if I'd eat too.

He asked me to open my mouth, and when I refused again, he moved to eat it himself.

I quickly grabbed his hand and bit into the food he was holding.

When I started chewing, it tasted so good - better than anything I'd ever eaten!

He kept feeding me, and we were playfully laughing together.

People gathered around us, happy and cheering us on.

He even bought food for everyone there!

I was so happy.

He said, "Now pay, baby!"

I widened my eyes: "What? I thought you were treating me! And you bought food for everyone here knowing that you'll ask me to pay"

He said, "Don't be stingy! Just pay 10k from what you owe me anyway."

I playfully slapped him and paid using my phone.

Even though I didn't tell him, I loved the freedom of that place.

How could a classic girl like me fall in love with a street spot like that?

Chike said, "I know you liked that place. Let's come back tomorrow evening during the weekend, so you can help me earn more money!"

I laughed and said, "You, you know how to sweet-talk! Let's go home. I'll pay you cash.

How can you not have mobile money?"

Chike laughed and said, "I used to have it, but I had to sell my phone after getting mugged!"

He laughed it off so fearlessly that it scared me a bit.

Then he said, "Let me get us a taxi."

I said, "You better not memorize my house!"

He said, "How could I forget? My name is Mwizerwa Chike, 32 years old. I work on Zaddy the Great's buildings - the ones under construction."

Curious, I asked, "What exactly do you do there?"

He smiled and said, "I'm a construction worker."

I said loudly, shocked, "A construction worker?!"

He asked why I was surprised.

I said, "It's nothing. Let's go, but when we reach my house, I'll blindfold you so you don't see where I live!"

He agreed. He pulled a white, nice-smelling cloth from his pocket.

When I reached to grab it, my hand brushed his fingers - it was electric!

He hailed a taxi, and I blindfolded him as we got inside.

The driver laughed at us.

On the way, Chike kept telling funny stories about the girls who throw themselves at him at work.

I laughed so much I thought I would die.

When we arrived at my house, I got scared again but kept stalling.

Luckily, my mom wasn't home.

Liam had called, but I didn't pick up.

We got out, I removed my shoes, grabbed my jacket, and fetched 20,000 RWF.

I gave it to him while he was still blindfolded.

He said, "Untie me so I can see where you live just this time I promise you'll never see me again as you want."

I said, "Who said I don't want to see you again?"

I moved closer to untie him, but before I do he grabbed my hands, and I froze.He kissed me on the forehead and whispered, "I didn't have the courage to do this while looking at you, but this shows how much I appreciate you."

I felt like kissing him back - but a classic, respectful girl like me couldn't play such games!

I pulled away, handed him the money, and said,

"Remember you still owe me 10k. I'll let it when we go back to eat that... that thing - what do they call it again?"

He said, "They call it ibiraha."

I laughed: "Ibiraha?

That sounds funny!"

We said goodbye - it wasn't easy - but eventually, he left because the taxi driver was getting impatient.

it became difficult because the driver said he was running late. He kissed his palm, blew me a kiss and I laughed, walked on, and entered the house while he leaned against the car without entering.

I got into the house, feeling happy. I went straight to the window to see if he was still there. I pulled the curtains aside and he waved at me. I felt embarrassed and quickly collapsed onto the couch to relax.

Then I went to the shower, put on a nightgown, and when it was around 11 PM, I put the food into the fridge because I had left it as I had cooked it. I wasn't hungry, so I went to bed, but my thoughts were with Chike.

In the morning, Tiana was awakened by a ringing phone. She reached for the table without opening her eyes, still feeling sleepy, and picked it up. When she saw who was calling, she immediately woke up, fear taking over her - it was her mom.

Tiana's mom: Good morning, my dear.

Tiana: M-m-morning, Mom.

Tiana's mom: Yesterday, where had you gone? I came over but couldn't find you, and your phone was off.

Tiana: I was with Sandy.

Tiana's mom: Sandy, really? She found me after getting drunk with her friends.

They told me you had come home after work. Don't lie to me.

Tiana: Mom, why don't I come over so we can talk face-to-face?

Tiana's mom: No need. Open the door - I'm at your doorstep.

Tiana: W-what? At the door?

Tiana's mom: Yes, my dear. Today we need to talk.

Tiana panicked, immediately got up, and ran to the window, pulling aside the curtain. She saw her mother's car parked outside.

She held her head in her hands, fear overwhelming her. She paced back and forth before finally opening the door. She hugged her mother, and her mother kissed her on the cheek.

She then went to shower, and afterward, they prepared tea together.

They sat down to have breakfast.

Tiana's mom: Tiana, why aren't you telling me anything?

Tiana: (awkwardly) Tell you what, Mom?

Tiana's mom: Are you planning to grow old single?

Tiana: Well, Mom, it's not like I'm refusing. It's just that I don't have a boyfriend. Nobody's courting me.

Tiana's mom: What about Zaddy then?

Tiana was speechless. She felt like Sandy had betrayed her by telling everything.

Tiana: (reluctantly) Mom, honestly, I don't love Zaddy.

Tiana's mom: Tiana, you're not going back to the village poor. You're a girl with the ability to get any man you want. Accept Zaddy, love him, and make our family proud.

Tiana: Mom, I can't pretend to make others proud while I'm suffering inside!

How could I accept someone I don't love? How could I live with him, sleep beside him, let him touch me, and have children with him just to make the family proud?

Tiana's mom: Your father raised you with the expectation that you'd be a respectable woman with a successful life - and a family! Don't rely on your brother, Liam - he's a man; he'll be fine. But you, you must build a family.

Tiana: To you, Zaddy seems perfect: rich, good-looking, from a respected family, and he loves me. But Mom, he's missing the one thing I need most in a man.

Tiana's mom: And what's that?

Tiana: The ability to make my heart beat. He doesn't have my heart, Mom - and that's the most important thing.

Tiana's mom: Who cares about that? I didn't love Liam's father when I married him - the love came later.

Tiana: That's your story, Mom. I want to love first, then marry - not marry first and then hope to love later.

Tiana's mom: I'm going to meet Zaddy to assess him properly. If I see he's suitable, you'll marry him.

Tiana: How will you know he's right for me?

Tiana's mom: I'm your mother. I know what's best for you.

Tiana: I love you, Mom.

Tiana's mom: I love you too, my precious daughter. But Liam, too, needs to find a wife and stop wasting time. He's not getting any younger.

Tiana smiled, remembering how Chike hugged her tightly when they were almost caught and how he kissed her forehead.

Tiana's mom: Tiana?

Tiana: Yes, ma'am?

Tiana's mom: Are you in love?

Tiana quickly answered, "No way! I just remembered Sandy's WhatsApp status."

Tiana's mom: That Sandy is crazy, you know. I hope you don't turn out like her. Your father expects so much from you.

From the moment Tiana heard the words "your father expects so much from you," she was fed up.

They continued talking until noon, and then her mother left.

They lived in the same city, but every child had found their own house, mainly to avoid the pressure from their mother about marriage.

Liam, Tiana's brother, is tall and fair-skinned. They inherited their height from their mother, who is also tall.

He stays fit by playing basketball and is also a tour company owner - LIAM SAFARIS.

He spends his time touring and taking pictures, meeting women from all over the world who immediately fall for him. He'd pick one girl, spend a week with her, and then move on to another. That's his lifestyle.

Meanwhile, after cleaning the house, Tiana grabbed a juice, sat on the couch, turned on the TV, and started watching a fashion show - designers showcasing extraordinary clothing.

She heard honking outside and stood up to look. It was Sandy with her friends Paula, Leyna, and Sandy's boyfriend Kendrick (or Kendro).

She smiled and opened the door, hugging each of them. Even Kendrick hugged her and teased her by lightly hitting her chest saying,

"But you've gained some weight in south province, huh?"

Kendro: (laughing) "There's everything in the South Province. I regret not setting up my clinic there earlier - it's such a beautiful place."

Sandy: "You'll move there with me, and we'll live freely."

Kendro kissed her. Everyone laughed, covering their mouths.

Kendro: "I'll never leave you, my queen."

Tiana: "Okay, come inside before you start doing it out here."

Paula: "Let's first take a photo."

They took photos and went inside.

Each took a snack while Tiana went to the kitchen to prepare food. Leyna followed her, standing by the kitchen doorway sipping her juice.

Leyna: "How are you, Tiana?"

Tiana: (startled) "I'm good, and you?"

Leyna: "I'm fine. Where were you yesterday?"

Tiana: "I went to the gym. Why are you asking?"

Leyna: "We came here at 10 PM and found your mom here. Don't lie to me - we know each other too well. Tell me the truth."

Tiana: "Liam called saying Mom was looking for me, so I went to Alicia's house and returned at night."

Leyna: "Tiana, I saw you with Zaddy at the nightclub. I came to talk to you but lost you in the crowd. I saw you with a guy wearing a Jordan jacket. Who was that?"

Tiana laughed, remembering the delicious food they ate, like samosas with potatoes inside.

Tiana: "His name is Chike."

Leyna looked at her with curiosity as Tiana smiled while buttering a pan.

Leyna: "What's going on between you two?"

Tiana smiled awkwardly and said nothing.

Leyna: "You know, Zaddy was heartbroken. He had planned to perform with his girlfriend at the after-party."

Tiana: "Oh, please! Didn't I tell him I wasn't coming?"

Leyna: "Zaddy really loves you, Tia. He's hoping one day you'll love him back. He believes that if he's patient, you'll eventually change your mind."

Tiana sighed heavily.

Tiana: "It's not that I don't want to love Zaddy - I just can't."

Sandy suddenly entered and said,

"Enough gossip! My man is hungry!"

Tiana: "I didn't even know you were coming with Kendro. I didn't know he was back in town."

Sandy: "Yes, he's been here for a week. We've been having a good time - we even did it!"

Tiana: (shocked) "You slept together?!"

Sandy: "Yes, and it was amazing."

Leyna says, "I could never believe that Kendro would ask you to do it, the way we are university students, he was even afraid of you. Instead, you ended up falling in love, it surprised me, and even now I still don't understand it."

Sandy says, "You guys wouldn't understand, but he told me - it's me who teased him and provoked him - then he told me that he's always desired me but didn't know how to approach it."

Tiana says, "But you are 5 years older than him."

Sandy says, "So, are you trying to tell me that a 28-year-old guy is young?"

Tiana says, "Go away, you drunkard."

Sandy says, "Oh, by the way, did your mom come here? Now I understand why you're talking to me like this. But sorry, dear, I was drunk and I ended up spilling beans."

Tiana says, "If you do that again, I'll cut your tongue, you little thing."

They all laughed, they ate, drank, talked, and were happy while Sandy told them fake stories and made them laugh.

But Tiana kept checking the time on her watch, Leyna kept looking at her and saw she was uneasy!

Her heart wasn't there - it was with Chike.

Then she said, "Hey, among you all, who knows what 'ibiraha' are?"

They all said, "Ibiraha?"

Tiana said, "Yes, something called 'ibiraha.'"

Sandy said, "Ibiraha? Isn't that chickens? I heard chickens cluck."

Paula said, "Nope, 'ibiraha' are something chickens lay, or their eggs."

Leyna said, "I also think it's something chickens lay."

Tiana laughed rolling on the floor and told them that 'ibiraha' are something you eat, it has potatoes inside.

Kendro said, "In the South, when I pass on the road, I see them selling that, but I didn't know that's what it was called."

Then 'ibiraha' became the topic - they kept telling stories - later they stood up and went home.

Kendro asked her to come out with him sometime, but she said she was tired and wanted to rest.

After they left, she cleaned up, went to shower, came back wearing her yellow Hoodie that reaches the knees, tied a cloth on her head, and picked up a novel by Cathrine Phiri to read.

But her heart was hurting - she was sad because it was already 6:30 PM and Chike hadn't come yet, and she missed him.

Tiana says, "I felt like I missed him, like touching him, I don't know how it happened that I ended up feeling this way yet we just met yesterday. I was reading the novel but couldn't concentrate - pain started growing inside me - but I told myself, 'How can a serious, grown-up girl like me spend her time stressing over a houseboy?'

But I was really hurt because I had trusted him, and now he wasn't keeping his word."

A few moments later, someone knocked on the door.

I got scared but thought it wasn't Chike because I had already convinced myself he wasn't coming.

But when I opened the door, my heart jumped with joy - it was him - I stepped back and welcomed him inside.

Yes, Chike came, wearing a blue and white Miami shirt, blue jeans, the same J1 sneakers from yesterday, and carrying an old Itel 2016 phone.

He stood in front of me smiling as usual - his dimples charming me - his short hair making him look so good.

He told me, "You won't fall into my arms, girl?"

I laughed and when I thought about it, I found myself already in his arms.

It was the best feeling in the world.

I hugged him without thinking.

He whispered, "I missed you, Queen.

Tiana, you look beautiful tonight."

I returned to reality, let go of him, and sat down.

He came and sat too.

He picked up the small novel I was reading, looked at it, and said, "You also read novels?"

I said, "I love reading love novels, especially this one - it's called Soulmates, and the woman who wrote it is amazing, she's South African."

Chike said, "I also love reading novels but I didn't know Cathrine Phiri. But if you agree, we could do it together."

He said looking at my lips flirty😂🤭

I looked at him confused, and he repeated, "We could make it together."

I was so embarrassed

I threw a pillow at him, and he grabbed it and asked, "Why are you throwing a pillow? Don't you want us to read this novel?"

I remembered we were talking about the book, and said, "I forgot, sorry."

Chike said, "Then I'll punish you."

I jumped up and ran, and he chased me - we were laughing.

I climbed onto the couch, he kept chasing me until he tripped and fell on top of me.

I looked into his eyes, and he stayed quiet, staring at my lips and swallowing saliva.

I also felt like kissing him, but I didn't have the strength.

He laughed and asked me, "Do you have a boyfriend?"

I sat next to him and said, "I don't have a boyfriend."

Chike said, "That's impossible - a beautiful girl like you, special, rich too, you can't be single, dear."

I said, "I answered your question, I owe you no explanation. Let me ask you now."

Chike said, "I love how you talk - go ahead, ask."

Tiana said, "What do you do, where do you live, and how old are you?"

Chike got serious and said, "I thought we came to eat ibiraha!"

I said, "It's late now, but I want to know you. Let it be today's deal - tomorrow, Sunday, we'll go eat ibiraha."

Chike said, "My name is Mwizerwa Chike, I live with my friends in the center I took you to.

I work as a brick layer at the construction site

because after university I couldn't find a job. I ended up doing casual jobs. I'm 32 years old. My family lives in the countryside, they are poor, and I am the eldest. They expect me to make it and help them, but life is getting tougher."

I felt sorry for him, but he smiled as he spoke. I kept wondering how someone this handsome could be a brick layer

We kept talking until someone knocked loudly and shouted.

It was Zaddy, drunk, yelling, "Tiana, my love, come receive your husband, his heart needs you!"

He was saying a lot of things. I looked at Chike... and he was also looking at me in curiosity

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