Chapter 3 THREE

Loud ringing attacked the right ear while the sound of banging attacked the other. The rays of the sun sneaked past the spaces on the window blinds. Lolia opened her eyes, the ringing and banging continued but now they fused into one giving her a headache so painful it hurt to open her eyes.

"Wh...?" she opened her mouth to speak but was met by pain around her throat. She rose her hands to her neck it stung her to touch.

What the hell happened last night? Where the hell was she?

She looked around the room. Grey blinds starting from the ceiling to the floor covered the left side of the room. The bed faced a large bookshelf filled with books and trinkets alike. The door stood a few inches from the shelf. It was a darker shade of grey from the blinds, almost black.

On the lampstand beside the bed sat a glass of water covered with a dark blue silicone lid, and beside it a translucent orange vial with white pills inside. On the vial was a note that stated 'drink two'. Lolia figured they were pain relievers but she did not reach for them.

The door to the room opened and Lolia was shocked by who walked in. Nik strutted in dressed in blue sweat pants and nothing but glistening sweat ran down his toned body. His shirt hung over his shoulder. Lolia did not know what shocked her more, the fact that Nik just walked in, or the fact that he was this hot and she never noticed.

"You are awake." He acknowledged as he kicked the door shut behind him. He seemed extra relieved by that fact like he was worried she would not wake up.

"What happened last night?" Lola asked. "My memory is all fuzzy and my he..."

"Have you had the painkillers?" Nik asked cutting her off as he walked further into the room.

Lolia shook her head.

Nik groaned and rolled his eyes. Nothing new just his usual show of irritation towards her. He walked into the bathroom and returned without the shirt, then he came to bed and sat down. Lolia watched his hands work as he picked up the medicine bottle and shake two pills out. He capped the bottle and placed it back, then retrieved the glass of water.

"Here." He said handing Lolia the water and pills.

She was hesitant for some reason. It was like her mind was telling her to run away and not trust him.

Nik sighed when he saw her hesitation. "It's for the pain."

Lolia succumbed she was truly in pain, from her head to her neck. She through the pills back and took some water before trying to hand the glass back to Nik.

"Finish it!" He instructed.

She obeyed and once the glass was empty Nik took it from her. "I ordered breakfast." He began rising from the bed. He placed the glass in its previous position near the medicine bottle.

"The money for it is on the coffee table in the living room."

Lolia's confusion was still on the rise as she tried to make sense of last night's now foggy details and the morning's strange outcome. Nik was already in the bathroom, he left the door open so maybe he was still clad. She rose from the bed and walked towards the door. She wanted to look for her phone or her bag before she exited she turned her attention to the bathroom area.

Nik stood in front of the mirror staring into it for no apparent reason. Lolia watched as his knuckles turned white from the force of his grip on the porcelain sink. He sighed and looked away from his tormented reflection and stared right at her.

Pain, anger, and anguish all rested in those beautiful, slender brown eyes. The weight of his gaze made Lolia feel like she was trapped in place by shackles unable to escape. He hated her understandable reasons but she had never hated him for that. She had been angry, yes but a feeling of hate never surfaced. Now that she was seeing him bare and broken she felt sad.

Nik rose from his position after what seemed like hours but it was only a few seconds. Lolia was still watching him and he was still watching her. He knew that look, the look of pity people shot the way of someone who seemed hurt. He could handle the look from anyone, anyone but her. He grabbed the handle of the bathroom door and slammed it shut.

Lolia jumped at the sound. It had snapped her out of whatever pitiful daze Nik had put her in. The reality was that no matter how many peace treaties she initiated, Nik was never truly going to like her. Why was she suddenly not okay with that fact?

When Nik exited the bathroom he was surprised to see his bed made. He thought Lolia had left but when he entered the living room and heard rummaging in his kitchen he knew she was still around.

"You are still here?" he asked.

Lolia was by the sink her hand wet from washing dishes. It was Nigerian home training, it kicked in everywhere. She saw a mess she had to clean it up.

"Did you want me to leave?" She asked, her voice a little cracked.

Nik did not reply instead he sat on the Island and pulled the paper bags filled with the breakfast he had ordered close to him.

"I hope you like pancakes and scrambled eggs?" He asked as he pulled out the packs of food. In another paper bag were two bottles of fresh juice.

"Is either one mango?" Lolia asked as she pulled out a stool and hopped on it.

"One mango, one orange." He replied "Everyone likes orange juice." except his mother. She hated orange juice. A small smile played on his face as he remembered.

"I hate orange juice." Lolia's voice pierced through his memory.

Nik looked up at her with narrowed eyes but he remained silent as he pushed the mango juice toward her. Lolia smiled as she took the bottle. Then he handed her a pack of food. She took one bite of the eggs.

"Needs pepper." She muttered

Before she could ask Nik replied "The cabinet, second layer."

She made her way to the cabinet and pulled it open. The pepper was exactly where Nik had said but she doubted she could reach it. Asking Nik for help was an option but she did not take it. Instead, she stood on her tiptoes and struggled.

Nik watched Lolia struggle to reach the cabinet. Even though he did not laugh it was an amusing sight, until it was not. His eyes roamed down her skirt to see that the short material had ridden up so high exposing her white thighs and the shadow of the curve of her bum. He groaned as he rose from the chair and went to her aid.

Lolia froze when she felt a large cold hand rest on her shoulder while she watched another reach for the paprika above her head. His smell warped around her sealing its scent, a mixture of coffee, mint, and wood. She moved backward it was a foolish reaction because her body touched his and it turned hers on fire. His body was gone as soon as it came. He placed the paprika on the counter before her.

Lolia closed her eyes a sighed. What the hell was wrong with her? She picked up the spice and turned around.

"Thank you!"

Nik nodded and they ate in silence until Nik broke it.

"Take a shower, I'll call you an Uber?"

"What happened last night?" Lola finally asked. "Did we..." she trailed off but gestured between herself and Nik with her fork.

"No," Nik replied. "I have standards."

Lolia turned to him with raised brows. "Not good ones obviously," she replied.

Nik smiled. "Do you want me to fuck you?"

"No, I have class," Lolia replied using his jab at him.

He chuckled. Lolia had never seen that, she had never heard that. It was a lovely sound and the best sight but it did not stop her from still being mad at him for his initial remark.

"Go take a shower. I'll call you a cab!" He repeated.

"What now I stink?" Lolia asked

"Yes!" Nik replied, "You stink so bad, I can't stand you." Lolia opened her mouth to speak but he continued over her. "You want to know what you stink off?"

"Sure, you are going to tell me nevertheless." She replied with a huff.

"Blood." He replied "Pain." Nik continued. "Her blood, her pain, her suffering before death it's all on you."

"You can't possibly blame me for that?" Lolia interjected. "She was ill, that was not me..."

"She was dying and he was busy with you," Nik replied. The fact that his voice was leveled and never raised while he reigned the accusations on her made his words hurt even more, like a dull knife being stabbed into her chest. "He sent her divorce papers on her death bed, while you were in Cancun sucking his d..."

Lali had never hit anyone in her life. She knew from a young age that her skin was too sensitive for her to be engaged in fights so she avoided them. Nik's words cut like a bullet, her mouth could not bring words to her defense so her hand came to her defense as she struck him right across the cheek.

The impact made Nik's face swerve to the side. Slowly he turned back to her, rage filled his eyes as he closed the distance between them. He knew was not going to hurt her, his mother raised him better. He had already tried and failed anyway. However, he advanced closer to her while she moved backward in fear.

The home intercom rang putting a stop to Nik's strides.

"This isn't over." His voice was breathy and angry. H walked to the intercom and pulled it off where it hung.

"Looking for?" Nikolia asked with a frown. He looked up at Lolia.

"Do you know any Taye?" He asked

Lolia nodded.

"Let her up." He muttered.

Nikolai remained by the elevator while Lolia stood by weary. The door dinged open and Taye stepped out. She was surprised to see Nik but did not voice it out.

"Taye"

Lolia rushed into her friend's arms. Nik has terrified her seeing Taye made her feel a bit of safety.

"We have been worried sick," Taye started. "Eric has not stopped calling me. Kachi was worried sick."

"I'm fine, just drank a little too much," Lolia replied as they pulled away from the hug.

"Are you okay?" Taye asked, "You are crying."

Lolia rose her palm to her cheek and wiped the tears. "I am good." She forced a smile. Her eyes drifted to Nik who leaned by the elevator probably waiting for them to finish and leave. Taye looked from her to Nik.

"Did he hurt you?" Taye asked

"What?" Lolia sniffed. "No. He took care of me, breakfast and all."

Taye nodded. There was more to the story she could sense it. The hostility between the two was in the air. "Well thank you." She threw at Nik without sparing him much of a glance. "We should get going. Eric is worried."

Lolia nodded.

"My phone please." She asked Nik. He walked inside and returned with her phone, a purple iPhone 13 model.

"Thank you." Nik nodded.

Both women left down the elevator silently. Outside, Taye and Lolia entered Taye's jeep. She turned to her.

"Are you good?" Taye asked "Yes." Lali replied "I just want to sleep. It's been a long morning."

The drive was silent as Lali kept her gaze outside the window. Nik's words continued to play in her head. Had Dahlia's last days been in pain because of her?

***

Nikolia stared at the lady on her knees before him bopping her head up and down with his groin in her mouth. His mind had remained painfully on Lolia even after she left with her friend hours ago.

"Fuck!" He muttered, "Just stop."

The woman continued.

"I said stop." He ordered.

The bright grey-eyed blonde stared up at him with confused eyes. Nik did not give her an answer to the unasked question so she rolled her eyes and stood up from the floor. Sandra was the daughter of one of the shareholders in the company. She had an obsession with Nikolia, one he did not return. They were friends with benefits Nikolia had made that clear to her from day one.

She was a beautiful woman, tall, slender build, nice breasts, beautiful plump lips. He had no idea why he could not see more with her. He could not see more with anyone. He arranged himself and switched on the television. Maybe another round of FIFA would calm the troubled waters of his mind.

"So you are just going to ignore me now?" Sandra asked.

"You can go home Sandra thank you," Nik replied dismissing her.

"I am tired of this shit." she screamed "You are a fucking asshole."

Nik's attention remained on his game. She threw fits like these very often. Usually, they annoyed him but today, he was grateful for it, at least now Lolia, and the guilt he felt for what he did to her last night, even though she could not remember, were not at the forefront of his mind.

He heard the slam of his door and knew that she was gone.

It was Saturday so he could not bury himself in work but he could do the only thing that brought him peace. He could paint, so he jumped up picked up his car keys, and drove out.

***

When Lolia returned home that morning Eric tried to speak to her but she was in no mood to talk to him. So after a simple apology for not returning last night she slammed the door to her room and remained indoors all day.

Nik had insulted her by calling her a gold digger on many occasions. However, today's words were gripping and throat-wrenching for some reason. She decided to speak to the only man who could bring her comfort.

"Hey, Daddy?" Lolia smiled into her cell phone.

"Daddy's girl!" Her father chimed. "How are you?"

Lolia nodded as replied. "Fine."

Lolia had been twelve years old when her mother died. She had been run over by a drunk driver on her way from work. So for the past thirteen years, her father had played the role of both mother and father. He never remarried and never introduced Lolia to any woman as a potential lover.

"Na Lolia?" He said to someone beside him.

"Ah let me talk to her." The person insisted. It was a female voice, probably an aunty from her childhood she would not remember.

"No, she is in a hurry." Her father stated as he rushed away. "Let me go to the car." He informed Lolia. "That is Aunty Furo, she talks too much."

Lolia chuckled.

"Where are you?" She asked

"Your cousin Sonia, you remember her?" Nigerian parents always expected you to remember people you had not seen in years.

"No Daddy," Lolia replied

"Uncle Jethro's daughter." He unlocked his car as he explained. "The both of you used to fight for chicken wing during Christmas."

Lolia smiled that happened only once when she was six and even then the memory was a fog.

"Okay, Sir." She wanted the conversation to be over already. "Congratulate her for me."

"Okay," He was settled in the car now. "How are you?"

"Fine." Lali lied bringing her knee up to her chest. "You look nice"

Timothy Kuro was a man who looked older than his age due to the turmoil of cancer which he had survived but its effects lingered. Nevertheless, he was a smart-looking man with a white stubble on his chin and a shiny hairless head.

Today he was dressed in a Senator's suit popularly known as etibo, in Southern Nigeria. It was a thigh-length kaftan with matching trousers that were tailored to fit the body of its wearer like a glove.

Timothy shook his head and tsked. He had raised her thus he knew he very well. Lolia was always a happy child with so much to say. When she had nothing to say it meant she was down.

"What is wrong baby?" He asked worry creasing into his forehead wrinkles. "Is Eric okay?"

Lolia laughed as tears threatened to pour.

"You don't even like Eric?"

"I do not," Timothy replied. He was grateful to Eric for his contribution to his health but he wanted his daughter to marry a young man. "But if his ailment is bothering you it is bothering me."

"He is okay," Lolia replied. She reserved the details of how she felt her life was boring and at a standstill with Eric being ill. Her father did not need to know that Eric could no longer please her in the bedroom. Nor did he need to know that he had been right about marrying Eric out of indebtedness.

She remembered the day of her wedding like it was yesterday. After she had cold feet and caused a thirty-minute delay, her father sat with her in the hotel room and told her that if she was not up for it they could leave.

"We can run now!" He had started switching to pidgin, a creole popular with Nigerians. "Anything wey won happen, make e happen!"

"He has done so much for us Papa." Lolia reminded her father.

"It does not matter." He sighed "I will forever be grateful to him but not at your expense Lolia."

Lolia cried.

"Do you love him at all?" Her father asked.

"I owe him your life daddy." She answered "And I do care for him."

"Marriage is not done out indebtedness Lo." He advised, downtrodden by the situation. "It is done out of love."

All that advice made sense now. The passionate nights were what filled the loveless gap in the marriage. Now that it was gone, the gap felt bigger.

"Eric is fine," Lolia repeated. "I am just worried about his children hating me."

Timothy sighed. One character trait that his daughter had which displeased him was this need to make everyone happy and like her. She was a people pleaser. This was what made her marry a man twice her age even though she did not love him.

"I should have found a way to curb this habit right from when you were young." He groaned "Not everyone must like you, Lo."

Lolia sighed laying back on her bed with a thump. She held the phone above her face as she continued speaking.

"I know but, Eric wants his children around." Her father already knew this but she reminded him every time. "They stay away because of me."

Timothy sighed there was no talking Lali out of this. "You could try and show them how lovely you are" He explained "You have a heart of gold."

Lolia and her father talked for a while longer before she fell asleep.

Lolia saw herself sitting in the passenger seat of a black Bentley truck parked in a dark street. Someone sat in the driver's seat, a man. She seemed drowsy and half asleep or drugged. Two thick hands wrapped its hand around her neck and squeezed hard. Nikolia's face came into view, he was trying to kill her.

She saw another face one unfamiliar watching through the side mirrors, eyes like teal watching with a smirk.

She opened her eyes and jumped to a sitting position. Realization hit her, It was not a dream, it was the memory she was missing. Nikolia had tried to kill her last night and someone watched but did nothing.