Chapter 3 We can't do this

Chapter 3

"Dami! Mom! What's going on here?" Daniel's voice boomed, cutting through the thick tension like a knife.

I froze, my heart pounding in my chest as I quickly pulled back from Jacinth. She sat up, her cheeks flushed, and I could see the panic in her eyes. Shit, shit, shit. This wasn't how this was supposed to go.

"She slipped in the kitchen," I blurted out, my voice shaky but firm. "I was just helping her to her room."

Daniel's brow furrowed as he stepped further into the room, his eyes darting between us. "Slipped? Are you okay, Mom?"

Jacinth nodded, forcing a smile. "I'm fine, Daniel. Just a little clumsy today, that's all."

He hesitated, his gaze lingering on us for a moment longer before he finally sighed. "Alright. Just... be careful." He turned to me, his tone sharp. "Dami, what are you still doing here? We need to get to the office."

"Right," I said, standing up quickly. "I was just... making sure she was okay."

Daniel glanced at his watch, clearly impatient. "Well, she's fine now. Let's go."

I nodded, feeling a mix of relief and frustration as I followed him out of the room. As we walked down the stairs, I couldn't shake the image of Jacinth's face, the way her eyes had softened when I leaned in. What the hell was I thinking?

"Wait," I said, stopping suddenly. "Why are you back so soon? I thought you guys left already."

Daniel turned to me, his expression slightly annoyed. "We forgot some important documents. I had to come back to get them."

"Ah," I said, nodding. "Let me just grab my things. I'll meet you outside."

Daniel nodded, heading towards the door while I rushed back to my room. My mind was a whirlwind of emotions, and I needed a moment to collect myself. I grabbed my bag, taking a deep breath before heading back downstairs.

As I reached the front door, I saw Jacinth coming out of the house, dressed in her work clothes. My eyes widened in surprise. "Ma? What are you doing? You should be resting."

She smiled, adjusting the strap of her bag. "I'm fine, Dami. It was just a little slip. I can't afford to miss work today."

I opened my mouth to protest, but Daniel interrupted. "We can drop you off on our way. Your car's still at the mechanic, right?"

Jacinth nodded. "That would be great. Thank you, Daniel."

I bit my tongue, forcing myself to stay silent as we all got into the car. The ride was tense, the air thick with unspoken words. I sat in the back, my eyes occasionally meeting Jacinth's in the rearview mirror. Each time our gazes locked, my heart skipped a beat. The tension between us was palpable, and I could tell she felt it too.

Daniel, oblivious to the storm brewing behind him, chatted away about work and the upcoming meetings. I barely registered his words, my mind too focused on the woman sitting in the passenger seat.

When we finally pulled up to Jacinth's office, she turned to us with a warm smile. "Thank you both. I'll see you later."

"Take care, Mom," Daniel said, his tone softening.

"Bye, Ma," I added, my voice barely above a whisper.

As she walked away, I couldn't help but watch her, my heart aching with a longing I couldn't quite understand. The rest of the day passed in a blur, my thoughts constantly drifting back to her.

Night fell quickly, and by the time we returned to the house, everyone was exhausted. Dinner was a quiet affair, the earlier tension still lingering in the air. I barely touched my food, my mind too preoccupied with the events of the day.

As everyone retired to their rooms, I found myself unable to sleep. My thoughts were a jumbled mess, and I needed some air. I slipped out of bed, making my way downstairs and out into the backyard.

The cool night air was a welcome relief, the sounds of Lagos in the distance a soothing backdrop. I walked towards the pool, the water glistening under the moonlight. And there she was.

Jacinth stood by the edge of the pool, her silhouette illuminated by the soft glow of the lights. She turned as I approached, her eyes meeting mine.

"Dami," she said softly, her voice carrying a hint of surprise.

"Ma," I replied, my heart racing. "I... couldn't sleep."

She smiled, a small, knowing smile. "Neither could I."

We stood there for a moment, the silence between us heavy with unspoken words. Finally, I took a step closer, my voice barely above a whisper. "Jacinth, I... I can't stop thinking about you."

Her breath hitched, her eyes searching mine. "Dami..."

I reached out, my hand gently brushing against hers. "I know this is wrong, but... I can't help how I feel."

She looked away, her expression conflicted. "Dami, we... we can't."

"Why not?" I asked, my voice pleading. "What's stopping us?"

She turned back to me, her eyes filled with a mixture of desire and fear. "You know why. Daniel, this house, everything... it's too complicated."

I stepped closer, my hand cupping her cheek. "Life is complicated, Jacinth. But that doesn't mean we can't have this."

She leaned into my touch, her eyes closing for a moment before she pulled away. "Dami, we can't. It's too dangerous."

I felt a pang of frustration, my heart aching with the weight of her words. "I don't care about the danger. I just... I just want you."

Her eyes met mine again, and for a moment, I thought she might give in. But then she shook her head, her voice firm. "We can't, Dami. It's not right."

I wanted to argue, to push her further, but I could see the resolve in her eyes. She wasn't going to budge. I sighed, stepping back and running a hand through my hair. "I understand."

We stood there in silence, the tension between us thick and unyielding. Finally, she spoke again, her voice soft. "We should go back inside. It's late."

I nodded, my heart heavy with disappointment. "Yeah. You're right."