Between Us

Moving to a new city has always been my plan and my dream for a few years now. The order was; get promoted, move to a new city, get a dog...making partner at the firm. I honestly looked forward to living or at least enjoying my stay here. Besides, those plans may not exactly look like the best plans to be making as a single thirty something year old woman. But those were my plans and I had nothing else to add to it.

I got my promotion and a new apartment in a new city. Those had now been checked off the list. Had no dog yet but still had plans to get a pretty female dog when I settled in–if I should. At least something to help with my connection with other beings–that was my therapist's idea.

My mom had feared that I was going to completely zone out from the rest of the world so she got me a therapist. I protested that I didn't even need one but I went to every appointment with her regardless.

I looked around my place for another moment and my eyes settled on the unused buckets of paints I had gotten earlier. I didn't know how to paint, never painted before. So, I'm not doing it myself–I wasn't planning to.

I had plans to hire a painter though. I just hadn't known the best painters in town yet.

I let out a long, heavy sigh and dragged myself to the small grey diamond couch I'd set up in the living room. My eyes drooped shut with every step towards the couch. I dropped on the couch seeking the comfort I needed at the moment as I folded up my legs together onto the couch.

This was the first time since I moved in that I was fully going to have a comfortable "sit and rest".

I still had a full day before I began working in my new office. So, hopefully there was still little time left for me to find a painter or I could just take my time and hire one next weekend. That was, I'd spoken to someone, anyone about a perfect painter around.

I drank from my mug of tea and my mind wandered off to dinner as my eyes travelled to my kitchen at the same time. I had nothing in my kitchen yet, not even a snack. I hadn't gone grocery shopping. Even though that was on my to-do list for the next day.

My phone beeped beside me almost immediately following my thought for food. I adjusted a little and lifted my butt up a bit so that I could retrieve my phone from under me. I scrolled through the tons of work emails and messages from my firm and sighed. I texted my mom and sister and told them that I was settling in well in my new home. Mom sent me a love emoji and my sister sent me a smiley emoji.

I was about to drop my phone when a notification popped up and I tapped on it. It gracefully advertised Fred and his new fiance's photo.

That panic attack came all of a sudden and I felt like I couldn't breathe for a few seconds. I couldn't say how long it was but I held the phone in my hand and just stared at the photo on the screen.

Three years had barely gone since Fred and I broke up and he was already engaged to someone else? How long had the two of them been together? I was with him for eight years before he finally proposed and stood me up at the altar.

The night before I went wedding dress shopping with his mom and mine was the last time I saw him until now–the photo displayed on my phone screen.

Fred was one person I felt so lucky that the universe brought to me. He was an amazing guy to me and the rest of the people I loved but while I was making plans to get married, Fred had other plans which clearly didn't include me.

I looked at the photo for five more horrible seconds; the woman looked so much younger. Like she was barely 18. I couldn't blame him. I was ageing and he wanted fresh blood.

I tsked and threw the phone back on the couch in the space next to me.

I took a deep breath and did three seconds of breathing exercise. I never cried when we broke up and I wasn't going to cry now not for him, not for any living man born out of a woman.

He was one reason I wanted to relocate to a new city even. But it appeared kind of absurd that I wanted to leave everything behind just for a man who clearly didn't deserve me. So, I found a perfect excuse to leave. Working for a promotion at work was the most perfect way to leave and still not totally feel like I was leaving everything behind.

I didn't even tell people that I was moving, only a few people at work and maybe my neighbours knew that I was moving out. I didn't really have friends like that.

Breathing in and out, I took the little mug from the glass table where it sat in front of me and went to dump it into my empty sink. *I picked up my phone again as I settled back in the couch*

Since I had no food, the least I could do for myself was to order food online, not like I was any fan of ordering food online. At this point, I had no choice but to order my food online. I was too tired to step out. Waiting for it, I went to get a nice warm bath while I waited for my order to arrive.

~ ~ ~

My sister called me. She wanted to know how I was doing. Apparently, she had seen the post made by Fred. My sister and I had a lot of mutual friends while growing up. So, definitely, she saw the post.

"I'm fine" I responded before saying "I've told you to stop asking me that. Hell!!" But she continued talking like my words meant nothing.

"Mommy and I are worried. So, she asked me to check on you. We both saw his proposal video online" then, she paused and I said nothing. I waited and listened. "So, Bili, are you sure you are..."

I had to cut her short, because I obviously knew what she wanted to ask me "I told you I'm fine. I don't care about Fred. Not anymore at least. So, please stop asking me that" I said and sighed, honestly hoping that I was telling the truth, even to myself.

Like, I mean, did I really not care about Fred? I doubted my answer would be "no, I don't". If I saw him again wouldn't I wish he hugged me? Well, I didn't know what I would want. And I didn't like it–that I wasn't sure what I felt exactly.

"I'm over him" I breathed out, assuring myself that I was. Even though I knew that was one of the untrue statements I've ever made.

It's just, there was always this back and forth feeling that came with news about an ex's life who happened to be the love of your life and who hurt you in a way you didn't imagine. For me, and for a long time I didn't know how to feel about Fred's break up with me. My family thought I might even commit suicide on those occasions that I shut them all out while I worked on getting over him. His mom even reached out to me once.

God! I loved that woman and we had a good relationship. Sometimes I wondered if she had known what her son was up to. But then again I doubted that she knew anything. Fred was always a bit secretive with his plans.

"Well, I'm just making sure you are actually over him and not bluffing. Coz that guy is a complete idiot" my sister's voice sounded in my ears like faded echoes. I ignored the part where she said he was an idiot.

"Yeah. I am. Thank you." I replied, wanting to actually mean my words this time. The last time I said I was fine, I wasn't actually fine. I just made up the words to get my mom out of my house and ended up staying all night watching every video and picture that Fred and I had ever taken together.

"That's why I moved here remember, so I won't have any reason to run into him while I move on with my life" I added.

I heard my sister sigh. Then I began walking down the stairs with the phone to my ears. I was going to sit and start watching a movie while I waited for my order. The delivery was taking so much time I wondered why.

"You have to be fine sis because I love you. You are my best sister in the whole world" She breathed out and I nodded my head with a smile as if she was in front of me to see my smile.

"Thank you, Gigi" I said but stopped half way down the stairs when I heard a noise. I instantly went quiet and peeped through the wooden rail handles on the stairs.

"Are you there?" My sister asked when she didn't hear my voice for a few seconds. Hell, I was trying to understand the noise I heard when another rattle of noise sounded again.

"Sh*t!" I exclaimed in a very low tone.

"Are you okay?" My sister asked, her voice filled with worry.

"I think someone has just broken into my apartment" I whispered into the phone I was holding.

"Already?" Was all she asked. As if I was supposed to have an answer to that.

I was going to end the call and go find a tool to fight the intruder when my sister spoke up.

"Don't hang up sis. Just in case I need to call 911" she whispered back. I wanted to ask why she was whispering instead of actually talking. But if only I didn't have a bigger issue at hand. I tiptoed back to my room and grabbed one of my heels–the longest pencil I had. That was the easiest tool I could reach. Besides, those heels looked pretty sharp.

When I'd grabbed my weapon, I turned around and started tiptoeing back down the stairs.

"Is the thief holding a gun?" My sister asked. She was still whispering. I didn't even know if it was a thief or if it was an actual human.

"I don't know," I replied. Then I put the phone on speaker and shoved it into the back pocket of my jean shot. I held the heel out in front of me ready to strike. I tiptoed down the stairs and made my way towards the direction I heard the sound. Hell, it was my kitchen. Was someone stealing my utensils? Because clearly I didn't have any food yet.

"Have you seen the person?" my sister whispered but I ignored her and kept walking towards the kitchen.

I finally got to the kitchen.

"Who are you and what do you want?" was the first thing I shouted as I stepped my toes into the kitchen holding out the shoe in my hand–making the pointy heel facing out properly. And when I caught sight of the intruder, I completely froze. I didn't know if I was breathing or not but I just froze.

Were intruders supposed to be very hot and sexily groomed?

Because who the hell was this man, looking all yummy as hell and standing his pretty legs in my empty kitchen? Bronze messy hair with a few curls sashaying around his brows. A black leather jacket advertising his strong looking arms.

Brown shorts exposing a fine pair of legs that looked like he'd been modeling since the day he was born; little hairs glistered in the open. Tall, like he wouldn't stress to touch a basketball hoop with his hand–I mean without jumping. He looked really young and he had shoes on. His fashion was weird. But he had shoes on.

His pearl blue eyes stared down at me while I glared up at him. We both stayed mute for a while waiting for an explanation from him obviously. I still held out the heel in front of me and at him. His eyes softened as he looked down towards me and settled themselves on my boobs.

I was wearing a tank singlet and a night silk jacket. But the jacket wasn't buttoned. Instinctively, I used my free hand to pull the wings closer to each in front of me so that the buttons met slightly. At least my little action helped to cover up before his eyes started to move again.

This time, they slowly crisscrossed from the heels in my hand to my face. Then gradually, he threw his hands up and to the back of his head where his fingers clasped together.

What was he doing in my kitchen?

"I...didn't break in. I'm..." he paused and licked his lips, wetting them slightly.

God! If I didn't know any better I'd say he was probably a secret admirer who stalked me down and had now come to seduce me.

"I mean no harm" he finished and I watched his Adam's apple dance up and down as he swallowed dryly. But you know how someone's voice sounds very delicious and crisp?

That's how his voice sounded. His accent sounded British but in a different kind of way that didn't sound British. It was like a full British who had now migrated among the Americans.

"Are you there, Bili? I can't seem to hear what he's saying and you either" I heard my sister's voice say but I decided to ignore her.

"Who are you?" Clearly I didn't buy his first explanation. Like, he needed to do more than just "I'm no harm".

"Ugh..." he stopped and brushed the tips of his bottom lips with a finger. Then, he started making some steps towards me.

"Stay right there. Or, I'll throw this at you" I really meant to be threatening and I meant to sound threatening but from the look on this man's face, he didn't look frightened one bit. Instead he chose that moment to start smiling. He had a very bright and mesmerizing smile, I had to admit. But fuck it, that wasn't the point.

"Were you going to fight off a thief...someone who broke into your house with that?" He asked, gesturing towards my weapon with his eyes as he dug his hands into his shorts side pockets. Then let out a light chuckle.

I felt a bit insulted but my confidence never fails me. I eyed him angrily and said "this piece here can dig out your heart if I want it to" I tightened my face even more and looked sternly at him.

"Didn't mean it like that" he'd stopped smiling by now which still wasn't doing justice to who he was. When he read my facial expression, he cleared his throat lightly.

"I. Brought. Your order" he slowly counted his words as if he was preventing himself from making a mistake while pointing towards my living room.

When I didn't say anything and kept looking at him, he continued "the door was open. I pressed the bell but didn't hear any response. I stood there for minutes and I just got worried that something bad might have happened. So...I let myself in"

Something bad indeed. How did I not lock my door?

"Bili? Are you interacting with this person? I'm not even hearing what you guys are saying properly. What the hell does he want? Should I call 911?" my sister screamed out in panic.

"No!" The man in front me and I chorused because we both heard her scream in terror. My phone was on speaker the whole time.

Then I took out my phone from the back of my shorts "he's the delivery guy Gigi" I told her and ended the call with my sister after saying I'll call her back once the man left my apartment.

"Delivery guy" he repeated after me and smiled.

"Is that how you break into people's houses when you make deliveries?" I asked and started walking to my living room where the supposed order was set.

But instead of answering my question, he said "you have a fine set of kitchen equipment. Plus, I noticed everything looks and feels sparklingly new. Have you not used any of them?" As if that was any of his business. Behind me I heard my refrigerator door open and close. "Even this fridge looks very new and it's empty"

Of course I know my own fridge! I almost said out very loud to him.

He was making himself feel at home, opening and closing doors in my kitchen but I ignored him and started unraveling my order. It smelt so good already. I closed my eyes and inhaled the aroma after I opened it.

Next thing, I felt him standing right next to the couch where I was sitting and two hands buried into his side pockets.

"You just moved in here." He said. "Nice apartment," he added. There was really no expression on his face when I looked at him. It was difficult to tell what he was thinking at that moment.

"Good observation" was what I wanted to say but I didn't say it.

And even though he didn't ask a question, I looked away from him and said yes then a thank you afterwards, before picking up the chopsticks. I was going to ask him to leave my house I swear.

Only at that moment, all that mattered was the food in front of me. He wasn't an intruder, so he could stay if he wanted while I ate my food. Besides, I would need enough strength to push a full grown, six feet tall (I guess) man out of my house if need be or to even scream for help.

I dug into my pasta.

"I'm sorry it took a while," he said and I mumbled a small moan. From the taste of the food and in response to his apology. An apology I didn't care for. I think I heard him chuckle. His words made me slow down my speed. He could be thinking I was a buffalo in food even though I really was.

"This chef deserves an award. This is so good" I mouthed to myself between a mouthful.

"You think so?" he asked me. But I had almost forgotten someone was in here with me as I ate my food. His words reminded me of that.

"I know so" I affirmed. I gathered the empty pasta packs when I was done and went to throw them in the trash bin towards the kitchen.

"I can help you with that" he offered and bent over to take the waste from me before I could even stand up completely. I didn't protest. I just let him do it.

Well, now that I was done, I needed to address the issue–the issue of having a snack in the form of a man in my apartment.

"Don't you have other deliveries to make?" I asked, tilting my head at him.

"Ooh, about that. I am not actually the delivery guy. I just helped him get the food to you because he had an emergency to attend to" he said very casually.

"Ooh." I said, a bit surprised. "So, do you just help delivery men out so that you can break into people's houses?" I asked him.

I heard him clear his throat a bit. He didn't answer my question. Instead, he changed the topic from food entirely.

"I see you have some painting work to do" then he came closer to the couch. "I could help you do it if you want me to"

That sounded very tempting as hell but from my own experience, since when did people do things for other people for free? And people who are strangers? I looked over from him to the buckets of paint laid in a corner.

"Well, thank you very much. But if you don't mind, I have some work to do now" I told him.

"You must be a workaholic to still work on a Saturday." He said

"God, that's so fucking sexy" he murmured to himself but I heard him. And when he smiled, one side of his mouth lifted higher than the other. It was adorable. But I didn't know if he meant for his voice to sound that mesmerizing because I felt like I was going to melt away. Goosebumps danced on my skin.

I couldn't stop the smug smile that swimmed on my face. But what was I doing? It's not like I was supposed to say thank you or anything. This man came into my house without any permission now he was flirting with me?

I shook my head to shake off whatever thing this man was doing to me. Then I stood up from the couch. When I turned around towards him, I came face to face with his chest.

God knows, I was tempted to feel him. To touch him. And even then I smelt him. He smelled like ginger and wine. And cinnamon. And berries. And pepper. And turmeric, and...my head was turning because of this man. But I took two slow steps backwards and cleared my throat.

"I..."

"I'm..." we both started at the same time. He chuckled. And have I told you how only the sound of this man's little laugh could make a person quiver.

We both remained silent for a while waiting for each other to speak first. I was also trying not to look at him.

"You may speak," he said finally. And how polite he sounded.

Since when did being polite make someone hot?

I released some air that I didn't even realize I was holding in. "I was going to say, thank you for bringing my order" I told him but that was a lie. I was going to ask him to leave my house in a very rude manner.

"Well, welcome to our town" he ended up saying with a delighted voice. I could have sworn that wasn't what he wanted to say but...

"I hope we meet again, Bili. Next time I won't let myself in" he said and started his way towards the door.

My brain repeated 'Next time'

Next time?

And he called me Bili. The way my name came out if his mouth made me not bother correcting him that it wasn't actually Bili but that Bili was a short for a full name. I'd never been more proud of being called Bili in my life before.

When the door shut behind him, I immediately wished he asked for my actual name instead of calling me what he heard my sister call me. Or that he asked me out on a real date. I had forgotten what it felt like to have a male find you attractive.

The last man I was ever with was Fred. And he wasn't the type to sing to your ears of how sexy, or how beautiful you are. I didn't even realize how bad it was until we broke up and I suddenly found myself as ugly and non attractive. But what was wrong with me? I shook my head and exhaled, averting my eyes to my kitchen. I surely needed to go grocery shopping. In times like this, I required alcohol in my system.

~~~

When it was close to nightfall, I decided to walk out a bit. I wasn't after anything in particular. I just wanted to feel the evening breeze on my skin. I loved the way it felt–I mean evening breeze–blowing your hair and sending light chills down your spine. I loved it.

I walked a few minutes until I came to a stop in front of a food truck. The truck looked big. Bigger than most food vans I'd seen before. There was a short queue, though long enough to make you not want to wait but the delicious aroma coming from the van made my legs move towards the queue on their own accord.

I thought I saw someone who looked very familiar but I waved off the thought when the person disappeared into the van.

"Pasta and meatballs," the person inside the van announced. I could have sworn that I recognized that voice.

When it was my turn, I wrote down my order and pushed it into the van through the small window opening and waited. Minutes later, I heard my order call. And I came face to face with "the intruder". He smiled widely at me.

"Ooh, Hi" he offered but I said nothing. "I didn't plan we'll meet again like this," he added but I don't know if I heard him. So he planned to meet again? Seeing him in the van explained the smell of ginger and cinnamon...

It was the rough nudge of the man behind me that brought me out of my trance. I slowly took the food from him and mouthed a thank you that was possibly only heard by me.

"Don't worry about that," he said when I was about to pay but I dropped the cash into the jar regardless. I liked to pay my bills no matter who was involved or what was involved. He never stopped smiling at me till I left. I think the word, Chef has become the new sexy. It took everything in me not to turn around as I walked away.

Good morning Ma," I greeted my new boss as I walked into her office. I was happy standing in front of her. I had heard a lot about her and working directly under her would definitely make me proud of myself. In the firm, before you are sent to this branch, right under this woman, you should know exactly what you are doing. So, I was indeed genuinely delighted that I was sent down here.

"Morning Ms. Maduka" she responded to my greeting. Didn't even peel her eyes off what she was doing for a second. Mrs Victoria looked bright and beautiful.

An absolute legend. Her purple lipstick added an elegant glow to her face. I know that I couldn't see her black dress fully from the way she was sitting. Yet, I knew that I'd love it if I did.

A woman who had never failed any case. Even men in this line of profession hear her name and get scared of losing any case to her. She's that good. Some of them even go as far as thinking that she bribes the judges with something.

I stood still in front of her and waited for her to say something as she flipped through the pages of the book on her table for a few more seconds before slowly raising her head to look at me. Her lashes danced beautifully

"Sit, please" she requested, gesturing with her hand. I immediately took my seat in front of her desk and waited for her to continue. "Here" she said, pushing a file towards me. "Your first client" she pointed out.

I took the file and began to flip it open while she continued talking "and you'll be meeting up with him today as a meeting has already been set up for you"

"No problem Ma. I am so, so happy to be here" I told her

She smiled brilliantly before responding "the feeling is mutual I must say. You are an intelligent one to keep"

I couldn't stop smiling. I could never be prouder.

Till I left her office, I listened to everything she said with keen interest. I could definitely call this woman my idol. The new case was something that had to do with shares acquisition, properties and stuff.

When she was done prepping me with all the information she thought I needed, I left her office to mine to get ready for my first client and my first meeting too.

"This is an important client" she'd added and I affirmed with a nod just before I left her office.

Well, of course, I wasn't planning on messing it up.

~~~

"Madam, your client is here," my secretary informed me on the office telephone.

"Please let him in" I told her and continued my journey through the file I was shuffling. A knock came at the door shortly after the call.

"Come in" I said just before the door to my office gradually cracked open.

"Welcome sir, please have a seat" I offered, eyes still buried in the file on my table and a hand gesture toward the seat in front of me.

"Welcome Mr..." then I stopped and froze when I saw who my client was. I instantly forgot the rest of the words and just stupidly gawked for a long stupid seconds.

His hair didn't look messy like I last saw him. Instead, it was styled so perfectly without a single hair out of line. It somehow made the color of his eye more evident and his jawline sharper. Now I know why they took so much time to style models–so that their jawline looked sharp.

His scent filled my entire office as he walked in. Something so much stronger and more expensive pepper or garlic...

His evident scent of Sandalwood and mint filled my nostrils making it almost impossible for me to breathe. I didn't know sandalwood smelled that good. And his minty smell made me immediately think of mint ice cream–my favorite ice cream flavor.

I hummed at the back of my throat at the thought and fought this annoying flushed smile playing on my face.

With his expensive, well tailored suit he looked like a god. I mean whoever sewed his suit must have been in love with him, because they fitted him like he was born in them.

The ocean blue material highlighted the dips and curves of every single muscle, like waves of water I wanted to drown in. He wore a brown leather wrist watch that matched his pair of shoes. If not that I was blessed with a good memory, I would have doubted he was still the same guy I met in my apartment over the weekend. How were they so different?

The government or whoever should ban handsome men– like the one in my office from wearing suits. It makes them look like gods instead of men just like the one in front of me. I mean it should be considered a crime to nature.

It was bad and good enough...

No.

I meant it was hot enough that he was incredibly handsome.

Under the daylight his pearl blue eyes shone brightly as he observed me with so much scrutiny for a few seconds with one hand in his pocket, dousing the small flame in my chest. It was like he was making sure that I was still me.

He didn't look surprised to see that I was his lawyer. He looked impressed.

I watched him stroll closer to my desk and sit down. He looked delighted to see me because he didn't hide this intriguing smile on his face.

I opened my mouth to speak but closed it right back because I didn't know where to start or how to start. I had forgotten what I was going to say actually.

But what am I doing? This is my first client since my promotion and I'm just sitting here and ogling him. "Stop, Bili. Stop". I rolled my eyes and tried to focus.

I let out a sigh and readjusted my sitting position to a straighter one then forced my eyes away from him to the file in my hand. I was going to look for his name (since I'd forgotten it in the first place).

"Welcome Mr. Robert Edward. I..." I began and stopped when he started talking, making me slowly shut my mouth.

"You look even more beautiful in that seat. God damn!" he exhaled and I mouthed a thank you in my head but said nothing in real life. He examined me like he was willing to eat me for brunch if I'd let him.

"So," I said when he didn't speak for seconds. Except he still didn't let me continue before he started talking again.

"Shit! I should have introduced myself a lot earlier" he huffed. More to himself than to me and brushed the sides of his jawline. I didn't care about that. It wasn't any of my business though except that the whole room started becoming too crowded and hot all of a sudden.

I moved my hips multiple times in my seat trying to loosen up but it somehow wasn't working as I envisioned.

"Do you need to use the bathroom?" He asked.

"No." I replied with all feisty.

"You keep moving in your seat" he stated.

"And it's all because of you" I yelled in my head.

His gaze slowly traveled to me "Bili, you look so beautiful" he said in a whisper though loud enough that I heard him. He let out a groan and tightened his eyes as he made a fist. I watched his Adam's apple dance up and down as he swallowed.

I was going to ask him if he was fine but gave that thought away when his eyes flashed open. I don't know if it was amusement or yearning that lingered in his smile as those eyes of his studied me.

" I love what you did with your hair," he added, wearing a satisfied smile.

I could have sworn that the whole world stopped moving for a second. My cheeks heated up. I would have been in so much trouble if it wasn't for my skin color. In times like this, I was always grateful for that.

I let out a frustrating sigh and adjusted my sitting position again for the one millionth time. I had plans to at least try to be formal.

I ignored his comment about my hair and cleared my throat lightly.

"It's actually Kambili. I mean if you are going to go with my first name, then you should at least get it right" my voice was calm but a bit shaky. Except there was a way he said "Bili" that made me guilty of wanting to hear more of it from him.

He said nothing else except to widen his smile a little. There was this delectation in his eyes that I couldn't quite fathom. He just placed his right hand on the arm of the chair to support his head while his fingers formed an arch from his nose to his lower jaw.

"So, shall we?" I raised a brow and immediately brought my eyes from him down to the file on my desk. When he didn't respond but chuckle, I took that as a yes and began to talk.

"I've read the full description of your suit in the file but I'll need more details" I informed him. "As to why your company wants your shares from GREEN BANK back" I explained and waited for him to go further into details.

He straightened the nape of his suit and cleared his throat.

"Firstly, just so that we are clear. I'm not actually Robert Edward" he began.

I was beginning to get furious. If he was not, then who was he?

I looked from him to the door, unable to break eye contact while I waited for him to explain who the hell he was and why he was in my office. Hell, my secretary even called him my client. How did she not know he wasn't?