Locked In Love

"Bro, why pay for sex when I have all these features? Like, what's all the wholesomeness for?"

"Get that dirty smirk off your face, man. You're saying that because you think all women are the same. I'm telling you - one day, you'll meet a woman who doesn't give a damn about your ugly face but your fine-ass pocket."

"You're really gonna swear my face is ugly?"

A satisfied laugh followed.

Two single friends, seated in an open-air section of a bar, exchanging drunken wisdom.

Sterling whistled at a hostess strutting past - deliberately, like she knew what she was doing. His aim was to catch Jeddah's attention. But Jeddah was too proud for his own good looks. He knew his worth, and he wore it like armor - shoving it into the face of every woman who liked a daring man.

His eyes scanned the room like a predator. Only, he wasn't looking for prey.

Sterling took a sip from his glass and smiled at his friend - the kind of smile that says "I know exactly what you're thinking."

"Who's it gonna be tonight?" Sterling asked with a smirk, almost dipping into his vodka.

"I swear to God, if you touch me again, I'll kill you. Try me."

Jeddah's eyes drifted from the roundness of a redhead standing a few feet away... to the sharp, unapologetic voice slicing through the air.

He hated women who tried to order their way out of things.

But she was hot.

That's beside the point.

An irritated-looking man reached for her arm as she turned to leave, heading for the exit.

"She's cooked tonight. I'm telling you," Sterling murmured.

"I doubt she'll let him. She looks fierce. She could kill," Jeddah said, draining his drink.

"Who?" Sterling raised a brow. "You drunk already, bro? Mr. One-Hundred-Bottles can't be." He chuckled. "I'm talking about that girl sitting by the door."

"Girl? That's a woman. Probably someone's mother."

"Moms need love too," Sterling chuckled, standing up like a man on a mission.

"For your mind now, guy. You wan give her love? Saint Sterl."

But Sterling was gone. No time to waste.

Jeddah glanced back at the exit, pulled out his wallet - thick with money - and dropped a generous tip. Then he stood, curiosity leading the way.

And he was right.

The man had cornered her by the door, pinning her against the wall every time she tried to walk away. She looked upset - but worse, she looked helpless.

Jeddah scoffed.

"So much for being bold."

He stood nearby, watching.

Then he pulled out his phone - an idea sparked.

When he looked back up, the man now held her waist. She was fully pinned.

They looked... intimate.

Jeddah scoffed again.

"So much drama. Why go through all that just to end up where you belong? In his bed."

He turned to leave.

"Micheal, I said stop!"

Her scream - desperate, raw - cut through the noise.

Jeddah didn't hesitate this time. He moved fast, fists forming, like some pissed-off superhero.

"You know I've been watching... and filming. This act of yours? It could end up as a movie, porn, or a twelve-year prison sentence. My choice. Not yours. And I'm picking the latter."

Well said, Jeddah.

And now you've pissed him off.

But it worked.

The man slowly released her arms, backing away.

But before Jeddah could get closer, he tripped - confused, looking up to find her standing over him, panting, clutching a stick nearly as big as Thor's hammer.

"Not bad," he muttered.

Not bad at all.

She gave a dry smile... then collapsed.

He caught her just in time.

A strange smell hit his nose - it was coming from her mouth.

Aphrodisiac.

"Why would anyone drug a woman with aphrodisiac? Where's your charm? Where's your manliness? Oh shit-where's the nearest hospital?"

He snapped back to reality.

"Please help me..."

Her voice was soft. Calm. Vulnerable.

"I'm trying. I'm getting help."

But why was he panicking? Over a stranger?

Dozens of women had flooded his bed, and he never cared how they got home. He's never let one sleep on his bed - not even for a second.

So why was he reacting like this to her touch?

He looked down.

She was staring at him.

Like her life depended on his next breath.

"I can't do what you're thinking," he whispered.

(Hell, I want to...)

She didn't seem to hear him. Her body leaned closer, pressing into his. Her energy was pleading, aching for connection.

"Can I at least take you home? Where do you live?" he asked, trying to keep control.

"Can we at least... get a room?" she whispered.

Again.

It was either the drink messing with his head - or the feel of her body against his chest - but when he opened his mouth, the answer fell out like prophecy:

"Yes."

THE NEXT MORNING

The alarm clock blared with rude aggression.

Jeddah turned slowly, pressing it off with irritation.

"God..."

His phone rang.

"Guy, where you sleep last night? You don dey break your own rules?"

Sterling's voice cracked through the speaker.

Jeddah turned his head. The room wasn't familiar. Not even a place he'd pay for when unconscious.

He rolled to the other side, hoping to see why he didn't sleep on his king-sized bed last night.

But just like his pride - she was gone.

Kemi ran into the store with all her emotions hanging on her unzipped bag.

Sweating and swearing never to "unwind" as her friends advised her, ever again. She gave the security guard a high five and walked straight to the counter to begin the

day's job.

"Kems, where have you been? Mr Claude has the whole of NYC looking for you"

"Sorry" she mouthed.

"Tell me girl.. that's unlike you. Coming in late,looking unprepared and so not ready for the day, that's not you. You're perfect. What got you up till morning?" Tasha asked, concerned

"Welcome to Daily Delight" said Kemi with a smile to a customer who just walked in

Tasha continued

"You'll have to give me the full Tea. That's why you call me tea. I leave no gist untouched"

"Thank you" Kemi ignored.

"Help me kems. I'm dying to know what's up. What got you hooked"

Help me.

Like Deja vu. It hit Kemi. She said those exact same words to a stranger who just wanted to help and ended up in his bed. Not practically in his bed but in a room she suggested they get.

"what is wrong with me"

She asked herself out loud.

"There you are"

Mr Claude's voice echoed through the kitchen door to the reception.

Oh God.

"I'm so sorry sir , I overslept, and I didn't hear the alarm. It's all my fault and it won't happen again I promise" Kemi tried to redeem herself immediately

"Nonsense" Mr Claude Roared.

"I've been begging you to take a break for the longest time. You never use your days off,and you never ask for a leave. Kemi you overwork yourself and I'm not even short staffed. So one hour late to work will not put you in danger. I just thought you left that's it"

Kemi sighed.

Tasha gave her a "Told you, you need to loosen up " look

"Thank you"

Meanwhile, Jeddah managed to drag himself back to his house. He walked past the staff like plagues but it didn't surprise them at all. You see, Jeddah has always been a loner. Just a little bit different

Okay, a lot more different from regular loners.

He has women flocking in and out his house on every single day. All sizes, but mostly beautiful and sophisticated. In fact, they wanted him but he didn't. Voices could be heard every night, arguments on why they must leave that night.

Commitment scared the shit out of the man and he didn't want any of them catching feelings.

One night, he drove out of his "5 star worthy building" just because a girl was going crazy and didn't see any reason why she had to leave his house that night when she can leave as early as she could the next morning. She didn't spend the night in his house even in his absence because she was dragged out by his security team who believed "a sexy Russia's bugler" made her way into his house.

"Mom,for the 99th time, I am not getting married. And even if I finally decide to in this lifetime. I'm not getting married for the amusement of you and your best friends club.

Please and please. Tell Mrs Adesola's daughter to get a life and stop thinking about getting married to me because I'm pretty sure she's been pushing her mom to talk to you. These Nigerian girls. They just don't want to hear that the man is Super handsome, rich and lives Abroad"

Silence.

"Mom"

Silence.

"Mom I know you can hear me. Let's not do this."

"Jedidiah, I don't know what you're talking about but I'm sending you Mrs Adesola

daughter's number. Better call the poor innocent girl"

Jeddah's mom said sternly!

"Yes, poor. That's what she is. Poor and ambitious. In fact send her number. Let me warn the gold digger myself. Cause i don't get it mom. You're making me talk too much. And my name is Jeddah.

J-E-D-D-A-H mom"

Call ends.

Jeddah jumped on his bed with all the frustration in his chest. His mom,the only woman who had

the ability to make him say more than a thousand words in second. She just doesn't get it. His choices, his decisions never

made sense to her. From him leaving Nigeria to New York City when he had all he needed to run the family business,

to being 35 and not even a single girl has been introduced as a serious relationship.

She took matters into her motherly hands.

A loud bang brought him back from his thoughts about his beloved mother.

Followed by footsteps running in.

"Jeddah" a tiny voice called

"Jeddah where are you. I know you can hear me"

The voice drew closer.

"Not Now. Not now. Not now"

Jeddah murmured. Unmoved.

Stacy knew where she was going to find him. Next came a push on the door.

"Jeddah. You were with a girl last night at a brothel? What were you thinking? Have you lost your mind?"

Great. Just what he needed. His blonde haired American "Situationship". Jeddah sighed deeply and slowly got up.

"Stacy"

"who is she?"

"What? You follow me everywhere now?"

"Who is she and why were you with her in a hotel? You never take your other girls out of the house. What's different? You couldn't wait? You liked her enough to not wait till you get home?"

"Stacy" He Called out again. With a different touch that says he knows exactly what he's doing. Her tension dropped immediately his hand touched her bare skin. That's what made her overlook his playboy fantasies.

It gets to her too. She's his fool. But he's hers too. Because she has an agenda he knows nothing of.

"You let that give you wrinkles baby?" He pouted.

"You slept there Jeds. You never sleep in"

His mind flew back to hours ago. Her scent. Jasmine. Like the first smell of freshly ripe fruits. Intoxicating and satisfying. More than enough to calm his nerves.

"My Bro" Sterling's voice pulled him back home.

Oh thank God.

Stacy hated his guts. That will send her home.

And it did because she just gave Jeddah a long and nasty kiss, while looking at sterling and left with a "see you tonight babe"

It's been a month since the One Night stand. And Jeddah has been convincing himself everyday that he doesn't want to see the mystery girl. One night, he woke up to have a glass of water and suddenly sprung into talking himself

"She really did that to me oh. THE Jeddah. King of hearts. I wasn't even into her. I just wanted to help. I mean,she asked for it.

And she had the guts to leave me before I wake up".

His curiosity grew.

But he had no idea who she was. No name, no connection,no identity to trace,nothing.

"What are you thinking about man?" Sterling's voice back from thinking about his concerns.

He shook his head gently.

If he tells him, his reputation as the greatest playboy of all time will be broken and he couldn't risk that. Sterling, is an ass.

He picked up his phone. And banged it back at the table.

"Oh Mom,mom, can you just chill. Please. " He let out a frustrated sigh without taking the call.

"What? Mom trouble?" Sterling asked. Taking the last apple off the plate.

"Like, how do I make my mom understand we all are not meant for marriage?we can be single young and eventually old men

"No bro. Old age is lonely. You will need someone to talk to" Sterling advised.

"Just shut up". Jeddah rolled his eyes at his friend.

He laughed.

"But seriously man, you could talk to her.Make her get off your radar."

"Talk? To Madam Jago? You don't know my mom. Words are like the passing wind to her ears. Actions are worse" Jeddah said, sitting down.

"Maybe you make a statement or something, pay the girl off, you know" Suggested Sterling

"What are you saying Sterling? How do you pay off someone who can have access to a multi billion dollar assets if she decides to marry you. I'm the price bro. But hey."

An idea struck him.

Taking out his wallet, he took a tiny piece of paper from it. Hissed and dialed the number on his phone.

"What's that bro?" Sterling asked curiously.

He signaled him to watch, and learn.

First dial, no response.

"She's playing the I'm not cheap game" Jeddah said with a laughed.

"Well maybe she isn't anyway. If She was, and she had your contact, why not call"

"you have a lot to learn bruhvah " Jeddah shook his head in disbelief, dialing the number yet again.

"Hello?"

Silence

"Are you going to talk or what?"

That voice.

"Hmm hmm" Jeddah cleared his throat.

"Ore?" He called out. More like questioned.

"Mr Man, don't you know who you called?" She responded harshly.

No way.

Jeddah knew there is no way he will be with a woman like this. The exact kind of woman he despises.

"Uhm, Listen Ore. My name is Jed... he paused, grinding his teeth. "Jedidiah". My mom gave me your number. Look, I know you think I'm jackpot and all, but honestly, girl you don't want to be miserable. I can't marry you. So I'd suggest you just talk to your mom, make her talk to mine, and everybody's happy you know".

Silence.

Dead silence.

Background noise.

"Ore? You there?" Jeddah called.

"Look girl, don't be sad okay, I'm just not your man. say something"

Plates scattered around in the background. Followed a loud scream.

Jeddah turned to Sterling who had a confused look on his face.

"What's going on" Jeddah mouthed.

Sterling shuddered.

"Oh sorry, sorry brother. My kids are just disturbing all over the place. Little advise. Don't have kids. Yet. " The Female voice on the other end came back.

Kids?

"Sorry, what? You have children?"

"Yea, dur, what were you on about?"

Jeddah was lost

She continued.

"Sorry about the distraction. I'm not who you're looking for. You see. I found this phone on a train in New Jersey. And I kept it hoping its owner would find me. It didn't have no password on it and a voice recording was playing. So I thought it will be important"

Oh shit.

Jeddah and Sterling exchanged a look that said "New Jersey?"

"There's basically nothing in this phone. But oh,there's a picture. I could send it to you if you want. Maybe it'll help you find your Ore?"

Jeddah nodded. Then remembered it's an audio call.

" Okay, fine. Sorry for the inconvenience caused"

he apologized and ended the call.

"New Jersey?" He shouted.

"I thought you said this girl is just a regular Nigerian babe. What is her phone doing in New Jersey bro?" Sterling asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I don't know either".

Ding.

Came a notification and Jeddah picked up the phone with the swiftness of a cheetah.

"It's a baby picture Man. Who recognizes an adult from their baby picture?"

"Well some people don't change" Sterling encouraged.

"Not that I'm interested or anything. But I'm curious. I want to know what she's doing Abroad. Hang on bro, She could've been heading to NYC. Do you think she came to find me?" Jeddah asked, eyes wide open.

"You must really think the world revolves around you. Brat!" He gave him a slight push.

Laughter.

"That was close though. For a second I thought my mom would really give me up to someone with kids. Have I become that undesirable?" Jeddah chucked. Picking up his phone to take a look at the picture.

"Well at least you have one concern off your chest"

"And what's that? Jeddah asked.

"Your wife to be isn't all local and stuff" Sterling let out a heart felt laughter.

"You're mad! When I heard her voice at first. I paused. I knew then. That there is no way she's young. " Jeddah dropped. Heading upstairs.

"When Are you leaving?someone is coming over tonight. Shut the door on your way out Sterl". He shouted.

"Are you ever going to change?" Sterling asked with a smirk.

"Are the beautiful ones born yet?" Jeddah replied

Picking up his phone from the counter, Sterling exited the house to leave his friend to his old ways.