Sensitive Affair

Faint beats of the music playing downstairs flowed into the room. Lolia sat in the makeup chair Taye had set up and smiled into the large mirror Taye set before her. She knew her friend worked wonders when it came to makeup. Her capability was no mystery to her but since it had been a while since Lolia had gotten her face glammed she had forgotten just how lovely she looked when glammed up.

Everyday makeup was usually geared at looking natural and flawless. No matter how flawed people would think she was with her ghost white skin sometimes tomato red, depending on the sun, or her twitching blue eyes which looked red under the scrutiny of bright light. "You bloody miracle worker." Lolia sang as she smiled into the mirror turning from side to side admiring the beautiful work of art Taye had turned her face into. Kachi's heels tapped the floor as she made her way from the bathroom back into the room.

The train of her beautiful orange and dark green patterned Ankara dress flowed behind her. "You look amazing," Kachi announced with a smile wide enough, all of her thirty-two pearls could be seen. "My friend is a fucking goddess and my other friend is a fucking artist." She chimed hyping up her girls. Taye rolled her eyes as she let a smile break loose. She placed the mirror back in the huge green makeup box she had hauled from her middle class neighborhood down to Lolia's high class residential. She turned to take in Lolia's appearance once again. She had styled everything from her hair down to her clothes, that was Taye's magical skill, she could make anyone and everyone look beautiful.

From makeup to hair and clothing she was amazing. To Taye, Lolia was already a beautiful woman so she had opted for light makeup simply to enhance her friend's already evident beauty. She settled for a smokey eye with silver teardrops along with light brown glossed lips. On Lolia's hair was a beautiful chestnut-colored bone straight lace frontal packed into a low ponytail with a middle part. The outfit was a brown floor length satin corset dress with a high slit and a plunging neckline, exposing the golden curves of Lolia's cleave. "I honestly do not remember the last time I got all dolled up guys." Lolia chimed smiling ear to ear. "With everything that has been happening with Eric this past two years I just...." "No, no, no," Taye started raising her hands to stop Lolia from diving headfirst into a pool of grief. "We are not going to talk about that, we are going to focus on good tidings. Eric is turning sixty-five and it's a good day." Lolia smiled. "It would be an even better day if his dead-beat son comes." Kachi was always the mouthy one. Ready to fight anyone for her friend. She also always spoke the truth. "Kachi," Lolia muttered in a cautioning tone. She was not a fan of Eric's son either but he was far from a deadbeat. He was one of the most attractive and hard working men she had ever met in her life but she would not allow herself to say that out loud. "Nik is not dead beat he is just angry." "About what?" Kachi continued as she plopped down on Lolia's king-sized bed. She let her fingers caress the soft furs of the cream and white blanket, before crossing her legs.

She leaned back resting her weight on her left hand and flipped her hair to the side as she continued speaking. "It's not your fault that his parents went through a divorce. Plus, he was an adult when it happened, he should suck it up." Lolia sighed. She wanted to agree with Kachi and absolve herself of any blame but she just could not. If Nik knew the truth maybe he would not hate her as much but that truth was not hers to tell, it was Eric's. "I understand where he is coming from," Taye replied as she began to unbutton her shirt. She needed to get dressed so they could all go downstairs and join the party.

"He feels like you caused the rift between his parents." "But she did not." Kachi dropped in. "He doesn't know that," Taye replied. "Maybe he should," Kachi stated staring wide-eyed at Lolia. She knew the secret Eric did not want his children to know courtesy of Lolia. Sometimes she regretted telling Kachi because she brought it up too often. "No," Lolia replied with a frown like Kachi had spoken the most profane of things. "I will not go against Eric's wishes and I will not make Nik hate his late mother. I can't live with that on my conscience." Kachi let out a scoff. "You got a big heart don't you." She continued "Can't be me." "You are just mean," Taye replied with a small chuckle. "No, I am just a baddie," Kachi concluded. She waved the topic off. "But that is by the way. Get dressed fast girl, we need to take a picture to commemorate this day." She continued "Look at us from being three broke bitches from Nigeria to making dollar bills." She pouted her lips and frowned "This would have been a better toast if we had some champagne up in here." "That can be arranged." Lolia smiled as she hopped out of the chair she was sitting in and picked up the home intercom. "Hello Eliza, could you please send up a bottle of champagne and three glasses? Thank you." Taye changed into a glittery black dress and had her makeup done in a split second. They took pictures at Kachi's request -orders- and with glasses of champagne in hand, they made their way out of Lolia's luxurious bedroom into the massive well-lit hallway of their friend's upper class mansion. A crystal chandelier hung from the top of the high ceiling sharing its light with the other light sources in the hallway. Four doors spotted at different corners of the massive hallway led to different rooms. On the walls were bronze and brown artifacts matching the off white color pattern of the space. Kachi made a stop at the rectangular antic mirror with gold rims, hanging on the wall just to look at herself once again. "Vanity." Lolia playfully jabbed. "Self love," Kachi muttered. "I ain't like you guys who got a man to love all of this." Taye shook her head. "Then get you one." Kachi's eyes met Lolia's as she started in pidgin. A popular Nigerian creole. "She dey talk like say them they sell them." Kachi and Taye were always at each other's throats but through it all, they loved each other very much. They were both friends before Lolia joined the group. Sometimes she felt like the third wheel but she knew her girls loved her so she was a proud third wheel. Lolia let out a smile. "I do not have time for your bickering." She muttered. "My husband is waiting for me." She began towards the staircases' long spiral steps which were barricaded with bronze bars. The music was much louder now as Lolia descended the stairs with her friends behind her. The eyes of various guests turned to her but her eyes focused on only one place and that was on Eric. His light brown eyes lowered into slits as he gave her an awarding smile. With the help of his cane, he made his way towards her at the steps and held out a hand for her. Lolia placed her hand in his and he aided her down the remaining steps. "Why are you walking?" Lolia whispered into his ears. "The doctor said..." "Please Lia for one night I do not want to remember that I am sick," Eric muttered as he continued to smile like they were having a lovely conversation. "I want to do all the things that a healthy man would do." He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. "Laugh with old friends, dance with my wife, and make love to her." Lolia smiled. "As you wish Eric." She was getting so used to saying those words. It was always what Eric wanted that Eric got, sometimes she believed he deserved it because of how much he had done for her other times she wished he would just listen to her. "Daddy." Anitta Eric's daughter called as she came towards them. A bright smile adorned her already gorgeous face. Dark brown doe eyes acknowledged Lolia for a second but it was not friendly. "Hello! It was a huge improvement from the sour glare she usually shot Lolia's way. "Hello, Anitta." Lolia replied, "It is always a pleasure." Anitta gave a forced smile. Lolia did not think Anitta liked her but at least she pretended for Eric's sake and Lolia appreciated that. She wished Nik would do the same but he was proud and so damn stubborn. "Happy birthday Daddy." Anitta hugged her father. "Thank you for coming," Lolia added. "Of course." Anitta continued as she turned to her father with a wide loving smile. She squeezed his hand. "I would not miss my father's birthday for anything." "Thank you, baby," Eric replied as he hugged his daughter. "What about Nik and Rick?" He looked past her searching the crowd for his sons. "Are they here?" "Rickard is coming." Anitta replied as his face fell but it lit up once again."But Nikolia..." "Is out of the country." Lolia jumped into the conversation. Anitta frowned at her but Lolia ignored her as she continued with the lie she had planned to use tonight if it was evident that Nik was going to be a no show. Rick, she was sure would show up because Lolia had gone to him and practically begged. She has also pleaded with Anitta here but then again Anitta has always been easier than her brothers and Rick had always been easier than Nik. She had sent Nik messages but had never been allowed into his apartment or his office. "He told me that he had important business, but to apologize he sent you a gift." "But he is not coming." "It is progress." Lolia continued. She kissed his forehead. "We are breaking through and soon he will come over and see you." Eric let out a smile. "You are right progress is good." "Eric!" A friend of Eric's called. The short round man wrapped a hand around Eric. "Ladies mind if I borrow this old man." He chimed as he led Eric away. "You are lying." Anitta started once the women were alone. "I have no idea what you are talking about," Lolia replied. "Nik is not out of town and he sent no gift." Anitta continued "Nik would not even talk to you if you were the last person on earth so why the fuck are you lying?" Lolia turned to Anitta and for the first time tonight, her smile fell. "I know that you and your siblings hate me but I care very much about your father." She continued "He is going through so much that all he asks for is to be happy tonight and I would do anything to make that wish come true." "Going through what exactly." Anitta replied, "He realizes that being married to his little gold digger is not all rainbows." "You are right my marriage to your father is not all rainbows." Lolia continued "Sometimes there is just rain but seeing him smile tonight is all the color I need." She stepped closer. "I am not the enemy here, your enemy is time and you better use it before you lose it." "What?" Anitta asked with narrowed eyes. "Lolia," Kachi called from behind. Lolia turned around. Kachi and Taye stood by the stairs both had replaced their glasses of champagne with glasses of red wine. Lolia knew that her friends believed she needed saving thus Kachi waved her over which was most likely Taye's plan because she knew Kachi very well, calm and subtle was not her type of gameplay. Lolia let out a smile indicating that she was fine and with a nod she acknowledged Kachi's invitation before she turned to Anitta once again. "Thank you for coming." Lolia offered "We hope to see more of you." Lolia let out a deep breath as she made her way to her friends. Once she was with them she let out another deep breath. She took Taye's cup of wine and poured it down her throat. It was not enough, so she risked her life and took Kachi's and repeated the same action. Kachi let it slide because she knew Lolia was tense. "What was happening over there?" Kachi asked "Stepmother duties," Lolia replied with a small smile as she folded her hands. "His kids do not know that he is sick." She explained. "Wait what?" Taye asked, "They deserve to know." "It is not my duty to tell them." Lolia defended. "He made me promise. He does not want them to love him again because of pity. He wants it genuine." "So he is waiting to die first?" Kachi stated. "Kachi." Taye cautioned "What?" Kachi scoffed. "Tell your husband the truth. You said that Nik was closer to his mother than his father, that boy is never going to forgive him or you until he hears the damn truth." "Honestly Lia, you are keeping so many secrets for this man." Taye added, "I may agree with Kachi on this one." "Drop it," Lolia replied. "I did not come over here for a lecture." She continued "I just..." She paused as the words died on her lips. "I need something strong." The night's merriments continued as Eric talked to friends and family. Lolia did her best to stay out of the way and just let him enjoy his night. By the middle of the night, they cut a three-tier birthday cake, probably bigger than a wedding cake. "The night is almost over and Rick is not here," Lolia muttered to her friends' hearing. Eric sat in the middle of the room watching along with everyone a lovely performance by some contemporary dancers Lolia had hired. He seemed enthralled as they did their flips and twirls. "Girl staring at the doorway all night long is not going to suddenly make him come in." Kachi offered. "Just enjoy the night instead of worrying so much." "It's not my night to enjoy Kach, it is his," Lolia stated. She closed her eyes as she buried her face in her left palm. "Loli ok." Taye called "Isn't that your husband's first son." Lolia looked up abruptly and to her ultimate surprise, it was. Nik and Rik walked into the room. Rik was in a black tuxedo and Nik was in a blue suit. They both grabbed glasses of wine from the server who offered and walked further into the party. Anitta made her way to them and they exchanged hugs. "You came." Anitta chimed. "Rick talked me into it," Nik replied taking a sip of his wine. "Your father's wife was practically begging," Rick whispered into Anitta's ears. If Nik knew that he was here because Lolia had asked he would be out in the next second. Nik let his eyes roam around the room. This was not the room he had grown up in. This was a different house. The home he had grown up in was much bigger with a mix of gold, blue and red décor, massive paintings hung in every area of the home he had grown up in, his mother was an art enthusiast. Her love for art had birthed his love for art as well. Unlike her, he was not just an enthusiast but also an artist. The chandelier in the middle of the house he had lived in as a child had a much more elaborate design than the light spheres that hung above the room in this space. The crystals had cascaded down like a shiny rainfall emanating from the ceiling held unto by a single but strong line of the same crystal like design. He remembered how he and Rick tried many times to jump and touch the pearl shaped crystals. His father came into view sitting in the middle of the room watching the dancers before him. He looked different, slimmer, and older. Nik remembered a time when his father was the best man in the world to him but now that time was long gone. The dancers' performance finally came to an end. The room clapped. Nikolia did not. Bile rose in his mouth when he saw Lolia cut through the room straight to Eric. He did not know what she told him but his father turned to them with an impossible to achieve wide smile. Nik wanted to smile at his father. He wanted to walk to him and hug him but seeing that gold digger's hand intertwined with his father's he could not bring himself to. All he saw anytime she was involved was red. "Do not look now but Nik and Rick are here," Lolia informed Eric Eric's smile widened impossibly wider as he turned to the direction Lolia pointed. All his children stood together. Eric rose his hand giving a wave. Anitta and Rick returned the wave but Nik only nodded, no smile in sight. Lolia fought the urge to walk over there and punch him. Lolia stood upright with a hand on Eric's shoulder. "Hello everyone may I have your attention." The music died down and all eyes turned to her. "I must say everyone looks amazing tonight." She continued "Without taking much time I just want to say how wonderful you are Eric Larsen. You came like a breath of fresh air into my life when it felt polluted and filled my eyes with light when all was dark." "This is bullshit," Nik muttered throwing the contents of the glass into his mouth. "I know," Rick muttered. "Let's just smile and try to be supportive of Dad," Anitta added. "So today join me as I make a toast to the most amazing man Eric Larsen." Everyone cheered. Lolia's smile was wide but as soon as she saw Nik exiting the door it fell. Without thinking twice she picked up her gown and rushed out after him. "Nikolia." She called as she exited the house. Nik continued in his strides ignoring Lolia's calls. Lolia rushed after him ignoring the fact that the stilettos on her feet were not made for sprints. She managed to overtake him and then she stopped and turned to him stopping him with her hand on his chest. "Stop." She let out a sigh, "Please." Nik frowned as his eyes moved from her hand on his chest to her face. The hate burning in his eyes was so evident it make her almost shrink back in fear but she did not. Eric meant a lot to her. If standing up to his evil son was all she had to do, she would do it just to make him happy. "Why are you leaving?" She asked, "You just got here." Nikolia stepped back from her touch and stepped away from her path, then he tried to continue walking away. Lolia was not having it so she grabbed his hand. "I get it." She began. "You hate me. I would hate me too but please just talk to him before you leave." Nik narrowed his eyes as he stared at her. He was trying to read her, trying to understand her but he could not see past the fact that this woman had caused his mother and her marriage so much pain. Nik yanked his hand out of hers. The pull was so fast that Lolia lost balance and fell to the floor scrapping her knee on the hard concrete. She exclaimed in pain but Nik did not stop or turn around even for a second. He just continued to his car. Nik groaned once he entered his car. He had not meant to hurt her but he could not help it. Everything she had today was his mother's. The position she stood at was his mother's. The love his father gave Lolia was his mother's. She had come in and taken his mother's life and he hated it. He hated her so much that he could not bear to breathe the same air that she did. He had thought he would be able to celebrate his father tonight but when Lolia began that speech, he lost it. He could not bare to see her celebrate a life that she stole. He hated her so much that it hurt and he wanted her to feel that hurt. *** Lolia sighed as she placed a plaster over her injured knee. The merriments of the night had finally come to an end and she just wanted to cuddle up next to Eric and sleep. "How did you get that?" Eric asked pointing at the plaster on her knee. "I sprinted with my heels." She chuckled as she climbed into the bed. She had a pink silk robe on. She snuggled close to Eric. "How are you feeling?" "Tired." Eric replied, "But happy." Eric kissed Lolia's lips. Lolia deepened the kiss as she climbed unto him. They continue to kiss but to their utmost surprise, Eric's length did not harden even for a second. "That's odd," Lolia muttered looking up at Eric. "Too tired?" "No," Eric replied cupping her face. He caressed her lips with his thumb. "You could further stimulate it." A smile spread across Lolia's face as she scooted lower. Eric was in a white, soft robe. He had not bothered with underwear because he knew the plans he had for tonight. After a few minutes of unfruitful blowjob, Lolia sighed and dropped into the space beside Eric. "Maybe I am tired after all." He sighed. He turned on his side to face Lolia who was staring up at the ceiling. "I am sorry." "It's okay." Luna forced a smile. It wasn't okay. She was bloody horny it could kill. "Let's just go to bed." Eric wrapped his hand around her and soon he was snoring faintly into her neck while Luna sat awake with her eyes wide open. She needed release soon. It had been years since she obtained a good one.

***

Nik ran a hand through his messy hair as he threw back the translucent brown liquor in his glass. Rick was already opening the bottle of Hennessy, to give Nik a refill. "Can you believe her?" Nik growled. "Standing in Mom's position. Speaking as his wife." Rick shook his head as he took a sip of his drink. He had come to see Nik who had left the party early and found him drowning his anger in a bottle of liquor. "You know what you need?" Rik muttered a small smile began to spread across his face. "Sensitive." Nik cracked a smile as he shook his head. "Sex does not solve everything." He reminded Rick. "No but when was the last time you had sex?" Rick asked "You used to be a babe magnet." he continued "Still are. Your secretary is very interested." Nik rolled his eyes. He was very close to firing her anyway. He did not mix business with pleasure and she seemed not to get the memo because she wore a lot of low cut outfits exposing her breasts and thighs to him. It was unprofessional. "Or Marina, or Sandra." Rick continued "She is interested." "They all want more," Nik replied. They always did. Sex he could do but the nitty-gritty of an actual relationship ceased to please him ever since he saw how love ended for his parents. His mother was left alone while cancer ate away at her and his father found succor in the arms of a younger woman, who held no candle to his mother. "Just think about it." Rik replied, "You don't want a commitment but you want to fuck." He took a sip of his drink, "Sensitive is the place for you." "Sensitive belongs to Dario, I rather not run into him there," Nik replied. "Besides I can get sex if I want it." He could but he sparingly did.

One economy class ticket and a dream was all Lolia had when she entered the airplane bound for the USA. The land of fucking dreams where the oxygen was filled with so much hope you could do nothing but dream of a better life just sniffing it in. The American oxygen of possibility was intoxicating especially mixed with the Nigerian heart of perseverance and wisdom. It was a recipe for success.

Lolia groaned as she let the liquid of the eye drop splash into her eyes. She needed this to protect her weak eyes from the sun's hurting rays. It was one of the cons of albinism. Once both eyes had obtained a dose of the eye drops she proceeded to cover her skin with sunscreen. Today was Friday and on Friday afternoon she spent time by the pool with Eric playing chess and conversing about their days. These days however their Friday meetings were mostly quiet because there was simply nothing to talk about anymore.

Eric spent most of his days indoors because of his condition while Lolia did the same because she was taking care of him. He had nurses but she could not bring herself to leave him alone. She owed him so much thus taking care of him and loving him was the only way she could show her gratitude. He had too much money to count.

You are slowly letting your life slip away. Kachi had said in one of their conversations. Lolia had dismissed Kachi immediately assuring her that she enjoyed spending time with Eric. It was not a lie but it was also not true. As much as she would dislike agreeing with Kachi sometimes she felt like life was passing her by and she was just fading away without tasting it.

Eric's face spread into a wide smile once Lolia emerged from behind him. She was the only thing that brought him joy these days when he was practically bedridden with ailments and his children chose to boycott him. He thought things would change after his birthday two months ago. Nik had come to the house after almost a year of not seeing his oldest son, Lolia had managed to make Nik come over and made that day a memorable birthday. Rick and Anitta called from time to time but Nik never called nor visited.

"Are you ready to lose?" Lolia asked with a big smile playing across her face. Her curly golden hair was packed on the top of her head in a neat bun and her baby hairs were laid to perfection. Her blue eyes were forced into a squint because of the sun and her skin condition.

"No!" Eric replied, "I am winning as usual."

Lolia rolled her eyes. She always lost to Eric. Her winning sprees were sparing and almost nonexistent. As they began the games Liza came to them with a tray of cool orange juice and puff puff, pastry.

"Nigerian dough balls." Eric chimed "My favorite." Lolia had told him the name but in his own words his accent would butcher the pronunciation instead, he went through the hassle of calling it 'Nigerian dough balls'. He never really liked to stress himself with the pronunciations of Nigerian words and terms. He even butchered the pronunciation of her name, so he gave up early and shortened it to Lia, "sweet and simple" he had said.

Lolia gave a cheeky smile as her manicured pale blue fingers used her queen to kick Eric's bishop out of the game. Eric nodded impressed. He made a hissing sound as he scratched his close to skin white beard examining the board with a devil's eye. He smiled as he picked up his knight and took out Lolia's bishop. She frowned at this point she had no pawns, one knight, her Queen, and King. She would lose again.

Eric reached for his fork and stabbed two pieces of the round, golden brown pastry. "Don't have too many now." Lolia reminded. He was always stubborn with his eating habits. "Your diet!" This is why Lolia had to be at home taking care of him.

Although ALS did not have a cure, with the right diet and proper medication it could be managed. Eric was already at a point were he did not walk much, his legs gave way quick so he used a cane for support. The doctor had advised a wheelchair to be used sometimes especially around the house but Eric was stubborn.

"I know." He grumbled with his mouth full. Lolia laugh and picked up a paper towel from the tray. She proceeded to cleaning of the gleam of oil from his lips before she kissed him. It was supposed to be a simple kiss but Eric deepened it. Lolia was not complaining about this. The distance between them soon began to annoy her so she stood up from her pool chair and climbed over Eric, straddling him.

"You are not hurting are you?" She asked just to make sure. She would not ignore his pain just because of her primal desires.

"No." Eric replied capturing her lips with his. She tasted just as sweet as ever. He was already hardened for her and Lolia could feel it. She grinded her clad core on his growing hard member. She was so grateful for this rise. She went to his buttons and began to undo them. She could barely recognize herself but it was raw evidence of how much she needed this. She was so bloody starved.

"Wait." Eric muttered. "Here?"

"Mhmm." Lolia replied kissing him again. The older man she had married did not care where they were once upon a time. Once she freed his shaft she pushed her tong aside and sat on him throwing her head back at the pleasant feel of the intrusion. She began to ride him.

At this point she had no idea why she hoped for any satisfaction from Eric anymore. Most times if his shaft was not getting hard he came in two munites or less. This was one of those two munites times.

"I'm coming." Eric whispered into her ears.

"What?" Lolia could not believe her ears. He had to be joking. However when she felt his body begin to vibrate and his seed pour into her she knew that indeed Eric was not joking.

No! No! She cried within, never to Eric's ears. She did not want him to ever feel bad for being unable to pleasure her so she did what she usually did, fake her orgasm.

"Oh yes!" She cried adding a vibration just for vigor. At this point she deserves an Oscar or an Emmy since this was becoming a natural occurrence. Just to seal the deal she kissed his lips again faking a pant she did not feel.

Intimate sessions with Eric despite the large age gap had never always been this bad. In fact Lolia once a enjoyed them to a certain extent. When she met Eric she was a twenty two year old book nerd in her third year at Business school. Taye and Kachi where the only reason she truly tried to have fun. Kachi was a party animal and Taye back then was the same but a little more reserved that Kachi. Taye loved to dance like she had no care in the world thus clubbing on Friday night was natural to them even though Lolia went sparingly, she joined on this particular day, the day she had met Eric.

She had worn a silver dress with a low back. Her favorite part of the dress was the way it's short, thigh lent A line skirt flowed with her when she danced. Eric had been sitting in a boot at the VIP section with his friends who were all within his age bracket. The girls had noticed that he would not take his eyes of them. Taye and Lolia swore he was looking at Kachi. Kachi was the prettiest and sexiest among them, with carob brown skin and a body to die for. Girls went under the knife to get what God had so freely given Kachi. She had the body of the gods, she knew it and she was not humble about it around these men.

It would also make sense If it was Taye. She was tall and slim, similar build to a model. In fact she should be a model, but Taye was more interested in the business of making people look good, not strutting a run way.

"He is older." Taye muttered to Kachi.

"He is hot as hell never the less." Kachi chimed. "What do you think Lo."

Lolia had shrugged. Yes he was attractive but he looked like he was probably older or the same age with her dad. Lolia had not been in much relationships she had too much on her plate for that. She had her books here in America and her sick father in Nigeria to think about. Men and their drama could wait. As much as the age was a point for some worry, the major issue was that men his age were usually already married. She could not be that girl that ruined another woman's marriage, her conscience would not let her.

"We'll don't look now he is coming over." Kachi stated.

"Hello." Eric said. His voice deep, yet packed a kindness to it. Lolia did not reply instead she turned around looking for Kachi and Taye for support or a save. The two she goats were already on the other side of the club. Taye mouthed a sorry, but Kachi, the wench she gave a cheeky smile and waved with her fingers.

"Hi." Lolia replied turning around to meet Eric's face once again. He was in a dark blue suit that fit his large frame perfectly. Up close he was even hotter but she still was not interested especially when the possibility of him being married hung over her head.

"My name is Eric." He stated "Eric Larsen." She frowned because the name was farmiliar. She has heard it somewhere. Later on she found out that she had heard the name because she had applied to LarDon Enterprises for the position of an accounts intern. Eric Larsen was CEO of LarDon.

***

Once upon a time today 20th of June, meant nothing. It was just another day for Nikolia and his siblings but on this day two years ago, their mother had kicked the bucket. Cancer had slowly eaten her up while their father had pushed her to a quicker grave with a nasty divorce that left her nothing and remarried barely months after to his side thing many years younger than he was.

The name Dahlia Donatelli-Larsen was engraved into the grey marble tombstone with the year 1972 - 2020 engraved below. The epitaph had been a simple one which Nikolia chose.

Gone but never to be forgotten.

Anitta who was standing by the left of Nik snaked her hand into his and rested her head on his fore arm.

"She is resting." Rick sighed

Nik did not believe that. He did not believe that his mother was resting. In fact he knew she was not. One detail about his mother that Nikolia could never forget was the fact that whenever any of them, her children where sick or unable to sleep, she never went to bed.

Once during Thanksgiving Rick has stuffed himself with so much food that he threw up multiple times through the night, Dahlia has stayed awake. When Anitta was down with chicken pox, Dahlia remained awake. When Nik had insomnia because he feared failing a test, Dahlia had stayed awake with him and they played chess.

Nik's lips upturned into a small smile as he remembered his mothers eyelids fluttering shut and how she opened them abruptly just so she could keep awake.

This is how he knew he was not resting because he could not rest not sleep. For the past two years nightmares had become part and parcel of his sleep. Sometimes it was Lolia holding a knife and butchering his organs. Other times it was the other way round, he was the killer and she was the victim.

The latter dream brought two feelings to his heart content and fear. Content because he had finally exacted revenge for his mother and fear because as memories of that dream played in his head, he failed to recognise who he was.

For two years the hate had kept him going. The hate that he feared was slowly turning lethal because despite being terrified by what he portrayed in him dreams he wanted Lolia to suffer.

"No!" Nikolia stated. It was a reply to Ricks insinuation. Their mother did not want peace, "she wants vengeance."

Rick and Anitta looked up at Nik like some unrecognizable creature. Maybe he was unrecognizable, hate had changed him.

***

Lolia made her way out of Eric's bedroom. They had separate bedrooms now because sometimes he had to be hooked to a drip. It broke her heart to see him like this. The man who had saved her ailing father but she could not save him.

"Is he asleep?" Sarah Eric's home nurse asked. She was a small middle aged South Asian American woman.

"Yes." Lolia replied with a smile. "He wanted to stay awake but I managed to convince him that rest was important." Her phone rang and she excused herself as she pulled it out of her maxi dress' pocket. It was a FaceTime call from Kachi and Taye.

Last anyone heard of the essentric Kachi she was partying in Dubai with a rich as sponsor ready to spoil her. Kachi only dated rich men but just like Lolia she ran far away from married men. She said it was way too much drama and she could not deal with an angry wife not because she was afraid but because she did not want to go to jail for murder.

"Hey girl." Kachi chimed from the back of an Uber. Taye was still yet to pick up the call. She was probably busy with a client.

"Hello." Lolia replied making her way to her room. It was directly opposite Eric's and the second biggest room in the house. "How was Dubai?"

"Good." Kachi replied.

"And your anonymous sponsor?" Lolia asked. She was in her room now. She dropped into the bed as she listened to Kachi ramble on about how bad in bed her sponsor had been. Lolia laughed at Kachi's predicament mostly because it was ironic that she was going through the same fate.

"Don't laugh it's not like you are enjoying orgasm after orgasm." Kachi attacked resting her head on the car seat. The cab driver looked up at her with a smile. He was listening in on their conversation. Kachi returned the smile before she turned her attention back to Lolia.

"Who are you smiling at?" Lolia asked

"No one." Kachi replied "The cab driver."

"Ooh." Lolia sat up immediately. "Is he cute?"

Kachi looked up at the cab driver. He was a mocha skinned man with sharp features. His hair was curly and light brown almost red underneath the sun.

"Very." Kachi replied, her eyes were still on the cab guy.

"I know that look." Kachi was interested or just borderline horny. Either way Kachi wanted him and she usually got what she wanted.

"Speaking of orgasms you should come out tonight." She continued "Let's go clubbing, like old times."

Lolia was already shaking her head in refusal.

"I will not take no for an answer you always in the house bitch." Kachi flared playfully. "The last time you got dressed and danced was still within that house and through it all you were still taking care of Eric and dealing with his ungrateful ass kids."

"I am not complaining." Lolia insisted.

"Or you know you are." Kachi stated. It was a reminder that once upon a time during one of the few movie nights the girls had at Kachi's apartment, Lolia had gotten tipsy and bared all her pain to the girls. They were in the middle of watching A walk to remember with tears in their eyes when. Lolia began to bare out her entire soul, all the bottled up pain. Exposing that she hated her life and the choices she had made.

"C'mon." Kachi insisted "It will be fun."

Lolia sighed. Kachi was right staying in doors was adding to the already building up depression. "Argh" She exclaimed, a small smirk following after. "Fine."

"Yes!" Kachi punched the air. "So Taye is nowhere to be found, so we are on our own tonight."

***

The coloured lights within the club pointed in different directions. Nikolia undid the single button of his grey suit jacket as he dropped into the soft black seats of the booth James, a friend of his from University had reserved for them.

James has been chasing a major merger for his company. This merger was so important to him that for weeks before the deal was closed that was all he spoke about.

Nikolia hardly went to clubs to party and dance. The only club that fit his interests was Sensitive an exclusive sex club of which belonged to his cousin Dario. This sex club had belonged to the Donatelli's, his mother's family for years. Rik frequented the club but Nikolia had not gone for a while.

"To James, the handsome bastard for another big win." Rick announced holding up his glass of whisky.

"To James." The group cheered.

"You need to chill man." Nik looked up at Rik. He had been answering a business related text and Rick knew this. After his mother's death and the field between them and their father Nik drowned himself in work. It was his copping mechanism to work both his grief and his anger.

"You can not be working at the club." Rick cautioned. "It's a fucking crime."

Nik smiled at his younger brothers' protest. He was right nevertheless, so Nik listened and stuffed his phone into his jacket's inner pocket.

"Good." Rik said bopping his head to the music. "Now lets enjoy the night."

Nik watched the dancefloor with a glass of liquor in hand. Sweaty bodies molded against each other in an unsynchronised rhythm. The music flooded the club, it's tantalizing beats taking over. Asides from the music, the women also pulled attention.

"Who the hell is that?" Marcus asked, he was James co-worker. Nik did not like him very much and from their conversation neither did James but Marcus had a knack for always wanting to be around. He was like an ingrown hair you could not pull out.

James and Nik turned their attention to the dance floor at the person Marcus pointed at. She was dark skinned woman with the body of an hour glass. Nik could not make out her face but he was sure every man in the room had their eyes on her. He turned his attention to the lady beside her.

Her skin was the colour of eggshells, her red curly hair clashed with her skin making her all the more alluring. She did not have the perfectly sculpted curves her friend had but her body was just as beautiful.

Nik continued to stare as her bare waist twisted to music. She was dressed in a dark blue skirt and a matching cropped blouse leaving her flat stomach open. She flipped her hair and Nik caught a faint glimpse that made him feel that there was something familiar about her.

"Hey." Rik came rushing up to them. He had absconded to the dancefloor with some blonde girl with fake tits and an even faker ass. "It looks like step mummy is here."

Although Rick and Anitta disliked Lolia, Nik's hate for her had crossed into a path that scared even Nik himself. It had gone from being unable to stand her to point of feeling rage just at the thought of her name. The fact that she existed was slowly turning him into a psychopath. He wanted nothing more than to see her burn.

Nik followed Rick's direction and his eyes landed ironically on the same eggshell coloured lady with red hair. His eyes narrowed into slits as he began to see red, blood red once he recognised that the woman he had been ogling at was Lolia.

The woman who had ruined his family and made his mother's last days on earth hell. Try as he may he could not bring himself to forgive her. She did not deserve his forgiveness. This was his chance to enact his mother's vengeance.

"Rick." He muttered grabbing his brother's shoulder. "I am going to need you to distract the friend."

Rick narrowed his eyes at Nik. "Why?"

"Just do it." Nik probed

Rick shrugged as he jumped up from the seat. He doubted Kachi would talk to him considering their very clandestine history which he was sure that even her friends were clueless off, just as Nik. Once Rick came up to them Kachi chimed his name and jumped on him. She was drunk, now that was the only way she would acknowledge him in public.

"Rick, Hello." Lolia greeted. She seemed a lot more sober than her friend.

"Mind if I borrow her for a minute?" Rick asked.

"No she does not." Kachi threw in before Lolia had the chance to speak.

"Are you sure girl?" Lolia asked she did not care if Rick could hear.

"Yes." Kachi muttered. Then she whispered in Lolia's ears. "Your step sons wand is magic."

Lolia's eyes widened and she let out a chuckle as she watched Rick and Kachi walk away from her. She did not need more information than Kachi attesting to Rick's magical wand to let her know that they had been intimate. Kachi and Rick did not make sense. Rick was younger than her and despite the fact that he was on the Lolia hate train he seemed like such a sweet soul. Kachi was going to ruin him.

Now alone in the club Lolia made her way to the bar. She needed a drink or two and maybe after that she would go home.

Home?

The house she shared with Eric has begun to stop feeling like home, that is if it ever felt like it.

Don't be ungrateful! That voice, the same voice that had urged her to accept Eric's proposal when she did not want to. It was the same voice that reminded her that she owed Eric too much to leave him now.

"Here." The bar tender placed a martini before her.

Lolia frowned. "I did not order yet."

"He ordered it." The bartender pointed towards the left. Lolia's eyes widened when she saw Nik standing a few seats away from her. He rested his right elbow on the bat while the same hand nursed a glass of brown liquor. He stared at her with a blank gaze. Although the usual tint of irritation and disdain was absent his stare was not warm, not welcoming. He rose his drink and nodded before he turned away to give his attention to a petite umber skinned girl with waist length goddess braids.

She could not believe that Nik, Nikolia Larsen. Her husbands evil son who hated her like she was some sort of plague had bought her a drink. There had to be a catch and she was going to find out what it was. Picking up the glass of martini she made her way to Nikolia.

"Is this a truce?" Lolia called from behind Nik, bringing an abrupt end to his conversation with the umber skinned girl.

Once upon a time Lolia wished she looked like her, wished she looked like every normal black girl but that insecurity was long gone. Her egg shell skin, bright blue eyes and silvery gold hair went perfectly well with her slim curvy frame.

Nik turned around slowly. The farmilar glare filled with disdain sparked on his features for a minute, but they were gone as soon as it came and replaced with a smug look of indifference.

"No it's a martini." He replied leaning on the counter.

Lolia rolled her eyes. "You are very funny?"

Nik looked everywhere but her before he poured down every drop of liquor in his cup. He frowned as he dropped the cup back on the counter and called to the bartender for a refill.

"You need to be drunk to hold a conversation with me." Lolia asked with raised brows. He was being a little extra if you asked her.

Nik was quite, he started at her again and just like before he struggled to hide his hate. He would have done good if she did not catch him in those quick almost invisible seconds when his mask slipped.

"Fuck this!" Lolia exclaimed "I don't know why I even bother." She turned to leave.

Lolia was taken aback when she felt a strong hand grab her left fore arm and pull her back. Using her palms to control the impact they landed on Nikolia's chest. The action had both stunned her and scared her. Nikolia had never touched her, not a hug not a hand shake. Her heart beat twice as fast as she looked up at him, angry brown eyes that both terrified and...there was another feeling, one she was ashamed to accept.

"It's a fucking truce." Nik replied looking down at her. Her pale blue eyes bored into his soul. "Peace offering." His hand still held her forearm so he pushed her away as gently as he could and released her arm. "Please don't reject."

Lolia nodded taking the martini she took a large gulp. Nikolia smiled at this. It was not a friendly smile, more of a mischievous leer. Tonight you get your revenge mother. He thought as he took a sip of his drink.

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.