The Cold Shoulder

I downed another cup of beer down my throat half way, smiling lazily to myself. Life isn't all that hard. It's a wonder what a bottle of beer could make you forget. I had left Remi and his overly pretty secretary like four hours ago or something.

Maybe then they could do what ever they wanted to do in peace without any intrusion. And without a black girl ruining their moment.

Don't blame me. I felt left out. It's all not just fear. No. But I didn't care, not then. I was drunk and happy. Remi could go to hell for all I cared and that 'sexy' Lauren too. I hated her. like... like .. um.... so much, with so much disgust as I would gaze down on dog's poop beneath my shoe

There was just one thing that didn't make sense. My feelings and my heart. I had no idea how many times it would broken.

I pushed back my chair. It was time to go home. I still lived with my parent, if I did not heavens knew I would have been dead. Suicide no need to even think about it. As senseless as I was that moment, I knew the implication it was to arrive home late. Mom would kill me

She'd just rant that's all. I was the last born, out if two. My elder sister, Ella was over seas enjoying her life in..... what was the name of the country again? Georgia! with her newest boyfriend.

The ought to have gotten married but she was frolicking with them. Btb, mom cares a lot about me and Dad too. I love them both. But there was this part of me that needed love too. But not from them.

I staggered away from the place as I had paid whatever amount it was earlier before I started drinking. I twirled my car keys in my finger as I tried to place one leg before the other as I sang.... Jealously jealously jealously..... underneath my breath. One African song like this.

I was giddy, Yes that was the power of alcohol. So beautiful. I stopped to gaze at the beautiful sky for a moment and almost fell but quickly regained my footing. I strolled clumsily into the parking lot. " Now where is that car " I mumbled and squinted my eyes as I walked past cars to recognize the butt of mine.

" Ah, there it is. ". I laughed to myself as I fiddled with the key in my hand looking for the button to press, to automatically open the doors. I finally found it after sometime and strolled to the drivers side. Just as I was about opening, another car drove in recklessly into the spot beside my car. I squinted my eyes at it to get a good look at the stupid driver. Did he want to bang my car?

" Hey idiot! Do you know you should be sued? I was just about to open the door of my car. What if your stupid car had bashed it? it would have caused you a lot. Do you know who I am? "

I asked drunkenly, slapping at the window of the ' idiot's ' car

" You have no respect " I was ranting. The man or guy or whatever alighted from the drivers side and came over.

" I am deeply sorry. I didn't me ---- "

" Shut up! " My eyes vision was blurry but I said anyways " you're an idiot " Staggering backwards

" I said I'm sorry "

" let me...... me..... be. You're just like ..... like every other m..... men. You and an.... Remi are just .... just- just forget it. "

I waved him off, flinging the door of my car open. I made to climb the Hummer only to slip. The last thought in my mind was Remi before I blacked out

When I woke up the next morning on my side, the first thing I saw was a block of a block of a body. it's back to me. I blinked and blinked again. I sat up hurriedly. Where in the name of the earth was I?

The room was unfamiliar, it was neither mine nor Remi nor Aria's. I bolted up from the bed and I guess waking up the stranger beside me. No, I didn't want to think about it. I couldn't have had a night stand with whoever was going to face me. Amen.

The moment the stranger turned, I concealed my gasp with a hand to my mouth and wide eyes. Damn and damn again. Heavens knew he was hot. He had this striking green eyes, okay nose, a kissable lips and a omigosh messy black hair. I noticed how huge he was too, like his arms. He had muscles. I forgot everything, my head was blank.

Just then that SOB of a headache decided to come on ever so badly, I had to retreat to the bed.

" Are you okay? "

I wanted to melt into him, into his voice. I smiled crookedly at him as I put a hand to my head

" Hangover " I managed to say without looking at him. I felt the bed ease and I slightly turned. He had headed for the door and closed the door behind him. I laid flat on my back. I'm never drinking again, I pledged to myself.

He came back with two pills of drugs in his had and a cup of water in another, crossed the room in a few strides over to me and stretched his hand out for me to take.

I took the pills with a frown, sitting up with a huge discomfort, as if a mountain was in my head. I hated taking pills. I wanted to open my mouth and say thank you but he cut my off as soon as I opened my mouth to talk.

" When you are okay, we can talk. Don't bother trying. "

I suddenly wanted to kiss him as a thank you instead, but I just closed my eyes and sank into the pillow

" Good morning, my name is Jayson "

He said when I opened my eyes after some time. I flipped my eyes to his. I didn't think I'd get used to the tone if his overly thick voice even if I kept hearing it everyday. But I thought it was cool.

" Good morning, I'm Elle "

" Oh. um..... you um.... fell last night and passed out. So I helped you here. I hope you don't mind. "

Was he kidding? I wanted to kiss him right there for everything. Even though I didn't know him. Who knew if he had syphilis, Hiv or something. But all the same...... I was falling in live with him

" No. " I laughed. I was feeling a little better. I threshed my hand in my hair trying to look sexy somewhat sexy and cute. Oh, my hair I guessed at that moment must be fucking messy. I rolled my eyes inwardly.

My just - woke - up - from - sleep hair was always downright messy. I wondered how foolish I looked like in front of him at that moment. " I should be thanking you, you're my hero. "

" Ah "

I noticed how the way his cheeks held a brush of pink or was it red?

" I feel honored "

I needed to leave. I didn't need to wonder how hysteric mom would be. she's be so mad and would have involved Dad right away all the way from Africa. He was working on a project and was based there for the moment. ugh.

I didn't want to think about my car, keys and phone but I did. I was gonna be so roasted

" I guess I'll have to start leaving now. Thank you for everything though " I said. A glimmer of hope in my heart telling me that my keys and phone was right outside on his dinning table and that my car was safely parked outside his house.

Dad had just gotten the car for me. Even though he's tell my it's alright - that was if I was able to find a reasonable and believable excuse that I wasn't out drinking. But mom! whatever the excuse was, I was going to get lashed out.

Sometimes, I wished mom wasn't my mom wasn't my mom. But then - there's nothing I could do about it. At the same time I still love her very much - when she's in a good mood though mind you. Which was often

" Oh, um....... "

He moved to the door and opened it. ' Please tell me my car is right out ' I thought. My heart was thrumming. When we moved out to the living room - it was a small one, cozy to he exact, a small kitchen laid out beside the room. I loved it. It had this greyish colour

This type that makes you feel at home even though it wasn't anything compared to mine. I could stay there forever. If there was food and junk - mind you, for free and lots and lots of it.

" Nice place. " I said even though it came out kinda late. I was too caught up staring, I hoped he saw that.

" Thank you " He moved away.

When he want looking, I dropped myself on the chair like a sack of beans. It's new and like soft- hard kinda. I loved it. I wanted to ask him if I could live with him forever but....... Mom would kill me.

" Here is your phone and car keys. Your car is right outside. Um... this way. "

When he turned, a joker smile stretched out on my face. That is what you call the power of wishing. Um... I wondered what else I could wish for. Maybe Remi to notice me? Uh... No. I was not going to think about it again.

The thought was more like a rock crushing me. IDK how it felt but that was how my heart felt like. I wondered how else crazy I could be having feelings for my friend. It wasn't funny, because I was the only one facing the tremendous heart wrenching heart break.

True, my car was right outside his apartment. I let out a sigh of relief and accepted the key he thrusted at me.

" I don't know how much I can thank you. "

" Oh, no worries. "

" um.... can I have your number? "

I asked thrusting my phone back at him

" Sure "

After. I drove out of his place with a small wave and headed home. No doubt mom would be waiting at the door step to give me a scolding. I just didn't understand if the people at her workplace could not sack her for coming late to work. Oh, yeah..... she's the head whatever.

I had no idea what excuse to give. The thing was no matter how wise you think you were. You could never outsmart Mom. She'd always find away around it. I leaned forward in my chair, breathing hard. The fact that I was even a teen anymore and Mom still ruled me in the house especially when dad was not around.

And I wasn't even ready to move out I would never, unless I had to marry. And that would be like a hundred and a million years away.

As u neared the compound, I took deep breaths. I didn't bother to formulate any plan or lie in my head. I pressed that remote to open the main gate clumsily and drove in. Don't blame me. if you were in my shoes you would understand why I'm not so really scared but a little bit scared of my Mom. Yeah and over eighteen by just two years. Don't laugh

I closed the gate with the same remote, alighting from the car very slowly. Then entered the house as slowly as I could too as I was not in any mood to meet her. Mom was just coming out if the kitchen when I walked in through the living room door.

" Good morning Mom. "

I said, looking at her. waiting for the lambast only for her to ignore me.

I rolled my eyes at that and then tried to walk past her to hit the stairs.

" Hold on young lady. Where are you coming from? "

I flipped my gaze lazily to her pretending not to hear.

" Uh? "

" You heard me. Don't waste my time so spill it "

" I think you know where I was "

I was trying to play my cards close to my chest. Mom's brown hair hadn't changed, no hint of white hair and she wasn't dying. Mom was young, just thirty nine, Ella was twenty three. Yeah mom eloped with Dad at the tender age of sixteen when she got pregnant for a black man. I had always been jealous if Ella she'd gotten downright Mom's skin and I Dad's.

It didn't make sense. No, but there's nothing to change that phenomenon. Maybe -- No, that was why mom and dad always picked sides whenever Ella and I fought. Which was a lot by the way until she left.

" Really? Did you tell me you were going to spend the night at Remi's? "

I breathed a sigh of relief, moving a little to sit on the edge of the stair case. Okay maybe that guy was useful for something. He'd promised not to cover up for me anymore if I did something bad. That was when we had a very big fight last three months or so I guess.

" I'm sorry Mom, to be honest I just slept off. I just wanted to wait the rain out but you know --- "

" Maybe both of you should just get married and stop making me worry like that "

I rolled my eyes. Firstly, if I ever counted it I should have slept over at Remi's a hundred times. Just exaggerating but then you get the idea. So, Everytime I go unannounced she makes a huge deal out of it. And every family member is going to hear about it.

" You should banish that thought really. it's not healthy " I said standing, ready to make for my room but on second thoughts descended it. I suddenly felt hungry.

" Whatever. Never do that again. I wonder why- Do you know how many times I've repeated that statement to you? This is all your dad's fault. Imagine, I called him last night and he told me the same thing. "

" See? you should learn from him. He's the only one who understands me in this house. And instead of always worrying about me, maybe you should look out for your daughter, the first one. Remember her? *

I asked sarcastically, rolling rolling my eyes

" I don't have your time this morning. I'm off to work and --- " She put a hand up as she turned to go out, halting me mid talking. I had just opened my mouth to ask. " I didn't cook for you, as your punishment "

I rolled my eyes and entered the kitchen. Sometimes, I think that black blood runs through her veins. The white skin is just a facade. As in why would a mother in her correct mind starve her kid because of some crime

I reached for the cereal box in the top cupboard and grabbed a bottle of milk from the fridge. I grabbed a bowl along with a spoon from dish rack and mixed my thing

The moment I lifted a spoon to my mouth, the door opened. I flipped my gaze to it lazily, shifting uncomfortably in my seat. The door won't open unless it recognized your face. It was Remi

I rolled my eyes and shoved the spoon in my mouth. I had to stop the nasty feeling I had for him and far because it wasn't healthy for me. I counted him as a best friend but to his ever so attractive so called girlfriend, I was nothing but a friend

" Hey "

I looked up lazily as if I had just acknowledged his presence. I grunted in reply, bringing another spoon of cereal and milk dripping at the bottom to my mouth. I reached for the remote and turned the TV on.

" Where were you last night? I thought you slept over "

I scoffed gently

" None of your business "

I felt his gaze burning holes onto my face.

" What do you mean by none of my business? "

He asked taking a seat beside me

" Don't spit in me food and that was what I meant. None of your business. How could you have thought I slept over? "

" I could I not? Its not your first time sleeping over nor the tenth. Lauren and I was just talking business and I was too wrapped up not to notice "

" I never asked ". I said standing " But, I went to a bar last night, got drunk and ended up in a very handsome guy's house this morning " I said in a fake joyous voice, spreading my arms out in a fake excitement as I walked to the kitchen

" What did you just say? "

" He had this sexy black hair, green eyes .... you should start wearing green lens now if you want to seduce Lauren. I don't think blue is reigning anymore. Oh, his house has this perfect atmosphere of a home. Very cozy, small and beautiful "

I exhaled dropping the dish into the sink

" You fucked a stranger? " I caught his gaze with a lazy smile. One - one

" No, his name is Jayson. He told me this morning "

He crossed the room in a few strides and shook me

" Are you out of your mind? "

I shrugged his grip off me and moved away

" No, you may be. But I'll say yesterday was the best night ever. I can barely walk. I was right, tall guys always have long penises. "

* My God " he muttered " Did you use protection? "

" I don't even know. I was too drink to even care - hey, don't even think about it. Come - I was even thinking, just in case you and Lauren want to get married, let me design your invitation card please. "

And I wasn't kidding. I had made a lot of invited for Remi and Lana, Natalya, Nana, Malia, etc, etc. All the girls Remi had been with since he's started dating. Yea, call it jealousy. It was. And I always have it to the girls some, some I kept in my drawer so I could look at them when I was sad.

I've been single most of my existence. Not that I didn't have guys to ask me out. But I was just too blinded by the live I had for him. I always feared that if I should accept A then Remi would not want to shoot his shit at me. But I was wrong, he'd never planned to ask me out.

Bad uh?