CH 14|| The reason behind it

Yesterday was a headache, one of the roughest days of my life but it still turned out well.

My encounter with Amarachi was something not to forget, ever. I almost lost my life. See, that's why you need God in your life.

About that stuff Chris said yesterday, I didn't get it and I'm curious. It's been eating me up since this morning.

Please can someone tell me why I'm really anxious about it?

That lady is really something, Chris has tried keeping up with her. Maybe he really loves her anyways. I guess that's what love is about: 'endurance'.

~~~

I stared at the screen of my laptop, my sinister palm supporting my chin. My eyes were bored just looking at a PDF.

I relaxed on the seat, pushing myself forward while my arms were stretched above me. A small crack escaped my back and my neck as I turned sideways.

My phone vibrated on the table, signifying a message had popped in. I picked it up, a smile breaking onto my lips.

The message was from Chris, "Are you available? " It read.

I replied with a text, " Yes, is there something you need?" I tried to behave on the average level, not implying excitement.

A few seconds later, he replied, "I'm on my way... "

My heart skipped, he's coming . He's coming here!

He has been coming here several times but now I'm behaving funny.

This is not funny at all, I don't think I'll cope with these feelings.

---

Knock knock!

My heart pounded at the sound of the knock on the door.

I rushed to it, opening it to see him standing right in front of me. His genial smile melted my heart.

I returned the smile, stepping aside for him to get in. "Thanks Eddy, " he said, walking in.

"How was your day? " I said, intending to start a conversation while he sat on the couch with a bag in his hand.

"Stressful, I thought I should stop by to say hi. " he said

"Um, want some water then? " I asked, heading for the kitchen.

"No Eddy, here take this " he stood up and walked towards me with a stretched hand.

I looked at the package in his hand, "What's that? " I asked, extending my hand to get the bag.

"C'mon open it"

I opened the bag, revealing a large box. I looked at him and he smiled, gesturing to me to open it.

I brought out the box, a small gasp escaping my mouth. "Chris? Um.. "

"Shh..it was my fault your tablet got destroyed yesterday so I had to make it up to you.. It's just a little something"

"You didn't have to, this cost more and it wasn't your fault. Only the screen got shattered "

"Are you done? You deserve an upgrade "

I looked at the wide display iPad pro in my hands. "You are kidding me right? " I asked

He shook his head. "But Chris this is way too costly, I'm sorry but I-I can't accept this " I shook my head, handing the box back to him.

He got it, walked to my bedroom without permission. I followed him to the door and watched him drop the box on my nightstand.

"What are you doing? " I asked, still unwilling to go into the room.

"I'll be staying here until you decide to change your mind "

"Chris- "

"I'm not going to leave okay? And in fact we'll be sharing the same room"

My eyes bulged at his comment. "N-no way, it just won't.. Oh my..." I turned around, facing away from the room.

Chris had started unbuttoning his shirt right inside the room. "You still won't accept it? I could go on my knees if you want " he said.

Instinctively I made to escape but a pair of strong hands pulled me back into the room.

I was now enveloped between his strong arms which wrapped around me, leaving me no escape.

My eyes watched in shock at his bare chest sending multiple chills down my small spine.

My hands were already on his chest, holding a fistful of his shirt as his body pressed against mine, so I turned them to face me. "How about now? " His husky voice took me off guard as he smirked.

"God Chris... Fine fine, I agree. Just let me go..please " I begged, panic raging through my voice as I wriggled around in his grip.

"Are you sure? "

"Y-yes Chris, I'm sure. Please let me go" I shut my eyes, avoiding his stare.

As soon as the grip loosened, I ran out of the room. Chris is crazy, Chris is really crazy! What? Is he just smirking, he's smirking!

My body was shaking as nervousness shook through me. I don't think I can trust Chris anymore, I know he did that to make me change my mind because seriously that device is too expensive. Secondly I don't like someone spending a huge amount of money on me. I don't think I'm worth it.

"Care for a drink? " His voice sounded from behind. I spun around to see him heading for the couch. He had worn back his shirt.

Wait! I don't have anything to do in this house. It will be stupid to reject going out with him.

"Yeah, "

"I'll be waiting "

I went out of his sight but before I completely left, Chris called me back.

"Eddy.....I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you "

His apology seemed genuine, "It's fine, I know why you had to do it anyway"

I gave him a reassuring smile.

"T-thanks " he thanked me, rubbing the back of his neck.

Aww, he's feeling shy. Why anyway?

I walked away to get changed, running a couple of fingers through my hair.

---

I hopped into his plush automobile, resting my weight on the passenger seat. I put on my seat belt while Chris turned on the ignition.

"Ready? " he asked, placing his eyes on me.

I nodded since words purposely refused to come out of my mouth. He moved the gear shift as the car reversed before we hit the road.

Yes the car was silent but not awkwardly silent. We soon arrived at a cafe.

"What would you like? " he asked.

"Cream coffee " I replied.

He smiled, a smile that always makes me weak like cooked spaghetti. When the female waitress arrived, she took down our orders.

Chris ordered for espresso. That's so bitter. "You don't drink alcohol, do you? " I asked while waiting for our drink.

He knitted his brows together as he shook his head, "I don't, it's effect is not worth risking, though... Well caffeine isn't an exception"

I love his sincerity, you'll know he's not lying. Soon our coffees arrived while we enjoyed our chat.

"Amarachi and I are not together anymore." he expressly said.

At the hearing of that, accidentally, I spilled coffee on my blouse because of shock.

He sat up straight and handed me his hankie, "Are you okay? " he asked.

I nodded, "Can you excuse me, I'm going to the ladies. I'll be back"

I excused him and went straight to the restroom. I looked around the restroom admiring it's exquisite taste.

I stood in front of the mirror, examining the coffee stain. Pushing the faucet upwards, water came gushing out.

I used the hankie Chris gave me to clean the smudged stain off my outfit. The stain was stubborn but it at least went off a little, it wouldn't be too obvious. The hankie smelled a lot like him, I wish he would forget about it.

"What happened that the drink spilled? " Chris asked once I had settled comfortably.

"I wanted to speak but the drink drove up my nostril so I couldn't control the spillage " I replied, sipping my drink.

"Oh sorry "

"What did you say earlier? I didn't quite catch that."

"Amarachi and I are not together anymore " he reiterated. This time his voice dropped by a note.

"Why? I thought you couldn't live without her " I asked.

"Not until I broke up with her. I initially thought that if we ever part, I would die of heartbreak so I was afraid to lose her."

Wow

"Sounds more like infatuation, " I said

"Because that is what it was." He frowned, I won't say at me, but at the cup he held. "When I broke up with her, instead of dying, I felt nothing. I felt no void inside me because of her."

That's deep. I thought he loved her so much. But something was off about his voice. He sounded like he was trying to impress himself.

"So that was the reason she came to fight me" I said, taking a sip of my drink.

"Not exactly. I was with her before that. She got angry when I threatened to leave our relationship if she ever.. Well.. try to umm..cheat on me ever again"

Uhh? Chris, are you hiding something from me? That's weird.

"I was surprised how she knew where you lived "

" So you followed her? " I asked him

"When she warned me, yes I had to and I have to expunge every memory of her from my head. Now I begrudge every single moment I spent with her. Dad was right, I was blinded by infatuation not love. Fine, I loved her when I first saw her in school. She was hot cake for all guys. By then she was Just 18 years old. It wasn't hard asking her out because she responded easily and that was when it all started." he said, resting his left arm completely on the table while the other hand held his drink on the table as his eyes stared into it.

Chris was looking honest but I was wondering why he would suddenly break up with her. I don't know if I'm incredulous but I want the real truth.

"When did you break up with her? " I asked

Okay now I'm sounding like a cop.

"Yesterday, after that incident. Actually a few hours later "

Why? What's your reason?

I started noticing that a lady at the opposite end was staring at us, especially Chris. That really is making me so uncomfortable.

Look your way!

She was sitting with a guy who I'm sure didn't notice her double attention.

Chris didn't notice her and she faces away whenever I look at her. Nevertheless, I didn't let that spoil the moment.

__________