CHAPTER 8

FALLING IN LOVE WITH EVIL

In the morning I am already done with breakfast and my mom has gone to work already. I don’t have any classes so I decide to get most of my school work done.

I call Tim.

“Hey, how are you feeling today? Are you okay?” I ask him .

“I am feeling much better Aza , thanks. Can I call you later? I have classes right now, after that we can talk about going out for lunch.” He says and I smile.

“Okay bye.” I bid him goodbye and get my school work done. Around 10:30am I am already done with my school work so I decide to clean around the house and cook lunch and supper all together so that mom doesn’t have to.

I do all that and by 1 pm I am done. I watch television and the cops are talking about these 3 girls. There is no trace of this murderer and no DNA has been found. He is definitely a professional and does not leave any traces. I sigh!

I wonder who this killer must be and why he is on a killing spree. These women really look so similar to each other meaning there must be a connection , they are all a reminder of someone who was probably dear to the killer or who abused the killer.

I watch television and listen to the police going on and on about trying to create a profile and stuff.

My phone rings and it’s Tim.

“Hey, done with classes?” I ask him .

“Yes I am done, I’ll be at your house in 10 minutes, please get ready we going out.” He tells me and I smile.

“Where are we going? What should I wear?” I ask him and I hear him chuckle.

“Wear a dress, a green one if you have it and heels we going somewhere fancy.” He tells me and I laugh.

“Okay but I have to ask for my mom's permission first.” I tell him.

“Okay, I’ll wait for your response.” He says and I hang up. I call my Mom and she answers.

“Mama, can I please go out with Timothy. He wants to take me out for lunch just to thank me for helping him yesterday.” I say closing my eyes really tight hoping she doesn’t forbid me.

“Mmh ! Do you trust this boy Azande?” she asks me and I stand up.

“Yes mom, he is a nice guy and the day you meet him you will feel the same way. Please Mama. “ I beg her and I hear her sigh!

“Okay go. But please be safe and don’t do anything you shouldn’t be doing. Please be safe Azande and don’t gallivant in dangerous places.” She tells me and I jump around.

“Thank you Mama. I love you.” I say and she chuckles.

“I love you too my baby.” She hangs up and I run to my bedroom.

I wear my green tight body hugging dress that is just above my knees and white block heels. I untie my braids and let them fall freely. I spray them whip them back and forth which makes me giggle.

I look at myself. My dress reveals my back , all of it. I look at how it hugs my body tight, it hugs my curves so beautifully.

I apply clear lip gloss and wear my earrings and a simple small pendent.

I take a bag and put my stuff in it.

I call Tim.

“She agreed , you can come pick me up I am ready.”

“I'm already at your gate Baby.” He says and I smile.

“Okay I am coming.” I tell him then hang up.

I take one final glance at myself then walk out of the house. I spot Timothy standing next to his car.

So I walk towards him and as soon as I get out of the gate he smiles.

“Wow! You look amazing. Green looks so good on you. Oh my God! You are so beautiful Azande! Do you even realize how beautiful you are? You don’t even need make up.” He tells me and I feel my cheeks heat up. I can’t stop myself from blushing.

“Thank you. Shall we?” I ask him smiling and he smiles back at me as he nods yes. He opens the door for me and we both enter the car and leave.

We keep stealing glances of each other as we drive in silence. Nina Simone echoes in the car and I look at him.

“You listen to strange music.” I tell him and he laughs.

“Really? Or is it that you don’t really know what good music is? Nina Simone is one of the best. Her voice is strange but it soothes me and allows me to think.” He says looking at me and I smile.

“Okay I hear you. It’s just that Nina Simone is my mom's favorite artist, she listens to her all the time especially when she misses my dad . You'll find her drinking wine in her room just listening to Nina Simone quietly, more like meditation.” I tell him and he nods.

“Who do you listen to?” he asks me and I smile

“I listen to Lauryn Hill ,Tamia, India Arie and many more, you can listen to my playlist one day. They soothe my soul. “ I tell him and he smiles , he presses his phone and soon Tamia's “Falling In love” echoes in the car. I gasp as I look at him.

“Oh my Goodness! This is one of my favorite songs.” I scream and he laughs.

“Oooh I think I’m falling for you, oooh what am i supposed to do. You make me feel like falling in love.” We both sing along and smile at each other.

We sing along until the song ends and I look at him.

“I think I'm falling for you Azande.” He tells me as we pull up in front of a huge restaurant.

“I think I am too. Maybe I am already sinking deep.” I say and he holds my hand and plants a soft kiss .

“I won’t let you drown. I'll hold you just in time.” He says and I smile.

He opens the door and jumps out of the car then walks around and opens my door.

“Shall we?” he asks me holding out his arm for me to take.

“Yes.” I reply and take his arm and we go.

He is wearing black jeans and a white formal shirt, revealing part of his chest. His hair is up in waves and he has this high school-ish vibe I like.

We both walk into a fancy exquisite restaurant. Someone takes us to a table and we sit across each other.

“This place is beautiful and looks expensive. You shouldn’t have.” I tell him and he smiles.

“This is nothing compared to what you did for me yesterday.” He says and I notice that he has a mark on his neck more like a scar.

“Oh My God! How did you end up with a scar like that? The one on your neck.” I say pointing at it and the muscles around his jaw tighten.

“it’s nothing. Just a scar I got when I was a kid. Anyway shall we order? “ he asks and I can tell he is avoiding this so I nod and we order our food as we make small talk.

Our food arrives and we start eating.

“I really got into deep trouble this morning. When I came back home my mom was already waiting for me.” I tell him and his gaze widens in shock.

“I am so sorry. Did she hurt you? Or scold you?” he asks concerned and I nod.

“She only scolded me she didn’t hurt me or anything. But we made peace there and then.” I say and he smiles.

“That’s better. I wouldn’t have been able to forgive myself. Azande.” He calls out my name and I look at him.

“I love you.” He tells me and my gaze widens in shock .What? How? When? Oh my God!

“You don’t even know me that much Timothy. How can you possibly love me?” I ask him and he looks into my eyes.

“You don’t only love someone just because you know them , it’s possible to just fall in love with a complete stranger. I have never felt like this before. Never have I ever loved someone in this world. Not even my parents the way I love you. You are all I think about. I want to talk to you all the time. I want to see you when I wake up. I see you in my thoughts, I see us and I know for a fact that you love me too. I see how you look at me, I can feel it. You love me. I just want you to say it.” He says looking into my eyes but I continue eating , I don't want to rush things because I am still confused about my feelings.

After lunch we leave the restaurant and drive to his house. When we get there we sit at the balcony and I feel his fingers run on my bare back. I feel my limbs tremble and shiver. My libido is on full alert now!

“Look into my eyes Azande.” He says and l look into his eyes. I see desire: a hunger for me and I guess he can also see the fire of passion burning within me. Slowly he runs his finger tips on my back and a little sound escapes my mouth.

He stands up and takes my hand into his. “Do you trust me?” he asks me and I look into his eyes and nod.