CHAPTER 10

FALLING IN LOVE WITH EVIL

Days go by and the murders seemed to be continuing. My uncle came by and they had a proposal for me to marry some rich guy but I refused. I seriously didn’t think my own family would stoop so low and want to sell me off to a man way older than I am just to fix their financial problems. They went as far as insulting my mom for not raising me right. Accused her of instilling bad values in me. They blamed her for every wrong and to make things worse I didn’t know that my uncle’s son was in the same college as I and he told his dad about Timothy and I, how dare he insult my mother like that! He said my mom was a harlot who trapped his brother and is now teaching me to do the same! How dare he! I had no choice but to oust them out of our house. Being with Timothy definitely makes me happy and although I am new in the dating scene and I don’t really know anything about it but Tim makes it easy.

It’s Saturday afternoon and we are at a tattoo parlor because he has decided to get a new tattoo.

“You look so cute right now. Are you really crying or am I dreaming?” I say laughing and he smiles.

“I am not crying I just have something in my eye. Had it been you getting a tattoo you'd be screaming at the top of your voice and yelling out for you mother.” He says laughing and I pinch his leg which makes him gasp and giggle.

“I am so going to get you for this Baby . You'll be begging me to leave you” He says laughing and I stick out my tongue.

“I am not scared of you Mr Wickham so bring it on!” I say and he raises an eyebrow.

“You have no idea!” he says and I laugh.

I wait for him to finish and when it’s done I get to see it. Wait! What!? It’s me ! What the hell?!

“This is me Timothy” I say surprised and he nods.

“Yes it is you. I'll get to look at It when I miss you.” He says smiling and I look at him surprised, not knowing whether I should be happy or creeped out.

“I must say you really are pretty and your boyfriend is just romantic.” The tattoo artist says as we all look at my face on Timothy’s chest. I am smiling and my hair is all messed up . I really do look beautiful.

I look at Timothy and I just kiss him on his lips.

“Thank you Babe.” I say smiling and he brushes his nose against mine.

“No need to thank me baby.” He says wiggling his eyebrows and I laugh.

“Okay get dressed I am taking you out for lunch today. It’s on me.” I say and he nods smiling. He wears his t-shirt then we leave. We drive to a very small cosy restaurant. It’s more like the type of restaurant that students would go to.

We get there and order our food as I tell him about my uncle and his absurd outburst.

“That was harsh baby. How is your mom? How did she take it?” he asks as he drinks his soda.

“My mom is a very strong woman and she is really coping. I know my uncle’s words may have hurt her but she has been through so much I don’t think this would break her. They don’t even have a right over me cause they wanted nothing to do with me.” I say and he looks at me.

“Rejection teaches us to be strong. I am glad this didn’t break you.” He says frowning and I look at him.

“ You never talk about your mom.” I say softly it almost comes out as a whisper and he looks up at me.

“There is nothing to tell, really.” He says now looking down at his drink.

I open my mouth about to ask but the waiter comes with our food. I look up at the huge television screen and another death is reported. The 8th girl has been discovered. Black long hair too , petite and really resembles the others.

There is commotion in the room. Black haired girls are definitely scared. Another Black haired girl sitting right in front of us calls her dad to fetch her.

I look at Tim who is really nonplussed.

“Whoever is committing these crimes is really sick. Girls don’t feel safe. I wonder what type of a person he is or maybe she is. “ I say and he shakes his head.

“It’s really sad. I feel bad for them because perhaps they are at the wrong place at the wrong time. There’s really no telling where this guy finds them.” He says nonchalantly and I shrug.

“I feel scared too. I might not be black haired or might not have long silky hair but I am still a girl and may be a victim to such acts.” I say looking at him and he holds my hand.

“No harm will ever befall you baby. As long as I am here you are safe. I will safe guard you with my own life.” He says kissing my tiny hand and I smile as we continue eating.

After lunch we drive around the neighborhood talking and listening to music.

“Where does your father stay?” I ask him and he seems shocked when I ask him that.

“He stays 15 minutes away from my house. Why do you ask?” he asks not taking his eyes off the road.

“I have never heard you talking about visiting him . You said he had a new family. Aren’t you acquainted with them?” I say and he remains quiet for some time then sighs as we enter his neighborhood.

“I have only seen them once. I have been staying alone ever since I was 16. That was pretty much when my father married Juliette. I asked for my own apartment and gave them their space.” He says and I nod.

“Any siblings? Or step siblings?” I ask him and he nods.

“They have two kids together. Juliette has a son too around my age from a previous relationship.” He says and I nod.

“Oh and why don’t you hang out with your family? And bond with them.” I ask him and he stops his car in front of a huge mansion. The type you see on television.

“This is my father’s house.” He says pointing at the white mansion.

“Wow! It’s so huge and beautiful too. But you didn’t answer my question.” I say and he starts driving again.

“Can we not talk about this baby. I don’t want to spoil my mood I am scared of the repurcussions that might follow once I start talking about my dad or my family.” He says tightening his grip on the steering wheel and I keep quiet.

I really want to know what is wrong with Timothy. I want to help him. No one can possibly live without his family. Family is essential .

We drive into the drive way and he parks the car and we both jump out. I watch him. His muscles tighten under his t-shirt. We walk into his apartment with my overnight bag hanging from his shoulder. My mom is out of town so I have decided to sleepover.

“ I didn’t mean to upset you by bringing your family up. I am so sorry please don’t be upset with me.” I say hugging him from behind and he remains silent for a few minutes. I feel him inhale and exhale.

“I am not upset with you Baby. Let’s just forget it and have fun. Okay?” he says and I smile.

“Sounds good to me.” I say and he turns to face me. We share a kiss which intensifies but I pull away from it.

We share an intimate moment with just our eyes doing the connection.

We sit In the living room and watch television together.

We watch movies and make out every now and then.

At about 6 pm I look at him.

“I need to shower. May I use your bathroom?” I say and he laughs . “Ofcourse babe. I'll warm our food so long okay?” he says and I nod. I head to his room where I strip naked and look at myself in the mirror. Being with Timothy has really helped me with dealing with my fears and insecurities. I am starting to be confident in my skin and body which is amazing.

I take a shower and after that I wear my pajamas but as I am about to leave the room I notice a big wooden box it’s a bit bigger than a shoe box. It’s at the corner of his bed and instantly my curiosity gets the better of me. I really want to know more about him and maybe I could find something that could help me understand him I walk towards the box and I take it and I see that it has a lock but it seems like it’s not locked and as I am about to open it his voice stops me in my tracks.

“What are you doing?” He asks his eyes dark and intense. He looks exactly the same way he looked when I first saw him. This darkness I cannot fathom. I look up at him .

“Well I saw it and I just wanted to see what it was and what was in it. I am sorry.” I say and he walks towards me.

“Somethings are better unknown to certain people Azande because the truth somehow has the ability to shatter the toughest of walls. Please just stop snooping around. The day will come when I will openly lay down my life to you and that day you might just leave me so I am not ready to lose you.” He says and I stand up and hand him the box then hold his arm.

“No matter what happens or who you are I will always love you. There is a reason why fate brought us together. There is a reason why I was drawn to you the very first day I saw you.” I tell him and he looks at me for a while and what I see in his eyes is heartbreaking, I see fear, I see pain, I see lost eyes that don’t have any drop of hope in them. Slowly a tear makes its way down his cheek and my heart breaks . He is so broken I can just see it he can’t even trust anyone or a relationship and its duration. He turns and takes keys from his drawer and leaves the room. I don’t bother following him. I wait for him to return. I hear a door opening and after a minute it closes again and I hear the key . He is locking some door. He returns and puts the key away.

“Shall we? Our food is getting cold.” He says and I nod faking a smile.

We go downstairs and he.