Nick arrived at Jasper's place and went inside. He saw the latter laying on the sofa, prostrate without his mask.
''Wow!!! How long has it being since I saw this face? How I missed this face.'' Nick said sarcastically as he sat across Jasper. ''Tell me, why did you suddenly ask me to meet you here?''
''I need you to examine me.'' Jasper stated.
An elderly woman came out of the kitchen and served them a glass of juice each before going back.
''Why? Did you touch a woman?''
''Just examine me. How do I look? Do I look fine?'' Jasper sat up and stretched forth his arms towards Nick.
''You really did touch a woman?'' Nick chuckled. ''Tell me, who is she? Who is so unlucky?''
''I think you have made enough money been a doctor. How about going on early retirement?'' Jasper threatened.
''No, I will just examine you.'' Nick moved closer and held Jasper's hands. He checked him up thoroughly saying. ''You don't seem to have any allergic reaction. Did something happen?'' Nick picked the glass of juice to drink.
''I kissed her last night.'' Jasper said and Nick spat the juice out from his mouth. ''What is that? So gross!'' Jasper frowned.
''Kissed? Who did you kiss? Wait, don't tell me is that little girl?''
''I must be sexually frustrated. I don't know why I even did that.''
''Jasper I think you need to sleep with a woman. Right, I almost forgot you can't because of your allergic reaction to women.''
''She must think I'm a pervert!'' Jasper said and leaned against the sofa.
''When did this happen?''
''Last night!''
''But, you didn't get any reaction from touching her. You've been fine for the last 12 hours since that happened?''
''Yes, that is what is strange. I should have but till now, I am fine.'' Jasper thought about the situation and found it strange.
''Jasper I think we found the cure to your illness.''
''What do you mean?''
''That girl, that girl is your cure man!'' Nick said excitedly.
''What nonsense are you talking about? That girl is in high school. She is underage.''
''You heard her yourself, she is almost 18 years. She will be 18 in a month time. Besides, the legal age in this country is seventeen.''
''No way, there is no way I am going to be with that girl. I have someone I love. I just need her close to make sure I am really healed.''
''Who? Are you still hoping that she will come back to you after all these years? Jasper, she couldn't even handle the fact that you wouldn't be able to touch her for the rest of her life. She won't ever come back.''
''She will. I just need to find the cure to this illness. If I have to use that girl to heal and be with Lilian, then I will.''
''Wow!!! You're just being the exact person everyone says you are. You want to use an innocent girl for your selfish gains. Just to have Lilian back? I can't believe you, man.'' Nick shook his head.
''You said it yourself; that girl might just be my cure.''
''Exactly, but I didn't say you could use her in this way. Jasper. I will not be a part of it. I won't allow you to use that innocent girl like that. What if she falls in love with you? Or worse, you fall in love with her?"
''I need to sleep. I won't be seeing you out.'' Jasper said and stood up going to his room.
Jasper closed the door and went to stand by the window.
He looked at the house next door and saw the light on.
''She came back. She really has no fear.'' He muttered.
…..
''You must tell me everything. I didn't get to really listen well because you were flustered and all that.'' Clara said as she brought out a big bottle of cola.
She joined Inayah in the hall and they sat down to eat the pizza they ordered.
''Are you that interested in my life?'' Inayah furrowed her brows.
''Of course, you're not only my cousin; you are my best friend.''
''Really?'' Inayah looked at her with a complicated gaze.
She wanted to ask Clara about what she heard over the phone, but she really didn't know how to.
''So, tell me already!''
''Yesterday, he told me…'' Inayah felt a shiver when she thought about his words back there. she shook her head. ''Why did he do that, Clara? He clearly has no interest in me.''
''Wait!!!! Inayah, that name tattooed on your shoulder.'' Clara exclaimed.
''What about it?''
''The name… what was the name again?'' Clara stood up and helped Inayah take off her cardigan leaving her blouse.
''Hey, what's wrong you are scaring me?''
''Is J.M!'' Clara looked at the initials, a thought coming to her mind.
''Of course I know that; is on my body after all.''
''Don't you still get it?''
''Get what?''
''Okay, what is on your shoulder is the exact initials that the devil has.''
Inayah busted into a fit of laughter. ''What? Clara, I think you should cut down on the romance novels that you read."
"What exactly are you trying to say? That the tattoo on my back has the initials of the devil? Then, what does that make me? His wife? Girlfriend? Ahaha that is so not funny!''
Clara didn't seem to be joking, as she emphasized. ''J.M. Jasper Miles. Ayah, those are his initials. Even the latest air conditioner made by their company has that initials on it.''
''Clara, can we stop talking about this already? I really feel like killing that man for taking my first kiss like it was nothing. He didn't even apologise for doing it.'' Inayah didn't want to think about it.
It was scary to even think of that.
A few hours later, Clara fell asleep and Inayah covered her with the quilt. She stood by her window and sighed.
''I should avoid him. Nothing good comes out of provoking him Inayah. Just stay away from him. He is trouble.''
Inayah was thinking about the initials on her shoulder when her phone buzzed and she looked at it. ''Noah?'' she frowned before answering it. ''Hello!''
''Come outside!''
''Are you outside my house?'' Inayah asked and picked her hoodie. She wore it over her light blue nightwear and went out of the house.