Raymond

Saying I was completely blown away by Eva's new look is an understatement. Her transformation took me entirely by surprise and left me utterly mesmerized. I couldn't help but stare at her, and I'm sure she caught me doing it more than a few times while I was at her place with Angel. But what struck me most was how unbothered she seemed - calm, poised, and completely in her element.

My God! How could a fifty-two-year-old woman radiate such effortless beauty and elegance? If I hadn't known her as well as I do, if I hadn't been married to her daughter for three years, I could have sworn she was thirty-seven - my age. She looked that youthful and vibrant, yet with a grace and wisdom that came only with age and experience.

I couldn't stop the flood of memories that came rushing back. I remembered when she celebrated her forty-eighth birthday. It had been a close family gathering at their house, and Tessy and I were there, still married at the time. The dining table had been filled with an array of dishes - exquisite delicacies that Eva had cooked entirely by herself.

I remember savoring the food, each bite tasting like it was made with love, while secretly marveling at her. She could have hired someone to cook or let her children take care of the arrangements, but no. She had chosen to spend her birthday sweating it out in the kitchen to ensure everyone was well-fed and happy. That was Eva - selfless to a fault.

As I watched her that day, I wondered why she felt the need to put herself through so much stress on a day that should have been all about her. She deserved to be pampered and spoiled, to sit back and let the world celebrate her. At that moment, I had fantasized about giving her the kind of birthday she deserved - a day filled with surprises, luxury, and care.

But those fantasies never came to fruition. At the time, they had been nothing more than fleeting thoughts, inappropriate considering the circumstances. Yet here I am now, with the means and the opportunity to make those fantasies a reality - not just for one day, but for every day of her life.

The thought filled me with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and determination. I had never felt this way about anyone before - not even Tessy. There was something about Eva that stirred the deepest parts of me, something that made me want to be better, to do more, to give her the world if she'd let me.

As I sat in my hotel room that night, I couldn't stop thinking about her. Her elegance, her resilience, the way she carried herself with such quiet confidence - it was all consuming. And for the first time in a long while, I allowed myself to hope.

I didn't know how she truly felt about me. I didn't know if she'd ever be able to see me as more than her ex-son-in-law. But one thing was clear - I had fallen for Eva. And I was willing to take the risk, no matter what it might cost me.

As I lay sleepless on my hotel bed, the memories of the evening played on a loop in my mind. It was just the three of us - Eva, Angel, and me - sharing a meal, laughing, and basking in the warmth of each other's presence. It felt so natural, so perfect, like the family I had always yearned for but never quite had. I couldn't stop wishing that it could always be like that - for the rest of our lives.

The thought filled me with equal parts joy and despair. I wasn't thinking about marriage - not because I didn't want it, but because I knew the reality of our situation. In the tribe we both come from, such a union would be considered not just taboo, but abominable. It was an unspoken law that relationships like ours were forbidden, a tradition deeply ingrained in our culture.

And Eva, as I knew her, would never defy those traditions. She was a woman of principle, someone who valued family and honor above all else. Even if she felt something for me - and I wasn't sure she did - she would bury it deep within her and never let it show. She would never entertain the thought of being with me in a way that society would condemn.

But what about us? What about the undeniable connection we shared, the way my heart raced when I was near her, the way she smiled at Angel, the unspoken understanding between us? Was I selfish to wish for more?

I wasn't asking for the impossible. I wasn't asking her to defy the world or to give up her dignity for me. All I wanted was a relationship that could keep the three of us - her, Angel, and me - closely knitted. I didn't care what form it took or how the world saw it. I just wanted to be a part of her life, to protect her, to love her, to make her happy.

And I did love her. Not in a fleeting, superficial way, but deeply, profoundly, with every fiber of my being. It was the kind of love that didn't demand reciprocation, that didn't need to be shouted from the rooftops. It was quiet, steadfast, and eternal.

As I stared at the ceiling, I let out a long sigh. My heart was full, yet heavy. I didn't know what the future held or if Eva would ever let me into her heart the way I longed to be. But I knew one thing for sure - I was willing to wait, to take things one day at a time, and to cherish every moment I could spend with her and Angel. For now, that was enough. My love for Eva was enough.

I woke up late the next morning, the sheets tangled around me, and a sharp, undeniable need coursing through my body. My thoughts, as vivid as a dream, were all centered on Eva. Her image consumed me - her radiant smile, the elegant way she carried herself, and those piercing eyes that seemed to see right into my soul.

I lay there, staring at the ceiling, my body betraying me with its raw need. I tried to shake the thoughts away, to suppress the guilt bubbling up within me, but I couldn't. The more I resisted, the stronger the images became, vivid and consuming, pulling me into a spiral of longing I hadn't felt in years.

She filled my imagination completely, her presence lingering like a sweet perfume I couldn't escape. My pulse raced, each heartbeat louder than the last, and a heat spread through me, relentless and unforgiving. How could one woman - one remarkable, unattainable woman - ignite such a fire within me?

I hugged my pillow tightly, as though it could offer solace, rocking gently as desire overwhelmed me. The thought of Eva, so close yet so out of reach, was maddening. What would it take to hold her in my arms, to make her mine? Could I even dare to dream of such a thing?

This wasn't just physical - though that part of me ached for her. It was deeper, more profound. I craved her presence, her laughter, her companionship. I wanted to share everything with her - my thoughts, my dreams, my life.

But was that even possible? The reality of our situation loomed over me like a dark cloud. I felt selfish and conflicted, yet the craving persisted, unrelenting and consuming.

I closed my eyes and let out a frustrated sigh, trying to calm the storm within me. But as much as I tried to suppress it, the truth was clear - I wanted Eva. All of her. And the thought of not having her, of never being able to hold her and call her mine, was a torment I wasn't sure I could endure.

Minutes later, my phone buzzed on the coffee table. I groaned, dragging myself out of bed reluctantly to answer it. It was Mr. Adebayo, signaling the start of a new workday. I couldn't afford to slack, no matter how distracted my thoughts were.

The day passed in a blur of meetings and tasks, but by the time evening rolled around, my mind had wandered back to Eva, and an idea began to form.

As the thought took shape, I grabbed my phone and dialed her number. My heart thumped in my chest, and I tried to keep my tone casual.

"How's my lady doing today?" I asked, surprising even myself with the sudden shift in my choice of words.

There was a brief pause before she laughed - a light, melodic sound that made my heart skip a beat.

"Your lady is doing well. Thank you, Ray!" she replied gaily, but there was something in her tone, a subtle shift, something new that sent a wave of warmth rushing through me.

I cleared my throat, trying to focus. "I have an idea. Why don't we dine and talk outdoors tonight?" I suggested, keeping my tone light and inviting. "I know a place that's very relaxing, not crowded, and the food is great. You'll love it."

I held my breath, silently willing her to say yes.

There was a moment of hesitation before she responded. "Okay, that sounds great, Ray. I haven't been out for a long while now, so I don't mind at all," she said, her candidness shining through as always.

"Yes!" I exclaimed, a little too enthusiastically, quickly reigning myself in. "I'll pick you up in two hours. See you soon, my lady." I hung up, a satisfied grin spreading across my face.

The realization hit me - I had just secured my first official date with Eva. Progress. Sweet, exhilarating progress. I whistled to myself as I headed to my closet to find something suitable to wear, only to be met with disappointment. None of the outfits I had brought along felt right for the occasion.

I frowned, already calculating my next move. If I was going to take Eva out, it had to be perfect, and that included my outfit. Without a second thought, I grabbed my keys and headed out, determined to find a shop where I could buy something that would do justice to the evening I was about to share with her.

As I drove through the city, a sense of excitement bubbled within me. Tonight wasn't just dinner - it was a chance to show Eva how much she meant to me. A chance to break down the barriers between us, one shared moment at a time.