A/N

This chapter is dedicated to @chiboynmereole, though it's his brother's account. He's been an inspiration the last few days. His phone spoilt, so he's not been online for a long time. So maybe or maybe not, I miss him. Unfortunately 😶.

And just so you know, he's our favorite character- Kelechi!!!! 😏

So, yeah, KC if you see this, just know it's for you. Don't be flattered. I'm just doing this for fun. 😑

A BAD FEELING...

★★★★

Richard and I were the only ones in the huge mansion when I was there.  I thought I'd feel insecure, but I found myself at home. Except Mathew was nagging about an impending danger. Whatever it was.

"Do you want to talk about it?" He asked when he saw I was comfortable. I shook my head. No. It'll make me see Gabriel as a bad person. And I know that he's not anything close to that.

"I need water though."

"Sure." I took my time to look around. Without a lot of people the house looked cool. I could see expensive vases and cool artwork on the walls. Quite manly. Just like him.

I didn't know my reason for coming here. To cool down? To be far from Gabriel at the moment? Probably. I felt so stressed. Heck, I'm stressed!

Richard brought the water, room temperature, and I calmed down.

"Gabriel and I kinda quarreled."

"It's normal. He's probably still angry about us. He hates my guts. I still don't know why."

"Really? Hmm. He told me it was a high school issue. I decided not to press on. He hardly tells me personal stuff."

"That's him for you, babe. I just hope he didn't hurt you with his words or anything."

"Nahh. I was surprised he'd talk- I was just angry he broke up with Elizabeth in such a short time."

"Hey, don't look at me. I have no idea how his brain works either. He became distant after we left his house and-"

"And what?" He was silent. "You're not gonna tell me too? Urgh!"

"Sorry. It's his story to tell. I promised him I won't spill."

"Well, tell me your story."

"I left with my dad after he got a better investment. Things were good for us then."

"That can't be all."

"Well, Gabriel's story continues."

"Tell me," I whined. I really wanted to know. Gabriel never enjoyed any high school topic. It was always sensitive. Now this A-hole won't give me a hint.

"Nope."

I feigned annoyance, and turned my back to him. Guess who I'm not talking to for another hour. Richard Wilson!

"Mona? Baby? Babe? Sweet? Love?" Tempting names... But this girl won't be tempted till she gets what she wants. After his failed attempts to woo me with names, I didn't hear anything from him again. I guessed he gave up.

As I turned to laugh at his failed attempts, his lips were on mine. It's becoming a habit. One I don't think I'll ever let go. I didn't want to kiss him back, just so he'd know I was angry, but I couldn't resist. Yah, well, I've got to enjoy my relationship right?

I remembered my promise to take his shirt off, which was quite tempting. And I did. Slowly. He was wearing a sweatshirt, so I took the shirt off. Jeez, I've gotten morale oo.

Richard was shirtless in front of me. Toned abs, hairless chest, and armpits. Yeah, I won't want a boyfriend with hairs all over his pits. The desire to lick his chest was strong, but I resisted. Won't want to get his sweat in my system.

We stopped for a while, a little distance between us. I was still fully dressed while he was shirtless. I didn't want to go far. I guessed he could tell.

"You took my shirt off?" He wiggled his brows, and I laughed. "Who taught you that move?" He said, leaning back to give me kisses on my neck and face. Note, they were ticklish.

"Ow, stop that," I couldn't help giggling. "Ri- ch-h-a-r-d," I tried to call out. He didn't stop the toture of his lips on my neck. Mmh. When he saw that I was getting comfortable with it, he stopped. "No," I whined.

"Tell me, where did you summon that courage from?"

"You." We were silent. My hands were around his neck, but I brought it to his hair again. He closed his eyes. He looked, wow. So, I kissed his chest.

"Ahh," he screamed like a little girl. I couldn't stop laughing. A guy like him squealing like a girl that just saw a rat.

The couch wasn't so comfortable again. How we were in this position? I have no idea. He got up, and his weight and body warmth left. Bummer. Richard had been an awesome partner for the past weeks and a great friend. It's like he replaced Gabriel, but, Gabriel's not someone that can be replaced easily. I felt bad again.

"Gabriel's on your mind again?" Richard asked. We were both on our feet and Richard was still shirtless. He pecked me.

"Yeah, but I'm good now. Thanks to you."

"Anytime," he smiled. Cute! I found myself in his arms, hugging him. Tight. "Hey, watch the muscles there kiddo."

"Shut up, I'm not a kid. You are."

"Then I'm a sexy one." A-hole. "Let me drop you off?"

"Sure."

Richard carried me to his car and took me back to my hostel. We said our goodbyes and love you's. He gave me a peck that I didn't reciprocate, because he insisted on hiding his high school life with Gabriel.

I entered my dorm room and Elizabeth was there. She looked pale. I felt so bad for her, as a friend. When I entered, she looked up happily, but when she saw me, she wore a frown immediately. Jeez.

"Hey."

"Yah."

"I'm really sorry about this Gabriel situation. I'm even weirded out. I didn't think he'd actually do that to yo-"

"Can we not talk about it? You don't have to pretend Mona. Really."

"I'm not trying or pretending. I thought he was actually-"

"Stop it!" I'd never seen Lizz this angry. She never lost her cool. Even when I 'borrowed' her car without her permission.

"I'm sorry." I didn't say any other thing. I decided to read for my law assignment. The case with the child and grandmother. It was confusing at a point, so I decided to leave it for another day.

Elizabeth was on her laptop when I went in the bathroom to take a night bath. It felt like I was washing the stress of the day out. Gabriel and Lizzy and Richard out. No, Richard in, please. I dried my hair and came out to chat a little and prepare for bed, but Lizzy was with my phone.

"What are you doing with my phone?" I asked suspiciously. I didn't mind that she was using it, but after being annoyed with me minutes ago, she couldn't be doing something good with my​ phone.

"Nothing," she said, throwing the device on my bed, and laying back on hers like nothing happened. Hmm. Strange.

I decided to let it go, and I plugged my phone. I couldn't argue with her again. Even my lawyer sense says sleep is needed. Always listen to the words of a lawyer.

Something woke me up at four in the morning. A song by Billie Eilish, 'Everything I wanted.' That's my ringtone!

I looked at the screen and saw Mom on it. Mom's calling by this time? Ohh, it's probably nine a.m. there sef. I picked the call.

"Hey Mom," I said, happy she actually called me, with the VAT and all.

"Why didn't you pick my call?"

"Your call? I didn't see any missed calls here oo."

"I called you like ten times nwa a(this child) and sent a lot of messages. Why haven't you replied?"

I checked my phone messages but didn't see any. "Mama, there's nothing here o-" No. Elizabeth couldn't have. I looked over to her side of the room where she was quietly snoring. She won't dare.

"Just- it's okay! I have message for you, nwa m(my child). I don't know how to tell you."

"Mama just say. Has brother Jude finally married? Hei! Let me see if I'll come back sef."

"Munachi," my mom's voice was low, sad. It sounded like the time she wanted to tell me the news of her miscarriage. I'd been praying for a little sister before I heard the news. It was something else this time.

"Mama, gini mere?(What happened?) I asked in my dialet. Still proud of it.

"Kelechi was in an accident."

The phone slipped.

_____________________________________

Yayyyyy!! The books is halfway through!!! This is the climax of our book, baby!!!!

I'm sorry for the late update though. Been working on my new book Bonded by Chords. Please go check it out. It's a fantasy romance novel.

If you like this chapter don't forget to vote and comment okay?🙈

Munaloves y'all ❤