Unmasking Love

Abyss of Deceit

6:27 PM

Sophia stood patiently in front of the pizza shop with a customized nylon in her hand. Her eyes darted around, left to right and then left again and finally to her phone. She was waiting for Alex. He had told her that his house is situated around here and that he was on his way.

"Mummy, I want Pizza". A young girl of about seven years old tapped her Mum. Sophia looked at them in envy as the woman walked closer to the pizza shop and ordered one. The girl giggled in happiness and beckoned her mother to come down to her height. When her mother did, she pecked her and they both giggled. It reminded Sophia of Clio and how cute she has always been.

"Babe" Alex called from a distance and waved at her. Sophia turned to his direction and her mouth curved into a beautiful smile. She half - ran towards him and engulfed him in a tight embrace while sniffing his perfume. Watching the girl and her mother had awakened the child in her and she knew that she could only be a child in his embrace. Alex's eyes widened in surprise. Time stopped in his head as her hands were wrapped around his waist. The sweet smell of her shampoo hit his nostrils and he found himself inhaling it. He finally relaxed and hugged her tiny frame.

"Did you wait for so long?" He asked and broke the hug.

"No, I didn't. I miss you" She pouted childishly and held onto him with her free hand.

"I miss you too". He bent to her and pecked her lips.

"We are outside" Sophia whispered in an alarming tone and hit him playfully on his chest.

"So, you didn't know when you jumped on me some minutes ago" He smiled at her knowingly. Her face turned red in a blush and she looked down shyly.

"Shall we?" He said and offered his hand. She put her hand in his, and he held it as they both walked towards his apartment.

"Let me help you with that" he said, and collected the parcel from her.

"I brought pizza and drinks", She intoned and bit her lips hesitantly. "I cooked too"

"You cooked?" Alex's eyes bulged out in surprise.

"Yes" She replied shyly as they climbed the stairs.

Alex had told Marcus to find him an apartment in a modest neighborhood, and he did just that. They furnished it modestly as he requested, but deep down he knew that Marcus would still over do it. He hadn't come to check it, but Marcus had sent him pictures, and he was satisfied with it. It was a rooftop house. Marcus had told him that it had a room, a sitting room, a kitchen and a restroom; all moderate sizes.

They walked up the staircase hand in hand while chatting happily. Alex sighed when he saw the clean space in front of the house. Fresh watered plants stood in designated corners and a rope for spreading clothes was there too.

"I see you love plants" Sophia squealed.

"Yes". He scratched his head. He doesn't even know the names of the plants.

"I see. It's a nice space. I love it, it's spacious", she commented while looking around. Alex took out the key and inserted it into the keyhole. He mumbled a prayer in his mind before opening the door and going inside, while Sophia followed and the door was closed.

"Wow", she muttered in admiration. Alex, too, was impressed with the modest but beautiful setting of the room, but he felt choked in such a tiny space. There were two brown couches and a milk-colored mini center table in the middle. The room was painted with milk color too and the curtains were a mixture of brown and milk. The rug felt soothing against his feet. The colors blend together, and it looks pleasing to the sight. Alex could see the tiny kitchen adjoining the sitting room. There was a mini fridge and a gas cooker with two burners and every kitchen utensil that was necessary.

"Welcome to my little space, lady Sophia. Make yourself comfortable" he intoned while making a mocking servant signatory bow.

"You call this little. I love interior design. Did you do this yourself?" She asked and settled on the couch.

"Actually, my friend who is into interior decorations did it" he lied. He didn't have a friend who was into such things.

"He's good at what he does", she complimented, and he nodded. Then he sat down beside her. The silence stretched again and the small round, but glittery gold clock on the wall announced its presence by its faint tick-tock sound.

"Why don't . . ."

"We should . . ." They both said at the same time and turned to face each other. Suddenly, the two-seater couch felt tight. Their faces got closer to each other with each passing second. Sophia looked at him vulnerably as her blood boiled with desire. She bites her lips unconsciously and closes her eyes in anticipation. Just as their lips were about to touch, a phone rang, jolting them out of their act. Alex stood up abruptly.

"F*CK" Alex mumbled inaudibly as he fetched his phone from his pocket. He cursed under his breath when he saw that it was Marcus. He picked it up grudgingly.

"Hello boss", Marcus intoned.

"Yes" Alex replied in vexation. He had intruded in a private moment and what he was about to say, on the other hand be important.

"Are you at the apartment already? Did I do well? I know I have a niche for interior decorations. Will you invest in it if I start now, boss?" Marcus asked expectantly and rambled on the phone. Alex dabbed his forehead in frustration.

"Marcus" he spoke menacingly in a low tone. He was a few feet away from Sophia, who was looking around shyly.

"Yes boss" Marcus responded.

"Do you love your job?" He questioned.

"Yes boss," Marcus was alarmed.

"Do not call me tonight" he said sternly.

"But boss, aren't you coming home tonight? I thought I would be there to pick . . ." Marcus was cut short as Alex hung up on him.

"That talkative". He scoffed and locked his phone. He turned and walked back to Sophia, who was avoiding his gaze. He scratched his head in confusion about what to say too.

"The food," he said at last.

"Yes, the food" Sophia replied rather awkwardly. "Your kitchen?" She asked in a vague manner while standing up stiffly.

"This way" he pointed, and led the way. Sophia made sure to breathe while following him like a meek cow. They went to the kitchen and Alex assisted her to bring out the souvenir packs out of the nylon.

"You really did a lot" he exclaimed in appreciation. The aroma wafted into his nostrils and he was already salivating.

"You don't look like your cook" She loosened up and laughed out loud.

"Do you mean I don't feed well?" He asked and feigned a frown while leaning in towards her. They were both facing each other.

"No, that's not what I mean . . ." Her long eyelashes fluttered innocently as she tried to explain.

"Do you mean I don't look energetic?" He said cunningly, and flexed his muscles as he held onto the counter. Sophia's heart raced wildly as her eyes darted to his muscles.

"No, I mean . . ." The words got stuck in her throat when she felt her feet leaving the ground. He just carried her up as if she weighed nothing.

"Do you want me to show you?" He asked.

Without thinking, she wrapped her legs around him and his lips slammed on hers hungrily.