Seduced by My Bestie's Brother

His birthday ?

~Thelma Pov~

I approached the three ladies with a cautious smile, curiosity bubbling inside me like a shaken soda can. It was unusually early to see anyone up and about, especially these three. What could possibly be keeping them awake at this hour? I had to find out. Composing myself, I took a deep breath and stepped closer.

“Morning, ladies,” I greeted, planting a gentle peck on each of their cheeks. My gaze quickly landed on my best friend, Recho, and I couldn’t hide the questioning look that immediately formed on my face. She noticed it, of course, but only gave me a small, knowing smile and a subtle nod toward the kitchen.

I followed her, and the sound of her footsteps behind me was oddly comforting. As soon as we reached the kitchen, I couldn’t contain myself. “What is all this about?” I asked, my voice a mix of curiosity and concern.

She studied me for a moment, her eyes searching mine as if trying to decide how much to reveal. “Are you okay, Ma?” she asked, her tone gentle but filled with a concern that only made my confusion grow.

And then it hit me, like a wave I hadn’t expected. The realization hit me with a jolt I wasn’t ready for. No… it couldn’t be. Surely it wasn’t today. But the thought refused to leave my mind. I couldn’t let it happen this way.

“It’s Rich’s birthday,” Recho said softly, confirming what my mind had already begun to piece together. My heart thumped in my chest as memories from three years ago,memories I hadn’t revisited in so long ,began to resurface.

Three years ago, on this same date, I had experienced something unforgettable. It wasn’t exactly what one would call a typical “first,” but it was the first time a man had ever really seen me… intimately. Not in the sense of s*x, but in a way that left an imprint on my very soul. That memory, vivid and powerful, was something I would carry forever.

Flashback 3years ago

I had woken that morning feeling uneasy, my body heavy with a sense of restlessness. Sleep had been fleeting, almost cruelly so. Richmond’s birthday was approaching, a day I should have been excited, but instead, a strange tension had settled over me. It wasn’t just his birthday; it was also a farewell. He was leaving for abroad, a family day marking the beginning of three long years pursuing a course I hadn’t even understood fully at the time.

I was only seventeen, yet my feelings were more complicated than anyone could understand. I had loved him from the very first moment, loved him with a depth and obsession that frightened me. But I knew I would never have him, not truly. To him, I was just a girl, too young to be taken seriously. And besides, Richmond was the kind of man who drew everyone’s attention effortlessly. Every girl he wanted was at his feet, and the thought of that consumed me with a mixture of jealousy and longing.

That morning, my emotions were a tangled mess. I felt low, almost hollow. The reality of his departure was sinking in, and I couldn’t bear it. Sleep had eluded me entirely, leaving me vulnerable to thoughts I tried desperately to suppress.

“Are you okay?” Recho’s voice had punctuated my despair, a steady presence that forced me to answer, even if dishonestly.

“I’m fine… just a little cold, that’s all,” I had said, forcing a smile I didn’t feel. She had nodded, her expression betraying a hint of dissatisfaction, but she hadn’t pressed further.

The day unfolded with preparations for the celebration. The party was to be held on the rooftop, a beautiful space adorned with colorful decorations and bustling with excitement. Recharah, Richmond’s mother, acted as the MC, welcoming guests with warmth and pride.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to this special occasion,” she began, her voice quivering slightly with emotion. “Today, we celebrate not only my son’s birthday but also his journey abroad. As a mother, there is no greater joy than witnessing the progress of your child.”

Her words brought tears to her eyes, and Richmond moved to her side, squeezing her hand in a silent gesture of comfort. I watched them, my heart twisting. The love and pride between mother and son were almost painful to witness. I imagined what it would be like to have Richmond’s attention in that way, exclusively, entirely. The thought made my chest ache with longing.

Then came the moment I dreaded and anticipated simultaneously. Recharah, in her warmth and excitement, gave me instructions I wasn’t ready to follow.

“Go to his bedroom and tell him to come.”

My body froze. My mind screamed at me to protest, to send Recho instead, but fear held my tongue. Any suspicion could ruin everything. Slowly, carefully, I moved toward his room, each step heavier than the last. My heart pounded in my chest as I neared the door, each knock sending tremors of anticipation and dread through me.

The room was in typical teenage disarray, clothes and books scattered, a testament to his chaotic lifestyle. And yet, in the midst of this chaos, he was there.

I froze as he suddenly wrapped his arms around my waist. Panic surged through me, but his voice, low and husky, calmed me in ways I couldn’t explain.

“Relax. I don’t bite,” he said.

The effect was immediate, as if some invisible control had been placed over me. Slowly, reluctantly, I obeyed as he released me, though my legs still trembled. The tension between us was palpable, a dangerous mix of fear, desire, and forbidden curiosity.

“Turn around,” he commanded.

I obeyed instinctively. And there he was—in his pajamas, casual and unguarded, yet commanding in a way that made my thoughts spiral. I wanted to flee, to scream, but my body betrayed me, caught in the gravitational pull of him.

END FLASHBACK

“Are you okay, girl?” Recho’s voice pulled me back to the present. I blinked rapidly, trying to shake off the memories that had taken hold of me.

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. “I’m fine,” I said, forcing a smile. But inside, I was anything but fine.

The morning passed in a blur of activity. We arranged decorations, prepared food, and ensured that everything was perfect for Richmond’s celebration. Yet, no matter how busy I tried to be, my mind kept wandering back to the past, to that memory that had left such an indelible mark on my heart.

By the time guests arrived, the rooftop was alive with laughter, music, and the soft hum of conversation. Recharah welcomed everyone with warmth, her pride evident in every word. Richmond, handsome and confident as ever, moved among the guests, greeting friends and family.

And I, standing on the edge of the crowd, felt that familiar pang in my chest,the mix of desire, longing, and frustration that had haunted me for years.

When the celebration reached its peak, Recharah’s eyes glistened with tears as she expressed her joy over her son’s achievements and journey ahead.

Richmond, ever the attentive son, held her hand gently, grounding her emotions with his calm presence. I watched, captivated, imagining what it would be like if he looked at me with that same tenderness.

Then came the moment of truth. Recharah turned to me, her smile warm but her eyes twinkling with mischief.

“Go call him from his room,” she instructed.

I hesitated, frozen in place. My heart raced, and my stomach twisted in knots. Every instinct screamed at me to refuse, but I knew I couldn’t. Slowly, I made my way to his bedroom, each step echoing my inner turmoil.

As I reached the door, memories of that long-ago morning surged back, and I felt a strange mixture of fear and anticipation. I knocked, and after a tense moment, the door creaked open to reveal him, casual and unbothered, yet holding an unspoken power over me.

My pulse quickened, my thoughts scattered, and I realized that some feelings never truly fade, they just lie in wait, ready to consume you at the most unexpected moments.

And as I stood there, on the threshold of the past and present, I understood something fundamental. Some memories, some desires, are too powerful to ignore.