THE LOVE IN ME

Chapter six

“Eve,I thought you said your company has a party so,why aren’t you making plans for it?”Mrs Nelson asked Eve who was busy playing with her neighbor’s dog, “ I am not going, I decided to go see aunty Debby today” she replied “but i thought we agreed on tomorrow?” Her mom sounds surprised at her sudden change “ and since when did you make that decision that without telling me?” She asked again “ since when I decided not to go to the party,i guess” Eve answered mischievously

“ hello happy Christmas in advance” Ella said as she runs to hug Eve “same to you girlie,damn you are killing it, looks like today is Christmas for you” Eve teased

“ oh God am I invisible?”Mrs Nelson acted

“ happy Christmas ma” Ella said as she gave her a hug “ I thought I was invisible” she teased.

“So aren’t you going to the party” Ella asked as she sat down with Mrs Nelson

“ no,and why are you guys disturbing me about it”Eve replied

“ why? I know you like parties so why aren’t you going” Ella asked

“ or you are hiding from someone?” Grandma said as she joined them

“ No!! i am not, I just want to see aunty Debby and her child”

“ too good she has left for her mother- in-law’s” grandma replies with a smirk on her face

“ what? I don’t believe that, she told me that she would stay for a while” Eve said in confidence

“ well her mother in-law asked her to come home,so she left” grandma reply

“ so that means you are going to the party right?Ella asked

“ I bet she won’t, because it’s looks like she is afraid of someone” grandma said placing a thousand dollar on a stool

“ you think I am afraid of someone?”Eve asked,sure sounds like I am,she told herself.

“ I bet,We know you are hiding something”Ella adds another thousand dollar

“ wait you’re also betting Ella? what is wrong with you” Eve asked in shock. If you don’t put things under control then you will have to be controlled by them. Eve told herself

“ so who is this person?, i am sure she is a pin in the ass for you”grandma pressured

“ no I bet it’s a he,curse that’s the only thing that makes her angry” chipped in Mrs Nelson, Eve was silent thinking of how to make them stop “ sure I was right,it’s a he”Mrs Nelson confirmed adding a thousand dollar

Eve POV

So the truth is i am trying to avoid Mike,and I really want to attend the party, but I still don’t know why i am avoiding him, just I don’t like the way I feel around him or do i ? it just don’t seem right. And if I don’t go to the party I will have to tell them what’s wrong with me which I don’t know, ahh God help me, these people are not making it easy for me, and the fact is I don’t like been dare, and they know that. “ so is it a no or a yes” Ella asked jolting me out of my thoughts

“I am going to have all that money curse I am going to prove you all wrong, i bet you won’t bet on me next time” I said collecting the money, i nearly hated my self for saying that,but I guess the music is on, now i have to dance

Mike POV

“ thank you so much, hope she is not angry?”

“ but at least she is coming,right?”

“Thank you so much”.

I remember last night after collecting Ella’s number , I told her to help me bring Eve to the party, to at least lighten her mood. And now Ella just called me and informed that he agreed to attend the party.what a girl she is anyway

Eve POV

At 4:30pm Ella and I arrived at the party the music was already on every worker wore the Christmas color lucky me i was wearing a golden dress which Ella chose for me

“ whoa you’re such a lair” I turned back and saw Cindy and carol heading towards me. Cindy was elegant as ever wearing a short red dress and heels while carol was wearing a knee length dress green in color with red embroideries on it

“ I thought you said that you can’t make it here,so what are you doing here?”

“ well won’t want to miss my first Christmas carol I guess” I replied and introduced them to Ella, we were talking when John came and told carol that Mike is looking for her, and took Ella along with him leaving me and Cindy, we walked around the company greeting everyone wishing them happy Christmas,drank some wine,actually Cindy was drinking too much and she left to ease her self. I was now alone so I walked back to the where the music was coming from, looked for a seat curse my legs were aching me due to the high heels that Ella suggested that it’s goes with dress. I watch those dancing carol was a good dancer I must say,but Cindy was total opposite, so I couldn’t help but laughed at her

Mike POV

God she will definitely kill me someday.,I couldn’t take my eyes off her, I saw the time she and Ella stepped in, her dress was so perfect, it graced her body like it was only meant for her,with her hair lose down to her back. This is the first time she is allowing her hair down since she started working here, it’s,either it’s on high ponytail or a donut. I couldn’t help it when she laughed at the dancers, her smiles melted my heart, I felt like holding her close to me and inhale her sweet cherry smell, telling her how beautiful she is, “ hello charmer” a familiar voice said jotting me off my day dreaming. “ hey Trisha,how are you? you didn’t tell me that you were coming?” i said giving her a hug “ it’s a surprise. So tell me who are you charming now?” She ask looking around “ oh I see,her right? damn you have a great taste” she remarked looking at Eve “ God!! what are you, can’t you just and keep quiet” I said in closed teeth,taking her away from there.

Eve POV

I got bored watching them dance so I looked around and found mike talking to a girl, she doesn’t looks like she works here or is she his date. The thought of that makes me weak, and jealous,damn it he really knows how to irritates me, I looked back and saw him grabbing her by the waist, and walked down the stairs I felt bitter I wanted to leave but something kept holding me back. I hate feeling this way, it makes me feel like i am failing , failing in every part of my life, and I don’t want that.

“Hello” I raised my head and saw Mike standing in front of me with the girl. She is pretty i admit,same height me I guess. He truly has a great taste in girls. The thought of that makes my mouth go sour. I managed to smile at her and returned his hello

“ I thought you said, you won’t be coming? so what happened?” He asked

“ yes I said so, and you have no idea how much I was paid just to come and grace here” I replied not minding my tone

“I see”!he said smiling, nothing was funny but he is smiling “ I see you are comedian” the girl said grinning trying not to laugh. What is funny? I asked myself

“ anyway this is my cousin Trisha, Trisha meet Eve Nelson” he introduced

“No way just your cousin, don’t mind him,I am his only cousin and best friend” Trisha added,I couldn’t help but laugh genuinely.we sat down and talked, I talked to Mike with out any grudges, it felt like I knows him from heart.we laugh I each other jokes, then I notice he had a charming smile which made my cheeks turn red,thank God for the colored lights, so you can’t see them

Mike POV

She looks gorgeous when she laughs. At least she is talking with a free mind and a happy heart,this was the first time I saw her talking for a long period of time,Ella was right she isn’t the type that stays silent and I love that about her

“Seems like the money is paying off” Ella remarks as she and John joined us

“ I guess so. And now says it time to come meet Eve, that is why you’re here” Eve joked

“ I thought that is why we paid you” Ella replied sarcastically

“ FYI,you paid me to come, not to sit alone” Eve replied

“ honestly I missed this real you”Ella said sincerely

“Then make sure you aim properly next time” Eve said sarcastically,this time making everybody laughing

“ seriously how did you two get along”John asked between chuckle

“That is what i try to figure out most of the time,but I gave up taking it as fate,because someone like me can’t tolerate what she does especially when it comes to relationships”Eve said honestly

“Then I guess you are tolerating her because you are now feeling what she feels” Trisha said. That word sank deep in Eve’s heart.

Eve POV

could it be true? no it can’t, I can’t allow myself to be toyed with the word LOVE “ no, it won’t happen, such feelings don’t work for me, and even if it does I won’t fall for it” I replied,but i had this mixed feelings that I was reminding myself and at the same time lying to my heart. I lift my head up and my eyes meet with Mike’s, his face was expressionless I wouldn’t know what he was thinking, a part of me wanted to say i was joking, but the other part remained me that I wasn’t. How could I’ve been tore between two parts,i lowered my gaze and looked towards Ella she wanted to say something but I quickly nod that is okay. Just then Adam called me to his table and introduced me to his girlfriend, Cindy and carol came along too so we chatted for a few minutes,when I went to tell Ella that I was going home Mike was no longer with them,at least he gave me space, I thought. We bid each other good night and left as I reached out side, I hope to get a cab on time it’s already 8:40pm. Someone touched me at my arm, it’s was Mike,his touch, it makes my knees go jelly, he lean closer to my ear, his lips brushing them “ do you mind if I take you home?”he asked almost in whisper, he was so close that I could perceive his scent, my heart was beating uncontrollably if not for the fact that he was holding me I would fall down, “ am waiting Eve” he urged what did he even say, looks like i lost my senses “ what did you say” I asked trying not to sound awkward “ should i take you home”he ask politely, i didn’t know when and how i said yes, but my senses came back to me as he turned on the engine there was no need to complain so I relaxed as he drove in silence.

Mike POV

“ Then I guess you are tolerating her because you are now feeling what she feels”Trisha said. I wanted to hear what she would say “ no, it won’t happen, such feelings don’t work for me, and even if it does, i won’t fall for it”Eve said, i wanted her to say it was a joke,i wanted to ask her why she is saying all this, why can’t she see that I am in love with her.I felt sad like i was wasting my time,but it’s already too late cause I am having feelings for her, when I hold her then, I noticed she was uncomfortable with my touch,she just stood numb, unable to think, her smell draws me near, I wanted to kiss let her, tell her how much i loves her, then I notice she was breathing heavily and too weak to stand. If I make her feel this way then what is wrong with her, why can’t she just admit it.now I am only head bent on making her realize how much i love her.

Eve POV

Today is Christmas, and I am feeling good and happy, I hadn’t been able to sleep well for the last four days, but last night was good I slept like a baby.remembering last night, when Mike held me made me blush.

“Happy Christmas dear” Mrs Nelson greeted as she entered Eve’s room, Eve quickly turned her face to the pillow to avoid her mom seeing the blushes “ are you okay dear?” Mrs Nelson ask as she sat beside her “ i am fine, happy Christmas, am tired, please let me sleep a little” she said like a child “if not for the fact that you want to a party last night, I would have drag you out of bed”her mom said tickling her which made Eve laughed and gave her mom a hug, with the hope that the blushes have died down.

Soon it was new year eve, Eve’s birthday.Her mom sent her out in order to do a surprise party for her,as soon as she left Mrs Nelson called Ella and ask her to invite Eve’s friends over. Ella did as she was told, she call Mike and some of her colleagues from work, they all arrived and made preparations for the birth day, Mike brought the cake and a gift. Everybody was ready and want to their hiding place.

Eve POV

“Mr?” I said trying to get his attention

“yes dear what can I do for you?” he asked with a smile

“ actually I wanted to ask if you can help me, get this tin down,it seems a little too low for me, you see?i asked jokingly returning his smile, the man laughed and helped her out “ so I guess I am too short for it” he teased. As I reached the pay desk, he offered to pay my bills but I declined,

“ come on, it’s from heart,and today is my daughter’s birthday so please” he requested politely, I had no choice than to agree, “ so can you also wish me happy birthday cause it my birthday today” I asked with a yarning eyes wanting to know how it feels like having a father, he looked me in the eye and placed a kiss on my forehead “happy birthday dear” he said holding back his tears. I felt happy for once in my life a had a glimpse of what like to have a father,

“I wish that my daughter would be brave as you where ever she is”he said wiping of the tears, “ I am really sorry if i brought back memories, i am truly sorry” I apologized as soon I realized what I did “ it okay, you had a good intentions,so don’t apologize” he assured, he would have been a great dad if fate hadn’t played it roles, I bid him goodbye before leaving on reaching home i found every where quiet, I mean not that the streets were always busy,but at least you could hear some voices around, i knocked and on one answered after several knocks the door opened making some noises, I actually planned on applying a lubricant

“ mom!, grandma grandma,i am home”i said walking in the lights were off, this was unusual what happened “mom!mom!!, grandma am back” this time fear gripped me, i dropped the bags take more steps “ mom this is no longer funny, in fact I am leaving” I took few steps forward hoping they thought I went out. The silence was eating me up,I managed to find my way through the rooms but no one was there, just then evil thoughts starts trolling into my head. As walked back to the living room their was a loud shout “Happy Birthday Eve Nelson!!!”if not for who so ever that hold me by my shoulders i would have fell down due to shock. As the light were on I looked back and found out it was Mike holding me

“ happy birthday”my mom said as she gave me a kiss on my cheeks

“ you people nearly gave me a heart attack, I was actually going to call the police, and please don’t ever leave me again” I cried while hugging her, I guess I was afraid of losing her just the way that man lost his daughter

“ come on you’re grown up for Christ sakes, stop acting like a child when you are already a woman” carol teased,faking that she was irritated

“ oh are we done with the hug episode, cause i need to taste the cake” John teased. I notice Mike was trying to avoid me, a part of me was hurt,but I guess it was the best for me.The party was great I had i good time,everybody wore a smile on their face. They brought gifts, i opened it in their presence,Cindy and carol gifted me a dress they designed with my name on it,John and the others gifted me mugs with my photo, Ella gifted me a photo of our childhood days with BFF written on it and lastly Mike gifted me a golden necklaces with a heart shaped locket“thank you so much, it’s really beautiful,to bad i am not used to wearing necklaces”I remarked

“ I know,that’s why I got you this”he replied,looking into my eyes as if he there were answers to his unreadable thoughts.At night I was unable to sleep the look in his face made me wonder what was on his mind,I tossed from one side of the bed to the other, I can’t think straight,I tried distracting my self with magazines but it was if no use, then took a bath,before I finally slept off.