FLAMING HEART

TWENTY FOUR - CONFESSION

Dedicated to Aisha Muhammed for showing this book lots of love and being its first follower. Thank you so much.

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"I have always been a man to get all I want, but you? Most of the time, I can't sleep. All I think about is you." - Francis

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They sat still; staring at the comforting sight of the lake and listening to birds sing in perfect tunes. The garden was almost empty with few people hanging around.

"This place is very beautiful. As much as I would have loved to stay here for a very long time, I need to get home before the others return."

Francis nodded, "I understand. But relax, you won't get into trouble."

Obioma turned to look at him then. "Thank you once again for all that you bought for me."

"It's no big deal." Francis smiled.

"I hope you didn't get into trouble with Uju. She didn't look very happy." She blurted out before she could stop herself.

Francis laughed, "You make it look like Uju is my mum or something."

"But she is your girlfriend. I heard you two are engaged for marriage." Obioma muttered.

"Who told you that?" Francis asked; looking genuinely surprised but Obioma looked ahead instead; ignoring him as she continued.

"You two are destined to be together and honestly, you look so good together." Her stomach tightened into knots and she felt a lump building in her throat. Her emotions were having the better of her and she wanted to stop but just couldn't. "You are her Mr Right and you love her so much." The urge to cry was overwhelming her and she couldn't help but sniffle a bit. "She loves you too and she's your class. She is -"

"Shut up." Francis said softly and she turned to look at him.

"You don't know what you're talking about. Mr right my foot." He scoffed and Obioma's eyes widened.

"She is your partner, Francis. What are you saying?"

"Yea, yeah. I know. Partner that was forced on me." He blurted out without thinking. Obioma gasped and Francis's face was an expression of shock; surprised he had said that loud. He got up then and Obioma watched him stand by the water. She stared at his back; trying to digest all that she had heard. She waited for him to say more but all she got was silence. Taking the bull by the horn and summoning all the courage she could muster, she stood up and walked to stand in front of him. He looked shocked by her gesture but she stood still; folding her arms and looking deep into his eyes - something she found difficult to do. She studied him; noticing that his pupils were brown and a bit transparent.

"What do you mean by a forced partner?"

Francis sighed and brought his palms to his face.

"I don't want to talk about it."

"You have to tell me."

"Why?" He asked to her surprise.

"Because. . ." She waved her arms in the air. "Because you can't bring me here and start speaking in parables."

Francis sighed and looked away from her; focusing his eyes on something else. She stood for a while not knowing what to do or say. She shook her head slowly then and turned to go. Luckily she had kept some amount of money in her bag so she could transport herself back home. But Francis caught her by the wrist and held her back in place; staring deep into her eyes.

"What is it?" She glared at him.

"I'll tell you everything." He assured her and she relaxed.

"I and Uju have been friends for quite a long time. She was introduced to me by my father. Her uncle happens to be my father's business partner and so they felt it would be a great idea to get us married. At first, when I found out my father's intention, I was pissed." He exhaled and shut his eyes. "I liked her quite alright but not to the extent of getting married to her. I wanted a girl younger in age but no one listened to me. All they cared about was securing some stupid business deal. Well, I decided to give the whole thing a chance since there was nothing I could do." He opened his eyes and stared at her. "I felt since I liked her kind of person, perhaps if I got to know her more, I would love her but then, I still haven't. I care about her quite alright, but . . . I care about you more." He blurted out and Obioma gasped and took a step back out of reflex and he winced at that.

"I don't understand what I feel yet and I've been trying my best to control it but. . . I can't. I haven't felt this way before. I've always been a man to get what I want without working for it, but you? Most of the time, I can't sleep. All I think about is you. It might sound crazy and unreal to you but. . . I don't even know what the f**k I'm saying." He laughed uneasily.

Obioma was dumbfounded and so stared at him. She watched him avoid her eyes and wondered how roles had switched.

"Why did you want to see me again?" She asked quietly; Everything was moving so fast.

Francis sighed heavily, "Honestly, I don't know. Perhaps, to say this. . . Or just to see your face again; spend time with you; hear you laugh and watch you talk?" He looked at her then and those indescribable emotions came rushing into his eyes again. She couldn't understand them before but now she did. It was love.

"Francis." She whispered. She felt weak. Things were falling into place. All she had ever asked for was finally coming to her. If it was a dream, she would give up her life for this. Standing there and staring into his eyes, nothing else mattered: not the time, her house mates, Uju or her brain. This was where she wanted to be: with him.

Francis took a big step; closing the space between them. She could feel his hot breath fanning her nose. He was so close, she could count his lashes if she wanted to. They locked gaze as Francis's eyes bore deeply into hers. Her lips parted unconsciously and Francis's eyes fell on them.

"You don't know what you do to me, OB." He tilted his head and moved closer to her. Her eyelid fluttered close at impulse even when she had never been kissed before by anyone. She could feel the heat of the tension at the close rate of proximity they shared. Her heart thudded loudly and she felt it would burst soon. She leaned in and waited impatiently for his lips and when they finally met hers, she almost fell but Francis was quick to wrap strong arms around her; holding her in place. For a moment, she was frozen and couldn't return his kiss but when he sucked at her bottom lips, she lost her senses and her body took control. He bit her lips gently; urging her to give way and she granted him entrance into her mouth. The touch of their tongues ignited sparks in them. Their lips moved in sync as they kissed passionately.

While they kissed, she wondered what to do with her hands. She wanted to touch him but just didn't know how to and she didn't want to do anything that would break this kiss or provoke him. So she stood akimbo as his tongue raked her mouth. But then, she felt she would fall if she held nothing so she wrapped her arms around his neck.

Their kiss deepened and Francis fed on her lips like his life depended on it. All Obioma could do was melt in his arms giving him total authority: strong muscular arm which brought nothing but comfort.

★ ★ ★

It was Sunday and everyone had retired to their respective rooms after church; taking a nap or doing whatever they wanted. Obioma was not exempted as she laid on her bed; staring at the ceiling. Back in church, the topic had been about love and the preacher had preached so immensely on love. While he preached, Obioma couldn't help but relate everything to Francis though the preacher talked about the love of Christ. Her mind was centered on Francis and what he was doing that moment. Was he thinking about her? He did say he thought of her every night do he could right now. Her lips stretched to a broad smile at this and she swirled to the side of her bed. Her phone was lying by her side incase there was a call for her.

Now, she felt she understood Francis better. She had finally found the answer to the question that had been on her mind for so long. It was good to know Francis was not in love with Uju but only forced to be with her.

"Who's the boss now?" She said quietly as her grin got wider. She had beaten the Almighty Uju in the game of 'the love of Francis'. She felt like running to Uju's room and screaming at the top of her voice: I got him! She began to laugh at this thought; images of the kiss they had shared flooding her memory. She placed a finger on her lips; remembering how soft and sweet Francis's lips felt on hers. She buried her face in her pillow; giggling stupidly and wishing to see him again. Despite her being with him the day before, she ached to see him again. It felt like it had been forty years since they last met. 

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A/N: Hold up! What exactly is going on? Are these two now in a relationship or what? What about Uju? 

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