FLAMING HEART

TWENTY NINE: CHARLES

"Playing hard to get?  You don't have to. I will take care of you and buy you whatever you need. I'm very rich." - Charles

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Obioma woke up very late the next morning. Feeling tired and sick from crying herself to sleep the previous night, she stood up and walked into the bathroom to freshen up. She had switched off her phone the previous night so switching it on brought to her knowledge Francis's text. She sighed inwardly as she opened the message to read. He was apologizing for what he said and promised to fix things soon.

Perhaps, she had been hard on him, she thought. She made a mental note to call him later in the day.

As she walked through the sitting room to go to the kitchen, she saw Evelyn watching a music video; doing some funny moves to the beats. Obioma tried not to laugh out loud so as not to draw attention to herself, since she hadn't been noticed yet. She quietly walked into the kitchen and began fixing some quick meal for herself. She could see a spaghetti wrapper in the trash can so she knew they had all eaten.

She had really woken up late and it was a wonder why she had been left to sleep that long. If everyone was indifferent to her sleeping late, Evelyn would never be. It was surprising seeing Evelyn dancing like nothing had happened without raining insults on her or 'pouring water' on her like her the other day. Could it be the fight of the other time was taming the fierce Evelyn? Obioma chuckled loudly.

Sharon had come to knock at her door the previous night but she had not opened up. Obioma felt her behaviour to Sharon was uncalled for and she made a mental note to apologise when she saw her. It was difficult to comprehend how a problem or a fiasco could change the way you relate with others who had nothing to do with your problem. She had taken out her a anger on poor Sharon for nothing sake.

Obioma sighed deeply, now feeling bad as she took her bowl of noodles into her room. Evelyn was still dancing crazily: this time around, stooping and arching. Obioma wondered where she got her dance inspiration. They were really stupid. She plop to her bed and crossed her legs as she did justice to the food in her bowl. A music by Asa was playing from her phone and she slowly nodded her head to the tune.

It was not until noon she finally completed all that she had set out for herself that day. She had done her laundry and had tidied her room. She walked to the sitting room to rest; hoping that Evelyn had gone into her room or something so she could have the television to herself and watch a show she had come to love. She would had gone to the salon to meet Sharon but she was very weak and couldn't imagine herself walking around; giving attachments and lighting up candles. Making hair was sure a work on its own.

To her luck, Evelyn was no where to be found but the television was on and the music videos were still on. Obioma sat comfortably on one of the sofas; tuning the channel to another and relaxing back in the chair. Seeing the television on without anyone watching it was something Obioma had taken as normal. Evelyn was fond of doing such and Obioma had accepted that.

The knock on the door puzzled her as she stood up to see who it was. Could it be one of the house mates? Or could it be Francis? Shaking her head vehemently, she turned the door knob; revealing the smiling face of a bearded young man with dreadlocks falling on his shoulder; lips black and eyes bloodshot; displaying a golden tooth.

Obioma was taken aback by this sight.

"Sir!" She called out; wondering why he was around again. Didn't he know the route to Chiamaka's office or was he here to see Evelyn? Obioma couldn't tell.

"Obioma, how are you? Can I come in?" He asked her and she nodded.

"Yes, of course."

She gave way for him to get into the house - memories of how Evelyn had reacted when she refused to let him in the first time replaying in her mind. She was not in the mood to be at logger heads with Evelyn so she let him in. He sat on the sofa she had been sitting on; pulling off the native cap he had on his head and rubbing his face with his rings filled fingers. He was sure rich and Obioma couldn't help but admire his pair of shoes which looked like they had been polished with brass.

"What can I offer you?" Obioma asked him.

"A glass of juice would do." He smiled at her.

"Okay. I'll call Evelyn. I think she is in her room." She informed and Charles nodded.

She quickly served him a glass of juice and then went to Evelyn's room to inform her about her visitor. Unfortunately, Evelyn was not in her room though her door was opened. Obioma walked into the room; wondering if she was in the toilet but she wasn't. Obioma's heart skipped a bit. Could it be Evelyn left the house without informing her? Could she be playing a stupid game or what was going on? Obioma couldn't comprehend. She decided to inform Charles about this since he had come for Evelyn.

He had finished the glass of juice and was pouring more into his glass when Obioma walked in. His eyes rove around her body: from her toe to her head and from her head back to her toe. Obioma didn't like that look so she frowned and when he noticed, he smiled in embarrassment. She cleared her throat and stood some distance away from him.

"Neither Chiamaka nor Evelyn is around."

"Oh! Where did Evelyn go?"

"I don't know. She didn't tell me. I never knew she was not even around. Let me call her." She picked her phone and began dialing Evelyn's number but Charles stopped her.

"Don't bother dear. I'll just come back later. For Evelyn to be away, it means it's very important."

Obioma laughed; suddenly feeling relieved, "That's what I thought."

Charles laughed and sip at his juice. "So you're the only one at home then." He looked at her and she nodded.

Charles smiled at that and then sipped at his juice some more. "Go get a tumbler, Oby. Let's drink for a while before I leave. I'll like to know you more. I know everyone in this house so I should know you too."

"It's not like it is mandatory to know me." Obioma shook her head. "Besides, I don't know what you'd like to know about me. I'm just a girl Uloma brought from the village and I just finished eating so I'm filled up. Thanks for the drink, sir." She smiled at him but he frowned.

"Please, don't call me sir."

Obioma bit her lip and nodded; wondering what was with the city boys and not wanting to be addressed as sir. Back in the village, most people loved to be called sir and ma, but it was quite different here.

"Sit down, Oby. Why are you standing like a guard? Take a seat." He patted his side of the sofa.

Obioma reluctantly sat but there was a great distance between the both of them.

Charles smiled in a quirky way as he watched her." Why did you leave your village?" He began.

"Why did you leave your village also?" Obioma fired back; suddenly feeling uneasy. She silently prayed for Evelyn's return.

He laughed heartily with his mouth opened; displaying his gold tooth. Obioma stared at his black lips and wondered how on earth a human's lips could be that black.

"You're a funny girl. Do you know that?" He let out a goofy grin. "Well, I wasn't conceived here. My parents were on a vacation in America when my mum conceived me. My parents are successful business people just as I am. My dad have various businesses in various countries. I didn't want to rely on my father's businesses so I started mine. I've been traveling to various countries to oversee my business and also to expand it. I just returned from China but I'll be traveling to Germany in a month time. My father has various houses both in Lagos and outside Lagos. The houses are occupied by tenants. I'm the third son of my father but I'm the most successful of all." He boasted and Obioma wondered why he was saying all that to her. She nodded; wishing he would go already.

"Did you get the gift I sent to you?" He asked.

"Yes, I did." She lied, not ready to embark on a spiel on how she had gotten into a fight with Evelyn all for a gift she didn't get to see. "Forgive my manners. Thank you so much for the gift. I appreciate it." She smiled at him.

"That's just a small token. I bring more than that each time I return from my numerous trips. I never knew we had a new visitor - one that had come to stay," He winked at her. "I promise to get more than that when I return from Germany."

"You don't have to bother, Charles. I'm satisfied with what you have given me."

Charles stared at her avidly. "You're different Oby and you're very beautiful." He complimented after a while.

"Thank you very much." Obioma replied but he kept staring at her avidly like he was seeing her for the first time and Obioma was now very uncomfortable. He licked his lips slightly and his eyes landed on her breast. He looked up and when he caught her glaring at him, he smiled wolfishly and made attempt to move closer to her. Obioma flinched at this as she shifted a little from him; her eyes on him.

"I don't bite, dear." He moved closer and held her hand. She tried to free herself from his grasp but couldn't. He held on to her tightly and she watched as he tilted his head; moving closer to kiss her. She turned away immediately; focusing her gaze on the wall instead.

"What are you doing?" She asked shakily; still trying to pry her hand from his grip.

"Come on. You're not a kid. We're the only ones around." He tried to kiss her again but she pushed him with all the strength she could muster.

"You have to leave now. Please go." She stood up.

Charles stood up too; smirking. "Playing hard to get? You don't have to. I'll take care of you and buy you whatever you need. I'm very rich."

† † †

"I swear to God. . .If that son of a bastard is still around, today will definitely be his last!"

Who do you think made this threat?

Let me hear your opinion.

Much love!