Truly... (bxb)

Truly... I Should Think

Nduka called.

He called a couple of times before I finally picked up. He must have been worried, I knew. I'd do my best to calm him though.

I was going to tell him about the conversation I had with Charles and what I had decided. I knew he wouldn't care too much about the Charles-being-interested-in-me thing, but would be confused and uncomfortable with me dating him. I'd have to explain deeply before he'd even accept that.

"What happened? You didn't see my missed calls?"

I felt guilty. "Sorry. I was… busy".

I was a few feet away from Charles. He was seated in his car by my instructions because I wanted to talk to my brother. After the conversation– which I was sure was going to be a long one –I wanted us to talk some more before going to class. I didn't want to miss another class.

"Busy doing what? Oh, classes. Forgot about that".

Yeah. I wasn't planning on telling my extremely studious brother that I missed a class. I was going to jump right to the part where Charles and I were talking.

"It's okay".

There were some background noises. It sounded like he was working or something, was it alright for him to talk to me at the moment?

"So did you talk to your friend who gives you too much money yesterday?"

"He, uh, told me that he likes me".

"Likes you", he repeated. "I'm trying to understand. Like, like? Not in a friendship way?"

"Yes o", I answered. Why was it taking him so long to understand what I just said? Though it was hypocritical of me since I did the same thing when Charles told me. "He told me yesterday".

"Wow". He took a deep breath, I heard his worry loud and clear though. "And what did you say? Do you like him or something?"

Something.

"I only thought he was cute a couple of times, but I never thought that he'd– "

I was still in a bit of a shock, honestly. I guess it wouldn't go away just because we talked.

"You think he's cute. That's a first, I'll say. That's nothing much to go by though". He seemed to be in a calmer environment now because there wasn't much noise at his end. "Also, all of this is a shock. And a scandal in a whole, if people find out".

"He told me his family knows", I said.

"That still doesn't really matter. Fourteen years in jail… yeah, I hope you're not considering him. Especially knowing what it'd mean for someone like you".

Yes, fourteen years imprisonment, coupled with the ridicule… Possible death.

I'd thought about that actually.

But I was tired of my life, and I wanted to have a semblance of happiness in my life for once before I died.

"Charles will protect me", I said confidently.

And he said he had no intention of putting me in dangerous positions. He was well aware of the country we lived in.

I was likely acting like a delusional princess–pauper–in love, but hey.

Not to say I had no worries about this but…

My brother didn't sound too happy. "Okay, no, I really need to meet this Charles because if anything happens to you… if you do anything stupid… Our parents, Ike…"

I could hear it all. The worry, pain, everything in his voice.

So I said, "I'll tell them when I'm sure of everything".

"So you're not sure?" He sounded hopeful, and I couldn't blame him.

My brother was just like me in ideals and morals. He didn't care what anyone did as long as they won't hurt anyone. This was a different situation. And he was more of a worrywart than I ever was.

"I'm a big boy, you don't have to worry", I tried to assure me.

"There's a lot of things I have to worry about concerning you and this boy, Ike", he said sternly. "It won't be funny for him if anything happens to you because he put it in your head to 'experiment'. If you're not attracted, you're not!"

I winced at the rate his tone was changing. If he meets Charles anytime soon, it won't be funny for him. My brother was pissed.

"Please, calm down", I pleaded. "He's not forcing me to do anything. Everything's on my terms".

It did nothing to calm him down, because he was still agitated. "Is it because he's rich? Because of money? Look, I get that we're not the most buoyant family– "

I groaned. "It's not because of money, ND", I said, calling him his nickname. "I honestly just want to give it a try. He's nice and respects me and all, and we wouldn't even have to go public so, no one will find out".

"God, you're making me feel really…" he sighed. "If our parents find out, this won't be easy".

"But they won't", I said.

The only way they'd find out is if he tells them, and I knew he wouldn't unless I gave him permission.

"I need to meet this guy".

And threaten him.

My brother was crazyily protective as the older one and I knew him meeting Charles wasn't going to be a nice thing, seeing as I'd already changed his view of my dear friend within a few minutes. He was going to see Charles as the villan now.

"Okay", I finally agreed. "I'll talk to him to see if he'd want to meet".

Anything to make him happy.

He gave a mirthless laugh. "He'd better want to talk".

"ND– "

"Send a text message or call me when you've discussed", he interrupted, before cutting the call.

I looked at my phone in surprise.

"Wow".

Charles would have a lot of work to do at this point. And so will I.

Should I just rethink my decision? If it's going to affect everybody so much, maybe I should…

"Are you done?" Charles shouted out the car window, big smile on his face.

He sure looked happier than usual. And I felt happier than usual. Almost giddy in fact.

"Yes, I'm coming".

I'm definitely giving this a try.

****

"So he wasn't happy".

"Obviously", I said, enjoying the taste of my vanilla ice cream as we walked to class.

He'd stopped to get some when I mentioned something about buying one. My brother was wrong about the money part because I planned on getting a part-time job soon, but the money coming from him was beneficial, I can't lie. I've never been friends with anyone who has money like him. Who spends like him.

"So my job's to convince him that I'm good for you, right?"

I stopped in my tracks, staring at him. "You sound confident. Do you think you can convince my brother in one go?"

He grinned. "Of course not, but I'll try my best. As long as I know you're supporting me".

I smiled.

"Charles, hi".

Oh, god.

I tried to hide my annoyance as a group of girls walked up to us–well, Charles– as we were about to get inside. Did they have to meet him everyday?! And they weren't even in our department from what I noticed from their uniforms. They were English girls.

"How may I help you?" He asked politely, signalling me to be patient.

Why was he asking that? Did he think they came to our department building to do anything other than talk to him? Or throw themselves at him?

"I'm Mirabel", the tallest girl and the one in front of them said.

She was pretty, I'll admit. Long hair, long eyelashes, spotless-as-f**k skin and a pretty smile. I felt my chest squeeze a bit.

"How may I help you?" Charles repeated, placing his hands in his pockets.

Help? Help? She clearly wasn't here for his 'help'. She was likely one of his admirers who wanted to ask him out or something.

"Well… I wanted to talk to you about something," she began. "If you and your friend don't mind".

I was amazed that she even noticed my presence. First girl in all of Charles admirers that's ever done such feat.

Despite her height, he towered over her. She was probably a 5'10 or '11. At least I was taller than her too, so I didn't feel intimidated. Much.

"Go on".

She bit her lip, batted her lashes before talking, moving a few steps forward. "Do you want to hang out sometime? Just the two of us?" She glanced at her friends and they giggled in unison. Weirdos.

I knew she wanted to ask him out.

Charles evidently didn't know because it took him some time to answer her. "Uh… no thanks. I'm not interested. I don't know you".

Thank God.

Not like I expected him to agree. She was a stranger, so, there's no way he'd just say yes. Especially with me being by his side. And with him telling me a while ago how much he liked me and wanted to date me!

"Oh". Her face was down for a bit, but she didn't want to give up. "We could get to know each other from there though. You see, I've been noticing you around and I just got the idea that we could get to know each other better, because you seem like my type and I could be your type. I like you".

Okay, a full-blown confession. I didn't like that. But I wanted to see how Charles would handle it because the nervous looks he was throwing my way was confusing. What did he want me to do? Even if we were dating, I couldn't come out just like that, was he crazy?

"I already like someone, sorry".

That, without question, made me happy, even though no one knew it was me. It didn't make Mirabel happy though. In fact, her smile had turned into a frown.

"Who is this person?" Her tone of voice changed too.

"I don't think you need to know". He was still giving her a friendly smile when he should be pushing her away from his presence and telling her to leave him the f**k alone.

"When did you get someone?" She demanded, fists tight at both sides. "I've never seen you with any girl since– "

"I have class, Mirabel", Charles said. "Good bye".

Him moving past her and her group of friends was the cue I needed to leave too.

"I can't believe you were patient enough to listen to what she was going to say. Like it wasn't obvious", I grumbled.

"You're right, that was dumb of me", he said wryly. "I won't do that next time. She made us late".

Good.

"And I can't believe you told her you liked someone", I whispered as we walked up the stairs.

"It's not like it's not true".

"Rumours are going to spread soon".

He stopped, raising a brow at me. "Who gives a f**k? You're the only one who knows I like you".

"I guess you're right".

It still felt surreal though. A boy liked me. Charles liked me.

We walked into class side-by-side. Everyone's eyes were on us, except the lecturer who ignored us when he saw who was beside me. Thank God. He was one of those crazy professors who sends anyone who comes late out, but knowing who Charles was, he decided not to complain.

Money and power was good o.

So far, nothing was making me give up on the idea of trying things out with Charles. I was even more convinced when a few seconds after sitting down, he grabbed one of my hands under the table and held it for a few seconds. A few seconds of feeling electricity go up and down my arm.

It felt good. He felt good.

He didn't look at me, but I saw him smiling to himself as he was paying attention to whatever the lecturer was saying. Then he let go of my hand.

I should be annoyed, panicked or something, but I wasn't. I just kept thinking about how warm and nice his fingers were.

Damn. Was I gay? Or just interested in Charles?