Unexpectedly His

Chapter Nine: Temptation at the Door

Ken couldn't get Bella's message off his mind. “Ken, please come, it's urgent.” That was what she wrote, short and direct. He read it again as he sat at the dining table, picking slowly at the food in front of him.

Kunle, his friend, noticed the way Ken kept frowning at his phone and shaking his head.

“ O boy, weti dey worry you?”

Kunle asked, chewing visibly on a piece of fried chicken.

Ken dropped his spoon and sighed. It's Bella. She came to my office earlier today, and now she's sending me messages, saying l should come see her. That's urgent.

Kunle chuckled and pushed his plate aside. “ And so?. Why do you look like the person wey wan to attend a funeral? My guy, you worry too much. Abeg, relax. Maybe she just wants you to give her small sugar…that thing you know how to do best.”

Ken raised his brows at him. “ Kunle, you're not serious. This is not funny.”

Kunle burst into laughter. “ But think am nau. Bella is a fine babe, and you know it very well. Why are you acting scared? Na normal thing. l bet she just dey look for your attention “.

Ken leaned back in his chair, still frowning. “ You think everyone is about fun. I'm not comfortable with this. Bella is Lisa's close friend, and l don't like the way she's acting. Something about it feels off.”

Abeg, leave the story," Kunle said, shaking his head. “ Go and see her. Find out what she wants. But nevertheless l still believe she just dey find a way to catch a cruise with you. That girl is na drama queen.”

Ken stared at him for a long moment, then smiled faintly. “ You're crazy, Kunle. You know that” “ of course, "Kunle replied proudly. “ But seriously, if you decide to go, just be careful. You sabi women and their wahala”

Ken nodded. “ l will”.

By evening, after turning the thought over in his mind too many times, Ken decided to go. Maybe it was just something small. He didn't like guessing, and he hated leaving things hanging.

He drove over to Bella's apartment, his chest tightening slightly as he parked outside. For some reason, he felt like he was walking into something that would complicate his life.

When Bella opened the door, Ken immediately noticed the soft glow of candles and the smell of freshly cooked food wafting through the air. The dining table was set like something out of a magazine…plates neatly arranged, wine glasses shining, flowers in a vase at the center.

Ken's face hardened. “ Bella, what's the meaning of this?” he asked, stepping inside.

Bella smiled warmly, ignoring his frown. “ At least sit down first, Ken. You don't need to start with questions. Relax, take a breath. You've had a long day.

“ I didn't come here to relax," Ken said flatly, “ l came because of the respect l have for you as Lisa's friend. You said it was urgent, so here I am. Now tell me what's going on?”

Bella's smile faltered for a second, but she quickly regained it. You don't have to be so tense. l cooked something delicious for you. l prepared all this because l wanted to sit and talk properly. You know, outside the work environment and outside distractions”.

Ken shook his head. “ l appreciate the effort, but this is not my reason for coming here. l told you, l came because you said it was urgent.

She sighed and tried again. “ At least, have a drink. Just one glass. ls that's too much to ask. “

Ken hesitated, then reluctantly took the glass she offered, but he didn't drink from it. He placed it on the table and looked at her directly. “ Bella, stop beating around the bush, go straight to the point. What do you really want from me?”

For a moment, silence filled the room. Bella's chest rose and fell quickly as though she was trying to summon courage. Then she spoke softly, her voice trembling slightly.

“ What l want, Ken…is you. l love you."

Ken's eyes widened. He almost dropped the glass in his hands. “ What did you just say?”

Bella's gaze was steady now, determined. “ l said l love you. I've always loved you. For a long time, Ken. l can't keep hiding it and also hurting myself in the process”.

Ken's shock turned into anger. “ Bella, are you serious right now? Lisa is your friend. How could you even think of saying something like this to me?”

Bella shook her head, moving closer to him. “ But what have I done wrong? Tell me. You and Lisa are not even dating, you've never said she's your woman. So why are you making a mountain out of a hill? So why is it wrong for me to feel this way?”

Ken rose from his chair, his face hard. “ You're crossing the line. Lisa trusts you, she believes you're her friend. And you think it's okay to betray her?”

Bella's eyes glistened with unshed tears. “ Betrayal? Ken, I've been watching you give attention to every other woman but me. Do you know how painful it is? Am l not good enough for you? Why is it so hard for you to notice me?”

Ken rubbed his forehead, frustrated. “ This isn't about whether you're good enough. You're beautiful, Bella. You know that. But I'm not interested. Not in this way, not with you. And honestly, l think you're just saying all this because you feel pressured, maybe by loneliness or whatever else you're going through. “

Her lips trembled as she whispered, “So you really don't feel anything for me?”

Ken glanced at the clock on the wall. “ l need to take my leave. l have things to take care of.”

Bella's expression hardened suddenly, her tears drying as quickly as they had formed. She blocked his part as he moved towards the door.

“ You can't just walk out, Ken," she said firmly, her voice low but intense. “ Not after everything I've said. You owe me an answer…if not to me, then to yourself. Because the way you look at me sometimes, l know I'm not imagining it.”

Ken’s face froze, his hand on the doorknobs, his jaw tightening.

.

“ What exactly are you talking about, Bella?” he asked slowly.