Imperfections Are Ours (Sequel To Perfection Isn't Ours)

Fifteen

Jerome locked up his door and inhaled the cool Birmingham morning air and adjusted the Airpods in his ears then tuned the song of his choice from his phone then placed his phone in the phone strap around his upper arm then jogged his way out of his yard and into the street. As if on cue, Twinkle walked out of her house, dressed in a red two piece work out outfit, her hair disheveled in a manner that was still attractive and her face clear from any traces of sleep.

Jerome contemplated on whether he let himself known to her or keep on jogging. He chose the latter but failed when she looked up and waved at him, making him hiss in discomfort. He sighed, reduced the volume of his music and waited until she walked towards him.

"Good morning," she said with a smile.

Is she always smiling? He thought with a forced smile.

"For a PA, you have a lot of personal time, especially with the way The Deon's Realty has been busy with the new construction," Jerome commented and she frowned.

"I know, I normally send in the day's schedule the night before, that way I have extra time to myself before leaving for work. Besides, it's 5:40am, I have till 8 to go to work, so stop being a joykill," Twinkle said and shoved his arm softly.

"Huh, okay," he stated drily and tilted his head for her to jog along as he began to kick his legs.

They began to jog their way down the cold streets, greeting by nodding their heads to other joggers passing them. Jerome increased the volume of his song as he realized that Twinkle had equally blocked her ears and that he could hear the bass of whatever she was listening to from her Airpods.

Twenty minutes later, they were jogging in another part of the estate where there were more joggers. Jerome lifted his hand to check the time on his wrist watch, doing so, he bumped into someone who fell backwards.

"Oh, my God. I'm sorry," he said and bent down to the side of the woman. He touched her shoulder carefully and waited for her to show her face due to the fact that her brown wavy locks were covering her face. He looked up at Twinkle, she was staring down at them worry.

Jerome licked his lips and sighed when she parted her hair and stood up. He stood up and looked down at the woman who as dusting her work out outfit before she looked up. He raised his brows and recognized her as the waitress from The kitchen Hatch.

"You work at The Kitchen Hatch, right?" He asked and she looked at Twinkle then at Jerome. "Look, I'm sorry that I hit you. I was actually looking at my-"

"It's strange how you don't remember me. I thought that you would remember me when you saw me at your table the other day, but I suppose I've changed a lot," the waitress said.

"Uh, what's going on?" Twinkle asked and Jerome shrugged.

"Oh, please. It's me, Henrietta. Your play thing from years back? You know, I used to be your kitten. Ring a bell?" Henrietta asked with a mischievous smile on her face while Jerome swallowed and began to breath heavily as he recalled who she was.

"I-What-How did you-" He stuttered.

Henrietta smirked. "I didn't know that you stuttered, Master."

Jerome backed away as flashes of his moments with the woman in front of him crossed his mind. From the day they met at a club where men like him partied, to her immediately signing the contract and their role play s*x life and his extreme level of b**m on her. He started to sweat for a different reason other than exercising, his head began to pound heavily as more memories flashed through his head. He shook his head and looked back at Henrietta who had changed over the years.

The Henrietta before him had more curves, gained a healthy weight, still had the baby fat that drew him to her. She was more beautiful than she was years back but her eyes that were innocent before, had a dark glint in them.

"I see you remembered so quickly and I hope that this one," she looked Twinkle up and down in distaste. "Isn't your new thing because I have to warn you, my dear. He will ruin you in more ways than one. I learnt it the hard way. And Jerome? Watch your back because the time to pay has come. No God or man will save you," Henrietta stated in a low and dubious tone before brushing past him.

Jerome side glanced Twinkle who had been quiet with a thinking face on. He inhaled, took his phone and began to walk away while scrolling through his phone for Nora's number. He blinked severally as his head pounded harder and tried to control the heavy beating of his heart. His fingers began to shake and a different feel of cold ran through his body and his blurred vision.

"Jerome?!"

He heard Twinkle called out to him but he didn't care to turn around. Nora finally answered.

"N-Nora, please. Wh-Where are y-you? I think I-I'm about to pass out. I-I'm at the fifth lane," he said and dropped to the ground, passing out.

"Jerome? Hello? s**t, I'll be there. Give me two minutes, I'll drive there as quick as I can! Stay with me!"

        •••

Nora bit the nails of her thumb and index finger as she sat beside the sleeping Jerome while Twinkle stood by the door of his bedroom. She looked away from the pale man to Twinkle who was confused and worried at the same time. Her focus shifted to the doctor on the other side of the bed who began to pack up his items.

"How's he?" Nora asked.

"He's fine, he just had an anxiety attack but I gave him his usual shots from last year and I will send a nurse down here to deliver his refill. I realized that he stopped taking his pills but he needs to take the refills for a few months maybe, so a repeat won't happen again," the old man said and sighed. "I'll take my leave."

"Thank you, doctor," Nora said and watched as he left the room.

"What happened to him?" Twinkle asked.

"It's none of your business and shouldn't you be at work?" Nora asked in a hard tone, making Twinkle purse her lips and swallow hard.

Jerome cracked his eyes open and made eye contact with Twinkle who was about to leave his room. He frowned and licked his dry lips.

"Twinkle? Where are you going?" He asked roughly.

"Jerome? Oh, God. You're okay," he heard someone say beside him.

Jerome glanced over at Nora and furrowed his brows then looked back at Twinkle who was playing with her fingers and looking around the room.

"I thought you were leaving?" Nora asked Twinkle who flinched and began to leave.

"Stop, Twinkle," Jerome ordered and she paused. "Leave my house, Nora. You're the one not welcomed here."

Nora gasped and felt a sharp pain in her heart at the harshness of his voice. She looked down at him, trying to decipher if he was still acting or not but couldn't tell. She felt her eyes prickle with tears and hated herself for worrying herself too much when she heard his broken voice an hour ago. The red haired woman nodded, stood up and left the room.

Jerome looked away from the door then at Twinkle. He smiled at her then cupped his hand and motioned for her to come closer, which she did.

"Hold me, please," he pleaded and she hesitantly laid down beside him, placed her head on his chest and draped her arm across his body. "Thank you."

"What happened out there?" She asked and he sighed.

"You know that we are still getting to know each other, right?" He asked and she nodded softly. "I'll let you in on everything, but for now, I just want peace."

Twinkle sighed. "You called Nora before you passed out and she came as fast as light. She drove like a mad man and waited by your side till you woke up. Why did you chase her out like that?"

"Whenever I want solitude and care, I call to her and doing that was on impulse. I recalled that I hate what they did to kill my unborn child, so I had to ask her out of my house. I don't want more things triggering me, Twinkle. So, please, let's not talk about them right now," he stated and shut his eyes, sleep taking over immediately.

        •••

Jerome opened his eyes and felt energized then looked beside him and didn't see Twinkle but looked the other way and almost screamed when he saw an angry Nora. He was about to open his mouth to speak when she launched her hand out to slap him but he grabbed both her wrists, pulled her down on the bed and spun around until he straddled her and pinned her hands by her head.

He watched as she struggled under him but eventually gave up. They maintained eye contact and he noted that her eyes were watering and lips bent. He let out a sigh of regret as she began to whimper.

"You have no idea how you scared me and ended up hurting me so hard this morning. How could you?" Nora asked weakly and he shook his head with a sympathetic smile.

Jerome released one of her hand and cupped her cheek tenderly. He ran the pad of his thumb across her cold cheek, jawline and bottom lip before sweeping her hair away.

"I had to do that because I made the mistake of showing that I still care about all of you in front of a stranger who could even ruin our plans. I felt like a sick bastard when I chased you off like that and I am so sorry," he whispered and placed his two hands on the sides of her head. "But right now, I need your support and care."

Nora sniffed. "Don't ever do that to me. Next time wink or do something. You literally broke my heart."

Jerome chuckled. "I did? I'm sorry, okay?"

"You better be," she said with a pout.

Jerome chuckled softly and sat back on her hips lightly and looked around the room.

"She left for work and it's like 10am. So, we have all the day to talk about what happened," she said and massaged his thighs until he rolled away and laid beside her.

"I saw one of the girls from my past and you won't believe where she works," he said and laughed. "I saw Henrietta and she works at The Kitchen Hatch."

Nora gasped. "Oh, God. Did she do anything?"

"She threatened me, if I could say. That was why I panicked and passed out. I'm scared, Nora. The way she spoke, it only means that she's ready to take me out," he stated at a different octave then swallowed.

Nora exhaled. "Which means that the only alibi Henrietta has could be Fiona. It's not a coincidence that she comes back with a news that concerns you and now Henrietta. Shits about to get real and it's high time we let others know because if Henrietta ever goes to file a case against you, you're on your own."

Jerome gritted his teeth in anger.