BELLA'S MEMOIRS (ENTRY #14)

ITS FINALLY A REALITY

I was supposed to meet Okechukwu and his friends and I was late. Partly because I had changed my outfit about ten times and also because a voice kept screaming “Don’t go” in my head.

It’s not a big deal Bella, it’s just drinks with your ex and his friends. What could possibly happen?

I kept telling myself this over and over again. Eventually, I believed it and so I settled for a dress that would have made Yinka turn fifty shades of angry. It was black, it was short, it was silk, and it was…slutty. Just perfect for some naughtiness on a Friday night. I had ordered it online in a moment of Vanessa induced madness and had never had an opportunity to wear it until tonight. I wore no makeup except my signature red lipstick, sprayed a generous amount of perfume and headed out with a prayer and knots in my tummy.

It was Dapo Smith’s birthday (Dapo is Okechukwu’s best friend and business partner) and he was having a little “thing” with some friends at an exclusive lounge in Victoria Island. He had called me a few days earlier to invite me (I knew it was Okechukwu’s way of asking to see me without actually asking). Dapo had promised I would not find pictures of myself all over social media given that I was now some sort of public figure.

I got to the event late and so I walked in on everyone talking loudly over the music and laughing. Dapo spotted me first and he let out a cat call. I knew I looked hot especially as everyone was now staring at me. I scanned the room for Okechukwu and found him sitting in a corner. His head was against the wall and his feet were up on the stool in front of him. He was staring at me so intently I could feel the desire in his gaze. He obviously still found me attractive and I was happy! It made me feel incredibly good knowing that he still found me irresistible.

Dapo got up from his seat and came to give me a big hug, introduced me to everyone at the table and offered me a seat…the only seat available, it was on the other side of the table and so I was sitting opposite Okechukwu. I was relieved, I wasn’t sure I wanted to be so near him. The conversation and company was nice and I was actually enjoying myself until my phone started ringing. It was Yinka. Ordinarily I should have told him I was out with friends but knowing Yinka, he’d ask me who, where, why, how and what and still not find my answers satisfactory so I let it ring out. He called two more times and then sent a text saying…

Are you ok? I’m worried.

Yeah right! He wasn’t worried, he was keeping tabs on me and I was tired of having to report my every move to him. I excused myself and went to the balcony to return his phone call.

Me: Hi Yinka

Yinka: Bella! I have been trying to reach you for a while now! Where are you?

Me: Yinka you called me a few minutes ago and I am now returning your call. I am out.

Yinka: Out where?

I could have just told the truth but I didn’t want to create a mess I would have to clean up later so I said

Me: I came out to get some ice cream, heading home in a bit.

Yinka: Bella we really need to do something about your sweet tooth. Call me when you get home so I know you’re ok.

I knew his motive for asking me to call when I got home was for him to keep tabs on what time I actually got home. I shook my head after hanging up and then I heard a voice behind me. It was Okechukwu, he had come out to meet me on the balcony and was now leaning against the closed door.

Okechukwu: Trouble in paradise?

Me: You’d like that won’t you?

Okechukwu: Why would I like that Bella? I want what’s best for you and Prince Charming seems to have what you need.

Me: You should know since you are the expert on what I need and deserve.

He laughed and I was so angry that he wasn’t displaying the slightest hint of jealousy at the fact that I was dating another man. I walked towards the door and waited for him to get out of my way but he just stood there.

Me: Do you mind?

Okechukwu: Why are you always so touchy, what’s your problem?

Me: You are standing in my way that’s the problem.

Okechukwu: Tell me you want to me to move and I’ll move.

Mr. arrogant was back….aaarrrrrrrgggghhhhh…..

Me: I want you to…

He didn’t let me finish the statement, he pulled me close and pressed his lips against mine. Within seconds I was pressed against the wall, kissing Okechukwu.

Okechukwu: I want you so much Bella.

Me: I know

It was crazy but he set me on fire. Kissing Yinka was nice but it wasn’t like this. Yinka’s kisses were nice and sweet but with Okechukwu, it was something else. It was like there was a volcano about to erupt inside me. I pressed my hand against his chest and tried to push him off, he grabbed my hand instead and placed it on his heart.

Okechukwu: Feel that Bella? My heart races when I am near you.

Me: What about when you are with Ese?

Okechukwu: Ese means nothing to me.

Me: So why was she in your house that night?

Okechukwu: I had just lost you Bella, I was in a mess. She came over to throw her usual tantrums, saw me in my state and tried to console me. One thing led to another and she spent the night and then the next night and a few nights after that. I needed the distraction so I didn’t protest but after that night you showed up, when I saw how much I had hurt you I asked her to leave and I haven’t been with her since.

Me: You always have an explanation. You broke my heart you know?

Okechukwu: Not as badly as you broke mine.

With that he opened the door and went back inside leaving me alone on the balcony. My head was spinning and I was an absolute train wreck. I was still crazy about Okechukwu but I knew no good could come out of it. We were both constantly hurting each other and finding excuses not to be together, it didn’t seem like a healthy choice to keep trying to make it work. I regained my composure and went back inside only to discover Okechukwu had left. I was so mad at him for just leaving like that. I said my goodbyes and got in my car…fuming. On my way home, I decided to call him and give him a piece of my mind.

Okechukwu: Hi

Me: You are unbelievable, first you kiss me then you disappear without as much as a goodbye! You have absolutely no manners!

Okechukwu: Come.

Me: Sorry?

Okechukwu: Come to my house.

With that he hung up. I stared at my phone in disbelief, had he just summoned me just like that? I was going to call him back and tell him what I thought of his rude behavior but I decided against that, what I had to say to him was better said in person. I turned the car around and headed to Okechukwu’s house.

He answered the door wearing nothing but his trousers.

Me: Your guard was expecting me. How did you know I would come?

Okechukwu: Simple street smartness…give them just enough to keep them satisfied but always wanting more.

Me: And in this case what am I wanting more of?

Okechukwu: This.

He grabbed me by the waist and pulled me close and started kissing me not on my lips…everywhere else. On my forehead, my cheeks, my eyes, my neck and he kept going lower, he was driving me crazy and I knew I had to make it stop.

Me: You know we can’t do this. I have to go.

Okechukwu: And I have to get you out of my system. I just wanted to see you, I have no plans of ever sleeping with you not after you have been with him. I would never do that.

I hadn’t been with Yinka but he didn’t have to know that. This was the point where I just turned around and went home. I knew that much but instead of doing that, I found my lips moving and this is what they said:

Me: I haven’t been with Yinka.

Okechukwu: Never?

Me: Never.

Okechukwu: Why?

Me: Maybe because when he kisses me, I wish he was someone else.

Okechukwu: Who?

Me: You?

He groaned out loud and punched the wall next to him. I could see he was frustrated and confused and so was I. I turned around to take my leave but he pulled me back.

Okechukwu: I want you.

Me: What’s stopping you?

He scooped me up in his arms and carried me up the stairs and into his bedroom. I knew what was happening and I made no moves to stop it. He put me on the bed and stared at me, I could see the question in his eyes and I took his hand placed it inside my dress to show him I was asking for it.

It wasn’t like I had imagined it would be. It was painful, clumsy and it lasted longer than I had expected but eventually it was over and we both lay there in the dark in complete silence. I knew he wasn’t sleeping, the reality of what had just happened dawned on both of us. Eventually I spoke

Me: I think I should go.

Okechukwu: No. Please spend the night.

Me: I can’t, they are probably wondering where I am at home. It’s getting really late.

Okechukwu: Tell your stepmom you are with Vanessa.

Me: Then I’d have to tell Vanessa about tonight and I don’t think that’s a good idea.

He sprang to his feet and turned on the light. I got up to get dressed and he watched me while I did so. All of a sudden I wasn’t shy around him anymore. I mean what was there to be shy about? It was me and Okechukwu. I picked up my car keys and he walked me to the front door, it was almost midnight.

Okechukwu: Please don’t go Bella.

Me: I can’t spend the night. How would I explain my disappearance?

Okechukwu: Is The Duchess in town?

I shook my head. She was away for her friend’s daughter’s wedding in London.

Okechukwu: So you can tell them you went to Park View to get something and decided to sleep there. Bella please it would mean the world to me if you spent the night. Please you are not the kind of girl I sleep with and send home…you are special to me.

Okechukwu had never asked me for anything like this. I did as he said and  sent Ms. A a text saying I was at The Villa and would be back in the morning she responded saying it was fine and then we went to bed. He pulled me close to him and cuddled me and just before he fell asleep he whispered into my ear.

Okechukwu: I’m so in love with you Bella.

It was the first time he had ever said that to me and I wanted to tell him I was in love with him too but I couldn’t because then he’d have realized from my voice that I was crying.

I woke a couple of hours later and found Okechukwu awake and staring out his bedroom window. I got up and went to hug him from behind. We made love again and this time, it was amazing. I wished the night would never end but it did.

At about 6am, I tried to get up from the bed but Okechukwu pulled me back and held me tight. I giggled.

Me: Okechukwu, I have to go!

Okechukwu: Stay! Spend the weekend with me, tell your folks you are in Park View and stay here.

Me: That’s not possible. Yinka is coming into town tomorrow and I really have to go home before my parents find out I never went to The Villa.

Okechukwu: What the hell has Yinka got to do with this conversation???

Me: What do you mean?

Okechukwu: Are you saying you are going back to him? That last night meant nothing?

Me: I didn’t say that. I have to figure out how to handle all this. I am confused.

Okechukwu: But you weren’t confused last night or this morning when you were moaning and calling my name. I told you I love you, we make love twice and you want to go back to another man? How do you even intend explaining to him that you have popped your cherry?

Me: Okechukwu. I don’t know what to do or say. Can we figure this out one step at a time? For now I need to get home.

Okechukwu: I am coming with you.

Me; Why???

Okechukwu: So I can let your father know I am back in the picture.

What Okechukwu did not realize was that the whole situation was no longer just about both of us. My family was now involved. If Yinka found out about my escapade with Okechukwu and told his dad, it would be the end our relationship. And the end of my relationship with Yinka could definitely mean the end of my dad’s political career. I couldn’t explain this to Okechukwu, he wouldn’t understand. I simply had to sort this out on my own so we could be together because I knew beyond a doubt that I wanted to be with him.

Me: Please give me a little time to sort this out.

Okechukwu: Ok, I am giving you twenty four hours and if you haven’t sorted it out by this time tomorrow, I will handle it myself.

I left Okechukwu’s house in a hurry. I had twenty four hours to explain to my parents why I was ending things with Yinka, then actually end things with Yinka and still somehow salvage my dad’s political career. My plan was to wait till my dad won his party primaries in a few days and then end things with Yinka but I feared Okechukwu would blow everything in twenty four hours.  I drove home in a state of absolute panic.

I had twenty fours before my whole world turned upside down and the clock was ticking.