Chapter Five - Ties

I had never worn my dress so quickly in my entire life.

“Kayla!” Mario exclaimed, quickly putting on his shirt, boxers, and jeans.

When Kayla arrived, she paused and looked at both of us as if she sensed something, and I held my breath, hoping she didn’t see through us.

Kayla flew into Mario’s arms, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

“Hello, Miss Nina.”

I  managed a small smile.

Kayla was not alone. “This is Kemi, Kayla’s mother,” Mario explained.

I was right. Kayla had to be born by a very attractive woman. Her smooth skin glistened in the sunlight. She was simply radiant. I couldn’t stop grinning. “Kayla and Mario have told me so much about you that I’ve been meaning to meet you personally,” Kemi said airily.

Beautiful, but I already detect a diva-like attitude. By her demeanour, I could tell she didn’t like me. I couldn’t blame her because I understood how this had to appear. Penniless teacher warmed her way into the arms of the wealthy father/uncle.

We saw your car out there, and knowing you were probably in your favourite spot, we just came to bother you a little. But it’s great that you have company.

I chuckled a little too loudly. My emotions were all over the place at this point. This was not how I wanted to meet Kemi, and what if Kayla saw us? As a result, the girl is permanently scarred. I exhaled a sigh of relief.

Kemi continued as if I wasn’t there. “We must leave immediately. Grandma is preparing dinner.” She opined to a chatty Kayla.

Kayla complied, her arms clasped around Mario’s and Kemi’s, and they appeared to be a happy trio as I trailed quietly behind them. Mario turned, an apologetic expression on his face, and I returned the gesture with a small smile of solidarity.

“Kayla paused in her stride and turned to face me. Can you attend my Grandma’s birthday dinner next week?”

The question completely caught me off guard. I looked at Mario, who should have extended the invitation rather than Kayla, but clearly, I was not welcome.

“I’m sorry, Kayla, but I won’t be able to make it. I don’t have any party clothes.” I winced in disappointment to emphasize my point, but toddlers are tenacious.

“Please, Miss Nina,  I have no date for the dinner party.”

I did not know what to say. 

“We could go shopping whenever you’re free. Get a nice dinner gown.”

“You are far too kind.” The diva went out of her way to be nice to me, and now I can’t say no.

“OK, we can do that.”

“Tomorrow?”

I nodded, and they continued on their way. Kayla wanted to ride back home with Mario, but he insisted she go with her mother, so he had to drop me off.

Dropping off turned out to be another round of sex in the car. This time was a bit more intense, but I still enjoyed it.

After that, we drove in complete silence. His palm on my leg, side-eyeing me the entire way home.

At my house, I threw together a spaghetti meal that was a disaster because I left the pasta on the stove for too long, and it became soggy. What were we doing? You are correct. Sex. We had to order food, which arrived incredibly fast. One of the advantages of living in a small town. “You don’t have to go hungry.”

“So we never got to finish our conversation by the river.”

“I believe we did. Many times.” I winked.

Mario laughed at my sarcasm. “I’m referring to the conversation before you introduced me to your holy grail.”

I groaned. “Don’t tell me you’re about to bully me into putting a label on this.

“Isn’t that a good thing?”

“Tomorrow.”

“You want to talk about it tomorrow?”

I nodded.

“For now...” I let go of the robe’s ties, ending the night on a high note.

                                                                     ***

I could feel eyes on me as I walked into the clothing store where Kemi and I were supposed to meet to pick out a dinner gown. I initially assumed it was just my mind overthinking again. I went up to a corner and waited for Kemi. I’m not sure who will tell the wealthy that arriving late is not the power move they believe it to be. It just makes them appear rude. And what is it with rich people being rude all the time? I kept that question in the back of my mind and planned to ask Mario Princeton, who now bears the brunt of every bad thing a rich person does.

Speaking of Mario, I checked my phone to see if he had read the text I had sent him before leaving for the boutique. But he hadn’t. I looked at a selfie he had taken while I was sleeping. My lips were slightly parted, and I slept soundly while Mario made a silly face.

“Nini!” When the voice interrupted my private moment, I jumped.

I smiled as I saw Kemi in all her glory. “Nina,” I corrected her quietly.

“Same thing.”

Kemi seemed to be trying to outdress everyone in the store, and she succeeded. Seeing her in her chic all-white ensemble made me feel very underdressed. The Princeton boutique was studded with women who looked like they had servants for brushing their teeth, but I paid no mind. I thought my jeans trousers, and casual white top fit until Kemi showed up. Now, I will be mistaken for a charity case, which, to be fair, is what I am. She is, after all, paying for my stuff today. I hope.

“So, Nini, I have the perfect mood board for you.” Kemi chirped on.

I stopped her in her tracks. I might be a charity case, but I have my dignity intact. She will have to respect me. Starting with my name. “Nina. I prefer to be called that.” We exchanged a pinched smile before she breezily said,” Noted. I am sorry if that offended you.”

Good, she learns fast. “It is okay.” I smiled to ease the undue tension between us. “How is Kayla?”

Kemi’s eyes softened, “she is excellent.” She replied, then whipped out her phone, and like the proud Mama bear she is, she showed me a photo of Kayla fresh from this morning. She is too cute, I cooed.

“I know, right.” And in the same breath, she said,” How is my brother-in-law? “

I was not expecting that. “He is fine,” I clutched the phone I was looking at his picture. Kemi ogled me like she was expecting me to reveal more. Of course, I was not going to show her our picture too. Seeing that I was not going to cooperate, Kemi started. “So the rumors are true. The both of you are an item.”

I opened my mouth to speak but only got talked over. “I must admit that I am shocked he never mentioned you.”

“He never mentioned me because we are not an item...”

“Yet.” Kemi winked, and my heart skipped. I breathed. “Can’t you see these women eyeballing you to eternity?” Kemi whispered.

“You see it too?” I asked, relieved that I was not overthinking that I could feel eyes on me. 

“People talk, and the talk around town is that the hottest bachelor has his eyes set on you.”

I breathed.

Kemi picked out a white dress for me, and despite my protest, she placed the dress in front of my frame, seeing that it would fit me, and placed it on my arm. She continued this assault with clothes to the point that a store assistant had to come to assist us.

She led the way to the changing room, and under her eyes, I started to strip to my underwear.

“I see why he is hooked. Your body is a work of art. “

I was shy now. She should speak for herself. She was the one who looked like a goddess even after having Kayla.

“I saw the way he looked at you the other day. You smite him. “

“of course, you would have only good things to say about Mario. “

She fell silent. “He told you about Kayla.”

I nodded slowly, not sure if Mario was in trouble now because Kemi paused her lips. But it was only for a second. She reclaimed her cheer. “of course he did. He has been a huge blessing to Kayla, and I won’t trade it for anything else. But remember that there are two sides to a story.”

I blinked at her rapidly for her to elaborate, but she did not.