Afraid To Love – Episode 2

By Patience Ahworegba 

4.

The accident sent her cell crashing on the floor. She looked up to him, feeding her eyes for a few seconds.

He smiled at her, revealing white, perfect set of teeth. He offered him right big hand for a handshake.

Purity stood, watching him.

She bluntly ignored his smile and his hand waiting for hers. Her lips pouted angrily.

“Is your smile and hand gonna fix my phone?” she glared intently at him.

Jeremy dropped his hand. He felt stupid. “I’m sorry. It was an accident.”

His voice- deep, masculine and baritone.

“Do you know how much that cell cost? Oh, I’m sure you wouldn’t cause you probably don’t have and have never seen something like that.” she rolled her eyes and continued gibbering.

This Purity hadn’t change a tiny bit. She was still the spoilt rich brat he had known. But something was different. She was now a woman, very pretty. How could God give such beauty and intelligence to an insolent being? She probably never knew he was Jeremy Broderick. He clenched his fists.

She was now saying nonsense which irritated him further. How was he going to silence this pretty witch. He hated noise and was getting it from her.

People began looking in their direction. “Miss,” he motioned her to look at the unpleasant stares they were getting. “Its alright. I’m sorry I crashed your phone, I’ll get you a new one.”

She ruffled her hair. Stood her ground. “No.”

“What?” he almost screamed.

“I said no. What’s about ‘no’ that you don’t understand?” she innocently questioned.

This was a difficult woman to deal with. He shook his head twice. “I don’t understand your ‘no’. I offered to buy you a new phone and you bluntly said ‘no’. What does your ‘no’ mean?”

She smiled faintly. “Just get me that exact phone? Fix it.”

“You’re being ridiculous. I can’t do that.”

“Me? Ridiculous?” she peered into his face. “I’ll show you what ridiculous means.”

She straightened up, and was ready to shout. People could call her mad or batty, she didn’t care. This man was getting on her nerves, just like her father. He was vaguely familiar, she just didn’t give a d–n about it.

Purity opened her mouth, she couldn’t scream. She felt someone close to her, she sniffed the scent of his cologne, after shave and masculine scent. His mouth was moving on hers. Her eyes widened, she was being kissed!

Purity tried to push him- it was getting nowhere, he was stronger and hefty. The kiss deepened, Purity had to succumb to it. Her legs wobbled, she clung to him; if she let him go, she’d fall to the ground. She opened up for him, letting him access into her mouth. He held her firmly.

Returning his kiss sent electrifying sensations shooting through their souls, fire rushing through their blood. Blood rushing to his g—n. He intensified the kiss with increasing passion, and she responded.

Jeremy broke the kiss. He met her gaze. From the way she stared at him, he could tell she wanted more. But he had to stop. He didn’t know what pushed him to it. She had wanted to scream, causing more noise and embarrassing him- he couldn’t let that happen. He had to do something.

Purity looked at him affectionately. Why did he have to end the kiss? I was starting to enjoy it. Foolish girl, a voice in her had scolded. What! He just stole my first kiss and I don’t know his name. Why did he do that? And how? How dare he? Doesn’t he know who I am? She touched her slightly swollen lips. Gosh! She was starting to get angry.

Jeremy chuckled. He took her by the hand and tried dragging her out of the restaurant. She didn’t move. He studied her, saw her legs were slightly wobbling- the effect of the kiss. He left her hand and gently swept her off her feet.

She didn’t resist. She only flushed.

When they got out, he let her down. She’d regained her sanity and was furious as a tigers. “Why did you do that to me? Who are you?”

He smirked. Ah, she didn’t know, if she’d known, she wouldn’t let him touch her. Now he’d kissed, touched and carried her.

“Jeremy Broderick. Your fiance.”

“What!” she was dumbstruck. She could speak. But if looks could ki*ll, Jeremy would have been dead by now, she was sending him dagger looks. She hurried off to her car.

5.

Purity got home with anger written all over her face. She had fiercely gripped the steering wheel as if it was Jeremy’s neck. If it was, she’d have strangled him. The b—–d not only bumped into her, smashed her phone, he also kissed her- placed his lips on hers and carried her off her feet. He even had the nerve to introduce himself as her fiance. d–n! That Jeremy got some nerve, who the hell does he think he is? But she had to admit- the kiss was really something. She had loved every bit of it. Oh, shut up! She scolded that tiny voice.

“Purity!” she heard her mama call.

She hesitated before turning to answer her mother.

The average woman in her mid-fifties, stared at her only daughter with concern in her eyes. She was all dressed up, probably coming in from an outing.

“What is wrong?” Prudence asked her daughter.

Purity rolled her eyes. “I need to rest, mama. We’ll talk in the morning.”

Prudence’s lips pursed. “Your papa and I were worried sick about you. You called, you wanted to come home. Later, you turned your cell off. What happened?”

Purity sighed. She was in no mood to talk with or to anyone. She just wanted to go into her room, shut the door, think of how to get a new cell and what to do about that Jeremy of a guy and her father. d–n them!

“My cell went bad. It spoilt.” she frowned. “There’s no need for you two to worry about me. I’m okay and can take care of myself. I’m grown up.” she turned to leave.

Prudence was startled at the fact that Purity’s cell went bad. “Your cell? How come? Its your favourite and you are usually careful with your things.”

Purity groaned. “Accidents do happen, don’t they?”

Prudence agreed. “They do. But-”

“Thanks mama. Night.” she trudged to her room.

“At least, look me in the eye.”

Purity kept moving down the hall way.

Prudence wasn’t surprised. This daughter of hers. “Say good night to your father.”

“Do it for me.”

Prudence couldn’t see her daughter anymore. She sighed. What a daughter!

*

*

*

The water kept splashing on her face. She continued scrubbing her lips with a soft foam and soap. She was in the bathroom staring at herself in the mirror as she scrubbed. She made up her mind to wash out every taste of him off her and let them go down the sink. This mistake that had happened would never repeat itself. The b—–d would be out of her life for good. She’d do something the next day. Now, all she had to do was concentrate on getting his scent, taste off her.

Thinking about what he had done to her, taking advantage of her again got her angrier. She too had been stupid to stand there and just let him harass her! She continued scrubbing hard and hard. Her indignant state made her forget she was actually scrubbing her lips.

“Ahhh!” she cried out in pain.

She stared at her image on the mirror. Her lip was bruised, blood oozed out. She touched it and felt instant pain. She squeezed her face. Her finger nail had cut a bit of her flesh. She scowled. Ha! Whatever! She felt she’d done enough washing off. She slid out of her towel and sank into the bath tub.

6.

“Darn it!” Jeremy raked a hand through his hair.

He just watched the pretty witch glare at him with killing eyes and took off into her car. How the hell was he supposed to know what to do? Her kind of women- he didn’t know how to handle, but he had kissed her. He shook his head.

He had just entered into a battle with the all cheeky Purity Theodore. How on earth was he gonna face her? How would he tell his father the date went? And the poor man was sick. s–t! He wasn’t gonna go home straight. He was going to drive around town to clear his head, then proceed to the hospital see how his father was doing.

Heaving a sigh, he climbed into his Volvo XC90. He put the key in the ignition hole and the engine flared to life. Silently, he cruise out of the premises of ‘Golden’. His cell buzzed in his pocket. He dug it out. Tricia was calling.

“Hey, babe.” he forced a smile as she answered.

“Jeremy darling, where are you?”

“What do you need my presence for?” he queried sarcastically.

He could hear her growl. He knew she was making a face. Probably sticking her tongue out. He laughed at the thought of that.

“What is funny?”

Her hands should be on her hips now. He cleared his throat. One hand on the wheel, the other on his left ear. “I asked a question.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I am just missing you. I want you here.”

Jeremy scowled. He knew this was definitely going to happen. She’d come begging. Every woman who’d pissed him off was surely gonna do that. Was Purity too?

“I’m busy.” he replied flatly.

“Baby, please don’t be so hard on me.” Tricia pleaded.

“You broke up with me. We’re over.”

“Have you been listening to me? I said I want you back!”

“I’m not a child you can order around.” Smiling ruefully, it was time to spill the bean. “I have a fiancee. I’m engaged.”

He heard her gasping. Her mouth dropped. He smiled pleasingly, then disconnected the call.

*

*

*

“Father, how are you feeling now?” Jeremy touched Edwin Broderick’s fore head. He was burning up. Worry inched on his face. After he had plainly told Tricia the news of his engagement, he parked his vehicle. Took a stroll thinking about so many things. Tricia continued dialling his number, he had ignored her calls. Tricia Cayson, now his ex had been a great company and friend. They’d known each other for close to three years- been confidants and helpers. Tricia fell in love with him and had been making passes at him. Jeremy noticed and asked her out hoping to lovê and settle down with her.

As their relationship progressed, Jeremy got to know so much about her which he found irritating. She had the habit of complaining about almost everything he did, comparing him to her exes and ordering him. Jeremy despised such women. He’d ended their relationship so many times. But Tricia would always come back begging- to relive himself of her constant pleading, he’d say yes, kiss her and they’ll be back again. When he had the opportunity to travel out of town, different women spent the night in his bed. The way, he could forget about Tricia and her constant naggings.

Delighted he was when Tricia called it quits with him after she’d heard he was unfaithful. He rejoiced happily and wasn’t gonna continue dating that nagging batch. With Purity now in the picture, he’d clean up his old acts, have a responsible relationship and get married. What? Did he think of marriage to Purity? He never saw that coming. Phew!

…to be continued