this story is about a lady trying to shoot her shot
So, I jokingly told my friend to give me her brother's number after she posted his picture on her Whatsapp status saying, "Single to stupor...serious ladies only."
1 really just wanted to catch cruise, so I replied her saying," ahnahn you've been hiding him from us?" | teased.
She replied almost immediately asking if I had ended things with my ex and I said,
"Yes, it has been six months."
"Ooops I didn't know."
"It's nothing, really. Besides, we've not been in each other's space since we left school. "My brother will like you," she replied.
I tossed my phone on my bed, sipped my glass of juice, and threw three pieces of spicy plantain chips in my mouth while I waited for her reply and an email from my team lead regarding the next task for the day. A few minutes later, she sent a message asking for more pictures. I smiled & scrolled through my gallery looking for pictures. It was at that point that I realized I didn't have good pictures. I ended up sending 2 pictures from last year's Christmas party & 2 that I took at work.
"I have sent them to him, you should expect his message soon," her text read.
"Ahhh! Ahh!! I laughed and screamed into my pillow before replying her, "Okay, thank you.
I didn't know what I was doing or why I was doing it, but it felt cute. I felt like I was 20 again & not 26. It felt strange trying to shoot my shot at a man.
Later at night, my phone rang and it was him. I had thought he would text. I waited for a couple of seconds for the phone to ring as it was in my hand.
"Hello."
"Hi, good evening Aduke.. it's Jide, Lola's...""Brother..," I said interrupting him. I heard him clear his throat.
"Ohh, nice. I hope I didn't wake you up, though?"
"No, it's just 8:00 pm. It's still early.
We talked for about two more minutes before he ended the call because he had to take another call. He sounded calm and nice, and I couldn't help but smile.
Later that night, he sent a text asking if we could meet. "Ohh, so soon? Isn't that too early?" I replied. "There's no timetable for love, but you can take your time if you want."
1 gave in, and we agreed to meet on a Sunday after church because I had a wedding to attend on Saturday.
When we met, he was dressed in a white senator attire, wearing a red cap, and shining black shoes. The sight of him reminded me of someone I had seen on Instagram. I looked at him and smiled.
He moved closer, and the scent of his perfume screamed money, confidence and success.
"You look small...smaller than I imagined," he sipped his glass of wine and said, looking into my eyes.
"And you look big... really huge," I replied, and burst out laughing. We both laughed about it.
"You're beautiful, very beautiful," he complimented and winked at me. I felt a flutter in my stomach, like a cold jelly. I imagined the two of us, hand in hand while he told me stories about his work-the intriguing ones and even the boring ones.
I had always been attracted to skinny guys, but he was far from that; chubby, like a well-fed cat.
"Hey..Aduke!" he called out.
"Sorry, what did you say?" I asked, adjusting my dress.
"I said..are you single? Like single single??"
That was fast, I wasn't expecting such a direct question, but I appreciated men who knew what they wanted.
"Yes," I nodded,and he looked sideways to hide a smile. We spent another hour at the restaurant before heading home. He offered to drop me off, and the ride was a good one. We sang and danced to Azonto by Wizkid and other throwback songs, gesticulating wildly and swaying in our seats. It was fun.
When we arrived at my place, he asked if we could do it again, and I gladly said yes.
"Thank you,"he said as I was about to get out of his car.
"For?"
"For going out with me...spending time with me."
"You're welcome. Thank you for making it so much fun," I replied, stepping out. I resisted the urge to look back, but I sensed that he hadn't driven away just yet.
It made me slightly nervous and that thought made my steps falter. He wanted to ensure entered my apartment safely before leaving, and the simple gesture filled me with joy. As I was about to check the flower pot for my key, the door swung open, and my friend-Yimika was standing there with her hands on her hips. She looked at Jide who was about to drive out, and then back at my face.
"I didn't know you stayed back," I said, facing her.
"Well, I went home and packed for two more days."
"Alright," I nodded.
There was a certain look on her face, and I could tell she wanted to ask me something about him. Instead, she searched for the answer in my eyes and on my lips. "What do you think?" I asked, meeting her gaze.
"About?"
"Him... what's on your mind?"
"Nothing... he's not badddd."
"What do you mean by he's not badddd?" I mimicked her, dragging her words. "Just tell me what you think." She paused, halfway through the doorway, one hand on the doorknob.
"Whatever I think won't matter anyway.
You always make your own decisions.
Her words stung, but I was determined to hear her thoughts. "Oh, Aduke he's too old for you. Oh, Aduke he's not that handsome, oh Aduke..
"What did you bring for me?" I heard her voice interrupting my thoughts.
"I got takeaway, but I didn't know you would be staying back," I replied.
"So, should I pack my bags?"
We didn't talk about Jide but instead talked about other things and I ha**d how much I craved her validation. I wanted her to say something. Anything. I wanted her approval of him.
Trigger warning!!! Intended for mature readers who enjoy morally complex, slow-burn, poseesive, forbidden, dark romance that pushes boundaries. ***EXCERPT*** Blood everywhere. Trembling hands. "No!" My eyes blurred. His lifeless eyes stared back at me, his blood pooling at my feet. The man I loved-dead. Killed by the one person I could never escape - my stepbrother. *** Kasmine's life was never hers to begin with. Kester, her stepbrother, controlled and monitored her every move. At first, it was all sweet and brotherly until it began to turn into an obsession. Kester was the Alpha, and his word was law. No close friends. No boyfriends. No freedom. The only consolation Kasmine had was her twenty-first birthday, which was supposed to change everything. She dreamt of finding her mate, escaping the sickening control of Kester, and finally claiming her own life. But fate had other plans for her. On the night of her birthday, not only was she disappointed that she wasn't mated to the love of her life, but she found out that her mate was none other than him - Her tormentor. Her stepbrother. She'd rather die than be mated to a man whom she had known as her big brother all her life. A man who would do just anything to make sure she was his. But when love turns to obsession, and obsession turns to blood, how far can one girl run before she realizes there is nowhere else to run to?
Caught in a web of betrayal, Nicole's life shatters in a single evening when her mother-in-law, Veronica, sets her up in an elaborate scheme. Blindsided, Nicole faces her husband Taylor's cold rage as he casts her out of his life and home, accusing her of infidelity and theft. As she tries to defend herself, her best friend, Sarah, adds another blow by denying their loyalty. "Please, Taylor, you have to believe me!" Nicole pleads, her voice breaking, but his icy response is a dagger to her heart. "I don't hate you, Nicole," he sneers. "I despise you." When Nicole reveals she's pregnant, she hopes for compassion, but it only fuels Veronica's determination to rid the family of her. After signing the divorce papers, a dejected Nicole wanders alone, where a brutal attack leaves her bleeding, helpless, and desperate to protect her unborn child. Six years later, Nicole returns from the ashes to inflict seven times the pains upon those who humiliated her and left her to die. "I'll make them pay so dearly that they'd regret ever been born!" She declares. This is a story of romance and revenge you don't want to miss!
After three loveless years, Neil's betrayal deeply wounded Katelyn. She wasted no time in getting rid of that scoundrel! After the divorce, she devoted herself to career pursuits. Rising to prominence as a top designer, skilled doctor, and brilliant hacker, she became a revered icon. Neil, realizing his grave mistake, tried in vain to win her back, only to witness her magnificent wedding to another. As their vows were broadcast on the world's largest billboard, Vincent slid a ring onto Katelyn's finger and declared, "Katelyn is now my wife, a priceless treasure. Let all who covet her beware!"
My marriage to Mathias was supposed to make me the happiest woman in the world. Although I knew he didn't love me, I thought he would fall for me once I showered him with all the love I had to give. Five years passed and Mathias still didn't give a damn about me. Instead, he met his true love and cut all ties with me because of her. He showed her off; something he never did for me. His abandonment pushed me into depression. I was broken in every sense of the word. Even on my deathbed, my so-called husband didn't come to say goodbye to me. When I opened my eyes again, I found myself reborn. I was still Mathias's wife and it was two months before he met his true love. In this life, I refused to be hurt by him again. After talking some sense into my head, I asked him for a divorce in other to escape being heartbroken like I was previously. Mathias tore up the divorce papers time and time again while also shutting me down. "Rylie, stop all this nonsense! Playing hard to get doesn't work anymore!" To show him that I was dead serious, I went ahead to file for divorce. Only then did he panic. He abandoned the "woman of his dreams" and came to my side. "Please give me a second chance, Rylie. I promise to do right by you. You'll be the only woman in my heart from now on. Don't leave me, okay?" A war broke out in my mind after this apology. On one hand, I didn't want to be hurt again. And on the other, I didn't want to let go of the man I loved so dearly. What should I do?!
"Is it considered betrayal to develop feelings for your best friend's boyfriend? What about when fate intervenes, and he turns out to be your destined mate? You might think it's luck and thank the moon goddess for such a twist of fate. That's what I believed until the love of my life uttered those dreaded words: 'I want a divorce!' As I stared at the pregnancy test in my hands, I realized it was better to keep my secret to myself. My name is Violet, and this is my story."
Blinded in a crash, Cary was rejected by every socialite—except Evelina, who married him without hesitation. Three years later, he regained his sight and ended their marriage. "We’ve already lost so many years. I won’t let her waste another one on me." Evelina signed the divorce papers without a word. Everyone mocked her fall—until they discovered that the miracle doctor, jewelry mogul, stock genius, top hacker, and the President's true daughter… were all her. When Cary came crawling back, a ruthless tycoon had him kicked out. "She's my wife now. Get lost."