Almost. Always,

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Chapter 1

Her: Dial Aoua Kanteh 

Him: Essien Asari Cobham 

Their Moodboard

12 years ago. 

“You’re going to be my friend forever!” The little girl screamed into the garden throwing her arms up dramatically. 

They were trampling on her mother’s precious flowers, but she didn’t care as she tried hard to get her point across. 

“Dee, you are screaming. The word is husband! I am not going to be your friend. Mommy said, Husband.” The little boy explained gently to her, his hands cupping her face as he peered gently at her. 

“W-well, no! We are friends now right? I don’t want you to change! Don’t become a husband! Be my friend!” She seemed a little emotional now, her voice breaking a bit, but still very loud. 

“No, I will be your friend and husband, two things. We will be closer than ever.” He tried to console her, now pulling the younger girl into a hug. 

“We will be close? You promise me Ethy?” She stretched her pinky to him as they parted. 

“Yes, I promise” 

———————-

Presently. 

Five people sat at the large table in the middle of the equally large dining hall. Servants bustling in and out of the extravagant hall, a stranger would think there’s a big crowd of people waiting to be served, not just five people. Everyone had a bright smile—well, not everyone; Essien had a little shy smile. 

“Sarah, where’s the bowl of fruits?!” An older woman screamed into the large space area, her voice almost echoing, Essien visibly wincing. 

“Mom, I’m pretty sure, she can hear you, the whole of Abuja probably can,” Essien said only half joking as he kept looking at the banquet of dishes arranged before him, his face in astonishment, still wondering how his family thought they could finish this much food. 

“Oh, Essy, we need to get this dinner started.” The Woman replied to him, not paying him much mind. 

“I am just happy to be here, let us pray and start eating please.” An older man butted into the light argument. 

Essien happily smiled at his dad for supporting him, his mom sassed them and finally focused on the already large selection of food set before them. 

“Thank you for coming back Ima mmi, I know you had said you would come back eventually, but you always had excuses, I didn’t believe you this time truly.” 

Essien smiled again. His parents had his grandparents here, all to welcome him, and even though he was thoroughly grateful for everyone’s presence, he honestly just wanted to eat and sleep, but of course, his Nigerian parents wanted to throw him a ‘welcome party,’ which he barely convinced them out of, so he had to settle for this. He hadn’t seen them in some years, but everybody looked as good as ever. Even the servants looked good, he also noticed that some parts of the Ostentatious mansion had been renovated; he wondered if his pending arrival contributed to that. 

He moved his hair out of his face a little before clasping his hands together to honour his parents’ custom of always praying before any meal. He misses them a lot, misses Abuja a lot, and wouldn’t trade this for anything, okay maybe, for something. But aside from that, he loves his family, his home country, and the people. 

“You’re announcing your return at the company tomorrow right?” His father said to him quietly, judging his reaction just minutes into the dinner. Essien looked up and saw everyone staring at him expectantly. Okay, maybe he misses a lot less now. 

He was the Managing Director at the age of eighteen, juggling his Master’s studies and work at that young age as his parents pushed him really hard, it was to be expected, he is their only child. He left Nigeria two years later, just immediately after his Twentieth birthday forcing his parents to compromise, telling them that he needed to “clear his head.” He disappeared for four years, only calling occasionally so his parents won’t send the International Police after him. Every conversation ended the same way, 

“When are you coming back? Your seat is vacant, The Company needs you.” 

He did his best to hide everything he did on his journey from his parents just because they worry a lot and believe anything that doesn’t drive the company forward does not count as important. Well, watching her was important to him. How else could he try to become the type of man she seemed to be attracted to?  

“Yes, Yes, everyone, stop staring at me like that, I promised I was back to take over my responsibilities and more right? I am not going back on that.” He dismissed them gently but his heart pounding betrayed the calm he was impersonating. 

They seemed more satisfied with his answer and the cutleries finally hit the plates harder showing that they had only begun eating properly. Discussions finally filled the table, Essien’s breath still remained caught in his throat, they weren’t asking the questions he wanted them to ask, they seemed to be worried about the wrong thing. How does he bring this up without betraying what he disappeared to do? Why are they so casual about a storm they caused all those years ago? He loved them but sometimes, he couldn’t help but be frustrated, his legs bounced lightly under the table as he tried to keep his anxiety under control. Just when? When will they do what he has been expecting them to do? 

When are they going to bring up that contract they persuaded him into all those years ago? 

Chapter 2

Her: Dial Aoua Kanteh 

Him: Essien Asari Cobham 

Their Moodboard

10 years ago. 

“Leave my room Ethy! Right now! You are being weird.” The little girl in a red dress was screaming at the visibly scared boy standing in her doorway. 

“But you’re being weird, not me, you won’t talk to me.” He pleaded with her, his face scrunched up in confusion. 

“Why can’t you listen to me, I don’t want to talk to you.” She dashed towards the boy, now trying to close the door in his face. 

“Ow! You’re hurting me, Dee, stop, just talk to me, I don’t understand what is wrong.” He tried to persuade the girl who was determined to push him out. 

“I don’t want to talk to you, Georgia said you are weird and that is true! Just leave me alone.” She finally pushed him out taking advantage of his distraction, slamming the door in his face. 

————–

Presently. 

Essien drove to work very early that morning. No, not because he was enthusiastic about resuming work, but because he didn’t want to arrive when people were in the office and he could see their faces and expressions, possibly guess what they thought of him. 

Entering the office, he was glad that he was the only one in the huge company except for the overnight security guards. They didn’t even seem to recognize him until he showed his ID card, which was good, maybe people in the company wouldn’t recognize him either, that helps him. Dropping his bag in his huge office, he didn’t stop to admire the new decor and the change of title on the desk plaque. He rushed into the ensuite bathroom, happy about that improvement. 

Staring at his image, his hair that refuses to stay still falls onto his face again, completely covering his forehead, maybe next time he would put it in a bun instead. Maybe he wouldn’t look as much of a woman as he does—did. He hadn’t gotten that comment in a while now. His muscles filling into the blue shirt he wore probably helped with that. Even in the cool AC air, he felt sweat trickle down his nape. His anxiety wasn’t helping him at all even though he had prepared for this day. He couldn’t sleep throughout the night. He even spritzed perfume on his clothes the night before and once again this morning. 

Sitting in front of everyone, well, everyone considered important in the company was more nerve-wracking for him than he thought. His leg bounced under the table as his father insisted on the introduction Essien thought was meaningless. He just hoped no one noticed his legs. The big board room was where he just realized he was now COO ( Chief Operating Officer). He saw the confusion on the faces of the older workers. 

“Some of us here almost thought he was a woman sir until we noticed his physique.” 

“He isn’t, he just refuses to cut his hair.” 

Essien’s nerves almost shot through the roof at the bold comments exchanged by his father and some members of the company. 

Later that day, staring at documents stacked on his table, trying to understand where the operations of the company were, he got a notification on his phone, from the same Instagram account as usual. He opened his fake Instagram account, realizing that she had posted a picture as she always does. He swears, she wants to become an influencer of some sort. She was at the beach, the pictures all taken from the back or the side, her hat covering most of her face, but he could recognize her in the dark, his eyes blindfolded. 

He was fixated on her, and watching her wasn’t a problem for him, not ever. 

Her brown skin was rich, always rich, and seemed deeper in the sun she was sitting in. She hadn’t ever paid attention to him, at least, not in the way he wanted, not since he wanted it to matter. 

A knock broke him out of his thoughts, his assistant walked in. The slightly older man was his assistant since he was the managing director, so he felt more at ease. “Your phone has been ringing non-stop, I had to bring it to you.” The man informed him. Essien definitely forgot that he left his phone with the man. He wanted to stay away from his mother’s “how are you adjusting?” calls. He took the phone from his mom, and her loud voice came through, making Essien close his eyes and rest his head backward on the spinning chair, his favourite part of the imposing office. 

“Have you had lunch break my son?” 

“Yes mama, I have. It’s almost 6pm.” He responded reluctantly. 

“Of course, that is good. You can’t blame me for being anxious. I love you.” She sounded like she was pouting. 

“Yea, yea, I know mama. Can I go? I have work to do.” Essien replied suddenly interested in the documents he had abandoned a minute ago. 

“No, you have to go to the airport later in the night, maybe straight from work, I don’t know which works better for you. But I need you to pick Dial up by 11pm or so, that’s when her flight seems to be landing.” His mother finally states her intentions. 

Essien seemed to have frozen. The documents are long forgotten. 

Chapter 3

8 years ago. 

“Why do you keep your nails like this?” Little Dee’s hands fumble with his freshly painted nails. “Like a girl.” 

“B-but anyone can do anything they want with their nails if they wanna, right?” He withdrew his hands from hers, feeling a little intimidated and embarrassed. 

“Everyone laughs at you, Georgia laughs at you, you’re a boy right? Why do you not act like other boys?” She stared directly into his eyes. 

He looked down, unable to hold her gaze. 

“Do you laugh at me too?”

———————

Presently. 

Thunder roads in the sky as Essien drives speeding down the free highway. It may rain soon, and he needs to get to the airport at least before it rains. His hands were on his thigh shaking badly, the other barely gripping the steering wheel properly. No, it’s not from the AC. His heart beats loudly against his chest as the airport draws closer, he takes in difficult breaths. 

How would this even go? 

His mom sent her number immediately. She hung up, but there was no need for that. Of course, he had her number. Every number she has had since she left, he has them all, saved in his phone. 

The sky seemed to have cleared up as he alighted from the car, the parking lot a little far from the arrival entrance at the airport but he didn’t mind a little walk. It should help him gain his confidence. 

She spotted him almost immediately she peeked her head up, his tall frame and full Afro made him stand out from everyone else. ‘He still had this hair’ she almost rolled her eyes. She walked towards him almost reluctantly while he stood frozen, staring at her. The months that passed since he saw her in person seemed to have done her extra good. Her tired eyes did nothing to dim how beautiful she looked. He took her bag wordlessly, not even a hello. He just turned around and she followed, a little perplexed. ‘Is he mute?’ 

She got into the back of the car like the brat she was. Does she think he was her personal driver? Her Uber? He blamed his mom for this situation. But he refused to speak to her, because what exactly would he say? They are not exactly friends or even acquaintances—at least not anymore. After driving for about 5 minutes, he branched into a petrol station to top up his petrol level. 

“Please fill me up.” He spoke to the attendant. 

‘That was the first time he spoke all night and that’s what he said?’

He almost slammed his own head against the steering wheel. Fill me up? When did he ever say that and just how nervous was he truly? His situation was not helped as he heard a little giggle from Dial behind him. He almost burst from embarrassment, but that’s the first sound he had heard from her directed to him in multiple years and he almost melted from how good it sounded. Why couldn’t she giggle to him? Not at him. 

He was tempted to look behind and he gave in, their eyes meeting for the first time that night, they held the stare as she still had a little smile on her face. The attendant broke the stare informing him about the payment. He cleared his throat and paid. Then he heard the car door open, and he turned his head again in bewilderment as she slid into the seat next to him. He could swear he started sweating in the cold AC. 

“You’re still the same. These years didn’t do anything to your personality at all?” She spoke to him directly this time. He stared at her now, trying his hardest to also keep his eyes on the road as he stuttered out. 

“T-that was a mistake. It was a mistake.” 

“Of course, still repeating your sentences too. You’re so cute.” She laughed full-blown now. He couldn’t even get offended, she was so free with him now. 

The conversation kept being light, a little remark about the road here and there, her flight experience, nothing too heavy that could turn the air awkward again. 

“Please drop me off at a hotel.” She suddenly announced. 

He looked at her briefly, wondering what was going through her head. “My mom was very clear, she wants you home tonight, at our place.” 

“Of course, you’re still a mama’s boy.” She said, almost like she was challenging him. “I don’t wanna deal with anything else today, I’ll come over tomorrow morning instead.” 

“It’s technically already morning since it’s almost 1am.” He cheekily responded not paying any mind to her jab. 

She laughed and clapped her hands, he noticed she still did that. 

“Please just drive me to a decent hotel, you can go home and make up an excuse for me.” She insisted. 

“Ok” 

He insisted on following her to the room assigned to her when the receptionist said that was the only room available and it was a suite. Unnecessary, but she will take what she can get. 

He looked around like the walls would stretch their hands out and grab him staring at everything intensely. “Are you sure you want to stay here?” The suite was terribly spacious, almost empty too. The decoration was horrible, he could say. 

“Yes Ethy, I am sure.” 

Blood rushed all over his organs at the nickname as he snapped his head at her, surprised that she remembered it. 

“Wanna stay the night with me?” 

He should have stepped back. 

The sensible thing would have been to joke it off, to pretend the question hadn’t made him question himself. 

He should definitely refuse as he needed to get home immediately so his mom wouldn’t send a search party after them and complain unnecessarily. Moreover, he had work by dawn, it would be his second day. There’s no way he could stay, he protested. 

Dial watched him with that familiar half-squint, the one that never quite waited for permission. She wasn’t rushing him. That was worse.

Essien moved first. 

When she pulled him closer, it didn’t feel like victory. It felt like relief mixed with fear, like standing on ground he wasn’t sure would hold his weight.

F-fuck, I’ve been dreaming of this.” 

Her mouth fell open as he slid into her slowly, his face buried into her scented neck as he let out a quiet groan at how good she felt. 

His heart beat faster as her moans got louder. 

“You are so good to me, Ethy.” She moaned in his ears, he could feel his release pushing down his belly, his ears ringing. 

‘If I don’t do this now, I’ll lose her’  Essien thought. 

Chapter 4

8 years ago. 

“We are leaving chéri, I promise she will come back to you.” The older Senegalese woman spoke to young Ethy, who was at eye level with her, since the boy was taller than his peers. His eyes remained red from crying overnight when he got the news and he was still hiccuping at this moment, the next morning. 

Ethy couldn’t fully understand why the adults were such liars. His mom and Dee’s mom had promised him that they would be together forever, they initiated the idea and put it in his head, so why was she leaving? What was in Senegal that wasn’t in Nigeria? Or did he do something wrong?

In his young naive heart, he promised himself that he would go to her as soon as he could. When he was an adult too like his parents, he would travel to her not caring that she didn’t have the decency to break the news of her departure to him by herself. Maybe he didn’t understand her right now, but he surely would as an adult. 

——————

Presently. 

By mid-morning, Essien’s head was laid idly on the table in his office, the documents he should be reviewing pushed to the side. He made sure he locked the door as he couldn’t risk anyone finding him looking so down, like he had been punched. He even left his phone with his assistant again so he could avoid the world for a little longer. 

He couldn’t understand her. 

Why was she so complicated? Why was he so stupid to give in to her? 

The unpleasant memory of the morning came back to him. 

He woke up in the hotel room finding her eyes already on him. It wasn’t very bright outside and the bright digital clock read 6:01 am which was ideal for him to get ready for work but he had foolishly fallen into her trap last night. Before he could get his brain to cooperate with the rest of him, she stared directly into his eyes, saying;

“I expected you to be gone, this is not how one-night stands work.” 

What kind of sentence was that? He lay there dumbfounded and couldn’t find his bearings for some minutes until she threw his trousers at him, further fueling his humiliation. He just fumbled his outfit on and walked out of the room. The shame hit him properly on the wide and lonely hotel’s stairwell. ‘Was he doing the walk of shame?’ 

He couldn’t go home in that state. He would delay his mother’s hounding until evening at least. He was grateful that out of the multiple people he missed when he travelled, he kept in contact and was on good terms with his best friend from years back, Olamide. He drove down to the young man’s over-luxurious house to freshen up and borrow clothes as they were of similar sizes. The dark-skinned man, Olamide, definitely stared at him with curious eyes but didn’t bother his friend and let him do his morning routine comfortably, he would get to the bottom of the strange visit later in the day. 

His assistant knocked on his door, snapping him out of his reverie. Essien stared deeply at the door before finally muttering “Come in.” Only to realize that he locked the door. He reluctantly stood up to open the door only to find his friend behind his assistant. His assistant simply turned away leaving both men by themselves. 

“You look crazy, your hair looks crazier,” Olamide remarked. 

Essien ignored him and walked back to his desk, just staring into space. 

“I don’t think your dad should leave the company to you, look at how depressed you are over a woman that you haven’t had a proper conversation with.” 

Essien immediately sat up and stared at Olamide. “W-w-what? How do y-you know?” 

“You told me she was arriving yesterday, you came to mine looking depressed this morning, and even more depressed right now, so, one plus one equals two I guess,” Olamide said looking around the unnecessarily large office. 

Essien felt defeated. Of course, his best friend deduced that. “You spent years pining over this woman, travelled to meet her, just to never muster the courage to talk to her, stalking her like a weirdo, so I am quite sure you didn’t have a conversation with her now either.” Olamide lightly chuckled. 

“Man, get out of my office.” Essien weakly said. 

“I see you’re now CTO, that’s very chill, Big man.” His best friend’s laugh became louder. Essien couldn’t help but laugh. Olamide was always a wonderful comedic relief, Essien was happy that he changed the topic. 

“I arrived and met it this way, I have been trying to adjust I guess.” He responded now interested in this conversation. 

“Well, that’s great. At least my friend is a rich and important man, I am going broke, man.” Olamide said lightheartedly. “Help a young struggling founder.” 

“I could get access to the company’s funds for you and help you.” Essien played along. “You know I used Journita to book my flight back.” 

“Yes, I do, you are so cheap. Always looking for discounts even when you could probably buy the airline.” Olamide joked along. 

“If I don’t use the product my friend built, how would you get customers? And, Journita is fun to chat with, we flirted throughout the journey while she gave me hideouts we could elope to and start a new life. What more could I ask for, she’s fun, smart and sounds beautiful.” Essien stood up and sat on the desk, definitely in a better mood. 

“ So you have the confidence to chat with an AI but you can’t speak to the love of your life.” Olamide retorted sharply but with a hint of playfulness. 

“Well, I just came to check on you, you seemed like shit this morning, you still look like one, but you sound better right now.” Olamide continued, his countenance turned serious. 

“Thanks, man.” 

“Yea, no problem. Talk to her Essien. Actually speak to her, let out how you feel, how you have felt and hear her response because right now, she doesn’t have anything to go off of. And if she is a bitch, don’t recommend Journita to her, let her fly expensive flights and be lonely.” 

Essien chuckled lightly. “Don’t call her that word, and she can most likely afford an airline too. But I hear you, I will talk to her. I kinda have to, she’s at the house and I will see her this evening.” 

‘I almost want to actually elope with Journita.’ Essien thought quietly. 

Chapter 5

2 years ago. 

Essien sat at the bar, where he accidentally became a regular customer, sipping a random mocktail. His eyes set on a table a little far from him, on a particular lady laughing with her friends it seems—he hopes. 

“You know if you weren’t so obsessed with her, I’d have said you were gay and tried to shoot my shot with you.” The bartender spoke, breaking his focus as Essien looked back at the bar, adjusting his position to focus on the effeminate man speaking to him now. 

“I’m not obsessed.” Essien countered, almost ashamed. 

“Yeaaa, you definitely didn’t leave Nigeria and all your commitments, put your life on a pause to come and stalk your childhood crush in Senegal.” The bartender, Johnson, said to him, filling six shots glass. 

Essien just stared in return. Johnson knew his story because, about a month ago, when Essien started coming to the bar, he literally broke down when he saw Dial leave with a man she had spoken briefly with, seemingly a one-night stand. 

“I-I,” Essien stuttered. 

“Just don’t wait around too long while she’s living her life. Approach her or swing for the other team—me.” 

Essien laughs in response. 

———————

Presently. 

Just like a few days ago, it seemed like a party was happening in the Cobhams’ mansion from the people going in and out of the house and the noise happening. Essien almost turned the car around immediately after he drove into the compound because of the commotion he found. 

He stormed into the house going straight up to his room knowing Dial was in the house. He could hear her pretentious laughter with his mom and he just didn’t want to deal with her or his mother immediately. He knew he would have to return downstairs for dinner soon so he took his clothes off and hopped into the bathroom to freshen up. 

Essien found himself almost nervous to go to dinner, a maid had come upstairs to inform him about dinner twice and he knew that if he stalled a little bit more, his mom would send Dial up to his room. He wanted to avoid that lady at least for a little bit more before he went to face her. Moreover, Dial in his room would be too awkward. Staring at himself in the mirror, his hair pulled back into a bun, his glasses resting on his face, he almost felt self-conscious. He donned a black tee and black sweatpants, maybe it was too casual? 

He walked down the stairs slowly, the dinner table coming into view, and he almost burst into gratitude when he didn’t see Dial at the table. He didn’t want to face her yet, anything to stall seeing her shitty face. His grandparents left the day before so it was just his mom and dad at the table with maids hovering around. Where was that witch? Just as he sat on a random chair at the large dining table, she waltzed in like she owned the place with a large bowl in her hands. ‘Did she cut the fruit herself? Ugh, she was so fake’ Essien couldn’t help but think. 

She sat opposite him, beside his mom as the two chatted and laughed. Essien couldn’t pay attention to the chatter going on at the table, he barely looked up. His thighs were bouncing rapidly under the table as he cut into the chicken, staring at it so intensely. 

‘She is so beautiful’ Essien heard his heart pound in his ears. He couldn’t believe she still had that effect on him. 

“Now that you’re here, my dear, maybe you and Essien could catch up, you know what I mean, your mother said you already know what is happening.” His mother suddenly announced. Essien couldn’t believe his ears. ‘That’s why she was here?’ He didn’t know what to feel. This is what he had been waiting for almost all his life. For him to properly court Dial and become her husband. B-but, he had foolishly slept with her already, most likely ruining it for her. 

Dial laughed, one of those easy laughs that he was used to. “Of course ma, I am back for Essien and I will take it to the next level. Finally get to know each other properly.” 

He just noticed she had a little accent. Since when? And why did she just respond to his mom like that? SHE THREW HIM OUT OF HER HOTEL ROOM! Was he missing something? 

Dinner was finally over and just as Essien wanted to scramble upstairs and lock himself away until the next morning when he had to go to work, his mom called out to him. “I want you and Dial to get accustomed to each other, take her with you upstairs.” 

That’s how he found himself standing awkwardly in his own room as she sat on his bed like she had been there a thousand times. His eyes trailed over the sheets and he couldn’t help but remember how messed up the hotel sheets had been as her face was stuffed in it, her mouth open. 

“You look very good. Always have, just a little on the feminine side.” She said haughtily, almost chuckling. Essien didn’t know what to do with himself. ‘How could she talk so freely? Had she forgotten what happened some hours ago?” 

“Dial. I think it’s best if you leave. You don’t have to be here just because mama said so.” He managed to sound stern. 

“Mama.” She had a full blown laugh. “You truly haven’t changed. You still call ‘Aunty’ Mama.” 

“How does this matter to you,” he peered down at her. 

“Aunty said we should get accustomed together, how can we when you act like this huh?” She stood up now, walking up to him, running her fingers lightly on the side of his neck. 

Essien felt anger rise in him. “You threw me out of your hotel Dial! You called me a ‘one-night stand!” 

“Okay, I apologize to you Ethy.” Her voice was light as she spoke into his ears. Goosebumps covered the skin around his neck as she leaned further into him. “That night was so good. I haven’t ever felt like that.” 

Essien almost embraced her, his resolve breaking. 

“Stop acting like a little girl, you don’t fuck like one, surprisingly.” She harshly said, looking up at him. This snapped Essien out of his reverie as he pushed her away from him lightly making her stumble a little. 

“I don’t deserve what you’re doing Dial. I-I have dedicated my life to you. Even in your absence. I took care of everything you may complain about, even my looks. Y-you are b-being such a bitch and I can’t condone this anymore. It’s time I f-focused on myself.” 

Essien grabbed onto her arm and pulled her to the door, opening it. 

“I deserve to be treated better by the girl I have known all my life and I am supposed to get married to.” 

Essien slammed the door shut. 

Chapter 6

8 years ago

“Let’s play outside!” a little dark-skinned girl screamed out with her voice breaking in laughter. 

“No, Georgia, let’s play with the dolls inside. Mom bought me new ones.” Dial responded, pulling the dolls out of the drawer in her wardrobe. 

“Ou, you have new toys!” Georgia’s attention is taken by the bunch of toys in the drawer, as she pulls one of them out. 

“No, leave that! It’s for Ethy. I am going to play with it, Ethy and I.” Little Dial snatched the toy out of Georgia’s hand, seemingly protective of the Barbie doll.

Georgia lets out a loud laugh. 

“Ew, he’s so weird, why do you play with him? He acts like a girl. Daddy told me he’s weird.” 

——————

Presently. 

“No mom, I’m not entertaining other men. I literally just got to Nigeria.” Dial paced the long corridor, her face showing the frustration she was feeling. 

Her mother called her that hot afternoon, saying Essien’s mom had called her some nights ago, saying she noticed Dial leaving Essien’s room in anger. ‘She didn’t even leave in anger.’ Dial thought.

Dial hates the thought of being bound to someone since she was a child and still being expected to follow through with that agreement. Truly, she didn’t oppose it as a child, but she was a child, what did she know about marriage? The boy—man was her friend for crying out loud. 

Her life was going great in Senegal, she had friends, and colleagues that she cared about. Her mother’s sudden announcement of it ‘being enough,’ stating that she needed her to return to Nigeria immediately to bond with Essien and be expected to marry him? She hadn’t seen the man for eight years, if he was a man at all. She secretly hoped he would have come out of the closet as gay or something but she hadn’t heard anything. 

She was gobsmacked when she saw him at the airport. ‘This has to be a brother I wasn’t aware of.’ She thought. She didn’t even realize when she gave her bags to him, following behind him out of the airport, his back muscles straining against the button-down shirt he was wearing. There’s no way, this is Essien. He still had his long hair, it was in an afro on his head, with his face bare, his expression portrayed the nerves he was feeling. Dial did her best not to touch him. 

She couldn’t trust herself, so she slid into the backseat. She could stare a hole into his skin without him noticing this way. And when he made that ‘fill me up’ mistake, she didn’t realize when she let out that giggle. The man was so fine, she swears, but of course as awkward as ever. Her eyes glued to the back of his head, his hair looking so soft, his cologne filling up the car, she had to physically restrain herself from taking a big sniff. 

‘Maybe he fucks awkward too’ She couldn’t help but think, as a way to find a fault in the man as they stood in that hotel’s suite. But she ate her words back so fast when Essien caressed her skin, asking if she was okay every minute. Kissing every inch of her skin like she was a god. When he finally fills her up, Dial admits that she saw stars, with him cradling her face, whispering sweetly into her ears, as he was firm and loving at the same time. 

His pace never faltered at all. She felt like she was dealing with a professional lover. When she needed to be put through the mattress like a prostitute, he did it with no problem, but made sure she was good throughout. 

Dial threw him out of the hotel room, speaking so harshly to him that morning just to gather her thoughts. Wrong approach, yes, but she just needs to take in what this innocent-looking man did to her all night. 

How could she return to Senegal in a month at this rate, as she promised herself?

Not when she wants to plead with the man that she’ll be a better person. Not when she wants to know if her Essien was still in there. 

‘Her Essien’ She laughs at her thoughts. 

How could that feminine man be so good at treating her well? 

Her mom didn’t need to call her to tell her not to deal with other men and make the contract work for her resolve to treat him like trash until he breaks the agreement, dissolves. She wants him to take care of her now. Her sentiment about being an independent woman and hating that she had to honour an agreement that was made when she was a child shakes. 

‘ He can not get over her’ Dial concluded. 

She needed to get her Essien back. 

Chapter 7

Presently. 

It would seem that the Cobham’s mansion has been the source of noise these days, but for the first time in a while, there is actually a good reason for it. Caterers going in and out of the house, Mrs Cobham screaming on top of her lungs at every server she could find, rearranging what was already arranged so that it could fit her definition of perfection. She wasn’t dressed yet for the occasion she looked to be very passionate about as Mr Cobham sits at the far end of the living room trying his best to disappear and melt into the wall behind him just to escape his wife’s excesses. 

Dial was surprisingly seen trying to put things in order too. She was cutting fruits in a particular order as that was her favourite chore, and she showed an elderly maid how to arrange them on the board. She was already halfway dressed, her hair done, but she wasn’t wearing makeup yet. Dial kept trying to calm  Mrs Cobham down, multitasking with arranging the tables set for the fruits. 

“Where did that boy disappear to now? I haven’t seen him since I wished him success by 12am.” Mrs Cobham’s frustration is finally directed towards other priorities than the poor servers. 

It is Essien’s birthday. 

The birthday boy in question snuck out of the house by 5am, leaving his room door open. When his mom went to get him to tell him Dial was in the house and make them stay around each other, she met his room open and his door ajar as he left in a crazy hurry. Mrs Cobham tried to call him on the phone but he left her a text message saying that he would arrive when the party starts, making her frustrated with him. 

Essien knows his mom will blow the party out of proportion like she always does with everything and he had to escape that madness. In addition to the fact that he suspected that his mom would use this opportunity to force him to ‘bond’ with Dial and he didn’t want to set his eyes on the lady if he could avoid it. 

Since the last time in his room, he did all he could to avoid the dates, meetups, and calls his mom set up with the dreadful lady. His best friend thinks he isn’t handling the situation maturely but when has he ever not done something the way he wants it to be done? 

Some hours later, when the sun seemed to have set a little—early evening, the party finally started in full swing, the music increased and the guests that could attend on such short notice were seated in their respective seats. Many were surprised that Essien was back from his long self-exiled travel. Dial sat in a corner of the party, her long golden-coloured braids fell down to her waist, as her face was buried into her phone, her expression grim. Some guests were dancing already but she couldn’t bring herself to enjoy the party that she partly organized. Mrs Cobham seemed to get off a call every 3 minutes, she also had a worried look, more people were discovering Essien’s arrival and the man had left the house without any security personnel. 

A black Range Rover drove into the compound and the party seemed to slow down into a pause at the intrusion of the guest. Dial stood up, she could recognize the vehicle, Essien was here. 

Essien came with guests too. Dial recognized Olamide but not the dark-skinned lady who alighted from the vehicle with them. Dial couldn’t tell who the lady was with and she didn’t like that. Essien smiles politely at everyone without paying her any attention. She would have said maybe he hadn’t seen her but their eyes met about four times and his eyes remained the same, indifferent with a ‘courtesy’ smile directed at everyone. 

The guests fell back into the party vibe with some people gossiping as they hadn’t seen the celebrant in years and how good he looked. Essien’s long hair was in twisted cornrows, helping his masculine-soft features be prominent. When he gave his thank-you-everyone speech, the people but be enamored by him. His tall and lean physique drew in eyes, the glasses on his face, accentuating his cheekbones, his voice remained soft but not feminine. 

Essien didn’t leave the side of the dark-skinned beauty, Dial regrettably noticed. It’s been almost an hour sincehis arrival and he hadn’t paid any attention to the woman seeking his eyes. He treated Dial like every other person at the party, with a polite smile here and there, empty eyes. Mrs Cobham also noticed this as she nudged Dial towards Essien. She walked awkwardly towards his table occupied by Olamide and the clingy dark-skinned lady who was full of smiles. 

Dial tried to shake the awkwardness out of her as she waved gently at Olamide, who returned a bright smile and the dark-skinned lady who seemed very nice and later introduced herself as Ruth. Essien calmly stared at her throughout this interaction making Dial almost trip over her own toes. 

“Can I borrow your friend Ola?” Dial asked with a small fill-in chuckle. 

“Of course, take him to have some fun and maybe dance, he’s been third-wheeling all evening.” Olamide eagerly responded. 

 Dial lightly held onto Essien’s arm, tugging him a little in her direction. 

“Good work on Journita by the way, I used her to book my flight back.” Dial paused and continued “ But I haven’t explored the places she suggested I visit during my stay in Abuja,” Dial said. 

Olamide felt a little awkward after that comment since he said a month ago that the AI application wouldn’t help her book flights while he was support of his friend. 

Dial successfully dragged Essien away, her hand slipping into his as they walked through the guests, throwing a little smile here and there, putting on a front. 

“What am I doing here?” Essien asked in the long empty corridor they stood in. 

Dial paced a little. 

“W-what?” She seemed dumbfounded by Essien’s bored tone. ‘Who is this?’ she thought. 

“I thought I made it clear the last time that we don’t have anything to discuss.” Essien slipped his hands into his slacks, looking down at her properly as he hadn’t done that all night, too busy ignoring her. He noticed her long dress that had a wide opening at the back plunging all the way to her waist, her smooth skin glowing even in the dimmed light the corridor offered. Her heels gave her a little height advantage, her eyes almost levelled with his. 

“I-I didn’t think you were serious! There’s no way you’re serious?” She inquired incredulously. 

“Why would I not be? I refuse to associate with you. Isn’t that clear?” 

“B-but we are supposed to date and eventually get married!” Dial almost screamed, her frustration almost spilling over the top, her lack of control throwing her off balance. 

“We don’t have to. We could break the childish agreement that was made all those years ago, and then you would be free of me. You would finally be able to live your life the way you want to, right?” Essien walked towards her, almost trapping her against the wall opposite them. 

This was exactly what she wanted a month ago. She came to Nigeria to frustrate him out of the contract right? Why was his attitude towards it so upsetting to her? 

Dial was almost speechless. “ Aunty would never let that happen.” 

“Why are you disagreeing now? One month ago, you threw me out of your hotel room, disrespected me, and made your intentions clear.” Essien’s voice finally betrayed the passion he felt a little, shifting from the bored tone he had. 

He leaned back up and turned to leave, 

“I- I don’t want to do without you Ethy,” Dial whispered into her hands, now covering her face in the dark corridor as she also came to that realization there and then, but Essien didn’t stop, as he walked down the corridor to the in-house elevator. 

Chapter 8

10 years ago. 

Little Dial storms into the guest room that has become hers in the Cobham’s mansion with little Essien running behind her as she slams the door in his face. 

“Dee, please I am sorry. I won’t play like that again.” Essien begs from outside the closed door, his little fists knocking gently as his eyes well with tears, as if he were the hurt one. 

“Go away Ethy. I don’t want to play with you anymore.” Dial’s voice came from inside, irritation clear in her young voice. 

“I didn’t mean to shout at you. I won’t do it again. Okay, I’ll make you your favourite sandwich. Please come outside.” Essien insisted outside the door. 

“Y-y re-really?” Dial came closer to the door, her voice clearer. 

“I promise. Open the door and let me make you the sandwich you like.” 

———————

Presently. 

It’s been three weeks since Essien’s birthday party and the young man’s new home is with Olamide, his best friend. Mrs Cobham felt the ultimate pressure to make him stay in the house more, even threatening and manipulating him, which he quickly caught on to. She couldn’t accept that he was an adult and that willful ignorance hurt Essien more than ever as he got tired of trying to remind him. It seems like she hadn’t caught onto the fact that he had travelled all those years ago as an eighteen-year-old boy but he was not that anymore. 

But Mrs Cobham wasn’t the only reason Essien stayed away from his house. The main reason is the Senegalese beauty who couldn’t seem to leave him alone. Dial came to the house almost every day to see Essien and he couldn’t think of a better way of avoiding her pleading eyes and gifts other than avoiding the mansion totally. He even blocked her number. Blocked her thoughts from his head too. The last time Dial saw Essien for longer than 20 minutes was at his birthday party. 

Essien had spent his days, rotting in Olamide’s spare bedroom and on some days engaging in crazy escapades that Journita curated for them. He of course went to work but he did his best to avoid his father at the company and only engaged in work-related activities and conversations. 

Wednesday started chilly with rain threatening to tear through the heavens in the morning, Essien enjoyed the cold weather as he drove to work happily. He even greeted everyone at the company that he had been avoiding because of their dodgy attitude. He nearly whistled as he walked into his spacious office, the large area becoming a little more familiar and almost comforting to him now. His assistant followed him inside, listing out from the iPad he was holding everything that Essien’s day was filled with. 

Essien didn’t have any meetings throughout the day which he was incredibly thankful for because he got so anxious and nervous at those and people wouldn’t stop pointing out the appearance of a grown adult man like it was their business. Sadly, most of the important people in and outside the company were his father’s acquaintances, probably saw Essien when he was just a baby so He was forced to sit through the insufferable union and listen to them go on about politics and “your hair is strange,” “Remember when you used to paint your nails,” “You grew into a fine young man, you just need to look more like than man,” with obnoxious laughter after these comments. 

A knock pulls him out of the focus he had, going through the spreadsheet on the MacBook before him. His assistant came through the door stating that “Miss Kanteh is here for you sir.” Essien’s heart seemed to only come alive then as it pounded in his ears when he heard Dial was here for him. His mind asked the question of who sent her to his place of work, but he didn’t have to do much thinking, it was obviously his mother. He was quite shocked that it took so long before she showed up at his company. 

“Bring her in.” 

Dial sauntered into the office as the door closed behind her, her eyes taking in the size and decor of the extravagant office. She walked graciously to one of the seats before him and took a seat as if she owned the office while Essien tried to gather his thoughts, his legs bouncing under the table. “It doesn’t suit you. It has Aunty all over it, you didn’t design the office did you?” She finally looked at him since she was in the space. 

Essien couldn’t answer. His ears kept ringing as he bounced his legs faster, the false sense of calm and control he had at his birthday party had slipped completely. 

Dial seemed to notice this as her eyes swept all over him. She took in a deep breath, dropping the bag she had been holding on the large office table, walking around it and standing beside him. She placed her fingers on his shoulder and used them to turn him to face her. He spun around, looking into her eyes, his eyes almost watering from the anxiety he felt looking into her deep muddy brown eyes. 

“I brought you your favourite sandwich that you made me eat when we were kids.” Her voice came out calm and piercing. 

It seemed to work as Essien finally calmed down as he placed his hand on the hand she had on his shoulders. 

“Dee…Dial, what are you doing here?” The control he had on his birthday returned as Dial walked back to the seat she was in.  

“You know what I am doing here.” She responded, losing the confidence she had. 

“Don’t play games with me. When did you start bringing me food? We are not even friends.” Essien responded, his voice almost cold. 

“Y-you have been avoiding me Ethy.” Dial stuttered out, casting her eyes down. 

“Because I don’t want to see you.” He said firmly. 

“I-I…I am very sorry for-” 

Essien cut her off “What? You weighed your options and it must be more beneficial for you to be in my good graces?” 

Dial looked back towards the door like she wanted to bolt out. She finally decided to respond, 

“I have been trying to reach you, talk to you. I just want our friendship back. W-we can tell Aunty that we didn’t work out, I just want to be in your good graces again, yes, but not…not for anything more than being in your good grace.” Her voice came out as almost a whisper. 

“I don’t want to be friends with you.” 

“Ethy… please, give me s-something to work with.” 

Essien ignored her, opening the bag on the table, the nostalgic savoury smell of a sardine sandwich hit his nose. “How does it smell the exact same?” He brought it closer to his nose to take a stronger whiff. 

“I made it the exact way you used to make it when we were kids.” 

Essien looked at her, “I can’t ignore these eyes for too long. I am so weak for you Dee.” His voice was stern. “You take advantage of that, and I can’t even stop you.” 

“I d-don’t want to take advantage of you anymore Ethy. Please let me in.” 

Chapter 9

Presently.

“I watched and waited for you. For four years, I basically stalked you, to become the man you seemed to favour, and you threw that back at me.” 

“I want to love you without hurting you anymore Essien.”

Her chat with Essien in his office wasn’t supposed to be an emotional roller coaster, it was to mend their relationship and restore it to the best thing it could be. Dial had meant it when she said she wanted him to be around her, as a friend, as anything else—she would have settled. Essien was supposed to be cold till the end of the chat, maybe throw her food out. Then she would be content with being his friend when he finally accepts her back into his life, but as complicated as it sounds, the revelation that their conversation caused Dial’s heart to break even more. 

She left his company with her mind in a bigger turmoil. She couldn’t even fathom how she drove to the apartment she was renting since it would be uncomfortable to stay in Essien’s parents’ house. 

Dial cried to her mother on the phone when she got home. Why wasn’t it easy to just forget her selfish deeds? Essien followed her to Senegal and she never knew that. She was being such a bitch when the man pined over her like she was the only one that existed. She was almost upset that he didn’t contact her at all when he spent all those years borderline stalking her, and learning about her but she realized that she would have ruined the experience for him. She would have been just as toxic as she was when she had just returned to Nigeria. Asking for anything right now, even friendship seemed like she was asking for too much. Of course, her mother didn’t understand the chaos inside Dial, she just kept telling Dial to apologize but the problem is, she doesn’t feel worthy enough to earn his forgiveness. How does one forgive that? She treated the man like a prostitute, disregarded his efforts to make her comfortable, and even spoke to him vilely when she had the chance to take it back. 

It had been a week since the last time she saw Essien at the company and despite what she said at the time, she had permanently decided not pursue him anymore and leave the man to find a woman that he truly deserves. She also concluded that she would call off whatever their parents expected to happen by the weekend and return to Senegal by the end of the month at most. She would try to enjoy Nigeria as much as she could, just to erase all the bad memories she had racked up since she returned. 

Her long braids were tied up messily as she cleaned up all the soda cans and plastic plates scattered around the apartment since she hadn’t been in the right frame of mind to keep things right, and she avoided Mrs Cobham because she couldn’t face the woman she respected deeply after she had treated her son the way she did, when she could have just gone to have homemade meals at the mansion. The knock on the door was so soft that she almost didn’t hear it over the ruckus she was causing while cleaning. ‘Who is there? And the person didn’t see the bell?’

The door opened up to reveal the man she never thought she would see again. 

Essien. 

She clasped her hands behind her as she stood in the doorway awkwardly, sweat trickling down her forehead. She stared at the man without blinking once, her eyes taking in his tall, lean figure as he towered over her. His hair let loose in his face, almost covering his eyes and his shoulders. ‘Did it grow longer since the last time?’  

“I know we are not really cool right now, but can I come in?” 

The question snapped her out of whatever coma she seemed to have gone into as she finally gave way for him to come into her house. His eyes covered all the space in a short time as he strolled in confidently, making Dial realize that he hadn’t been here before. His eyes zeroed in on the trash she had been gathering in one corner of the small but quaint living room, she noticed this and she rushed towards it, maybe to hide it, she never really thought that through.

“W-we I was cleaning when you k-knocked.” 

Dial stuttered. Totally out of character. 

Essien stared directly at her, now making herself conscious of her appearance as she stepped on her own toes to distract herself from the feeling of awkwardness. 

“I want to try again with you. I mean, I want to start over.” 

Dial almost fainted from the rush of emotions inside her head making her dizzy. This was definitely what she wanted, but was it fair to him? Was Mrs Cobham making him do this?

“Y-you don’t have to do this. I could pack and leave Nigeria forever, and wish you well from afar. You won’t have to encounter me at all, and I will explain to Aunty and my mom what went wrong and how it was all my fault. I promise-”

Essien let out a little chuckle, interrupting her long rant. Dial’s eyes widened a little in surprise as she wondered.

“I haven’t gotten used to your accent. It is so cute, especially when you speak this fast.” Essien remarked. 

Her spoken English had taken its own form since she spent 8 years in Senegal as the French and Mandinka accents had woven themselves into her words and she sounded foreign to the Nigerian ears. Dial grew shy at the attention and almost blushed as she stared at her toes. 

When she decided to look up to Essien again, he was closer. She could smell him from how close he stood. She almost stumbled backwards and tried to steady herself by holding onto something. Her palms lay on Essien’s chest, feeling how firm they were, realizing that she didn’t have the chance to appreciate his body the last time they were intimate. She was so out of her element in this situation as she tried to remove her hands when Essien’s hands held hers right there. 

He leaned down beside her ear and whispered. 

“Let’s have a redo.”

Essien suddenly lifted her like she weighed nothing as both of her legs circled his slim waist, her mouth opened in a gasp. “E-Ethy.” Her voice came out small and breathless. 

He dropped her on the couch and followed her sprawled body, trapping her with his larger body. He buried his face into her sweaty neck as he lightly licked, not minding as she shivered involuntarily. She tried to push him back a little “I am d-dirty Ethy,” her voice came out as a moan. 

“Let me decide that, young lady.” He groaned into her ears, his voice a little stern. 

He propped her knees up, settling between them as he pulled down her shorts and underwear at the same time leaving Dial shy. She got over it fast as she leaned on her elbows, and tugged his shirt upwards too, effectively taking it off. Her lips attached to his nipples immediately they were exposed to her as he threw his head back in immediate pleasure. 

His moans filled the air, as she sucked lightly and appreciatively when he didn’t hold back his sounds. His larger hand grabbed her head, holding her in position as he rubbed his nipple all over her protruding tongue, his fingers tugging some braid strands loose, grinding his hard dick against her naked center. He suddenly let go of her head, staring at her with his pupils blown out as he tugged her shirt off, her exposed breasts in his view. His lips reattached themselves to her neck and ears as she threw her head back, her mouth lightly parted as her whimpers resonated loudly in the small living room. His hands worked with his pants, taking them off with his mouth still attached to her body as she took breathless pants. 

“P-please, put it in,” she moaned out as he rubbed his length over her wetness, his eyes fixed on her tortured expression. He slid into her slowly, her mouth opened once more in a silent scream, her eyes widened as she locked eyes with him. His thrusts slow and deep, “hold me if you can’t handle it babygirl.” 

Dial dug her long nails into his biceps as he supported her weight easily, thrusting into her like she was a toy. She almost felt like he was taking revenge on her body as her eyes watered from the overwhelming feeling that her body had been taken over by. 

Her body jerked in his arms, as the rest of her braids fell loose, “keep go-going, I am going to-” Essien leaned down a little, his pace never faltering, placing a gentle sloppy kiss on her wet lips, her scream trapped in his mouth as she came. He pulled out just as she rode out her orgasm, spilling his onto her stomach as she fell gently back into the couch. 

“Now, let’s get you to bathe, as you take back all you said while I fuck you again in your bathroom.” 

Chapter 10 (Final)

The Cobhams always seemed to take every opportunity to throw a party. Like usual, people rush in and out of the very extravagant mansion, but shockingly, Mrs Cobham, the culprit behind every Cobham party seemed to be quiet this time. Her voice isn’t echoing through the large space as usual and everyone seemed to be working at their own pace, arranging food and drinks on the large dining space provided, low music rang through the speakers as quiet chatters came from Mr Cobham and his friends for the first time, since the man always seemed to check out of his wife’s affairs. 

Dial was once again cutting fruits and arranging them on a platter as Essien, rarely present at such events, smiled as he paid rapt attention to arranging the fruits the way Dial had shown him right beside her as she hit his gloved hands every minute when he got the arrangement wrong. 

This party for the first time had to be thrown. Mrs Cobham thinks everything should be celebrated and she was not wrong for the first time. Even Essien was fully involved in the preparations. Well, when Dial and Essien called the Cobhams to an important dinner and related to them in light details what had happened between them over the years (years, because it included Essien’s stalking which Mr Cobham didn’t seem very surprised by), and more importantly, that they have finally decided to properly date with the intention of getting married, Mrs Cobham jumped into the loudest shrill of excitement right there in the restaurant. She even proposed that they get married right away but of course, Dial and Essien wanted to do things their own way. 

It has been a month since then, The Kantehs, Dial’s parents flew down to Nigeria as soon as they could with Journita booking their flights for them of course because Olamide, Essien’s best friend was finally fully a fan of Dial and according to him, her parents deserve a discount for birthing a daughter that his friend seemed to be entranced in for years. 

Essien’s mother was currently trapped upstairs with Mrs Kanteh as they caught up on their lives as they had been doing since the past week when Dial’s parents first arrived and Mr Cobham finally found his voice in a party as it seemed from his chatter with Dial’s father somewhere in the corner of the wide dining space. 

The party or more appropriately, an extravagant dinner finally started in full swing after an almost full day of preparations as everyone gathered around the large table, Dial and Essien sat with their hands entwined under the table. 

“I almost began to lose hope in you my son, Essien, I thought you couldn’t make this happen.” Mrs Cobham remarked, making the whole table erupt in a light laugh including Dial as Essien tried to hide behind his hair only to realize that he was wearing the cornrows Dial insisted he got. 

“It was more me Aunty, I was being difficult, when I could have just free-fallen into his arms and have the time of my life as I have had this past month.” Dial lightly came to his defence staring into Essien’s eyes with a reassuring smile. 

‘I love you’ They whispered to each other, forgetting everyone around the table for a moment. Their hearts filled and bodies overwhelmed with an immense amount of care and affection for each other. 

Mrs Kanteh made her remarks and even embarrassed Dial a little bit by giving Essien the details of her daily calls of distress and cries when she realized that she felt strongly for Essien and the feelings didn’t seem to be reciprocated because of her past attitude. 

Essien couldn’t help but fall deeper for the strong-willed lady he fell in love with. She had always had an attitude since she was a child.

 Since the first time he laid eyes on her.

Since she helped him hide his girly toys when his classmates made fun of him.

Since she scolded Georgia and stopped being friends with her for being cruel to him.

After all, she kept being mean to him, and every stubborn remark kept drawing him closer to her. She grew into such a beautiful woman and it almost took physical restraint to stay away from her when he stalked her for four years in Senegal. Gosh, he was really trapped in her. 

He almost stopped loving her.

But was that ever truly possible?

He would always love her.

And it only made it better that she loved him just as obsessively.

The end. 

Outro

Hey people, it’s Griin. I appreciate you reading up to this point, I take note of all your support and do not take it for granted. 

Do not forget to comment your thoughts about your experience, the book, the characters or any other thing in general. I love you, and I wish you the type of love I write about (minus toxic parts of course.) 

Byee