STAGED AFFECTION
(Episode 12)
Three days later, Nichelle’s call flashed on my screen, and I avoided it for a while, but she kept calling persistently. I finally had to pick up, my voice firm and annoyed.
“What? Why are you disturbing my peace?” I asked, my tone clear.
“Can you come back?” Nichelle asked, her voice sweet and manipulative.
“Nope,” I replied, my answer short and final.
Nichelle sighed, her voice taking on a desperate tone. “It’s been three days since you left, and my mother has started asking about you. You need to come back before she starts to notice that this whole thing was staged.”
I laughed, my amusement clear. “You should go get another guy who will worship you,” I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “I’m not in for the contract anymore.”
Nichelle’s voice took on a persuasive tone. “I can double the pay if that’s the case.”
I laughed again, my response immediate. “That’s your problem, thinking everything is about money. Take your money and go get a rich guy that matches your ego.”
Nichelle started to speak again, but I cut her off, my patience worn thin. “I’m not interested in your money or your games, Nichelle. Goodbye.”
With that, I hung up the call, blocking her number to avoid any further contact. I was done with her and her toxic behavior, and I was relieved to be free from the contract and her manipulation.
*****************
When I ended the call, KC came out of his room, curiosity etched on his face. “Who were you talking to?” he asked, his voice inquiring. “I heard your voice from my room.”
I sighed, still feeling annoyed from the conversation. “It was Nichelle,” I replied, my tone flat.
KC’s eyes widened. “What did she say?” he asked, his interest piqued.
I shook my head, recalling the conversation. “She said I should come back,” I said. “That her mother is starting to ask questions.”
KC nodded thoughtfully. “What did you tell her?” he asked, his eyes fixed on me.
I shrugged. “I turned her down,” I said, my voice firm. “I told her I’m no longer interested in the contract or her money.”
KC sat down next to me, his expression thoughtful. “Don’t you still need that money?” he asked, his voice concerned.
I waved my hand dismissively. “To hell with Nichelle’s money,” I said, my tone bitter. “After all this, I realized I don’t need the money that badly. It’s not worth my dignity.”
KC nodded understandingly. “It’s fine then,” he said. “If your heart doesn’t want the contract anymore, we should forget about it.”
I nodded in agreement, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. “Yeah, let’s just forget about it,” I said, my voice firm.
KC smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Good decision, bro,” he said. “You deserve better than that.”
*****************
The next day, I was in my room when KC came and called me. “Someone is here to see you,” he said, his voice neutral.
I came out to see Nichelle standing in the living room, her eyes fixed on me. I turned to go back to my room, but KC stopped me. “Listen to her at least,” he said, his voice encouraging.
I turned and looked at KC, then nodded. “Fine,” I said, and went to sit down.
Nichelle looked at me, but I avoided her gaze. She began to speak, her voice hesitant. “Okay, I’m sorry for slapping you that night… But why must you kiss me when is not part of the contract”
I cut her off, my tone firm. “That’s because it was the only option at that time. I even called out to you that your mother was coming, but you ignored me.”
Nichelle shook her head. “I didn’t hear it,” she said, her voice defensive.
I raised an eyebrow. “Why are you blaming me then?”
Nichelle was quiet for a moment, then continued. “I want you to come back to the house and finish what we started.”
I shook my head. “I’m not interested.”
But KC intervened, his voice persuasive. “Bro, please consider her. You know she already introduced you to her mother. She can’t possibly go get another guy to present to her.”
I thought for a moment, weighing my options. Finally, I nodded. “Fine, I’ll be back so we can finish what I started, as you both said.”
Nichelle’s face lit up with a smile. “Remember, no kissing, no matter what.”
I looked at her, my expression stern. “The one I did then was a mistake. Don’t bother about that again. I wouldn’t even dare have anything to do with you outside of your mother’s presence.”
With that, I stood up and left them, my mind made up. I would go back to the house, but only to fulfill the contract. I was done with Nichelle’s games.
To be continued…
