STAGED AFFECTION
(Episode 2)
After that night, I continued with my normal coding job. Days turned into a week, and I had almost forgotten about the contract with nichelle. But then, that afternoon, I was in our living room working, KC walked in with Nichelle, and my heart skipped a beat. Nichelle looked at me without saying a word, her expression unreadable.
“Guy, she said her mother will be back tomorrow, so she’s here to tell you everything you will do,” KC said, breaking the silence.
KC then turned to Nichelle and asked her to sit down. We both continued looking at each other, the tension between us palpable.
“Come on, guys, you both need to stop this,” KC said, trying to intervene. “You’re too mature for this. I mean, come on, is this how you guys want to treat each other and be silent in the presence of her mother?”
Nichelle spoke up, her voice laced with sarcasm. “It’s fine, KC. I blame myself, though. I should have gone in search of a more romantic guy who knows how to treat a lady instead of this one here.”
I didn’t respond, still looking at her, trying to process what was happening.
Nichelle continued, “Well, this is the deal. You come to my house, we both will be staying in my room, but you won’t sleep on my bed though. Every morning, you’ll go out and then come back in the evening, pretend you’re going out for work. I told my mother you own a tech company.”
I remained quiet, still looking at both of them, unsure of what to say or do next. The conversation was far from over, and I could sense that things were about to get even more complicated.
KC tried to break the silence again, “Guys, let’s just…”
But Nichelle cut him off, “No, KC, let him hear everything first.”
*******************
KC asked me if I had any questions, and I turned to him. “She said I won’t be sleeping on her bed, where am I going to be sleeping then?”
Nichelle’s response was curt. “On the floor of course.”
I looked at her for a moment, trying to process her words. I nodded slowly, trying to show that I accepted the arrangement. “It’s fine then.”
Nichelle seemed to relax a bit, now that the details were out of the way. “When do you need your pay?” she asked.
I stood up, ready to leave. “Once the contract ends, you can send me my money.”
I turned to leave, but I could hear Nichelle’s voice behind me. “Are you sure he can do this?” she asked KC.
KC’s response was confident. “Of course, he can do it. I told you, he’s a professional.”
I didn’t turn back, but I could sense Nichelle’s skepticism. I wondered if she really thought I could pull off this charade.
As I walked out of the room, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease. What had I gotten myself into? And what if the whole thing didn’t go as planed?
The questions swirled in my head, but I pushed them aside. I had a job to do, and I was going to see it through.
*****************
That night, KC came to my room, a look of concern on his face. “Guy, how far?” he asked, sitting down on the bed beside me.
I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. “I’m good,” I replied.
KC nodded, his expression serious. “Try and be good oh. Don’t fall my hand at Nichelle’s house.”
I raised an eyebrow, unsure of what he meant. “About that, what if this whole thing didn’t go as planned?” I asked, my mind racing with possibilities. “What if something goes wrong?”
KC cut me off, his voice reassuring. “Guy, nothing will happen. See, you’re handsome, and that’s why I told her about you in the first place. I know you’re a good guy with a good heart.”
I smiled wryly, feeling a bit better. “Thanks, KC.”
KC grinned, his eyes glinting with amusement. “But eeh, don’t forget my 50k from the 500k oh,” he said, laughing.
I chuckled, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. “That won’t be a problem na,” I replied.
As we continued to discuss the plan. KC seemed to sense my doubts, and he placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “Guy, trust me, everything will be fine. Just be yourself, and remember, you’re doing this for the money.”
I nodded, taking a deep breath. I could do this. I just had to pretend to be Nichelle’s boyfriend for two weeks, and then I would be set.
But as I lay in bed that night, I couldn’t shake off the feeling that I was in over my head…
To be continued…
