STAGED AFFECTION
(Episode 9)
Two days later, I was back to my usual routine, pretending to go to work. After taking a bath, I left our room and headed to the living room to watch a sports match. I tuned into the channel and was engrossed in the game when Nichelle came downstairs and walked into the room.
Without even acknowledging my presence, she picked up the remote control and changed the channel to a movie station. I was taken aback by her actions and looked at her in annoyance.
“Can’t you even say excuse me before changing the channel?” I asked, trying to keep my cool.
Nichelle turned to me with a smirk on her face. “I don’t need anybody’s permission to do anything in my house,” she said, her voice dripping with arrogance.
I was taken aback by her response. “Really?” I asked, my voice rising in anger.
“Yes,” she replied, her expression unyielding.
I stood up, my anger boiling over. “I can’t wait for these two weeks to come to an end,” I said, my voice loud and clear.
Nichelle sneered at me. “You’re just a guest in my house, don’t forget that,” she spat.
I shook my head and walked away, leaving her to her movie. I couldn’t believe the nerve of this woman. I couldn’t wait to get out of this toxic situation and back to my normal life.
As I walked away, I could hear Nichelle’s insults following me. “You’re just a broke guy who can’t even afford a decent life,” she shouted.
I ignored her and kept walking, knowing that I didn’t have to stoop to her level. I was better than that.
*****************
I stormed into our room, still fuming from the encounter with Nichelle. I grabbed my phone and dialed KC’s number, my anger boiling over. As soon as he picked up, I let it all out.
“Guy, I’m not sure I can continue with this so called contract,” I said, my voice shaking with rage.
KC’s voice was calm and concerned. “What’s the problem, bro? What’s going on?”
I took a deep breath, trying to compose myself. “Nichelle is really getting on my nerves, KC. She’s constantly disrespecting me, and I’ve had enough. I’m thinking of terminating the contract.”
KC’s tone changed to one of alarm. “Whoa, hold on, bro. Let’s not be hasty. What’s been going on with Nichelle?”
I recounted the entire incident, from her changing the channel to her insults. KC listened attentively, his expression growing more serious by the minute.
“Okay, bro, I’ll talk to her,” KC said. “I’ll warn her to back off. But please, don’t terminate the contract yet. Let me handle it.”
I hesitated, still fuming. But KC’s calm demeanor and promise to intervene made me pause.
“Fine,” I said finally. “But if she tries any other nonsense with me, I’m out of here. I don’t care about the money.”
KC’s voice was soothing. “I understand, bro. I’ll take care of it. Just calm down and let me handle it.”
I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me. “Okay, fine. Thanks, KC.”
With that, I ended the call, feeling a bit better knowing that KC had my back. But I was still wary, knowing that Nichelle was unpredictable and capable of anything.
******************
I was sitting on the floor, still trying to calm down from my earlier conversation with KC, when Nichelle entered the room. She was laughing at me, a mocking glint in her eye.
“Is that all you can do?” she asked, her voice dripping with contempt. “Go complain to KC like a child? You’re older than him, and yet you’re behaving like a toddler.”
I kept quiet, refusing to engage with her. But Nichelle wouldn’t let up.
“That’s how broke people behave,” she sneered. “Every little thing, they would complain. You’re so predictable.”
She continued to taunt me, her words cutting deep. “I can’t even wait for these two weeks to be over so you can leave my house. If not for my mother pressuring me to get married, I wouldn’t even be bothering with someone like you. What would I be doing with a tout like you?”
I felt my anger rising, but I tried to keep it in check. However, when Nichelle said, “If you want to beat me, go ahead, beat me,” something snapped inside me. I stood up immediately, my fists clenched.
But Nichelle just laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. She held me, her eyes flashing with anger. “Go ahead, beat me. I dare you.”
I looked at her for some moments, my anger boiling over. But then I saw the mocking glint in her eye, and I realized she was trying to provoke me. I took a deep breath and lay back down on the floor, refusing to give her the satisfaction of getting a rise out of me.
Nichelle’s laughter followed me as I lay there, her words still echoing in my mind. But I knew I wouldn’t engage with her again.
To be continued…
