EPISODE 11.
🍒 (UNPREDICTED LOVE) 🍒
(C) Judytex_Stories
Raymond and Annabelle who unexpectedly found themselves in an awkward situation, stood there in awkward silence for a while before Raymond finally broke the silence.
“I can just get a different room for myself. If you don’t feel comfortable sharing a room with me” Raymond awkwardly said unable to look her in the eyes.
“No need for that. I don’t feel uncomfortable at all” Annabelle lied blinking her eyes.
“Okay then, let’s go in,” Raymond said.
“Yeah sure. But I think you have to open the door first” Annabelle said avoiding his gaze.
Raymond who had already forgotten that he was with the key to the room, suddenly remembered and hastily opened the door.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” He said quickly unlocking the door.
When they both entered the hotel room, they both fell in love with the interior and how spacious the room and the bed were.
“At least, the bed is wide enough to create a huge demarcation between us,” Annabelle said in her heart with a deep sigh of relief.
She walked to the wardrobe and started unpacking some of her stuff while Raymond sat on the edge of the bed and began to untie his shoelace.
“This room is quite big. And I love it” Raymond said trying to clear the awkwardness between them.
“Yeah, It’s so spacious. And the interior designs and everything obviously shows that it is quite expensive” Annabelle said still unpacking her stuff.
Then Raymond who was done losing his shoelace sighed deeply and laid his back on the bed with his hands feeling its warmth.
“Yeah. It sure looks expensive” He affirmed.
Meanwhile, back in Deji’s room, he was restlessly sitting on the edge of the hotel bed with different thoughts running through his head.
“How come she didn’t object to the idea?” He asked himself as he flashed back to Annabelle’s null facial expression when Roseline brought the idea of her and Raymond sharing a room.
“How can she be shameless to share a single room with a total stranger? A man she knows nothing about? Or does this mean she already likes him? What could they be doing in there right now? This doesn’t make sense at all. Annabelle is shameless” He said in his heart with his palm resting on his jaw.
Just then, Roseline who was done taking her shower, stepped out of the bathroom with her towel tied around her chest.
“Babe? What’s going through your mind?” She asked reaching for her luggage.
“Nothing. Are you done?” He asked turning to Roseline who responded with a nod.
“Yes. And now is your turn” She said with a smile.
“Okay,” He said standing to his feet. “I am coming. Let me go and check something outside” Deji said trying to excuse himself.
“Come on babe, we just got here not long ago and here you are already talking about stepping out?” She asked applying her body lotion.
“Aren’t you being too possessive and dramatic right now? Come on, can’t I step out to enjoy the view of the hotel and its environment? Besides, this is still morning and I don’t necessarily need to take another bath right now” Deji said.
Hearing this, Roseline walked up to him and seductively began to run her hand around his chest. Then in a calm and child-like tone, she asked,
“Babe really? For how long will you keep acting like you don’t know why I showered again this morning?” She asked seductively biting her lips.
“Babe just……” Deji was yet speaking when Roseline quickly shut him up with a kiss.
Now left with no choice, Deji had to attend to his woman’s sexual needs.
Meanwhile, back in their Annabelle’s room, Annabelle who was done arranging her stuff in the wardrobe, returned to the bed and sat beside Raymond whose back was still laying on the bed.
“Raymond” Annabelle called fumbling with her dress.
“Yes?” Raymond responded still lying down with his eyes fixed on the ceiling.
“Are you in a relationship?” Annabelle asked staring awkwardly at the ceiling.
“Not yet” Raymond responded immediately.
“Why? I mean, you are good-looking and considerate. So it doesn’t make any sense that you are still single” Annabelle said.
Hearing this, Raymond slowly sat upright with his back facing Annabelle.
“I know right? Maybe that’s one reason why I keep attracting fake girls” He said with sadness in his heart.
“How do you mean?” Annabelle asked looking curious.
“The first girl I dated actually took my kindness for granted. She was quite manipulative. She does wrong and I always end up apologizing for her wrongs” He said with a scoff.
“What? Like seriously?” Annabelle asked with her eyes widened in shock.
“Yeah. It was my first time being in love so, I gave it my all. But she took my love for granted. And in the end, she broke up with me saying I was too calm for her liking. She said she needed someone who is razz and calm. Like, her reasons for breaking up with me, didn’t make any sense even to date” Raymond said.
“Wow. I’m actually surprised to hear this. I was expecting to hear that you were responsible for breaking their hearts. Not the opposite” Annabelle said.
“Hahahaha. That’s why it’s best you don’t judge one with your assumptions. You just have to get to know them better” Raymond said.
“You are definitely right. So what about your second girlfriend?” Annabelle asked.
“Hmmmm” Raymond sighed deeply. “She was a girl I dated for five years. I did everything for her. I almost outdid myself to satisfy her needs. But guess what? I caught her cheating on me with my supposed best friend on the day I went to give her a surprise visit at her house” Raymond revealed with his head buried in his palms.
“No way! What? You mean you went through all that in the hands of women?” Annabelle asked with her jaw dropped in shock.
“Yeah. But that didn’t stop me from being myself. Although since then, I have stopped taking women seriously. Because I wouldn’t want my best to be taken for granted for the third time. Maybe relationships and love aren’t just my things. Because being single for a long while now, has strangely brought me peace of mind” Raymond said.
“No, Raymond…” Annabelle said standing to her feet.
She walked up to him and sat next to him.
“You are a good man. And I believe you will be able to find a partner who will give you all the love you desire. Someone who will sincerely love you for who you are. Someone who won’t use your good heart against you. That someone might be closer than you think. You just have to open your heart to embrace love again” Annabelle said staring deep into his eyes with a smile.
“What about you?” Raymond asked.
“Huh?” Annabelle asked.
“When do you intend to love again? Or will you shut your heart forever?” Raymond asked.
“No. I think I am now ready to love again. I have been hard on myself all these years. But now, I’m ready to free myself from the prison of my past by giving love a second chance” Annabelle said smiling brightly.
“I love to hear that. Anyways, since we are here, why don’t we take this opportunity to go look around the city?” Raymond asked.
“Do you know your way around this city?” Annabelle asked.
“Not really I believe we can simply ask around for directions and suggestions. Then after moving around we can then return to this hotel since we already know its name. Or, what do you think?” Raymond asked.
“I think I agree with you on that. Since it would be boring staying in here till further notice” Annabelle responded.
“Alright. Do you prefer we go with their Deji or just the two of us?” Raymond asked.
“Won’t they feel bad if we go sightseeing without them?” Annabelle asked.
“Well, in that case, let’s take them along,” Raymond said.
When they stepped out of their room, they both headed to Deji’s door which was beside theirs.
But as Raymond was about to knock, he heard the sound of m*****g coming from the room. And so did Annabelle who quickly shifted away from the door.
“I guess they are both having a good time,” Annabelle said with sadness in her heart.
“Yeah. I think we will have to go alone then” Raymond said.
And together, they both went out sightseeing. Leaving Deji and Roseline behind.
While they were out sightseeing, Raymond kept using every opportunity he got to put a smile on Annabelle’s face. And for once in five years, she felt free and whole again. Like a bird freed from its cage.
While they were walking down a certain street, Raymond saw a teddy bear and he was immediately reminded of Jasper.
“Wait here,” He told Annabelle.
And without hesitation, he crossed over to the other side and bought the teddy bear.
When he crossed back to the side where Annabelle was standing waiting for him, he handed the teddy bear to Annabelle who was touched by his kind gesture.
“I got this for Jasper. Do you think he will like it?” Raymond asked with excitement on his face.
And with tears in her eyes, Annabelle nodded affirmatively.
“Sure. This is beautiful Raymond. And I’m sure Jasper would love it. Thank you so much for everything. For thinking about my son like he was your blood” Annabelle said with tears looming in her eyes.
Raymond who wasn’t expecting her to react that way became totally confused.
“Why the tears? It’s just a teddy bear” He said.
“No Raymond. This is more than just a teddy bear to me and Jasper” She said fighting back tears. “Thank you so much,” She said with a sad smile.
Raymond being left with no choice had to pull Annabelle into an embrace while he slowly patted her on her back.
Back at the hotel.
A few hours later, Deji who was curious to know what Annabelle and Raymond were up to, came out of his room and began knocking on their door.
And when he didn’t get any response from them, he became restless and was about to dial Raymond’s number when he saw the both of them walking in with smiles on their faces.
“Hey man,” Raymond waved at him as they walked up to him.
“Hey… I was just wondering where you guys must have gone off to without informing us” Deji lied putting his phone back in his pocket.
“We went for quick sightseeing. We had actually wanted to take you guys along but it seemed like you were both busy with some rigorous activities” Raymond said with a smile.
Hearing this, Deji lacked words to say.
“Oh, I see…” He said scratching his head.
Just then, Roseline stepped out and saw the teddy bear in Annabelle’s hand.
“What’s going on here? It looks like the newest couple actually went out for a date. Seeing how they even got a teddy bear” She said grabbing Deji’s arm.
“Actually, Raymond got it for my son,” Annabelle said with a bright smile on her lips.
Hearing this, Deji became jealous and uncomfortable.
“What’s with all this newest couple stuff? When you guys aren’t even dating for real” Deji said trying to satisfy his curiosity.
“Well on the contrary,” Raymond said holding Annabelle’s hand. “We are officially dating as of today,” He said with a bright smile.
“Huh?” Deji asked in total confusion.
Annabelle who was completely confused gave him a quick look filled with confusion.
