Short Stories

Afraid To Love – Episode 7

💦🌹🥀Afraid To Love💦🌺💦

🌺💦🌺Episode 7💦🌺💦

 

She gazed at him, her mouth gape. “You…you…she actually wanted that?”
He nodded. “Jeremy is not aware. If he’d known, he would have forced you to marry him.”

She agreed. “Yeah. He would. Know what he did today?”

“What?”

“He barged into my office. Pleaded with me to get along with him all for you. I bet he’ll do some other crazy things when he hears his mum’s last wish.” She smiled at the thought of Jeremy kneeling, seriously begging her to marry him. Frowned at the thought of him handcuffing her hand to his, forcing her to marry him.

“I agree with you. Will you marry him?”

She never expected that question. “I had said yes before. But I’m not sure.”

“Carry out her last wish. Please.”

“What if its a loveless, unhappy marriage?”

“That’s why you’re courting now. You’ll get to love him-”

The footsteps of Jeremy could be heard, interrupting Edwin. He appeared. He’d had his bath. Dressed in a white cotton shirt and black denim. Slippers covered his feet. Purity marvelled at how good he looked. Her eyes roving all over his body. Her gaze met his. Those piercing eyes penetrating her soul. She became still. His charming smile overwhelming her more and more. Butterflies sprang to life in her tummy. Purity, what’s this unfamiliar feeling?

Edwin observed the young children in his presence and smiled to himself. They were gradually falling for themselves. He was glad. He got on his feet. “Don’t forget what we talked about. Good night.”

Purity watched him leave and muttered ‘good night.’ She was sure he didn’t hear it. He briefly patted Jeremy on the back before strolling out of the room. Jeremy nodded.

“Hey, can I sit here?” he pointed at the spot his father just vacated.

“Yep.”

She perceived his masculine scent as he filled the space next to her. “You’re really fast.”

“Sad that I didn’t give you enough time to talk with my dad?”

“Uh, kind of. Was getting to enjoy our conversation.”

“My father’s never boring. Just like me,” he boasted.

She snorted. “Stop dreaming. You’re probably the most boring man I’d ever met. Always fighting with me.”

Wow. He was suddenly interested to know more about the men she’d dated. “Tell me about the one you liked best.”

She tossed her head. “There’s no one.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“I actually mean that I’ve never dated. A romantic date. Never had one.”

He wasn’t going to buy that big, fat lie. What did she mean that she’d never dated? She was rich, pretty and had the body that men would fight over. Even if she really didn’t go out, there must be at least, one who had been in her life. This is the twenty-first century. She should come up with another lie cause he wasn’t gonna buy this one.”

“We’re friends. Tell me the truth,” he pleaded.

She laughed. “Why don’t you tell me about you? I’m beginning to bore you. There’s nothing interesting about me.”

He grumbled. “No. Do you really mean it? You’ve never dated? Gone out on a date?”

“Yep.” She crossed her legs, “Tonight was my first.” she was twisting her fingers.

He’d never met anyone like this before. He’d dated and discarded so many women but never came across one like this. He glimpsed at her, then at the 42inches television before him. The T.V. stared back. “You’re, you’re a-”

“A virgin,” she calmly said it.

His eyes drifted to her once more. Here was a woman who was so different from other women. She was really a virgin? He’d never met one, even once. Tricia who had been a little bit responsible had lost her virginity at the age of sixteen. Sitting beside him, a woman who had never dated and at the age of twenty-five, a virgin. He was intrigued by her. She was pure. Really pure. At that moment, he vowed to protect her. He’d never let any guy harm her. He’d marry her as pure as she was- a virgin.

“What about kissing?” he wanted to know more.

Her eyes dropped to the ground. “That was my first.”

“Really?” And she was good at it.

“Yeah. Weird, right?”

“Not at all. Its cool. Glad I stole that kiss.”

She blushed. “I’m not ashamed of it.”

“You shouldn’t. Um, did you actually think of losing your virginity?”

“In my head. I don’t see myself getting married. There’s no one who could take care of me like my parents, especially my father. I’m feeling dizzy. Drive me home.”

“Its past nine. Sleep over.”

+++

“Good morning,” Heather greeted Purity as she stepped into her office.

“Morning, Heather,” Purity replied cheerfully.

Heather noticed her boss was dressed in a casual wear- a denim jean and long sleeve shirt. Was this the Purity she knew?

“Any updates?” Purity asked absent-mindly. She found herself thinking of Jeremy. Looking forward to having a great evening with him. He was different. She’d actually spent the night in his room, on his great bed. He slept on on of the guest rooms. He insisted she slept in his room. Called her parents to know she’d be sleeping over. The morning came, they had a wonderful breakfast prepared by Jeremy himself. She saw herself fitting into the family. She really longed to be there, a part of them. She was starting to love Edwin Broderick. The clothes she actually wore to the office belonged to Jeremy’s mom. They had persuaded her to wear it and she had given in.

“Um… Yeah. The financial problems we’re passing through is almost over. The Broderick’s decided to help us. Within two weeks, they’d be merging. You’ll be working directly under J. Broderick. The company’s CEO. There’s going to be a meeting this afternoon to discuss the other details. You have to be there.” Heather concluded.

They finally saved us. They hadn’t married yet. Her father was right. It wasn’t all about the company, but the marriage. She hoped never to let him down. She’d be working directly under Jeremy? If she would be married to him, she’d resign and look for a job elsewhere. With Jeremy in her work place, she’d never concentrate. She’d now have a boss- for the first time.

“Thanks. About the meeting this afternoon, I won’t be around. I’ll call my papa, he’ll handle it.” She had many things on her mind.

“Miss,” Heather called to her. “Did you just thank me?”

“I did?” She had. She’d learnt to thank people the hard way. “Oh, yeah. Its nothing.”

“Okay. J. Broderick, isn’t he the Jeremy that was here yesterday? Said he was your fiance?”

Purity glared at her. “How many people have you told?”

“No one.”

“Good. Keep your mouth shut. Not a word of this to anyone.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Purity smiled. “Have a nice day, Heather.”

Purity walked out of the building and was headed to the parking lot. Someone accidentally bumped into her.

“Watch it, b—h!” the woman screamed at her.

“Excuse me? You are the one who’s supposed to watch your steps. You bumped into me!” Purity yelled.

The woman eyed her. Her green eyes sternly glowering at her. She was dressed in a mini gown, it exposed her cleavage as well as other parts of her body. Her feet were covered with Wellington boots. Her dark hair flying as the wind caressed her face.

“You lack manners,” she muttered.

Purity flushed with anger. She slapped the woman standing before her. “That’s to show you that I really do lack manners.”

The woman’s face turned red. She tried to slap Purity. Purity was fast, she caught her hand mid-air. “I am Purity Theodore. No one crosses my path and gets away free.”

“So this is you?” the woman questioned. “This b—h, you?” she tried attacking Purity.

The security guards that had been observing the show caught the strange woman. Stopping her from attacking their boss. Two of them held her firmly, placing her hands to her back. She struggled, but couldn’t free herself.

Purity smirked to herself, triumphantly. “Do any of you know this s–t?”

The looked at each other and shook their heads.

“I don’t know her either. Listen to me you w—e, I don’t know who you are neither do I care to. I want you to leave this premises and never come back if you don’t want to spend the rest of your reading life in jail. I’m sure its hell already. Looks like your lover stood you up.” She dug out her new cell phone from the purse she carried. She took a picture of this strange lady. “I don’t know why I’m doing this, but I have a feeling it’ll have a good result. Throw this prostitute out of my company!”

…..

She turned and walked majestically to her car. She sat in the driver’s seat as she got into it. Using the rear view mirror, she could see what was happening to that woman. One of the guards carried her out, she kept fighting within his grip, pounding his back. The other took her bag and other items that where on the floor and followed the other guard taking her out. While she’d been talking to the lady, she’d been receiving angry stares from her. Who was she? Why had she not apologised after she’d bumped into her? Where the hell do she come from? Was she actually looking for her? Only the b—h could answer these questions. For a moment, she was scared of her. No one had ever confronted her that way. The way she looked at her, was as if the woman had known her and had lots of scores to settle with her.

She kept watching as she was thrown outside the company. She started her car. Shifting the gear to reverse, the XC60 moved under her command. When she was done with reversing, she shifted the gear to drive and headed to the gate of the premises. She honked and the gate was opened for her. On getting out, she almost hit a woman. Fortunately, she was quick with her brakes and the woman ran to the side of the vehicle. Purity was about to lash this woman with unfriendly words. She turned to her, ah, she was familiar, this same woman who had created a scene minutes ago at her company. Purity didn’t say anything, she kept on looking at her. The lady returned her gaze with glaring eyes. Those eyes had no feelings or sympathy or human emotions in them. They were just black. Purity wondered who this woman was and why she’d been staring at her with such eyes. But right now, she didn’t care. Giving her a cold stare, the woman removed her eyes from Purity’s and scurried away.

Purity felt she had won. She smiled to herself and drove off.

*

*

*

“What are you doing here?” Jeremy asked Tricia as she stepped into his office.

She ignored him. Threw her things on the mohagony desk and settled on a chair facing Jeremy. As she sat, she crossed her legs.

Jeremy quietly watched her settle down. He was tapping his fountain pen on the desk, examining her.

“Aren’t you going to give me an answer? And have I not warned you not to dress like this to visit me?”

She scoffed. “Listen to me. I’m not your girlfriend anymore. I can dress anyhow I want to.”

“Right. But,” he raised his brows. “You’re still coming to visit me, so watch the way you dress.” he warned.

“I can’t believe you’re talking to me like this. What went wrong? I don’t understand.”

He frowned. “State your business.”

“Don’t try to act formal with me,” she had begun to raise her voice. “I’m here to see you and talk with you. I demand an explanation. Why did you break up with me?”

Jeremy was amazed. What the hell is this b—h talking about? He gave a throaty laugh. “From what I can remember, you ended the relationship. Your exact words, I can still recall; ‘Jeremy Broderick. Its over between us, I hate you and will hate you for the rest of my life. I never want to be seen around you.’ Am I correct?”

“That was then. I didn’t mean it. I want you back.”

“Well,” he snorted, “Its too late. I told you I am engaged, didn’t I?”

She swallowed. “Few days after the break up you’re already having a fiancee? You were in a hurry to get rid of me?”

“That wasn’t what exactly happened.”

“Oh, yeah.” she straightened her legs. “I don’t really want to know. Do you know how much I love you? How much I really want to be with you?”

“Tricia, I do not know. Honestly, I don’t think I want to know. Please, stop all that.”

Tricia got up, placed both hands on the desk and looked affectionately at him. “I know you still love me. And I love you too.”

“Hell, no. I don’t!” he blurted.

“You don’t? Never, didn’t?”

“Mm-hmm.”

She began shedding tears. Placed her right hand on her hair and drew it back.

TBC

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