Chapter 8

• "It wasn't, but I'm sure we can renegotiate the terms," Evan responded, not realizing I had intentionally changed the topic. I nodded, and a small smile appeared on his lips.
• "So where would you like your proposal? At the beach? Paris?" he started to dream aloud.
• "Hold on there, I didn't agree to this," I interrupted his daydream.
• "But you nodded," he innocently responded.
• "To cut the conversation short. Besides, if I were to marry you, you'd have to get to know my likes and dislikes on your own," I explained.
• "Hmm... fair enough," he said, and I nodded, a satisfied smile creeping over my lips. I was glad I could assert myself so confidently. The rest of the ride was silent, with him touching my hands here and there, reassuring me of I don't know what.
• An hour later, I was coming from the shower, heading straight to the kitchen as I was hungry. I was in my nightgown, which wasn't meant to be attractive in any way, as I wasn't trying to seduce him. It was a flowery knee-length gown, my hair still wet from the shower as I had washed it to avoid doing so in the morning, knowing I had a meeting with the CEO to make a good impression.
• I spotted Evan in the kitchen, making a sandwich. "Oh, here you are. I was about to go get you," he said. In a matter of seconds, I found myself on the kitchen counter. Still in front of me and between my legs, I realized he had placed me there.
• "I made you a sandwich," he spoke seductively.
• "Hmm... I..." I was unable to form words due to the situation. He leaned in closer next to my lips, and I bit my lips. Our lips were so close, I closed my eyes as I was far gone in his charms. After waiting for what felt like an eternity, with no further move from him, I opened my eyes to meet his, which were staring at me with an expression of desperation. He pulled away suddenly, which brought me back to reality. I cleared my throat uncomfortably.
• "Thank you," I said, trying to ease the tension.
• "Let me wash my hands so I can help you..."
• "No, I'll have it by myself," I cut in. After rejecting me, he wanted to act all lovey-dovey? I grabbed the sandwich and took a big bite. "Hmm..."
• Evan cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable. He grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and gulped it down in one go. He poured me water in a glass, which I uncomfortably took and drank.
• After I was done with my sandwich, he packed everything away neatly. "If you need anything, please give a call or message me before coming downstairs. There will be guards down here for security," he said.
• I nodded in understanding. "Goodnight, Evan," I said, heading to the guest room. He said something, probably wishing me a good night, but I didn't listen. Upon reaching the guest room, I removed my sleepers floppies and went to bed. I went through Instagram, checking my page, which had numerous notifications from likes, comments, followers, and even tags from gossip blogs. I wasn't in the mood for any Evan drama, so I exited the app and went to WhatsApp to call my cousin.
• I just wanted to hear a familiar voice and chat with her. Skylar was too busy, and she had left me a text earlier letting me know that she would be making an appearance at a club. I guessed she was caught up.
• My cousin picked up on the first ring. "Amelia!" she exclaimed, clearly excited to hear from me.
• "Ife!" we said in unison and started laughing. Ife and I didn't grow up together, so we weren't that close, but we were each other's vibe. We looked almost alike, and people often confused us for siblings, considering that we were almost the same age. I was 24, and she was 26, just a year's difference.
• "Oh my gosh! Why have you been ghosting me? Is it because you've become a celebrity, huh?" she pouted her lips.
• "No, it's not like that, Ife. My life has been a roller-coaster lately," I said.
• "A roller-coaster? Girl, you're living the dream. Your followers are close to five million now, and you're trending almost on every blog. Girl, you're lucky," she said. Well, she didn't know this was all just for the public. I wished I could have told her, but my contract said I couldn't. I just sighed and said, "I guess I am."
• "Girl, what's up? You don't seem too excited," she said, expressing concern as she noticed my low energy.
• I shook my head, indicating I didn't want to share. She understood and changed the topic. One thing I liked about Ife was that she wasn't one to pressure you. She always understood when I needed space.
• "Well, I have something that will cheer you up," she said, activating her gossip mode.
• "Oh, you with gossip. What is it this time?" I asked.
• "Well, remember Emeka, the guy with the American baby mama drama?"
• "Yes?"
• "Well, it turns out he's married. They got married last year in secret. Can you imagine the scandal on social media right now? The wife wants a divorce, and the American baby mama is apparently asking for a million dollars to have an abortion. Life is not going great for him as his label dropped him too."
• I was caught at the American baby mama asking for a million dollars. Of course, when I came here, I told my family, including Ifeoma, that I got a job with Visa at a publishing firm. I didn't want to tell them about Skylar, as they had trust issues and didn't want to stop me. My dad asked for proof, which wasn't difficult to get, as Sky had so many connections she got that the same day.
• "Wait, so you said the baby mama is asking for a million dollars to have an abortion?" I curiously asked, knowing Sky wasn't even planning to keep the pregnancy. She had said she'd get an abortion as soon as she returned from her shoot.
• "Well, apparently. I'm not sure, but I love the drama," Ife said, and I couldn't help but laugh.
• "You're crazy."
• "Well, one has to be," she said. Next, we chatted about our family and the family wedding I missed. Aunt was not happy that I had missed it.
• We talked about Grandma, who, according to her, was doing better. She visited her frequently, which comforted me, as I didn't want Gogo to be lonely, not that she was alone, but without family's love. After bidding each other goodnight, I ended the call and finally tried to find sleep, which, luckily, I did.