Chapter 20: Chapter 20

VICTORIA'S POV.....

O. M. J....

I won't survive this.

I won't even last five minutes.

She's gonna hate me.

They'll all hate me.

They'll throw me out of their house.

"Could you please relax." Ayo pleaded as his grip on the stirring wheel tightened.

"I'm trying to..." I began to pick my fingers as I chewed on my bottom lip.

"It's just visitation."

"Just? We're going to meet your family. What if I mess up? What if your siblings don't like me? What about you mum and dad? If I say something wrong it may give them a bad impression about me....please let's just turn around and go back home." I pleaded for the umpteenth time.

He told me the day before yesterday that his mum invited me for dinner at their house and this is not like the white peoples movie that the mother automatically likes you when she sets her eyes on you.

This is Nigeria.

And she's a Yoruba woman.

She'll keep a very big eye on me.

Outline my every mistakes.

"Babe. I'm telling you she'll like you. Just be yourself. I mean you've seen one of my sisters before, and she likes you....I'm sure my parents would too." He used his free hand to wrap mine, giving it a small squeeze.

"How are so sure?" I stared at him and he smiled, his eyes still in the road.

"Because I'm their son. And I ended up liking you even if we met in a bus. And even when you were annoying as ever."

Is that suppose to help me?

"Okay. Be myself. Just be myself." I whispered mostly to myself.

"We're here." He parked in front of a gigantic house.

"I can't do this." I held the seatbelt tighter.

I heard him sigh due to frustration

"Look at me." He said and I complied.

I stared into the bright brown eyes and it held comfort in them.

"Breath in and out." He ordered and I obeyed.

"They'll love you. My parents has heard a lot about you that's why they asked you to come over. My mum can't wait to meet my actual girlfriend." He smiled

"Actual?" I frowned

"You know, she heard I stopped flirting around and had a girlfriend...."

"So you were a player, how am I sure you're not playing me?" I tried to make him upset.

"Don't ruin this." He gave me a flat look.

"So..." I trailed off, trying to change the topic.

"Just go in, greet them, introduce yourself and...be yourself....you are free to hold me whenever you feel nervous. I'm sure they wouldn't mind." He said with a sly smirk playing on his lips.

"Whatever." I stuck my tongue out as I decided to finally hop out of the car.

..................

"Mummy mo ti de o." (Mummy I'm home.)

Wait so he can speak Yoruba like this.

He'll na be acting frosh nigga with me.

"Omo mi. Welcome. How are you?" (My child, Welcome)

A woman in her forties came down from the stairs to hug her son.

Wow. See resemblance.

"Ayo!" I heard a small feminine voice scream his name and in one second, she was all over him.

The girl looked about seven years old with her thick natural hair up in a bun.

She was as so cute.

"Ireoluwa." Ayo hugged her back as they both landed on the floor with her on top of him.

It made my heart flutter to see the love they shared.

Unlike me and my younger brother, always fighting. I love my family yes. But we argue about everything.

I guess that's our way of showing our love Cos at the end, we laugh the argument out.

"Where is Fisayo and Kunle?" He finally pulled...out of her tight grip.

"They're upstairs, they're upset that you didn't visit all along." She pouted in such a cute way.

"Okay I'll talk to them later...but...since you came first I have a gift for you." He began to say as he searched his pocket for something.

"Oh no. I think I lost...." He began to say

"You didn't, you gave it to me to hold." I bit my lip, regretting why I spoke because now everyone is aware of my existence.

"Oh my God. You must be Victoria." His mum exclaimed.

Oh Jesus.

"Good afternoon ma." I greeted, bending my knee lower in a way my mum taught me that Yoruba's greet elders.

"My child how are you?" She smiled as she stopped me from kneeling in front of her.

"I'm fine ma." I smiled.

"Are you my brother's girlfriend?" Ire pulled my dress, drawing my attention.

"Um..."

How do you answer a seven year old when she's asking about your relationship status?

"Ire. This is Victoria. And yes she's my girlfriend." Ayo wrapped a arm around my shoulders.

"Really. Thank God. Cos you look nicer and prettier than Chisom. It's nice meeting you." She smiled.

Awwwn

"Nice meeting you too." I greeted back as I brought out the chocolate bar Ayo and I had bought in a shop before coming here.

I hand it to her but she shook her head

"I'm really sorry. But my mum says not to take anything from anyone except she agrees." Ire says politely.

It hurts a bit, but I'm glad she doesn't lack home training.

"Um..okay." I began to retreat.

"Ire, I bought it for you, she was only helping to hold it Cos she was carrying a purse." Ayo told her and she held a long stare at her mother before smiling and taking the bar from me.

I understand what just happened.

If you dare take anything from someone you barely know without your mothers consent, then just know you're digging your grave.

"Thanks....Kunle, Ayo and Vicky bought me chocolate." She jogged upstairs.

I like how she gave me a nickname so quick.

"Honestly, Ayo I'm really impressed. You never bring a girl home, talk more of you're girlfriend." She offered for me to seat down.

Ayo took a spot beside me with one leg on the chair and the other playing on the floor.

Can't he even compose himself? For once?

"So how did you guys meet?" His mum asked both of us.

Oh crap.

Our meeting and getting to know each other was in the weirdest way.

"We...um...met in..." I began to stammer.

"In a bus...when I went for Jamb that year." He helped me out

"Wait...don't tell me she's the girl you were always talking about since you came back from Ogun?" She smiled and I turned to look at Ayo that already had a nervous look on his face.

So I wasn't the only one crushing then. It's really good to know.

"Yeah, she's the one." He lowered his voice.

"Darling, I am so glad you came into his life cos he's changed a lot." She smiled at me and I smiled back.

Well maybe I'll enjoy my time here with them after all.

*******

"And since then he was scared of rats." Ayo's mum said and I laughed out.

Mostly at Ayo.

I can't believe he's scared of rats. A whole big Ayo. Scared of small rats.

"Honestly I wish to continue this conversation with you but I have to attend to something at work. I'm really sorry." His mum began to get up.

"Oh it's okay." I said to her and she nodded.

It's actually strange how she acts so nice with me, like I'm her child or something. I was expecting her to inspect every of my life.

But she behaves like she's my age mate.

"But mum, it's past six." Ayo frowned

"C'mon I've got to go." She playfully slapped his hands and he sighed.

"Okay, Bye. Love you." He pecked his mother's forehead.

"Bye. I'll be back to make dinner." She finally left.

"So, do you want to see the rest of my siblings. Sorry if they were being rude and didn't come downstairs to meet you." He said

"Don't worry. I understand. I also have siblings." I rolled my eyes.

With a swift move, he grabbed my arm and pulled me upstairs to what I think it's the children's room.

"Hey." He fretted immediately we walked in.

I met Ire and a young boy about eleven on separate beds, laughing about something.

"Leave us alone ooo." The boy who I'm guessing is Kunle crossed his arms.

I heard Ayo sigh out before he took a seat beside Kunle.

"Vicky, come sit with me." Ire patted the side of her bed for me and I complied.

"Kunle, I'm sorry. I really wanted to come and visit but my lecturers still just had to schedule classes for us all the time." He pouted and I watched how Kunle rolled his eyes.

"Are you lying?" He asked and Ayo punched his arm a little too rough.

"Nope." He replied ruffling his full hair.

"Okay, I forgive you. Only if you promise to come over."

"I promise." Ayo chimed

Wait, just like that? They settled the argument just like that. I'd have to buy something for my brother before he forgives me.

"So are you the one Ire told me about?" Kunle finally looked at me.

"That depends on what she said about me." I was about to deny anything negative.

"She says you're the love of Ayo's life." He smirked at me and I swear I blushed at what he said.

I know it's stupid to say that I'm blushing for an eleven year old.

But it's good to hear him say that.

"Really? I thought Ayo introduced me as his girlfriend?" I faked a frown.

"He did, but I saw the way he looked at you and I knew he loved you." Ire smiled at me.

Okay this girl is smart.

But a little too smart.

"So where's Fisayo?" Ayo tried to change the topic.

"You're changing what we're talking about because you feel embarrassed but I'll let it slide. Fisayo is in her room." Ire said to Ayo and he got up to meet her.

"Vicky, I think you should go. She's crying over one guy like this and if Ayo should know he'll not talk to her in a way it would make her feel better." Ire whispered and Kunle nodded in support.

"Um...Ayo Wait." I shouted and he paused.

"I'll go with you." I clutched unto his lower arm and he nodded.

He led me to the front of a brown door...which I'm guessing is Fisayo 's room.

Knock knock.

"What?!" I heard a girl growl and you'd know she was crying.

"Fisayo it's me." Ayo said.

He's probably clueless about her recent condition.

"I know. I'm not in the mood for your comments." She said sniffing.

"Are you crying." Ayo began to frown.

"Um...Ayo let me talk to her." I pulled him away from the door.

"What? She's my sister." He frowned

"And I've had several experience with girls than you, so please..." I gave him a pleading look, placing my palms on his chest to add to the puppy eyes I was giving.

"Okay." He murmured and I pecked him.

"Thanks." I said before he left.

Knock.

"I said I'm not in the mood." I heard her

pout.

"Fisayo it's me, Victoria." I said and there was absolute silence before the door clicked open.

"Hey." I greeted as she rubbed her puffy red eyes.

"Hey." She whispered

"C-can I come in?" I asked.

She hesitated for a while but finally gave a way for me to come in.

"So..." I trailed off as I took in her room.

"I know you're here cos my younger ones told you I was crying." She tried to fake a smile.

"Then are you gonna tell me why?" I asked softly and I saw her eyes glisten with tears.

No. Please don't cry.

"He-He cheated on me. He kissed another girl and told me I was a worthless love freak....He insulted me in front of everyone and they laughed." She sobbed and I immediately hugged her.

"I'm sorry." I patted her back.

"I feel so bad." She mumbled.

"It's alright, everyone passes through heartbreaks." I told her and she sniffed.

"How do they get over it?" She asked

"They try to be strong. They won't let one motherfucking guy ruin their lives and opportunities to meet more handsome boys....." I said and she released herself from the hug.

"And if you ask me what I'd do personally, I'd say you'd support being strong with ice cream and chocolates...lots of them." I said truthfully and she laughed.

It wasn't a long one but it made the sadness in her eyes soften.

"Have you been through something like this before?" She asked me as she brightened up her mood.

"Well. Yeah...He wasn't exactly my boyfriend, but I had a huge crush on him and he knew it cos he was my seat partner. When I realized he was only using me for his own benefit, it broke me into pieces." I said.

I never really told Ayo about this, not even Ola, but the twins knew.

"So what did you do?" She asked and I sighed

"Honestly, I didn't want to do anything....but I had two strong headed friends that stuffed his head in the boys toilet." I talked about what the twins did to Stephen back in secondary school and Fisayo laughed more.

Even I smiled at the memory.

"Do you want to know a secret?" I asked her and she nodded.

"Ayo is my first actual boyfriend." I said to her.

"Really. I've had three already." She smiled

Isn't she just seventeen.

"After that toilet incident. I just had to pity every guy and protect them from my vicious friends." I smiled too.

"Hope he hasn't done anything stupid to hurt you?"

"Well, we resolve issues." I shrugged

"What about Chisom, hope she's not giving you tough times."

"Wellll....not anymore. Yet." I answered.

"So what do you do after now...you know about...the guy and stuff." I asked

"For sure I can't stuff his head in a toilet...but I swear I'll pay him back." She frowned.

"It's good to know you've gotten over him." I said and she shrugged.

"I never had special....feelings for him...he was just cute, that's all." She said

"But you...."

"I was crying because the whole school sees me as cheap now." She said

"Okay and how do you plan on fixing that?" I asked

"I donno, but I'll figure it out." She shrugged

"Just don't do anything that would cause more trouble." I said and she nodded

"Okay So about that ice cream....there is a full bowl in the fridge downstairs." She suggested and I smiled

"Okay, let's go." I pulled her out of the room.

We went downstairs to see Kunle and Ayo playing a video game on the television.

"Where's Ire?" I asked

"Asleep." They seemed too distracted to look at us.

"Okay." I rolled my eyes as Fisayo and I left for the kitchen.

*******

12 minutes later.....

"I won. Again!" I heard Kunle shout and Fisayo groaned from the counter as she disposed the ice cream bowl.

"I'm only letting you win." I heard Ayo say too.

"Let's go disturb the boys." I suggested and she smiled

"I'll take Kunle, you take Ayo." She said to me.

Okay.

AYO'S POV......

I concentrated on the next match I and my brother was playing.

I'll prove to him that I'm just letting him win.

The corner of my eyes saw Fisayo and Victoria walking towards us but I ignored it, still putting my attention on the screen.

I saw Fisayo whisper something to Kunle and his eyes lit up.

"Really? I'm coming." Immediately he left the game and left the parlor.

"I'll win this game if you don't come back now." I shouted aiming to score the goal.

"No you won't."

My eyes widened when I saw Victoria standing in front of me with her hand on her hip.

What the hell are these girls up too?

"I want ice cream." She pouted, blocking my view of the television.

"You just had one." I said to her as I tried to see what I was doing about the game.

"I want you to feed me more." She said and I rolled my eyes.

"Later, please I'm busy." I said

"Okay. Then me I won't give you anything you ask."

I froze at what she said.

What.

"You're joking right?" I began to loose focus as I stared at her more than the Tv.

"Try me." She crossed her arms.

I kept her gaze for a while but later sighed in defeat.

I mean, I've already lost the game and damn I know what she can do to me if I don't do as she says.

"Okay, congrats you've gotten my attention. What do you want?" I pouted and she smiled.

"C'mon, I got your attention since that day on the bus." She smiled

Well she's not wrong.

"So what are we doing." I pulled her on my lap.

I have to enjoy something if she doesn't want me to play video games.

"I don't know. I was just bored." She made a pouting face making me want to kiss her.

She was playing with the collar of my shirt, her fingers slightly touching my bare skin making me shiver.

"How about....we make out." I suggested

"What? No!" She almost shouted

"Why na?"

"Number1, children are in this house, number 2, it's your parents house, who does that?" She said but I could tell she wanted to kiss me as much as I did.

"C'mon, no one is around. Just five minutes." I trailed my fingers from her chin to her neck, down to her collarbone.

I noticed her shiver at my touch and I smiled, pressing further.

I pressed my lips on her neck and she gasped as I gave her an open mouth wet kiss.

"A-Ayo. They'll see us." She whispered as she tilted her head sideways, giving me more opportunity to inhale her lovely perfume.

"No one's here." I told her and she moaned.

It wasn't loud, but silent enough for me to hear.

Within a blink of an eye, she was laying on her back on the couch, her breath mixing with mine.

"Ayo." She called my name in the most silent whisper.

"They're probably asleep." I reassured before capturing her lips in mine in the most wonderful kiss I don't think I can ever get used to.

She place one hand around my neck and the other on my cheek as she gave in to the kiss and kissed me back.

Oh those lips.

I felt her legs move underneath me, trying to spread themselves to embrace me more, but I groaned when it brushed against my hard-self and I heard her gasp out, making my grip on her tighten as my kisses became more violent.

She returned every kiss I gave her and her body moved to adjust to our current position. She clawed her way through my hair as I left her lips to kiss her chin.

Then her jaw,

Down to her neck,

And her sharp collarbone.

She moaned out a little too loud when my teeth made contact with her skin.

"Oh God." She sighed out

"That's not my name. I want you to say my name." I grunted as I licked the already red part of her neck.

Perfect.

"This is crazy." She said.

Still not my name.

I grabbed her lips again but gentle this time with her. My muscles flexed when I felt her fingers curl into my shirt.

Instantly, I gripped her wrist.

She's getting into me too much.

I let go of her lips and stared into her confused looking eyes.

How cute.

"You wouldn't want me to fuck you in my parents house, would you?" I asked and she chuckled before shaking her head in response.

I sighed when I realized my hands were already in her shirt, cupping her soft full skin for breast. I gave it a small squeeze and she gasped in surprise then slapped my chest before pushing me off her.

"Aboki." She insulted.

Well it is usually an insult in Nigeria but when you look at the true meaning, it means my friend in Hausa language.

"What? It's not my fault you're hot." I admitted and she bit her lip.

"Bite your lip again and I swear I'd kiss them till they're bruised."

Even I was surprised about how dark my voice had grown.

......

"Have you guys finished. Cos mum's not home and it's already time for dinner." Fisayo said from behind us.

Victoria jerked up slightly as she adjusted in embarrassment.

Why's she embarrassed, it's just my sister.

"Just one second." I told Fisayo before clashing my lips in Victoria's.

It was a long, slow, delicious kiss and I made sure to take my time before letting go.

"What was that..."

"You were biting your lip again." I cut in and licked my bottom lip.

"Guys, seriously what's for dinner. Should we go to a restaurant or prepare cereals." Fisayo suggested and I shrugged.

I'd agree to whatever Victoria says.

"Um....I'll prepare dinner then." I heard Victoria speak.

"You can cook?" Fisayo asked and I scoffed.

What kind of stupid question is that?

"I think I can. What would you want to eat?" V. shrugged

"Jollof rice."

"Okay. Just gimme about thirty minutes." Victoria smiled as she headed to the kitchen.

That's my girlfriend.

.....................

"Good night." I pecked Ire on the head before finally leaving her room with V. by my side.

This feels right.

Like I and my wife just bid our children a good night sleep and are heading to our room to also have more than just a good night.

"Where are you going?" I frowned when I saw her change course.

"To sleep." She said in a duh tone.

"But my room is that way." I pointed at another direction.

"I know...I'm not your wife. I'm just your girlfriend and I'm gonna have my privacy by sleeping in a girls room." She pointed at Fisayo's room door.

"Why na." I almost stomped my feet on the ground.

"Cause I can do just what I want?" She kept her voice in a duh tone.

"You're scared I might touch you and you'd loose control and we'd end up having sex right."

I know I was pulling her legs but the look she gives when she's upset is priceless.

"Good night." She sent a death glare at me and I watched her enter the room and shut the door.

"Good night." I said more to myself than anyone.

I wonder what kind of spell this girl has on me. It's like she has absolute control over me. She could just kill me and I'd never hate her.

"I know that look." I jerked back to reality at the sound of a familiar voice.

"Mum."

"Your dad had the same look when he was young. He still has it." My mum smiled and I began to walk to my room with her on the same pace with me.

"And what look is that?" I asked as she followed me into my room.

"The look of love." She said and I sighed

I knew it. I knew this was where she was heading.

"Why does everyone keep saying that?" I said almost in frustration.

"Because they're not blind." She replied.

"Mum, please, I don't think it's lov..."

"Do you hate her?" She cut in

"No." I replied

"What's the opposite of hate?" She asked

"Love." I replied instantly

"Then you love her."

"Mum."

"What? I'm not wrong. You know I'm not." She pointed a finger at me and I sighed.

Maybe I do.

"Mum...it's ...."

"Hope you've told her." She cut in again and I shook my head.

"Why not? You have to. If not you could loose her."

"It's not as easy." I replied.

"So you admit that you love her?"

"Yes." I replied too fast.

Wait what?!

God what I've I turned into.

"Just settle down and tell her. It's just three words. It's not that hard to say I. Love. You." She smiled

"Then why haven't I told her all along?"

"Because you never wanted to admit it to yourself. And now that you know what you feel, you can now tell her....and show her too." She smiled at me.

It's good to know my family likes her

"What about dad." I changed the subject.

"He traveled. He'll be back on Monday." She said as she began to make attempt to leave my room.

"Good night." She said and she left.

........

What have I become?

Me?

In love?

It was among one of life's greatest impossibilities.

Now she made me do it.

She just had to make me do it.

Damn it Victoria.

I swear I can't believe I actually love someone that's not my mum or sister.

Fuck it.

I can't help it anymore.

I'm in too deep.

And I'll cut the balls of any guy that tries to come near her.

Even my cousin isn't excluded.