Chapter 45: Chapter 45

~Third Person's POV~

She slowly reaches for his hand. "I'm sure whatever bothers you will go away. You'll be alright." She says with a smile.

William stares at her as she smiles at him. He suddenly feels so relieved as if he wasn't even thinking about anything. He knows very well that his feelings towards her had changed but he has been doubting and trying to put away his feelings for her but he can't keep doing that anymore. He can't keep beating as around the bush when its clear that he likes her.

He definitely likes her because all he thinks about is nothing but her. When he came back from France, he was about rushing over to see her but his father brought his birthday thing and he couldn't come again.

He found it weird at first and thought he must have been going crazy but now, he is just going to explore this feeling and see where it takes him.

He sighs before pulling her into his arms. She freezes at first taken by surprise before she slowly starts to relax and hugs him back wrapping her arms around his upper torso. He buries his face into the crook of her neck and shut his eyes. It feels so nice holding her in his arms.

And then, he pulls away and stares at her. She stares back at him with flushed cheeks and then he gently moves her hair away from her face tucking behind her ear. She gulps staring at him as her breathing becomes rapid from nervousness. His hands move out to her shoulders and down to her hands. He grabs her hands gently yet firm and pauses to stare at her.

Even if this isn't the first time of seeing her, he can't help the fact that she's more beautiful everytime he sees her and yeah, he missed her.

He kisses her shoulder and runs his lips over her skin towards her ear but doesn't make it quite far. She instinctively tilts her head and he places kisses over her neck biting her gently. His hands slides down to her waist resting them on the curve of her hips before he kisses the corner of her lips softly and she inhales deeply. He pauses to look at her using his eyes to ask for permission and when she doesn't say anything, he kisses her lips softly, delicately, savouring the taste of milk on her lips which she must have drank earlier. When she sighs into his mouth, he slides his tongue into her mouth and deepens the kiss as he squeezes her ass lightly.

And then, as if her brain starts booting again, she quickly pulls away breathing heavily.

He stares at her with a confused expression thinking if he had gone too far

"Are you okay? What's wrong?"He asks with his hands still resting on her hips.

She looks around like a criminal escaping from the police before turning back to William. "We...We shouldn't... Someone might see us." She says with a worried expression.

William smiles lightly, "Relax Kemi." He leans over to kiss her on the cheek but she moves her face away and pulls away from his hold.

He sighs, "It's fine, Kemi. Really."

She moves her eyeballs from side to side biting her lower lips without saying anything. He stares at her and seeing how tense her expression is, he nods concluding that he has gone too far. He could have simply stopped and check if she was okay with it. He just couldn't hold himself and now he had made her uncomfortable.

He sighs before saying, "I'm sorry, um... You should get back to what you were doing. " He says to her before turning to leave but she stops him by grabbing his wrist.

*Kemi's POV*

I just find him comforting and everytime he's around, I feel a sense of security but that's probably because he has been protecting me recently. It doesn't mean I like him okay?

Besides I cannot have feelings for him. I would only end up getting hurt. Why would I even have feelings for someone who is clearly a consigliere of a large mafia family, that's more like a death sentence. It was only a kiss, it doesn't mean anything...Right? But the fact that I couldn't stop when was kissing me-No-the fact that I didn't want to stop just scares me. Is it because it has been long that I kissed someone? Or is it because he's changed and he doesn't treat me roughly anymore?

"I'm sorry, um...you should get back to what you were doing." I hear him say as he turns to leave but I quickly grab his wrist stopping him. I don't like him. It's only an attraction. Yes, definitely but is it weird that I have suddenly started to find him unexpectedly...very good looking? He looks way more good looking than when l used to hate him. No, no no. I still hate him. Oh, no no,l... I don't hate him. I don't mean that I like him...But I just don't like him...Oh God! What am I even saying? I am about to slap the idiocy out if me to lessen my stupidity but my thoughts gets interrupted when he calls my name.

"Did you hear me?

I blink in confusion. What what?

"Um...What did you say?" I ask him.

He smiles,"What are you thinking about, hmm?" He slightly pinches my chin and I twitch my lips before scratching my neck.

"I said I will take my leave now..." He says staring at me. "I will see you next time." He leans close and kisses my forehead gently before he walks away. I watch head him walk back to the event and I sigh before walking over to the kitchen where l was headed.

Next time? When would that be? Ugh!! Why do I care?

8:30 pm

*William's POV*

After the party is over, I enter into my car alongside Ella who sits beside me before the driver starts the car. I shut my eyes and rest my head against the car seat. I feel less upset and frustrated and it's definitely because I met Kemi. My feelings for her aren't strange anymore. I still can't forget how scared and worried I was when she was taken by Alhaji Bawa. I have never felt so worried or bothered about anyone like that before. And it felt so nice when l...

"I was looking for you at the party. You suddenly disappeared."

I sigh when my thoughts are interrupted by Ella's voice. I seriously don't have any energy for her non stop childish rants right now so l didn't bother to answer her. Call me cruel but it's not easy to live with someone who constantly reminds you of how incompetent you are.

"Will, Will!" She calls my name short as she shakes my hand but I still didn't say anything and still keep my eyes closed.

"Why can't you just answer me!" She suddenly yells close to my ear making me sigh heavily before l finally open my eyes. She just doesn't stop, does she? I tilt my head to her.

"The f**k are you yelling for, Ella?" I ask her with a low but irritated voice.

She clutches my arm tightly. "I'm not trying to know your whereabouts like..like a possessive wife. I simply wanted to check if you're okay. I didn't even ask you about that girl you kissed on the forehead again." She says in a low voice before she moves her hands over to my neck as she smiles at me. She moves my jacket from my shoulders exposing my chest and neck bone. I sigh looking away as I try to wear it back properly but she cups my face with her hands.

"Don't look away from me, hmm?" She says with a pleading voice. I stare at her as she brings her face closer to mine. She kisses the side of my lips slowly, moving her hands to the back of my head. She nibs on my ear before moving back to my lips but before she could kiss me, I move my face backwards breathing out.

She frowns at me,"What?"

I lick my bottom lip, "I'm not in the mood, Ella. Let's..." I sigh shutting my eyes . "Let's get home first." I say as I try to move away from her.

"I don't want to wait till we get home." She says while pouting her lips at me."Kiss me, hmm?"

I stare at her and heave a sigh moving my eyes to the side while she moves closer to me again wrapping her hands around my neck before smashing her lips on mine. I didn't move or even close my eyes. What part of 'I'm not in the mood' does this woman not understand?

And just when I sigh again, she bit my lower lips sliding her tongue into my mouth deepening the kiss. And then, I decide to just go with the flow. I kiss her back moving my hands to her waist to pull her close to me as I kiss her with the same speed she started with. Her hands move down to my trouser and she caresses my crotch before she starts fidgeting with my belt.

As she works on my belt, I tilt her head and starts kissing her neck but then, l suddenly start thinking about Kemi. How her soft lips felt on mine, how nice it felt to kiss her sexy neck bone. Her long lashes that goes well with her beautiful eyes which I would be willing to stare at all day if I have the chance. How glorious I felt when her hands rested on my upper torso and how...Wait, what?

I quickly stop kissing Ella blinking rapidly as I try to bring myself back to reality. Was I really picturing Kemi as Ella?

"Why did you stop?" I hear her ask me as she breathes heavily.

I gulp and breathes out licking my lips without saying anything. She moves one of her hands over my body and starts kissing my bare chest as her other hand unbuckles my belt. I shut my eyes trying to get back in the mood. I shake my head to rapidly trying to get my head back in place but I can't shake out the sudden guilt I'm starting to feel. Why does it seem like I'm cheating on Kemi when Ella's my wife?

I sigh before I grab her hands stopping her from going further.

She blinks at me in confusion. "What?"

"That's it, I don't want to continue." I move away from her shifting close to the door of the car.

"What? Why? It was going just fine." She protests and I can tell she's trying hard not to yell.

I roll my eyes and rest my head on the against the seat. "Just leave me be, Ella. I'm tired."

"Why would you suddenly stop half way?"

"That's cause I'm tired Ella. Some...Some other time, okay? Let's get home first."

"Stop f**king telling me that!" She finally curses out loud as she hits her hands against the seat. "You can't just do that!"

Oh my...F**k!

I rest my head against the glass of the car and glares at her . She swallows as she sees my change of mood.

"Don't f**king piss me off, Ella! For f**ksake woman | said I'm not in the mood!" I blurt out glaring at her.

She didn't say anything and suddenly starts crying like a baby. Oh, just great!

"Now you.... You can't also..." She couldn't say whatever it is that she wants to before she bursts into tears. I roll my eyes and look out through the tinted glass ignoring her.

9:05pm

*Third person POV*

Throughout the ride, none of them said anything to each other. As soon as they arrive at the house, they both step out of the car and Ella starts walking over to the garage.

"Where are you going?" William asks her as he watches her.

"Kalifa!" She calls out in a loud voice ignoring William and then, a young guy wearing a native attire runs to her.

"Yes madam." He replies as he stands before her.

"Get me the key to my black benz."

He nods and quickly dashes out to get it.

William walks close to her with his hands in his pockets. "It past 9 pm for f**k sake, where are you going now?"

She turns to him folding her arms across her chest. "Since when do you care? I just don't want to see your face right now, so I'm leaving."

William sighs, "Are you still sucking up about something so trival?"

She looks away from him as she sees Kalifa running back over to her.

He hands over the car key to her. "Do you need me to drive you, madam?" He asks.

Ella shakes her head, "No, there's no need." She glances at William once more before going over to her car and slides in.

William watches her drive out of the compound with his hands on his waist.

"I just don't understand women." He shakes his head before walking into the house.

*******

Ella knows that if she stayed with him in the house, she would end up losing her voice because all she is going to do is yell her lungs out. It hurts her so much that her own husband would not even kiss her unless she initiates it. For over the years of their marriage, she can swear that he has not touched her up to three times.

"Oh God!" She screams out as tears run down her cheeks. She takes up her phone and reaches to call her friend but she places the phone back. She figures she shouldn't disturb her, she might be sleeping.

And then, her phone starts ringing. She slowly turns her head and glances at the caller. It's her, her childhood friend, Priscilla. She smiles as she wipes the tears from her eyes before she plugs in her earphones and connects it to her phone to answer the call.

"Hey girlfriend!!" She winces as she hears the loud voice which belongs to her crazy friend. She has not been in the country for over five years and she have missed her like crazy.

She sniffles,"Hey Priscy."

'" 'Hey Priscy?' That's it?" Ella can already tell that she would be frowning now.

She laughs lightly,"Heeeyyyyy Priscyyyyy!" She screams out earning a laugh from Priscilla.

"Now that's better you ..." Priscilla pauses. " Your voice is croaky." She adds with a worried voice.

She smiles wiping my eyes hard, "I'm fine, no worries. How about you?"

"Oh me? Well... I'm in your country girl!!"Priscilla screams out again.

"Which country?" She asks in confusion.

"Which other country do you have? I'm in Lagos, Nigeria, you big head!" Priscilla says loudly.

Ella's eyes grow wide, "Bae, are you being serious?"

"Of course! I just arrived now and I'm still at the airport."

"I will come pick you up."

"Seriously? It's already late, there's no need. I'm sure your hubby wouldn't want to let you go." Priscilla says teasingly as she chuckles like a baby.

Ella smiles slightly. 'If only she knows.' She says in thought.

"I will come and pick you up now, it's fine." She makes a U turn heading to the direction the airport to pick her up. Having Priscilla around at a time like this is just what she needs.

"It will take up to an hour for you to get here, it's already too late. I'll come see you tomorrow."

"Don't worry. I would be sleeping over at your place."

"Really? Oh yeah! That's going to be so gooood. I can't wait to see you Gabby!" Priscilla likes to call her by 'Gabby' instead of Ella, like others.

"Me too bae." She smiles before hanging up and increases the speed of the car.

After a while, Ella arrives at the airport and Priscilla's already outside waiting for her with her luggage.

She steps out of the car and runs over to her and they hug each other tightly. After pulling away, She takes a good at Priscilla as if checking to see if she's real and then, Priscilla pouts her lips.

"It's been five good years Gabby! I have missed you so much."

Ella smiles at her, "I have missed you so much too,you have no idea. Come on now, let's go."

After a while, they arrive at Priscillia's house. Entering inside, they go upstairs to her room with Ella assisting her drag her luggage up the stairs.

She sits on the bed while Priscilla takes the luggage to the wardrobe side before coming to sit next to her.

"It's so good to see you Gabby." She smiles at her as she takes her hand in my own.

Ella smiles back, "Me too Priscy, me too. Why didn't you tell me you were coming?"

Priscilla grins, "I wanted to surprise you tomorrow but then you called."

Ella smiles before pulling her cheeks, "See how fat you have become.You have been enjoying eh."

Priscilla laughs, "Enjoying ke. I have been going through so much stress. Work did not once spare me a break and other things came adding to it."

"Oh please." Ella laughs lightly waving her hand to the side.

"You're looking good Gabby." Priscilla smiles at her.

Ella smiles lightly, "Of course, we thank God."

"You were not sounding well on the phone earlier. So tell me, what's wrong?" Priscilla asks.

She shakes her head, "It's nothing Priscy, I'm fine."

She doesn't want to pour her problems to her friend when she's just arriving from a very stressful journey. She has missed her so much and didn't even expect to see her today. Priscilla had indeed told her she would come back to Nigeria this month, but she has no idea it would be today.

She and Priscila had been friends for a long time. They even went to the same university in the U.S but after then, Priscilla got a job in the U.K and had to leave. They still stayed in touch despite that but because of work and other things, it wasn't always possible to speak with each other often. Priscilla even came for her wedding but returned after.

"The fact that we haven't seen each other for a long time dosen't mean I don't know you anymore Gabby. Come on,start talking." Priscilla presses further.

She sighs, "I'm really fine Priscy."

Priscilla narrows her brows not believing her. "Are you sure?"

Ella nods to assure her.

"Wouldn't your hubby be worried that you're out this late?" Priscilla asks.

Ella swallows hard trying her best not to show how sad and hurt she's feeling right now and just smiles at her.

"How was your flight bae?" She asks her, changing the topic.

"Omooooo..." Priscilla emphasizes with her eyes wide open. "It was nice until l got to your Nigerian airport..." She sighs a shakes her head.

Ella starts laughing as she already suspects that she's about to say something funny.

Priscilla continues, "-Your amazing Nigeria airport officers did not allow me pass until l paid them money."

Ella burts into laughter, "You sound like you have forgotten how they are."

"This your country eh." Priscilla shakes her head.

She arches an eyebrow, "Why so you keep saying 'your' as if this isn't your country as well or have you removed yourself from the citizenship?" Ella teases her causing her to laugh.

XOXO