Chapter 17: Chapter 17

Alex's point of view (POV)

__

I stood by the shore side of the beach waiting for the hint of any bronze-skinned toned person named Tife.

My mind did a little flashback to what happened in the afternoon. Her entire apartment is like a museum of her alleged boyfriend or do I say, ex-boyfriend. Yeah, I think that sounds better, the idea of someone else being her boyfriend tasted like a bitter pill in my tongue.

Her walls are filled with photos of the fair-skinned, leaned guy with dreadlocks. At the corner of her table, she had a golden frame of him with big candles of different colours that I'm beginning to wonder if she worshipped him. When people use coloured candles, it could also mean rituals or curses so I'm hoping it is the latter.

I stole a glance at her kitchen that was adorned with long beads that served as a decorative ornament to the kitchen and believe me, she has another huge frame of him hung up on the wall. She probably stares at his picture while cooking. She isn't in love with him, she is obsessed with him hence the reason she probably feels like shit.

I can perceive her flowery perfume as they waft around the beach. Even she was ten miles away, I will always be able to trace her scent. I stood arms akimbo and watched how the tide went front and back. The whole Elegushi beach looks calm and peaceful. A tourism centre of beauty at night.

"Alex," she called softly as she hugged my back, making me smile.

"Tife," I spun around and took in her appearance.

She is clad in a two-piece swimwear. She tied a white transparent scarf on her waist, exposing her hips and thick thighs as the scarf gave the full view of her butt.

"You came," I pulled her in for a hug. Savouring every scent I could inhale. She smelled so heavenly. Her hair smelt of leave-in-conditioners and coconut.

"Of course I would," she let out a low peal of laughter.

Her laughter sounded like a soft musical instrument. Her hair is packed up, revealing her slender neck and collar bone. Her lips; though full and pouty attracted me the more. She is an African goddess that reincarnated because there is definitely no way it is legal for a human to be this good looking.

"I'm not used to going out on dates, most of the ones I attended were fake and for paparazzi. This is real and I didn't want it to be in an insanely expensive restaurant because that is outdated." I held her small waist.

"To be honest, this is perfect. A date at a restaurant will only seem too formal and will remind me of my recent break-up." She muttered sadly.

"Let's just enjoy this moment, shall we?" I tilted my head to a side.

"We shall come on." She led me to the already set up canopy.

It is a small table for two with a white curtain draped around it. There are flower petals and candles everywhere with a small bell to alert the waiters if we needed anything.

I pulled a chair for her and waited for her to sit, before doing the same for myself.

____

Tife's point of view (POV)

The cool water laps at my bare feet making me enjoy the coolness of nature. This is like dream come true. It looks like a beautiful place in Paris. We are all alone on the beach other than the employees. Beautiful cowries, petals, flowers adorned the place.

I feel like I'm bathing in the presence of the moonlight as it reflects on the beauty. I can't help but smile as the gentle wind caresses my face. The waves scattered, roared, and rolled down, chasing on to the shore with a soft hiss.

Alex is dressed casually, as a matter of fact, it is the first time I see him dressed so casually other than a suit and he looks so good in it. The wind kept tugging his white unbuttoned shirt as if to rip it. His brown eyes watched my every move making me feel self-conscious. Does my boobs look too big? Am I too fat to him? Or perhaps I'm so black that I'm beginning to irritate him. Geez! I wish I knew what ran through his pretty little head.

"Let's order, are you ready?" Alex finally asked.

"Sure, I'm starving." I shrugged my shoulder and watched him pick up a golden spoon as he tapped the side of the bell.

"You look beautiful tonight, Tife. A perfect combination with nature." He took my hands and rubbed it with his. His hand felt warm.

"And you look quite ravishing, Alex." I teased and watched his give a genuine smile.

"What is your zodiac sign?" He asked all of a sudden, tapping his chin.

"Pisces, you?" I smiled brightly.

"Scorpio," he grinned while I let out a burst of knowing laughter.

"No wonder we get along." My heart went into overdrive.

"But we didn't get along at first, we were enemies." My hair moved along in the direction of the breeze.

"Have you ever loved someone so much that it ached, it sucks? Especially, when it is someone you used to hate." He raised his brows.

"Hey." I banged the table and glared at him.

He chuckled, "I said 'used to,' didn't I?!"

"That is not funny," I hissed with a frown marring my face.

"Why are you getting so worked up? Your facial expression definitely looks funny."

"I'm glad you are amused. Ha-ha." I let out a sarcastic laugh.

"You look cute when you are angry." He commented all of a sudden with a stony expression, making my heart flutter.

"You think I look cute when I'm angry? Well, hold on because I'm about to get really gorgeous." I pinched my index finger and thumb together.

"Good evening sir and ma'am, what will you like to order?" A teenage girl queried, she had leaves woven so intricately and delicately, sitting on her head.

"I will like the garnished shrimps and snails with a cocktail wine," I said politely.

"And you sir?" She nudged her head at Alex who kept staring at me.

"Alex?" I snapped my fingers in his face before he broke from his reverie.

"I'm sorry what?" His gaze shifted between the girl and me.

"What would you like to order sir?" She repeated herself with a smile on her face.

"Anything she orders goes with me." He cracked his knuckles.

"Your order will be coming up soon," she said and left.

"Who is your favourite big brother Naija star?" I asked all of a sudden.

"I like Prince and Laycon."

"Why?" I tucked some strand of hair behind my ear.

"Laycon is a child of grace, he is intelligent and answers to the theory of you do not judge a book by its cover." He wiggled his two fingers in my face.

"And prince?"

"The guy is humble, easy-going and nice. Besides he is a huge friend to Dorathy." He tapped my nose.

"I love Dorathy." I declared immediately.

"Why?" He inclined his head and leaned back on his chair.

"Dorathy is different, she is not like the perfect girls with a botched figure eight. She purely natural, beautiful, confident and bold. Characteristics of a true queen." I raised my arm and flexed my muscles.

"You are such a drama queen, you have zero muscle." He laughed in my face.

"Hmm!" I snorted. "Of all the queens to label me, you called me a drama queen." I shook my head.

"Well yes, you are a drama queen so deal with it." He stuck out his tongue at me.

"Get out of here." I pouted and pushed his muscular chest.

"You want a whole sexy specimen like me to leave you," he shook his head, clearly amused.

"Who dash you sexiness? You just keep singing your praises just to fuel your ego." I waved him off.

"I think this is the part I need to scream mad oh," he said, making me chuckle.

"Go ahead now, scream all you want, it won't change anything." I taunted him.

He cupped his mouth with his hand and screamed, "mad oh!" His voice echoed into the air.

"Why did you do That?" I panicked immediately.

"You gave me the go-ahead," he pointed at me and winked.

"Here you go." The girl came back with our meal and began setting the table.

"You can have this ma'am," he bowed and gave me a crown that was handwoven by beautifully selected flowers.

"Wow, thanks." I collected it and stared at it with keen interest.

"But Why? Why are you offering it to me?" The crown felt light in my hands.

"Where I come from, it is believed that this crown fuels love and takes the couple to the next stage." She smiled and spoke like she was remembering a memory.

She was about leaving when I called her to wait. "Here, have this." I folded three thousand notes into her hands.

"Thank you ma, thank you so much, madam." She knelt on the sandy beach and continued praying for me.

"It's fine, you can leave us now." I chuckled and stared at her retreating form.

"Did you see that?" Alex asked.

"What?" I cocked a brow and looked back hoping to see something eye-catchy.

"You are a queen, a passionate one at that and you deserve the best. You just made the poor girl happy," he smiled and touched my face delicately.

"Givers never lack, you made me happy by paying my salary, and now I made someone else happy by giving her a tip. If we all try to make everyone happy then the world will be a better place." I shrugged and took a sip from my red wine.

I almost chewed a substance but spat it out immediately with shock registered on my face while I stared at a guilty Alex that kept scratching his neck.

"Look Tife, you have made me a better person right from the first day I set my eyes ob you. You complete me and make my heart gladden with joy." He paused and stood up.

He took little steps towards me and stopped at my front. My heart is clapping thunderously. No way, this can't be happening. He can't be proposing I be his girlfriend or can he?

I stared at the diamond crusted ring. It looked so beautifully carved with the finest stone and perfect shimmers. I can't help but wonder if this ring doesn't cost a fortune.

"I know I have acted like a jerk to you and I apologize for everything I have done. My life feels empty and I want you to fill it up for me." He held my hands and kissed it.

"I want my life to become colourful, I want you to be my friend, girlfriend, wife and mother of my unborn kids, so please, marry me." He knelt on the sandy floor and gazed into my eyes. Ar this moment, I understood why he was nervous all night and acted distinctly.

The candle lights dimmed like it could feel the charge in the air. My vision becomes blurry as I struggle to breathe. What response do I give to a marriage proposal with my billionaire boss?