Maybe, You Will See Me Now

018

"You can wear this." Andrew put a pair of blue crocs in front of her. She looked at them before looking at him once more. It was his home, so the right thing to do would be to listen to him.

Ijeawele slightly lifted the bottom of her African print dress to reveal her feet. She took off the fancy slippers she wore, and when she went ahead to slide her feet into the Crocs, Andrew had bent, holding it in place for her to put on. She stared at him. She wasn't used to the politeness and kindness he seemed to show her too often. Every time, it was a thing of surprise for her.

Andrew lifted his eyes to her. She had taken a little longer to slide in her second feet. His eyes, meeting hers, shook her out of her thoughts. As she looked away from him, she slid her feet into the second Crocs, faster than she did with the first one. Ijeawele walked away before he was standing straight once more.

"Um..." Andrew started, not sure what to do or say next. Inviting her over was something he'd done at that moment. There was no prior planning of any sort. He looked at her, and he wasn't ready to say bye at the time.

His gaze fell on the television, and he went after the remote. Ijeawele assimilated with her eyes while she walked around the living room. It was a little more spacious than hers. There was a kitchen and two other doors. Maybe a bathroom and bedroom. She stared at one of the doors while her curiosity for what his bedroom looked like gradually grew inside of her. There was no grand reason why. She was simply curious. His living room was impeccable. Neat and in order, down to the placement of the television remote.

The sound from the television caused her to redirect her gaze to it.

"Do you have a channel you would prefer?" Andrew asked, and she looked at him. He stretched his hand to her with the remote in it. "You can change it."

Ijeawele walked up to him and collected it. "I don't watch all the time, so..." She changed to ROK 2 channel, which played only Nollywood movies. "... I just leave it here."

Andrew nodded in understanding, his smile faint but there. She watched him walk away towards the door that would lead into his bedroom. Suddenly, he stopped and turned to her. "Would you like anything to drink?"

Ijeawele momentarily thought about it. "No, I'm okay."

He nodded in understanding before disappearing into his room.

She sat down on the two-seater sofa, and though her gaze rested on the television, her thoughts were not with her. Soon, he was out of the room, having changed from the native attire he had on to something simpler like a pair of black joggers and a grey loose shirt.

"Can I use the restroom?" Ijeawele asked while he was close to the kitchen.

"Yes. The door beside the room."

"Okay." She replied and was quick on her feet before he could take a step towards her. He saw she'd gone in the right direction and didn't feel the need to point it out anymore. Instead, he turned away and continued into the kitchen.

Although it was a rectangular shaped space, it was a little wider than hers. She wondered how it seemed he was earning more than she was. Maybe she was missing something.

Ijeawele liked the clean tiles on the wall, the dry floor, and the lavender scent of the air freshener that filled the air. He was outstandingly clean. Her ex wasn't half as clean. She had to remind him of a lot of things. She slightly shook her head, regretting the fact that she compared them at all.

After relieving herself, she flushed the toilet before heading to the sink. After two pumps from the liquid soap into her hands, Ijeawele had her hand close to her nose to inhale the citrus-like scent from it. It brought a light smile to her face. Right after, through the mirror, her gaze fell on the small single shelf attached to the wall a little closer to the showering section. She turned to it. Ijeawele analysed from the toothbrush to the soap dish, the nivea body cream, and after men's shave. She nodded her head a little. It was almost as if she got a little glimpse at who he was.

Ijeawele stepped out of the bathroom, gently closing the door behind her. Her gaze scanned the living room and stopped on the door to the bedroom. She momentarily rolled her lips in. Her curiosity had grown stronger than earlier, especially after seeing the bathroom. She itched to know more about this man who often smiled at her. A part of her was dying to convince herself that he wasn't as perfect and alluring as he seemed. The other part really wanted to know him more. Wrong or not.

She stole a glance at the kitchen entrance, and when there was no sign of Andrew, she quietly walked to the door. Ijeawele wasn't willing to think of the fact that what she was doing might be morally wrong. At this point, when her hand was on the door handle, she was too far gone to change her mind. Gradually, she pushed down the door's hand and slightly held the door open. Ijeawele put in half of her face, a little scared to leave the door all the way open. That way, whenever Andrew shows up, it would be quicker for her to close the door. Her eyes lurked left and right. All she noticed was the orderliness in the room, nothing specific because of the fear she felt of being caught.

Ijeawele withdrew her face a little, and because there was a certain presence she felt, she looked to her right. Her eyes met with Andrew's. Instantly, they widened in surprise and how close their faces were. He, on the other hand, blankly stared at her. How long has he been towering over her? When did he get here? What could he possibly think of her now? Several of these questions flooded her thoughts at once. Ijeawele had never felt this helpless with a man.

Andrew's eyes went to her lips. A pair of averagely plump reddish pink to brown. At that moment, he wanted very much to lean in and kiss her. He'd never felt that way before with her. In as much as he felt excited yet scared about those thoughts, he very much wished he could act on it. He gulped down before lifting his eyes back to meet hers.

"Do you want to see it?"

Ijeawele's lips parted a little. She blinked nervously faster than usual. When she wasn't able to get out a word quicker, he didn't hesitate to hold her hand, pushing the door open with his other hand. He walked in with her. 

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