Maybe I asked the wrong question, or I had asked too soon.
Christian walks to the sink, his eyes lowered and dark, I could feel a wave of gloom as I watch him wipe his hands.
My torso is still bare, and I try to make him aware that I really need something with arms to cover me up!
I'm currently between getting to the bottom of his sudden change of mood and my arms shielding my full chest, I'm stuck.
"Ok, could you atleast find me a T-shirt?" I blurt out.
He turns and then understands my desperation. I follow him out the door and into another room with a neatly made bed and desk at the corner of the room.
"Christian, please what is going on? You're not alright, I can tell," I chose my words carefully. The whole corny 'are you okay?' certainly won't get this anywhere.
He hands me a large baby blue sweater and black sweatpants to change into.
"I'll excuse you," he says through his teeth and walks out the door.
-
Once fully clothed, I walk out the door to find the room with my bag, clothes and shoes. I know for a fact there will be some reminder on my phone from my parents concerning my return to meet them.
Then there's Christian to look for in this huge house.
Dammit.
I try to recall the door to the hot tub as I walk in the isle of the corridor, they all look the same after all.
A crashing sound is heard from behind me and I know it must be where Christian is. I run back and search for the room with a wave of panick.
"Christian? Christian, where are you?!" I shake each doorknob aggressively than the one before it until I reach a locked door.
"I'm in here,"
I follow his voice and walk into a study, finding him seated on a couch which wasn't covered in white cloth like the rest of the furniture in the room, a lampstand on the floor. It must be what had caused the sound.
I walk to him slowly, and sit next to him. His head rests in his hands, massaging the sides of his temples.
"Christian," I whisper, and my hand is on his back, rubbing it in circular motion. "Talk to me, please,"
He says nothing, and instead moves closer to me in a matter of seconds. His hands wrap themselves round my waist and nudges into my neck.
"Hey, it's ok," I coo, patting his head softly and I hear his breath escalate.
We stay in that position for a while until the only thing left is silence.
"Imani?"
"I'm here," I look into his eyes as he lifts his head,
" I... this is pathetic. I'm sorry I reacted the way I did, I'm not in my right state of mind right now ,"
"It's okay, Christian... do you want to talk about it?"
×××
"You're a bastard! A hypocrite!"
"Honey, what's going on?"
"Get out,Dan,"
"Now, wait a minute, you can't cause a scene in the living room like this for no reason,"
"I'll tell you once he leaves,"
"Leaves? Oh I'm not the one leaving,"
"What?"
"Robert!"
"Dan, leave!"
"Not until you give me my share, Robert! You take my ideas,an-You knew my position and you took it away! You just take!"
"We both made pitches what the hell are you talking about?!"
"Honey, what pitches?"
Dan pulls out a revolver, aiming for Robert, shock in Robert's eyes that he'd come armed.
"Dan,"
"Shut up!"
×××
Christian explains the events that lead to his father's murder. He was business partners with a man who was at loggerheads with him when their project was starting to take off. In my view, the man was envious of Christian's father and their plans working because of him. He then wanted his share of the profits even though the board apparently voted the majority shares go to Christian's father.
"It was after that incident that the entire family went through hell,my mother fell sick and my elder brother left the house to find Robert. By then, my sisters had to leave to my Nana and I couldn't go because I had exams. Eventually, Robert killed himself and the story ended. I... I can't even forgive him for what happened. Something like that could've been dealt with a different way or something,just something. I can't even forgive myself because I watched all that happen and watched my father die and did nothing ,"
We sit in silence again, and he holds my hand.
"It's ok not to say anything, it is alot to take in," he sighs.
"I know," I respond softly. I struggle to find the right words for this moment, and all I could do was embrace him.
"Let's not ruin your pampering session with my sappy memories," he gets up from the couch and I do the same.
"I'm glad you told me," I lace my fingers into his and give a hopeful smile.
-
"Hey Imani," Adrian welcomes me and gives me an outstretched hand.
"Hey," I sit across the work desk and wait for him to move from his laptop.
"I'm so glad we could talk- oh, and that you made time to meet me," he clears his throat.
"Well, this is about Kenya so sure," I give an assuring smile.
"Yes, um... I know you and her are the closest of friends, initially I wanted Hannah here as well but we all know 'Hannah'," we both laugh at his air quote.
I could understand his implication; Hannah is a loudmouth and if this is in any ways a secret then she'd by no means keep it that way. No disrespect to Hannah.
"I understand," I sigh," so what's this about?"
"I plan on having a little get together for her and I, before our wedding day, friends and family probably and then shower her with some gifts, y'know?" he smoulders.
"What, you think it's a bad thing?" I giggle.
"I just need your expertise in planning it, because you did an amazing job on Hannah's birthday," he grins.
"Why, thank you," I respond rather shocked by his compliment.
"So just tell me what you need for this, if you need anyone to help you whatsoever," he grabs a notepad from the corner of the desk and waits for my call.
"That shouldn't be a problem, Christian could help me," I shrug.
"Ah...,"
"Don't," I raise a hand to stop him.
"I didn't say anything," Adrian feigns surrender," Although-"
"Adrian," I drawl.
"I know you two are..." his fingers lace into each other, implying Christian and I's 'union'.
"He told you?" I sit upright at his expression.
"No, but you just did," he smirks.
"I knew he'd come around with this love thing, you two are quite the match,"
"What do you mean,' he'd come around'?"
Adrian clears his throat and stares at his desk, deep in thought.
"I really don't know if it's my place to tell you anything about him,"
"I know bits and pieces," I grin nervously.
"Well he'll have to tell you the entirety of it,"
What could he possibly not be telling me?
"Is this the whole 'Christian had a rough past relationship, making it difficult for him to love again' type of story ?" I air quote.
"What the fu- no," he chuckles," just let him tell you," the phone on his desk interupts him and he answers it quickly.
"Baby! Hey I was- you're downstairs?" Our eyes meet as I cover my mouth in astonishment.
"Sure, I'm in my office... Okay fine, bye,"
"She's coming," I giggle.
"Yes, you'll just find a way of telling her something that doesn't involve what we discussed," he winks at me.
"Got it," I wink back.
"He- Imani, what are you doing here?" Kenya approaches the desk and leans over to kiss Adrian.
"I'm just here to give Adrian some statements from Khale, he'll probably make a financial report or something," I grin.
"Ah, I see. Well, Adrian has to take me out tonight," she pats him on the shoulder.
"I do?"
"Adrian,"
"I'll just excuse y'all, let you do your thing," I give Kenya a cunning smile," see you on Friday?"
"Sure, babes. Bye," I walk out the door and then it clicked.
Hannah, Kenya and I had to have our own little party before Kenya gets married.
Darn it, now I have to tell Hannah!
×××
"I couldn't stop thinking about you all day, you know,"
"Is that so?" I smirk.
"Honest," his hand lands on mine while the other controlled the steering wheel," I want to take you to this amazing Italian restaurant which opened up recently,"
"You should just be Italian, get your name changed to Alfredo or something,"
"As in Alfredo sauce?" He chuckles.
Wow.
"You're being an idiot,"
"That makes two of us. Say, do you love ravioli?"
We walk into an Italian restaurant and order the famous ravioli which Christian spoke of for the rest of our drive. The place is quite packed, probably because it's happy hour.
"So, Adrian needs our help with organizing a little get-together for Kenya and himself," I explain while shifting in my seat to get comfortable.
"Oh?,"
"Yeah, but he didn't state the date so I'm assuming it's towards the day of the wedding,"
"Well, that shouldn't be a problem. We can have it in some backyard and just create a good atmosphere," he suggests, his eyes lowering to the menu card.
"Look at us, all focused about planning another event together," I give him a silly smile and he chuckles lightly.
"We make a great team, don't we?"
"We do," I give him my fist, and he stares at it curiously.
"Christian? Fist bump,"
"What?" He smiles.
I roll my eyes before he laughs, bringing his fist to mine.
"I was going to attack you," I frown just as my phone rings. I take it out and notice Noni as the caller ID.
Gee, I wonder what it could be this time?
________________________________