Love in devilish places - Episode 4

 

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"Hey," she called after him, "I'll need a few minutes to use the ladies."

"Take all the time you want. I'll be over there." He nodded towards the game room.

"Okay."

Tania escaped to the bathroom to take a breather. She actually had ulterior motives for it . Looking at herself on the mirror, she opened her purse, bringing out her makeup kit.

In three minutes she had touched up her makeup, removed the band on her hair letting it fall on her side. She looked at herself from different angles, liking what she saw before spraying her perfume behind her ears and on her wrist; she had heard from somewhere that you sprayed wherever you wanted to be kissed.

Satisfied with her new look she walked out, determined to win the Caucasian on his dare. The One Direction concert was a must and the amazon ticket was to purchase a new series of Nora Roberts.

Entering into the game room was like a different world entirely. It was a large centre with different board games and few video games stand. The dart board at the far end was pretty surrounded by people waiting patiently.

How the noise and chattering of the people never passed through those doors were suprising.

"Soundproofed Tania." She facepalmed.

"Heyo." He waved to her three benches away from her position. "I ordered wine and fruits to make it exciting."

"Good." She nodded occupying the space on the other side of the board

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/love-in-devilish-places

. She placed her purse beside her and then rubbed her palms to ease the thrill. "Let's get this started." She eyed the berries, Strawberries were her favorite 

"Sure. I love your hair by the way."

Tania one point. Stranger zero.

They both reached for a berry simultaneously and she withdrew her hand in shock. That little touch was enough to send sparks through her and when she looked up she met his eyes. His smile in place as he offered her a berry.

"Have it." He smilled, he had also felt the connection.

Warning bells went off in her head immediately. Who was this not so handsome man?

****

Friday evenings were Tania's ME time. Unlike her friends, Cassandra, Sophia and Debby she preferred the warmth of her Milo beverage, the comfort of her fluffy blue bean chair and her faithful companion, wattpad. Having grown the thick skin for social gatherings, wattpad was a welcome change for her and in two years she had being dutiful to her routine.

She was till snuggled up in her bean chair, tea on one hand and her tab on the other when Sophia walked in angrily.

"Hey," She greeted.

"I've been at the door for the past five minutes while you're all cozied up in here and the welcome I get is an hey." Sophia removed her shoes sighing in anger more than relief.

"I thought you had your key." She replied not taking her gaze off her tablet.

"When I'm talking to you you pay attention." Sophia snatched the tablet, rolling her eyes at the screen. "Not another novel."

"Oh please." She placed the cup on the saucer. "Game Changer is a mystery/thriller and I swear you'll love it. It's the book one of lakeview series, you should definitely check it out on Wattpad."

"Whatever. That's what you say everyday." She hissed removing her wig.

"That's because I take my time to devour it. It has riddles which I bet you have no answer to." She walked to her, snatching back her tablet. " Check this out." She cleared her throat. "8'o clock is game time. No man less, no man more. The bell rings where the clock strikes."

"And?"

"Riddle master?" She grinned.

"Excuse me please. I really need some cookies and yoghurt." She stood up, pushing her out of the way.

"You're beginning to act like a character on Game Changer." She laughed settling down on her bean chair once more.

She checked her time to see it was past nine, she had read for two hours. A good improvement in her readability.

"Did you hear me?" Sophia called from the kitchen.

"Hear what." She took the now empty cup to the kitchen.

Her kitchen was in disarray, the aftermath of her nose ring hunt. It had fallen when she rubbed her nose too hard after her morning cleanup and in five minutes a three hour job came undone.

She cleared a spot on the kitchen island by the doorway. Remembering the need to stock up on ketchup as Sophia opened the refrigerator.

"I said." She munched a cookie silently. "Your fans are requesting a detailed information on the #stickwithmyflaws that's currently trending. All thanks to that radio show that's always contrasting you."

She hissed at that. "I thought you meant something important."

"Tania! Just because you gave up on love doesn't mean it's inexistent. You've saved marriages remember."

"Oh please. Marriages that are built on lies need another to keep them afloat. And unfortunately...that's my job." She jumped down from the counter, put the cup in a bowl of hot water to soak.

"Is this my Olubankole? Babe, you were never like this..."

"And now I am." She did the dishes, scrubbing a dish more than neccesary in a bid to contain her anger.

"Stop this okay." Sophia grabbed the sponge from her facing her with blazing eyes. "You're always mopping around and you know it. Why stress yourself fixing other people's lives when you can't fix yours. Tania do you feel an ounce of pity for yourself?" She shook her by the shoulders. "Do you?"

"Oh please don't talk to me about self pity." She stepped back. "Weren't you there when Nonso cheated on me, wasn't it last year when Shedrach ditched me for that bag of bones who calls herself a model. Did you not..."

"Enough okay. Enough." She raised her voice to match hers. "I've had my share of bad guys too, same as Debby. Even Cassy had a social scandal about her man but is now happily married."

"And I don't fucking care." She ran her hands through her tangled hair. "You can continue keeping tab on everyone around you but steer clear of my life." She stomped out.

"Like you have a life." Sophia called behind her.

She completed the dishes in silence. Worry laced her features as she thought of her friend.

Tania was a beautiful twenty-four year old lady. She was also smart, confident and rich. She appeared tough on the outside but a simple wedding invitation could make her snap. Little wonder why she spent her time reading mystery books, trying to figure out answers to puzzles.

If only she could do same for herself. She sighed.

Thanks for reading, it means a lot to me.