Afraid to Love 40-42

Episode 40

Taking a handkerchief from her purse, she mopped the perspiration forming on her forehead. She folded the handkerchief in her right hand and moved. A gentle step at a time, she found herself at a doorway. Carefully, she turned round to be sure is she was the only one there. Seeing no one, she proceeded to open the door. Slowly, the door creaked open. She entered and closed it. She hesitated before turning to see what was in the room. When she finally turned her back to the door, she gasped in amazement. Her left hand covered her slightly opened mouth.

Everything about this room was so magnificent. The tiled floor glowed. The walls were painted orange. The cream curtains were transparent, they billowed on the walls. Right in the middle of the room stood a round, majestic dinner table. A lovely silver material ran all over it. On it were different bottles of wine and lots of delicacies. From where she stood, she could see baked lemon sole with lemon and caper paste, flambed chicken with asparagus, one-pan duck with savor cabbage. The aroma filled her nose and made her mouth water. And there was Jeremy, settled on one of the two dining chairs that stood opposite eachother. He smiled gleefully on seeing her. He left his chair and walked over to meet her.

Purity’s heartbeat increased as he took each step to where she stood. Jeremy was looking so good. He was a very attractive man. He was dressed in a black tuxedo and his foot wear was a classic sneakers. His smile melted her heart. For a moment, her breath was taken away. She kept staring in awe till he approached her. Then, he did the unimaginable.

As he was very close to her, he took her by the hand, and flung her into his arms. He embraced her. Purity was startled beyond all reasonable doubts. Gradually, she settled in his embrace. This had never happened. She held on to him. The scent of his cologne and after shave filled her nostrils. He really had good taste. The scent was nice. She smiled as she rested her head on his shoulder.

Jeremy was pleased to see her. Very pleased. Her dressed was so sexy, he so much loved it. She looked very gorgeous. Feeling her soft feminine body on him got him excited. She was really something. He was glad she didn’t resist him.
“Thank you for coming,” he whispered.

She didn’t respond.

He released her from his arms. “Lets have dinner.”

He walked her to a dining chair and settled her in. He want back to his and got in.
“Do you like it?” he was grinning.

She smiled back. “I love it. You went through all these trouble for me.”

“You deserve it because you are special. Lets eat.”

She blushed.
*
*
*
“Why did you call me here?” Tricia queried.

“I want you to tell me everything about your ex!” he demanded.

She sniggered. “What for? I guess, Purity doesn’t want to come back to you. She is in love with him. Every woman falls head over heels in love with him.”

The thought of his Melisa in love with another man infuriated him. This woman was making him imagine what he never wanted to imagine. He could drain the life out of her if she made one more sound. “Hold it! Melisa won’t ever love him. She belongs to me. She can never love a man.”

That intrigued her. “You seem to know much about this Melisa. Is she the same as Purity?” She thought for a while. “Oh, I’m beginning to get it. The name she gave you wasn’t her real name. That’s why you asked for her name last night.”

He nodded in agreement. This woman got brains.

“What do you intend to do?”

“Make her mine. Ruin that relationship.”

She smiled devilish. “I want him too.”
*
*
*
“You sounded worried when you called this morning. What was the problem?” She was concerned about him.

He wiped his mouth and held her gaze. “Its nothing. I’m a lot more better now.” he smiled reassuringly.

“Okay.” She tapped the table. “I-I have something important to tell you.” her heart began thudding, again.

Was she going to break his heart. Tell him that she couldn’t marry him again? She was not interested in being with someone she didn’t love? He had so many doubts. The previous night, he had vowed to his father to make Purity his wife forever. He had never taken aother woman seriously- not even Tricia. He was going to make her love him and he’d love her to. What she wanted to tell him must wait. “I have something more important.”

She waved her head. “This is more urgent. Its-”

“Will you marry me?” he proposed, unequivocally.

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Episode 41

What is he talking about? Of course, she had agreed to marry him and that’s why she had to reveal everything to him. He had to know the truth. “Yes, Jeremy. I will marry you and that’s why I need to -”

Purity felt a hand, brushing her hair. Her body shook in surprise. Behold! It was Jeremy’s hand. She’d been so busy trying to explain to him what she needed to say. She hadn’t realized that he had left his chair to hers and he had apparently touched her hair. No man does that. She was still thinking of the right words total say to him when he lifted her off the chair. Her hands were firmly trapped in his. Electric sensations ran all over her body. What was Jeremy about to do? She couldn’t think much, for she was overwhelmed by those feelings.

He stared right into her silver eyes. “Why did you say yes? Why do you want to marry me?” He was too close. His emotions were beginning to cloud his brain. Purity, Purity. Only she could do this to him.

She couldn’t understand why he was asking that question. Was he ending things with her? He knew the reason. “I don’t understand you,” she tried not to stammer. “Why the question?”

“Please, answer.”

Purity heaved a sigh. “Fine. We agreed to be friends. To help your papa, he’s sick. And…and…” she trailed off.

“And what?” Jeremy’s heart danced with excitement. Was she gonna say she liked him?

She hung her head. “My parents wants us to be together. My father, especially believes you are the right man for me. The only man who could tame me. He believes you are just like him. It would break their hearts if we let them down.” She paused, then quickly added. “I believe he is right.” she raised her head and held his gaze.

He smiled at her. It didn’t hurt that much. She had come to terms that he is the right man for her. “What is my father wasn’t ill and our parents let us pick our mates and we met, you’d still like me?”

Purity smiled faintly. She knew were he was heading. “Maybe.”

“Do you know why I want you to be my wife?”

“Yes. Probably the same reason.”

He shook his head. “No. Its…. Its because…… because……” he scratched his head. Why isn’t this d--n word coming out? “Um…”

She laughed at his stuttering. “Cat caught your tongue, right?”

“I like you.” They finally came out. He watched her closely for her reaction. Seeing that she was too astonished to speak, he continued. “I want you to marry me not because of our parents. They had played some part in it, but its not just them. Its about us. I want you. Need you. To get to know you more and then spend eternity with you.” He was sure that amazement was killing her. He grinned, left her hand and dropped a knee to the ground. Searching his pocket, he brought out a tiny black box.

Purity watched him with her mouth open and her eyes, dilated.

He opened the box slowly. There was a tiny jewelry in it. He took it out- it was a diamond ring. Taking hold of her hand, he slipped the ring on her third finger. It fitted perfectly.

“Jeremy,” she gasped.

He titled his head upwards. “Now, you are mine.”
He got on his feet. “It fits well. Do you like it?” he beamed.

What just happened? Her brain was still processing what just token place. Jeremy said he likes her? Not marrying her because of his papa? He had given her an engagement ring symbolising their union? She never imagined this would happen so soon. She liked him too. She was very happy. She hid her excitement.
“Oh, Jeremy, this is lovely. How did you know my size?” her eyes were admiring the beautiful ring on her third finger. It sparkled. And it matched her neck-lace and ear-rings.

“Well, I didn’t know your size, I just got it and figured it’ll fit your tiny finger.”

She laughed gleefully. “Its beautiful.”

“Are you happy?” She was supposed to be. He could see it in her eyes. Thank God it went well. There should be no regrets.

Purity nodded. “Yes, I am happy. Thank you.”

He beckoned her to sit, which she did. He rested on the table. “You had something important to tell me?”

“I did?” Purity asked, she was trying to recall.

“Yes. You don’t remember?”

Uh-oh! About her past. She didn’t want to anymore. “Its just that, I… I….”

“Yes?”

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Episode 42

She could read the expression on his face. He was so excited, very happy and keen to hear what she was about to tell him. She wasn’t going to ruin it with an ugly past.
“I…. I love you.” What had she just done? That wasn’t what she was to say. D--n!

“You what?” Jeremy felt he didn’t hear right. She said ‘I love you?’ He felt good and confused at the same time. She was looking at him in amazement. Maybe she didn’t mean it. Before he knew it, she fell, crashing on the floor. He rushed to her and carried her in his arms. “Purity! Purity!” he called, no response. He felt her pulse, she was still alive. Thank goodness! He hastily dashed out of the eatery with her in his arms. He got to his car which he parked few meters away from the eatery. He successfully got her in, settled her at the back seat, sat at the front and drove off to the hospital. What just happened? She wasn’t sick, was she? How could she just faint like that? Oh, God. Let nothing bad happen to her. My life’s gonna be a mess. Please, save her, protect her, Jeremy prayed in his head.
*
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*
Purity opened her eyes the third time. She did so slowly. Seeing only the doctor in, she opened them fully.

The doctor looked down on her and smiled. “Ah, you’re awake now. Welcome.”

Of course, she’d been awake all through. She hadn’t really fainted, she faked it. The thing was that, she couldn’t bring herself to tell Jeremy the truth. That was an exciting moment, filed with joy and happiness. Why should she ruin it by telling him of an unpleasant memory? Her heart couldn’t let her make him sad. She thought of what would make him smile and then she said ‘I love you’. Those words were a mistake. That was the first time she said it to a man. She was doing the opposite of what she said she’d never do-tell a man her feelings. And she had landed herself in a hospital. Jeremy would never have to find out. The charming doctor still had his eyes on her and his smile was still intact. She smiled back. “Thank you.”
She tried sitting.

“No, no. Lie down. You are weak.” the doctor advised.

She pursed her lips, then stubbornly disobeyed the doctor’s warning. “I’m fine.”

The doctor gave her a puzzled look. “You were unconscious when you were brought in here.”

Purity shook her head. “I wasn’t.”

The doctor pretended to be surprised. “My records said so. My friend brought you here. What are you talking about?”

D--n this doctor. He should know everything. “Sir-”

“Allan.”

“Dr. Allan. I didn’t actually faint,” Purity began her explanation. “It wasn’t real.”

He folded his arms. “Hmm. No wonder. I’ve carried out some tests on you and you are perfectly fine. Why did you do it?”

“Uh. No reason.” she hung her head.

“Then, I’ll let Jeremy know.” he threatened.

“Okay. Fine. I was in a situation that I didn’t know how I got myself into. This was my only option.”

“Did he try sleeping with you?” Allan was grinning.

She didn’t expect that. “No, he wasn’t! He’d never do that. Please, don’t tell him.” She prayed he’ll cooperate.

Dr. Allan sighed and nodded. “Alright. Don’t do it next time.”

She smiled in appreciation. “Thanks.”

The door swung open. Jeremy stepped in. He was so happy to see Purity awake. He had been so worried and made sure Allan gives her the best medication possible. He wouldn’t want anything happening to her. “Purity!” He ran to the bed and gave her a hug. “How are you doing? Are you okay? Any pains?”

“I’m out.” Allan announced and left the ward.

Purity clung on to Jeremy. She felt so special. This was what it felt like to be loved? For someone to care so deeply about you? It wasn’t all about s-x. Thank God she found Jeremy. He was the only man that made her think about love. She hoped to love him back. But how?
“I’m fine. Just a little headache.”

They left eachother.

“I was so mad. So worried. I felt I caused it.”

She didn’t reply. She only stared back, smiling at him. Thinking about so many things.

A beat of silence. They were still close to eachother. Jeremy drew his head closer to hers. “I want to kiss you, Purity.”
Without waiting for a response, his mouth found hers.

The passionate kiss took them both to heaven.