THE PRIEST's DAUGHTER (Mafia and Roses - #1)

CHAPTER 4

SIX MONTHS AGO.

My eyes hurts for staring at the ceiling of my room as thoughts run through my mind. I never for once caught James in his cheating acts, but my instinct tells me he is. He posts his Ex’s pictures more than mine, when he uploads one of my picture with a caption of ‘Mine’, he will upload like six of hers with different types of captions like; Wifey, troublesome girl, James. Junior’s Mom and more that I can’t even remember.

With all those all I try to do is understand that he couldn’t get over his Ex, but that hurts me a lot… It always do, but I will never let him know. He assures me daily that he loves me and I am the woman for him. The woman he wants to settle down with after he graduates and sometimes when his heart pricks him, he asks if I am not jealous of the girls he uploads.

A never jealous me will always say no, but I cry silently without him knowing. Although, he sends their chats to me, something tells me that he has hidden the ones that can cause us to breakup. I am also quite aware that his ex wants him back, but he is rejecting her because he claims to love me…

“James loves me…” I murmur as I take my phone.

The first thing that attracts my attention is Grace’s message.

[GRACE]

James is currently at Debby’s place and they have been in for a while now. You told me you have never caught him in the act, but I as your cousin who knows your secret can’t continue to watch you get pathetic. It isn’t my duty or responsibility to catch your boyfriend and is ex together, but it’s yours. I love my Cous.

I read Grace’s message and a lone tear escapes my eyes as I get off my bed. I make fast strides to my closet and settle for a plain blue knee length gown and a sandal. I grab my phone and bag, then move for the door of my room. As soon as I open the door,  I meet my dad seated on the sofa with his Bible in his hands.

Dammit!

“Where are you going? This gown on you doesn’t look like one of the ones you usually wear at home. Last I remember, Sundays aren’t usually lecture days or have you started having those boys to deceive you? Remember, you are a covenant child who should never be found out to be my daughter.” My dad says and my left hand clenches my bag.

“i was just informed by Grace few minutes ago that we have an evening lecture, Sir.” I lie.

Lying to my Dad, which is a total sin has become a habit since I started dating James…

“Grace just told you? You can go, but when I call Grace to confirm and what you have just told me right now happens to be a lie, you will no longer have a place to stay here and that also means an end to your academic journey.” He says and I swallow hard.

“Thanks Dad.” I say and when I have almost reached the main door to get out, I hear him say his usual correction.

“It’s Priest and not Dad.”

I move for the driver’s apartment behind mine and he smiles as soon as he sees me.

“Small Madam.” He says and I groan internally.

“Archer, give me the key to the Priest’s Range Rover.” I say and he dips his hand into his pocket to take out the keys to my dad’s cars.

“This one is his Range Rover’s, but why don’t you take the Lexus?” He asks and I collect the key from him without responding to his question.

“Archer, my regards to Caroline.” I say and move for my Dad’s Range Rover.

The gates are opened for me and I drive straight to Debby’s house with a slight hope that I won’t meet James and her together, but it’s just a hope as I pack my Dad’s car outside and move for the black gate of their house.

“You must be one of Aunt Debby’s new friends.” The security guy says and I force a fake smile to my lips.

“Yes, she told me to come over.”  I lie and he grins as he directs me towards the door that leads into her house.

I want to knock, but something tells me not to, so I just press on the handle and the door opens. It’s my first time coming here, but I just had to trace this place few months ago when James mistakenly mentioned her address.

The belt I bought for James on his birthday is sprawled on the couch, Debby’s panties are sprawled on the floor close to a door and I move my hand to cover my mouth as I move for the door. The loud moans  and James groans says it all, but my stupid self just wants to be sure so I press on the door to see what I expected.

James is balls deep into Debby and her hands are on his bare back. He continues slamming into her as my presence seems unknown to them because they are so into the s**t they are doing.

‘I am not going to cry, I am not going to cry…’ I chant to myself as my eyes stings.

“Dammit!” James says as he pulls out of her and I shut my eyes close as I turn on my heels .

I am almost at the door when he grabs my wrist and I turn to look at him. The only expression he has on is guilt and nothing more, but…

“Kiki, it’s not what you think.” He starts and I jerk my wrist away from his hold.

“What do I think?” I ask as my voice comes out shaky.

“It is…” He starts, but stop when Debby comes out with the bedspread tied around her body.

“It is what? You didn’t tell her we are getting back together?” Debby asks and my glossy eyes meets that of James before I finally move for the door.

I run as fast as my legs can carry me, getting into my dad’s car. I hit the steering wheel repeatedly and scream out of frustration as tears roll down my face. My right hand shakes as I fiddle with the ignition of the car and step on the accelerator.

                                *END OF FLASHBACK*

PRESENT DAY.

KIKI’s POV.

I knew it was a bad idea to begin with. It is already bad enough that I am dressed in a tummy out top in the night when I am quite aware of mosquitoes. The bright lights of the school at night makes it feel like it is morning as I take a text book with me and settle down on the trunk of my Toyota Corolla.

“You need to wear it, even if other students are dressed half naked. Your body shouldn’t be exposed for males to see.” His words from earlier today echoes in my head and I groan.

Why am I even remembering his words? Why did he care about other males seeing my body? Could it be that…? No, no way. What will make such a handsome Italian guy to like a brown skinned Nigerian girl like me?

“Lead me to the cross where your love poured out.

Bring me to my knees lord I lay me down,

Rid me of myself I belong to you…” I sing out one of my favorite Hillsongs’ songs to control my stupid heart and mind from drifting to the man who saved me on Sunday and became my lecturer the Monday after, thinking I am the only one around until I am now seeing an imaginary PHY001 lecturer.

Could this be my punishment for coming to read overnight all because my dad finally traveled to UK for a ministration? It is not like I came to a club… my bed is a seductress, it would have tempted me to sleep through out the night. I took it upon myself to not doze off for a minute. I just want to read all through the night, but now it is a different story. All I can see right now is him?

“I must be hungry, that is why I am seeing a man who would be busy in his apartment…” I murmur as I wipe my eyes to ensure myself , but he still standing in front me with a man who is also not a Nigerian.

I am now crazy…

“You sing well.” The second guy who was standing beside Mr. Hottie says as he approaches me and I hop off the trunk of my car.

I see you have different types of names you call your lecturer ~  My inner mind says and I ignore.

“Alejandro, doesn’t she?” He asks as Mr. Hottie who I now I remember his name to be Alejandro approaches us.

“Don’t flatter her much, you should have heard her sing ‘Amazing grace’ on Sunday.” He replies as he stands beside his friend.

How am I supposed to reply now?

“It was just that one.” I reply with a slight pout and they give each other a look that only the two of them seems to understand.

“By the way, I am Joe.” He says as he stretches  out his hand for a handshake.

“I am Kiki.” I reply with a smile and Alejandro clears his throat awkwardly, causing me to withdraw my hand quickly.

“You have a very nice name and you are very beautiful.” Joe compliments me and I rub my exposed arm.

Is he flirting?

So a man can’t tell you about your beauty now? ~  My subconscious asks and I groan internally.

“Thanks, are you a lecturer here too?” I ask and he grins.

“No, I am not. What is a pretty lady doing outside at night?” He asks and Alejandro’s silence is beginning to make me feel absurd.

“Actually, I am just here to read. I guess it’s a bad idea anyway, I will leave now.” I say with a slight bow as I shut my text book close.

I walk towards the passengers’ door and throw my text book on it before shutting it. Alejandro’s sudden grip on my wrist causes me to turn to look at him and he frowns.

“I heard there is a guest house here. As a matter of fact, I and my best friend stayed there for few days. What happen to you staying there for tonight at least to ensure your safety? Don’t you have serious friends like you? If it’s just going to be only you here, it’s not allowed.” He says with firmness, anyone would easily think it is my boyfriend that just finished talking.

Why do they both care? I was obsessed with Leonardo from ‘sexy contract with the ruthless billionaire’ His pompous Italian ass, but now meeting two in reality displaying over protectiveness for a stranger feels somehow. They don’t even know me…

“I have lived all my life in Nigeria, I know how to step on the gas and run for my life if danger occurs.” I reply and Joe shakes his head.

“Just listen to Alejandro or we can see you off to the 24 hours library, at least there will be humans around.” Joe says and I want to groan.

I hate the fact that I am making them worry…

“Kiki are you this stubborn?” He asks as he drags me away from where Joe is.

“I will wait for you in the car.” Joe says loud enough for us to hear and Alejandro waves as he pulls me away.

What the hell am I even doing with my lecturer? This will cause a lot of misinterpretations if anyone sees us right now.

“You can argue all you want, but as long as I have seen you here. You can’t stay alone and besides you still haven’t told me who the guy I saved you from is.” He says and I shut my eyes close.

“I don’t want to talk about him and more, you are my lecturer. It feels absurd to…” I trail off when he raises his brow and rub my exposed chest.