CHAPTER 5

       DARKEST HOURS 

         CHAPTER FIVE

            JOHN PAUL's POV

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 Notwithstanding that I found it difficult to believe that such a beautiful girl could be without a boyfriend, I still had to think so because she never talked about it.

Whenever I wanted to ask her about her sex life.

I was always numb and afraid of the answer that she’d give me and hence, I ended in rigmarole without asking.

I couldn’t help but feel so sad even though I tried to pretend about it.

Treasure noticed my disappointment and held me by the nape with sympathy saying: “I know that I can’t really give you what you need and that makes me feel bad whenever you show your unalloyed benevolence to my family,”

At that point, I suddenly felt comforted and normal about everything she said. I had to look elsewhere.

I curled my lips feigning a smile.

Opening my eyes wider to get that self-confidence I craved for, I said: “It’s okay. Don’t be afraid, Treasure.

I’m not regretting meeting you, and I won’t take back whatever I’ve done for you already. Feel free to ask me for anything, if you ever have a need”.

“I’m sorry for everything and I don’t know….”

“You don’t need to apologize,” I retorted politely, “get the room arranged while I go to work because I’m already late,”

I started leaving the room immediately to avoid making my emotions evident.

She wearily remained on the sofa with tears in her eyes as she watched me leave.

As I drove to the office, I reminisced about her words concerning being in a relationship.

I couldn’t imagine how happy her man would be for having such wonderful and pretty girl like her. Apart from her beauty that draws the soul closer to her, she has a lot to offer in bed.

 Any man who gets her attention, should not joke with it. I simply envied her man and continued leaving.

Throughout my stay in the office, I couldn’t feel my presence.

It was the worst moment in my life because the woman I finally decided to leave my womanizing life for, wasn’t there to give me what I wanted.

After the day’s work in the office, my next stopover was at Soul’s Diet Bar, which was among the best Bars in Philadelphia.

It was my favorite spot to drink away my sorrows, and bring life back to myself whenever difficult times come. I enjoyed the live band and music shows that got my spirit elated.

As I drank, I felt Treasure's presence with me.

 Sometimes, my good thoughts were blotted out by the erotic ones but I still remained distracted by the happy hour.

To my phone, Treasure’s calls came for about five times but I never took any of her numerous calls.

I knew she was definitely restive for not seeing me at home by that time of the night but coming home would be a hell to me.

As I drank, I enjoyed with few ladies that I met, lashing out at them to feel the presence of a billionaire in their midst.

I was just flirting around with the sweet girls, enjoying life to the fullest.

When I was heavily tipsy, I wearily staggered to my car and started the engine.

I left with a louder screech and zoomed the streets as if there was no danger in over speeding.

Getting home, Treasure rushed towards me, looking worried.

I can’t just remember all that happened that night because I was tipsy but I heard her say heavy-heartedly: “Dear, why are you doing this to me. Didn’t you notice that I’d be worried about you?”

I was like ‘what does she care where she has her own man to think about’. I smiled sheepishly making it obvious that I was drunk.

“I’m sorry but I had other official matters to attend to,” I lied and kept walking into the house to avoid letting her perceive alcohol on me.

“You’ve been drinking,” she said and tried to observe my eyes but I pushed her aside. 

Even though I didn’t care anymore, I still cared to provide an explanatory answer to her to make her allow me to go into my apartment.

“I hung out with few friends,” I said and smiled impishly.

Treasure felt my mood and knew that I wasn’t in the best position, to see anyone including her.

She simply made sure that she got my dinner ready on the dining table, before going back to her apartment.

I couldn’t even eat the food presented to me.

I wallowed in sadness trying to pretend that I didn’t care about her affections for another man but the pain was just evident and I couldn’t help it.

Being that the moodiness I tried to chase away didn’t obey my instructions and feelings, I abandoned the food and went to bed.

To forget about Treasure, I went back to my abandoned habit of enjoying the company of women.

At first, I respected Treasure by not bringing girls home.

But being that I couldn’t have her as my girlfriend, the best way was to make friends and enjoy the fun as it lasted.

As for Treasure, I had to pretend that she was my sister, maid or whatever as long as it helps me to kill my feelings for her.

On a cool weekend when I was in the lounge drinking.

I watched how seductive Treasure appeared in that figure-hugging mini gown revealing her hot, straight and sexy legs for the first time.

 Her presence as she attended to my breakfast befuddled me, with the superfluity of amorous thoughts, making me feel like taking her to bed with her moaning my name.

In that sleaziness, I still had a little moral left in me. Lasciviousness wafted but self-control always supersedes.