Chapter 002

"I didn’t expect that," I muttered, trembling as I moved away from Yemi, the heat from the kiss still clinging to my lips like a permanent mark. Uncertain of what I should feel or even if I should feel anything at all, I gazed up at him.

Yemi's countenance was impenetrable, yet his eyes never left mine. His eyes had a flash of curiosity, but his lips twitched as though he were holding back a smile. "Neither did I."

I swallowed hard, feeling suddenly vulnerable, as though the world could see the mess I was desperately attempting to hide. Like an open wound that would not go away, Nathan's betrayal was still very much present. The one thing I believed to be mine had been taken by Amelia, my best friend and the one person I could always rely on. Nathan. I couldn't even bring myself to care about anything other than the deluge of emotions that threatened to drown me as I stood in front of Yemi in the middle of this engagement party.

"Why did you kiss me?" My voice was now barely above a whisper as I asked. I required a response. To make sense of the turmoil whirling inside of me, I needed something.

Yemi's forehead creased, yet he never stopped grinning arrogantly. He said, "I don't think you need an answer," in a silky, quiet voice that seemed to come naturally to him.

My heart thumping in my chest, I turned my head away. He was right, I didn’t need an answer. However, I desired one. Terribly.

There was no denying the tension between us. My breath caught every time his eyes locked with mine because it was more than just physical; it was something deeper that remained in the air. Never in my life, especially after what Nathan had done, had I felt such a strong attraction to someone. Yet, here I was, standing next to a man I barely knew, whose kiss was still on my lips, and whose presence was now a storm I couldn’t avoid.

However, I wasn't prepared for this. Not quite yet. Not while I was still trying to heal from my heartbreak.

Yemi took a step back, looking around the room as though he had already moved past whatever had just happened between us. His tone was strangely calm, almost dismissive, when he stated, "I think you've had enough of this party." "You have no business being here. It's no longer your place.

I couldn't deny the truth in his remarks, even though they hurt. In the middle of the room sat Nathan and Amelia, surrounded by admirers who congratulated them on their engagement. My chest twisted like a dagger as I saw them together. I was foolish to believe that things would improve by coming here. It only made it worse.

"You’re probably right," I whispered, my voice barely heard over the din of the crowd. I started to walk away, but Yemi grabbed me by the arm before I could go.

"Not so fast," he murmured, maintaining a firm but comfortable grip. "Let me take you home."

I paused. Being alone with a man I hardly knew and who had already perplexed me more than I wanted to acknowledge was the last thing I needed at the moment. However, the temptation to leave the stuffy party atmosphere was too strong. And even though I wasn't sure how to handle it, there was something about Yemi that felt like a lifeline.

"I can get a cab," I murmured, tugging my arm free. "You don’t have to do anything."

Once more, Yemi's mouth curled into that enraged grin. "Lola, I'm not asking. Get into the vehicle.

I gazed at him, my annoyance rising to the surface. "You’re not my knight in shining armor, you know."

For a brief period, his gaze softened. "I never claimed to be. However, I don't believe you should be alone yourself at this time. Not after everything.

I wanted to argue. I wanted to let him know that I didn't need someone to feel sorry for me or to save me. However, I didn't. Rather, I agreed because, at that very moment, I truly wanted to escape this suffering and everything.

The cold air outside smacked me like a slap in the face as we walked out of the motel. Yemi unlocked the door for me while the motor of his beautiful black automobile purred outside the entrance.

I slipped inside, thankful for the quiet that ensued. As I tried to gather myself, the car started to move and we went through the streets, the city lights fading by. Something about being with Yemi seemed different, even if my heart and head were still hurting from the blatant betrayal I had just experienced hours before. He was not like Nathan, who had broken my heart after promising me the world. He was unique. However, what?

I couldn't help but notice Yemi's enigmatic expression as he continued to steal glances at me. Despite my best efforts, I was unable to ignore it. His magnetic presence permeated the automobile, and I detested the fact that I didn't want to get out of it.

Yemi finally spoke after what seemed like an age.

His voice was surprisingly soft as he said, "You're not the first person to get hurt by someone they trust." "But that doesn’t mean you have to let them control your life."

I blinked, taken aback by how profound his remarks were. "What do you mean?" Even though I wasn't sure I wanted to hear the response, I still asked.

His eyes met mine as he turned to face me. Do you believe that Nathan is the only one who has the ability to break your heart? If you let it, there are a thousand people who will follow suit. However, Lola, you don't have to give up."

His remarks lingered between us, profound and thought-provoking. I was unsure about how to interpret them. He seemed to be reiterating what I already knew in a way that gave me a sense of choice. That perhaps, just possibly, Nathan and Amelia saved me from having to break down.

I couldn't help but feel a peculiar sort of relief at the concept, even if I wasn't sure I believed him.

I briefly resisted getting out of the car when we drove up in front of my flat. I didn't want to deal with the loneliness that would descend as soon as I came through the door and the silence of my empty space.

Yemi didn't get out of the car, so he must have sensed it. Rather, he gazed at me, his face unreadable.

He whispered, "You don't have to go in there alone." "You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to."

I hesitated, my mind hazy with doubt. Especially with someone like Yemi, I really didn't need to make my life any more complicated. However, I got the impression from something in his voice that he knew more than he was letting on.

However, what exactly was I doing? Was I turning to a stranger for comfort because I was unable to confront my own life's realities?

The phone buzzed in my pocket before I could respond. Amelia had texted me.

"I need to talk to you."

My whole body tensed as the words hit me like a kick to the gut. However, Yemi's words broke through the confusion in my head before I could respond.

"All OK. Respond to it. However, don't allow them to dictate your choices.