Chapter 01

VANCE'S POV

COLLEGE Days.

I thanked the maid who led me to the garden where Wena was.

When the maid left, I briefly observed the modern style arrangement of the garden outside.

The plants are fascinating before you enter the center of the garden.  There are even birds and butterflies flying around.

I turned to the garden entrance when I saw Wena with a man.

The man caught my attention when I saw his appearance and posture.

My heartbeat quickened. I felt butterflies suddenly pop up in my stomach. I don't know why.

Maybe, that's the man Wena is talking about who is courting with her now.That she will introduce to us next week.

Perfect! Wena's choice is the handsome one!

That's my type of man.

I felt jealous. If there's one thing I envy about Wena, it's her being a woman that I dream of.

For me to be free to love and be loved by a man of my dreams.

For me to be accepted by all who do not ask for an explanation as to why this is the gender I chose.

I took a deep breath and smiled sparingly. Despite the envy, I feel I am happy for Wena.

Wena is one that I am thankful I have.

That accepts what I am. That I am respected. That makes me feel valued and loved.

And she's not the only one I have. I still have three like that in my life, Wena and I also have friends, Braxton, Calvin and Davion. Take note, they are men.

Straight, hearthrob and sometimes certified playboy!

At the University we attend, only my friends know that I am gay.

In my actions and appearance, no one would think that I was like that.

I can't even take it out and shout at everyone because of the past and because of my family who doesn't accept who I am.

I knew in myself what I wanted. That I am gay. I like the type of man in front of Wena right now.

That stance that will make you stare as you approach. Standing screaming at his manhood.  Even from afar I can see his handsome face.

I woke up from meditation when I turned to Wena.  She now has anger and fear on his face for the man in front of her while speaking.

I turned again to the man whose jaw was now angry even though his movement and speech made my knees weak, I woke myself up.

Wait, are they fighting?

I observed what was happening.

"That's enough! I don't want to!"  Wena shouted causing me to take a step.

I stopped when the man slapped Wena with the back of his palm.

I'm surprised.

My fist clenched as I continued to step closer to them. At first i just walked until i ran.

I don't care if they have a relationship, Wena is my friend and I won't let anyone hurt her. Especially now that the man is still holding Wena's hair to be tweaked.

"Hey you! Stop that dick head!"  I shouted as I got closer.

He released Wena when I pushed him then I clenched my fist to give him the appropriate blow.

But before my fist hit his jaw. Our eyes met. Weird moment, my world is in slow motion. My heart beat faster and faster.

"Vance!"  Wena shouted.

The man fell to the floor. I immediately averted my gaze when I felt guilty and saw his reaction.

He looked cool as he fell, grinned, and felt his finger on the side of his lip hit by my fist.

"Hey!" I groped Wena's arm as she planned to approach that stupid handsome guy! "Is that the kind of a man you're dating now?!" I said aloud.

We met Wena who was a brave woman so I couldn't accept that she just lets others hurt her. 

She withdrew her arm.

The fear I had seen in her before was gone from her face. That has been replaced by concern for that stupid handsome guy.

"You answered Wena!"  Davion's baritone shout.

Before I look back at Davion. I glanced again at the man who was now standing and shaking his pants.

I smiled.

You're in trouble! Certainly not the only blow you will receive from Davion.

"We're just acting," I heard Wena answer.

I winced when I laughed at what she said just to defend that man.

The man looked up at me and then smiled.

I was stunned when I caught a glimpse of his smile.  He had a thick and reddened lips opening peeking out his beautiful and white teeth. His smile is so beautiful that it is paired with his sharp nose and his bulging eyes.

"We're just acting to dramatize the exploitation of women," Wena slightly slapped my arm and then I looked at her.

I looked at her cheek where I saw the man slapped her earlier. There is no trace of a finger or a signal that there is a force applied to it.

Damn! She is telling the truth.

"Did you forget that I was one of the presenters at our event for the school to commemorate international women's day?" her eyes widened at me.

Then I turned to Davion. He nodded signaling that Wena was telling the truth. He was carrying a document that looked like the script for the play that Wena and stupid handsome guy was rehearsing before I arrived.

“Look around,” Davion said.

I looked around. The rest of them are on the table set. Everyone was watching us. Obvious shock at what happened.

I glanced again at the man who now had his hands clasped as he stared at me.

"He is-"

I pulled Wena away, to a place where the man could not hear us. As Davion approached and talked to the man.

"Wena! I thought he was the one you were dating!"  now my tone has become soft like a girl.

I turned my back on the sight of many.

She nodded, "We're not dating."

"Then why- why is it that the partner you took is so handsome?!" I was excited to confirmed that they are not dating.

"What if other people just want to beat up," I joked, "just to be with that handsome-"

What I was saying was cut short when Wena's two fingers touched my mouth and reached as far as my nose.

I look ugly now!

"Vance wants to apologize to you Steven!"  Wena shouted behind me.

I'm surprised. Not because she says I apologize but because of the effect the man has on me, to think that I will deal with him.

God! even his name is so handsome!

I closed my eyes for a moment when Wena removed her fingers from my mouth.

"Hurry up," she elbowed me, "don't making yourself look pretty," she whispered.

I conditioned myself to face Steven. 

"I'm sorry Steven!" bewildered I said as I stepped quickly closer to him.

I caught him walking away, leaving Davion.

I was swallowed. His back and walking make my chest throb.

Davion motioned for me to approach Steven.

I stepped forward to follow him. Steps that became running.

I didn’t expect him to suddenly stop and face me. Then he stared at me.

I lost control.

I will collide with him!

But that did not happen.

He applied his hand to my chest to prevent me from constantly colliding with him.

The fact that he put his hand on my chest, gave me some electricity that spread throughout my body.

My breathing stopped. We are still close to each other. We were only a handful away. He was a little taller than me so he was slightly bent over.

We stared.

I can no longer understand how I feel. Feeling that I just felt for him.

It was as if his hand suddenly absorbed my strength when he withdrew his hand from my chest, pushing me away.

My knee became weak.

I was swallowed. I immediately searched for my missing self in front of him.

I looked up.

I woke myself up, "Im-" I swallowed. Come on! "I'm sorry-"

“I don’t accept sorry,” he said sympathetically.

Even though he's so arrogant, I still admired his voice. His voice made my body tremble.

Oh my God!

"Dinner. Later, seven in the evening at Muyareba Restaurant."

"What?" I feel like I'm deaf. "What do you want-"

"Take you out," he said seriously.

My eyes widened.

Does he invite me on a date?

My heart pounded at what he said.

Another group of butterflies flew into my stomach.

My world stopped and just revolved for the two of us.

Damn! of course not!

Fuck! He sees that we are both men, doesn't he?

Ah!

I smiled. 

I suddenly thought he was taking advantage of the opportunity to indulge in dinner. I know those tactics. It is very expensive to eat at the Muyareba Restaurant but the food is also very delicious. I only eat there when my friends paid my order.

What if I do agree and then he will be included more? I'm sure I'll be damned because I don't have the budget to pay a big bill for their food. 

My eyes narrowed as I looked at Steven from head to toe.

He doesn't look like a scammer. In his dress, demeanor and appearance, he looks like he has a lot of money. I was shaken. No, I'm wrong. Many people seem to have a lot of money like me.

But when I look at him again. My eyes were fixed on his puffy and serious eyes again.

I thought what I was thinking about him was wrong.

"Let's just settle here," I stuttered, "how much do you need?"

His forehead furrowed.

Shit! why did i say that? I am struggling with money, offering money to settle this?

But that's all I thought. I remember my male friends. There are times when they pay for what they punch.

I got nervous, I just hope he doesn't ask for too much money. 

"Can I give you three thousands?" I already priced.

Steven smile then autoritively speak, "Let's date."