Silent Seduction (13)

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I know that I've been messed up
You never let me give up
All the nights and the fights
And the blood and the breakups
You're always there to call up
I'm a pain, I'm a child, I'm afraid
But yeah, you understand
Yeah, like no one can

Ellie Goulding (Army)
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Tobi collapsed on the couch in his room. That girl must be his nightmare.

She must be karma.

Maybe he committed a great crime in his past life and she was what karma served him.

Or what could be the actual reason why someone her age would want to go to the amusement park?

When she isn't even an eleven year old?

He doesn't even like amusement park while he was eleven. All those scary stuffs which were simply made to either spin around, mixing the brain fluid with the blood and making you all nauseous or throw you high up in the clouds you start saying your last prayer because you see little or no chance of survival are not amusing at all. They were just annoying.

It had been a day already and it seems like she isn't changing her mind no matter what he says.

Maybe he needs to try his luck again. She might change her mind (which could only seem to be so if some kind of good spirit possesses her.)

Tobi dialled her number.

'So,' he started, licking his lips like there was some charm in doing that. '...there is this very interesting movie that is showing tonight. I'm going to get two tickets and...'

'Don't even think about it. We are still going to the Amusement park.'

He didn't even know when he punched the couch so hard his knuckles hurt.

He should be expecting that anyway!

'But going to the park is kind of lame. Two adults at the park? Is that not worth visiting the psych ward for some check up...'

'Come downstairs. I'm in the kitchen'

She hung up.

Maybe she wants to discuss it at length. She must have eventually see reasons with him as being one awkward date and also wants her mind to be changed. Only, she didn't want the conversation on phone.

'You have finally realised going to the movies with cute me is a grand idea compared to going to the Park?' Tobi asked immediately he stepped inside the kitchen. She was pouring red oil inside a pot on the gas cooker

'Shut up.' She rolled her eyes as she stirred whatever was in the pot with a big spoon. 'I asked you to come downstairs because i didn't want you wasting airtime while we are both in the same house. Doing that is one of the signs of laziness. In case you are thinking I asked you to come downstairs to talk me to death, you are so mistaken.'

'You are not human are you? Why are you so strong headed when it comes to this park thingy?'

'One, I've always wanted to go to the park when I was young but I never got the chance to and reason number two is something you don't have to know.'

Tobi groaned.

'So you are not changing your mind are you?' He just needs to convince her the more.

'No.' She said that like that's some factual statement covering the pot and turning back to look right at him in the face when she was done

'Great, so when are we going on this death date?'

'Tomorrow'

'You are kidding right?' He grinned thinking she was going to grin along with him but seeing that wasn't coming through, his lips sealed up, the grin disappearing.

She wasn't kidding!

'Tommorow is Saturday and like it is the best day to go.' She explained.

'Noooooooo!' He almost cried. 'Not tomorrow. I am not prepared!'

Tori shook her head in disbelief. She wouldn't waste her time arguing with him on it again. They have talked about it for a day already. It's time for them to talk about something different. It's not like she was going to change her mind anyway.

'What would you have with your beans?'

'You are making beans? Why are you even in the kitchen? I thought we....'

'You were so concerned about not going to the Park that you are just noticing all that now?'

Was she surprised? She would have shook her head but was scared she was going to cramp her neck. She had been doing a lot of head-shaking since she got here.

'Well, we don't know when your Chef would be here since her sick child seems to have not recovered yet, your mum isn't here to let you torment her in the kitchen. She escaped by travelling off.'

She is probably there regretting why she gave birth to you.

'....and since we can't afford to starve to death nor are we going to eat outside for the rest of our lives, I've decided to cook.'

He seemed to understand that because he didn't push it.

'But why beans?' He asked, raising up his brows in a questioning stare.

'What if I tell you that's the only foodstuff here?'

'Oh... That.' He scratched his head then his face brightened up when something came into his mind.

'Why don't we go shopping tomorrow. We'd get everything we need at home tomorrow then we'd go to the park next week?'

'Oh God!' Tori slapped her palm on her face in frustration. 'You are still on that?' She asked unbelievably.

'Is that a yes?'

'No. We'd be going shopping today, then park tomorrow.

'No.' He argued. 'It's almost evening and the best time to shop is morning. So tomorrow it is.' He seemed to have won. '

'Chop knuckle?' He held out his folded palm, the knuckles facing her.
The smile on his face made him look like a child who just escaped beating from his mum. She couldn't help smiling at how happy not going to the park made him

Gosh! He needs help.

'What are we going to take with the beans?' She asked.

'Huh... I'd go get bread now. I think Tife is still sleeping, you can wake her up and also, next time you are cooking, ask her to join you. She's one lazy kid you know.'

Tori nodded her comprehension and watched him stroll out while she lifted the cover off the pot on fire to check what she was cooking.

The beeping sound his phone made signals an SMS. He brought it out of his pocket and there it was, an SMS from Wright Wears. He didn't really need to check it to know it was to tell him his suspension has expired and he could resume work on monday. His uncle is that predicta...

Is that Jo coming into the compound looking as elegant as ever or was his imagination acting all wonky again?
Why would she appear so real in front of him when he wasn't even thinking about her right now?

'Surprise!' She exclaimed dramatically twinkling her fingers at him, all smiles.

Oh great! He was day dreaming again. Did he mention his imaginations need some intense factory reset?

'Hello' She tapped him lightly on the shoulder and it was then he realised she was real.

So real he could feel her touch. The butterflies in his stomach did some victory dance as they tumbled and wobbled the moment her skin touched his.

Jo never showed up at his place since she started dating Marcus and even after they dated. This was like the first time in five months or so. Why was she appearing at his place all of a sudden?

'Jo...' He was murmuring her name like Romeo would murmur Juliet's name. He heard the sound of his own voice and hated it. He cleared his throat like that would cover up for his mistakes.

'It's a surprise we are seeing you here. ' That was more like an accusation than a statement but it was better than sounding like a cow on heat.

'Yeah. I was bored at home. This leave is like the most boring I've ever experienced. So, what's up? Looks like you are going somewhere.'

'Actually, I'm on my way to get bread just down the road...'

'Great, I'll wait for you inside. I hope Tife is home and your mum too.' Why does her moving towards the building door gives him the creeps. Like there was something she shouldn't know..

Or is it something she shouldn't see?

Jo shouldn't be meeting that girl now. It could affect their relationship. The one they would be having in the nearest future actually. He didn't want her to start getting ideas about him and the girl thereby making him loose his chance of ever going out with her.

'Did I say I want to get bread? Gosh, stupid me. I don't even know why bread had been on my mind all day... I'm going to grab lunch and it would be great if you'd go with me so, from there I'd drive you home..' He could see the devils in his head give him a round of applause

'Nah. I just had lunch. You can go alone. I'd be inside with your mum and Tife.'

'Mum travelled.' Did he just shout out that in fear?

She was turning back and walking to him now. Looking at him like she couldn't believe what he said. That's some progress.

'And Tife?'

'She's at her friends. She's not always home these days.'

Way to go Tobi. Way to go.

'Okay' why was that 'okay' reluctant. It was so obvious she had doubts. But he didn't really give her any reason to doubt. Did he?
She stared back at the building again like there was something she was forgetting.

'Let's go watch you eat then.' She finally said moving to the gate with Tobi following closely behind her.

Pheew! That was a close one!

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Great.

This boy has started again. He had been gone for close to two hours now. Tife got bread and both girls had forgotten they had eaten since he refused to arrive. Tori didn't know why she was getting worked up unnecessarily when every part of her knows he was going to show up sooner or later saying 'I had to attend to something very important.'

Tori kept glancing at her phone waiting for a text or call from him like her whole life depended on it. She couldn't help thinking he got into some kind of trouble this time. She can't believe she was even thinking that.

He's an adult for goodness sake!

Not like he behaves like one anyway.

'Are you still so worried about Tobi?' Tife raised her eyebrow inquiringly seeing how tensed Tori was. They were still on the dinning table and were playing Ludo after cleaning up. Tori was leaning on one of the chairs surrounding the dinning table and Tife was sitting facing her as she fiddled and rolled the dice. It was obvious she was as bored as hell.

'Nop.' Tori popped the 'p' and looked away from Tife's intense and creepy stare.

'I told you not to worry. Whenever Tobi disappears like that, there's only one explanation and that is Jo. It's been a while since he disappeared like this though.'

Tori was about asking who Jo was when her phone started ringing. She didn't bother checking the caller I.D she knew it must be Tobi.

'Where the hell are you?' Why did she scream like that. Tife was giving her that weird stare again and Tori silently cleared her throat to avoid further questioning look.

'Huh... This is Marcus. You didn't save my number? I am the guy who spilled your food two days...'

'Oh, right. I remember. What's up?'

Was she disappointed? And embarrassed too.

'It seemed like you were expecting someone else's call.'

'Yeah. Sorry for screaming at you like that.'

'It's perfectly fine. I totally understand. So, are you busy?'

'Well, I am not exactly busy. Why are you asking?'

'I want us to hangout. I have been home all day and I really need to see you. It would hurt so bad if you say no. I haven't been able to get you out of my head. It took some determination not calling you the past few days. I didn't want to scare you away.'

'Hangout with you?...'

Tife seemed interested now. She was rising slowly and paying attention to the conversation. 'Well I am kinda
busy...'

'Oh no you are not!' Tife yelled. 'We are so hanging out with whoever you are talking to. You cannot make the mistake of not agreeing' She added. Slaying her finger across her neck and pulling her tongue out in some dead-like manner all of which Tori interpreted to be an absurd impression of dying of boredom.

'...Okay, but i'd be coming with a sister. Is that okay with you?' Tori added not sure of what she just said. Tife gave her the 'nice job' thumbs up and sprinted in to get dressed or so.

'That would be perfect. It would be nice meeting your sister. Just so you know, I am at the exact point where I dropped you off the other day.'

'Oh, that's not so far from where I stay. I stay on the street as Queen's Boutique if you happen to know where that is.'

'Of course I do. I'd be there in a minute. I guess you'd be ready by the time I get there.'

'Huh... Maybe.'

Tobi got back from Jo's place and was he surprised the gate was locked?

Where did those girls go?

He had been standing outside for the past twenty minutes or so and neither Tife nor that girl is picking her calls.

He was going to try calling her again when a car pulled a few metres from him. Tori came down from the car first and so did Tife. They were both smiling and waving at the driver who was about driving off. The driver was all dressed in suit and his haircut reminded him of Marcus.

Wait a minute,

That guy at the driver's seat looks so much like Marcus

But...

That is no similarity.

There is no denying that was Marcus! It indeed was him!

You must be kidding me!