Chapter Forty Three of Ruthless.
Part One.
Tacha kept her eyes shut, reminiscing all the words Nathan said to her last night. The sincerity in his voice and the determination in his eyes put her mind at rest knowing Nathan had his plans, and he kept on reassuring her through the whole night. It was all she needed. Needed to smile and assure him she was going nowhere because she loved him more than he could ever imagined. It was all she needed to look into his eyes and repeat to him that...she was proud of him. Proud to know this side of him he chose to share with her. Proud to tell him how big her feelings was for him without shame, fear or hate in her heart. If she was never sure of certain things, his reassuring words to her last night was really all she needed to let her mind rest and stay out of Negative thoughts and energy.
After a long night they both had, Tacha didn't mind the round two decision to rest on her bed. Shutting her eyes closed to think that would make her sleep but brought back the great time she had with Nathan instead. Vividly, her brain was disturbed by these memories that she could feel her lips spread into a sweet smile, letting it stay just there.
Nathan had dropped her very early at her house, telling her he was going to be busy since he just got back and was yet to resume to work. He didn't leave without letting her know that would never stop their date. He wanted to know all he needed to know about her and also promised to tell her everything about himself.
The memory of how Nathan held her hand in his this morning, taking it close to his lips to place a gentle kiss on it was suddenly interfered by a noise at the door, letting Tacha hissed for having to dissolve her thoughts and the feeling that made her feel a surge of excitement early in the morning.
Tacha's eyes slowly opened, realising time had passed and she never succeeded sleeping after an hour of moving into the bed next to Kenny.
The loud bang came on the door again.
Tacha sighed, getting out of the bed, and immediately feeling the cold that filled the whole room already. It had rained all through the night when she was with Nathan, and to say she was enjoying her sleep, hoping to be cuddled all through the day lasted by five in the morning when Nathan got out of the bed to take his bath. She must have looked so unserious to him because instead, she found his pillow, hugged it and continued her sleep till six when she had no choice but to get up because he was preparing to leave to work by seven.
Tacha walked barefooted to the sitting room till she got to the door. "Who is there?"
No answer.
"Who is there?"
No answer.
Tacha got no response because her voice was not coming out loud enough for the person outside the door to hear. She bent down close to the door handle and peeped through the small hole there. It was a guy. A guy holding flower bouquet of red roses. Tacha had second thought, remembering the one she had received in the past that smelled like goat. She wouldn't repeat the same mistake again. She yelled. "Who is at the door!!!!!"
"Good morning ma. This is a dispatch rider from hommieflowers. I'm here to deliver a bouquet of flowers ordered by Mr. Nathan Brown to Miss Tacha. I called before coming here but there was no response." The voice came out louder in return.
Hommieflowers?
She knew Hommieflowers because they were always everywhere on Instagram. If not the most popular plug patronized by people to surprise their loved ones, especially the people known as surprise planners. Hommieflowers supplied almost all of them with any kind of flowers they wanted.
A little smile graced Tacha's face when he remembered Nathan's word. My gifts are waiting for you at home. She had thought those gifts were the designer bags and shoes she met at the living room when she got home. He had made fun of her for carrying one bag about, but who knew he actually bought him over twenty designers already, and just wanted to look for her trouble and hear her response. Except that, it didn't end there. Could it be the roses were part of it too? They looked so beautiful when she peeped. Ordered from the best, and she had to convince herself the smell raging with her nose must be from the flowers. It had not been long Nathan left her place and here was another gift from him again.
Tacha flung the door open, embraced by an ice-cold breeze that took away the little warmth on her body. Clear wind blew into her face and she shivered. "I'm sorry, this cold is something else," she apologized. "It might have taken long at the gate to come in here. I wasn't with my phone cause you woke me up " she lied, making a fake yawn and quickly covered her mouth.
"It's no problem ma. They let me in when I told them I have an order for you. The ladies showed me your apartment. Here, please take." The tall middle aged dispatch rider handed the roses to Tacha. She smiled retrieving it. One out of many dispatch riders she had met that didn't speak pidgin English to her or even squeeze it in after one or two English grammar.
"Thank you." Tacha brought it to her nose, and smelled it to her brain, resulting into a huge grin that were directed at the dispatch rider again. "Thank you so much," she said. "Please enjoy the rest of your day." She made him realise he could leave, and watched him walked out of their gate before she pushed the door close and locked it this time with the key inside the hole of the door handle.
'My best thing in the world. I love you. Wait for me to call you. Bye.'
Sometimes you read some messages and smile many times that you didn't know you did until you are done reading. The same smile took over Tacha's face. After kissing the flowers, she placed them on the dining table.
"Oh, this is the reason why I lost my sleep half way." Kenny said, standing at the room door with a brush in her hand. Her hair net sitting in the middle of her hair, letting the long ends of her Ghana weaving pulled out roughly. "Morning flowers." She smiled, looking away from the red roses. "This your Nathan is good for the job.
Tacha chuckled. "That reminds me, you should take from the bags and heels. I'm even shocked cause what do I do with twenty bags and heels. Please take like five."
"Hehe...as your lordship pleases. Just know that, na you dey hot for this house." Kenny quickly dropped her toothbrush on the dining table. She had a huge grin on her face, letting her look so beautiful early in the morning without her usual make-up or skimpy dresses or shorts. She walked straight to where the bags were. "How do I say no when you are begging me madam." She picked the five she had been eyeing since Nathan's driver brought them. She looked up at Tacha squeezing her face. "My madam, did you beg me to pick like ten?"
Tacha shook her head at her, eyeing her forgetful brain. "I said all the twenty."
The two burst out laughing, dropping the joke.
"Thanks anyways," Kenny said, "but have you guys concluded on what has been flying on every blogger's page? You need to know your next move."
"We haven't talked though, but he assured me no engagement, and it slipped out of his mouth when he said fake pregnancy. We promised to talk about it today. Going on our first date."
A sweet smile appeared on Kenny's face. "He's really serious about you. I believe he's gonna choose what's best for you both."
"Yes." Tacha agreed. "I believe him," she said, very proud. "This one you are up this early, what's up?"
A cute smile invaded Kenny's lips.
"I'm also going on a date with my new man." She laughed, and ran back into the room before Tacha could say anything else.
•••••••
Few hours later, it was happening.
Damn it, this was heaven. There was no way she was sitting inside an expensive and well famous eatery patronized by the stars, the celebrities and extremely paid off people. Wealthy people to be precised. Tacha had never been more nervous as this in her entire life. It took her forever to seat because she was beyond careful with everything. Nathan was giving her the wealthy vibe that felt strange to her because she had never visited any expensive eatery talkless of where he brought her. The feeling she had when she walked into the eatery with Nathan was the best. Heaven on earth. Too good to be real. Everyone giving her the respect they gave Nathan. She wanted to tell them not to bow and call her ma, but then....some of these come to you when you date a real man and he shows you off as his Queen.
Tacha remembered vividly when Nathan said he just wanted them to eat and talk at a small place. Oh no! Tacha looked at Nathan in disbelief. Her eyes worshipped him and all that he was. A man of easy moves and love. Now she clearly understood my his mum worshipped him like a small God. How can someone like him go out of his way to show you how much he loves you, yet do it so calmly not to make you think it's big. This can't be your small place Nathan. Tacha's eyes were enough to communicate with Nathan that he shouldn't have gone this far, but also they held so much thanks, appreciating him for going out of his way for her. She made him realise she was really excited and loved the place so much. A place she never thought she would have visited in her lifetime.
Tacha had idea of rich men buying the whole of the eatery for a night just to be with their date. She heard of them loving you to the tiniest of their bone. She was told when they fall in love, they love you completely. That when they promise to be with you, they show you everytime they had the chance, everytime you are together, everytime the universe gives them the chance to hold your hands. She had truly heard, that they love hard, but they do it effortlessly. All these, she only read them in books, saw them in movies, hoping one day a rich guy on a magazine cover sweeps her off the floor and love her forever. She wanted the love in the movies as well, but they told her it wasn't real. This kind of love stays in the book and movies forever.
And now....
Was it?
Was it real?
Would it last long?
Would it break her heart like in the movies?
Would it bring her endless smiles?
Or just memories?
Oh no, how did she, ordinary girl like her, make this man who was completely not from her world loved her this much?
They stayed for few minutes smiling back and forth at each other, except from Nathan who wasn't just smiling at her, he was staring at the goddess he picked tonight. She had loosened her braids. Rocking a middle parting hair extremely swept to the back with some great amount of gel spray that made it flat and shining. Her edges stayed glued like...we are here for the whole night babes. She looked so different and Nathan noticed it, trying to compare her office wears to this high neck bodycon dress showing part of her thighs down to her legs. She was wearing dropping earrings compared to the small ones she wore most of the time. Nathan couldn't understand where the tiny waist came from and for the first time, he realised he wasn't aware she really had so much ass.
He was restraining himself by not saying a single word, pointing at the white card next to the white flowers complimenting Tacha's white dress.
Tacha who was trying to keep her nervousness in check picked up the white card to read.
'To the one I finally found.
If it was meant to be, don't you think the universe will give us another chance?
Like, if it was truly meant to be like they say, we will fall in love again.
Baby, don't you think if it's meant to be, there won't be anything for us to fight at all. Because if it's meant to be, the universe will offer our love on a platter of gold, considering one of you loves her so much. It will remain glittering, an easy ride without a bump. If it was truly meant to be, we will love ourselves just the way we wanted. Just the way we pleased.
To the one my heart found,
Fuck the word...meant to be...
It's deceiving babe.
We choose to love ourselves
We choose to fight for this love
We choose to give ourselves every chance we can
We make ourselves stay in love
This is the truth because we are gonna have to fight for this love. We are gonna have to push through and let the world knows we are deserving of this love. That we want this. To be together. To spend the rest of our lives together. From the first day I saw you, you stole my heart without an effort. You wouldn't even need a passport to be guaranteed a comfort. No airport wahala baby. All we need is God's support and we are unhurt. A very clap offering to pride that didn't make me realise I would love you and it would be hard letting you go. Let's make our first date the best. I love you.'
Tacha wasn't aware of the salty liquid that slowly raced down her face until it dropped  on the words perfectly written on the white card in her hand. She was finally able to feel her eyes stinging from the cry. It was so pleasing and emotional to read. Bubbles spreading joyfully inside of her. She tried to wave the cry, but her cry increased and she shamefully placed her head down to hide them away from Nathan's eyes. "Oh my goodness, I'm just an ordinary girl Nathan." Her voice trailed along with her tears, unable to hide how she felt. "I have nothing to offer and just a burden."
Nathan reached out for one of her painted finger nails, playing with it. "This is actually the way I see it. I'm also just an ordinary man given the privilege to have the best life everyone couldn't have. Then I grew up becoming even more successful, and then I met you. Someone who loves me. Someone who adores me, and not for everything people see me as. Today I laugh whenever I remember how we started. It might not be how every love story starts, but it was the best one for us, and it makes me so happy you are the one who conquered this man's heart. Your kind heart, your pure love, your sweet smiles brought us here. Thank you Tacha. You are part of that blessings God added to my life to enjoy all he has blessed me with. The best way to be grateful for all I have is to share everything God gave me with her. And that's you. I love you."
Those words were like healing words to Tacha's soul. They pierced in through her heart so fast and made her realise she had no reason to question how much Nathan loved her. It hurts when you love him so much but still scared that there is a lot to fight around him. His love for her was true, genuine, and a blessing from God to her. That made her cry eventually after all the struggle. She twisted her finger out of Nathan's hand to hold his. Tacha looked up with a smile on her face making jest of herself. "Thank you Nathan," she said. "I love you so much."
A smile of victory took over Nathan's face. He brought his white handkerchief forward to her and she used it, dabbing it gently on her face as she laughed. "You caused this shey you know."
Nathan only smiled back at her, mesmerized by her smile as she focused on her face not to wipe off her makeup. He could tell how big her heart was. What a shame she couldn't see every man would jump on her.
Tacha dropped his hanky and raised her mouth to tease him. "You know I'm a B.sc holder, with a hustling mother, my angel who is also a fighter, and a father who made his family an object of ridicule. We can still end it now."
"And will you be able to survive after all we had?"
"Hmm... I will try."
"You know I've got this ten inches machine gun and I use it well."
Oh, no! 
Tacha erupted into a huge laughter, covering her face for it came vividly for her to recollect how he looked like. She thought it could be about that size when it erect but immediately pushed the thoughts away. Tacha sat straight, then she shrugged her shoulders. "So? I've got this hot body too. If he cheats, it's his loss. Now his loss. It could be anybody's turn. Do you still have more reasons there cause I've got more too. And life is not about your machine gun alone."
Nathan let the grin on his face stayed there. He liked that. He couldn't help the quick laughter that graced his face after. He was spellbound by her smile for all his dirty reasons. He shook them off. "Well, the most important reason is because I love you and I don't think I might be able to survive."
That got him a sweet smile from Tacha before she chuckled slowly. "So, enough of that. What's your plan for this date?"
"Uhmm... A minute please." He picked up his phone. "Just come in," he said and ended the call. He looked up at Tacha. "One more thing before we start our conversation." He looked at the door, and back to Tacha. "I want my sister to give you a sincere apology."
"What!" Tacha bellowed in a very quiet tone. "Oh my goodness! I know she disrespected me then, but I've clearly forgiven her. I really have. You don't have to make her do this. What if she doesn't like it. I'm scared of your small devil o."
"What!" Nathan couldn't hold his laughter. "You call her small devil. Damn! My mum must be the big devil." He looked at her. "Tell me the truth."
Tacha covered her mouth laughing. "You know I'm joking Nathan. Don't even try to say that in their presence or I'm dead. My witch doesn't have powers o."
Nathan smiled. "That name fits her though. And don't worry, no one likes to be corrected." Nathan said, "whether you both want it or not, I want her to sincerely apologize for I know she didn't do it the last time. She's becoming too spoilt lately, but I need her to know her place and boundary."
Tacha smiled. "Don't be too hard on her. She's just a little girl."
Nathan cast her an intense look. "My little girl is dating your twenty five year old cousin."
Oh, no!
The look says it all... Nathan was not really pleased with it. Tacha chuckled slowly, she felt he was taking it out on her. "Common babe, you really can't hold her back from doing some things anymore. You just have to protect her, make her learn just the way you are doing right now. Watch her from afar and run to her aid when she's about to make a mistake. I know she will appreciate everything later."
Tacha followed Nathan's gaze and there she was. Who would have thought Kate was nineteen. She looked twenty three. On her head was a lace frontal, side parting water wave human hair that was neatly laid with edges, reaching below her chest level, a quite visible gold chain around her neck, nude spaghetti complimenting her black leather short skirt. Tacha brought her eyes down and there she was, rocking a strappy high heeled in rose gold that made her legs longer with every step she took.
Tacha didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable and looked away from Kate to Nathan. He was the lord of calmness and yet the god of...I yell for a living. This just made her realise how they met. He had calmly insulted her and rejected her, and boom! They yelled over insane things that doesn't count. Tacha really can't wait to enjoy all he had in store for her.
"Hmm..." she heard Kate cleared her throat close to her. "Good evening sis."
That was another surprise Tacha didn't see coming. She blinked at Nathan, trying not to believe her ears. Hoping Kate wasn't forced to say this cause she looked more like a tough girl, but anyways, she had really forgiven her and forgotten about that day. There are just many times you need to let go and move past people's mentality of handling who you are.