The Irresistible Obsession: The Irresistible beauty, #2

By Fahd Alvina

"You don't need to say sorry.I can tell that you are not. Hope you have not thrown away my stuff because I am getting them back. I don't want all that stuff in my room."

"But you need them." Fresho whimpers,

"Trust me, I don't. I don't need new stuff." I say. "Lara, calm down. I don't want us to fight and please don't misunderstand me. I did it for you because I have the money. Trust me, I wanted to do more than that. I can afford hundreds of them. I know you were cool with all your stuff but there is no sin in changing them to a new one. They are just gifts," He says persuasively. 

"Well, I don't see it that way. I am beginning to feel like you are seeing taking care of me as your responsibility." I say,

"So, what's wrong with that? I am your boyfriend for goodness sake." His voice is getting harsh and it is getting on my nerves. Coming from someone that doesn't want us to fight.

"Yes, that's it. You are my boyfriend, not my parents." I say, still sounding calm but I am getting angry. I don't know how far this calmness can go.

"So as your boyfriend, I can't take care of you when it is obvious I have the money."

"No. There is a limit to everything. You can buy me gifts but having an obligation to do things for me or take care of me is not part of your role. You are my boyfriend, not my husband.

"Well, yes. I am not your husband yet but I will be one day. Which means I will be responsible for your well-being soon. What difference does it make if I start now? I don't know why you normally overthink something you should be happy about." Fresho says, his voice is harsh and it annoys me. 

"What if we don't end up marrying each other. What if we are not meant to be." I say it with a snap but I regret saying it immediately. The moment the statement comes out of my mouth, Fresho's body language changes and furrows his face, 

"What did you just say? What ….what do you mean by that?" He asks anxiously.

"I didn't say we will not end up 

together. But you know man proposes but God disposes." I say, trying to use a quote to back up my wrong words so that it won't sound like a threat anymore.

He breathes in and out deeply and says, 

"Even God knows how much I love you so He won't take you away from me. No one will." 

He says confidently. He is sounding like it is a do-or-die affair. Like if I don't marry him something will happen to him. 

"Well, I love you too but I will not accept all those things. Tell your men to send back my stuff and pack all that away from my room." I say and I look away.

"I don't have anywhere to take them to. You can throw them away if you detest them so badly. But mind you I will still replace them with more, expensive ones." He retorts and I look at him. I can tell that he is angry.

"You are just trying to have total control over my life and I won't allow that," I say in a low but sharp voice.

"Why not? Why can't I? When you have done the same thing to me. You have taken total control over my life to the extent that I can't go a minute without thinking about you. I can't even think straight anymore. I find myself thinking of how to protect you, making sure that you are safe. How to make you comfortable, not lacking anything and many more. Even when I am working, you are always there. You are fucking engraved permanently in my brain to the degree that I will not be myself if I don't hear your voice. And you are here saying I want to have control over your life? If I can, I will too. If you know what you are doing to me, you will not be talking like this." He says angrily, his speech is fast and

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lola Pages
• Release date: Feb 12, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224537532

Book preview

Chapter One

Fresho

The housemaid places the food on the table and exits the room. My father settles onto the couch, placing his walking stick beside him, while I lean against the wall, my hands folded behind me.

Come and sit beside me, son, Dad beckons, and I comply.

Are you alright? he asks, and I nod.

Are you sure?

I'm fine, Dad, I assure him.

When do you plan on telling me about her? I'm eager to know her, even if it's just through a picture. The girl who has captured my son's heart deserves recognition, Dad says, his smile mirroring mine. I open my phone and show him a photo of Lara. He takes the phone and studies the picture closely.

Oh God, she's so beautiful, Dad exclaims in admiration, and I smile once more.

Not only is she beautiful, but she's also deeply religious. Are you serious about this girl? You know you can't play around and then discard her. She's too beautiful and devout to be treated that way, Dad remarks.

Dad, I love her deeply. I want to marry her, I state with a serious expression, and my father sighs deeply.

Ayo, I believe it's time I share my story with you, Dad says, and I adjust myself on the seat, curious to hear what he has to say.

What story? I ask, confused. What story does he have that we, his children, don't know about?

My unfulfilled love story. I never mentioned it to any of you because I didn't think you had a reason to know. But given the way things are unfolding now, how your mother is pressuring you to be with Sade, how she plans to interfere in your love life, I think it's necessary to brief you so that you don't make the same mistake I did. I see a reflection of my younger self in you. Please, don't follow my path. I failed her, he pauses after his last statement, his expression changing, tears welling in his eyes as he swallows hard.

What's happening? What unfulfilled love is he referring to? How did he fail her? What is he about to say that's so difficult he's on the verge of tears?

Ayo, fetch me some water, Dad requests, and I promptly stand up to get it for him.

He drinks the water, places the cup on the table, and continues speaking.

I met Khadijah during my final year at the University. She was in her third year at that time. We started as friends, and after about three months, we began dating. Our love for each other was so intense that we couldn't go a day without seeing one another. I adored everything about her. She was patient, religious, and beautiful. I envisioned a future with her as my wife. I promised myself I would marry her after my NYSC. Little did I know that my parents had other plans for me. On the day of my Passing Out Parade, I brought her home to introduce her to my parents, but what happened that day marked the saddest day of my life, Dad pauses for a moment, locking his gaze with mine before continuing.

Ayo, my mother humiliated her, hurling insults and saying hateful things. She accused Khadijah of wanting to ruin my life, claiming that we were incompatible. She even chased her away without allowing her to put on her shoes. I was devastated and broken. I wanted to run after her, but my mother threatened to disinherit me and pass the company to my brother if I did. I was filled with sorrow and anguish, but I couldn't bear the thought of losing the company to my brother. Despite loving her deeply, I chose the company over her. Breaking up with her was one of the hardest moments of my life, but I did it anyway. She cried profusely, pleading with me not to leave her, but I couldn't meet her eyes. I was afraid that I would change my mind if I did. I turned around and walked away without looking back, tears stream down my father's cheeks, and he wipes them away with his hand. I feel a lump forming in my throat, but I fight back the tears. He continues,

Ayo, I can tell that you are nothing like me. The way you defended her earlier shows that you are not a coward like me. Your mother was betrothed to me because our company needed theirs. She didn't have a problem with it because she was raised with the belief that she would eventually marry a stranger one day. She thought that was how things worked to keep the company flourishing. Aside from a vow she made with her friend when they were young, to have their children marry each other, the main reason she wants you to marry Sade is that she believes you will need her sooner or later. Just as she betrothed your sister to her husband because she needed their company to support ours whileI  was in the hospital. She believes that the poor marry for love, while the rich marry for benefits. Do you want to know why I proposed making you the major shareholder of our company so soon? My dad asks, and I nod.

Because I overheard Sade and your mother discussing you and the girl on the night of your birthday party. Your mother assured Sade not to worry, saying that you would eventually marry her. She made it clear that she would get rid of the girl no matter what. So, I thought of empowering you. I believe that if you have the power that I didn't have back then, maybe you will make a different choice. I shared my plan with her, and to my surprise, she agreed. I'm sure she has her own agenda, but I don't care. As long as you remain the major shareholder, you have all the power you need. However, you must remain vigilant because your mother is capable of anything. She made life a living hell for Khadijah and her parents when she found out that she was the woman I loved. I don't regret marrying your mother because if I hadn't, I wouldn't have met you and your siblings, he says, a smile appearing on his face.

Chapter Two

Fresho

Dad, I never knew you had been dealing with all of this for such a long time. You should have told me, at least. Instead of carrying the burden alone, I say with a pitiful expression on my face.

You might not have taken it seriously if I had told you earlier. Being in love helps you understand people's feelings better, and I believed you didn't need to know back then. I'm telling you now because I know you'll need to know. Son, don't pity me. I deserve everything I'm going through because of her. There hasn't been a day when I haven't thought about her since almost 30 years ago. Sometimes I cry uncontrollably because I miss her so much. Son, it hurts too much. I don't want you to experience it, Dad says.

I'm sorry, Dad. I'm so sorry you've been through and are still going through such a difficult time. So, where is she now? I ask.

After everything your mother and mine did to Khadija's family, they moved out of Lagos and went back to their hometown. I didn't try to find her because I believed doing so would make her life even more miserable. I know those two won't stop until I stop seeing her. She called me on the day they were leaving. She said she wanted to see me, and that was the day I officially broke up with her. Promise me one thing, my dad says, and I nod.

Promise me that you won't live with regret like me. Promise me that you'll fight for her no matter what. And promise me that you'll take good care of my company. It's my father's hard work, so please don't let it go in vain. Even if you find yourself in a situation where you have to choose between the two, please don't. Instead, find a way to have them both, my dad says, looking at me pleadingly, expecting me to make the vow.

He doesn't know me. He doesn't know how much I love Lara. He doesn't know how crazy I am about her. He left her because he believed he could live without her. I cannot live without Lara. I will not choose anything over her, not even the company. Besides, I don't need the company. I am rich and doing well on my own. But I will take care of the company. I will prove my mom wrong. I will show her that one can have love and still run a successful business, that love is not only for the poor, but the rich also deserve to love and be loved.

I promise, Dad, I say. He nods with a faint smile on his face and hugs me tightly.

Suddenly, the door opens and my mom storms into the room.

M.M, I thought you were coming in here to talk some sense into his head, but instead, you're here talking and hugging. Don't you think you need to tell him to stop acting immature and be mature for once? my mom says angrily.

I disengage from my dad's embrace and face her. My dad is still looking away, not facing her.

I put my hand on my chin, thinking about what to do with her. Should I send her out of my room or should I just listen to her rant without responding? She continues,

Whether you like it or not, you're going to marry Sade. She's the one you need by your side to take the company to the next level. I want you to take over their company, Abba Group, and merge it with ours under Balogun's Empire. I want many of their artists to sign with us. The only way to achieve that is for you to marry her. It's time for you to wake up from your daydream and face reality, my mom says, and I open my mouth slightly in surprise. My dad is as surprised as I am.

So, you're planning to betray your friend, huh? Does Sade's mom know that you're planning this behind her back? That you're planning to take over their company? She's your friend, for goodness sake, I say, and she rolls her eyes.

To me, that's not betrayal, it's helping. Their company isn't doing well these days anyway. Taking it over is like saving it from bankruptcy and saving the artists' careers from ending, she says remorselessly.

Well, I don't need anyone's help to take the company to the next level. When the time comes, I'll prove to you that your way was wrong, I say. Just as she's about to reply, I stand up, face my dad, and say,

Dad, let me help you to your room. She looks back and forth between the two of us, waiting for us to say something, especially my dad.

Don't worry, son. I'll manage, he says and takes his walking stick.

So the two of you are just going to walk away from me, right? None of what I said makes sense to you? she says, and I nod. I turn around to walk towards my room.

What does that wretched village girl have to offer you? Lara, or whatever her name is? she shouts angrily. My heart leaps at the mention of Lara's name, and I stop in my tracks. I turn around to face her. How does she know Lara's name?

That lowlife girl. Does she even have anything to offer herself? The only good thing about her is her beauty. She and her family are poor and worthless. If you truly love her as you claim, you'll leave her now. Because I'll make her curse the day she meets you.

I start feeling anxious, and my heart beats rapidly. My chest tightens, and breathing becomes difficult. The room feels stiflingly hot, and sweat forms on my forehead. I want her to stop talking, to stop mentioning Lara. I clutch my chest tightly and manage to say,

Chapter Three

Fresho

Mum, please stop. Please... stop, I force the words out, but she still continues.

I will make life difficult for her until you swear never to see her again...

Ayo, what's wrong with you? Ayo... Ayo! My dad keeps shouting my name while he struggles to walk to me. He holds me with one hand, and the second hand is holding the stick tightly to support himself. My mum's lips are still moving, but I can't hear her any longer. Everything ceases for a moment.

I clutch my chest because it feels so tight, my muscles are tense, and I feel suffocated.

Stop talking and go out. Leave! my dad's voice enters my ear suddenly, and I cringe. I dip my hand in my pocket to take out my phone, but I can't find it.

Dad, please pass me my phone, I push the words out. It's so hard for me to talk.

I want to hear her voice. Just a simple hello from her voice is enough to relieve me of this pain.

My dad moves me to the couch, and I sit down. He takes the phone from the table and gives it to me. I struggle to dial her number, but I end the call when I remember how concerned she was when I called her earlier with a panting tone. I don't want her to worry or have any trouble because of me. I will be fine, I think to myself, and I drop the phone.

Water... water... I stutter.

Get him water, my dad says to my mum in a commanding tone, and she leaves immediately.

Is she still there? I didn't expect her to be.

A few seconds later, she comes back with a bottle of water in her hand. She opens it and gives it to me. I drink half of the water and give the remainder to my dad, who sits very close to me. He pats my back with concern.

I breathe in and out slowly, trying to calm my nerves. It takes a long time to recover this time, maybe because I didn't hear her voice. I feel a strong urge to hear her voice, but I suppress it.

More than 10 minutes later, I am calm and relieved. My mum is still standing in one place, looking at me. I can't read her mind because her facial expression is neutral. My dad is still patting my back continuously without a break.

What's wrong with you? What did that girl do to you? Why did you dial her number and end the call again?

Oh God, not again. How did she know she was the one I called? She probably guessed because of how I saved her number: MY LOVE.

Ayo, answer me! she shouts.

Mum, please leave. Leave! I say loudly. She hisses and leaves my room.

I sigh with relief and face my dad with an expression that says, I think I need help.

Since when have you been having these attacks? my dad asks.

Today. And I've had them three times already, I answer.

What do you think could be causing them? my dad asks.

Dad, I'm in trouble. I don't think I can live without her now. I think I'm going crazy. The first attack happened this morning because I was finding it difficult to be apart from her. So when I got to Lagos, I craved her voice so badly that I wasn't myself until I heard it. The second attack was during dinner earlier because my mum threatened to separate us. And now because she threatened to hurt her, I explain to him, and he opens his mouth in amazement.

Is this feeling normal, dad? I ask, desperately hoping he'll say it's a normal feeling. I'm hoping he'll say I'm okay, that's how people in love feel. I know the feeling is abnormal, but I'm still hoping for a different answer. He shakes his head, hugs me, and says,

It's not normal. I think you need to see a therapist. His answer saddens my heart. Even though I knew what his answer would be, I still feel broken after hearing it from him.

Do you think Mum won't harm her? I ask him.

She won't if you protect her.

My dad leaves after I'm completely alright.

I feel so weak and unstable. Though my body is stable, my mind is not. My dad's statement keeps replaying in my mind.

How on earth will I protect her? She's not the type that will allow herself to be followed around by bodyguards. And I don't want to tell her the reason behind getting security for her. I don't want to scare her or make her feel unsafe with me. I sigh deeply and lean against the backrest of the couch.

I pick up my phone and dial John's number to ask him about the progress of the watch.

Hello, boss, John says.

Where are you? I ask.

I've been around their shop since morning, but I'll be leaving soon. She's about to close the shop, John says.

What did I tell you to do if you see any strangers around her?

You told me to call you immediately, he replies.

Please, for goodness' sake, keep watching over her for 24 hours if possible, I emphasize, adding a plea to my request. I know it's not possible, but how else will I make him do it? An idea comes to my mind, and I welcome it.

Do you know anyone else who is trustworthy and secretive? I ask him.

Why, sir?