Chapter 24 - WERE YOU IDOLIZING ME?

𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑟𝑑 𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑜𝑛'𝑠 𝑁𝑎𝑟𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟

Anger surged in him, and his whole body trembled. He grabbed the steel bars of the cell and yelled. Almost deafening his inmates. It infuriated him, he had to spend a day in this God-forsaken prison with these unkept smelly inmates. That woman and that man should be the ones behind bars. He tightened his hands on the steel but the pain in his right hand didn't let him hold onto it for long.

He pushed his hands from the bars and stared at the white bandage wrapped around his right hand. Staring at his hand, reminded him of that night. He was afraid his hand might be amputated. All thanks to that man. The pain he felt that night when he drove the fork through his hand, he never felt in his entire life.

Desmond glanced at the bandage stained with blood. His soul almost left his body that night and he managed to pull out the fork even though the pain was thrice unbearable. He washed his hands in the sink and wrapped his bleeding hand. He treated himself the night but was startled when the police barged into his house with an arrest warrant for domestic violence and attempted murder.

"Mr Desmond Walker, you are under arrest for domestic violence murder and attempted murder on one of the victims, Nino Peterson. I'm going to read you your rights. You have the right to remain silent. If you give up on your right to remain silent, anything you say may be used against you in a court of law."

"You are entitled to an attorney." One of the policemen concluded and fished out handcuffs.

"You can't barge into my house, almost the middle of the night!" Desmond yelled. Enraged. They had the nerve to call the police on him? "Listen here, police. I'm the victim, look at my hand. They did this to me."

"They almost killed me! And why would I beat up my wife? That woman- Nino, she's the one you should be arresting not me. She and her psycho boyfriend tried to kill me with a fork, can't you see my hands bleeding?"

"I read you your rights again. You are to remain silent or anything you say will be used against you in the law court."

They handcuffed him and dragged him out. "They did this to me and took my wife and child!"

"We will administer you to a clinic to take care of your hand.

"I said I didn't do it!" Desmond banged on the steel bars. Ignoring the pain in his right hand. "Get me out of here immediately! You can't keep me locked here forever, my wife and child need me."

"Your wife, you tried to beat to death?" He heard one of his inmates say in a sarcastic tone. He turned his head and saw a smug smile plastered on his face and for a minute he felt the urge to slap the smile out of his face.

"Hey buddy, stop making a hell of a noise." Another inmate whose back was facing him turned to look at him. "Just admit to your crimes. Do you think all of us here are guilty of the crimes we committed? But merely looking at your shows you aren't the victim."

"Shut it, I said shut it!" He turned to the steel door, curling his fingers on the bars. "Nino, Nino, you will regret meddling in my affairs." He mumbled to himself.

~~~~~~~~~~

𝑁𝑖𝑛𝑜

"Go take your bath, I'll fix dinner," I said to Daniel. He sat on the bed looking at me. I wonder if something was on my face or if something on me interested him.

"What?" I chuckled at the look in his eyes.

"Why do you let that man boss you around? This is your house, not his. You owned almost everything in this house." The smile on my face broadened, I was surprised he lost to a little kid. I never lost to him but little Daniel shut him up. And I can see the irritating look in his eyes.

I stride toward him and planted myself beside him. I stroked his head. "I understand your bitterness, I felt that way the day I learnt my house was already sold to him. But he owns it now, including everything in it. And there's nothing we can do about it."

"Lies." I laughed at his choice of words. "He stole it from you, buying a house he saw someone put up on the net without the owner's permission is theft in the law constitution."

"That's why I must get my house back from him," he turns to look at me. Questions lingered in his eyes and I know he must be wondering how I'm gonna do that. "I don't know either but I will need your help." I stroked his hair gently.

"I can coax him if you want." He showed off his milk-broken teeth which melted my heart. "I have a unique way of charming my way into people's hearts."

"And I know you can," I smiled and patted his head.

I stood to my feet. "Go have your bath, I will prepare dinner and if you happen to see Mr grumpy in there. Stay out until he's done. He doesn't like it when people use things when he's using them. It sounds crazy, right? I know."

I laughed at the look he gave me. I disappeared out of my room and ran downstairs, to the kitchen. I entered the kitchen and found him there, his back was facing me. I can't help but stare at his refined back. Though he was wearing a polo, I discern the hard muscles of his back and his broad shoulders. I haven't taken the time to admire his profile and his beauty. I still can't believe I'm living under the same roof with this creature.

I wonder what part of the world he's from. His physique and face are unquestionably attractive. I wonder how many ladies have tried to catch his attention, I bet many have tried. I've always entertained negative about who he might be. I was busy giving him all manner of titles in my head that I forgot he might be kind and a nice man. Judging the fact of how he helped me these past days I have lived with him.

I gawked at the beauty before me and found myself almost drooling. I thanked my stars he didn't notice my presence. I leaned my weight against the kitchen and watch him cooking. Even the way he cooks looks fascinating. I can't tell why I feel elated at the sight of him. I feel my sorrows or pain go away at the sight of him.

"What are you doing?" I recover my stance and pushed my weight from the door when he turned to me and gave me a suspicious look.

"Ah....nothing," I quickly inserted and flashed a smile at him but usually, he wore that impassive look on his face and never welcomed my smile.

"Were you idolizing me?" He squints his eyes and arches a brow at me inquisitively.

"What! Never!" I almost screamed but instead laughed at his choice of words. "Why would I ever idolize someone like you? I came here because I want to make use of the kitchen."

"Your request can't be issued," he turns to the food he was making.

"Why? Daniel wants to eat and you can't deprive me of making food for him." I came to stand across him. Looking at the egg rolls he was making. Where did he learn to do that? The only snacks I know how to make are pancakes and sausage rolls.

"You can use the kitchen when I'm done," he said and glued his eyes on the wooden board he was rolling the sticky flour on. I watched as his flour-smeared fingers and hands held the handles of the roller and slowly grind the flour. "I'm not..."

Staring at him make my mouth water and my stomach can't help but rumble. I want to taste that when he's done but the question is will he spare one for me? Even the aroma smelled so wonderful and inviting. My stomach rumbled more audible this time.

"You can join me in the kitchen for today cause not only Daniel," he looked up from the board to me. "You look hungry as well."

I smiled and reached out for the high cabinets. I usually climb on the counters to get anything I want from there. I'm not short if that's what you are thinking but the height of the cabinets insulted my moderate height. I can't possibly climb the counters to get what I want or he will taunt me with that. I managed to push open one of the cabinets to bring out the milk but why did I have to push it inside this morning after making breakfast for Daniel?

I chewed my lower lip, trying not to feel embarrassed. Knowing the fact he might be watching me. I stood on my toes and reach out for the Tin milk. My fingertips already touched it and were on the verge of bringing it out when his hand grazed mine lightly, shooting chills down my spine. I withdrew my fingers and stood glued to the floor. My heart was already hammering at his closeness, I could feel his breath on the nape of my neck and I was scared to turn. I held on to my breath and pray he moves away quickly.

"Here," he pulled out the milk and place it on the counter. He moved away and continued what he was doing. I let out a breath and massaged my chest which was hammering and I prayed he didn't notice it.

"Your parents should have put your height into consideration when they mounted those cabinets." I jerked my head at him immediately, almost fuming at his words.

"I was a little girl then. And I'm tall in my childhood. I have long legs back then.'

"Are you now? You are on my arm level, does that make you tall?"

I opened my mouth to retort when Daniel rushed in with my phone in his hands.

"I think it's urgent, the person kept calling."

I took the phone from him and walked out of the kitchen to answer my Secretary's call.

"Yes?"