Read previous episodes of Spending Mommy’s Money
CHAPTER SEVEN – Baby-making
Rain hated emotional breakdowns. As an only child, raised by a mother who found brilliant ways to escape her pain rather than face it, Rain was an expert in pretending she was fine when she should be falling apart. She knew it would always lead to a full meltdown at some point, but she was okay with it, as long as it happened when she was alone. Breaking down in front of a guy she liked was the stupidest thing she had done in a while.
This morning, she was up before Tari. It was still dark outside and it was raining.
She sat up stealthily and gave room to her eyes to ogle him as he slept beside her. He was good-looking, just not in a distracting or striking way. His handsomeness was unfussy and quiet, pensive even; as if he were there with you but not quite because he was lost in his mind. He was neither slim nor buff, but his body was toned enough to make her long to have it move against hers one more time.
Even now, she was tempted to run her hands over his smooth, dark skin and to kiss him before she left the bedroom. She regretted not allowing herself take the pleasure he offered last night because she had been ashamed for exposing her helplessness. But Tari understood, even though she didnβt explain herself. He was fine with cuddles, he said, holding her until she slept.
Rain slipped out of bed and looked around for her phone to check for messages. There were a few, and she responded to some of them. One was a jumble of words from Jaya, which Rain deciphered to mean she was on her way to the house.
When Rain was done with her messages, it was a few minutes past five and it had stopped raining. She walked to the door without waking Tari. But when she held the handle, she heard him murmur something.
βYouβre leaving?β he asked, staring at his watch.
βI canβt leave. This is my house.β
βOh, true. Iβm the one who has to dip.β He yawned, rubbing an eye as he got off the bed. He reached for his phone by the nightstand and passed it to her. βYour number?β
As she typed in her number, he gazed at her.
βSave it,β he instructed, moving closer. She handed the phone to him. βAre you going to tell me about your ex?β
βWhat ex?β
βThe one and his twin sister? The reason you were crying last night?β
βUmβ¦ I donβt know what youβre talking about.β
βYouβve moved on. Good. That means youβre not taking him back, right?β
βWho?β
βWise decision.β
βMm.β
βSo, about this tripβ¦ What do I get to be responsible for? I donβt want to hear βall expense paid.ββ
βBut it is.β
Tari gave a shake of his head. βMnh-mnh.β
βOkayβ¦ Accommodation and transportation have been handled in advance. You want to take on the feeding and other stuff?β
βSure.β
βGood. Just make sure you have a valid passport that has at least six months on it.β
βI do.β
βThen, simply show up here on Friday as early as seven.β
βOkay. Now, would you let me kiss you?β
βYes, please.β
She threw her arms around his neck. He brought her body to his as he sought her mouth for a kiss. Rain parted her lips in anticipation of something intense but he made it light and soft.
βSorry, I have to pee real quick.β
As he dashed into the bathroom, Rain stepped out to the living room. Jaya was outside the door, banging on it. Rain unlocked it and Jaya barged in, still wearing the spicy red outfit she had on last night.
βSoooo, who is this Tari guy?β she asked as she flung her purse.
βYou didnβt go home?ββ
βNo. And Iβm drunk, I think. Please, donβt talk loudly. And close the curtains.β
βTheyβre closed.β
βI did a bunch of stuff this morning that I will not be sorry for.β
βJaya,β Rain called in concern. βNormal people get drunk at night, because other sane people would be asleep by then. Nobody gets drunk in the wee hours of the morning.β
βHow do the sane people know that the stuff youβre doing is stupid if theyβre not there to witness it? Itβs like the tree that falls in the forest alone thing.β
βWhat have you done now?β
Jaya moved toward the couch, taking off her wig. βI called Mide and told her that you lost your job because of Kevin. Then, I told her that sheβs a useless friend and she doesnβt deserve us and I donβt want to do friendship with her again.β
βAndβ¦?β
βThat her baby is ugly because she looks like Kevin.β
βWhy would you tell her those things?β
βFuck that bitch. And youβre too loud abeg. Argh! My head!β Jaya threw herself on the couch.
βDid you drive here in this condition?β
βAm I mad? I almost went home, then I remembered that my dad is around. I dumped my car at W Bar and took a cab here.β She stretched out on the couch. βSeriously, who is this Tari? Where did you meet him? And how good was the sex last night? Is he big or average? Did he go down on you? Does he know that every little thing makes you cum?β
Tari walked in on them. Jayaβs drunken eyes strayed to him.
βOh, hey. Youβre here.β
βHi Jaya.β
βHope I see more of you. I like your face.β
And she fell into a snooze, snoring in seconds. Tari smiled, looking at Rain. βI have to go to work.β
βCall me?β
βYeah.β
Rain snatched Tariβs hand and walked him to the door. He gave her a proper kiss before stepping out. Once he was gone, Jaya howled.
βI thought you were sleeping.β
βI was acting. Iβm an actress, remember?β
But she was snoring again.
xoxoxo
Tari parked his car outside the gate of his compound, not missing the tinted SUV that was across the street. Sunny was in the house, having already called to inform him that he was waiting to see him.
Heading inside, Tari was intercepted by Didi who came hurrying toward him.
βIβm so sorry, Tari. Your uncle is like the DSS or something. He kept questioning me until I told him that I was your ex. Hope Iβve not put you in trouble?β
βNo, no. Itβs fine.β
βI didnβt even know you had another uncle. Itβs only Jerryβs dad I met.β
βHeβs dead.β
βOh. Iβm sorry.β
Tari and Didi made their way into the house. Didi disappeared into her bedroom while Tari stopped by the door to take off his sneakers.
Sunny was seated comfortably, reading something on his phone. Ariella sat on another couch, her eyes on him while having breakfast.
βGood morning, sir,β Tari greeted.
βHow are you, Atari?β
βIβm good.β
βGreat to hear.β Sunny kept his phone aside. βPlease, sit. We need to talk.β
Tari picked Ariella up and sat, placing her on his lap.
βIβm guessing you have no plans to attend your fatherβs funeral?β Sunny asked.
βNo.β
βI understand. I wouldnβt have come here because Iβm an extremely busy man and I donβt go around in this manner. But you are family, Tari, and Iβm scared that with your dad gone now, you wouldnβt want to have anything to do with us.β
βWouldnβt that be the best?β
βNo. Going back to your ordinary, disadvantaged life is unacceptable. Which is why I want to transform you drastically. New house, new car, some good cash in your account, and a better job. A much better job at Hara Telecoms.β
βHara?β
βYes. I am one of the partners, and soon-to-be CEO, which means I can put you in any position I want. I am thinking director of marketing. Of course, you donβt have enough experience for the position. So, youβll be understudying the person who presently occupies the office as an associate. If you catch up fast, youβll take over in no time. I do hope youβre ready to work and travel a lot. Itβs not for lazy people. Itβs also not a job for broke asses. This means you have to look the part, starting with a change of wardrobe. My stylist will give you a call.β
Tari didnβt realize his mouth was open until Ariella stuck a slice of bread in it.
βAtari, are you listening?β
βYeah,β Tari answered, taking a bite of the bread.
βThis means the child on your lap and its mother have to remain here. They canβt follow you to your new place or even be in your life. And for heavenβs sake, why is your ex living with you? Canβt you get enough of her pussy?β
βHuh?β
βThereβs Rain Kareem, whom Inno told me you walked off with at the wedding. Howβs that going?β
Tari was still speechless. βIβ¦β
βWhatβs your schedule like this morning? We must talk.β
βWeβre already talking.β
βHave a shower. Iβll be waiting for you in the car.β
Tari didnβt know what Sunny had in him that made him want to do anything he asked. He wasnβt afraid of him; neither was it a thing of admiration. He just couldnβt say no to the man.
But he took his time and made sure that Didi and Ariella were safely on their way to work and school before he joined Sunny in his car.
βNext time, donβt keep me waiting.β
Sunny was driving himself today. He started the engine and sped out of the neighborhood.
xoxoxo
Rain spent her afternoon with Habib, honoring his invitation for lunch. It was her first time in his house, and she thought it looked like something one could pay good money for, just to get away. The mix of simplicity and high style struck her. She nursed thoughts of staying there on a long weekend.
Habib stood before her, tall and gray, eyes gazing at her as if he were seeing her for the first time. He gazed for so long that she became uneasy.
βHave we seen this year?β he finally asked. βYou should come and give me a hug.β
Rain walked into his open embrace and almost burst into tears when her body found comfort in his arms.
Habib released her but held her shoulders and looked into her eyes. βRaindrop?β he called. He alone was allowed to call her full name. βYouβre mine,β he said. He looked like he might cry. βMine.β
He kissed her forehead. βThey robbed us of thirty-five years of our lives.β
βAll of mine,β Rain stated.
βAll of yours.β
He pulled back and looked at her again. βWe wonβt let them take the rest away, okay?β
She nodded.
βThatβs my girl.β
Rain smiled. He would always be Uncle Habib to her. The coolest uncle on earth. He had been an important part of her life while growing up, even though he wasnβt always there. But every time he made an appearance, it was significant to her. He told the most ridiculous stories and always made her laugh. She loved their relationship dynamic and wasnβt ready to be his daughter yet.
βYou should sit,β he said.
Rain sat on one end of the living room while Habib took the other.
βSoβ¦ How do you feel about everything?β
Rain shrugged.
βYouβre not angry?β
βTrust me, Iβve had a lot of time to be angry, and I had a good cry yesterday.β
βItβs always therapeutic to let it all out.β
βYeah.β
βSo, this is your home. I already have a room prepared for you.β
βThank you.β
βHow are you?β
βIβm good.β
βThe whole unfortunate thing with your ex onlineβ¦β
βI deactivated all my accounts.β
βIβm sorry you had to go through that. Come and sit with me.β
Rain walked to him and sat beside him.
βI donβt know what to say,β Habib confessed. βWhere do we begin?β
βFrom anywhere.β
βFor starters, you have to call me dad.β
βI do?β
βIβd love that very much.β
Rain giggled.
βNot βdaddyβ, just βdadβ.β
βOkay, Dad.β
βI love that. So, are you ready for lunch? Weβre eating inβ¦or out? The balcony has a lovely view.β
βThatβs fine.β
His housekeeper served them a meal of masa and miyan taushe. Habib had smoked fish while Rain enjoyed soft, fatty beef. As they ate, Rain filled Habib in on her life because he asked. His bearded face gleamed with pride at her accomplishments.
βI wonβt lie, I was an awful uncle to you. Distant and selfish. Well, you canβt blame me. Aisha or whatever she calls herself these days made it hard for us to connect.β
βYouβre mad at her too?β
βThey both lied to me. And not just any lie, Rain. This is huge. Unforgiveable.β
βBut youβll forgive Aunty Kofo?β
Habib let out a smile, which he quickly rescinded.
Rain had a sip of kunu and asked, βWere you guys really in love or it was just lust?β
Habib smiled again. This time, he didnβt hide it. Rain could see memories clouding his eyes. βI never got married after I met her, Rain. What do you think I felt for your mother?β
It was still odd for her to think of Kofo as her mother. βTell me your love story.β
And Habib told a tale that neither Dora nor Kofoβs recollections could tell. It came from his heart, and Rain didnβt mind that he was detailed with it.
βWhen we were together, nothing mattered. Not her husband, not our different religions, not ageβ¦ Nothing.β He burped silently. βThis is why it hurts so bad that sheβd keep away from me the one person that could have taken her place after she left me.β
Rain didnβt have to tell him to forgive Kofo. His story was dotted with compassion; all he needed was to deal with the emotions.
βShe wants to buy me out and own Alma.β
Rain picked a piece of beef from her plate and fed Habibβs cat who was looking up at them from the floor where she sat.
βDo you want to sell?β
βI donβt know. The acquisition comes with an offer. I become one of the CEOs at Hara. Have you been following the business news lately?β
βThe one about Sunny Olumese being a partner at Hara?β
βWhat are your thoughts?β
βI donβt know what to think, to be honest. She says the man was her enemy, but he turns out to be her partner. I donβt trust her. Do you?β
Habib lifted and dropped his shoulders. βI guess.β
βDo you think she loved you?β
Habib placed both elbows on the table and rubbed his hands. βShe still does.β
βAre you guys ever going to get back together?β
That distant look again. βI donβt know.β
Rain finished her meal in silence, sharing parts of it with Kabo, the cat. After lunch, they took a leisurely walk around the premises and stopped at a lounge that had a sunset feel, enclosed by long glass walls. While Habib had spicy tea and smoked a shisha, Rain opted for a glass of wine. They listened to jazz in silence until it became uncomfortable to remain quiet.
βDo you think we need to do a DNA test?β Habib asked Rain.
βYes, but isnβt it obvious that Iβm yours? Our eyes…β
βYeah. Even the noses. Then, the heightβ¦ You didnβt get that from your mom.β
βOur hands too.β Rain put out her hands before her, displaying her fingers. Habib did the same.
βWhen you were a kid, family members had this theory that Aisha slept with someone and had you and was lying that you were adopted because you looked a lot like your cousins. They couldnβt say that to her face, though.β
βMom is asexual. Donβt they know that?β
βShe was considered an outcast and they treated her weirdly. I think they were jealous because she was very wealthy. It was one of the reasons she took you away from them. Look, maybe I shouldnβt be telling you this story.β
βLetβs gossip a littleβ¦Dad.β
Habib laughed. βSheβs bribing me already. No, it wonβt work. Let Aisha share it with you. Itβs a very interesting tale that gives you the origin of her love for travels.β
βOkay.β
βSo, will you visit me again?β Habib asked.
βYes.β
Habib gave her a fatherly smile. He helped her up and drew her arm into the crock of his, as they took a walk to the parking garage.
βIt would be nice if you opened up to me some more, especially about the boys in your life.β
Rain giggled. βI no longer date boys.β
βOkay. Men, then. I hope the Noah thing hasnβt scarred you?β
βNo.β
βGood, because you deserve to be in a wonderful relationship that will lead to a great marriage. I donβt want to sound typical, but I deserve to have grandchildren.β
Rain laughed. She knew he was joking.
When they stopped beside her car, he gave her another heartfelt hug that brought tears to her eyes.
βCall me when you get home.β
She nodded. He kissed her forehead and let go. As she started out of the parking garage, she kept her eyes in the rearview mirror, watching him stare after her.
xoxoxo
Tari was packed outside Rainβs house. He had arrived almost an hour ago but had been on the phone with Bara. The gist was about his father being an Olumese and the trip Sunny had taken him on earlier today.
It was to his new home in Ikoyiβa serviced apartment with everything he needed, from food and drinks to gadgets any man would die for. Tari felt like he was living a dream, but at the same time, he was curious as to why Sunny treated him differently from his siblings.
βBecause they are well-placed already. At least, they would be soon.β
βSo, the sperm donor left my siblings inheritance and I got nothing?β
βHe didnβt exactly leave them anything. Their mother is the rich one.β
Tari recalled Kofoβs visit and all she told him.
βWell, she came to see me.β
βWho?β
βKofo Aboderin.β
The look in Sunnyβs eyes changed.
βShe did? When?β
βThe same day we had lunch at Sheraton. She offered me a house in this area, a car, and a job at Hara. The same thing youβre doing. And now Iβm learning that both of you are partners. Uncle Sunny, I donβt understand what is going on.β
Displaying a sinister smile on his face, Sunny brought up Rain Kareem again. This time, he revealed his intention for Tari, concerning her. βI need you and her to become a thing. And I donβt mean something shallow. The real thing. The end game is to make her your wife, Tari.β
βWhy? Whatβs your connection with her?β
Then, Sunny went back in time and told Tari about Ituah and Kofoβs marriage. He also told him about Rain and Habibβat least, the bits he claimed to know. What he didnβt tell Tari was how he had blackmailed Kofo for years. His version of how he became partner at Hara Telecoms recounted that Kofo came back from the United States and needed a loan to start Hara. He offered to become an investor, instead, if he got a certain stake in the company.
But the juiciest part of Sunnyβs tale was when he explained that Rain was Kofoβs next-of-kin and the one positioned to take Hara Telecoms from her.
βTo sum up, I have that much power to bring in anyone I want into the company. I have chosen you, Atari. As for Kofoβs motive for wanting you at Hara, my conclusion is that she has plans to shortchange you.β
βBut why didnβt you help the family when Rain Textiles went bankrupt?β
It wasnβt until after Tari mentioned βRain Textilesβ that it really hit him that his thing with Rain was complicated.
βKofo and Ituah were enemies. I was Kofoβs silent partner. If I had showed that I had money enough to save Rain Textiles, I would have been exposed. It was better to watch Ituah bear the consequence of ruining a good business and a great wife that was his fortune. He didnβt do it alone, though. We had a sister that supported him. Thank goodness the witch is dead.β
Tari stared at Sunnyβs hands because it would have been rude to glare at him. He was beginning to see him for what he was. He had been the sole reason Tari met Rain at the wedding. But their second encounter was coincidence. Was fate stronger than Sunnyβs machinations?
βThe quickest way into her life is to get her pregnant. Your child together automatically becomes an Aboderin and Olumese heir. Rain is the future of Hara Telecoms, not your siblings. And you alone can retain the company through her and make it an Olumese legacyββ
βI am not an Olumese.β
βYou are your fatherβs son, Atari.β
βWhat father? The one that hated my mom and me?β
βForgive the wickedness of your father, boy. Forget it. I am here with you, and you will never suffer. Youβll be a great man. Just do as I say and everything will be fine.β He tapped Tariβs knee and used him as a lever to rise. βMeanwhile, we need to conduct a DNA test on you, just to have it documented. In case your siblings or anyone else wants to act funny. You know how these family issues can become.β
Sunny didnβt let Tari ask more questions. The moment he unloaded his breaking news, he left for Benin. Tari put the entire thing out of his mind, as he had to face his day without stress. But he found that he couldnβt handle it, so he sent Bara a message and asked to meet him for drinks after work. Bara didnβt respond to his message until a while ago. He apologized and explained that he was caught up with work. He was still busy when Tari picked his call.
βBut we can still meet up at Jerryβs.β
βNo, Iβm at Rainβs.β
βAlready doing sleepovers?β
βYes, actually. But nothing serious.β
βNothing serious and you were forming superman last night? You even whisked her away to one corner and blocked all access.β
Tari laughed. βYou dey craze.β
βAbi I lie? Give me details, my guy. Whatβs she like?β
Bara always needed details about everyoneβs life. Three years ago, he wouldnβt have cared, but after losing his wife in a car crash, he became that friend that got involved in his friendsβ lives. Before then, he had been a plastic surgeon, and this had him shuttling between Lagos and Abuja, handling cases of high-profile patients. It was difficult for him to keep up with the people that mattered, including his wife. It had gotten so bad that she began to threaten to leave him, but Bara didnβt take her seriously. For each complaint, he would send money into her account to keep her busy. When a speeding car lost control and ran into her car one morning on her way to work, she was on the phone with him. He had been angry after receiving a barrage of messages from her through the night, threatening divorce. He then called her at exactly 5:00 am to give her a piece of his mind. It was while he told her to go ahead with the divorce that he heard the screech of tires over tar that brought the most traumatizing silence he ever heard in his life.
Khadijaβs death was a humbling lesson in being there for the people that mattered. These days, Bara spent his time involved in his friendsβ businesses and giving the dead honorable burials as a funeral director.
βI dey hear you,β Bara said as Tari told him about how he met Rain. But he didnβt stop there. He unpacked everything Sunny shared with him about Rainβs origins and his. After he was done, Bara whistled.
βIn all my thirty-six years of life, young man, I’ve never seen drama like this. It feels like an episode in some soap opera shit, man. Atari! This is your true Nollywood story!β
βI canβt even argue with you.β
βOmo!β
βTimes hundred, I swear.β
βThen, the twist with Rain. You guys are committing incest.β
βHow?β
βJust kidding. Itβs not like you share a parent or grew up together. But itβsβ¦ Itβs crazy.β
βI know. What I donβt know now is if I should tell her everything Uncle Sunny told me and let things play out or if I should just be honest and risk losing her.β
βYou think sheβll be weirded out by the incest thing?β
βCan you stop calling it that?β
βSorry.β
βBut yeah, I think she might. Considering what her ex did.β
βI wanted to mention that. Hmmmβ¦ E heavy o! But not like that, my guy. Because if you check am, itβs all about how you guys take dey feel each other. You get me?β
βYeah.β
βYou like her, she likes you. Thatβs all that matters. Every other thing na sidebar. If telling her the truth makes you lose her, youβre still a winner in all this. A house, a car, a job at Hara as a marketing director, money in your accountβ¦ What are you talking about?β
Tari smiled.
βYouβre made, man! And Iβm happy for you. Youβve come a long way.β
βI have.β
Tari was happy for himself as well, but he couldnβt stop thinking about the smile on Sunnyβs face earlier. He didnβt know what the man was up to.
βHow do you feel about the whole thing?β
βItβs stress already. So much expectation from me. Director of marketing is massive and I donβt have the skills.β
βYou will. Donβt worry. No let anybody stress you.β
Tari heard a clanging sound and asked Bara what he was working on. Bara switched to a video call and showed him a corpse, laid out on a gurney.
βThose boobs are massive,β Tari commented.
βYeahβ¦ She had it all.β Bara gave him a view of the entire body.
βHow did she die?β
βHead trauma from domestic violence. The gist is all over social media.β
Tari hadnβt been online since the Noah and Rain drama.
βSee the marks on her body?β
Tari was always fascinated by Baraβs work. He had watched him a couple of times, seen how he loved to talk to the corpses he worked on. He believed that they were earth matter like everything else, and earth matter could never die. Words could move them, and the dead always listened to and spoke with him. Tari didnβt find his friend creepy. He understood that he still felt guilty for his wifeβs death.
βBara, make I run.β
βUse a condomβor not.β
βYou dey craze.β
Laughing, Bara hung up. Tari drove into Rainβs compound, let in by her gateman. She opened the front door, even before he knocked on it. She welcomed him with a fierce kiss. Wearing nothing but a mini tube dress, Rain was out to mess him up.
If Tari were to describe her eroticism, he would call her a feral lover, for lack of a fitting word. Passionate would be a better description, but he equated passion with intimacy; and there were many parts of her that he was yet to discover. He longed to know her better, asides what he already knew.
She freed his lips but held on to him. βI got your voice note. You said you wanted to talk?β
βIt can wait.β
Tari kissed Rain back, but he was gentler, only because he wanted to feel the tension between them. Relish it. Tempt it. She returned his enthusiasm, pulling his body back to hers.
He stopped and drew back. βIβm losing my shit here, Rain.β
She grabbed him by his waistband. βYou have no idea how much every part of me wants you now. No foreplay, no talking.β
βBut Iβve planned to take my time with you, adore your bodyββ
She hushed him with another kiss. βJust fulfil this one fantasy for me. Here, now, hard, quickβ¦ Tell me if you like what you see.β
Rain turned around and tugged her dress up to reveal that she had only a g-string on.
βThis womanβ¦β
He watched her slowly removed the g-string. Then, he pressed his body against hers to make her feel his hardness before taking a condom out of his pocket. He freed his jeans and boxer briefs, and the moment his penis touched her cheeks, Rain moaned out.
βWait first.β He turned her around.
βWhat are you doing, Tari?β she complained.
βI just want to look at you. Thereβs something I need to see and feel.β
βIf youβre wondering if thereβs more happening here than the sex, yes there is. And I hope it goes on, that we have a mad emotional connection that doesnβt end.β She looked down at his dick and bit her lip. βBut right now is not the time to go deep unless itβs deep inside meβ¦β
Tari turned her around again. He grasped her hips, parting her butt cheeks. Then, he pushed into her, filling her completely.
He rocked her to his rhythm, controlling her body. There was a painting on the wall that looked like a colorful mess of confetti at first but began to form into the nude torso of a woman that judged him as he slammed shamelessly into Rain. The wilder he got, the more the woman seemed to judge him.
He thrust harder. Rain moaned louder as he fucked her like they would never get this chance again. She felt good, even with the barrier of the condom. It was as if he was having sex for the first time and feeling a glut of incredible sensations.
Tari didnβt last as long as he wanted to. He came long and hard, hugging Rain to himself because the feel of her body against made the moment even more pleasurable.
βYouβre so insane, Rain,β he whispered in her ear, nibbling it.
βI know.β
She clung to his arm; and when he looked at her face, he saw that her eyes were closed.
βRain?β he called.
βMm?β
βAre you okay?β
βShhβ¦β She opened her eyes. βCan you hear that?β
He listened and heard the sound of rain outside.
βIβm justβ¦savoring the moment.β
He stayed a little longer before slipping out of her, but she held onto him for a few seconds more.
βAnd we have only one of these,β he said, referring to the condom he had just used. She faced him and put her arms around him.
βSo, what did you want to talk about?β
βLetβs shower first.β
They went into Rainβs bathroom where they soaped each otherβs bodies and allowed the water wash away the lather, unaided. When they were done, Rain handed Tari an undersized pink bathrobe and wore another that matched it.
βHave you done a facial before?β she asked.
βA facial?β
βGone to a spa? Taken care of your skin?β
βNo.β
βI figured. Your face needs a little pampering. You should treat it to some TLC.β
Rain opened the medicine cabinet and took out two Korean sheet masks. She placed them on his face and hers. They sat in the living room, drinking wine as Faveβs music played from the sound system. Only then did Tari tell Rain everything Sunny had shared with him.
She took in the gist rather well, not saying a thing until her wine glass was empty. She asked Tari to top it.
βI wouldnβt have guessed that I was older than you. Itβs either you look older or I look younger.β
βSo, what do you think about all I told you?β
βI have no thoughts. I just canβt wait to be on a plane out of here and do all the things I want to do with you.β
βYou still want to be with me?β
βNothing is changing between us, Tari. Well, unless you think that what we have here is a taboo.β
βItβs not.β
βOr you donβt want to have anything to do with me?β
Tari looked into her eyes. He saw real apprehension. βHeyβ¦ Leaving you is the last thing on my mind. I justβ¦ We should talk about your mom and my uncle. Doesnβt it disturb you that they suddenly want to right the wrongs from their past and theyβre using us?β
βWhy should I let it disturb me? I donβt care about them. Letβs forget what they did or are planning to do and be present here, with each other.β
Tari grinned, impressed by her attitude.
βIβd rather you tell me about your mom. How was it growing up with her?β
βShe was amazing,β Tari replied. βWe were poor and she was sick most of the time, but I never lacked. I was the man of the house, though. Started selling stuff from secondary school days. In uni, I was selling food.β
βFood?β
βMy mom did a whole bunch of businesses. Catering was one of them. But it turned out that I loved the business of selling stuff more than the cooking. So, I switched to recharge cards. Later, I got a chest freezer and sold water and cold drinks. The money helped me out with rent, school fees and extra cash, which I regularly sent to my mom.β
βAww, you were an amazing son.β
βHow about you?β
βSingle mom too, as you already know. I had everything, but the one thing I really wanted, which was a stable family, I didnβt get. My mom loved to travel and every holiday, weβd tour at least, three countries.β
βSounds like fun.β
βFor a child, it was draining. I couldnβt keep friends. In my teenage years, I became quite the rebel. I would refuse to travel, choosing rather to spend time with Mideβs family. Mide is my childhood friend. She had a large family, and I loved the warmth, the nights in front of the TV, the stories her dad shared with us about his younger days, the Sunday services that had all of us packing ourselves into his Sienna, the moments Mide and I stayed up at night, secretly reading romance novels and talking about the type of men weβd marry.β
βWhat did your dream man look like?β
βOh, he was white.β Rain snorted. βBlue eyes, dark hair, ripped chestβ¦β She smiled in recollection. βBut we grew up so fast. I miss that time in my life.β
βDo you want a big family?β
She pouted in thought, a habit that Tari was beginning to get used to. βNot necessarily. I just want a family where a father is present. Heβs there for all the milestones in our childrenβs lives.β
Rain stretched out her legs on Tari. He tugged her feet forward, bringing her body to his. She giggled in response. He put his wine glass away and brought her even closer. She sat on his lap, massaged the serum from the mask into his skin and did the same to hers while he kept a steady rub on her bum. They kissed again and for longer until the heat between them started to build up once more. But Tari was wise enough to stop before they went too far.
Rain lay on his chest, and told him about her exes. He noted that she had a coping mechanism for trauma. He admired it and wished he could dissociate from his pain like she did. He suffered from overthinking, always easily swallowed up by his problems.
By the time Rain fell asleep, two wine bottles were empty and Muni Long songs were playing back-to-back.
Tari let her sleep until the rain stopped. He lifted her up and carried her to her bedroom.
βI have to go home.β He covered her with a duvet.
βStay.β
βRainβ¦β
She drew him closer and his body covered hers.
βAt the risk of sounding painfully clichΓ©, what are we doing?β he asked her. βI donβt just want sex.β
She traced the carve of his brow with her finger. βYou want to do what your uncle asked you to do?β
βWhat?β Tari laughed.
βLie that you donβt want to have a baby with me.β
βYouβre insane Rain.β
βI know I want to.β
βYou do?β
She shrugged. βBut Iβm scared that youβre just another asshole.β
βYou never know.β
Her finger dropped down to his lips. βAre you saying you want us to be a couple?β
βWhat do you want?β
βTari, Iβm an intentional woman. If you want me, letβs not play games.β
βIβm bad at games. If youβll say yes to becoming exclusive with me right now, then, Iβll ask.β
βYes.β
βYes?β
βYou didnβt ask.β
βOkay, Rain.β
Her hand traveled down his chest, finding its way to his crotch.
βI know we havenβt known each other for long and we had sex just twice. Great sex, actually. It could be better because I came embarrassingly fast earlier. My point is, Iβve notβ¦β
She grabbed his dick.
βIβve not done things to you that I would love toβ¦ Iβve not shown myself, given you some movesβ¦β
βConcentrate, Atari.β
βI also know that thereβs burning fire in youββ
She began stroking his dick. βIβm actually lazy in bed, but go on.β
βItβs beyond our genitals. I really like you and the way you cry.β
Rain covered her eyes with her free hand. βOh no.β
βItβs messy.β He forced down her hand. βJust as I know you can be. And I like messy. I like your calm too. What else do I like? Emβ¦ I think Iβd have to find out as we get deeper.β
βDeeper?β She tugged his dick toward her.
βWhat are you doing?β he whispered, slightly embarrassed by his growing erection.
βAre you shy?β
βNo.β
βYouβre actually sweet, Tari.β
βThereβs one last thing I want to get out of the way.β
βWhat?β
βYour money.β
She tugged him forward. βMy money?β
βYou have a lot of it, but Iβm just getting by.β He moved closer. βIs there a way we can meet in the middle, so that I donβt feelβ¦?β
βFinancially emasculated?β
He chuckled. βThereβs no such thing.β
βI understand what you mean, Tari.β She stroked his tip over her clit, keeping eye contact. βItβs better than what Aunty Kofo wants to give you.β
βWhat if I donβt want to take anything either of them are offering?β
βItβs your choice.β Her voice was breathy. βBut never throw away a chance to improve your life. Hara is a major transformation for you and for me. Iβm going in there to take whatβs mine, if weβre to go by what my bio mom and your uncle are talking about. What Iβd like is for you to be there too. Theyβll never see us coming.β
βMe being there makes me fit perfectly into your world, right?β He stared down, watching her guide him into her.
βYouβre already a perfect fit, Atari.β
He went in deeper. She moaned. He pulled out and went back in again.
βStop torturing me.β
He thrust in fully, letting his body rest on hers. βCan you feel my pulse inside?β
Rain nodded. Kissing her, he slowly pulled out. She waited for him to go back in, but he didnβt. Instead, he began to move away from her.
βWhat are you doing?β She grasped his bathrobe as he fully pulled out. βI could suffer from withdrawal symptoms. Come back.β
βWhat was that thing your friend said about you cumming anyhow?β His mouth grazed her nipple. βYou want to show me?β
βTari, just come back in.β
But he ignored her and found his way down to the middle of her thighs.
βTari, no. Thatβs my kryptonite. Youβll just kill me.β
βEver had a multiple before?β
Tari spread her legs wider and dove down for a feast.
His pull-out game was weak, but he couldnβt tell Rain. He wasnβt ready to be a father yet; and he knew she was crazy enough to keep his child if anything happened, going by the story she told him about her South African ex.
He didnβt know what lay ahead of them. A baby was going to complicate things, and the last thing he wanted was to be tied to her just because they shared a child. Tari was here for the long game. Sunny, Kofo, and even Rain could not stop him.
Β©Sally Kenneth Dadzie @moskedapages
May the best Man Win
Hah! Sally Kenneth Dadzie, you have my heart!
See this kain uncomplicated admittance of love, that’s the thing I’m exactly finding.
Meanwhile, I can’t wait for the drama that’s already started.
Thank you for sharing.
Oh the kind of fantasy playing in my head right now . My shimi is wet π
Omg! I am here for the drama. From here, it’s team tarain all the way. True, they will never see them coming. Good read Ms Sally. Thank You.
Steamy *wipes sweat*
The way these stories are real.
The life Sally gives these characters.
The beauty of each word aligning to form paragraphs which ultimately lead to one living in another world right where one is taking in the loveliness.
Thank you Sally, thank you.
Sally!!! I love you, even though I have ranted this morning on how you broke my heart when I didn’t wake up to an update π€£.
Rain and Tari are giving me joy, I love the fact that he told her about Sunny’s plan. We are carrying this ship on our head.
Sally!!! This episode got me in my feelsβ€οΈ…I am praying for a bonus episode tomorrow βΉοΈ
Oh wow. So many things will go down here. Enough drama, that I definitely can’t wait for.
Thank you dear Sally, always
Love love love. So happy Tari is honest
So much mushiness in this episode, I loveet!!!
Wow, I love Tari and Rain being together. Thank Sally
Interesting ..cool that Tari told Rain everything Sunny said.. good move.
Sally, thanks once again
They’ll never see them coming! I can’t wait for the upcoming drama. Omo this ship must sail on, no break, no jam. I’m happy Tari opened up to Rain, no point in hiding what’s gonna come out someday soon. I don’t trust Sunny one bit, he’s all shades of evil… Thanks Sally π€π€
Go Tari!!!!!
This Episode is everything, itβs like a cold drink after a long sunny day. My Suga mama the first of her kind, Queen of thrills and twist , Nigerian writer number one you too much . Thanks babe this was well worth it . Team Terain letβs goooo
Sally ooooooo
Kuku kee me with all the erotic and mushy stuff all rolled in one.
I don’t like time wasters, I like people that are both vulnerable in relationships, it creates a comnection which is what I see with Tari and Rain. #Tara….this ship has sailed and must continue to sail.
Sally, we missed you last week nah….abi you will compensate us ni with a val gift? Thank you for all you do Dear, we moskeda fans appreciate you loads. By the way, I thought we would be enjoying two stories simultaneously, what happened?
Steamy!!!! I love.
A conscious alliance between Tari and Rain. I am all for it.
Omo!
I’m very glad Tari told Rain everything.
Wow ..just wow…..
Sal…ya the best…