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Onyedikachi watched Obanma as she snored lightly beside him. He had lost count on how many times he had subtly placed kisses on her cheek. Sometimes he would still see that little girl that always clung to him as a child  other times he could only see the amazing woman she had become.

He lay on his side to a get a better glimpse of her and the longer he stared the more it felt like he would never get sated.

Completely encased in the white duvet that made her appear so little, Onyedikachi wondered if that was why Chijioke was on his mission. He would do much more to protect her if he and Mma were siblings and what if they were?

The thought rattled him more than his fear of cold as it crossed his mind.

Onyedikachi reached out and slowly carressed her face, gently pushing aside a braid that hung loose on her face.

Obanma's eyes fluttered open and her mouth widened almost immediately in a long yawn. With her eyes fixated on him and a knowing smile of satisfaction she lay on her side and reached out to hold his hand.

"I think I might have ruined my chances of getting more pee from your baby cousin"

"Very funny... Onyi I'm not a child "

"But you're your aunt's child too, your mother's child ,your uncle's child . I think they'll be angry at me for keeping you here till late "

"I told aunt Agatha where I was going,you know" She retorted in her defense

"Mma she didn't tell you to sleep here "

"So... Do you want me to go then ?" She enquired with a staid expression .

"No... I love that you're here with me " Onyedikachi replied with a smile, gently moving close to her ,he placed a chaste kiss on her lips.

"I'm going to have to call your uncle or aunt " With that ,he stepped out of the bed in search of his phone . Completely naked and very much focused on his task of retrieving his mobile phone which he had tossed aside when they arrived, he seemed even more handsome naked . Obanma thought within herself. Her assessment lured blushes to her cheek and a bit of embarrassment as she recalled again of their encounter in Owerri.

She loved how broad his shoulders were and how it allowed her hands more freedom to roam . Her eyes couldn't help but scan the length of him, from his face down to his feet . His chest, his well rounded firm buttocks that stood out as he stood akimbo. Her eyes trailed down to his abdomen, lingering at what she had come to know as an instrument of immense pleasure.

Lost in her little assessment with her lips hanging open, Onyedikachi couldn't help but smile . He was even more pleased to see his phone laying at the feet of the bed.

He picked up the item,then walked a distance to stand directly in front of her.

"Keep staring and I might just disappear " He teased with a grin

"Says the man that almost burnt a hole in my forehead a few minutes ago"

"So you were awake then ? pretentious little smart girl "

"Half awake ... I caught glimpses of you staring " A chuckle that progressed and grew into a laughter erupted from her throat and he couldn't help but join in.

"What is it ?why are we laughing?"

"I thought you were going to hurt me that night in Owerri. It's so embarrassing , I had to dress like..."

"An astronaut...no worse ... A soldier" Onyedikachi completed with a chuckle

" I was just so scared ..  I thought you'd probably hurt me because of your father . My heart almost leapt out of my chest that night and I almost fell from the bed and now look at us here, naked" She finished with another throaty laughter.

Obanma sat up on the bed ,letting loose her braids and the duvet which had covered a better part of her nakedness. Her pert breasts which hung loose almost became the centre of Onyedikachi's attention. His mind reverting back to the sighs of pleasure he elicited from her while he kissed and suckled on the two pearls .

For a while ,he missed a part of what she had said but when he caught the word rape , he held out his hand to carress her face .

"I'm not that kind of person... I would never lay my hands on you or forcefully take ..you ,not in this lifetime,not in the next irrespective of out differences"

"You assured me of that and maybe I fell for you a little that day " Obanma replied with a grin

"I have to confess something though ... I did crave to touch you ,kiss you ... I thought I was angry at you but it all just went away when I saw you. Watching the worry melt away from your face  and the peace surrounding you,your beautiful face ...well I found it extremely sexy"

Obanma couldn't help but laugh so hard on hearing his words.

"Sexy ?  In those attires ? I had so many clothes on and belt was for security"

"You didn't take away my imagination Mma"

"You imagined me naked on that night! Inukwa! Talk about sexual harassment"

"I didn't..I did .. well I imagined you in a nightwear "

"A transparent one?" She enquired with her hands folded across her chest, partly covering the site his eyes had been feeding on.

"Was I supposed to imagine you dressed in a robe like a nun? And speaking of sexual harassment,I recall vividly that I kept to my side of the bed while someone ended up on top of me against my will. From what I remember, I was the one who was harassed "

Obanma slapped his shoulder playfully as she recalled the incident of the morning after.

Her hands relaxed and she gave him a heart melting smile.

"Thank you for that night Onyi"

"If you want to thank me properly you will stop hiding those beautiful breasts of yours behind your elbow" Onyedikachi replied with a grin causing Obanma to blush

She gently withdrew her hands to reveal her brown coloured nipples which already stood at attention.

He slowly approached her while she made more room for him. Her teeth had unconsciously held her lips in anticipation of his kiss but he stalled.

Onyedikachi reached out and caught a breast in his hand, drawing a moan from her lips .

His ministration extended to the other breast which he fondled gently. He loved the feel of her nipples as they grazed his palm, the sounds of pleasure that eluded her lips.

Onyedikachi crowned it all with a kiss which drove Obanma to the edge. She pulled his face to her and kissed him with a hunger that overpowered him.

"You're.. you're su..pposed to call my aunt" She managed to mutter breathlessly against his lips.

"I will ...right after we practice chanting each other's names again"

Obanma chuckled against his lips as she lay beneath him ,her body writhing in a pleasure that consumed her entire being .

Their love making drove the pair to sleep almost immediately but they had woken up in time to call Agatha and Nnamdi. Onyedikachi ordered for their dinner while they watched a football match , something he hadn't done in a while . It felt like heaven,having Obanma in his arms ,his fingers carressing any part of her skin that he saw.

He did love her

"When we have a daughter in the future,remind me to always leave my gun behind" Onyedikachi whispered into her ears and she ended up laughing

"Why ? Why would you even want to own a gun?"

"I know she'll look like her mother and I might mistakenly render someone's son dead . Boys are predators .The guns will be for them"

"I wonder why you're still breathing, I'm sure the same rules apply here" She teased with a smile

"I'm a different kind of predator, I am the good predator, the very last of his kind "

The pair laughed so hard and ended bickering about what would happen in the future if they had all boys .

The next week was hectic for Obanma as she was engaged in both school activities and preparation for her sister's traditional marriage.

Daa Agatha had gone to the village with her mother to fix up their house ,even though she insisted that they were not going to spend even a night at the compound. The incident with Chijioke left all of them cautious and expectant of attacks. Ngozi's memories were more vivid and she was always moody for the better part of the days. They assumed she was mourning the death of her son but only she knew the extent of her worry and distance.

While Chijioke had heard Chidiogo on the night of his accident,his aunt maintained that other people would also want him dead as he was the only thing between them and his father's lands. They knew of Osisioma's fraudulent sale of his father's land which the king already took charge of, yet they weren't satisfied with how slow the judgement was forth coming . Roland's impending return only left Osisioma the culprit agitated and they could tell he was out for blood.

Onyedikachi had gone to Ebonyi on request, he had explained to Obanma how important it was for his boss that he be present in what he had termed an opportunity laced convention.

His boss sought heavily for contracts to be awarded to Pace construction companies and he very well understood that more work equaled more money.

Obanma had felt so overwhelmed with sadness when he dropped her at school. Nnamdi had obliged his request after he took her to the saloon for a new hair do.

Onyedikachi had insisted on going with her and even opted to help her loosen her braids,an act she found quite amusing .

He had ended up almost setting her scalp on fire as he uprooted her hair. She was forced to do the deed herself but his kisses did a good job of assuaging the pain.

She had met with the Ukaegbu boys who harped endlessly about their mother's intending visit to the school and how embarrassed they felt that she needed to visit grown men.

Obanma had extended the invitation to her sister's wedding to the boys but they turned it down owing to the tests they were supposed to take on that day. She hated when tests were written on weekends ,so did the twins

Life seemed to be on track for her, there were no longer visits from the king and Onyedikachi had revealed to her that Papa nnukwu had already talked his marriage intentions to the umunna

The only thing that seemed out of place was the new visitor that seemed to be Kelechi's partner in her sudden regular rendezvous with a secret admirer .

Exams were by the corner and lectures became more tedious . Her classes had ended later than she had anticipated and she marched quite seriously out of the hall ,avoiding friendly talks because she needed the rest .

Obanma had almost escaped the delay of fraternizing with course mates before a voice halted her saunter.

It had been Chukwuemeka who had called her and he had been standing beside his brother wearing a half smile . They urged her to come ,which she grudgingly did . Standing in front of a black Jeep with all glasses tinted ,they looked like . They wore plain white shirts ,neatly tucked into their black trousers and while Chukwuemeka wore a tie, Chukwuebuka didn't. Telling the twins apart had become slightly easier for her.

"Why are you two just standing here?"

"Waiting for our mother to..."

"Why don't you wait for her at your place? This sun no funny at all , aren't you hot or something?"

"Mom wanted to catch up with an old friend, she's close" Chukwuebuka stated stopping low to catch his book that slipped out of his grip.

"That explains the dressing" Obanma noted with a grin.

The boys were on the verge of a false cover until their mother showed up behind Obanma.

Chukwuemeka's smile widened as their mother caught sight of them. They had expected her to come alone but were surprised to see their father too.

"And why are my sons dressed like under paid bankers?" A voice bellowed behind Obanma causing her to turn .

The boys laughed at their father's tease while their mother practically jumped into their arms.

Obanma only stood and smiled sheepishly as the woman gave her sons thorough hugs . They had barely paid any attention to her till they were sated with the rounds of embrace.

"Look at my boys , you look all grown up and very handsome" . The woman took turns at holding the twins' cheeks and the pair smiled sheepishly while Obanma fought a snort.

Chukwuemeka broke out of their embrace and held Obanma for an introduction.

"Mom , dad this is Obanma our friend" He also turned to Obanma with a taunting smile .

"My dad and mom ,Mr and Mrs Ukaegbu"

Obanma smiled at the couple and extended a quick greeting.

Mrs Ukaegbu reached out and held Obanma's hand surprisingly with a smile while Mr Ukaegbu continued to stare .

"How are you doing ?" She enquired with a smile that Obanma helplessly reciprocated .

"I am good ma, how..how are you?"

"I am good. You are very beautiful. Isn't she hun?"

Mr Ukaegbu quickly approbated to his wife's compliment leaving Obanma's face in a momentary reddish phase.

"The boys have told us so much about you ,where are you headed now we can drop you off" Mr Ukaegbu suggested

"It's not so far from here . You're very young " Obanma blurted out still dazed by the couple in front of her. Mrs Obiukwu had her hand secured in her husband's.

The pair couldn't help but laugh and the boys seemed so amused by her words.

"They get that everytime we make an introduction. We had a bet that you'd say the same thing too" Chukwuebuka jokingly revealed as he opened the door to the car.

"Why don't you get into the car and we'll talk about everything" Mrs Obiukwu suggested and Obanma quickly hopped in.

"You might get to find out what"hope of the ballless means today. Stick around" Chukwuemeka whispered into her ears as he made his way beside her.

The Ukaegbu's started the ride which Obanma knew was going to be a very interesting one.

Chijioke hated that he was at the back of the car because of how frail his inlaw thought him to be. Onyedikachi didn't show any sign of amusement when he harped incessantly about how unmanly it was making him to leave the things he used to do.

There was barely any conversation in the car and Olumide was probably too into the conversation was having with his sister to bother with him. The man behaved like a lovesick puppy. Chijioke admired his simplicity and somehow his courage. The yoruba had truly persevered to get what he wanted and not even when ,he , Chijioke was against the courtship.

Feeling completely bored and irritated, Chijioke struck a conversation with Onyedikachi. He had heard when Onyedikachi spoke to his sister and the lie he so grudgingly told . Chijioke hated that the lovesick puppies were just everywhere. Onyedikachi sulking about the outcome of their meeting and Olumide eager to jump into his sister's arms .

Why wasn't love this foolish to come lurking his way? He had options ,lots of options something being in love limited .

"You're into construction now, that's good . I always thought you would go for medicine . You were always good with the science subjects from the little I can remember"

Onyedikachi cleared his throat, searching for the best possible way to begin the awkward conversation Chijioke had struck .

"Yes ... Senior secondary brewed my love for engineering"

A deafening silence enveloped them once more and this time Chijioke even gave up on his attempt.

"You don't need to try so hard Chijioke, if it's true what you suspect. I won't be in your hair anymore, you don't have to worry about anything. I won't stick around. I won't even try to be around Mma"

"If it is indeed true, then she will be your sister too. You owe her that bit of honesty"

"She will be ruined ,I can't bear to see her hurt "

They arrived the prison at midday and were told to wait as the prisoners had gone to work at a drainage quite distant from where they were kept.

After two hours of waiting, a warder notified them of the prisoners' arrival.

Onyedikachi seemed so unsure about his expectations. He had hated the man for a long time in his life ,had hated him for taking his father from him but he also hoped he would actually be Obanma's true father . It would be the only thing close to any atonement which he could offer.

"If you get scared ,don't hesitate to let me know" Chijioke taunted with a smirk while Onyedikachi's scowl only deepened.

The three were led into a room where Chijioke's father was seated ,clothed in a ragged uniform. It took enough self control from Onyedikachi not to scrunch his nose as the room reeked of garbage.

"You have but 45minutes, he doesn't seem to be in the mood for visitors" The officer hinted as he made his way to the door.

Chijioke gave the man a hand shake which lasted longer than it should have because of the notes he slipped into the man's hands.

A wry smile appeared quickly on the man's face and he exited .

Chijioke turned to Onyedikachi and urged him to seat as he made his way to their seats. Onyedikachi hadn't expected his heart to boil more as Iheanyi's face came to view. His head shaven to baldness and his beards at the brink of enveloping his face. He seemed skinny with scars dancing on his face. His eyes reddened from what Onyedikachi couldn't tell . He looked different from what Onyedikachi used to remember.

A picture of Iheanyi and his father dragging the weapon before it exploded came to Onyedikachi's mind and he tried to shake it off.

He saw clearly how Iheanyi aimed at his father and shot him and that got him to his feet . He hated remembering how weak and powerless he was against that incident. How he had wailed and begged his father to wake up . The blood smeared on his hands and clothes all because of the man seated across to him. His knuckles fisted involuntarily and his face hardened

"I can't be here "Onyedikachi managed to mutter to Chijioke's hearing .

Chijioke understood how difficult it must have been for him to be in room with the man that murdered his father and quickly urged him to leave .

"Do what you need to do,I'll be waiting outside"

As soon Onyedikachi left , Chijioke turned to his father with a scowl.

"He's the son of the man you murdered in cold blood "

His father's eyes fell immediately and pain flashed by quickly in them.

"He looked familiar.. Is he here to kill me?" His father asked with a weak smile.

"And ruin his life like you did yours? No "

"People die after visits as this ,in this place . All you need to is bribe the right man"

"He's not here to kill you , you already did that to yourself when Obinna died"

"What are you doing here Chijioke? To blame me for everything that happened? May I remind you that I wasn't the one was caught cheating?"

"You saw our mother half naked with a man ,that's all we know. Haven't you ever thought of the possibility of her innocence?"

"Chijioke why are you here?"

"I was diagnosed of diabetes, I want to know if it's hereditary. Whether you have traits of insulin disorder so that Obanma and Ada will be mindful of it " Chijioke could see how quickly his face softened as he mentioned the ailment he didn't have

"What do you need ?"

Chijioke managed to get the samples he needed for the paternity test but as he turned to leave , his father's voice halted his footsteps .

" Is Obanma doing Okay ? "

"Yes she is ,she's back in school. Is there any problem?"

"No... I just wanted to know. She didn't come with Adaugo when she... Never mind "

Chijioke nodded and walked away feeling disconcerted but shielding his pain with a smile.

He met Onyedikachi who was eager to know if he got the samples required and they left for their vehicle.

"Did you tell him why you wanted it?" Onyedikachi enquired as he led them to is car

"I'm not stupid , the man is already miserable I don't want to make things worse . Do you think I like my father being locked up here ?"

Onyedikachi stared at him then shook his head . He hadn't really considered how Chijioke felt .

The three of them left with grave silence enveloping them in the car .

Hello Everyone

How are we ?

So I've been really working on getting published and it's been keeping me off writing . I saw this draft here and decided to finish it up, I hope you do enjoy.