Dedicated to kawaiipotatoe0

Song: Come and See My Moda — MzVee ft. Yemi Alade. (This song fits this chapter perfectly and Elorm really relates to it!)

**Unedited** (Because I was thirteen when I came up with all this)

"Let me get this straight. He has been making passes at you all day, he kept insulting women and he bought you lingerie."

"Who knew I could've given you that simplified version instead of spending hours narrating the story?"

He laughed. "He's a jerk. I'm so sorry that I didn't come to your rescue sooner."

"I'm not some damsel in distress," I retorted.

He smiled. "I'm not saying that you needed my help but that you want it." He tilted my chin up so that I was looking at him. "I'm just one call away. I'll be there to save the day. Always."

I laughed. "You're letting this being a prince thing get into your head."

"I know right. It's not like I even have a tiara."

I burst out laughing. "You always know how to make me happy."

We bought the popcorn, but it was still about thirty minutes till the movie started and since we had reserved seats, there was no hurry.

"Oh," Michael said, staring at my forehead. "There's a bruise on your forehead."

I rubbed the area where our foreheads collided. I felt pain immediately my fingers came into contact with the bump.

"Ouch! It's swollen! Is it showing?" I asked.

"It doesn't matter," he said.

"No, I need ice. Please. It's embarrassing!"

"No one will notice in the cinema. They'll be focusing on the movie. Even if they notice how beautiful you are and decide to stare at you, the lighting in the room is too dark for them to see it," Michael said. "Not that there's a bump. It's just a bruise."

"Lies. Here, everyone will see the bump!"

He smiled. "I would kiss you, but public kissing is so awkward."

"I know right," I laughed. "I wonder how actors do it."

He came closer. If I didn't lift my eyes or head, my level of sight would be at his chest level, which was why he tilted my chin up with his fingers.

"But I can make an exception for you," he said. His voice dropped dangerously low as his eyes fixed on my lips.

"Everyone is looking at us," I said, almost as breathlessly.

"Let them look."

"Come on, there are too many people. It'll be weird," I whined. I wanted nothing more than to kiss him though.

"I spotted one corner not far from here. A very private one."

I bit my lower lip and slung my arm into the space made by his bent elbow. "Then what are you waiting for?"

"Elorm!"

The moment was broken when I heard that voice I'd recognise anywhere. I jumped away from Michael like an adulterous wife caught red handed.

"Chris, what are you doing here?" I asked him.

He was also holding a bag of popcorn and a bottle of coke. "What happened to your head?" He countered.

It was obvious that that wasn't the question he wanted to ask. He maintained a poker face.

I wondered what he was thinking.

"It was an accident, and it's just a bruise. Now to the more pressing question, who are you?" Michael asked.

"I'm a friend," Chris said. Michael's brow perked. "Of Elorm's."

Michael turned to me. "You sure do have a lot of friends that I don't know of."

I found his jealously cute, so I chuckled. "Justus is not my friend and Chris is my tutor."

"Just your tutor?" Chris asked, a small smile on his face.

"And a friend."

I hoped that was what he expected me to say.

"I am her boyfriend," Michael said, his chest slightly puffed.

Chris just stared at him.

"If you don't mind, we'll take our leave now. We're seeing Infinity War," Michael grinned.

"Funny, that's the exact reason why I'm here," Chris said. The dimpled smile was back. "If you don't mind, we could watch it together."

Michael frowned. "We're on a date."

"I don't mean to intrude," Chris said with a mischievous smile. "I'm not joining your date. We're just going to the same place, hence watching it together is inevitable."

"Tag along then," he said, scowling. "I hope my girlfriend doesn't mind a third wheel."

"Stop it," I whispered, frowing. "He's nice and he teaches me things."

"Elorm! There you are!"

Another person approached us. All I could think about was when the day was going to end.

It was Stacey. She was holding Twix and Snickers bars along with an extra-large popcorn and a large coke. Behind her was a sulking Justus, who had a girl under his arm. He glared at me when our eyes met.

Michael groaned. "Where do these people keep coming from?"

"Be nice," Chris said, quick to point out Michael's flaws.

Michael glared at me.

Once they stopped in front of us, Stacey looked at me expectantly, bouncing on the balls of her feet with her eyes darting to both Michael and Chris.

I rolled my eyes. "Michael, Stacey. Stacey, Michael. Chris, Stacey. Stacey, Chris. Justus, Chris. Chris, Justus. I don't know the girl he's holding."

Justus smirked. "This is..." he paused, obviously because he didn't even know the girl's name, "...an American."

"Hello," she said. She glared at him but didn't bother telling us her name.

I figured that it was annoying when you don't know a person's name and identify them by their nationality, but the fact that she didn't take that as a signal that Justus was a terrible person made me lose all respect for her.

I knew he was trying to make me jealous by using her. It was laughable.

The girl was white, with a blonde bob. She had dull blue eyes, a willowy figure and a strong Ghanaian accent. She was a little bit tanned and had a nose ring that didn't fit the whole all American girl look.

"Hello, it was nice to meet you all but we're in a hurry," Michael said. "Come on."

"Wait! Where are you going?"

"They're going to see Infinity War," Chris said.

"Cool. We're going to watch it too. Let's go together?" Justus suggested.

"My thoughts exactly," Chris said.

Stacey smiled at him, causing me to frown. I hoped she wasn't thinking what I thought she was thinking.

The six of us went to the cinema hall. Because Michael was the charming, powerful prince that he was, he requested for four more seats to be reserved and his wish was granted.

"Show off," Justus muttered.

"Oh I'm sorry, did you want to go and sit at the back?" Michael asked, enraged.

Justus smirked, holding his hands up in mock surrender.

"You need to calm down. You're being too loud," the American said.

Everyone ignored her.

"You're the prince of Gbevukope, right?" Chris asked.

"I am," Michael responded. "I mean, you've definitely seen me before with the chief at one public event or another. There's no need to ask questions you already know the answers to."

"Michael!" I warned in a low tone.

Chris shook his head. "It turns out that being a prince doesn't come with pre-installed manners."

Stacey was quick to the rescue. "Chris, how do you know Elorm?"

"He's her fun buddy," Justus said, except that he didn't say fun.

Chris glared at Justus. "I tutor her."

"Why?" Stacey asked.

No. Not this embarrassing topic.

"Isn't it obvious? He's helping her become less illiterate and having fun with her in the process," Justus said.

Everyone but the American glared at him.

"What is your problem?" Chris asked Justus.

"I have no problem. I'm just saying the truth. She's never heard a school bell in her life," Justus said. "It's why she's so uncouth."

"Rude much?" The American asked Justus.

Justus glared at her. "I'm sorry, did I give you permission to speak?"

The girl's cheeks turned red as she stared at the ground.

"Girls," Justus muttered.

Perhaps I was the only one who heard him, because no one said anything in protestation.

"The movie is starting. Shush," Stacey said.

The mood had become hostile and we could all feel it. I sighed and slumped against my seat. Our first date, and it felt like a nightmare. 

The movie was captivating enough to keep all our mouths shut. Everything was fine until Justus decided to play footsie with me. He removed his right foot from his shoe, and since he was beside me, he tickled my bare ankle with his big toe.

I involuntarily shivered due to shock, drawing Michael's attention.

"Are you all right?" He asked me, whispering.

"Yes. I'm just cold."

"I didn't bring a jacket. I'm sorry," he said, draping an arm around my shoulders and letting me lean into him. "Is this better?"

"Much. Thank you."

All was fine for about three seconds until Justus tickled my foot again. I steeled myself this time. I shot him a warning glance to which he smirked. I gritted my teeth and accepted his torture like a stoic because I didn't want to make the day any worse for Michael.

When Justus noticed that I was ignoring him, he rested his hand on my knee. I nearly gasped. I wriggled my leg a bit so that his hand fell off. He chuckled, then rested his hand further up my leg.

I tilted my head ever so slightly and glared at him. He smirked. His hand suddenly went as far as the crotch of my jeans would allow.

I couldn't help it. I screamed, and that was when all hell broke loose.

It was as if the others knew what was happening, because everyone's eyes fell on his hand; which was on my uppermost thigh. If I was wearing a skirt, I would have felt much more violated. Michael got up so suddenly that I almost fell off my seat. He grabbed Justus by his shirt and punched him so hard that he fell. Screams broke out all through the cinema hall.

Michael wasn't done. He straddled Justus and began punching him left, right and centre. It was not a pretty sight to behold. I knew Michael would never do something like that to me, but I couldn't help but feel a little afraid seeing him in such an enraged state.

The American rushed forward, screaming. "Let him go! You'll kill him!"

She grabbed Michael's arm, but without realising, he pushed her off. She fell back and into Chris' arms.

"T—thanks," she stammered, right before he dropped her.

His eyes widened. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to drop you."

He knelt beside her to help her up, but she gave him a weak slap.

"I'm outta here. You're all jerks."

Chris scowled. "You didn't have to slap me."

"You deserved it. Jerk." She shoved him and ran out of the cinema hall.

By then, security had pulled Michael off Justus. The movie was ruined because screaming people were running out of the cinema hall and Michael beating down on Justus was more interesting than Thanos killing Gomorra.

"Let me go! Do you know who I am?" Michael protested, his eyes red with anger.

I rolled my eyes. The 'do you know who I am' thing annoyed me to no end.

Michael was able to wrestle the guards off him but by then Justus was already in Stacey's arms. She was examining his bruised face in horror.

"I told you to leave her alone," Stacey sobbed. "Look at your face."

"I'm fine," he said.

He wasn't though. His left eye was already black, his face had various cuts and his right cheek was slightly swollen. At least he wasn't bleeding too much.

"Come on Elorm," Michael said, finally remembering that I existed.

I ignored him and left the cinema hall myself. He followed me all the way to the car park.

"Why are you running away from me?" He called.

I turned around angrily. "What was that back there?"

"What?" He looked bewildered. "He was touching you! What did you expect me to do?"

"I certainly didn't expect you to go all King Kong on him!"

"You'd rather that I let him touch you?" He looked like I just told him that I worship the devil.

"No. But there were better ways we could've dealt with him than causing a scene in front of everyone!"

"Do tell me! What should I have done?" He challenged.

I stared back at him, stumped. "I don't know."

He sighed. "Look, I'm sorry, but I couldn't stand him touching you like that. All I wanted to do then was rip his throat out."

I frowned. When I knew him, he would never lift a finger against anyone. He'd always opted for communication instead of violence.

"I thought that if I ignored him, he would stop. I didn't want to ruin our first date."

Michael laughed. "Today has been a disaster alright. Nothing went as planned," he said. "Let me make it up to you."

"How?"

"There is something I was saving for a special day but I guess today will suffice."

"What is it?"

He smiled. "My car is over there," he pointed at it. "Come on."

I followed behind him to his car. "Why do you rich people like small cars?"

"They're stylish. Besides, I never have anyone to carry along."

It still didn't make sense to me but I nodded anyway.
"So, where's my present?" I asked, my eyes darting all over the car.

"I want a kiss first," he said, smiling mischievously.

I frowned. "After everything I've gone through today, I'm supposed to kiss you first to get my consolation?"

"Sweetheart, kissing me is your consolation."

"Smooth," I smiled.

He bit his lower lip while staring at my lips. "May I?"

I nodded.

He pulled me against his chest, staring into my eyes lovingly. The sun was just setting. It gave the place an orange-like glow making the situation as magical as I'd seen on television.

His thumb caressed my cheek while his other hand was wrapped around my waist. By then, my eyes were focused on his lips so I only heard him chuckle.

"Who would have ever known?" He said, right before his lips pressed onto mine.

It was my very first kiss, so I didn't know what to expect. Certainly not electricity flowing through my veins. His lips were like the softest butter, their plumpness pressing against mine.

He deepened the kiss by wrapping both his arms around my waist and pulling me closer than I believed was humanly possible. I got the hang of it in no time at all and was soon comfortable kissing him back.

He smiled into the kiss and pinched my cheeks. I imagined that he would have said something like, "You're too cute."

He pulled back and looked at me, smiling like an idiot. He leaned forward and sucked on my bottom lip for an entrance this time. His hands caressed my back, dangerously low and I felt the shivers run up and down my spine. My eyes were glued shut, my heart pounding and butterflies dancing around in my belly.

I felt tingles shoot from my head to my toes, as they curled with bliss.

"You're..." he paused to breathe, pressing his swollen lips together, "...amazing. I can't wait to see what else you're talented at."

I turned my face away, embarrassed and blissful at the same time. "It's like you're trying to make me blush."

We went silent when our foreheads touched. I revelled in his embrace. It made me feel safe.

"I want to marry you."

I gasped, jumping back. "Woah! Slow down there tiger."

He laughed, his eyes clouding over with something I couldn't read.

* * *

I got home after about twenty minutes later. Making out with Michael was too good an offer to pass up on.

He'd dropped me off close to my house, but not so close that they'd hear the purring engine of his Range Rover. I knew that if I returned home in a different car than I left, I'd be in trouble.

As I neared the house, I heard a chorus of voices arguing. I assumed that the house had visitors because no one in that house would dare to argue with fofo.

There was only one entry into the house — through the front door — but I decided not to enter from there because I knew I'd be in front of all of them. After being in that awkward situation once, it wasn't a good idea to put myself through that again.

There were only two options left in a case like that. I could go somewhere because children weren't encouraged to stay home when there were visitors, or I could press my ear to the door and eavesdrop. I decided on the latter.

"When I asked you to find someone for her, I meant someone who was closer to her age. How will this alliance work?"

"Ma'am, it isn't easy to find suitors for a girl of that calibre. Of course, the men were pouring in but the families kept rejecting any proposals. Who would blame them though? No family would want to welcome such an immoral girl."

"But she is young and very beautiful. Looking at the world nowadays, it isn't uncommon for a woman to marry only after losing her virginity."

"Maybe in other places, but not here. We admire women who are able to maintain a high level of decorum. Those devirginized women can find husbands elsewhere where the people are as immoral as she is."

"What about the boys? I can count on one hand how many virgin boys there are in this village."

"You know how the world is. There is no proof as to whether a boy is a virgin or not so there is nothing that we can do about that. As for women, no man would want to lick a toffee that has already been licked. You know that the elasticity of the womanhood weakens with the more sex she engages in. By the time she gets to her husband, she will not be enjoyable anymore."

"Only childbirth can weaken a woman's elasticity to the point of not being enjoyable anymore. Apart from that, some women are already loose."

"Ma'am, sir, no matter how much you argue, no family is willing to take your daughter in as their daughter-in-law. Much is expected of daughters-in-law, and even though they haven't given her a chance to prove herself yet, the rumours that follow her name have ruined her reputation. We've roamed this village and other surrounding villages, but it seems that her bad reputation has spread as fast and as far as a forest fire. Her only suitor is Mr. Offei."

"But how can that be? That man is not marriage material! With that swollen belly, he can't even see his feet! How can such a man marry my only daughter?"

"You should have thought about that before raising your daughter to be the woman that she is. In life, there are always consequences for our actions."

"Efo Nutsugah, we shall take our leave now. May Mawu be with you and your family."

I wasn't too dazed by all that I had heard to run to the back of the house and hide when the visitors were leaving. It was obvious that my family had sent out a delegation to find suitors for me, which was already degrading to begin with.

The common thing was that the male's family would seek for my hand, but my parents were worried because they hadn't received a single proposal.

It wasn't too uncommon not to receive marriage proposals yet for unattractive girls and girls who had borne children before marriage, but a girl like me should've received hundreds already and that was what scared my parents.

Furthermore, they believed that I'd lost my virginity and to keep me from engaging in more pre-marital sex, they sought to marry me off. It hurt that every family they conferred with rejected me even though I was much more innocent than many of the girls in the village.

All my life, I'd made sure to adhere to the moral standards of my village. I'd never even been in a relationship for fear that my partner may entice me into sleeping with him, yet somehow, I'd been tagged the 'immoral woman'.

It was so horrible that the only marriage proposal I'd received was from a forty-year old pot-bellied drunkard who wasn't even from around these parts. He had arrived the previous year from another region. He could often be found passed out in gutters from drinking too much.

It was also very surprising how my parents stood up for me even though they too believed all the bad things others said about me. It was sad however that my own parents didn't know me enough to know that all the allegations were lies.

Maybe, it was time for me to tell my parents about Michael. There was no other way for me to escape that horrible predicament — marrying Mr. Offei — but telling the whole village about our relationship, even if it meant having to marry him too soon.

I didn't know what my future had in store for me then, but all I knew was that I'd do anything humanely possible to exonerate myself from all the allegations mounted against me.

* * *

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