Chapter 2 : He Loves Me in Little Ways

I woke up a little past 10 the next day-my muse was already up.

I greeted him with a kiss, then went to the bathroom to freshen up.

We ordered breakfast, and after eating, he said he had a quick errand to run. He mentioned that his friends were coming over to keep me company. I agreed, because yeah-he's a busy guy, and I was already quite close to his friends too.

After he left, I laid back down and scrolled through socials on my phone. Then the front desk line rang: two guys named Dan and Gehl were asking about me. I told them to go ahead and send them to my room.

Two minutes later, I heard a knock-it was them.

I don't know how to explain it, but it didn't feel like I was meeting them for the first time. We'd been talking a lot over calls and video chats, and it already felt familiar.

Dan was the type to keep a conversation flowing-he had that "life of the party" energy. Gehl wasn't shy, but he was the more reserved type, only speaking when spoken to. I wasn't surprised. I had already figured out both their personalities from our previous calls.

We all talked, though I was still on my phone here and there. But I was actively chipping in and laughing along.

Oh! I almost forgot-it was the day I told my parents I'd be leaving the East for S-Town. Right after speaking with them that morning, I had put my phone on flight mode. My mum is sharp; she clocks things fast, and I wasn't ready for any suspicion.

Turns out, my sisters couldn't reach me. So they called my muse and asked him to tell me to turn my phone back on. But he couldn't reach me either-so he had to ask Dan and Gehl to let me know.

When they told me, I turned it back on and called my sister. We spoke briefly. She asked if I remembered what time I was supposed to head home. I said yes, and she hung up.

It was almost noon-or maybe exactly noon-when my muse returned. His friends left, and we both saw them off downstairs.

Then he apologized. He knew I had lied to get a whole day just to be with him, and he felt bad for stepping out. I told him I wasn't angry-and I wasn't. Just a little upset.

But the way he apologized? Whew.

I swear I could forgive this man for a mistake he hasn't even made yet.

He got us lunch, and we ate and gisted.

I love how this man loves me-softly, sincerely, deeply.

Soon it was time to go home. I freshened up, packed my stuff, and we checked out.

We booked a cab and left.

His street came before mine, but he didn't get down. He insisted on following me all the way to mine. How sweet can my man be?

When we got to my junction, I tried to get down so the cab guy could take him back. But he refused-he insisted on getting down so the cab guy could drive me into my street. He said he didn't want me stressing to walk down to my house.

(My sweet boy.)

We said our goodbyes-the kind of long, clingy goodbye only young love understands. He got down, and the cab guy drove me into my street.

Then, out of nowhere, the cab guy turned to me and asked,

"Is that your boyfriend?"

I smiled and said yes.

He looked at me and said, "Don't ever let go of him. You're young, but I can tell he's a responsible man in love."

I was speechless.

Even the GoCab driver could see what I see in him.

I felt so proud-right up until I got to my gate.

One look at my dad sitting outside, and my head reset instantly.

This man would end me if he even suspected I was smiling over a boy-let alone that I'd just spent the night in a hotel room with one.

I had to fix my face fast.

Still, I really had missed him. Strict or not, he's my dad.

I walked up and gave him a hug.

I dropped my luggage inside, and we started talking. Just as we were settling in, my baby sister and her friend ran in screaming,

"Aunty Loveth!"

and tackled me with hugs.

I had missed my little babies too, honestly.

By then I knew my mum would be in her shop, so I didn't even bother asking. I asked after my brother, then told my dad I wanted to go see my mum.

I left with my baby sister and her friend.

And the moment we reached her shop and I saw her...

My mummy!!

I was overjoyed. This woman still looked vibrant, sexy, and beautiful as always. I could feel that hustling spirit radiating off her.

Igbo women and money? Different breed.

She was surprised to see me, but definitely happy.

Lowkey, I'm her favorite child. (Shhh-don't tell anyone.)

Like Dad, she started bombarding me with questions-but I loved it.

We gisted till it was time to lock up and head home.

Once we got back, the second man of the house was home-my mischievous, stubborn baby brother. That boy is so dear to my heart.

We hugged, and of course, the first thing he asked was, "What did you get for me?"

His question must've reminded my baby sister too, because she asked the same thing right after.

I told them I'd bring their gifts out of my box the next day.

(Truth is-I didn't buy them anything. I just said that to get them off my back for the night.)