Inspired by Everybody Loves An Outlaw's I See Red.

Temi.

It was 3 days to Easter when I got my first message from Juwon. He was tall, dark and handsome from his pictures—my type. There was also something familiar about his face but I couldn't place it.

‘Lovely morning, Temiloluwa Michaels’ was his first text. I was shocked because no one calls me by my full name anymore. That was when I should have gotten suspicious.

From there, our conversation progressed. The first two days chatting with him was bliss. We laughed about everything.

Instead of the usual questions people would normally ask to get to know each other, we delved into a deeper plane and before either of us could say ‘Jack Robinson’, we had lapsed into a comfortable back and forth, teasing each other like we were old friends.

And for the umpteenth time in my ridiculously short life of swearing off men, I fell. And fell hard for him.

If only I had taken a step back to investigate. If only I had mulled over it a little bit, I would have noticed the familiar pattern.

But as someone who had starved herself for attention for so long, I was blinded by the love I thought he had for me. I was deafened by the sweet words that spilled out of his honeyed tongue.

Then came our first meeting. It's really hard for me to reminisce about it, because I really don't want the bad memories to tarnish what we had.

We spent our time looking each other over; and to be honest, despite Easter Day being the first time I saw him, he felt familiar. We both couldn't stop ourselves from smiling, and it was like we couldn't get enough of each other.

He lavished me with both love and money that day and I was already planning my future with him. The height of delusion. At the end of the day, when it was time to leave, we didn't want to let go of each other.

Two days later, I visited him at home. Once again, I should have known he wasn't who I thought he was.

He had already ordered food for me from a popular restaurant before I got to his place. I didn't know why I was nervous as I sat on a chair while he sat on the bed, facing me.

“Eat up, babe. You'll need your strength later,” Juwon said as you pulled the food out of the nylon for me.

I gave him a shy smile and ducked my head down but instead of eating, I placed the plate down.

“Let's talk about us,” I offered, “I hardly know you.”

There was an angry look on his face but after a split second, it was gone and I started debating within myself if I had imagined it.

“What do you want to know?” He asked me.

“What do you do for work?” I fired back. Leaning forward, he pulled my chair closer to him and leaned his face down, staring at my lips.

“Do you really want to talk about work? There are lots of other things I can imagine us doing right now.” He said in a deep voice that made me shiver.

His lips were just a breath away from mine and I wanted to lean up to taste him, but I refrained. I didn't stay alive this long by being impatient.

Easing my chair back a little, I rested my back against it and stared at him. He still hadn't answered my question and I needed to know.

There was a look of annoyance on his face that he didn't bother hiding and my head swirled with scary thoughts. Why was he angry at me? Was it because I wouldn't kiss him, or was there more to it?

Hoping he'll get over it, I bent to pick my plate of food. I was sure he'll answer the question so I might as well get comfortable while waiting for him to get over his childish behavior.

But as I opened the plate, I caught a hint of a smile on his face. Stiffening slightly, I closed the plate again.

“Aren't you going to eat?” There was a slight tone of urgency in his voice that confirmed my suspicions.

“Not really. I'll eat it later.”

That seemed to annoy him more and he pushed himself off the bed and stalked to where I sat. He picked up the plate from where I dropped it on the bedside stool and forced it into my hands.

“Eat.” He commanded.

“No,” I teased, smiling at him. “If you want me to eat it, then you have to eat it first.”

I saw panic cross his face before he schooled his expression. “Do you think I'll put something in the food?” He asked.

“I don't know. Maybe.” I shrugged and subtly reached my left hand into my pocket, caressing the small pocket knife I always carried around with me.

“That's ridiculous,” he said in my face.

“Then prove it,” I shouted before pushing him off. “I think I should leave.”

He didn't bother stopping me as I made my way to the door, and I only realized why when I tried to open the door and found it locked, with the key nowhere to be found.

I turned back and he was already in my face. His hands reached out to my neck and he squeezed it tight.

Kneeing him in the balls, I managed to free myself and I scooted to the other side of the room, watching him warily.

“Why the hell do you want to kill me?” I asked, my hand in my pocket. Any minute now and I might need to use my knife.

“Do you remember Seyi Falana?” He asked me, closing the distance between us. I did remember Seyi. He was my boyfriend two years ago.

Now, there was something mentally wrong with me. I have killed three men in the space of 4 years, and Seyi was my second kill.

“Answer me, do you remember my brother?” I sucked in a sharp breath. Juwon was Seyi’s brother. I had known Seyi had a brother but I had never met him. No wonder Juwon looked so familiar.

“Yes, I remember him.”

“You killed him. I know it. The police didn't believe me when I told them it was you. No one did. But Seyi had already told me about your possessive psycho behavior. I warned him but he was too in love with you to listen.”

I sighed. “Your brother cheated on me, Juwon.”

He almost looked appalled, his mouth open in surprise. One minute he was gaping at me, the next minute he was choking me.

I screamed at the top of my lungs before my breath ceased. I heard banging on the other side of the door and that was when I stabbed him in the throat. His blood sprayed on my face and he released me, holding his own neck instead.

He staggered and fell to the bed and I followed, screaming and slashing him everywhere.

***
I'm currently in the police station, writing down my report. I should still be on bed rest but oh well… Nigeria police and their lack of sympathies.

It's been two weeks since I killed Juwon in self defense and I have been in the hospital, recuperating from the deep injuries he gave me. I almost died from blood loss before the police saved me that day.

Let me tell you a secret that's not really a secret. Between me and you, after Juwon died, I slashed myself all over.

I currently have only one eye, but I had to make it believable. It's part of the little sacrifices I'll make in this journey of life.

Anyway, the police don't know I did it to myself. Juwon, who would have cleared up his side of the story, is dead and right now, only you and I know.

Be careful who you tell though, because I might just come find you. After all, three can keep a secret, but only if two of them are dead.

***

Oh my gosh!
To my readers, I'm sorry 😔...
I'll try my best to update more.

Love you.

©Lioness.