Monae's POV

I brought the paper cup filled with steaming hot coffee to my lips and blew air into it repeatedly before taking a sip from it.

The hot liquid stinging my tongue as it fell on it. "Oww!" I yelped, almost throwing the cup away as I quickly put it in the cup holder and brought my hands to my lips, fanning my tongue. The damn coffee burnt my tongue even after I blew air into it, I guess I didn't try hard enough.

Michy snapped his head in my direction at my outburst, he didn't ask anything. Me fanning my tongue was answer enough. "Sorry." He muttered, looking back at the road.

The car came to a stop and he leaned in, tilting my head to look at him as he brought his face to mine. Michy began to blow air on my scalded tongue.

As he did that, I tried my best not to see affected by it but it was difficult with the way he kept staring at me. I pushed him off me not so hard and lowered my gaze to my laps. "It's fine now." I said after a while then made for the cup of coffee.

"Okay." Was all he said before starting the car.

I made an attempt to drink the coffee again but was stopped by Michy's authoritative voice, "don't, it isn't advisable. Try taking in ice cooled water."

"Let's stop by a convenience shop and get a bottle, there isn't any here." I said, trying not to sound annoyed. I was late already and stopping by a convenience shop wasn't advisable but I dare not contradict this man here, his tone said it all.

I resigned in my seat as I rolled my eyes, looking anywhere but him. He was the very reason why I'm late for lectures today and the same reason, I might not go. If only he never invited me last night into his room just to talk through out the night, rolling into dawn, I would have gotten my needed sleep and I would woken up earlier than I did. Then I wouldn't have needed that damn coffee which only ended up scalding my tongue and as if it isn't bad enough, I have to sit in this car longer just to get a bottle of cold water.

It isn't like I hate being in this car or his presence, far from that. I actually enjoy riding with him every morning when I go for lectures and back home after I'm done so do I love being in his presence.

But the thing is, I don't want things going further than where they are, I even wish it would change back to how we were before I stayed with him.

Over the weekend, I realized there's this pull between us that we both feel. It isn't sexual tension, it is something else that is just like love sparks. I've started feeling it anytime he's around me or any little contact between us, warn feelings cascade over me which leaves me wanting things I shouldn't dream of.

He's just a friend and I only want it to remain like that as agonizing as it feels, it has to be like that. I've never been in a relationship before and I never will especially not with Michy because all men are the same.

You literally cut your chest open, tearing out your heart for them, they only snatch it and instead of preserving it with everything within them, they trample on it under their feet after stabbing it in painful ways.

My mother had to suffer a lot because of her love for my father that became her weakness, Roxie also shared the same fate and I'm not ready to share that mutual history with them, that will be until I meet my mr right, or soul mate. Isn't it a universal fact every person on earth has one?

Maybe one of these days or maybe later, he's going to come along and sweep me off my feet to the extent, I will lose myself to love like mama did.

But why then does it feel like I've met that special someone already? There's actually someone who has managed to sweep me off my feet in such a way no man has ever been able to, a man who makes me want to smash this thick wall I have guarded around my heart so I can be free to love and as hard as I try to deny it, that man is no other than Michy.

I've been feeding myself a lie and pulling the friends card because I hate to admit I love him and want to be with him. I'm doing all this because I'm afraid my heart will get broken and I'll only end up as a broken woman who can't get over her love.

Sending my hand to my temple, I rub it, blowing out a deep breath and closed my eyes. I leaned my head on the headrest, zoning Michy. I'm flustered, like deeply flustered.

I'm hella confused as to what I really want, yeah typical lady. On one hand is my undeniable love for Michy and on the other is my fear of being in love.

But in all this, I know for sure I have to choose one and I feel it's about time, I gave myself a chance of being in love and experiencing what it feels like to love someone amorously and have them love you back while you can't seem to live without them.

This what I've been running away from my whole life after transitioning into the adolescence stage but now, I have to break free and I will.

I curl my lips into a crazy smile, yeah I'm definitely going to give love a chance. And that love means, Michy. I give him a side glance to see him with his phone pressed to his ear and his facial expression hardening as he spoke angrily into the phone.

This was a side of Michy I hardly know since he is always smiling and soft around me, I wonder who he is speaking to and who has gotten him angry when his mood was anything but that just a few minutes ago.

I couldn't help but listen in on his conversation, I couldn't because he was speaking rather loudly and even if I didn't want to, I was bound to hear it anyways.

"What happened between she and I is our own business mother so please stay out of it!"

He snapped at his mother? I can't believe this, I stared at him unbelievably, Michy is raising his voice at his mother when he hardly does to any of the servants?

Wow, I guess I don't know him that much. But even if they're having any differences, he shouldn't behave like that towards her, it is disrespectful of him to do that.

"Stay out of it!" He roared this time around and I jerked at his tone. He noticed it and gave my hand a thigh squeeze. I rolled my eyes, feeling disappointed in him at how he's treating the woman who gave birth to him. He doesn't know how lucky he is to have his alive, I'd give anything to have my mother with me again.

"For your information, I have a girlfriend who I'm so much in love with so stop trying to set me up with someone else."

I snapped my head to him right after those words left his lips. He has a girlfriend? No, I shook my head trying to convince myself it wasn't true. He doesn't have a girlfriend because if he has, I would have seen her around the house since he said he's so much in love with her. I don't believe this either? It can't be true.

"Have I ever lied to you, mother, ever before?" His voice was softer this time around and I found myself smiling, seeing how his expression had changed as well but he broke my heart with his next words. "I'm serious, I do have and I love her so much in a way I never thought I ever will after everything."

He seemed to have answered the question in my head as if he had heard it. Nothing ripped my heart more than the solemnity, affection and genuineness that was laced in his voice when he said that.

I yanked his hand off my thigh, suddenly feeling angry at him for doing that to me. He didn't realize his words were a bucket of cold water on my feelings as he turned to look at me and give me one of those his somersaulting heart smiles but unfortunately, it didn't work on me, my heart was rather shattered.

His smile wasn't returned, I only glared, getting angrier at him for his impenitence.

You know what? Michy is a douche, the biggest douchebag I've ever come across and I fucking hate him for what he has done but oh, I've been stupid, very very stupid. I should have known this was his reality, his looks were red flags enough. I batted a blind eye to his looks that screamed play boy and I'm responsible for this sickening pain in my heart right now.

How dare he do this? How dare he come into my life, behave like a prince charming and make me catch some stupid feelings when he already has a girlfriend who he loves so much like he said and didn't even care he was breaking my heart.

Oh yeah why will he? When he already has someone who owns his heart. I scoffed as my eyes glistened with anger oblivious to that douche beside me in the car. Care about me so much my ass. It was all a lie and so is everything he has made me to believe, he doesn't care about me.

The truth hurts but I have to embrace it, he doesn't care like he lied to me he does. But why did he have to behave like he did, the attempted kisses and pull between us, oh gosh. I groaned as realization hit me like an electrical current, he only wanted to sleep with me.

How delusional of me! And here I was, ready to give into him thinking he was the special someone. Thankfully I didn't before I finally got to know his reality.

"Fine...we will meet you later." He ended the call, turning to glance at me.

But I was quick in hiding my face away from him by looking outside the car which thankfully was making its way into the university's parking lot. I can get out of his presence, it is sucking the little breath I had in me already.

"Look at me Nae."

I behaved as if he didn't exist as I grabbed my bag and ready to open the car door and leave but that jerk locked it from his side, preventing me from getting out.

"Please," he begged yet I still didn't look at him but rather straight ahead as if there was something of great interest there. There wasn't, I was only trying to fight the tears from not spilling in his despicable presence. "I know you're mad at me for not allowing you take in the coffee when I am responsible for you being drained of energy."

I seriously rolled my eyes at him. Oh so is that what he is seriously thinking about? That I'm mad because of some stupid coffee that only burnt me?  Can he ever be serious or he's only trying to act dumb like he didn't just hurt my feelings here right now?

"I couldn't have allowed you to, it burnt your tongue and you drinking it again was only going to make it worse."  He said, tilting chin so I look in his eyes.

Those hazel eyes that always seem to pierce my soul and draw me in but nah, I knew better now and I'm not allowing them have those effects on me.

I slapped his hand off my chin as I glared at him, "don't act like you care because I know you don't, not even a tiny bit." I spat, looking at him up and down.

He shouldn't start acting like he does, I've seen through him and I'm tired of the pretense, he should just shove it up his wretched ass.

"I'm sorry, please."

"Unlock the door and let me out."

"Not until you forgive me."

"I said unlock the damn door and let me out before I hurt you." I snapped at him with tears brimming my eyes, he managed to make me cry even when I fought not to and he dare try to comfort me, bringing his hand to my face. I smacked it real hard, looking at him furiously. "Taking your fucking thumb off me!"

That seemed to have drilled some sense into him at last, he unlocked the door, staring at me with this puzzled expression on his face that was setting my nerves on fire.

"I'll pick you up after lectures, by then you'll be calm enough and explain to me why you're acting like this."

"Don't talk like you know me."

"I'll still pick you up."

I resisted myself from saying something mean as I got out of the car and slammed the door furiously, I don't care if it spoils.

Neither do I care if he comes pick me up. I know he isn't going to, not when he will be meeting his mother with the love of his life.

Oh gosh, how heart ripping that feels.

************

My phone was ringing non stop as I walked to the now empty parking lot but I ignored it. The call was from an unknown number and I hardly answer calls like that.

Especially not now that I'm pissed at Michy. I've been waiting in this lot for two good hours after I was done with lectures for him but that douche is no where to be seen when he told me he was going to pick me up. Sadly for me, I believed it like the rest of his lies and even turned down an offer from Karen to drive me home.

And now I'm stuck in this lot, having no idea if I'll ever be able to go back home if he doesn't show up. He could have sent the driver over if he knew he wasn't going to come, tsk.

Walking over to the bench, I pulled out my phone as I sat on it. I pressed the call button after dialing his number and waited for it to go through but it didn't, they told me his number isn't reachable.

That jerk!

He definitely knew I was going to call him and he switched his phone off, oh how lovely. How pathetic of me to think he was going to pick up my calls when he's by now still stuck in some fancy restaurant with the love of his life and mother as they wined and dined like some happy family who're so in love little did they know it was far from that, their adorable son and boyfriend isn't a saint, he broke my poor heart and karma will get him.

Despondent by the turn of events, I grabbed my bag from beside me on the bunch and started rummaging through it with the hopes of chancing upon a few dollars stuck somewhere in the bag that I can use to hire an Uber or taxi to take me back home.

I ended up spilling all the content of my bag on the bench before shaking it vehemently to get everything out but sadly nothing. There wasn't any money in it, I instantly start regretting not taking the money Michy gifted to me the other time in his room, I could have put it to a good use today but my ego didn't allow me.

So I guess I can finally say I'll be sleeping here if that douche or his driver don't come for me, maybe after spending a night here, Michy will realize how much of a jerk he is.

As I proceeded to arrange my stuffs back in my bag, I felt a tap on my shoulder which made me jumpy, I wasn't expecting that.

I turned my back to look at whoever it was and I immediately rolled my eyes. Could this day just get any worse?

I thought I was done with douches for the day and he decides to show up, by the way, what's he doing here cause I least expect to see him around here.

"You?"

He nodded with guilt written all over his face.

I rolled my eyes, turning my back to him. "Go back Rex, I don't need you or anyone else in your family." I said to him louder than I intended and I knew I was going to tear up any minute, seeing him here has brought back the memories from what happened that night and they're so fresh like they happened only some minutes ago.

"I come in peace."

"Peace?" I snapped my head to him as I scoffed, "peace is what you and your mother never gave me so why will you now huh? Oh wait, I get it....you're here to blab about your stupid lustful feelings for me because I'm no longer living at yours, it doesn't make us more of siblings I'm I right?"

"You're wrong Nae, I came here not as the love crazed puppy I am but as the brother I always tried to deny I am. I want to make things right between us."

"Oh so you think you can just come to me and try to make things right after you realized some dumb relations that never was true. Yes, I was adopted by daddy but to you all I was only a charity case, a nuisance and I bet you're glad I'm finally out of your lives."

"I won't try to justify myself and actions or my mother's, we did you great wrong but Nae, I'm worried about you. I haven't been able to live in peace after you left, I'm always think about how you're faring, where you live—"

"I didn't choose to leave, Rex and you know it. Your mother threw me out that night and as you can see, I'm faring better than you all expected I would. I'm in a happy place now," happy place my ass but I will never go back with you, I'd rather stay with Michy at least, he showed me love when no one else did and for that, I'm always going to be grateful.

I sniffed and wiped my nose, "I want things to be like that so please just leave from here as well as my life and never come back because that chapter of us as a family or even friends is over, forever." I told him, turning my back to him as I picked up my bag, ready to get out here any minute. I still don't know how I'll go home but I'm going to see if I can get a taxi to the house and pay him later, the sun is setting soon it will be evening, I can't spend the night here, Asabrewaa will be mad worried about me and even if I don't want to go back there and face him, I have to do that for her, I've found a family in her aside the fact that we both are Ghanaians, she's proven to be a family like Roxie, daddy and Imo who didn't even try to reach out to me. I'm so pathetic.

"Nae please, I beg you don't do this to me or yourself. I can see you're crying, it hurts you as much as it hurts me. Please let's settle things between us and end this thing that I have no name for, Roxie is worried and so is father and Imo."

I rolled my eyes, looking at him with a stoke expression. "I know they are but if Imo really cared, she would have been here and not you. Don't try to paint a picture of her that isn't true." I tried to remain emotionless facially but my voice betrayed me, even I like feel the hurt dripping from my words.

"She wanted to but she had an emergency meeting with Mrs Steele, concerning her wedding so I had to come without her, we both care for you Nae and you know it. I've been horrible towards you because without me saying I left you alone, mother wouldn't have known."

"Even if she wouldn't have known, you all had already condemned me without the evidence so what else? Don't say anything else and just leave from here."

I brushed past him making sure to nudge my elbow in his side to hurt him, make him feel what I'm feeling now but he grabbed my hand, pulling me back to him. "Please Nae, please just one chance and if after that you wouldn't want anything to do with me and our family, I'll accept it and leave you alone forever."

I shifted my gaze from the floor to his eyes to see him shedding tears. I wish they were fake and never real, I wish I didn't see the sincerity in his eyes so I could just push him and storm off but I did. Sadness overwhelmed me as I flung my arm around him, engulfing him in a hug. I cried, I'm tired of harboring this hatred for him and Nae, though they were wrong and chose to believe someone over me, I don't have to blame them, all the evidences pointed against me and maybe I would have done the same if I were in their shoes.

Besides, we are all humans and to err is human but to forgive is divine so I forgive them and ready to let go whatever ill feelings I have for them in my heart.

"You won't regret this I promise." He told me, giving me a small smile as he wiped the tears on my cheeks, earning him an eye roll and a smile.

"Miss Monae!" I heard someone call me and when I turned, it was Michy's driver. He had gotten out of the car and was now walking towards me.

Oh so he now remembers there's someone named Monae in his life huh? And he sent him to come for me? Well I'm not going home with this driver, I'll have Rex drop me off after what he wants to say.

"The boss asked me to pick you up." He said, reaching for my back.

I snatched it away from him, hugging it to my chest. "Make him aware