Ella’s finally in a relationship, something she’s longed for forever. Then her sister comes to her with a fantastical story about her boyfriend’s alleged infidelity. Hearing something in her voice, her boyfriend, Daniel, visits to check on her, bearing gifts and reminding Ella why she loves and trusts him. Start Ella and Daniel’s story here – Lonely Eyes Part 1 – Hello, Chaos!
Once again, the bed was not going to be the site of success sleep-wise, Ella thought. She was back to tossing and turning, even after what was a very pleasurable and successful coupling. Her racing mind would not quiet and try as she did to stay still, the unease manifested in her restless body. The last thing she wanted was to wake Daniel. He’d come to her after a long-ass day even though he was going to have a similarly gruelling day tomorrow and all because he sensed from her voice that she’d had a rough evening. That was not the behaviour of someone who didn’t care about her, who was unfaithful. She did not deserve him. It was so fucking obvious.
Ella turned to face his sleeping form, for once appreciating the outside light. She usually hated the fact that nights in Nairobi were nowhere near the sleep conducive pitch-black of her rural home. Tonight, though, she could see the elusive silver lining. She loved him. Loved his slightly open mouth and the wonderful things he could do with it. Loved his well-manicured beard, his light brown skin and hairy chest. Loved his delicious abs, his pecs, and the heart beating there.
She reached out and grazed his chest where she approximated his heart lay, murmuring, “I’m sorry.” She drew back and prepared to fake it till she made it with this whole sleeping business.
While she watched, he stirred, then opened his eyes. He was so cute, she thought, smiling.
Daniel turned to face her, drawing himself close so their bodies were flush, his hand sliding over her generous curves.
“At the risk of sounding all insecure and needy, I’ll just come out and ask… Was it good for you? You know… did you…?”
“It was good, and I did,” she replied with a smile, running her finger over his beloved abs.
“So, what’s up with all this tossing and turning? You’re usually out like a light.”
“Woah, overconfident much?”
“Hey, you just confirmed that I could back it up. Your words, not mine.”
His voice lost the playfulness. “Something happened at Amy’s, right?”
She shook her head, denying it. “Uh-uh.”
“I know you don’t like it when I say it, but you’re always off when you come from game night.” He pulled back from her.
Ella sat up, leaning on the headboard, and Daniel mirrored her movement. “Maybe it’s because my boyfriend always has a convenient excuse for not showing up so that I’m forced to be the third wheel in some cheesy couples hang-out.”
“Do you want me to apologize for having a job?” he asked.
“What’s that supposed to mean? That I don’t have a job?”
“You’re not seriously asking me to compare online stuff with legal work.”
Her latent anger was gaining steam. “Online stuff.” She mimicked with a sardonic laugh. “Okay.”
“Online transcription. Are you happy now? I didn’t say you don’t have a job.” He bit out. “You’re putting words in my mouth. Clearly, you’re upset about something. Can you just use your fucking words?”
“Fuck you, Daniel. How’s that?” She spat out while getting out of bed. She stormed out of the room. Where did he get the nerve to suggest she was beneath him? She’d seen his D’s and E’s littered university transcripts. The only reason he had a job in this hellish economic landscape with soaring unemployment was that he came from a family of wealthy lawyers. She’d graduated with Second-Class Upper Honours, just a few points shy of First Class, and he thought he could disparage her? Fuck him. Fuck him all the way to hell where he belonged with his pathetic grades.
“Are you going to tell me or not?” Daniel yelled through the open door, “‘Cause I don’t have time for this, Ella. My workday tomorrow’s too packed for whatever craziness this is.”
She said nothing in response, and he sighed heavily before laying down to sleep. He heard her walk back into the room.
“Are you cheating on me?” she asked, voice barely a whisper.
He was silent, his back to her.
“I know you heard me.”
“I know you’re not that dumb.”
She was sick of people calling her dumb. “I knew it,” she murmured under her breath.
He was out of the bed in a flash, rage radiating from him enough to make her instinctively walk backwards in retreat. He advanced towards her and, for the first time since she’d known him, she was truly afraid that he could hurt her.
Daniel had done things that had frightened her in the past, but she’d never feared for her physical safety. The way he usually yelled when he was angry chilled her to the pit of her stomach, but that was only because it took her back to her parents’ volatile relationship, not because she thought he’d actually harm her. This time, though, it was different. She was afraid of what he’d do to her.
“What the fuck did you just accuse me of?”
She swallowed. “I just asked.” Her voice was a trembling whisper, which pissed her off.
“You’re crazy, you know that? Why the fuck would you ask me that?”
She was getting really pissed. You could only call her crazy so many times before she started acting it out. “Why would you be so angry if it wasn’t true?”
“I don’t know about you, but being called a cheating dog has that effect on me.”
“Where were you last night?” Ella powered on.
“Here, fucking your ungrateful ass.”
“You’re good, babe, but not good enough to do it all the way from a club in Westlands.”
“Someone’s lying to you and you’re listening to them, which even you must know is dumb as fuck.”
“Call me dumb one more time.”
He stepped up to her and got right in her face. “You know, I thought you were more mature than this. Guess I was wrong. Mark my words, this is why you’ll end up all alone. All you do is expect the worst out of men and push away the few men who actually like you.”
Before she knew what was happening, he was collecting his clothes and picking up the package he had left by the door. Then he slammed the door behind him, loud enough to rattle it and her neighbours.
All the energy drained out of her, and she slid right to the floor where she sat until the sun came up, until her stiff back and ice-cold cramped ass forced her to move.
Is Daniel right? Is Ella sabotaging her own relationship? Find out what happens next here – Lonely Eyes Part 4 – This Is Torture
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