CHAPTER 13&14
~☆ATLAS☆~
Atlas’s brow furrowed in concern as Timi stormed away from the veranda. Her frustration hung heavy in the air, but Atlas couldn’t bring himself to dwell on it. He simply wished she’d stop saying Sh|ts about his girlfriend.
Soon after, he retreated to his room, where he found Dera’s petite form nestled on the bed. A wave of affection washed over him as he gazed upon her. He couldn’t fathom why Timi couldn’t accept their relationship.
Approaching Dera, he leaned in to press a tender kiss against her neck, then her lips, gently stirring her from sleep.
“You’ve been smoking,” she murmured softly.
“Just a little,” he admitted, his voice tinged with remorse.
“It’s not good for your health, you know. I care deeply about you,” she reminded him, her words stirring a warm feeling within him. How could he not be in love with her? She was his everything.
“I’ll make an effort for you,” he promised sincerely before settling down beside her, pulling her close in a comforting embrace as they drifted off into slumber.
Atlas was jolted awake by the tumult outside, realizing Dera was no longer beside him. Concerned, he rose from his bed and made his way out of the room.
Entering the kitchen, he was met with a scene of discord. His mom, Timi, and Dera were engaged in a heated argument.
“If you had washed the plates, we wouldn’t be in this situation,” Dera asserted, her frustration evident.
“Am I your slave now? Is your hand hurting, or are you just stupid?” Timi retorted, her tone cutting.
Atlas couldn’t stand by any longer. “You’ve always had a problem with her. Can’t you just mind your own business?” he fired back at Timi.
“Do you think I have time for you or your stupid girlfriend?” Timi shot back.
“Atlas,” his mom’s voice interrupted, drawing his attention.
“Maybe if your girlfriend was helpful in the kitchen, all this wouldn’t have been happening,” she suggested, her tone tinged with reproach.
“Why should she? We have maids,” Atlas argued.
“This is a vacation strictly for family—no maids and no girlfriends,” his mom clarified firmly.
“And neither is Timi our family,” Atlas asserted.
“It’s a combined family vacation. Her family will be here in a few moments, and you have no excuses,” his mom declared, her gaze shifting to Timi.
“Sorry about that,” she said to Timi, who smiled in response.
“And tell her to learn how to wash her own plates,” Timi added, prompting Atlas to scoff in disbelief. He couldn’t fathom his mom siding with Timi over him.
“Let’s go,” Atlas said, taking Dera’s hand as they exited the kitchen.
“Your mom doesn’t seem to like me,” Dera observed once they were alone in their room.
Atlas turned to her, enveloping her in a comforting embrace. “She doesn’t know you yet. When she gets to know you, I’m sure she’ll love you,” he reassured her, kissing her forehead.
“I just hope she does,” Dera said, holding him tighter.
Two hours had passed, and it was already breakfast time. Timi’s parents had arrived by then.
Atlas and Dera entered the dining room to find everyone already seated.
“Oh, your son,” Timi’s mom exclaimed upon seeing Atlas.
“Hi aunty, hi uncle,” Atlas greeted with a smile.
“How are you?” she asked.
“I’m okay,” he replied, taking a seat beside Dera.
“How are you enjoying Nigeria?” Timi’s dad inquired.
“It’s cool, I like it,” Atlas responded, flashing a smile before digging into his food.
They engaged in small talk and enjoyed their meal.
“Your son is so grown up,” Timi’s mom remarked to Atlas’s mom.
“Yeah,” his mom agreed, and they both chuckled.
“Maybe he’ll marry Timi one day,” his mom suggested, causing both Timi and Atlas to choke on their food.
“Haha, then we’ll be in-laws,” Timi’s mom joked, and they all laughed again. Atlas glanced at Dera, but she avoided his gaze, focusing on her food instead. Couldn’t they see that his girlfriend was here too?
While it seemed amusing to everyone else, Timi and Atlas found it anything but funny. They exchanged glares, both despising each other.
After breakfast, they all got dressed and headed to the beach. Atlas couldn’t help but admire Dera, who looked stunning in her bikini.
“d@mn, you make me want to take you back to the room again,” Atlas whispered, hugging Dera, who laughed in response.
“Well, I don’t mind,” she murmured softly in his ear.
“You’re making it hard for both of us,” he whispered back, holding her hands.
Suddenly, his attention was drawn to Timi. Oh, Lord Jesus. Despite his anger towards her, he couldn’t deny her attractiveness. She had a body reminiscent of Kylie Jenner’s, radiating perfection.
As much as he tried to resist, he found himself stealing glances at her. The way her @$$ moved, especially when she jumped in the water, was captivating.
“This is wrong, this is wrong,” he muttered to himself, then turned to Dera, giving her a light kiss.
But his gaze kept returning to Timi.
🍒TIMI🍒
After playing with Tiwa and Adam, exhaustion washed over me, and I had to take a seat on the lounge chair.
“Apply sunscreen on my back,” I instructed Tiwa, who happily took the sunscreen from me.
“You didn’t look happy when Mom and Aunt Ava (Atlas’s mom) said that about you and Atlas,” she remarked while rubbing in the sunscreen.
“Should I be happy?” I retorted, rolling my eyes.
“Yes,” she insisted.
“I don’t have time for your nonsense,” I replied.
“You’re the most heartless person I’ve ever seen,” she teased, laughing.
“I wish I could be more heartless,” I quipped, and we shared a laugh.
As evening approached, everyone was exhausted. Since we were returning to Abuja tomorrow, we needed to pack our things and make sure we didn’t forget anything important.
“My beautiful daughter,” my dad greeted me when he saw me entering his room.
“Me too,” Tiwa chimed in, running in after me.
“You know you’re more beautiful,” Dad teased, making us all laugh.
“God, I missed you,” Mom said, embracing me tightly.
“As much as I want to spend more time with you girls, we have to work and provide,” Mom said, not letting go of me.
“You know I love you, right?” she asked, and I nodded, still hugging her. I loved my parents dearly, but I couldn’t deny that I blamed them for neglecting us.
“Me too,” Tiwa said, joining us in the hug.
“What you said at dinner, I didn’t like it,” I stated bluntly.
“What did I say?” Mom asked, looking at Dad and then Tiwa before smiling.
“I don’t like Atlas. He’s too proud and annoying, like those senseless American boys,” I explained.
“Is it because he brought his girlfriend on a family vacation?” Mom asked, smiling, and my gaze shifted to Tiwa.
“I didn’t tell her, I swear,” Tiwa protested, laughing, and then darted behind Dad to hide.
“She said you liked Atlas,” Dad teased.
“You snitched,” Tiwa cried out before running away from Dad.
“When did I tell you that I like Atlas?” I questioned.
“I was just joking, and Mommy took it seriously,” Tiwa explained.
“I won’t tell you guys anything again,” Tiwa declared to Mom and Dad, making us all burst into laughter.
To be continued…
