CHAPTER SIX “CONVINCED”

©️ Opeyemi Akintunde
As inspired by the DEEP ONE

“There is nothing to say,” I replied quietly, almost defensively.

Beauty tilted her head, her lips curving into a knowing smile.

“Are you sure?” she asked. “You’re out here gisting with me on your wedding night. My brother… you have a lot to say.”

The way she said “my brother” carried intentional weight … a reminder that she wasn’t crossing any lines.

“Listen, Teju,” she continued, “Relax. I am not interested in you, if that’s your fear. I know how this looks… feels like one of those romantic comedies where the groom falls in love with another girl on his wedding night.”

She rolled her eyes dramatically.
“Yuck. Who does love help?”

I couldn’t help but give a weak smile.

Beauty leaned forward.
“I know Imade never really liked you. And I know what it feels like to be rejected. I was rejected all my life until I became my own priority.”

She stretched her legs, crossed them, and continued:

“In fact… back in school, she once said that if she ever married you, she would make your life a living hell. So honestly? I’m not surprised. What you’re experiencing now? This is just the beginning.”

My heart dropped.

“When did she say that?” I asked, stunned.

“S.S. 2. I remember clearly. I was far away from her and her friends. I wasn’t eavesdropping … they were just loud.”

I swallowed hard.

Beauty watched my reaction closely, then sighed.

“It’s not too late to end this tortureship that just started.”

I breathed out slowly.
“Are you saying this because you care about me… or are you saying it from a bitter place?”

“Bitter?” she scoffed. “Me? Bitter? Do I look bitter? No, darling, I look better. And I do not have energy to waste on bitterness. If someone doesn’t serve me anymore, I show them the door.”

Her voice lowered.

“Listen, Teju… you are going to wish you listened to me. A time will come when you will regret this. You can’t force a woman who resents you to love you …no matter how good you are. Or how much good you do. When she wakes up tomorrow morning, have the conversation… and go find your own happiness.”

I looked away, staring at the pool water shimmering under the lights.

“Thank you for your advice…” I said quietly.

Then I added, with more strength in my voice:

“But I will take my chances.
I know what I signed up for. Loyalty is not foolishness …. it is commitment.
Sometimes a man must choose to love even when love is not returned….Not because he is weak…but because he vowed before God to try. Before I give up, I must first give everything.”

Beauty blinked, taken aback by the depth of my words.

I stood.

I had loved Imade for years. Denied myself the pleasure of following my spec.
Disciplined my eyes.
Disciplined my desires.
Why would I now let a conversation shake what I had fought for my whole life?

Loyalty wouldn’t let me.

I had sworn an oath … for better or worse. I was going to win this…
or die trying.

I began walking away.

Beauty got up and followed.

We reached the elevator. She stepped closer instinctively, ready to enter with me.

Danger flashed in my mind.
Being alone with her again …in a small space…was not wise.

So I turned sharply and headed for the stairs.

It was the longest staircase walk of my life…
but the most necessary.

****
Imade’s POV

Where on earth did he go?

Did… did he leave me?

My mind was racing as I stood in the elevator, gripping the railing inside. The elevator chimed softly as it descended floor by floor.

Finally, it reached 1st floor.

The doors slid open.

And there she was.

Beauty.

Standing there like a shadow from a past I didn’t remember…
but one that seemed to recognise me.

To be continued…

🌐 www.deepthoughtsintl.org
📘 Facebook: @Opeyemi Akintunde
📸 Instagram: @OpeyemiAkintunde
🎥 YouTube: @DeepThoughtsTV

✍️ DEEP THOUGHTS NOVELS
Inspired by the TRUTH REVEALER
Written by Opeyemi Akintunde
📞 +234-8151103646