He follows her on instagram with an anonymous account. It's not like she would notice him amidst her twelve point seven million followers. But it gave him the opportunity to know more about her and what she's doing at the moment. One of her most recent posts had a lot of people going wild. The marriage rumour increased the number of followers she had and gave her more attention. She had always loved attention. He was sure she's swimming in it.

"I drip red" The post said. In it, she wore a red sultry dress that stopped mid-thigh with a lot of ruffles at its skirt. It had a deep V neck with an open back. Her heels were red Manolo heels and her Michel Kors bag was of the same shade of red as her dress and heels. The picture was faultless. She was flawless. Her skin gleamed. The wind swept her copper red hair a bit, showing off the one hundred and seventy five thousand naira dangling earrings. She was walking, a smile on her face when the photographer took it. It seems like she brightened the picture with her smile. Many bloggers had reposted it with one nice caption or the other such as, Lola Kola-Daisi serves hot legs in red dress.

He went through the comments. Many had said hot, nice legs, gorgeous, you never disappoint, I just love you and many other nice comments but one had said "See a married woman, barely dressed" He grimaced. Who cares about what she's wearing as long as she looks hot. "I pity your husband. I am sure the man would have opposed what you are wearing. It's just hard to tame a wild animal like you"

Lola Kola-Daisi had replied. She was never the kind to keep quiet at such insult. "How about you mind your business and get yourself a better life. I can put on whatever I want and feel pretty. It's a free world. Besides, hubby does not mind"

Her last statement had nearly set the internet on fire. Bloggers won't stop posting about it. A headline had said Lola Kola-Daisi confirmed marriage rumours. Lola has never answered questions concerning her marriage in interviews. She had been blunt about not wanting to say anything about it.

Another comment had him scoffing. The follower wrote. "Your life is so perfect and I am jealous. Do you ever have to worry about anything? You are from a very rich home where money can never be a problem. You can get anything you want without thinking about its price. You are a successful photographer. You are very beautiful. Your Instagram page is every lady's dream. You got the kind of skin many want. You have travelled to nearly every part of the world. You don't know how it feels not to have something. Your husband is a handsome man and stable financially. You got no problem in your life. I am extremely jealous"

He had laughed, laughed hard into the dark. His shoulders shook to the intensity of his laughter and water rolled down his cheeks. Still laughing, he wiped away his tears. The follower is hilarious. Lola Kola-Daisi has a very big problem in her life, and it is him. Him! That so perfect life will be ruined. It's just a matter of time. He will give her a problem she will never forget and won't be able to solve. He will give her pain that will never heal. He will wound her, cripple her with no hope of rising. The incident five years ago left her walking but this time, with what he has in his mind, she will never heal or get over it. He will rise from the dead past and ruin her bright future.

-----

The comment struck Lola like someone shoved a spear into her heart. It might have been written out of jealousy but it weakened her and reminded her of her messy life. The follower had called her life perfect but little does she know it's not close to perfect. Nobody can have a perfect life.

She has money that can buy anything but not peace of mind or constant happiness. The comments took her back in time, to that summer night when nearly everything changed in her life. It gave her fear, insecurities and nightmares. That man caused her an unbearable pain that left her bruised for life. She has not spoken about the details of that night to anyone, not to her previous or present psychiatrist but they both knew she was a victim of something she's not going to pronounce.

No one saw through that hard bitchy arrogant exterior. In the light of her glamorous life which she so enjoyed, they could never tell of the storm she had suffered through the years, of the wind that had collapsed the vigour that held her together. She still remember sitting in the hospital, numb and shocked. She felt cold and brittle like a frozen leaf. She was scared to move because she feared if she moves, she will shatter. So she moved with care. Her conscious mind had shut down like a system.

Her life went in slow and circular motions. The hospital, police, and court. The same thing for weeks. She won't talk when asked about what happened. She just stares and cries. She was trapped in her own being. Lola got up, tears racing down her cheeks. This follower does not know what she's saying. Why will someone get jealous of what's barely real? She shows the world what she wants them to see and they won't see deeper. There were nights she woke up screaming. Five years later, she still wake up from some of her nightmares screaming. There were days she felt dirty like garbage. There was an invisible dirt on her body which she tried to wash away under thousand droplets of water but that dirt became an unseen permanent stain on her. It never washed away. She felt disgusted. Her body itched. She tried to relieve that itch by scratching herself until she bled, leaving marks that turned to scars but it never stopped. It grew worse.

There was an open wound that will never heal. The world became a cold and strange place where she became suspicious of everything, everybody. She found comfort in the closed walls of her room, the door locked and curtains pulled over the windows to prevent light form coming in. Those rays of light will remind her of how cruel the world can be. It was best to escape reality. People claimed they understood but they will never understand until they go through what she had been through.

She lost control of her life. There was no laughter, no smile. She stopped going out to parties because she felt he was going to come out of nowhere and do it again. She stayed indoor and pushed everyone away, including her mother. She changed her wardrobe, where she stays, her car and every other thing that reminded her of him and the incident. Many hoped her act was her way to recovery but she knew better. She started to party more than she used to, travel more and she walked with a gun or knife because it was the only way to feel safe.

Partying more and travelling more were the best way to escape reality. Her constant post on Instagram, Twitter and Snap Chat was her getaway from the real world. Outside that world was a lady lost in an ocean of darkness.

She can't have sex. She has not allowed any man into her bed. She was no virgin when the thing happened but it killed her sexual urges. She met a lot of men with the aim that maybe, just maybe, she will be able to progress further that the hot kisses and arousing touches but she freaks out each time they wanted to go down on her. It's just not easy.

His scream and laughter still filled her ears. The horrific images are still vivid in her head and will forever be in her mind. This follower does not know what it feels like to have fear and feel guilty of what was never her fault. She felt maybe if she had given him what he wanted willingly, he will not have taken it forcefully.

And IED. IED made her a murderer. She has killed two people because of it. This follower does not know how it feels like not to have control of your anger. When she gets angry, she just lost it and act on the impulse of her anger just like the day before.

Someone had delivered a box filled with pictures of her and that man, photos she had burnt. She had trembled and lost it. She had another episode. She nearly strangled the maid who delivered the box. She could have killed her if her brothers had not pulled her away. In the heat of the moment, she had spoken about how she kept receiving boxes that contained things that jogged her memory. She slept with fear and woke up with fear because she does not know what this unknown person was going to send next. Does this follower know what it feels like to come back to one's senses after an episode and realise she has made a damage beyond repair?

No one can have it all. No one. Not even the rich many look up to and want to become. Everyone has it in bits. She got money but no peace of mind and there's someone out there without money as much as hers but got peace of mind. This person does not have to wake up with fear of the past. There's a graduate out there with First Class still roaming the streets with his CV with the hope of finding a job but a rich man's son who had managed to graduate with pass has a well-paying job because his father got money and connections. It's the bitter reality of life.

Aunty Dammy is another example. She has money but her marriage is a mess and she's still searching and hoping for the fruit of the womb. And there's a woman somewhere out there who is contented with the little her husband has. A child is not in their plans yet and she's pregnant but sad because she's not sure they have the financial capability to take care of that child. That's the irony of life.

Lola sat on the bed, she took her phone, and scrolled through instagram to find the follower who had made her have a whirlpool of thoughts that emotionally weakened her. She did one thing she thought was best. She blocked the follower. She does not need negative people in her life or people who will remind her of something she really want to forget.

-----

Joshua's side throbbed. The pain felt like someone placed their hand over it to press. When he moves, the pain spirals through his body until it nearly left him breathless. Yet, he managed to troll to the house, each step difficult to take. He needed a shower. After which he would clean his injury. He was glad Lola was not at home. He has not seen her since he went to visit her in her office and she has not been home since then. She had been at her parents' house and had left for a job on Wednesday. The job ended the day before. She had ended up celebrating in a red dress that had stolen most people's breath. She stole his. He had frozen a bit when he saw the picture.

There will be no one to question him about why he came home with injuries. It was not his fault. He has a very tangible reason for having a bruised face, knuckles and side. There was no blood on his side but the aching spot was sore. It felt like the lesion had its heartbeat that thumped. He unlocked the door and went inside. The house was quiet the way it had been the past week whenever he came back from work. The maids had gone home and he was sure there was food in the refrigerator for him. He needed no food at the moment. He just needed relieve from the pains he felt. He headed for the room.

In the room, he found his wife. He stood frozen by the ajar door, his mouth slackened and eyes wide. She was home. The twin emotion of happiness and disappointment escalated through his rigid body. It felt nice to see her again but his state would leave her curious. Hopefully. Her eyes met his. He drew in a very deep breath.

She was seated on the bed, her legs pulled to her chest and arms around her legs. When her eyes lingered a little bit, she looked away. He expected that worry in her eyes or questioning gaze but got none. Not even a shift in her emotionless eyes. His lips curled at the edges before he advanced into the room, shutting the door behind him.

"Welcome home" He greeted in a cheerful voice but tried not to wince when the pain in his side hit his gut. "I am surprise to see you at home" Lola had just looked at him then at her phone. She stared at the bright screen, doing nothing. She let out a very long breath then locked the phone.

He saw the lines on her face and that distant look in her eyes. Something troubled her and he wanted to know. But will she tell him if he ask? To an extent, he was tired of how they live. He could have done something to stop the news about their marriage but it's too late now. He wish to know who had leaked those pictures and the news about their marriage. With the way things are going online, people won't let his wife be. When he checks through the comment section, there are tons of messages asking if she was truly married to him. He sighed then proceed to her.

"I am sorry" He said as he halted opposite her. Lola whipped her head to him. He looked down at her frame on the bed. The shirt dress looked good on her. He noticed. He liked the way it fell off one pretty shoulder. Obviously, she wore no bra. "I am sorry for what happened on Saturday. You are right. I should not expect anything in this relationship but I hope we can be friends"

Her eyes swept through his sagging frame. He was in pain. It might be an unconscious act but he clutched his side. She said nothing. Instead, she picked her phone. He threw a hand at how miserable she made him feel.

"Honestly, I am tired of what we are. I don't know why fate brought us together but I really wish to make things work out. I no longer expect commitments but can we live like friends. Like normal roommates?" She still did not look up from her phone. "Fine" He threw a frustrated hand, let out an irritated groan before turning away.

"Joshua" Her voice stopped him. His back tensed as goose bumps pebbled his skin at the mellow voice. His heart danced. It was pleasant to hear that voice again. He turned to look at her. She got down from the bed.

Each step she took closer to him had him swallowing. His throat felt dry. Her skin, the brown of coffee, shone under the luminous light. Her hair, soft copper red curls, were held up with a clip. Stray tendrils ran down the side of her face. He saw the way her eyes ran over him like she was taking in his present miserable state. He knows he looks like he had woken up on a garbage. His heart hammered against his chest, each beat intensifying as she took closer steps. What will she say? What should he say? Her eyes did not leave his. The intimidating gaze had him cowering. He expected her to ask him why he looked dirty and bruised. When she halted in front of him, he could barely breathe.

He saw her lift her hand towards him. He wondered where that beautiful hand was going to. He caught it before she touched the first button of his shirt. She lifted her lashes. Her brown eyes, cold as usual, looked at him.

"I will remove the shirt myself" He said. She pushed his hand away. There was that look in her eyes that told him not to mess with her. He swallowed again. The first button came off. He hated she was going to see worse underneath his shirt.

"Do you want to see my way of life?" she asked tilting her head a bit to look at him.

"What?" He looked down at her. So, she's not going to ask him why he looks like shit.

"The life I live. Do you want to see it?" The shirt fell to his sides.

"How?"

She smiled taking his hand. The sleeve of his shirt had blood stain. She gazed at it for a while before loosening the button. "Miracle is throwing a farewell party for himself. He is living for Baltimore soon. Wanna attend? It's at Quilox"

"I am very much interested" Joshua grinned. His nerves started to jitter. Spending a night with her made him happy. How lavish can she gets?

"Okay" She stepped away. "Have a shower. There's a first aid box in the bathroom" She picked her laptop and phone from the bed. "I am out. I want to work" She headed for the door.

"Orekelewa" His voice halted her from leaving the room. "You won't ask me why I came home injured and messy" He saw her confused look when she spun to look at him.

"Will you tell me the truth if I ask?"

"It's not what you think. Someone's trying to settle an old score. Ambushed me and turned me into this" He winced. "I fought back. I think I can't just forget my old ways" He laughed but she had not.

She stared at him, said nothing and walked out.

-----

She took her father's Lamborghini. Her new cars, Porsche Macan and Mercedes Benz G-class could not give her what she needed. Speed. The cars were delivered to their house the week before. He remembered how their neighbours had come out to take a glimpse at it including the guy next door, AY. Joshua thinks the guy is obsessed with music. From time to time, AY constantly play music at the loudest volume without care of what time it was, be it morning or midnight. There was a familiar song he plays. It is a song only members of a cult group called Bukania understood. Their colour is yellow. Few years back when he used to be a cultist, The Blades and Bukanians had a fight that killed many of their members. He remembered massacring the deputy Don of the Bukanians to death. There was blood all over him and that stain of blood on his body had been victory.

Lola had made a statement that annoyed him that evening when they were dressing up. "Now that I have a Porsche Macan and Mercedes, it's embarrassing to live in this kind of house that's packed like a slum" She said.

He understood what she meant and he's not going to answer her. She should manage what he can afford. Their relationship the past week has grown better. At least, they spoke, talk, laugh and were like normal friends. That long eerie silence they had between them had vanished.

When they sat in the Lamborghini, Lola asked with the right hint of sexy in her voice "Do you want to go for a spin?"

Joshua leaned back in his seat, a smile forming on his face. "I won't reject such an offer from a lady like you"

He won't miss a chance to ride in a sport car for the first time. It was surprising she was giving him such an offer. When he got in, she brought the engine to life. She stomped the accelerator, driving the car backwards to reverse. The minute she reversed the car into a comfortable position, she swung the car on the road into the busy street of Lagos. She had not ridden on a normal speed. Joshua had his heart in his throat at the speed she rode. He clutched the end of his seat, his heart in his mouth as she swept through the road. Screaming, Lola opened the hood, switched on the stereo and intensified her speed.

"This reminds me of L.A" She screamed out her lungs, let out a whoop of joy with her hand thrown in the air. She looked at Joshua to see him stiffen like a statue on his seat. She laughed looking back at the road. "Joshua, loosen up boy" she giggled.

"How do you expect me to when you ride at such a speed?"

"This is the fun in riding a sport car. Speed" she hooted, swinging her body to the beat that pounded from the speakers of the car.

Joshua did not loosen up. He perspired, wiping the dampness against his skin with stiff hands. His heart hammered against his ribcage. He could finally breathe when Lola reeled the car to halt in the parking lot of a boutique.

"We get clothes" she stopped the engine. A sweet, joyful laughter exited Lola lips when she had a sight of Joshua in his seat. She threw her head back, tears brimming in her eyes until they rolled down. Joshua kept trying to catch his breath still holding unto the seat. "Don't act like an uncivilised person, Handsome" Lola removed her seat belt. With his heart sliding back to its normal place from his throat, Joshua copied her action.