8| I'm sorry

The guys were oozed out from excessively drinking and partying the night away. They were all whooshed out, and they looked exhausted at their table. The background music played quietly, and the disco still hopped with several colors.

The day to the VIP arena came open, and a young lady walked in. Her eyes danced around the room, and paused on sighting the guys.

A small smile tugged on her red lips, and she strutted to them. She was tall with exceptionally long and straight legs. Her ebony skin flowed down her curvy seductive shape in a perfect glamour.

Taking a glance at her, one could tell that she had a stunning figure – a figure for a supermodel. To crown her perfect shape, she wore a pencil black fitted gown which stopped mid-thigh. Along with this outfit, she wore a set of glittering white stilettoes, and her naturally wavy hair, was bound into a ponytail.

“Hey, cheese brains. What did I miss?” Her red lips parted to reveal her beautifully set white teeth. Her voice was phonetically endorsed and exquisite.

The men all looked up on hearing her voice, and from their faces, she could tell that they were all drunk.

“You haven’t missed much, Katie,” Ken replied her with a seductive smirk.

Daniel rolled his eyes at Kenneth’s words. Ken always had the habit of being all nervous around Katie whenever he tried to flirt with her. Even though he had an expertise with women, he had never been able to win Kate over.

The truth was that he had never even tried asking her out since he was always nervously stupid around her.

“Uh-Uh, It seems I missed a lot,” She smiled, and threw a glance at her brother, “And this is all Daniel’s fault.”

Daniel’s eyes went wide as two saucepans and he gasped.

“How is it my fault?”

His sister only smirked, and ignored him as she wandered away from their table and to the bar where she ordered a bottle of whiskey, and three cigars.

Ken followed her with his eyes, and not at once did he blink as he kept staring at her. The others laughed at this, but he ignored them.

Kate placed a cigar in between her plump lips, and lit the other end. She puffed in the smoke, and took it all in. Ken sighed, and stood up from the table.

He hated to see her smoke, drink, and get high, but he never had the guts to tell her this. So, he walked out as he could neither stand her smoke.

As soon as he left, the others also disbursed. Jonas stood up and waddled his way to Kate to join her, leaving Daniel and Dapo.

“So, about the fight, what really happened?” Dapo inquired.

Daniel wasn’t too keen with sharing his actions with anyone. How could he proudly say that he had hit his wife?

He looked away from his friend and focused his attention on the glass in his hand. Dapo understood this, but he still remained curious.

“Look, Daniel, stop quivering like a kid. Go talk to her, and amend your ways with her.”

The corners of Daniel’s lips turned downwards. “Let’s say I do that. What do you suppose I tell her?”

Dapo smiled. “Firstly, you’ve got to apologize to her.”

Daniel spun around to his friend, and his eyebrows were raised and slightly curved, “I can’t do that! You must be kidding me.”

Dapo laughed once. “So, you can’t apologize to her? Is your ego that big?”

He was surprised at his friend’s words, but he forced his lips into a firm line and kept his gaze straight.

“Why should I apologize to her when I am not wrong? I am certainly not at fault here!”

Dapo’s nose twitched and he crossed his legs.

“Okay, Daniel, if you are not at fault, who is?” He asked, but Daniel lowered his eyebrows and avoided Dapo’s eyes.

Dapo could clearly see that his friend was lying, and he could read the guilt off his face.

“Tell me what happened.”

Daniel sighed. “I got a call to meet up with some clients at the mall, when I saw her with that man,” He narrated, “I confronted them, and told him off. All I wanted was to get her out of there and away from that man. But, the fool stopped me, and things got out of hand.”

Dapo laughed. “What did you do, Daniel?”

Daniel turned to his friend with wrinkles all over his forehead. “I fought him.”

Dapo held his sides as he laughed hard.

Daniel’s lips pulled into a frown at this, “What’s funny, Dope?”

‘Nothing,” Dapo said as he tried to smother his laugh, but he failed at this, as he laughed even harder, “That’s typical of you to get into fights you’re not supposed to, but for a woman, it’s strange.”

Daniel crossed his arms, “What do you mean?”

“You’ll figure that out soonest,” Dapo said with a wink. “However, you have to apologize to her because I’m certain you must have hurt her. Right?”

Daniel avoided his gaze, and looked down at his crossed arms. Dapo instantly confirmed the fact that he was right after all, Daniel had abused his wife.

He stood to his feet, and walked to Daniel, “Just do what’s right, for once in your goddam life, Daniel,” He said, and gave Daniel a pat before he walked on out of the VIP room.

Daniel looked up, and saw Dapo exit the room. His cheeks went hollow as his friend’s words echoed in his ears, and he sighed.

Derin sighed as she crashed unto the couch in the living room. Her feet felt heavy along with the rest of her, and she only craved to go to bed and just sleep the day away. She had gone to the nearby pharmacy to have herself checked up, and get some medications to treat herself. She, however, recalled the look the pharmacist gave her when she lied that she had tripped and fallen over.

It was obvious that the pharmacist didn’t believe her while lie, but he let it slip, and applied the necessary treatment to her injuries. He then prescribed and dished out some drugs for her which would supposedly hasten her recovery.

All through this, she kept her mind on her outing with Bayo. She had never been on a date, and so, this felt very special to her. More especially in her current situation with her bunked up husband, all she probably needed was to get pampered and feel loved by another man.

“How I only wish I’ll be all good as new before tonight,” She thought to herself as Benn drove her home.

She had initially refused the ride, but the driver insisted. She had guessed that maybe Daniel had told him to heighten his watch over her. No matter how optimistic she tried to be, her innersole contradicted her.

“That’s impossible. Your wounds need more than three days to heal, and probably a month to disappear.”

She huffed in annoyance at her innersole. But she just wished that her innersole wasn’t so right.

“Can’t you ever be positive?” Derin retorted.

“I can, but that would be lying, and I only speak the truths.” Her innersole replied.

“Fine, you’re right! I get it! Now, shut the hell up!” She yelled at her own thoughts, and this ended her little war with her mind.

This was just in time, as she heard Benn ignite the car. Her heart shot up at the thought of Daniel returning home earlier, but luckily, the gateman was only warming up the other car in the garage.

Yes, she had only been in the house for some days, but she had grown accustomed to it, and had even begun to refer to it as home.

She did not want to think about what Daniel will do if he finds out that she’s going on a date with Bayo. She was excited to be with her old friend, but she was equally nervous on what the consequences of her actions will be.

The thoughts of her father’s strictness came into her mind, and she sighed deeply. Her father was a strict disciplinarian who never allowed either of his daughters to have a close male friend, talk more of a boyfriend, or even more, a date. But, now, she will get to experience the feeling of being on a date with someone she actually cared about.

“Not to mention that you're cheating on your husband," Her innersole reminded her.

How could she forget that? Daniel was like a stubborn scar inflicted on her flesh, that no matter what, he’s going to be there.

However, going on a date with her male friend doesn’t mean she’s cheating on him.

Besides, who knows what Daniel himself was doing out there?

He might be surrounded by long legged models, and having the time of his life, while she grows old and lonely in the house wishing she had taken the opportunity to go with Bayo.

Yes, her life was already fucked, but she wasn’t going to end up living in regrets. She would not base her life on the so many what ifs.

Even if she’s going to get in trouble with this, she’ll let nothing stop her from doing that which she wishes to do.

After the club, he had decided to check in at the agency where he had a few shots taken of him on request by his manager.

His car was virtually booming live with pop music, and his hears bounced along with the tunes of the song. Daniel had always had a passion for pop culture, and old school hits – he would never pass an opportunity to listen to one of his favorite songs. His love for old school beats originated from Karen, his mother who was a fan of all old school beats.

On the other hand, pop culture was his dad’s thing. Lake adored Latino pop culture. Lake was so intrigued with songs from the culture side, and he would never fail to praise his favorite musicians. Well, this was in the past, as Lake changed when he fell into the world of wealth, and bore the desire to retain his position in the world of the elites. He grew farther from his former self, and even from his family.

They used to be a perfect and happy family, and Daniel loved the person his father was before all these changed him. Daniel loved his childhood – those were the best times of his life – but, sadly, everything’s changed. All memories Daniel had of his father, were most times blurry, and the rest, forgotten.

Lake had been born of the silver spoon, yet he married their mother, Karen, and ever since then, they had always remained together.

Like every other marriage, they had minor conflicts, but Lake had never at once raised his hands against their mother. If there was a thing that Lake was against, this would be abusing women. Lake strongly hated men who raised their hands against their wives, and he equally instilled this to Daniel.

Daniel knew he could never be like his father, but he never expected to be among those who raised their hands against women, and hurt them. He realized that he had to apologize to her.

However, he just knew that no amount of apologies or saying ‘sorry’ will make her forget his actions. He doubted that she will give him audience, or even listen to him.

Upon nearing the gate, he hit the horn of his car twice, and waited as the gate-man pulled the gate open, before driving into the yard.

“Welcome boss,” Benn greeted.

Daniel gave a nod to this, as he walked into the house after parking the car under the shed.

Derin was in the kitchen rounding up with her cooking when she heard her husband drive in, and on peeping through the windows, she saw him alight and walk to the doors.

Without hesitating, she dashed up the stairs and to her room. She definitely didn’t want to set her eyes on him. She just couldn’t stand looking at his face after what he did to her. She heard his steps up the stairs, and bolted the door.

No, she did not want him in her room.

Daniel walked into the house, and from one glance, he could tell that she was around.

He could still smell the fragrance of her pomade, even as though the aroma of her cooking hung in the air. Yet, as the sweet smelling savor hit his nostrils, his stomach grumbled. He instantly knew that he had to have a taste of what she had cooked.

He was about walking into the kitchen, when his eyes fell on the covered dish on the dining table.

His shoulders fell as he saw the nicely set table waiting for him, and he felt a stabbing sensation in his chest as he realized that she still cooked for, and served him despite his earlier actions.

Unable to resist his hunger, he walked to the dining table, and settled in to the meal of peppered meat sauce and baked potatoes, garnished to perfection with sweet corn, and vegies. After eating to his heart desire, he stood up and walked to Derin’s room.

On getting to her room, he raised his hand to knock, but he hesitated as his knuckles hanged in the air. He was about to waltz in to the room of the woman he had earlier abused, and he had no idea of what to say to her.

Firstly, he was well assured that she would lash out at him, and that, he wasn’t ready for.

Taking a deep breath, he exhaled, and knocked.

“Derin?” He called.

He listened for a reply, but he got nothing.

He sighed, and knocked once more, but she didn’t reply. He clenched his fist, as his patience began to wear off.

“Derin, I know you’re in there,” He said.

Reluctantly, Derin opened the door, “What do you want?” She asked with her arms akimbo at the doorway.

“May I come in?”

She rolled her eyes, and walked inside leaving the door wide open for him.

He walked in, and sat on her bed – his eyes dancing around the room – and his lips pulled into a tentative smile – Derin knew how to completely refurbish something old and boring – he had to admit to himself.

He hadn’t been to this room ever since they had gotten married. Two weeks ago, this room was nothing but a bare thing like the other rooms, but now, it’s all different.

For starters, the wardrobe and other furniture were carefully arranged in aside – the curtains, bedspread and sheets were all different, and well, the entire room was all touched up.

He had to hand it to her – she had great taste and he loved what she had done to the room.

His eyes danced over, and fell on his wife’s icy stare. Her arms were crossed in front of her, and her lips were downturned into a frown.

Despite her obvious hostility, he found himself staring at her for longer than needed. She looked way better that when he last saw her – she seemed to have gotten herself checked up – which was the best thing to do.

At once, he recalled his actions and his looked down. His heavy lips parted open, “I’m sorry, Derin.”

Her eyes went wide as she stared at him without replying.

Did he just apologize?

Did the egoistic pigheaded Daniel just apologize?

Daniel noticed this, and knew that she did not believe his sincerity.

His cheeks became hollow, and he sighed. “Derin, I am sorry for hitting you. I know I was a jerk, and you must hate me-”

“That’s an understatement!” She interrupted.

He nodded, “I know, and I am very sorry. I regret my actions, and I know I can’t take it back.”

She laughed once, “You’re right.”

His jaw clenched tightly, and he could feel the cords in his neck become rigid as the impatience reeled through him.

He knew she was angry, but this was getting too tiresome for him.

“Listen, I get it – you’re mad at me, but I am sorry.” He shrilled.

Derin blinked.

First, he was apologetic, and now, he’s getting furious. What does he expect her to say? That’s it okay, and she’s forgiven him?

Sadly, that’s not how things work. He could go to hell for all she cared, but she’s not going to accept his lame apology.

It was obvious that he would not hesitate to hit her later in the future, because a simple apology would be all that would be required and everything would be alright.

“You, Daniel Hartley, sorry?” She threw at him, and laughed. “I’m sorry, but I fail to believe this. It’s easy for you to say sorry because you’ll never understand what it means to be hurt.”

He winced at what she said, “I get it, okay?” His contrite voice retorted. “I fucked up, big time, but I’m trying to correct that.”

The corner of her mouth drew-down, and her stare was empty as she took two steps to him, and stopped at his front – making sure she was staring him in the eyes, “Do you think sorry can correct the pain your actions caused to me? Do you think sorry can fix this?”

“No-” He tried to speak, but she cut him short with a deliberate cackle.

“Uh-huh, I hear you. Thanks for the apology,” She hissed and walked to the door, “Now, kindly waffle your way out,” She added as she pulled the door open.

Daniel slouched as she asked him to leave. He was disappointed with the fact that despite his apology, she’s still angered at him. In as much as he wanted to let her know how he felt, he was wary of his actions – anything could anger her at that moment, and this could tick another bomb off.

He was about walking out, when the cellphone on her bedside buzzed.

They both snapped their eyes to the bedside at once. Daniel, who was closest to the cellphone, walked to it, and picked the phone up.

His eyes caught hold of the caller Id on the screen, and he frowned – this was the same man he had seen her with at the mall, and the cause of this brawl he currently had with his wife.

His thoughts were abrupt as Derin snatched the cellphone from his hand, and she picked the call, ignoring his presence.

“Hey.”

“Hey, sweetheart,” Bayo bubbled from the other end.

On realizing that the call was on speaker, Derin threw a side glance to Daniel whose eyes were hard on her, but her eyes were glazed and she looked away from him, unruffled.

“Yes, Bayo, why are you calling?” She asked, and a long pause followed before she heard him sigh.

“So, I guess you’ve forgotten about our date?” He reminded, and she gasped. She had actually forgotten about her date with him.

“Oh my,” She gaped, “I’ll meet you-”

Daniel grabbed the phone from her, before she could complete her sentence.

“Mister, my wife is not coming on a date with you,” He shot into the receiver, “Get that into your brainless head!”

“What the heck?” Derin snapped at him, and attempted to collect the phone, but Daniel was quick to hang up, and cut the call.

He dropped the phone back on the bedside table.

Derin’s face became red. “How dare you?” She seethed.

He was unfazed by this, and only turned to her with a blank stare, “You’ll not go on that date with him, and that’s final.”

She laughed. “That’s hilarious,” She babbled, “I don’t remember taking orders from you.”

His lips tugged into a thin smile, “Consider this the first,” He stated and walked out of the room, and banged the door close behind him.

She blinked repeatedly and laughed. Daniel was crazy, and she was also crazy. This was the only explanation for what went down between them.