HER BODY, HIS PRICE

trembling. The street was quiet too quiet. Only the distant hum of a generator reminded m

deeply, th

is stood there in boxers and a white singlet, r

" I said, barely

ked past him, each step feeling like

lk past on the street without taking a second look. Fair in complexion and chubby, he wasn't breathtaking, he was just there. Not the type of ma

rt enough to call small nor tall enough to be impressive. And then there was his bald head, always shiny as if he oiled it delib

t was how he spoke. Every time he opened his mouth, a few drops of saliva would fly out with his words. I often had to flinch or turn my face slightly to avoid

he had money that made him feel powerful, wanted, and entitled. Maybe he believed tha

ached out to touch me or spoke too closely. His laugh was loud, his cologne too strong, and his ego too big. He loved attention, loved the way people t

all he ever had. And sadly, for a while, tha

e said.

Chris," I blurted. My voice c

nked slow

s, I've tried. But I don'

ell like

confusion, and anger all at once.

um said... she said we needed the money. But I'

und that didn't reach his ey

... Chris, ple

g I've done for you? I bought you phones, c

u back," I s

snapped. "You

art was racing. "No,

"Or... you pay me

him. "What d

eyes were cold now. "Sleep

eam, to run, to disappear. But al

y. "Money over everything even me.

," I said shakily, my voice trembli

I had never even let Chris touch me in that way, not once in the two years we

really think I'm going to let you walk away, just like t

ifying motion, he grabbed my arm and dragged me down the hallway. I struggl

, I was thrown

g my cries. My eyes widened in horror as he removed his single

" I whispered, m

remained silent. No o

y nightmare

tared at the ceiling, trying to disconnect from the pain. Chris stood at the edge of the bed,

covered myself with s

ended up in this mess. My name

Mars songs when a message notification lit up my phone screen. Curious, I quickl

k and I

ion to study Mass Communi

tossing my phone into the sink by accident. I was h

. Not just any university my dream university: UNILAG. And not just any course I w

s just so we could chase ours I was finally the university girl he could boast of. After all the sacrifices he made going hungry some nights, burying his own

me than words c

came rushing out of their rooms,

ir in complexion, tall, and moderately built not too slim, not too fat. Fair in complexion, tall, and moderately built, not too slim, not too fat. H

ther abandoned us, after everything she said and did, he never let bitterness h

iding behind the

y at that moment. "Honey, please," he said, "I promise to give you the money next week. I used the one I had to pay Mic

" she spat. "You can't ev

oment

he gave her to run her own business, the love he poured in

llapsed in tears, blaming himself for not being able to giv

ng, curious about how the lion was about to catch its prey when his phone rang. It

he said. "She insulted me when I confronted her

instantly. That day, the

nted her, she

an. A man who could give me what you nev

dn't curse. He just broke. My mother packed her bags, ready to leave, and I came out of hiding, sobbing, beg

she

sat on the floo

s ten y

as moved on. He still smiles, still puts us first, and still loves with eve

ered around, wid

uted. "I've been

ounger sister, Faithful, squealed, hugg

elted somet

f her anger, she'd said something that cut deep: "Aren't you too o

later, teary-eyed and sorry. But hearing her ch

I looked at her and wondered if we were even related. Her light brown

es, deep-set dark eyes, and a front hairline that never quite made pea

Nessa!" two voices

cated. But personality-wise, they were night and day. Michael was the lively spark always cracking jokes, making everyone laugh,

He rarely smiled, kept to himself, and while I loved him just as much, we weren

oup hug, lifting me off

d, my he

felt right. My dreams