Episode 1 (Intoxicating)

Last updated on April 24th, 2024 at 06:11 am

“See you later, baby,” Adelana said as he entered his car. He really didn’t want to leave but he had to go to work. Their relationship was the best thing to have happened to him but what was love without money? Of course, as long as he had Patricia, he had everything. As the typical tech bro, Adelana worked remotely but he had to be at the office headquarters today for their once-in-a-month meeting. Why they insisted on their physical presence was beyond him but if they claimed it was for team bonding, so be it. 

He air-kissed his girlfriend as she blinked back the tears that were about to spill from her eyes. She waved at him and turned to go inside. He would try to finish work early so he could be back home with her. Thankfully, she worked full-time from home and was her own boss, which meant that she was more flexible than him. 

Six months. It had been six months of bliss with Patricia and he had a fear that she could be snatched from him at any time. He wasn’t a jealous lover, but he tried to please her as much as possible. The love was too strong, too intense, and very mutual. Did such love exist just like that? He frequently asked himself.

Patricia resumed work behind her laptop trying to push away the way she felt about Adelana’s absence, after all, he only went to work. She had never been loved in this way before. Her ex, until Adelana’s intervention, used to call her to beg her about six months ago. He suddenly realised his mistake months after they broke up even though they had been together for seven years. Not only was he verbally abusive, but very selfish—always making decisions that best suited him. He wasn’t physically abusive, which was why she stayed longer than she should have. One time, he travelled for a month and didn’t contact her, which gave her the courage to eventually leave; a simple text was all she owed him. 

With Adelana, she worried that she loved him this much because she had only known the unhealthy kind of love, but he also loved her so much. She ran a digital marketing agency and it wasn’t really solid until Adelana started referring his friends. Now her business had good footing and she had her boyfriend to thank. He was the right man for her in more ways than one.

—

Adelana returned home earlier than usual. On his drive home, he had stopped to get some food for them to eat. He was only a few minutes away from home but he couldn’t wait. Any moment away from Pat, as he fondly called her, didn’t feel right. He eventually got to her gate and drove in, Patricia already in the compound waiting for him. As soon as he got out of his car, she walked into his arms and held on tight. He didn’t waste any time smothering her with kisses.

“How are you doing, baby?” He asked.

“I missed you.”

“You know I missed you more, baby.”

“Not possible.” She answered, though her voice was muffled since her head was buried in his chest. She lifted her head and looked into his eyes. 

“I missed you so much, baby.” Adelana said as he kissed her. She raised a brow in response.

“What?” He asked.

“Really? You’re going to feign ignorance?”

“Talk to me, my love.”

“Oh, I will. I will talk to you.” She answered, now pulling him into her apartment. With Patricia, he had nothing to resist, so he followed her willingly. Honestly, she could have simply ordered him and he would have obliged.

In her sitting room, he saw the new pair of shoes he ordered for her earlier in the day. She faced him and pointed at the shoes. 

“Do you know how these got here?” Patricia asked Adelana.

“Umm, I don’t know.” He said in the most convincing way possible.

“Lana, really?!” She giggled. He moved close to her, not being able to stand away from her for too long, and circled his arms around her waist.

“I don’t know anything, Pat. My Pat.” He said in between kisses. One on her forehead. Another on her shoulder.

“Lana, leave me. Don’t distract me. Just yesterday I showed you the shoes in passing, today, they’re being delivered to me. You spoil me.” She said in a mock protest.

“Baby, I live to spoil you. I live for you.” He answered, still kissing her. The truth was that Adelana meant his words. There were so many things she wasn’t sure of, but it wasn’t Adelana’s love for her.

…

What’s love without money? Do you agree that love is incomplete without money? Leave your thoughts in the comment.

Thanks for reading!