Afloat Season 4 E. 1

                            Previously: AFLOAT SEASON 3 E.11

Mastering others is strength, mastering yourself is true power.

- Lao Tzu.

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Maitama, Abuja -

How could he possibly tell her that the first day Alex introduced her to him and the rest of their friends had altered the course of his life? One look at Tricia had unsettled him in ways he couldn't explain, and from that day onward, every fantasy, no matter how hard he fought it, bore her face.

Initially, he had spent months giving his feelings different names, as though changing the label could somehow change what they were. First it was sisterly affection. Then brotherly concern. Then admiration. Each new label bought him a little more time before he had to confront the truth.

Before long, he found himself inventing reasons to stop by Alex's house. Sometimes it was to discuss work. Other times it was to watch football or simply keep his friend company. The excuses varied, but the destination never did. All he truly wanted was a glimpse of Tricia. When Alex eventually confided that they were having problems, David had eagerly played the peacemaker while secretly nursing the shameful hope that one day their relationship would crumble under its own weight. But that hope proved futile. Alex loved Tricia too deeply to let her go.

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He had fought his feelings with every distraction he could think of, convincing himself they would eventually fade. They never did. If anything, they grew stronger with each passing day. He knew exactly what would happen if Alex ever uncovered the truth, yet hiding his emotions whenever they were together was becoming an impossible task.

Thoughts of Tricia became both his greatest comfort and his cruelest torment. They followed him everywhere and slowly poisoned every relationship he tried to build. The breaking point with Ada came the night he had carelessly whispered Tricia's name in the throes of passion. Months had passed since then, yet Ada still couldn't forgive the humiliation.

But Ada's forgiveness was the least of his worries. What frightened him most was realizing he had begun to lose interest in every other woman. He had gone out of his way to meet new women, hoping one of them would finally erase Tricia from his mind. Instead, every conversation ended the same way. No matter how beautiful, witty or affectionate they were, none of them were her. He always walked away feeling emptier than before.

Cursing under his breath, David emptied the last of the wine and hastily refilled the glass. The liquor scorched its way down his throat, doing nothing to quench the fire raging inside him. Instead, it only fed the inferno. His jaw tightened as he closed his eyes. He knew where this night was headed, just as he had known so many nights before. With a weary sigh, his hand moved to the zipper of his trousers.

CONTINUE