'If you are not in love with Jason, then whatever your foolish ex boyfriend has to reveal about you should not affect you at all. Jason was not expecting you not to have had a past now, was he?'

'No. But Richard, that's the fool's name. He cooked up the story'.

'Really? Then why are you so bothered?'

'It is because the way he said it, he nearly convinced even me. He twisted the whole story to favour him'.

'You are not making much sense. Maybe you should tell me everything'.

'We met when we were still teenagers. I fell in love with him and we grew on each other or so I thought.

After high school, we started co habiting. He didn't have a job and was not really very brilliant at school and so did not want to further his studies. I wanted to,very much. I started working and enrolled part time.

He stayed home and I thought nothing of it when he would come home and say that he had gone round but couldn't find a job.

I footed his bills,bought all the clothes he wore and the food he ate. Everything he needed, I provided because I felt that he loved me just as much as I did him

My friends told me that Richard may not be the man he appeared to be and that they were suspecting some movements he was making but I wouldn't listen.

He made plans with some goons to rape one of my friends to death, Carol is her name who was particularly against his behaviour and had caught him red handed and told me.

He felt that she should not have snitched but she was rescued and is currently married to one of her rescuers.

I set a trap for him and he fell into it. He deceived gullible women and ladies with promises of everlasting love and they foolishly give him their life savings. Slaving for him while he goes about like a pimp.

I had dated my boss when I found that my wage was not enough to take care of his ever increasing demands and wants. I wanted desperately to satisfy him. I did not know he was aware of it. It took me a while to reach that decision but I did it for him but he used it against me at last and now he is saying he would tell the whole world how little virtue I have so that the women would beware of me and the men would lose their respect for me and want nothing to do with me since they would not want their images to be tarnished.

You have seen Jason, he would not want a dent on his name. Any such info about me and he would call it quits and how would I fulfill my dream of being his wife? There is enough competition as it is. I do not need that to disqualify me'.

'But someone who sincerely loves you would never mind any of the rumours whether they are true or false. How can you be happy with Jason even if he marries you when the both of you do not love each other?

If Richard had not come up with this now, it could come up in the future,then what? A divorce?'

Phoebe had not really thought that far but then he would have gained the fame she wanted and would demand a handsome alimony from Jason and be settled for life.

She said as such to Romeo, the stranger who smiled.

'Forget about Jason for a minute. What do you want to do to Richard? Ate you planning on giving him the money?'

'What else can I do though I know that he would definitely come back for more. He is that kind of person'.

Then she looked at Romeo in shock. 'And why am I revealing all these to you? You could turn out to be another Richard and double my troubled', she wailed. How could she have been so foolish in her weakness and fivulged all these things to this stranger?

'I could but I will not. Come here', he said calmly and his eyes were so sincere that Phoebe found herself calming down and moving towards him. Was he hypnotizing her? she thought before she was embraced by him.

'Would you want me to do away with Richard?'

She was shocked, though the thought was really appealing but she did not want to be responsible for the death of any one.

'No. I do not want him to die. I would not be much different from him now would I if I did that?. But I would teach him a great lesson if I could', she said.

'Then you would. I shall help you with that's, he said as he took her lips into his. He had wanted to do this since they had come in.

He just enjoyed kissing her. He wanted her for himself and did not care for Jason or Richard or whatever other names they go by.

Though he was impatient to penetrate and thrust into her,he took his time. Giving her much pleasure. Seducing her and silencing her protests though Phoebe knew that the protest was half hearted. She liked being with this Romeo stranger and his name really became him.

'Romeo', she said tasting the name on her lips and it tasted like honey to her or maybe it was his lips on her that tasted that way.

He heard her say his name in a breathless whisper and felt that she was driven by desire like he was and he felt glad.

He had never felt so good as he did now with any other girl. He always took his sexual prowess for granted.

There must be a first for everyone.

They kissed passionately till they fell on the bed.

He continued to tease her tongue. Then her breast that were now as hard as rock in her desire and dark pink as though filled with the blood that was pumping in her veins.

His tongue stroked her nipples and one hand kneaded her buttocks and caressed her thighs,moving up and down her legs and moving with delibrate slowness up towards her v- region and she moaned, as she arched her waist to accept his hands but he moved his hands away again. The dance continued for a while. He could see that her thighs were now wet with her fluid.

She could stand it no more.

'Take me. Take me now! Please I can't endure any more of this torture'.

She said twisting her waist and causing his hard length to touch her core which was overflowing with her wetness.

He groaned and thrust into her as he captured her nipples with his lips again.

Phoebe thought that she would die of pleasure.It was as though she had dissolved into many tiny pieces of liquid flame.

The pressure built up sooner than she wanted. She had wanted to prolong the whole pleasurable ordeal but Romeo was not helping matters as he continued to tease her breasts and her lips with his mouth and his hands were not idle either.

She also did not want to be out done as her hands moved round his back tracing the line of his spinal cord and holding tight to his buttocks and pressing it deeper into her as she opened her legs wider apart as though she wanted to swallow the whole of him.

He felt himself drowning in her and soon they both lost the battle to prong the pleasure as they rolled over the edge and found themselves falling into a bottomless pit of unending and unendurable pleasure.

Then the crash and the tortured breathing.

Phoebe did not want to admit it just yet but Romeo was the best lay she had ever had.And she who had just wanted a one night stand with a stranger to help her forget her frustrations was now thinking of ways to make sure he remained her lover.

Jason's feelings for Nancy kept growing though he pretended that that was not the case.E tried to see other women but found that he did not have interest in them.

He travelled alot these days to stay far from Nancy and whenever he was away, he felt like rushing back home to stay in her company.But what was the use since she had started avoiding him like he had the plague. She no longer took her meals with him. She was still very efficient at the office and performed her duties. He had no complaints in that department but she no longer spared any time to stay with him during meals like they used to.

If he asked, she would say that she had had her meal and if he asked her to keep him company while he ate, she would yawn and say how tired she was and he could not do anything about that because of her condition. But he knew it was just a ploy to stay away from him. He felt bad that she no longer cared for his company while he was busy pinning for her and felt worse that she might not trust him anymore and why should she considering how shamelessly he had acted with her on two occasions.

In all these, he had forgotten that it had been quite a while since he last saw Phoebe.

It was her voice, he heard coming from the doorway that reminded him of her.

'Jason, how could you be this mean? You haven't seen me for quite a while and you have not bothered to find out the reason? Are you so unconcerned about me that you would not even bait an eyelid if I died?'

'You cannot die, Phoebe. You are a very strong girl. I realise that you might be busy with some things or people and considering that I do not have sole right over you as per our arrangement, I decided not to disturb you'.

'That might be so but it still hurt that you did not care enough to know what was happening to me', she whined.

Her winning was irritating Jason but he was too good natured to allow it show.

'I am sorry. How have you been? There really isn't any need asking that of you. You are looking so good and younger than when I last saw you. You must have gone on a vacation with someone and had a great time'. he said as he looked at her without interest.

It was true. Phoebe was really looking good. Glowing was the word and she acted like she knew that.

'I forgive you. But I need a favour of you', she said coyly after seating and nestling close to him.

'And what is that?' he asked trying his utmost not to shrug away from her. He could not believe that he was rejecting such a beautiful woman who was throwing herself at him this way.

'I would like you lend me a sum of $4m. I need it for a business I want to set up. As soon as I start making profits, I will definitely give the capital back to you'.

Jason was surprised that she had mentioned that and that sum as well. It was not that it was too much for him but she had not asked for money directly from him that way before.

'Are you in any kind of trouble?'

'No, Silly. I just want to venture into the fashion business and I need more than that as a matter of fact but I could get the others else where is f you would help me with the amount I just asked'.

Jason still hesitated.

'Well, if you think that I shall reimburse you, then there is no need thinking too much about it. Just forget it. I shall find another way of raising all the money I need', she said feigning disappointment.

'Oh no. I normally do not give out money that way without any legal party being involved. I mean afterall, I am a business man but I am happy that you are venturing into business. So I shall give you the money without any lawyer being involved'.

Phoebe was happy but no really very happy because she was getting the money not for herself but for someone who didn't deserve it.

Romeo had decided that she raised the money so that they could use it to trap Richard and bring about his downfall.

She planned to ask for money from her other lovers as well. Richard had actually given her an idea about how to get money from these men.

With Romeo's help, she was sure that she would soon get rid of Richard for good.

Not really kill him because she wouldn't want his blood on her hands but to deal severely with him so that he would never again molest another girl in his entire life.

'You will have to come tomorrow evening for the cheque. I really had a hard day at work today and I would love to be alone, if you do not mind'.Jason said standing and walking upstairs in a dismissal matter that broached no argument.

Phoebe was not angry. In fact she had wondered how she would get the money without having to spend the night with Jason and had been racking her mind for the suitable excuse to give him but there was no need for that as it turned out.

She walked out happily because she had achieved what she had gone to the Campbell's mansion to achieve. It might be a little victorybbit it was a victory all the same.

She was looking forward to another steamy night with Romeo.

She was surprised that she still had not told him her name. She would have to remedy that when he came in that night, she promised herself.

She waited and waited but Romeo did not come. She slept where she was waiting and the next day, she found out that he had not made an entrance at all all through the night.

'What could have happened? I hope he has not chosen this time to walk out on me! Not when we have not dealt with Richard yet'. She thought to herself.

She got ready for the day's activity with the hope that he would come in that night but surprisingly, when she came from collecting the cheque from Jason, he was still not in her house.

She lost hope of seeing him again and he had not really told her of what he planned or how he had planned to deal with Richard.

Now she would have to cook up a plan herself. The day she was to give Richard the money was fast approaching.

He had called two days after his ultimatum and she had asked for more time as Romeo had directed her and Richard had grudgingly extended it to a week. Just three days more.

And Romeo was no where to be seen.

She cursed her luck.

While Phoebe was busy cursing her luck and plotting against Richard, he appeared on her doorstep.

Phoebe heard a movement and was filled with joy. She did not want to analyze the reason for the overflowing joy that she felt at the thought of the person at the door which was most definitely Romeo. She only knew that she had missed him terribly.

The thought of him and the night ahead was already making her dripping wet as she rushed to the door.

She opened the door with a wide smile of welcome but the smile froze as she saw who the august visitor was.

'You!'

'Yes me!' he said smiling devilishly and pushing his way into the apartment.

Phoebe was too shocked to do anything but to make way for him inadvertently.

Then she walked in behind him like someone in a trance.

Richard grabbed her and pulled her roughly towards him. He crushed his lips to hers.Phoebe was still numb. She had assumed that it was Romeo but now it was as though she was riving her worst nightmare.

She felt she had to snap out of the shock numbing her bones.'She pushed with all her strength and Richard who had not been expecting the push nor the force with which it was executed, was thrown back and hit his head on a furniture.

He was furious. Who was this whore to push him off that way?

He stood up and tasting blood on his lips, he charged towards her and crushing his lips to hers once more kissed her savagely.

Phoebe tasted his blood and felt nauseated. He bit her tongue in the kiss and she tasted fresh blood and knew it was hers. She did not like the mingling of both their blood. It was almost as though it was a pact of some sort and she did not want to get into any pact with him.

She might be reluctant to kill him but she definitely wanted to maim him for what he was doing to her right now.

He tote her clothes.

'What now? Are you scared? You shouldn't be. You have always wanted to be screwed. You left from speaking to me the other day and a nonentity was waiting to guck your brains out but you had refused me. Behaving as though my touch disgusted you and acting all prim and proper but a homeless thug has been doing you.

I am doing you a favour. I have noticed that he has not been on for sometime now. You must be very horny waiting for him to come and bang you but no need for that for I am here now and you know that I am worth my mantle. I am a better man in all ramification that he ever will be. You really disgusts me with your choices.

I was impressed by Jason and some of the other ones but this riffraff? You disappoint me'.

'Romeo is a better man than the ten of you put together'. Phoebe snapped, enraged.

'So that's his name? Suits him admirably but that is the only admirable thing about him. And don't over exert yourself,you will need it when I thrust my sugar stick into you. I like my women being wild cats under me, crawling and scratching and being wild'.

Phoebe opened her eyes in shock. Was Richard planning on raping her? Had he really gone from worse to worst this way? Could he really stoop so low as to rape her?

'You wouldn't! she said, her eyes wide with shocked disbelief and fright.

'I already did! he said pushing her to the bed and fumbling with his zipper.

Phoebe shut her eyes. Fighting him off but not making any impact. She didn't know that Richard was as heavy and strong as this.

She had resigned herself to her fate when all of a sudden, she felt the weight lifted off her.

She thought he must have stood to remove his pants but when she heard a crush, she opened one eye, praying it was not a vessel he had broken to stab her with.

But she was surprised to find Romeo looking down on a fallen Richard.

Richard was lying sprawled on the floor. blood oozing from a cut on his fore head.

He had been taken unawares.

He raised himself with difficulty and seeing who it was, smiled.

'You? You have finally come back to continue screwing her where you left off. I thought I would assist you, you know?'

Romeo, hit him in his face with as much force as the fury that must have been coarsing through his veins.

'Is she really worth it? Are you planning on losing your life?' Richard asked, getting up and going after Romeo.

A fierce fight ensued.

Phoebe prayed that Richard would not kill Romeo but she needn't have bothered because it was the other way round.

Romeo gave Richard the beating of his life. He beat him to an inch of his life. And would have continued had Phoebe not begged him to let him go. Some neighbours had come and we're knocking, wanting to find out what the problem was.

Phoebe dispatched them yelling them it was nothing and that they should mind their own business.

'It is our own business we are minding. This is evening and we couldn't get a good night rest because of the rackus you are making here and you feel we have no right to know the reason for it?'

one of them asked.

'I am sorry. I am stressed as a matter of fact. But it is no problem just an imbecile who roke into my apartment and wanted to rape me but for the timely intervention of a friend of mine who came visiting at just the right time and stopped him'.

'Really? Hope he gave the fool the beating of his life or does he need a hand with it?'

'He did well by himself. I had to stop him from killing him'.

'Then the police has to know about it. He should be arrested!' they said in a matter of fact manner.

It had not occured to Phoebe. She had just been overwhelmed by all that had happened.

She quickly called the cops that came but before they came.

Romeo had used the opportunity to threaten Richard.

'In case you do not not or are not aware of it,she is my woman and if you want to touch her,you will have me to deal with first. This is just a warning. If you come within an inch of her next time,you will not live to tell the tale and damn the consequences.

I am also aware of your blackmail and ultimatum. You'd better forget about it because If you continue with that, you are a goner.

She will raise no such money for you or anyone and don't ever contact her again, else it will be the last contact you make with any one. Have I made myself clear?' Romeo said pulling his ears.

Richard looked at the young man and was scared for the first time in his life at the cold threat in his eyes. He didn't think that the money or even Phoebe was worth crossing this man. Where had she got this man for goodness sake.

He looked down in shame.

'That's better! I am glad we have an understanding.

The police came and some of the neighbours gave their statements as well as Phoebe and Romeo and he was arrested.

How he would get bailed out and what his next plan would be was what Phoebe didn't know but she knew that Richard would not take this humiliating defeat lying low. He was too much of a villain to take this in his stride. He would definitely plot his revenge.

When she shared her misgivings with Romeo, he assured her.

'Right now, he is scared out of his wits. Such bullies are actually cowards. He will not want to come near you at least for now until he has fully recovered from his injuries and if he has a death wish and tries anything funny again, I shall be waiting for him'.

'But where did you go to?'

'I went to make plans with some of my guys on how to permanently deal with him but he solved it for us by coming to you the way he did.

But the guys are there waiting for my call anytime. So do not be so bothered.

They left the living room to be clean up the next day.

He led her into the bedroom, 'Get some rest. It's been a long day and you need to sleep it off. You will be better in the morning.

Phoebe was grateful for his understanding. She didn't think that she was up to any intimacy after the scare she just got.

'Phoebe', she said.

'What?' he asked, not getting it but thinking that the ordeal she had just suffered must have affected her more than they all had realised.

'My name is Phoebe. Phoebe Walkman', she said drowsily.

He smiled. That was a step in the right direction. He just felt protective towards her and he had to admit that he liked her alot.

She lay and slept but her sleep was disturbed by nightmares of men in mask,coming to ravish her and she woke screaming but Romeo was there to give her solace and they eventually made love in the wee hours of the morning and it was just delicious.

She slept peacefully after that and when she eventually woke,everywhere was already tidied up and a mug of steaming coffee was awaiting her.

'Romeo will spoil me', she thought smiling happily as she drank her delicious coffee.