"Naomi," Freddy called my name and leaned on the aluminum rail at the balcony.

I glanced at him. Stunned to hear him call my name and by the smooth richness of his voice. Softly I asked, "Yeah?"

His brows furrowed and he inquired, "You said we knew each other and that we attended the same highschool. Is that true?"

"Yes," I replied.

"In Nigeria?"

"Yes!"

His forehead creased and a confused look settled on his features. "What relationship did we have?"

I paused and pondered on his question. Should I tell him that I was his girlfriend? No! It might scare him away. I'll just tell him that we were friends. We can start from there. I rose my head and my eyes met his. "We were friends!"

"Friends? How close?"

"Very close! We hang out both in school and after school. We spent a lot of time together. That's how close we were," I replied and smiled. "Don't you remember?"

I just want to hear his reply. Doesn't he remember any single thing from his past?

He pressed his lips into a thin line and stayed quiet. After a while, he added, "I don't remember anything from my past. Weren't you there when I had an asthmatic attack while climbing the school stairs?"

I opened my mouth and shut it immediately.

He doesn't remember that Kate was the one who pushed him.

"I was there!" I responded.

"My mom told me the accident happened in school. I was in coma for two years before I woke up"

"You were really in a coma?" I asked, my mouth slightly opened in shock.

He sighed, "Yes. I was in a coma and when I woke up, I lost all my memories".

"All these happened to you?" I asked through gritted teeth. All these happened to Freddy because of that wicked Kate. I shook my head in disappointment. "I wish I was there with you. I lost contact with your mother when you went to America. I called everyday but it never went through. After eight years, I am glad to see you".

"Really?" He rose a brow. "When we met in your friend's wedding, you didn't seem so happy to see me".

"Huh? How can you say that? I was happy"

"Nah! You were rude"

"That's because you spoilt my mood and you were teasing me. You called me a waitress, remember? You just brought out the fiesty me".

"But we haven't seen for years? A real friend will be extremely happy and would treat me like a king," he responded with a mischievous smirk on his face.

"Pfft!" I huffed and rolled my eyes. "I was just trying to act mature and cool. Do you really want to see my reaction when I realized you were the Freddy I have been looking for...for...for eight good years?"

He got curious and an amused smile slipped to his face. "How is your real reaction?"

I rose to my feet since I was sitting on the bench. I smiled. This smile was a big grin on my face. The one that represented the happy state of my heart. After so long, I get to see his lovely face again. I get to mingle with him. I even got so lucky that I'll act a movie with him, Freddy. My one true love! My reaction to this will be a crazy one and I wanted him to see it. So I began to hop around, screaming with joy. I burst into a hearty laughter and hugged him. I leaned away and screamed, "I am so happy!" I even went to the bench and hopped on it.

Freddy just stared at me with a look of disbelief. I stopped hopping on the bench and got down. I stared into his eyes and slowly made my way to him. When I was close, I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him into a hug. I felt his hands rest on my waist and my eyes stung because of the tears that were fighting to be let out. I placed my head on his chest and shut my eyes. I took in a deep breathe and leaned away.

I really missed hugging him.

I stared at the ground trying to keep my tears at bay but nope...my tear just had to roll down my cheek.

It is actually tears of joy and not sorrow.

I turned around so that my back is facing Freddy and quickly wiped the tears but it didn't stop. Instead more gushed out. I felt Freddy's presence beside me and I glanced at him. He handed me his handkerchief and said, "Don't cry! I'm already here now!"

I sent a weak smile at him and wiped the silly tears that won't stop trickling down my cheek. "Don't look at me. I don't want you to see me crying!" I joked and faced another direction.

Freddy laughed and moved right to my front. He lifted my chin and my eyes met his. In his eyes, it was obvious he didn't feel happy seeing me cry. I slapped his hand lightly and glared at him with my watery eyes. "I said don't look!" I whined and turned away.

He chuckled and came to my front again. He lifted my chin and this time, he wiped the little tears on my cheek with his thumb. "There is no need to cry. I know I'm awesome but still don't cry".

I rolled my eyes. "Awesome, my foot!"

"Hey, don't deny that. I'm pretty sure I was an amazing guy in highschool that's why you missed me so much," he smirked and winked at me. His hand brushed my cheek before he dropped it to his side.

"Nah! I was the amazing one in our friendship. Without me, you were always bored," I said and stuck my tongue at me.

"Really mature!" he teased me.

I scrunched my face and lightly punched his shoulder.

"Can we still be friends?" he asked me.

I rose a brow. "You still want to be friends with me?"

"Yeah! I know I can't remember everything that happened back then but since I chose you as a friend, I'm sure I had a reason and I still want to be your friend. You seem like an interesting person".

I smirked. "Did you just call me interesting?"

"Yeah! I just called you  interesting. I didn't call you awesome. Don't be too happy!" he taunted and smirked again.

It's like he knows he looks good doing it and just keeps smirking.

"Jerk!" I shot back.

He chuckled, walked to the bench and sat down. "So...Friends?" he asked.

I smiled and nodded. "Yeah. We're friends!"

He stretched his clenched fist for me to fist bump. I literally blushed, moved towards him and bumped my fist with his.

"Nice!" he said and picked up his guitar. "Do you stay at this hotel?"

"No! I actually stay at the other one in this estate. You know, the one Mr Solomon insisted that the casts should lodge"

"Oh! Yeah! I didn't like that one so I came here"

That means Freddy has the money to afford it. For me, I don't.

"I will be leaving soon. I need to get back to my hotel," I said to him.

He placed his guitar at its case and zipped it.

"By the way, you sang beautifully. I like your voice," I commented.

"Thanks!"

"Do you want to be a singer?"

"Yep! I want to release an album but for now, I'm finding it hard to get an inspiration. I need to write a song," he disclosed, groaned and ran his fingers down his hair in frustration.

"Give it sometime. I'm sure you will write an amazing song"

He chuckled, "Thanks!"

I stood awkwardly for a moment and decided to leave. "Goodnight!" I said and made my way to the door.

"Hey, where are you going?" he asked.

"Um...to my hotel"

"This late in the night?" he quizzed and stood up. He swung his guitar case on his shoulder and walked to me.

"Is there anything wrong with that?"

He frowned. "Do you have a car?"

"No!"

"Then how will you get there?"

"By foot!"

"Do you know what time it is?"

My eyes darted to the sky where the moon and stars were.

"Then I have to leave now!" I replied.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" he exclaimed. "It's late. You shouldn't be walking alone in the night".

I folded my arms across my chest and cocked a brow. "So what?"

He sent an innocent smile. "I'll take you there. I have my car with me!"

"If you wanted to make this offer, why did you have to be so dramatic?"

He chuckled and then, his face became serious. "It's not good to walk alone in the dark. Besides, I'm just protecting my friend!"

I couldn't help but smile. "Thanks!"

"Come on! I want to get my car key from my room"

I nodded and walked by his side as we left the balcony. We got to his room. It was larger than Erica's. His room had a mini living room and a mini kitchen. He dropped his guitar and got his car key.

"Let's go!" he said and we both left the room. As soon as we got to the hallway, Kate popped to our front.

"Hey, darling!" she said in a singsong voice and pecked his cheek. She turned to me and sent a deadly glare. "What are you doing with her?"

"She's my friend. I want to give her a ride to her hotel"

Her jaw clenched and she sneered, "But what about me? You should be with me".

"I'll be back soon"

"No, Freddy. My driver can take her to her hotel. Stay with me. A stranger beat me up in an empty room. My body still hurts. I need you beside me, Freddy".

She batted her artificial long lashes and leaned her head on his shoulder. Freddy gave her a side hug and said, "Nope! I need to take her there. See you soon". He stepped away from her and moved to my side.

A line appeared between her brows. "What? But...but...but Freddy? I'm your girlfriend"

I glanced at Freddy and to my greatest surprise, he actually rolled his eyes. "I know that!" he said. "I'll be back. Naomi is my friend. I can't allow her to walk home alone".

Freddy just rolled his eyes. That means their relationship is not strong and I can easily destroy it. Muahaha! Okay, wait! I'm not the bad guy. Kate is.

He glanced at me and smiled. I flashed a genuine smile and turned to Kate with a smug look on my face.

"Okay, Freddy. She's just a friend. I'm your girlfriend. You will leave her and come to me. That's how it will be. I will get to spend more time with you," she said, directing  her speech to me. "I win in the end".

Freddy cocked a brow and looked at her as if she had lost her senses. She chuckled, pecked his lips and walked away.

Gross! How dare she kiss him? Her lips needs to be slapped. Mtcheww!

"Come on, Naomi! Let's go"

I smiled. "Sure!"

We began walking to the elevator, side by side.

Don't worry, Kate! I'll be the one who wins in the end.

        +++++++++++++++

What do you think? I won't lie to you. When Freddy touched Naomi's cheek and wiped her tears, I ran mad. Joy! Joy! I was super happy. I really ship those two. Best characters ever! 😉😘

What do you think of NAOMI'S REACTION TO SEEING Freddy after a long time? Were you touched by it?

They are now friends. Will their relationship grow?

Did you enjoy this chapter? Vote to show your appreciation. Thanks for reading. Love y'all. Leave a comment for ya girl 😉

From your 9ja Author,
Me ____😊😎✌🏼✌🏼