"How dare he?" I gnarled.

"Abegi shut up! What do you mean by that?" My mom slapped my arm, pinched my wrist and took the receipt from me. "That Prince looks genuine. I'm sure he likes you but you are rejecting him".

"Ah!" I gasped and stared at my mom.

"You can leave. Thank you!" She said to the nurse. The nurse nodded and left our midst.

"Mummy, I'm not like that. He's just a friend oo....So how dare he do that?" I barked.

"Can't your friend help you?" She hissed. "No wonder the doctors and nurses were willing to do the operation. They were paid well. God bless that Prince!"

"Mum?" I stared in disbelief.

"Your father's life is important!" she replied in a heartbeat. "Get a husband but this my stronghead daughter will not".

I rolled my eyes.

"Hey, look at me!" She placed both hands on her hip. "Prince is husband material. From the way he looks at you, he truly cares. Don't miss this chance oo. Get him to yourself. He is even handsome sef. My grandchildren go fine die!"

"Ah! Mummy? What are you saying?"

"Your dad wants a grandchild. He wants to see his daughter married. You are not getting young oo!"

"Mummy!" I growled.

"Don't mummy me! Mtcheww! God bless that Prince. I even like him sef. He is so caring," she continued to sing Prince's praise.

I growled and kept a good distance between us. "Blah! Blah! I'm not listening mom".

"This child sef!" My mom hissed and went back to the bench.

A few hours later, the operation was done and a nurse announced to us that they had successfully treated my dad's leg. They also said he was showing signs of consciousness. We then agreed to give my dad an hour to rest hoping he would wake up soon.

My mum sang praises to God in the hallway while I sat staring at my phone. I know deep down in me that I should tell Prince about the successful operation but I was indecisive. Calling Prince was a wise to thing to do and it would show that I appreciate his effort to help my family.

After some minutes of pondering, I decided to call him. I picked my phone but before I could dial, a nurse caught my attention.

"Good afternoon ma!" she greeted me. "Are you Miss Anita Tosin?"

"The surgeon wants to see you. It's related to your dad's health

I nodded and followed the nurse. She opened an office for me. I walked in. She peered in and announced, "Sir, she's here". And then she left the office.

The man who had his attention on a book quickly snapped his head at my direction. Our eyes met and I gulped.

"Um..." he cleared his throat. "Your dad will be alright but here is the list of the drugs he needs. Get it in the chemist downstairs. I was told you have paid for the drugs before hand".

Prince paid! Not me.

"Yeah!"

"These are the drugs!" he extended his hand with a sheet of paper in it.

"Thank you!" I said tersely. But what I didn't expect was for him to seize my hand. He caged my hand between his two palms and stared into my eyes.

"Do you remember me? I know you do. I am so happy. I've missed you, Anita my love!"

Did he just dare to add my love to my name?

"Is this all?" I asked nonchalantly staring at the drug prescription.

"Yes!"

"I'll leave now!" I pulled my hand from his. I took large strides to the door but this young man was quick. He held my arm and with his other hand, shut the door with its key. I spun around and glared at him.

"I can't watch you walk away. I've been searching for you, Anita. You remember me? Mr. Steven?" he said with pleading eyes.

I looked him up and down. "There is something people say and that's forget your past. You are in my past therefore you are forgotten. Goodbye!"

He slightly pushed me to the door and he caged me with both hands against the door.

"Ah!" I exclaimed. "Move! What's wrong with you?"

"I am so sorry for all I did to you. I didn't mean to lose contact with you. I changed my number and my email address. I have been searching for you!" he fell to his knees and held my legs.

"Are you crazy?" I yelled.

"Yes! I am crazy for you. I'm crazy without you!"

"If you like kiss my feet, lick the floor or chew nail....," I eyed him. "It doesn't change anything. You are still in my past".

"Anita, please hear me out!"

"Ah? Have you forgotten you shut me out of your life?" I asked with a dramatic gesture to portray my point. My hands flung to the air before I placed them on my waist. "I need to leave. My mother will be waiting for me".

"Can I at least have your number?"

"Mttttcccchhhhhheeeewwww!" I stretched and made attempt to open the door but he stopped me. "I am not afraid to scream rapist!"

His brows went up at once. He studied my expression. I'm sure he could tell that I meant every word. He gently opened the door and made way for me to go out.

"Seeing you just rekindled my love," he whispered.

I heard but walked away...cos I don't give a shit. He isn't the first to tell me he loves me. Guys say it daily to me. That's how funny my life is. I've got a lot of guys proclaiming fake love to me when What I truly wish to have is true love.

The moment I left the office, the next thing on my mind was to see my dad. I climbed the stairs, jogged through the hallway and arrived at his ward. Through the glass at the door, I sighted my dad and mom talking. I didn't even know when I screamed and ran in.

I wrapped my arms around my dad and embraced him tight. "I love you so much, daddy! I am so happy to see you. How do you feel? Are you hungry? Do you want to go home or are you thirsty? Do you want to call Naomi? I have call card oo!" I rapped the words out in a heartbeat.

My dad patted my back and whispered,"I am alright".

"You don't sound alright?" I panicked.

"You are hugging me too tight!" he whispered and coughed.

"Oh! I am so sorry," I released him and smiled. "How do you feel now?"

"Much better!" he chuckled. "When will I be discharged?"

"Tomorrow!" I replied with great joy in my heart.

"I want to eat pounded yam and ewedu soup tomorrow," my dad suddenly announced. His eyes were on my mom, watching her every move.

Mum just sent a toothy smile and replied, "I know na! You and food are paddy. I will buy the ingredients tonight. No worries. Your food go sweet die".

"My correct wife," dad rejoiced and mom came to embrace him before going back to the plastic chair she was sitting on.

"How is work, my daughter?" My father asked.

I rolled my eyes and shrugged.

"What happened?"

I was framed for something I didn't do. That doctor eh....na God go punish am. Just because I refused to sell my body to him.

"Talk! What happened?" he insisted.

"Nothing oo! Don't worry. As soon as you are discharged, I will resume my work," I replied.

"Ah! You can go today na. I am fine. Your mom and I can take care of ourselves," he responded.

I pursed my lips and stared at them. "Oh really?" I said with a note of sarcasm.

"Ah! Yes of course. Do we look like babies in your eyes? Just because we are old, doesn't mean we cannot take care of ourselves," Dad barked.

"Daddy, cool your blood," I chuckled. "I want to spend some time with you. I will go back to my place tomorrow".

"No oo! I don't want that," he exclaimed.

"Let her stay na," my mom voiced. "She wants to be with her family. Is that bad?"

"But..."

She cut dad short, "My dear, stay iye! I will put extra meat in your soup tomorrow".

"Best mummy in the whole world," I hailed and gave her a side-hug.

"We'll call Naomi Tomorrow when your dad is discharged. I don't want her to worry too much," my mom sighed.

"She can worry for African!" I chuckled. "Don't worry! We won't tell her much about what happened".

"Alright!" Mum nodded.

I left my parents to talk and went to the nearest shop. I was just craving for yogurt. I don't even know why. I bought a chilled bottle of yogurt for myself and started my walk back to the hospital. My phone rang and an unknown number was at display on my phone screen.

"Hello," I voiced when I accepted the call.

"Hello," a familiar voice replied.

"How did you get my number?"

"It doesn't matter. Can we meet up tomorrow?"

"Get the hell out of my life!" I screamed and cut the call.

Steven didn't give up and called me five more times which I obviously didn't pick. My phone rang again and I picked it with the intention to yell my hearts out because I had just received a message from him saying he loves me.

"Hello Steven," I began as soon as I placed that phone to my ear. "Love kill you there. Who are you saying you love? E me ke? Don't even dare say those words with that filthy mouth of yours. You don't love me. And even if you do, I don't give a damn. Never call my number. Like I am so serious right now, never call my number. When you see me, run away. You hear me? Run away. You are in my past and you will remain there". I screamed every last words and it drew the attention of every stranger around me.

When I didn't hear any voice from the other end, I said with a cracked voice, "Goodbye!"

Yeah! My voice wanted to fail me but who cares! I have said my goodbye and that's all that matters.

"Angel, if you want to pick a call, try to check the caller ID. Please! I don't want my eardrums to burst"

I pulled my phone from my ear and stared at it.

"Prince?" I whispered breathlessly. So I just wasted my saliva when it was even Prince that's on the line.

"Good day to you!" He said professionally. "Before you yell at me to get out of your life, I want to say that I know you don't need me. I just called to ask about your dad's health".

"When did I say I don't need you?" I asked all of a sudden.

"It doesn't matter. I know you don't consider me as a friend. How is your father?"

I opened my yogurt and sipped from it. "When did I say we are not friends?"

A car honked and that's when I realized I almost walked into the middle of the road. I quickly went to the safest place for me as a pedestrian to move but a crazy motorist decided to use there as road.

"You no dey see? Madam leave road na!" the motorist (Okada man) yelled at me at the top of his lungs.

"Ode! Is this road in your eyes?" I roared and the man quickly drove out of my side. "No na! Come and fight me. Idiot!"

"Where are you heading to?" Prince asked.

"To the hospital!"

"I'll call you when you get there. I don't want you to have any car accident. Bye!" he said and ended the call.

I frowned.

I don't like this Prince sef! He is too caring for my liking. I just don't like the feeling I get when he cares about me. I don't like it at all.

When I got to the hospital, I called him and he picked at the first ring.

"So how's your dad?" He asked.

"You won't ask about me? It's not like my dad knows you," I hissed.

No oo! Who is saying that I am jealous! I'm not oo. I am serious na. I'm not jealous.

"How does it concern you?"

"Idiot! He is my father," I rolled my eyes and sat on the nearest bench in the hall.

"See! I am a busy man. I know you don't cherish the time I spare for you but it's alright. I just want to know how your dad is doing. Is that so much to ask or you just want me completely out of your life? Just tell me and I will leave for good. The contract can be dissolved".

"Shut up!" I whispered. My voice came out too low that I started to question my body.

Why does it do things without my permission and why do I feel hurt?

"Alright! I will shut up. Goodbye," he said and ended the call.

"Aargh! It's the audacity for me!" I yelled like a mad woman and quickly went online to do a voice call with him. He ignored the call at first but picked the second time I called.

"I am a busy person," was his first words. "As you can see, I am in my office". He moved the phone so I could get a good look at his environment.

Instead of my eyes to behave and look at the office, I was staring at him. He looked smoky hot in the pink suit he was slaying.

"Take a picture. It will last longer," he chuckled.

What I did next shocked me. I literally smiled. My whole thirty-two teeth in full display.

OMO! My whole being dey betray my mind oo.

You might not understand but I have grown to work with my mind and not my heart. I don't understand why my body is not corresponding.

I stared at him and he stared back at me. "You look hot!" I said after the brief silence.

"You can only see my face and my upper body so why such conclusion?" he asked with an eye roll.

"It's the audacity for me!" I said with a dramatic cry. "See how you get mind cut my call now you are rolling your eyes. Thunder fire you there!"

"I am a busy man!"

"How many times will you repeat that?" I snarled.

"Till you understand that I am a busy man!"

"I get you are a busy man. Did I say I don't know?"

This guy is getting on my nerves.

"I know we aren't friends so why should I waste my time talking to you?"

I was rendered speechless. He just sat silent staring at me.

"Did you just say waste?" I questioned.

He looked away and I felt hurt.

"Okay! Sure. No problem! Goodbye. Can you cancel my name on the contract? I'm sure you can. Goodbye," I said with a voice soaked with venom.

"Wait!" he sighed. I didn't even look at my phone. I had averted my gaze to the nurses around me. "Why are you treating me like this?"

I stood up and moved to the window. "How am I treating you?  See! You are a busy man. Let's end the talk here and go our separate ways".

"Anita," his voice called out and it sent shiver down my spine.

"What?" I snapped, angry that his voice could affect me.

Could I be falling for him?

I glanced at his face and scoffed.

Nope! I don't feel a thing for him.

"You know you are my angel, right?" he asked and all I could do was to raise a brow.

"When?"

"The very day we bumped into each other at your apartment but most of all, when you decided to help me out with my stupid forced marriage. I know why I call you angel and that's because you've been playing a role of an angel to me. No wonder your parents gave you that English name. What I don't get is why you don't see me as a friend. Like I want to be a true friend but it turns out I mean nothing to you," he stated all these and I could hear the tone of his voice. He was hurt which was weird for me.

"Am an angel to you?" I asked, my jaw dropping.

Yeah! It's shocking how that's all that rang in my head. But it's just had to believe I am an angel to someone that isn't my patient. Only my patients in the hospital that describe me as an angel. Other than them, I'm like an action lady with a bitchy attitude to the general world around me.

"Yes, you are! I couldn't even eat today because my angel wasn't around to insist I eat lunch. My workaholic life hasn't change," he chuckled but he wasn't too happy. "But it seems we are not friends. I don't even know why you signed my stupid contract".

"Prince, can you stop being an idiot!" I rolled my eyes. "We are friends. It's only a good friend that will consider that her friend has an important meeting". I smirked after saying that.

He paused and then, his eyes went round. "Oh!"

"Yeah! Now tell me thank you and send my share of the money you made in your meeting!" My smile widened when I saw the joy in his eyes.

"What kind of girl are you sef?" he grumbled.

"The best kind!" I chuckled.

"So we are friends?" he asked.

"Yeah! Or you want to be more?" I teased and wiggled my brows.

He rolled his eyes.

"No respect!" I whined. "Great Anita is talking to you and you are being a sassypant".

His laughter roared in his office. "Did you just call me sassypants? A whole businessman like me?"

"Yes! A whole CEO!"

There was a knock on his do and he quickly signalled to the person at the door. He turned his attention to his door and typed on his laptop. "It looks like I've got things to do!"

"Oh! Business again?"

"Yeah!"

"Have you eaten?"

"Nope! I will eat later!"

"Your later means next hundred years! Better eat oo"

He chuckled, "I'm hungry though but no time to eat!"

"What kind of workaholic are you? You want to starve to death abi?"

"Nope! I will eat later!" he chuckled.

That's when I remembered I left my yogurt on the bench. I strolled back to the bench and picked up my drink.

"Prince, see!" I wiggled my yogurt. "I will not give you".

"I don't want," he burst into laughter.

"See!" I drank from it and licked my lips.

He smirked.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I asked and drank again.

"Monkey!"

The yogurt spilled on me as I laughed and I narrowed my eyes to slits. "Who are you calling monkey?" I growled and began to lick my lips and my fingers that the yogurt touched.

He didn't reply.

"Who are you calling...." I paused when I saw him staring at me intently. "Am I a movie to you?"

"Yes! I just want to spend my life watching you, baby!" he said in a heart beat and burst into a boisterous laughter.

My heart squeezed when he called me baby. I could feel tingles at different part of me and all my mind could think of was to glare at him.

"Can I ask you something?" he asked and batted his lashes.

"What?" I rolled my eyes.

"Who's Steven?"

Bam! Bam! Bam!

It was only my heart beat I could hear in the silence.

       -------------------------------

Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed it? What was the interesting part of this chapter to you?

It actually took me long to update this cos like for real, I don't have any free time oo. Everywhere just dey choke😭😭
            But if you had noticed, this chapter is long so I hope you truly enjoyed it😘😘😘

Thanks for reading.

What do you think of Anita being Prince's angel?

If you were in Anita's shoes, what will you do about Steven?

Should she tell Prince about Steven?

Vote and comment. Once again, thanks for reading❤🤗

That's right,
Itz Mabel.