I was still trying to think of an answer to Mr Handsome's question when Chijioke showed up.

"My guy, how far na?" he greeted Mr Handsome and bobbed his head in acknowledgement.

"I'm good!" Mr Handsome replied and stretched his hand for a handshake. "Happy birthday, bro! Make any demand and I will consider giving it to you as your birthday gift".

Chijioke smirked and stroked the little beard below his chin. "I like that! I will tell you soon!" His gaze went to me and his brows went up. "You are here?"

I nodded.

He glanced at me and Mr Handsome that was beside me. A mischievous smile crawled on his face. "I see you have meant my crazy friend here!" he said and pointed at me.

"Hey, I'm not crazy. You are!" I snapped.

"Yep!" Mr Handsome replied.

Chijioke spotted the glass in his hand. "And she made you drink that, right?"

"Yep!"

"I knew it! She is the reason why I also don't drink," Chijioke laughed. "Anyhow sha...Let me leave so you guys can talk". His gaze swept to me and he winked. "Just talk!"

"It's not what you think!" I sneered and narrowed my eyes at him.

"I'm not thinking anything," he shrugged and put on an innocent look. "I'll go now. Be good children!"

"Idiot!" I mumbled.

I've known Chijioke for years now. We were friends in the university. This guy is a blabber mouth and I know he will tell the girls about this.

Just as I had anticipated, I saw Titi, Chi-girl and Josie making their way to me. They had an amused smile on their face.

I felt like running away. I knew they were here to do something stupid. They stopped at my front and Chi-girl greeted, "What's up, babe?"

I ignored her and looked away.

"Hi, I'm Chi-girl" she said and I glanced at her. She was shaking Mr Handsome's hand with a wide grin. "You've met this firecracker!"

"Ah! That's your nickname not mine," I exclaimed.

She waved me off.

"My name is Titi"

Josie chuckled and added, "Mine is Josie".

"Why are you introducing yourself. Did he ask you guys for your name?" I muttered.

"You are talking to a handsome guy. Don't you want us to meet your new friend?"

"Or new boyfriend" Josie added and smiled.

I pursed my lips and glared at them.

Why are they doing this? I feel humiliated!

"Payback is a bish.." Chi-girl drawled and winked at me.

Huh? Ooo ooh! Now I understand! They are doing their revenge!

Confession! I like to disgrace my friends in front of their crushes or any guy they are interested. Sometimes I give them names like brother-in-law, Romeo, Loverboy or I tagged them as their husband.

I really am a crazy girl. Hehe! But payback is not sweet.

Mr Handsome darted his gaze to my face. He had the same amused look they had.

"Don't mind this girl. She wants you to ask her out," Josie disclosed.

I gasped and quickly denied, "It's not true oo!"

"Ah ahan! Why you dey lie?" Titi exclaimed.

"I'm not lying and you guys should leave!" I said, trying to keep my emotions in check. I don't want to yell or do anything that would make Mr Handsome have the impression that I like him because I don't. I just like the fact that he is handsome.

"Awwn!" Josie squealed. The music in the hall was low now so it was easy to hear their voices. "She wants her alone time with prince charming. That's so cute. Let's go guys. She needs her special moment with him".

My eyes rounded in dread. "That's not what I said. How are you misinterpreting my words?"

"I know you very well. I think Josie is right to say that. Let's give them some privacy. Let's go girls," Chi-girl said with her voice vibrating with joy.

They chuckled and sashayed away.

Revenge shall be mine. They should wait and see.

"You know them, don't you?" the deep timbre of his voice came my way.

There is no use denying them so...

I said comically, "Me! Abba! I don't associate with those kind of people. I've never met them in my life".

He let out a brief laughter before he sobered up. "About that question I asked....can you forget about it? Pretend I never asked," he said and walked into the crowd.

My mouth fell open as I watched him worm his way in the crowd and out the front door.

I stayed silent but my brows knitted.

Does he think he can just ask me a question and walk away? I need to answer it. I even have a solution. It might be childish but I think it can work.

I jumped down from the counter and ran after him. I got outside. The sweet smell of suya rushed into my nostril. I drew in a long tantalizing breathe and allowed my gaze to flit around. I spotted him moving to the car park. I ran to him and paused at his back. He noticed someone was moving behind him and cocked his head to see the individual.

I ignored him and kept walking. He paused and turned to me. I ignored him and walked to his front. I kept moving like I didn't see him.

When he didn't utter a word, I glanced at him. Our eyes locked for a moment before I turned my gaze to an individual that passed me.

I let out a sigh and went back to him. "I have an answer to your question. I don't know if it will work but I know that if I were in your situation. I would do that".

"What?"

"Rebel! I will disobey their instructions and get a new girlfriend. I will prove to them that I can do what I want. They don't control my life"

"But what if my mother..."

"Hey, you are an adult now. You need to make decisions on your own. They shouldn't be the ones to chose your life partner. That's a decision you alone should make"

"So what are you implying?"

"Rebel! I know they have rules that you have been following. Disobey them. Sha...not the bad ones though! Just harmless rules. Get a girlfriend and make your so-called fiance frustrated to the point she gives up"

"My mom said she will kill herself if I don't...."

"Are you naive? You said your parents are greedy. That means they love material things. They love life. So why would your mother kill herself? It's not like your family is poor, or are you?"

"Of course not! I'm a businessman who keeps his family afloat. I can proudly say I have millions of naira in my account"

My eyes popped out of their sockets. "Millions?"

"Not much! My business is going through a difficult time now," he sighed. "But I know I will get it back to shape," he added as if it to convince and give himself encouragement.

"So if you are rich, which mother will kill herself? They are not stupid. They are just using it to emotionally blackmail you. Are you that weak?"

He purses his lips and his mouth twitched. "Hey, I'm not weak. I'm just cautious. I don't want story. I need my parents to be alive. My mom watches alot of movies. What if that affects her sense of reasoning? She is a fan of Bollywood movies, especially the kind that are series"

"Mogbe!" I placed my hands dramatically on my head. "That is the source of your problem".

He chuckled, "My dad watches a lot of Nollywood movies. I think their movies are affecting them".

"You think?" I cocked a brow. "It's obvious na! You should try and stop them"

"I will!"

"Um...." I stroked my chin. "As for your father, he won't disown you. No Nigerian papa go disown better pikin! Rich one for that matter. Nah! It's not possible. I'm sure he has common sense".

He shook his head. "Your words are like fire. Surely, my father has common sense".

"Then you shouldn't fear. He won't disown you. Your parents are just giving empty threats"

"So I should rebel?"

"And get a girlfriend. That way you can get rid of the obsessed woman"

"What if she doesn't back out?"

"Then your girlfriend has to be tough and frustrating. You need your so-called fiance to run away. If she calls off the wedding, you can easily be rid of the trouble. As long as she is in support of the marriage, you won't be able to achieve much"

"I see! I like your plan. At least it's a step I can make. Should I inform my new girlfriend about my plan?"

"Yeah! She will know what to do and what not to," I replied. "You are a handsome guy. I'm sure you have women begging at your feet. A lot of them will want to have you as their boyfriend".

Except me! I'm different from all of them. I don't want you to be my boyfriend....Okay! Fine! I will stop lying. Na wa for my conscience. Why can't you allow me to lie smoothly?

"What if I don't get the right girlfri...?"

Before he could complete his words, I added, "Then come to me. I like to have drama in my life. Frustrating any person, especially an obsessed woman, will be so much fun. It will spice my boring life".

"Oh! That's good. So you will be my last resort"

"Yep! I like that idea"

"Thanks! I like your plan. I don't know if it will work but I'll do my best. At last, I can breathe well. All my problems have been choking me"

"Don't think too much. You are a young man. I'm sure you don't want a high blood pressure"

"No na!" he shook his head ferociously.

"It's time to cut the cake!" Someone announced amongst the crowd outside the hall.

We went into the hall and joined the party. After the birthday song, Mr Handsome's phone rang and he left the party in a rush.

As he strode out of yhe hall, I realized I didn't know his name nor have his phone number.

Anita, since when did you become so stupid? The guy's name can't be Mr Handsome. You need to know his real name. Chai! Where is my own common sense?

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

Hey guys, what do you think of this chapter? I hope you enjoyed it😊😊

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Itz Mabel,
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