#JUST_BEST_FRIENDS

Author: Sam Freddy

CHAPTER 28: INDECISION.

—
—
—

Slowly, Candice's eyes opened and the first person she saw was a stranger sitting beside her, before spotting Yomi on the other side of the bed, sitting next to her as well.

She noticed that there was a medical drip connected to her left arm, which she found somewhat awkward.

“She's awake.”

Yomi heard the nurse and looked at Candice at once. “Goodness! At last!”

Candice coughed, confused. “What happened?” She asked, feeling light-headed.

“You fainted.” Yomi got up, stroking Candice's forehead. “God, you have no idea how happy I am to see you talking. How do you feel?”

“A little weird.” Candice tried to sit up. “Ouch!”

“Sorry.” The nurse said, patting Candice's shoulder. “Just lay low. You need to rest.”

Candice nodded obediently, as Yomi helped in laying her back down.

“What exactly did you just feel, ma?”

“A sharp pain in my head.” Candice said to the nurse. “It was swift and sudden like hell.”

The nurse nodded, mentally dissecting Candice's reply. “That's normal, considering the fact that you slammed your head to the floor earlier.”

“Darn.” Candice muttered. “I don't even understand what's going on right now.”

Yomi sighed. “Well, Candice, this is Nurse Titi. She works in a nearby clinic.”

“And I'm Yomi's neighbor.” Nurse Titi interrupted Yomi. “Apparently, you passed out, Miss Candice, and Yomi here was freaking out so much, thinking you were dead. Fortunately for him, or for you both rather, I happened to hear the noise he was making while trying to revive you, so I jumped in and saved the day. That's pretty much it.”

“Wow.” Candice breathed, holding her head with one hand. “Thanks.”

“You're welcome.” Nurse Titi said, getting up from the bed. “I know you're having a headache right now, yeah?”

“Yes.”

“Heavy or light?”

“It's a slight headache.” Candice replied. “I feel sick.”

“Ehya.” Nurse Titi empathized with Candice. “Personally, I think you're just stressed out, Miss Candice.” She placed her hand on Candice's forehead, smiling. “But we can't make assumptions anyhow. I suggest you go to a hospital for a check-up, as soon as you can.”

“Yes, I agree.” Yomi nodded. “This is the second time you've experienced that weird cough you once told me about in my presence. I think we need to a see a doctor.”

“Yeah, I guess.” Candice shut her eyes tightly. “Man, this headache is killing me.”

“Sorry, miss.” Nurse Titi comforted her. “How about we go to my clinic right away? I need to give you a proper treatment.”

“Nah, that's not necessary.” Candice opened her eyes, wagging her head slowly. “You've done enough for me. Thank you.”

“Seriously, I don't mind.” Nurse Titi insisted. “Let's go.”

“Look, ma, I really appreciate your concern,” Candice said, “but that's not really necessary right now. I'll be fine. Don't worry.”

“Hmm. Okay.” The nurse nodded, checking the medical drip on Yomi's hanger. “I've already prescribed some drugs for you to Yomi. He'll get them for you soon. Okay?”

Candice nodded, managing a smile. “Okay.”

“Just be good, okay?” Nurse Titi added. “And if you need my help, do not hesitate to ring me up. Yomi has my number.”

“Sure. Thanks.”

“Yeah.” Nurse Titi turned around to leave. “Goodbye, Candice.”

“Bye.” Candice said, waving at her. “Take care, ma.”

“Will do.”

Yomi heaved a sigh of relief immediately Nurse Titi left. “Thank God.”

Candice looked at Yomi, who was still standing, looking partially restless. “I'm surprised you still care about me this much.”

Yomi stayed mute, caressing her hair.

“After what happened earlier, I thought you'd be happy if I had died.” Candice confessed, swallowing hard. “I don't deserve your love, Yomi. I truly don't.”

Yomi kept his lips zipped, listening keenly.

“Babe, I really don't know what else to say.” Candice went on, her eyes welling up with tears. “But I just want you to know that I'm very sorry about everything, even though you don't want to talk to me.”

Emotion started welling up inside Yomi. “Candice, let's save this talk for later,” he said, breathing heavily, still nursing the wound that Candice had left on his heart. “Like Nurse Titi said, you have to rest. Do just that.”

That settled, Yomi left the house after saying, “Let me go get you some food and your drugs. I'll be back in no time.”

Hardly had Yomi left when Candice spotted his phone on the bedstead. She took it and unlocked it to play some games, but something suddenly crossed her mind.

Who could've sent those pictures to Yomi? Was it someone she knew, or a total stranger who despised her? Or was someone stalking her?

Amid these thoughts, Candice sighted five missed calls and two text messages on Yomi's notification panel—all from Idara—and that was when she realized that the phone was on silent mode all along. Why exactly would Yomi mute his phone? Well, Candice really didn't know why, but one thing she really wanted to know was what Idara's messages were all about.

“Yomee why aren't u picking my calls na? I've called u twice.” Candice started with the first message. “Anyway, I just got 2 ur shop and found out you ain't here. Ur employees said you left early, but I've dropped your new SIM card with them sha. Hope u're good?”

Candice scoffed, before reading the second message.

“Guy, u still ain't picking my calls. Don't tell me you're still angry about our little kiss last night, are u? Just wanted to let you know I've gotten home sha.”

“Little kiss?” Candice's eyes widened, as she sat up. “What the-”

Someone suddenly barged into the house. “Oh, snap! I forgot my phone.”

The bewildered look that Yomi received from Candice spoke volumes without any word from her. “Candice, is everything okay?”

Now, it was Candice's turn to do the interrogation. “Here's your phone,” she gritted her teeth, raising the phone up. “Come and take it and explain what that text means to me, Yomi.”

“What text?” Yomi went to meet her, confused. It wasn't until he collected his phone and read Idara's texts that he got the entire drill. “Damn.”

“Yeah, damn.” Candice's glare on Yomi was ice-cold. “Do you mind explaining what the second text means, Yomi?”

“Candice, trust me, it's not what you think.” Yomi said cautiously. “I can explain.”

“Waawu.” Candice said sarcastically. “He can explain. How lovely!”

Yomi swallowed, his heart pounding hard. “I swear to God, it was a mistake.”

Candice made a creepy eye roll. “So, let me get this straight.” She smiled, acting suspiciously calm. “You cheated on me, Yomi, yet you had the guts to judge me for also cheating, huh?”

“It's not like that.”

“Really? How is it like, then?” Candice raised an eyebrow. “Tell me.”

Yomi honestly couldn't look her in the eyes; a habit he always exhibited whenever he felt guilty about something. “Like I said, it was a mistake, Candice. I never meant for it to happen.”

Candice let out a heavy breath, staring intensely at Yomi. “Well, it won't happen again for sure,” she said, buttoning Yomi's collar like a typical housewife. “'Cause you'll have to choose soon.”

Yomi raised his head, perturbed. “Choose?”

“Yes, darling.” Candice stroked his chin, speaking sweetly. “I'm not the kind of girl who lets her man go so easily. I don't accept defeat anyhow.” She smiled. “So if you're really sorry about everything, there's only one way you can make me forgive you.”

“Which is?”

“Cut all communications with Idara and Isioma, ASAP.”

“What?”

“Yes, honey. You heard me right.” Candice affirmed, almost in a whisper. “If you really cherish our relationship, you'll have to let some toxic people go,” she advised. “This is the second time they're trying to put us asunder. The first was when they wrongly accused me of cheating on you with someone, who they later found out was Mike, my beloved step-brother. Honestly, I have no doubt that they both connived on this one again.”

Yomi just stood rigid, confused, trying to understand Candice's point.

“And frankly, I have no idea what happened between you and Idara last night, but I'm guessing she seduced you and you fell for it, and I totally don't blame you for that at all. We're all humans, after all. Mistakes are bound to happen.” Candice spoke on. “And then maybe she liked you even more after y'all got nasty, so she sent you those pictures of me and the middle-aged man pecking each other, thinking we were actually kissing.” She smirked, wagging her head pitifully. “But, um, come to think of it, Idara was the one who sent you those pics, wasn't she?”

Yomi nodded after a slight pause between them. “Yes, she was.”

“Bingo!” Candice shrugged. “Now you see how bad she wants us apart, right? It's crazy.”

Yomi sighed, reasoning with Candice. He was starting to see things from her perspective, and everything she'd said so far were solid points.

She could be very right, after all. Maybe his friends were just too toxic for his relationship. Just maybe.

“So what's it gonna be, boo?” Candice demanded, her treacherous eyes locked with Yomi's gullible eyes. “It's up to you. Make your choice. Me or them?”

Who do you think Yomi is going to choose? His beautiful psychopathic girlfriend or his dear friends? 😁

Leave a VOTE, comment and SHARE if you love this chapter!