Mimi looked around frantically while trying to remember the way to the football field. Dera and Tife had taken her there the previous day but she hadn't really been herself after the police officers went ahead with their interviews, ironically, they didn't interview her but she was still the most worried, so, that thoughts had made her forget the directions.

And now there was no one to lead her through. Tife and Dera already left for their badminton class with the belief that Mimi knew her way. Knowing there was no one she could turn to for help, she turned back only to be met with a hard rock chest.

"I've always known you were blind, see the way you rumpled my cloth," an irritating voice she instantly recognised to be Kingsley's said. She was able to remember his voice so far he'd been trying so hard to bully her for some time now.

She raised her brows at him and he chuckled, "Common sorry, you can't say, for goodness sake, what is the dead doing among the living?"

Mimi glared at him while he laughed, she made to walk away but he grabbed her hand, "You don't dare walk out on me? Who are you? A low- life mute amongst the elite, you really need to know your place."

Mimi glowered at him as she tried jerking her hand away but his grip was tight on her, she knew quite well, it would create a gash on her skin.

"See, you can't even tell me to let go of your hand," he mocked and her glare increased.

"Leave the poor girl alone," a voice came from behind and Mimi quickly turned to look at the person the same time Kingsley did. She recognized him to be her classmate and Christian's friend but his name didn't register in her brain.

"And why should I?" Kingsley asked with lifted brows.

Michael smirked, "Because I ordered you to."

Kingsley scoffed, "And who are you?"

"It's something you know, anyway, you're already late to the field and if you aren't careful, I'll punish you for that or rather make the coach kick you out, don't forget, I'm still the captain and in all ranks, I'm more powerful than you," he completed before dragging Mimi away from him.

Kingsley's nose flared as he resisted the urge to punch Michael, not like he could actually do it, it was forbidden, the last time he tried it, he almost regretted his existence, Michael's mom had locked him up at the station for days and their dad did nothing about it. Yeah, he and Michael were siblings, no, step-siblings because they made that made so visible and wide. He was the illegitimate son who had no say or right.

"Let's go," Michael took Mimi's hand in his and she glanced at Kingsley with a mocking smile.

"Heading towards the field right? You're the new intake?" He questioned even though he knew the answer. He'd been shocked when the coach told him about Mimi's interest in football, she was practically the only girl at Maple interested in that sport, they all preferred another sport.

Mimi nodded in response and he smiled before leading her to the locker room.

"As you can see, you'll have to get changed in the toilet, you should have done that before coming but either ways, this is the male changing room," he explained before giving her the Jersey.

Mimi examined the Jersey as a smile crept up her face.

"Go get changed," he ordered and she nodded before disappearing into the toilet only to come out few minutes later.

A grin appeared on Michael's face as he stared at Mimi, she was looking hot in the Jersey and he couldn't help but admire her. Apparently, she would be his main focus on the field today.

***************

"Guy, I'm telling you, I was shocked when she scored a goal," Michael ranted and Christian turned to him in surprise, he was still finding it hard to believe Mimi joined the football club.

"She scored a goal today?" He asked again and Michael nodded.

"Yes oo, don't undestimate her at all, she's talented, we were all shocked today, she was so free on the field," he continued and Christian nodded.

"Hmmm, that's nice," he commented.

"Yeah, anyway, that girl is hot, like I couldn't take my eyes off her today, with the Jersey and the way she ran on the field, she was just too much, it's a pity she's mute."

Christian chuckled, "I knew you were going there, is it not you? Michael the skirt chaser," he teased and Michael threw him a scowl.

"You can't expect me to get hung up on a girl like you, nah, nah, nah, I'm telling you, you're just going to get hurt at the end, Inaya is just playing you."

Christian scoffed, "See the way you drifted to another thing."

"That's my own, by the way, where is Laiq?" He looked around the surroundings hoping to see him.

"Probably still at the court."

***************

Christian smiled as his mother walked into the kitchen.

"Cherry isn't helping you?" Lisha queried while looking around their large kitchen that was as big as the chalet Sindara and her kids stayed.

"She's down the estate at Uncle Hanmi's place," he replied before cleaning his hand.

"I told her to join you, so, you did the work alone? You should have called one of the maids," she moved closer to the cooker.

"You know I prefer working alone."

She nodded before opening the pot of soup, the aroma that wafted through her made her pick a spoon.

"Mum!" Christian shrieked as she watched his mother throw a piece of meat into her mouth.

Lisha turned back to him," What's mum? Is it not my money?"

"It's Dad's money."

"My husband's money," she told him before opening the pot of soup again.

"Mummy, you'll finish this soup before dinner oo," he warned and Lisha chuckled.

"Don't worry, you're a great cook by the way," she complimented and Christian smiled.

"I know that."

She turned back to him with wriggling brows, "Who told you?"

"You," he pointed out and they both burst into laughter.

"Ehnn, what of that your girl friend?" She asked when they finally stopped laughing.

Christian raised his brows before talking, "She's fine."

Lisha wanted to talk but the sound from outside stopped her as a grin appeared on her face at the hoot of the horn.

"See the way you're already smiling just because Dad is back," Christian teased.

"My husband is back," she told him before sauntering out of the kitchen. Christian watched her walk out with a satisfactory smile before walking out to welcome his dad.

"Welcome dad," he greeted with a smile as his dad withdrew from their mother's hug.

Jimi smiled at his son before inquiring for his siblings.

"Christy is probably in the dance room and Cherry is at her usual place," he answered and Jimi nodded.

"Call Simi to come home, it's almost time for dinner or will she sleep there?" Lisha instructed and Christian nodded before his mother dragged their dad away.

He placed a call to Cherry ad he headed towards his room, on his way, he met Christy  and informed her about their dad's arrival, not waiting to listen, Christy strutted to her parents room.

It was after Cherry got back that they decided to have dinner. The choice of Amala and Ewedu soup was perfect for the night.

"Hmm, Christian, you tried with this unlike some people," Lisha started as she glanced at Christy who squeezed her face.

"Abi unlike Christy who is always burning the whole house down," Cherry corrected and Christy glared at her.

"Better watch your words, you know you're beside me, I'll just our the soup on your face," Christy warned and Cherry eyed her.

"Why would you? I was only stating the facts, what's bad in that?"

Christy scoffed, "What nerve? You…"

Jimi cut in, "That's enough, focus on your meal."

"They should continue their banter, lazy children," Lisha hissed before turning to Christian, "My son is the only responsible one."

"Mummy, me nko?" Cherry asked in a childish tone that irritated Christy.

Lisha ignored her and Cherry grumbled.

Jimi turned to Christian, "Next week is the fifth anniversary of the art gallery, Christian, you should join the art exhibition too."

Christian looked at his dad, "You know…"

Lisha cut in, "He doesn't know anything, I don't understand why you keep hiding your artworks, something you should have started earning from but no, you chose to be like your father."

Jimi turned to her and she eyed him before continuing, "So, whether you like it or not, you're joining this year's exhibition and many more after that."

Christian sighed, "But…"

"But nothing, it's final," Jimi concluded and Christian turned back to his food.

He didn't have confidence in his work.