Dedicated to bernieG247. Thanks for the support and encouragement ❤️

Hope you like this chapter 😘. A surprise POV waiting at the end 😌.

Chapter 14

CYNTHIA

Frank's father wasn't joking when he said we are going to the police station because it turns out the other two men that were with him are policemen.

People are starting to find out that there are policemen in the school because we haven't gone out of the school gate when I see students and teachers come out of their classroom to check those who are being taken away to the police station.

My thoughts are muddled up as I can't come up with a reason for being arrested.

Yes, Michael deserves to be arrested and hopefully sent to life imprisonment for what he did to that boy yesterday but I did absolutely nothing wrong.

I should actually be given accolades and awards for being brave enough to stand up for the boy and for saving him from dying.

So why the hell am I being carried in a police car to a police station?!

Michael and I sit in between the two policemen at the back of the car and amidst my confusion, I can't help but notice that Michael seems so calm.

It makes me wonder if this is the first time he is even going to a police station.

After about fifteen minutes of driving, we arrive at the police station and I immediately see Frank's mother waiting in the station, looking both angry and worried.

She looks up and sees us enter the station, she then goes straight to Michael and raise her hand to hit him. She is stopped by her husband who shakes his head but that doesn't stop her from saying her mind.

"Have you no shame?" She begins with annoyance. "Why would you decide to hit someone until he is in that condition? What wrong did he do?" She asks then shakes her head. "No, what wrong could he have done for you to decide that beating him up was the best thing that you could have done?!" She shouts, tears welling up in her eyes.

I move closer to console her while wondering if I even have the right to do so. I rub her back gently as she sobs into my shoulder and I glance at Michael who for the first time since we left the class actually looks remorseful.

"I'm very sorry, ma'am. I, I have no excuse. I'm just so sorry." He apologizes quietly and my hand freezes on the woman's back as I stare in shock at him.

Grace made a big deal out of how he doesn't apologize to anyone but here he is, not thinking twice before telling the woman sorry. He even added 'very'.

"Sorry doesn't cut it!" She screams and I flinch, dropping my arms from around her shoulder. "My son is in the hospital because of you!"

"Ma'am, calm down and take a seat." One of the officers that were with us earlier says and points her towards a seat. "Sir, sit down too." He says to Frank's father and then goes to sit in front of them. Michael and I stand behind their chairs, watching the officer.

"I'm Officer James and I'm going to be in charge of this case." He addresses the two of them and turns to the father, "Barrister Adebayo, you are a well-known lawyer in this country and have even appeared on TV on several occasions." The officer starts and that's when I realize he looks familiar because I've seen him on TV.

The last time I saw him on TV was when he helped a woman get a divorce and alimony from her abusive husband. It was a tough case because she refused to admit that she was being hit by her husband due to fear. It got so bad that one of their children ended up in the hospital because he tried to save his mother from their father. It was a huge case and it spiked people's interest as women who were also being abused by their husbands started to speak up.

He is a great lawyer indeed and even Grace sees him as her role model. She says she will like to become a lawyer like him.

Oh my God! Grace! She must probably be losing her mind right now.

"Exactly. And that's why I won't have anybody beating my son up and going scot-free. He will have to be punished." Frank's father replies firmly and then glances at Michael who refuses to meet anybody's eye.

If I'm not so sure of how impossible it is, I would have sworn that he actually looks ashamed of himself.

"Mr. Bankole, can you please tell us what happened yesterday in your school compound after the school's closing hour?" Officer James questions Michael but he refuses to say anything.

"He won't have anything to say because he is obviously guilty." Frank's mother mutters sarcastically then stands from where she is sitting to stand in front of me. She takes my hands in hers and begins to sob again. I look at her with confusion then glance at the officer and her husband.

"Ma'am, why are you crying?" I ask quietly when she won't talk and she sobs harder.

She lets go of my hands and wipe her tears, "I know I look like a crying mess right now but I got quite a scare yesterday when I heard that my son was in the hospital. He is my only child and if something had happened to him, I don't think-" She stops and shakes her head. "You don't know how big of a favour you've done for me, Cynthia. I will forever appreciate it."

I smile at her, "It's okay, ma. I only did what I thought was right and do not worry, I'm sure your son will be fine."

She smiles at me then turns to Michael, her warm face immediately growing cold. "And you, I'm going to make sure you are punished for what you did to my son." She says sternly and goes back to sit, leaving me baffled.

If they've known all along that I have nothing to do with their son's assault, why am I in the police station with the person who is responsible for the assault?

"Make sure you charge him with assault and attempted murder. We already have Miss Williams as a witness, there is no way out for him now." Frank's father says, answering my question.

Oh, so I'm here as a witness but then, attempted murder? Seriously?!

"What is your father's name?" The Officer asks Michael again but he doesn't answer. "Look here, we need to contact your parents and let them know you are currently in the police station because I'm sure you won't like to spend the next few days here." He says strictly then turns his head to the side, watching Michael carefully. "Have I seen you before?"

I watch Michael eyes widen with alarm but he is quick to compose himself.

"What is your father's name?" The officer asks again.

"Jeffrey Bankole."

"What does he do?"

Michael doesn't reply again and he looks as if he is contemplating whether to tell him the truth or not. His father is a Senator and that will probably cause a lot of commotion.

Is he being quiet because he doesn't want to ruin his father's reputation?

Oh, who would have thought Michael is actually a good son?

"It will be better for you to tell me what he does." The policeman adds then gives him a wary look. "Or is he a gang leader?"

Michael snickers at this, earning an unimpressed look from the policeman and Frank's father and I hear Frank's mother say something along the line of 'It wouldn't be so surprising' but I'm not sure I heard right.

"No, he is not." Michael responds finally.

"Then answer me. What is your father's occupation?!" The policeman asks, raising his voice a little to show his impatience.

"He is a Senator." Michael says quietly and everyone turns to look at him.

The shocked look on the officer's face is quickly replaced with an angry one, "Do you think we're here to play? You actually want me to believe that you are a Senator's son?" He questions with annoyance.

"Haven't you heard of Senator Bankole?" Michael asks in return and the annoyed look on the officer's face turns to one of disbelief and then of realization.

"No wonder you look familiar." The policeman announces with incredulity. "You are the one, aren't you? The son of the Senator who was arrested for getting involved in illegal fighting."

I see a resigned look on Michael's face when the officer mentioned this. He probably didn't want them to find out.

"Illegal Fighting?!" Frank's mother practically screams and shoots up from the chair. "You used the skills you got from fighting illegally on my son?"

She made to grab for his collar but her husband pulls her back to her seat and the both of them communicate silently to each other until she visibly calms down.

"So you are trying to say you are actually the son of Senator Bankole?" Frank's father is the one who asks again and Michael nods.

"But unfortunately, you will only waste your time trying to contact him. I can give you the number of his Personal Assistant and he will be here soon." Michael replies, his voice still sounding calm and he brings out his phone. After tapping the screen few times, he gestures to the police officer to take the phone from his hand.

The policeman with a doubtful look collects the phone from him then dials a number on the phone that is on his table. With bated breaths, we all wait for the Senator's P.A. to pick up.

Amidst waiting, I hear a familiar voice call my name.

"Nanny?" I say unsurely, recognizing the voice and I look around alarmingly.

How does she know I'm here?

"Cynthia?" She calls out again, her face gradually coming to view as she wades through some group of people that are gathered around another police officer's table. When she finally sees me, she sighs with relief and comes towards me.

"What are you doing here?" She questions immediately.

"I should be asking you that. How do you know that I'm here?"

"I got a call from Grace and she sounded disturbed on the phone. She told me everything that happened yesterday and how you were arrested and taken to a police station." She explains, giving me a disappointed look. "Why am I just aware of all these?"

"I'm sorry, Nanny. I just didn't want to get you involved on something that isn't really important." I defend and she raises an eyebrow.

The policeman seems to have gotten through to the P.A and they are both having a conversation over the phone. I can hear the policeman tell the P.A. that he has to come over to the police station as soon as possible.

"Not important, but enough to get you into a police station?" She questions and I turn my attention back to her.

"I wasn't arrested, Nanny. Grace was just being her usual dramatic self. I am actually here as a witness."

She opens her mouth to speak but the policeman beats her to it, "Good day, ma. How may I help you?"

"I'm actually here for Cynthia. I heard she was taken to the station so I had to rush over. Hope everything is alright?" She asks.

"You have nothing to worry about. Cynthia hasn't committed any crime. We actually owe her for saving our only child's life." Frank's father answers and Nanny smiles in response. "The situation however seems to be getting a lot complicated than I expected and that's if what this young man just said is true." He adds, eyeing Michael skeptically.

"How long would it take for him to get here?" The officer asks.

"Maybe ten to fifteen minutes." Michael replies.

"While we are waiting for those that are on their way, I would really like to use this opportunity to thank Cynthia." Frank's mother says and Nanny smiles again.

I would be denying it if I said I wasn't feeling proud of myself.

"If it weren't for her, only God knows what would have happened to my only son. I must say you have raised a very wonderful daughter." She finishes and my face falls, Nanny's smile slowly disappears.

"Actually, she is-

"Yes, she is the best mother in the world". I cut through Nanny's words. She glances at me with a sad look and I give her a reassuring smile.

"I'm glad to witness such a loving mother and daughter relationship. It makes me wish I have a daughter of my own." She muses sadly but then continues. "Anyways, my husband and I would really like to sponsor the rest of Cynthia's education as a symbol of our gratitude."

"No, ma'am, you don't have to." I immediately reply. "My parents aren't lacking and they can pay for my school fees just fine. Instead, I would like to donate that money to an orphanage or to the less privileged so they can live a more comfortable life."

I see the look of impress on all their faces, even Michael has the tiniest smile on his face.

"Oh, that's so nice of you dear. I promise to do just that." Frank's father says and I nod.

"Officer, is there anything else she has to do?" Nanny asks.

"She only has to give her statement and she can leave." He responds and brings out a sheet of paper from the drawer under his table and gives me a pen.

"You just have to fill in the appropriate places and write the details of the incident that happened yesterday." He instructs and I nod. He then directs me to an empty chair in front of a table and asks me to sit so I can do that.

I do as I was told and by the time I return to submit the paper, Michael's dad's P.A. is already around. He arrives with two men in suits and I can hear him and Michael arguing.

"Henry, you honestly came with bodyguards into the police station?" Michael asks with incredulity.

"Well, we can't have you causing trouble now, can we?" The Henry replies calmly.

'What trouble can I possibly cause in a police station?" Michael asks, sounding annoyed.

"I wasn't talking about the police station, it could be elsewhere." The P.A replies still calmly.

"I told you I don't want bodyguards following me around, especially into the school." Michael adds sourly.

"And look what agreeing to that has caused, we are in a police station-" He says with a dead look and then adds, "-again."

Michael rolls his eyes in response and the P.A. leaves him to speak with the police officer and Frank's parents.

I bade everyone goodbye since I'm done with whatever it is I had to do and I walk out of the police station with Nanny.

"How are you feeling dear?" She asks as we head towards our car, Lanre had driven her to the station. I know she is referring to the whole mother and daughter episode back at the police station.

"It's okay, Nanny. I'm used to everyone thinking you are my mum." I say with a smile and walk to the other side of the car before entering. Nanny is already in the car and she squeezes my hand the moment I'm in the car.

"Are you sure you are okay?" She asks again.

"Of course." I reply with a smile and quickly turn to the window because I don't want her to see that I'm lying.

I am not okay.

I can't help comparing moments like these to how it would have played out if it was really my mother that was with me.

Will she have been more proud of me? Will she have given advice on what to do when next I'm in that kind of situation? Will she have been more of an attorney than a mother in this situation?

I jump with a start when someone suddenly hit the car's window repeatedly and I look up to see Michael standing in front of the glass, a look of desperation on his face. I wind down the car's window and he sighs with relief.

"Give me a ride to school." He says breathlessly and I raise an eyebrow.

"Were you running?" I ask and he nods.

"I really need to get away from here. I need a ride." He says again and I smile.

"Who are you running from? The Officers or the bodyguards?"

"I'm not running from the police, Henry is already talking with them."

"Then it's the bodyguards. I guess it is nice to be the son of a senator." I tease and his demeanor changes.

"Are you giving me the ride or not?" He almost snaps and I raise an eyebrow in question.

Look at the person that is asking for help.

"Oya na." He groans. "Yes or no?"

I say nothing, watching him intently, enjoying his discomfort. He runs his hand through his hair frustratingly and I notice that he keeps glancing at the police station.

"Why aren't you talking now?" He asks again, sounding impatient.

I give him a small smile, "My answer is no."

It takes time for him to register the answer in to his brain and process it and during that time, I wind up the car's window and tell Lanre to drive off.

I smile satisfactorily at the look of resignation on his face as he watches us drive away because it is something he deserves. He deserves it for all the trouble he has put me through since yesterday.

"What was that about?" I hear Nanny ask and I glance at her to see an amused smile on her face. I had forgotten she was even beside me.

"It's nothing." I reply, waving it off.

"Who was that?" She asks again and I sigh.

"A pain in the as- butt." I answer, quickly correcting myself. I know Nanny doesn't like it when I use such language.

"That's interesting. He is the senator's son, isn't he? I must say he looks even better in real life. I think I understand why he might think you collided with him so you can talk to him."

I groan, ignoring her words and lay my head on the car's window to rest a little. I end up falling asleep.

Nanny wakes me not too long after to tell me that we have gotten to my school. I groan and plead with her to allow me sleep till lunch break which she surprisingly agrees to and I find myself sleeping till I'm woken up by Nanny just ten minutes to lunch.

"Thanks Nanny for letting me sleep." I mumble and she smiles.

"You look tired and deserved it. Just don't forget to copy the notes of the classes you missed." She states and I nod in agreement. "Take care of yourself."

I open the door to get down from the car and wave at both she and Lanre before heading down to the cafeteria.

***

FEMI

As soon as the bell for lunch rings and the Accounts teacher leaves the class, I move from my seat to stand in front of Wole because I have a lot of questions to ask him.

Both he and Peter are still busy trying to balance the profit and loss account the teacher had left halfway for us and I'm also meant to be doing that but that's the last thing on my mind right now.

"Why does it feels like I'm the only one who is worried that Michael got arrested?" I ask no one in particular, glancing from Peter to Wole.

"His father is a Senator, he will get out soon." Wole replies absentmindedly, punching figures in his calculator and writing them down in his book.

I actually didn't think of that. I guess that's one of the perks of being a Senator's son.

"And what's this about joining the science class all of a sudden? Did he speak to you guys about it? Do you guys know why?" I question again.

Wole sighs tiredly and drops his calculator on the table then looks at me, "You do realize we have to finish this exercise and submit it before going for lunch?" He asks with a dead look.

I shrug, "I'll just copy from either of you."

He shakes his head pitifully at me, pulling his book nearer to himself, "I won't be giving you mine to copy from."

"You're not nice." I give him an unimpressed look then turn to look hopefully at the only other person in the class, "Thank God for Peter."

"It'll shock you." Wole adds sarcastically.

I hit him playfully on the shoulder, "Shut up joor and answer my question. Why is he suddenly a science student na?"

I try to sound desperate, hoping that'll do the trick and he will finally answer my question but Wole just ignored it.

He ignored my desperation.

"Probably because of Cynthia." Peter responds instead, surprising the both of us. I quickly leave Wole to stand in front of him, even Wole is no longer looking at his book.

"Because of Cynthia?" Wole repeats with incredulity. "What's wrong with that boy?"

"I understand him." I say gently, placing my hand on my chest. "That girl hurts his ego and he needs to heal from that."

Wole gives me a 'what's-he-saying' look then rolls his eyes. "I already said I'm not in support with any of this. Peter, I'm sure if you say you are no longer interested in what the both of you have turned this into, he will stop behaving foolishly."

"I doubt that." Peter replies and I can't help nodding in agreement.

"Me too."

Wole gives me a glare again before turning to Peter again, "What do you mean you doubt that? It's pretty obvious he is taking things more serious because of the twist you added to his 'genius plan'."

"I'm not disputing that." Peter says and both Wole and I look at him expectantly, waiting for him to expand on it but he says nothing.

He just left us hanging.

I give him an unimpressed look. This guy sef.

"Then that means you agree that if you say you're no longer interested, he might stop this madness he is doing." Wole finally adds.

Peter closes his book and my mouth falls open at his action.

He is done with the exercise? Already?

I smile widely at him and slowly begin to remove his note on the table but he doesn't even stop me. I quickly take the note and go to my seat to complete my own exercise.

"But I'm interested." Peter states simply. I look up from the note I'm copying and see that he even has a smile on his face.

Is Peter feeling fine?

"You're interested?" Wole repeats dumbly.

"Yeah." He shrugs, still smiling then stands from his seat. "Are you done?"

Wole replies with a slow nod but with an uncertain look on his face. He stands and brings his note to me, "You might need it."

I stare alarmingly at the both of them, realizing what they are about to do. "Wait, are you guys leaving me?" I ask but none of them answers. "Wait for me na. Let's go together."

The both of them ignore me and actually leave the class.

I copy the exercise at the speed of light, my already ugly handwriting looking even uglier but my only focus is to finish writing this exercise and catching up to them. It's only when I'm done writing that I realize that someone has to submit the notes to the teacher and since I'm the one with all our notes, that someone is me.

With a heavy heart and tears in my eyes, I head towards the staff room, already accepting my fate of going to the cafeteria alone. I submit the notes to the Accounts teacher and start to head to the 'out-of-bounds' stairs before remembering that the other stair is much faster to the cafeteria.

And since almost half of the time allocated for lunch has gone, there will be fewer students in the block.

I descend down the stairs to the SS3 block, amazed at the fact that there is indeed no single student in sight. But that's until I'm about to climb down the last stair and I notice Cynthia's friend, Grace, looking anxiously at her phone and typing at it.

She isn't even looking at where she is going and if she doesn't raise her leg to climb the slab joining both staircases together, she is going to trip and fall.

I'm about to stand in front of her and call her attention towards that fact when she actually trips, letting out a yelp as she falls downward before I hurriedly grab her so she won't fall.

She holds on to my jacket like her life depends on it and I grab her by the waist, finding it the easiest place to steady her by. Her eyes are closed tightly as she probably thought she was going to fall and I watch with a small smile as she breathes out in relief and murmur a 'thank you, God'.

I've always considered her attractive since that day Michael had asked us to go through the principal's office to find information about Cynthia, and Wole had found her profile. I had gone through her pages on social media and had surprisingly found out that she is following me on Instagram.

I had scrolled through her pictures on her page and learnt some things about her like the fact that she has twin younger brothers. I had considered her pretty in her pictures but looking at her now, I think she is even prettier up-close.

And standing in close proximity like this with her in my arms and my hands on her waist is doing some weird thing to my stomach.

She finally opens her eyes and I almost burst out laughing at her reaction. She looks like she has seen a ghost with the horrified look on her face.

'Are you that shocked?' I want to ask her.

"Are you alright?" I ask instead and she blinks once then twice, before standing right and adjusting her uniform, refusing to meet my eye.

"Yes, thank you." Her voice is only a little above a whisper and the next thing I see is her retreating back as she hurries down the stairs.

"Wait!" I call after her but she doesn't wait.

I was going to ask for her number.

***

Oh, so thoughts anyone?? Is that ship for Grace and Femi that I'm seeing already? My previous readers will know that actually 😂😂.

Putting Senator's son aside, would you have wanted Michael to be punished or to be pardoned?

Don't forget to share, vote and comment.

Until the next update 😘😘

❤️❤️❤️.