This chapter is unedited. There might be few mistakes. Will edit later.

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Chapter Forty One

MICHAEL

I'm so exhausted.

We had been so busy today that I hardly got to speak to Cynthia. We had to stay back after school to finish sorting through the foodstuff and by the time we were done, it was late in the evening and everyone was tired and just wanted to go home.

The class teacher had left first, leaving us to organise the rest and once she was out of the classroom, all Grace and Femi did was to fawn over each other. Femi wouldn't let her lift anything heavy, something she had been perfectly able to do when the teacher was still in class.

I could see the judging look in Wole's eyes and he was clearly making an effort to keep quiet. Peter on the hand wasn't paying attention to them and it wasn't surprising since all of his focus seems to be on Cynthia. Sometimes, he would look at her for so long that I would be convinced he is zoned out but then I will see his eyeballs following her every movement.

Cynthia didn't seem to notice and she was being too enthusiastic in getting everything done. She wouldn't allow me help her when I try to, she will only ask to me to do it myself instead so we could get it done quicker.

Grace had been the one to leave first. Femi had offered to take her home but she had immediately denied, saying her dad had sent the driver to pick her up. She had given him a peck on the cheeks, wave to Cynthia and the rest of us and left.

I wanted to approach Cynthia to talk to her but that's when she also received a call from who I guessed is her Nanny.  She picked up her bag without cutting the call, waved to all of us - I notice her eyes lingering on me - before finally leaving.

As soon as she was gone, Wole turned to Femi and told him that he is trying too hard with Grace and he shouldn't look so lovesick because he's only going to come off as desperate again.

Knowing an argument is starting to brew between them, I subtly left them with Peter who is looking at them with annoyance. I'm surprised to see that he has an emotion on his face but then Wole and Femi arguments are beginning to annoy me too.

Kunle and the rest of the guards were waiting for me outside the school compound and he just gave me a small smile when I slumped into the car and immediately close my eyes. He knows I'm tired.

I couldn't really sleep during the drive home. I'm still thinking of the dilemma I'm in.

Do I tell her everything? When is the right time to tell her?

These questions keep repeating themselves in my mind and now that I'm lying lazily on my bed, I still can't find the answers to the question.

Most importantly, the fact that Peter might be up to something keeps popping up in my mind.

A knock on the door startles me followed by Maggie's voice.

"Michael, I've sent your tutor home for today so you can rest. Henry told me about what you and your friends are planning to do for some kids and I'm really impressed." She talks from behind the door.

What if I was sleeping and not listening to her?

"Don't you want to come in?" I ask her.

"I will in thirty minutes time with your food. I prepared vegetable soup. I know you like it." She answers. "Before then, make sure to have freshened up and gotten out of your uniform. I know you are laying down on your bed right now, doing nothing."

I roll my eyes because she can't see me but then, she's not wrong.

"Alright, Maggie." I respond, sitting up on my bed.

I hear her footsteps receding and know she has gone back to the kitchen. I decide to go and take my bath before she comes back, too tired to listen to her nag today.

I take my time in the bathroom, enjoying the feel of the warm water on my skin. I will my mind to go blank, not wanting to think of anything while I'm in the shower. I don't know how long I spend in the bathroom but when I hear the door of my bedroom opening, I know it is time to leave the bathroom.

Maggie might start to wonder why I am taking so long and I don't want her to get worried.

I wrap a towel around my waist and step out of the bathroom, using another towel to dry my skin.

"Maggie, I hope it isn't swallow you prepared with the vegetable soup. I want something li-

I stop dead in my tracks, swallowing down the word I was just about to say because the person sitting on my bed in a long coat with her legs crossed and a smirk on her face is clearly not Maggie.

"What are you doing here, Dorcas?" She flinches at my tone of voice, clearly not expecting it. I believe I have just made it clear that I didn't like her surprise but she is soon to recover.

She stands from the bed coyly and make her way to me slowly.

What the hell was Kunle and the other bodyguards doing while she was entering into the house?

She stops right in front of me and plants a kiss under my chin, "I like the fact that you just got out of the shower."

If she had done this two months ago, we would be kissing and making out by now. I would be taking everything she was willing to give me and allowing her to take everything she wanted.

But this is the present and right now, all she is doing is irritate me so very much.

I am busy staring her down and she is busy smiling up at me. "I brought a gift for you. I know you will like it." Then she begins to open her coat slowly, her eyes never leaving mine. A cocky smile on her face, like she is confident she just won this battle.

I say nothing, waiting for her to finish what she's about to do. And when the coat drops on the floor to reveal her in only bikinis, my mouth drops along with it.

"You like what you see?" She cocks her eyebrow and place a hand on her hips, a snug smile on her face.

I recover quickly from my shock and bend to grab her coat so I can cover her with it. A knock on the door freezes the both of us. I had momentarily forgotten that Maggie was going to bring me food and if she sees Dorcas like this in my room, she won't hesitate to send her home in just her bikinis.

I drop her coat in her hands and push her towards my bathroom "Just go into the bathroom for now. She mustn't see you here." I whisper.

"She?! Who the hell is she?!" Dorcas shouts, looking at me with an expectant face. I control the urge to smack her on the head and just continue to push her towards the bathroom.

"That's Maggie, you idiot!" I whisper-yell and watch her try to place the name in her memories.

"Michael, what's taking you so long to open the door?" She asks and knocks on the door again.

"I'm just coming out of the bathroom. I'm putting on a t-shirt and shorts." I answer her, directing one final push at Dorcas into the bathroom. I hurry over to my wardrobe after that and pull out a t-shirt and shorts like I just said and quickly put them on.

With a nervous glance to the bathroom, I go to open the door, plastering a forced smile on my face.

Maggie gives me a weird look once I open the door and walks in. I can't help wondering what she's thinking.

"Don't you think I bring your food over to your room a bit too much nowadays? It's like you have forgotten the way to the kitchen and the dining room." She starts as she places the food on the table and tries to sit on the chair in front of it.

I quickly stop her by placing my hands on her shoulder and answer her, "I know, Maggie. I will begin to come downstairs for my food myself as from tomorrow."

She gives me a confused look, her eyebrows raised.

"I'm sure you have done a lot today and you still have to wrap up some other things. Sitting here to watch me eat might take a bit of your time, time you can use doing something else." I continue, explaining to her but I'm already taking her towards the entrance.

"No, Michael. I don't really mi-

"If you are worried I won't eat then you are wrong. You know vegetable soup is my favourite, right?" I ask but all she gives me in return is a perplexed look.

"Round up and go home early, Maggie." I give her a quick kiss on the cheek. "Goodnight."

With that, I open the door and gently push her out then I wait a while to hear her footsteps recede before breathing out a sigh of relief.

Crisis averted.

I glance annoyedly at the direction of the bathroom and watch as Dorcas head peeks out, glancing around to know if it's clear before she walks out with a frown.

"I really don't like that woman. Why did she have to ruin my surprise?" She mumbles out as she walks towards me. She has pulled off the coat and is now in only her bikini again.

"I can assure you the feeling is mutual on her side." I reply flatly then give her a pointed look. "Well, clearly your surprise wasn't successful so shouldn't you be leaving right now?"

She looks stunned, "Really? You would really turn me out when I'm standing in front of you, all sexy in a bikini?"

"Of course not. You would be going out in your coat."

"That's not what I'm talking about, stupid! Aren't you feeling all hot and bothered just staring at me?"

Um... No. Maybe once upon a time, that might have been the case but right now, there's nothing.

She looks at me with daring eyes, telling me without words that she dares me to say whatever is on the tip of my tongue.

I let out a sigh, "Dorcas, I'm exhausted. I left school like an hour ago and we still have a long day ahead of us tomorrow. I need all the rest I can get right now so please, leave without making a scene." I tell her in the most gentle voice I can muster and even add an encouraging smile.

"You've changed." She declares in a flat voice but I can hear the hint of annoyance in it. I know she wants to sound unaffected but the truth is that it bothers her that I'm not falling at her feet right now.

"Please don't start now, Dorcas. Let's have this conversation another time." I reply her, not bothering to hide my exasperation and she nods like she finally understands, smiling.

She puts on her coat and starts to button it slowly. Without looking at my face she says, "You remember what I told you on the SS3 floor that day, right?"

She finishes with the buttons and finally looks at me, a glint in her eyes and conviction in her voice. "You are mine. You have always been from the moment we had our first kiss and-

"Wait, Dorcas." I can't help not interrupting her because I don't really like the fact that she is claiming me as hers if I'm some type of property. "You might have forgotten that I told you from the beginning that what we were going to have is nothing serious and I don't like you calling me yours. I belong to myself and nobody else."

A look of hurt flashes in her eyes but she is quick to hide it, "But if Cynthia is the one in my position right now and she had done everything I did this night, it would have turned out differently, right?"

She's not wrong.

But then, I doubt Cynthia has it in her to show up in my place with a long coat and a bikini under it. I don't tell her this though.

She takes my silence as a yes and smiles again, "It's okay, I will take my leave." I almost breathe out a sigh of relief. "But don't think you have finally gotten rid of me because I'm going to fight hook, line and sinker to make sure both of you don't end up together."

I raise an eyebrow at her and she nods, "Yes. I won't allow her get so easily what I tried so hard to achieve." I open my mouth to ask her if that means she won't try to pursue me anymore but like she can read my mind, she answers the question. "And no, I won't stop trying to make you mine. I believe it's still possible and until I hear that you and Cynthia are finally together, I'm not going to stop."

She gives me a satisfied smirk then, knowing I'm too afraid to commit in a relationship and won't want to do the same with Cynthia too.

Satisfied by my silence, she kisses me on the mouth and walks around me to open the door.

"Goodnight, darling."

The door closes after that and as soon as she's gone, I start to feel the onset of a headache.

No, I'm not give her importance by thinking of her and our conversation right now.

My eyes fall on the tray of food sitting on the table and I sigh loudly, certain that I have lost my appetite. But then it's vegetable soup and Maggie makes them well. I can always eat two spoons or three spoons from it.

I pick my phone from the bed before sitting on the chair to eat my food. I go through my WhatsApp messages, the school group being excited for the trip tomorrow, some random messages from girls I don't know and a forwarded message from Henry, one warning about using the phone too much and not being close to God. You know those kind of message that ends with 'forward to ten people and receive blessings before the end of the week.'

I roll my eyes at the message and finally start to eat. I open Instagram, doing my favourite pastime, trying to find Cynthia's account. At this point, I'm certain she doesn't have an IG account but I still try to find out if she has one in another name and after doing that to no avail, I go on Grace's page to stare at the few pictures of her that is there.

A knock sounds on the door and I groan, really wanting to be alone right now.

The person opens the door and enters all the same even though I clearly didn't ask the person to come in.

Kunle steps in, looking remorseful then he begins to speak. "I went out for a few minutes to see my fiancee because she said there was an emergency but I saw Dorcas come out of the house while I was parking the car."

"It's okay." I reply, waving it off. "You aren't the only bodyguard in the house. The others were not blind when she was entering."

"I will talk to them." He announces.

"Yeah, yeah." I reply indifferently, too tired to be all over the others because of the issue. If it were before, they won't like themselves after I'm done telling them off but that side of me seems to have died down recently.

"How is your fiancee? Hope everything is fine with her?"

He rolls his eyes but I see a faint smile on his lips, "Her emergency was that she couldn't decide the colour of clothes to sew for the traditional wedding."

I smile at his words, marveling at how Kunle seems so smitten just thinking about his wife to be.

A part of me wants to tell him not to let all his guards down and allow himself to be completely happy, because love like this always come at a price but I also don't want to rain on his parade.

His wedding is now in two months and I know he will have a lot to prepare for as it edges closer.

"You should take a rest this night too, Kunle. Let the others watch over tonight." He looks surprised and wants to protest but I shake my head to stop him. "And you don't have to follow me around tomorrow after dropping me in school. I will be going with the others in a bus so you have nothing to worry about."

"But Michael-

"Don't scare the people that lives there. They are all going to look intimidated then you all appear from tinted cars in your black vest and black trousers." I say in a mocking voice and he breathes out heavily.

"Okay." He replies courtly. "I will be leaving now."

"Alright, Kunle. Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

I silently wish that Kunle's marriage doesn't end on a bad note. Maybe his marriage might be the first one to actually convince me to believe in love.

But deep down, I know the chance of that happening is very low.

***

CYNTHIA

It's finally Saturday, the day we are to carry the items to the children and I wake up with a smile because my plan is coming through.

We spent hours yesterday in the classroom, dividing the bags of rice, beans and garri and the boys were surprisingly of huge help. They were eager to do something, even Michael.

I finish taking my bath and decide to choose what I'm going to wear carefully.

I take a stripped black and white off-shoulder long-sleeved top and can't decide between wearing jeans or black shorts. I end up settling with the shorts.

I dress up and pair it with a white converse, white goes with everything after all.

I wrap my braid in a tight bun and decide I'm ready.

"Good morning, Nanny." I greet as I come down the stairs.

She is all dressed up and is sitting at the dining table. The table is already set and Sam seems eager to start eating.

"Good morning, dear. We were waiting for you to come down before we begin to eat." She replies.

I pull a chair from the table to sit but I can't help glancing at her, "Nanny, are you going somewhere?"

"I was thinking of coming with you. You and your friends might need an extra hand." She says with a smile and I look at her with astonishment.

"We have enough hands already and who will take care of Sam if you come with me?"

She glances at him, contemplating. I can imagine her mental gears working to offer a solution.

"He can also come with us." She replies and I burst into laughter, knowing why she wants to come with and is even willing to bring Sam along.

"Nanny, you are trying too hard. You want to come with us because you are hoping you might run into him, right?" I ask and she gives me a sheepish look.

"Is it that obvious?" She asks in response and I nod. "It's just that it's been so long." She murmurs but I don't say anything because I don't know what to say.

We begin to eat in silence.

After we are done eating, I start to go towards the car and Nanny escorts me.

"Are you sure you don't need extra hands?" She asks again and I nod with a smile.

"It's fine then." She responds with understanding. "Make sure you take pictures and post it on your WhatsApp status so your parents can see." She tells me and my smile vanishes at their mention.

I wonder what their reaction will be when they find out what I'm up to.

"Cynthia, make sure you take pictures." She repeats and I nod.

"Alright, take care." She waves as I enter the car.

"Bye." I reply and the driver the drives me out of the compound.

***

The driver reaches the school and I alight to see a waiting Grace at the entrance.

"Why are you here so early?" I ask as I approach her.

"I'm just so excited for today." She says giddily and adds, "By the way, you look good."

I smile before replying, "You are looking good too." I say, checking out her outfit. She's putting on a pink dress with black boots.

"Of course, I have to make efforts for Femi." She says and I notice she's even putting on makeup.

"Is that lipstick?" I ask with a grin and she winks.

"Yeap." She replies and stares intently at me, "You know, I also think a little bit of powder and lip-gloss will make you look better." She says and I immediately shake my head.

"No, thank you." I reply but she's already pulling me towards the nearest restroom.

I glance around the school and it feels strange to be present on a Saturday. The school is practically empty except for few of the SS3 students that are planning to go with us to Tayo's neighborhood.

"Stop looking around. Your class teacher isn't here yet and we still have two hours, thirty minutes till we have to get there." She chides as we get to the entrance of the restroom.

"Precious time that should be spent moving the stuffs from the class upstairs to the truck we hired to carry the things." I tell her as she opens the door and we both enter.

"The key to the class is with your class teacher and she is not here yet. Stop being grumpy and bring your face nearer." She says and I roll my eyes.

"I'm not being grumpy." I mumble and watch her bring powder and lip-gloss from her handbag that is slung on her shoulder. Out of curiosity, I remove the bag from her shoulder and peer inside it. I then shake my head at what I see inside.

Everything from eyeliner to mascara to lipstick to even a hair-comb is inside her bag.

"Are you planning on becoming a makeup artist?" I joke and she shrugs.

"They are for emergencies." She replies and uses her hand to tilt my face forward. She starts to apply the powder on my face and I groan at how much she is dabbing on my face.

"Don't put too much." I try to warn only to receive a dab on my mouth.

"Shut up." She replies and I let out a groan. We are quiet for a while then I start to hear female voices. They get louder with each passing second.

"Do you hear that?" I ask Grace and she nods, blending the powder on one part of my face.

"Probably some girls talking amongst themselves."

"But those voices sound familiar." I add as their voices get even louder and Grace suddenly stops dabbing on my face.

"Wait, that's Dorcas' voice." She declares with realization.

"And I think they are heading here." I groan.

"Let's get out of here. I don't want them to ruin my day." She says and starts to put the powder and lip gloss in her bag. I glance at the mirror and see that she is yet to blend the powder well on my face.

"You didn't apply the powder well on my face."

"We'll go to an empty class to do that." She answers impatiently and closes her bag.

The door opens as she pulls my hand to go out of the restroom and Dorcas and her friends enter. They are still smiling amongst themselves and don't seem to notice us at first and when they finally do, their smiles vanish and they scowl.

"Well, if it isn't the boyfriend snatcher..." Chika is the first person to say with disgust.

"...and the one who is still trying to snatch mine." Dorcas finishes with a sneer and I roll my eyes.

"She isn't trying hard though especially with everything that happened between you and Michael yesterday night." Cat adds and I raise an eyebrow, surprised by her words.

Dorcas giggles at that and smiles conceitedly.

What the hell happened yesterday night?

"What happened between you and Michael yesterday night?" Grace asks skeptically.

Dorcas crosses her hands and sighs happily as if she's actually remembering what happened.

"Well, to cut the story short, we spent the night together." She answers and I feel a sudden pain in my chest. My heart starts to hammer painfully and I have to fight the urge to touch my chest.

What's happening to me?

Dorcas looks contented with my silence and walks forward until she is standing right in front of me and smiles smugly.

"I spent the night in Michael's arm yesterday and it was so comfy." She continues, my hands itching to do something to wipe the stupid smile off her face.

She stares at me and studies me carefully. I know she is looking at me to see how much I'm affected by what she just said but I won't give her that satisfaction.

"You're really pathetic." I say coldly and the smile on her face slowly vanishes. 

"Do you know what makes you more pitiful? The fact that you think I'll be affected by what you just told me." I continue with a laugh.

"You think I'll burst into tears? Start crying because my heart is broken over the fact that you slept together?" I add, still laughing then suddenly stop.

"You are very mistaken because what you said has no effects on me whatsoever." I finish coldly and give her a scornful look. My heart chooses that moment to jolt painfully and I swallow slowly.

"Let me tell you one last thing." I glance at her friends who are now fuming with anger. "There's nothing you can do that can affect me. That's just how pathetic you are." I smile with satisfaction and grab Grace's arm.

"Grace, we've wasted too much time with these losers. Let's go."

Grace follows immediately and we start to walk towards the entrance of the restroom. We walk past her friends that are still sending glares our way and when we get to the entrance, Dorcas calls my name and I stop to turn to look at her.

"I'll show you just how affected you can be by what I do." She announces through clenched teeth with her hands curled into fists and I give her a dry look. "Watch out."

I roll my eyes, walking out of the restroom after that and when we've walked far enough, I drop Grace's hand and the facade that I had put on in the restroom fades.

'I spent the night in Michael's arm yesterday and it was so comfy.'

The words ring in my mind and my heart begins to hurt again. Grace is saying something but I don't hear, I can feel my heart breaking in my chest and she runs over to me.

"Hey, what's wrong with you?" She asks but I don't reply. I don't even know the answer to her question.

What's wrong with me?
Why am I feeling this way?
Why does my heart hurt?
What the hell is happening to me?

"Cynthia, are you alright?" She asks again and I close my eyes. She takes me into the nearest class and sits me on one of the chair.

"Let me get you some water." She hurries out of the classroom. I place my head on the table as soon as she leaves and will the pain to go away.

Minutes later, Grace enters the classroom and I know by the sounds of footsteps that she isn't alone.

"Are you alright?" I hear John's voice and I slowly raise my head up. He sits beside me and places his hand on my back and begins to pat it slowly.

I try to think of his hands as soothing but that's just all what it is. The electricity is missing as always compared to how it is when-

No, I'm not thinking of him.

'Grace, Cynthia. The teacher in charge is here and she is calling for you." One of the students appears suddenly at the entrance and Grace nods.

"Cynthia, don't worry. Take your time. I'll try to take care of things and explain to her that you aren't feeling well." She tells me and I give her a small smile.

"Don't worry. I'll be there shortly." I assure her but she looks doubtful.

"Are you sure?" She asks and I nod.

"Alright then. I'll tell her that." She leaves the class.

"What's wrong? Did something happen?" John asks quietly and with concern. I feel the remaining pain in my chest subside as I look at him.

"It's okay. I'm fine."

"Are you sure?" He asks and I nod.

Suddenly, a question creeps up my mind and I find myself asking it.

"Why do you like me so much? Why do you insist on waiting for me when you can easily get someone else?" I ask and he seems surprised by my question.

He then smiles, "Because I don't want someone else. I want you. Only you and nothing is going to change that. And as to why I like you so much, that's something I don't even know the answer to. I just woke up with that realization and it has been there ever since." He replies.

"I love you, Cynthia and I won't stop loving you." He adds gently.

He loves me.

I might not like him as much but it still feels nice to hear someone say they love me.

He starts to lean towards me and I immediately know what he is trying to do. My first instinct is to lean away. I shouldn't be kissing him when I'm being swayed by another guy but who cares?

Especially when the guy is still fooling around with other girls. Maybe this is a sign that he isn't right for me and I should give John who is non problematic a chance.

Just then, someone clears her throat and I look up to see Grace with a mischievous look on her face.

"Sorry for the interruption but the list that is with you is needed by the class teacher." She says with a wink. I shake my head and stand with John helping me.

"It's okay. I feel a lot better now." I tell him and he nods, removing his hand from my back.

I walk to Grace and she gives me an apologetic look and I smile.

"I really didn't want to interrupt." She mutters so John won't hear and I chuckle.

"It's okay." I reply. "Let's get going."

"Wait." She says then brings out a handkerchief, powder case and lip gloss from her bag. She uses the handkerchief to clean the excess powder on my face, blend it swiftly with the powder foam and applies the lip-gloss on my lips.

"Now, lets get going." She says with a smile and I smile back.

***

One word for Dorcas, please? 😂

Hope you guys like this chapter.

The coming chapters are pretty interesting if I dare say so myself but I assure you things are about to get spiced up.

I will try to update as early as I can.

Don't forget to share, vote and comment.

Until next time,

Hikmah 😍.