Hi!!! I'm here again with another apology 😢 because I know an update is overdue. A lot has happened from Ramadan to Eid, there were just lots of stuffs to do and there was hardly time for me to come up with a chapter.

I tried to make it up with a double update but the second chapter is still yet to be completed and I can't keep holding on to this one when it's ready so I've decided to just upload this first. I will update the next one as soon as possible.

I believe this chapter is long enough for you people to enjoy and hope it makes up for my absence.

Happy reading!!!!

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Chapter Forty Eight

MICHAEL

If I had known Cynthia would react this way when she finds out about what had happened two years ago, I would never have brought up throwing a party.

This wasn't how I wanted her to find out. She was supposed to find out on our date after I've made everything clear to her.

But I'm not going to lie, the fact that she looks so disturbed by the truth hurts a lot.

Does she want so much for it to be John who had rescued her? Or is it so hard to believe that I had actually taken her home two years ago?

I watch as she stands with a dazed expression and starts to leave. A chorus of 'are you okay?' and 'don't let it bother you too much' from the guys follow her steps but she doesn't look back. I doubt she even heard them.

Grace excuses herself from Femi and runs after her, she says something to her and then walks off, leaving Cynthia who is still trekking at a slow pace out of the stadium.

And just as if they are waiting for Cynthia to finally leave the stadium, the guys immediately begin to speak.

"I thought we went to every party together. So you went to a party alone two years ago?" Femi asks accusingly.

"It was a last minute decision." I mumble.

"That's not even the issue here." Wole waves him off. "Why didn't you tell us about this when you got involved with Cynthia again? And why did you let her think it was John who saved her?"

"I didn't tell you guys because I didn't think it was that important and I saw no reason to tell her since she always believed it was John." I reply quietly.

"So you let her continue to believe it was John even when you know the kind of person he is?" Femi questions with disbelief.

"Exactly. If what they are saying is true, then he probably approached them with a suspicious intention and yet you didn't think it was right to let her know the truth?" Wole adds.

I groan, not liking the questions they are throwing at me, "We met at the party by chance and we never spoke after. Do you want me to randomly walk to her and tell her 'Oh, my name is Michael and I was the one who saved you at the party not John'?" I ask like they are telling me to do something ridiculous.

"Yes! You could have just walked up to her and told her the truth!" Wole retorts and Femi lets out an exaggerated sigh.

"Why?! She was the one who easily forgot my face and mistook me for someone else just because he said so!" I answer back, starting to get annoyed.

Suddenly Femi is smiling and Wole is watching me intently. Peter who has just been watching silently is also eyeing me suspiciously.

"What?!" I say defensively.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but from what I can deduce from this little conversation we just had, you were annoyed at her because she forgot about something that probably happened between you and her that night that was maybe special to you, and then on top of that, she thought you were someone else so you just let her continue believing out of ignorance because you were hurt and disappointed." Wole explains and Femi is nodding in agreement.

I open my mouth to say something. He said I should correct him if he's wrong but the truth is he isn't wrong.

That's exactly what happened.

"Wait, so you've had a crush on Cynthia since two years ago?" Femi's voice is suddenly full of delight.

"No." I deny immediately. "We never even spoke after that night until that day in the cafeteria. Why would I crush on her when we don't talk?" I try to make him understand but he isn't even listening.

"Oh, it all makes sense now!" Femi claps like he just had a moment of realisation and points at me, "You reacted that way in the cafeteria because you were still annoyed with her and then she was treating you like you were a disturbance. You didn't like the fact that she wasn't affected by you when it was the other way round for you. When you were already so affected by her." He grins like he just made a brilliant discovery.

"Look-" I begin before he has another epiphany. "I don't care about all what you are saying right now-

"Yeah, because if you did care, you wouldn't have allowed her get close to John no matter how annoyed you were because of your ego. And then all the show of getting close to her so she can fall for you and prove her wrong, you won't tell her about that too?" Wole demands, a look of disappointment in his eyes.

"I was getting to that!" I throw him a dirty look before continuing. "I made the deal about the date with her so we could talk. I was going to tell her everything from start to finish, and that includes the agreement I had with Peter. I want to put an end with all of this and start over with her."

I'm not even done with my explanation when I hear a bitter chuckle. I look around wondering where the sound is from until I realise it's Peter.

"End our agreement and then start all over with her? What do you think this is? A romance movie with a happy ending?" Peter asks, a chilly edge to his voice.

I glance at Wole for support but he looks confused. Femi has a blank look on his face and is blinking continuously like he suddenly can't process anything.

When none of us talks, he continues, "I started the agreement and I get to decide when it ends. And it only ends when one of us has fulfilled our part of what we both agreed on. Don't even try telling Cynthia because if you do, I will make you regret it." He finishes, looking really annoyed.

It's the most emotion I've seen on his face since I've gotten to know him but right now, I'm too annoyed to care.

"What the hell is your problem and why are you so hung up on this foolish agreement anyway?" I ask him but he just keeps glaring at me. "It's childish and I want out of it but you keep insisting on continuing it. What are you even getting out of it?! Do you not respect her at all?!"

Peter lets out another bitter chuckle, "Respect?" He repeats like I just said a boring joke. "Respect?! I don't give a fu-

"Peter, don't say something you will regret." Wole interjects, giving him a warning look.

Both Peter and I start to talk at the same time but our attention is diverted by a guy who suddenly stops in front of us, doubling over and breathing hard.

We all watch him, wondering if this is his destination but when he doesn't move to leave, Femi reaches out tentatively to pat his back, "Are you okay?"

"What's wrong?" Wole asks him too but he doesn't reply as he is still busy catching his breath.

I stare at his face, wondering where I know him from because he looks familiar.

Then he speaks, his words coming out in gasps, "Gr-Grace... and... and Cyn-cynthia went... after her."

I'm puzzled by his words and the faces of the others mirror my own, obviously not understanding him. Peter is the only one who looks like he doesn't want to be here.

"Calm down and repeat your words slowly." Wole urges him gently and he nods and stands upright.

"Some guys took Grace." He starts and I immediately notice that the hand Femi is using to pat his back stops. "And Cynthia has gone after them."

Before I can blink, Femi is grabbing the guy by his collar and is giving him the hardest glare I've ever seen on him in my life.

"What do you mean some guys too Grace?!" He shouts at him and the boy begins to cower, shrinking away from him but Femi's hold on him is firm so he's unable to get out of it.

"I- I- saw two guys carry her to some part of the school. They were wearing our uniform but they look older than us and I've never seen them before. I'm scared they might have done something to her." He explains, looking all scared.

"And you said Cynthia went after them?" Wole asks him and he nods.

Wole looks at me and I can see that he's doubting the credibility of the story.

Honestly, I don't know what to believe either. Cynthia just left here stunned and out of it because of the truth she just found out and now, she's supposedly after some guys?

"Let him go." Wole says to Femi and he releases his hold on his clothes. He then turns to the guy.

"How did you know we were here?" He questions him.

"Cynthia said you will be here." He replies, his voice trembling a little.

"Alright then. We will follow you but if we find out this is a kind of prank, you won't like the aftermath." Wole warns him, and the boy nods timidly.

Femi who has been pacing since he released the boy stops and turns to Wole, "Can we go already? This can be true and we might be wasting time."

"Lead the way." I tell the boy and he quickly moves ahead and starts to walk briskly.

Femi and I immediately follow him, walking as fast as we can to catch up with him.

"What are you doing? Let's go!" Wole shouts.

I glance back to see Wole trying to pull Peter who is still standing on the same spot to go with him.

I roll my eyes and concentrate on following the boy.

I'm beginning to see Peter in a different light now, but then have I ever truly known the kind of person he really is?

The boy continues to lead us until he starts to walk towards the direction of the secret entrance, a way I'm sure only me and the guys know about and just recently, Cynthia.

What's going on?

The boy stops suddenly, looking around.

"What's wrong?" Femi asks impatiently.

"I only saw them coming towards here, I don't know where they actually went to. Cynthia said she knows where they went to and asked me to come and get you guys so..." He trails off, looking like he is scared of how we might react if he continues.

"I think I know where they might have passed too." I tell him and then break out in a sprint, suddenly realising the gravity of the situation.

If they had really entered through our secret entrance then what he is saying might be true. Outsiders dressed in our school uniform, passed a secret entrance with no cameras and kidnapped a student.

This is actually plausible and suddenly, this situation is actually more serious than I thought.

"Femi, are you with your phone? Mine is still in the changing room." I ask him and he nods, looking a bit out of breath as he is running beside me.

"Dial Kunle's number and ask him to come to the secret entrance with the other bodyguards now!"

He slows down and immediately brings out the phone from his pocket to do as I've said but I don't stop and continue to run until I get to the secret entrance.

My legs stop moving and I freeze as I take in the sight in front of me.

Cynthia and Grace are both passed out next to each other on the floor and there's blood.

A lot of blood.

I glance at Dorcas and her friends, both of them looking like deers caught in headlights while Dorcas looks panicky.

I take in the surroundings, there are up to five guys present here, all of them glancing at me and then at Dorcas, as if they are waiting for her to give them an order. One of them even has a camera with him and I don't think I want to know what he is using it for.

I stare at Grace and Cynthia again, watching the blood as it surrounds the two of them, not even knowing whose blood it is. I know I should do something, anything. I should make my legs move towards them and take them out of here but all I can think of is the fact that they are lying in their blood.

"Michael, I already called him and he said he's coming with-" I hear Femi start to say until he stops mid sentence and I know he has already seen what's happening.

"Grace!" He screams, running towards both of them, unlike me who is still staying in the same spot.

"Grace, Cynthia, are you okay?" He asks both of them like they could answer and tries to wake them up. He lifts Grace's head and taps her face, trying to get her to wake but to no avail and then he moves towards Cynthia, lifting her head to do the same.

I hear more footsteps behind me and I know Wole and Peter have also finally gotten here.

"What's going on-" Wole also starts to say but his sentence ends in a gasp as he sees Femi still trying to wake the girls.

Only the gasp isn't from Wole but actually from Femi and he looks up at us, especially at me and then speaks, "Michael, she's the one that's bleeding. She's bleeding from her head." There's a break in his voice as he speaks but it's nothing compared to the break in my heart as he confirms my fear. "The cut isn't deep but there's lots of blood." I watch helplessly as he tears part of his uniform and ties it around her head.

I've only felt this scared on two occasions; the day my mum was rushed to the hospital because she went into an early labour for my younger sister. The second occasion is whenever I hear my dad's drunk voice approach me because I know what was coming next.

And now, Cynthia is lying on the ground in her own blood and it's all because of-

I turn towards Dorcas and her friends and their eyes widen, Dorcas is visibly trembling and Femi's ex is crying. The only calm one is that Cat girl who is obsessed with Peter and I won't be surprised if I find out she's the one who did that to Cynthia.

She and Peter really suits each other, both of them always unmoved by the most serious situations.

But still I approach them, my hands fisted by my sides, ready to do some damages. At this moment, I don't even care if they are females because they are not, they are just animals.

Animals that would do something like this to someone and because of what?

"Who did this?" I stare right into Dorcas eyes, demanding an answer from her. From my peripheral view, I see the Cat girl gesture to the guys and then point at the secret entrance.

If they think they can get out of this freely, they are very mistaken.

"Wole! No one should leave this place!" I shout. He doesn't answer immediately, probably not understanding why I'm suddenly saying this.

"Michael, we should worry about taking Cynthia and Grace to the hospital first. She has a head injury." He explains.

I would have turned to glare at him but there's no way I'm breaking eye contact with the murderer in front of me.

"Kunle will arrive soon and they will both be taken to the hospital but if these people should get away from here, Wole, I will never forgive you."

I hear him sigh loudly as he pulls Peter towards the secret entrance. Cat is already trying to make a run for it but she fails to recognise which of the wall has the door with the secret entrance.

"Who did this?" I ask Dorcas again and she flinches, stumbling backward. But I don't let her fall, I grab her by the collar so there's no way she can escape me.

She whimpers like she's in distress but I know that no amount of distress she's feeling can compare to the pain Cynthia is in right now.

"It wasn't supposed to turn out this way." She finally replies, her voice trembling.

"How was it supposed to turn out?"

When she shakes her head, not wanting to answer, I pull her closer by the collar and repeat the question, "How the fuck was it supposed to turn out?!"

"It was Chika's idea." She breathes. "She wanted those guys to have their way with Grace and have it all on video. She would then post it online so Femi could see it and leave her."

"What?!" I hear Femi scream and expect him to rush over to her but I guess he doesn't want to leave Cynthia and Grace. He is looking at Chika though with sheer hatred, "You would do all that to her just to get me to come back to you? And you think I will go back to dating someone as crazy as you are?!"

He mutters some more things under his breath and I can tell he is blaming himself.

I breathe in a shaky breath myself, trying to control my anger. I'm actually the one to blame for getting involved with Dorcas. If I hadn't gotten involved with someone like her, Femi wouldn't have liked and dated someone like Chika and none of this would have happened.

"Continue." I tell her slowly. The strength in my voice is gone but still she knows better than to not comply.

She nods and continues to speak, "But then Cynthia appeared and started beating everyone up and then- and then-

"And then what?" I ask impatiently.

"And then she tripped and hit her head on a stone and that's how she started bleeding."

I let out a small humourless laugh because I know she doesn't expect me to buy the lie she just told me, "So you are saying she tripped and somehow landed her head on a stone?" I raise an eyebrow and she nods.

"Bullshit!"

She shakes her head urgently, "That's the truth!" She looks around trying to come up with more lies. "I- I-

The sound of wood scraping the ground silences everyone and the secret entrance opens, revealing Kunle and like ten other bodyguards.

It's in moments like this that I appreciate the fact that I have lots of bodyguards following me.

"What the fu..." Kunle trails off, taking in his surroundings. "What's going on here?"

I look at Dorcas and tell her slowly, "We are not done here." Before releasing my hold on her and she slumps on the floor.

"Kunle, I want everyone here, and I mean everyone here in my secret room back at home. And please, Cynthia and Grace needs to be taken to the hospital as soon as possible."

He doesn't let me finish talking before he gestures to two of the bodyguards to get Cynthia and Grace off the floor. The guys that have been standing around, looking unbothered and watching everything unfold have now realise that they are in danger and start to bring knifes out from their clothes.

Soon, all four guys - except the cameraman who is standing dumbly, not knowing what to do - are pointing knives at Kunle and the rest of the bodyguards. A mistake on their path because they are outnumbered and even Kunle is enough to take them down.

I follow the bodyguards that took Grace and Cynthia out of school and into the car as they drive to a hospital.

When the nurse on duty asks for what happened to Cynthia's head, I recount the story that Dorcas told me about Cynthia hitting her head on a stone even though I know it isn't true.

The nurse says nothing and takes them both to two beds, another nurse joins her and they ask me to call both their guardians.

As soon as I realise that I will be speaking to Cynthia's Nanny on the phone and will be telling her that Cynthia has been admitted into the hospital, I get a feeling of deja vu, remembering how she had reacted when I had told her about Cynthia getting drunk at the party two years ago.

Let's just say I know I have a really long day ahead of me.

***

CYNTHIA

I open my eyes and blink continuously as everything appears in a blur. When I can finally see clearly, I notice the fluorescent light just above me. I look to the wall and see that it is painted white and stare at it in confusion.

This is definitely not my room.

I move my hand and feel someone holding it back. I turn to the side to see Nanny asleep with both of her hands wrapped around mine. She stirs in her sleep and opens her eyes briefly then starts to close it again until she realises that I'm looking at her. She quickly sits upright, her eyes wide open all of a sudden.

"Oh my goodness! Cynthia, you're awake." She exclaims with relief and quickly stands.

I try to say something but it ends up sounding like a croak. I clear my throat and try again.

"Water."

She rushes to the table that's beside her and pours water from a jug into a glass cup then hands it to me.

"Let me go and get the doctor." She tells me and quickly heads out of the room.

I start to sit so I can drink the water but I wince, feeling a dull pain in my head. I sit all the same and drink all the water in the cup then put my hand to my head to see that it's bandaged. I try to move my other hand but I see that it is hooked to an IV.

I take a good look at my surrounding knowing I'm definitely in a hospital room. I put my free hand to my bandaged head again, trying to remember how I got injured and it comes rushing back.

I had injured my head and leg when I was trying to rescue Grace and I sigh at the memory.

I hope she is alright.

I remove the sheets covering the rest of my body and frown. I know I injured my foot but I wasn't expecting to see it in a bandage. I hope it doesn't have to be bandaged for long because of the approaching sports competition.

The door opens and Nanny and a doctor comes into the room. He gives me a small smile which I return.

"You're finally awake." He says in form of a greeting as he approaches me and I furrow my eyebrows in confusion.

Finally? Have I been unconscious for long?

"Do you feel dizzy or a slight headache?" He asks and I shake my head. "That's good. It means you are better and you aren't suffering a concussion but you still have to be observed for twenty four hours before you are finally discharged."

I frown at the thought of spending hours in the room that strongly smells of medicine. I glance at Nanny, just noticing how tired she looks. I must have worried her a lot.

"How long does my foot has to be bandaged?"

"Thankfully, it's only a light sprain to your ankle so I'm thinking a week but it could be more." He replies and my face falls.

There goes my participation in this year's school sports competition.

He turns to Nanny, "I'll send a nurse down with some drugs that she has to use. Make sure she eats something before using them."

I grimace at what the doctor says because I totally hate using drugs. I can already feel the aftertaste of the drugs in my mouth without even using them.

The doctor leaves the room and Nanny looks down at me with a smile, "Are you feeling okay?"

"Other than the strong smell of medicine and disinfectant that I don't like, I'm guessing I'm fine." I reply and she chuckles.

"You have always hated staying long in hospitals."

"What day is today?"

"Saturday." She says and my eyes widen.

"Saturday? I've been unconscious since Thursday?" I ask with surprise.

"Yes." She nods. "Your head injury wasn't really serious but you lost a lot of blood. You kept waking and passing out."

"Have you been here since Thursday?"

"Yes, but I had to dress Sam for school yesterday and clean up too. I haven't gone home since I came back."

"How about Sam?"

"He is at Grace's place but she told me she is going to visit you today."

I guess she is feeling better now.

"By the way, a boy around your age was here to look for you yesterday. He said his name is John and he was here for quite a while."

At the mention of John's name, our discussion in the stadium concerning what had happened two years ago resurfaces. I guess he is yet to know that I've found out the truth. I wonder what he has to say for himself in defense of his actions but that still doesn't excuse the fact that he lied to me.

And honestly, he is the last person I want to see right now.

"Is he the same John? The one you have a crush on?"

Had a crush on. It's in past tense, Nanny.

I don't respond to her question.

"Let me get you something to eat like the doctor said. What would you like to eat?" Nanny finally asks when I say nothing else.

"Fried rice."

"I guess you are better now." She replies, smiling. "I'll get it for you." She replies and takes her purse from the table. She then opens it and hands me my phone, "You might want to go through it."

A feeling of sadness suddenly overcomes me as I remember my parents. "Are my parents aware of my condition?" I ask. She is already at the entrance, about to leave the room.

"Of course, how do you think the money for treatment was paid?"

"Was that all they did? Pay for the treatment?" I ask and she smiles sadly. She then comes towards me and sits beside me on the bed, holding my hand.

"They did more than pay for the treatment. They asked after your well being." She says kindly and I scoff in response.

"That's hardly a job, Nanny. They are supposed to ask after my wellbeing. What might have taken an effort is coming down here to look after me." I reply, not hiding my disappointment.

"Everything they are doing is for you and your brother's benefit."

"Nanny, don't defend them." I frown, getting annoyed. "You are more than a mother to both Sam and I than my biological mother have ever been and you know that." I continue angrily then show her my phone. "Look at this." I scroll through my call logs. "There are no missed calls from any of them and yet they care? Sometimes I feel neglected, Nanny, especially in times like this."

I look at her expectantly but she doesn't utter a word, she is just looking at me with sympathy. A look that I really detest seeing.

"Nanny, stop looking at me like that and say something!"

She surprises me by pulling me in a hug instead and rubs my back soothingly, "There's probably nothing I can say that can ease the anger you're feeling towards them right now but I want you to know I can't be your nanny forever. Your parents will retire, spend more time with you and all these will seem so long ago. And then, I'll no longer have a reason to be with you."

I scowl at her words, not liking the thoughts of not being able to live with Nanny anymore. And I know for sure that I can never forget the fact that Sam and I were practically abandoned by my parents and act like nothing happened.

I release myself from her hug and look at her questioningly, "What are you trying to say?"

"All I'm saying is you'll soon forget all this bitterness in your heart towards your parents." She adds simply and I give her a blank look.

I'm about to give her a response when the door opens and Grace comes in, carrying Sam in her arms.

"Cynthia! I haven't seen you since Thursday!" He shouts and wiggles out of Grace's arms. He runs to the bed and climbs on it, he then stares at my face with a thoughtful expression.

I glance at Nanny with amusement, the anger towards my parents totally gone as I stare into his face, wondering what he's looking at. I see Grace sharing the same look as me.

"What's that on your head?" He finally asks and Grace burst into laughter. I chuckle and pinch his cheek with my free arm.

"It's a bandage. I got injured." I reply and he nods.

"I want one too." He touches his head and I raise an eyebrow. I don't think he understood what I just said.

The door opens again and I watch with surprise as Femi comes in, a basket of flowers in his hand and he grins immediately he sees me on the bed.

"You are awake now." He says in form of a greeting and I smile.

"Good afternoon, ma." He greets Nanny and she smiles.

"Oh, it's that handsome date of Grace. How are you?" She asks.

"I'm fine ma." He replies.

Wole and Peter both comes in next and they are also with a basket. Peter has a basket of fruits with him and he smiles at me, his dimples showing. I smile back at him and turn to Wole who also grins.

"Thank God you are conscious now." Wole sighs and comes forward with his own basket that has beverages, sweets, chocolates, chips and other goodies.

These guys!

They both greet Nanny and she responds, staring at them all. She then leans towards me and whispers, "Who are these handsome boys?"

"My friends." I reply with amusement and she sighs.

"And how do you cope with being friends with them?" She asks and I give her a confused look. "The only thing stopping me from fan-girling right now is my age." She sighs and my eyes widen.

"Nanny!" I shout and she chuckles.

I shake my head and look around for Michael as he didn't come in with them. "Where is Michael?"

"He's on his way, probably talking to his bodyguards. You know how it is." Femi replies with a wink.

They all drop their baskets simultaneously on the table and I stare at it with a smile.

"You didn't have to bother." I tell them and Femi is quick to give me a look of offense.

"What do you mean? My third favorite lady in the world got injured and you are telling me not to bother." He responds and I almost burst out laughing.

"Third? Is Grace the first or second favorite lady?" I ask with amusement.

"I'm the second. His grandma is his all time favorite lady." Grace replies in his stead and I chuckle.

"I'll leave you guys to catch up. I have to go and get food for Cynthia. I'll be back soon." Nanny announces and gets up to leave.

I glance at her, remembering what we were talking about before the guys arrive and she smiles at me before leaving. She runs into someone at the entrance and has a quick conversation with the person.

I only hear his voice and my heart is already beating excitedly in my chest. When he steps inside and our eyes meet, his lips rise into a smile. I smile unconsciously too and we stare at each other, not saying a word.

It's at that moment that I realise that I might be falling in love with Michael Bankole.

***

Lol, let's all just pretend we didn't see that coming.

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