So... the time is 23:00WAT.

Which means it's still Wednesday and I still get to fulfill my scheduled update.

This chapter is rushed and unedited. Bear with me.

I hope you enjoy the chapter.

Happy reading!!!

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Chapter Fifty One

CYNTHIA

"After my parents died, someone had to take care of the company."

Peter starts to explain. He has this sad and wistful look in his eyes but they don't compare to the heartbroken feelings in his eyes when he was talking about his parents.

I begin to get hopeful that this part of his past won't pull at my heart like how his parents died did.

"Oh, I didn't know your parents own a company." I comment, truly surprised by that fact.

"Yeah, they did. You know, my dad always told us how he met my mum and I could remember vividly how he told us from time to time that he met mum at a fashion show."

"Really? That's interesting." I smile.

"Yeah, Mum was a fashion designer while Dad ran his own textile and designs company. Dad said he was immediately attracted to Mum and he tried to approach her but he got snubbed. To cut the long story short, that was how they met and that was how our Textile and Fashion Designing company came to be."

"So they merged both companies together?"

"Yes, they did."

"That's creative."

"I agree but you should see the designs Mum made then, those were creativity on its own." He smiles proudly and continues.

"Dad's younger brother, my uncle, also worked in the company. He was previously working with Dad's textile company so when it was merged with Mum's designing company, he automatically became a worker there too. And you know, out of all of us that were given birth to by our parents, it was only Pauline that was interested in working in the company."

"Who is Pauline?"

"She was my elder sister. That was her name." He replies sadly.

Oh.

"You know she could be really troublesome but I would give anything right now for her to just come out of her grave and tease me or make fun of me." He sighs but I can't help giggling nervously.

"That would actually be great but I don't think you'd be sitting here if she suddenly comes out of her grave. I won't be sitting here for sure." I reply.

He chuckles and this time, there was no hint of sadness in his laugh. I actually feel quite proud of myself.

"Funny you." He is still smiling and I smile back, liking the fact that he is no longer brooding and is smiling now.

"Anyways, it was all clear for us to see that Pauline would definitely be the one to take over Dad and Mum's business when the time comes and so when they all died, things changed. Since I was the only survivor, I was the heir to the company and everything they had. But I was also too young to handle the business, I could only begin to run it when I am 21 years old."

"Who runs the business then?"

"The only family that we have working in the company. It was my Dad's younger brother, my uncle." He sighs again before continuing. "He was to run the business and take care of every other property that belongs to Dad until I was old enough to handle things."

"Was that what your Dad wanted?"

He shrugs, "I don't know but that was what our Lawyer said and soon after Dad died, he packed to Dad's house alongside his wife and children and began to live with me. He was actually nice, treated me like I was one of his children and made sure I got everything I wanted."

"That's very nice of him." I comment, glad that he didn't suffer in his hands like I was already envisaging.

He nods in agreement, "But his wife was the exact opposite."

I let out a groan.

"She always took her time to remind me that she absolutely hates me. She maltreated me. She starved me, she made sure I washed the clothes and the plates while her children sat in front of the TV."

"Why would she do that? Didn't you guys have a maid?" I ask incredulously, feeling annoyed.

"Of course, we did. But I guess to her we didn't because why make the maid do the house chores when you have me?" He says sadly.

"That's so bad. Why would she do something like that?"

"Well, according to her, I'm the only one stopping her husband from having total control of the company and my dad's properties. She said I should have died with my parents."

"Oh My God!" I exclaim, getting really angry now. "How can she say that to a child that is already blaming himself for the death of his parents? Did you go through all this in silence?"

"Yeah, I did. At first, I took it as punishment for not being able to save my parents and since I decided to shut the world out, I didn't tell anyone. It went on like that for a year until I met Femi. After he said those words to me, I opened up to him and he told me to stand up for myself and that was when I decided that I wouldn't suffer in silence anymore." He explains and I can see he is on the brink of tears again.

"You know, I was just starting to live again. Femi helped me a lot, I begun to talk, to express myself and I liked it. I liked the fact that I could talk and people would listen. I liked the fact that I was no longer in the background and I didn't just go with the flow." He continues, the tears threatening to spill. His voice is wavering so I place my hand on his hand and squeezed it.

He looks at me and smiles but a tear rolls down his eye.

I can remember when Michael introduced him to Grace and I then. He had described him as the quiet one of their group that just always goes with the flow and I didn't think much of it then but now, it's kind of sad.

I don't say anything and just comfort him in silence. I wait until he has comported himself and is ready to speak again.

He clears his throat and continues, "And so, one day, I decided to talk to my uncle when he came back from work. I would tell him everything his wife does to me when he is not around so he could find something to do about it."

"That's very good because it was the right thing to do." I tell him with a smile but he gives me a sad look.

"Was it?" He asks quietly and the smile on my face slowly fades.

Wasn't it?

"My uncle came back from the company late at night like he always did when everyone was asleep. I knew his wife would be waiting for him in his room and I knew I had to talk to him before he enters the house so his wife wouldn't see me. I snuck out of my room and met him on his way inside. He was surprised to see me and asked why I wasn't asleep yet, I replied him and told him I wanted to talk to him about something and I ended up explaining everything to him. He got angry but calmly asked me if I had eaten and I shook my head. He went to the kitchen himself and served me his food. That was how nice he was."

"If only he was always around." I mumble.

"Yeah but unfortunately he believes his wife more than he believes me. So when his wife told him that I was lying and I said all that because I didn't like her, he believed it. He reprimanded me sternly the following day and I was shocked."

"Well, he should have set up a CCTV camera so he should see just how badly his wife behaves instead of taking her side blindly." I comment bitterly, feeling so angry at the injustice of it all. His faint smile only fuels my anger at the aunt I've never seen before in my life.

"He could have but I guess he didn't think it necessary and that wasn't all. When my uncle was gone, his wife wasted no time in giving me a hot slap on the cheek and called me different names. And then she told me that not all things that are seen and heard are meant to be said, and if I should report whatever happens whenever her husband is not around to him again, she would make me pay severely. So, I should learn to open my mouth only when it is utterly necessary."

I let out a huge sigh. So that's what happened.

Poor Peter.

"I wasn't saddened by the slap she gave me after all, I became numb after my uncle scolded me but what she said that day I would never forget. I came to realize that what she said was true, it wasn't everything that is seen or heard that should be said and so I went back to being quiet again." He finishes and then glances at me.

I'm looking in his eyes now and I'm taken aback again to see his sorrows and anguish swirling in them. It still surprises me to see emotions in them because they are usually void of it. I sit there entranced, looking into his eyes and it isn't until he looks away that I blink back into reality.

After a while of silence, I ask. "How do you like being quiet compared to when you like being heard?"

"Being quiet is actually good. People think you don't know things but you do and when you finally open your mouth to say something, they all want to listen because they want to know what the quiet guy has to say." He explains and I nod in agreement.

"That's true. Maybe I should also try being quiet." I joke.

"No, I like you just the way you are."  

I smile at him, momentarily at loss of what to say. "Fine, if you say so." I reply then quickly move back to the topic at hand. "But how are you holding up with your uncle's wife now?"

His gaze is on his dad's grave, "Ever since I knew Femi, I hardly stayed home especially after the incident with my uncle and his wife. I would spend the night in his place and my uncle wouldn't ask questions and now, I have my own place. I made my uncle get me my place and a car and so the house belongs to her and her husband now."

"Don't you have any interest in running your parent's business?"

"I have to. It belongs to my family and the least I can do is to run it."

"You didn't answer my question."

He sighs before replying, "It doesn't matter."

I want to ask him why it doesn't matter but kept quiet instead. Although he told me a lot about himself, there still seem to be a lot of riddles surrounding him.

"What happened to the man that caused the accident?" I ask and he instantly goes rigid.

"Turns out the bastard was very rich. He got off with paying a fine. He ruined my life and didn't even pay for it." He responds bitterly.

"You don't know for sure. He might actually be paying for it. His conscience might not let him be."

"I doubt that. If he had any conscience in him, he should have offered at least an apology. You know what? I don't want to talk about him. Just thinking of him makes me very angry."

I keep quiet not wanting to provoke him and I watch as he curls his hands into fists. I place my hand on one of his and slowly, he uncurls it. He huffs but says nothing then looks at me. I smile at him and his lips twitch. He looks away then but I couldn't stop smiling.

At least, that is better compared to the anger that I just saw on his face.

A drop of rain suddenly hits me on the leg, startling me and I look at the sky and see that there are dark clouds, a strong sign that there is going to be a heavy downfall.

Peter must have noticed the sky darkening too because he also looks up and sighs.

"We should start going. It looks like it's about to rain." He mutters and stands.

"Yeah, you are right." I reply just as thunder rumbles. "But I was actually enjoying the time I'm spending with you." I add, looking up at him from where I'm still sitting and he smiles.

"I'm glad you did but honestly, I really appreciate the fact that you took your time to come with me to listen to my pathetic stories."

"I'm just happy that I was able to help, you don't have to thank me." I reply and he nods gratefully, smiling.

He extends his hand for me to take so he can pull me up and I take it. Only he pulls me too hard and my head almost bumps into his chest. He grabs me by the waist and I place my hands on his chest to steady myself. Of course, he is taller than me but my eyes are leveled with his chin and when I raise my eye to look at him, my eyes meet his.

A raindrop hits me on my forehead and I awkwardly look away and remove my hands from his chest. He removes his hands from my waist - almost reluctantly to my amusement - and bends down to help me with my crutches. The raindrops are starting to fall repeatedly as he hands me my crutches.

"Do you think you can get to the car before it starts to pour heavily?" He asks and I shrug.

"Maybe." I respond and begin to walk as fast as I can.

The rain soon starts to fall heavily and I'm drenched in water. The rain also makes it difficult for me to see and I can hardly make out Peter in front of me but I notice his figure head back towards me. 

I squeal in surprise when he suddenly lifts me up in his arms bridal style, my crutches falling to the ground.

"I think I have an umbrella in my car. I'll come for your crutches later. But first, let's get you in the car." He mentions and takes me in his arms into the car.

"I'm going to make your car all wet." I tell him as we finally get to his car and he drops me in the passenger seat of his car.

"It's inevitable. Let me go get your crutches." He replies and runs off.

"Wait, you've forgotten the umbrella!" I call out to him but I don't think he hears me under the heavy downpour. But then, the umbrella is probably not even useful anymore since he is already wet.

I close the door and wait for him until he gets back and when he returns, he is dripping of water from head to toe. He puts my crutches in the back seat of his jeep and opens the driver's seat and enters.

His teeth are clenched from the obvious cold and I don't realize that I'm reacting the same way.

The rain is still pouring down heavily and it will surely be difficult to drive on the road. Peter starts the car's engine anyways and puts on the heater.

"My house is closer to this place. I think it'll be safer for us to stay there until it stops raining."

"It's alright." I say through shaking teeth and he smiles apologetically.

He begins to drive and we sit in silence. It isn't up to five minutes that we arrive in front of a duplex building. Peter stops in front of the gate and uses a remote from his car to open the gate then he drives inside.

Once we are inside and he has parked his car, he rushes out of the car. I open the door and try to get out but he is soon by my side and carries me bridal style again.

"It's okay. I can walk to the entrance." I protest in his arms and he smiles.

"Why do you want to walk when you have me?" He asks with a light chuckle a and I'm unable to come up with a response.

What am I even supposed to say to that?

He finally drops me at the entrance and opens the door to his house with one of the keys attached to his car keys. The rain is still falling heavily and I'm definitely going to catch a cold.

When he has opened the door, he gestures for me to enter and goes back to the car. I shrug and hop inside the house on one foot and I must say I'm quite impressed with the house's decorations.

I press my foot against the plush rug beneath my leg since I like how soft it is and Peter comes in with my crutches not long after and smiles when he sees me looking at the stairs just behind the dining room.

"It's a duplex." He announces proudly as he drops my crutches.

"Wow! And you live here alone?" I ask and he nods with a small smile. He grabs the air-conditioner's remote from a side-table and increases the temperature. I shiver unconsciously and he quickly rushes to my side.

"I think you should change out of these clothes. Do you mind if I get you my clothes?" He asks and I immediately shake my head.

"Alright then, I'll be back soon."

He strides towards the stairs and climbs so I use the opportunity to really look around. The sitting room is beautifully painted in cream colour and the paintings and the huge wall clock that is hung above the large flat TV-screen on the wall are the only decorations present in the living room. There are no pictures of his family in it and it makes me wonder if looking at their pictures reminds him of some sad memories with them. I also discover that there are no pictures of his friends too.

I smile when I notice that there are four game pads attached to the PS game lying on top of the glass shelf below the TV screen. Even if there are no pictures of them, it's evident that they are still present in his life.

Just when I'm beginning to feel uncomfortable with resting on one foot because of my being unable to sit due to my wet clothes, Peter appears with a folded t-shirt, shorts and towel. He has already changed out of his wet shirt and is now wearing dry clothes.

With his wet hair and a casual look in his sweat pants and t-shirt, I can't help but notice how handsome and domestic he looks. And with his usual guard and emotionless face gone, he looks approachable and more of a boyfriend material.

"If I didn't know better, I would think you have the hots for me." He jokes and when I blush at his remarks, he chuckles.

"Here." He gestures for me to collect the clothes from him and I do with an appreciating smile.

"I would ask you to change in my room but it would be hard-work to get there because of your leg so you can just change here." He suggests and at the bewildered look on my face, he quickly adds with a sheepish look, "I'll be in the kitchen to make us some hot chocolate and I promise, I won't peek."

I only nod in response and wait for him to enter the kitchen. When he is in, I move until I'm sure he can't see me even if he decides to peek and quickly change out of my clothes and into his own.

His clothes smells so nice and I can't help inhaling it. I start to wonder how Michael's clothes smells like. If they smell like his cologne, they will definitely smell heavenly.

I take the towel and start to remove the water from my braids as well as I can.

"Are you done?" He calls out from the kitchen, startling me.

"Yeah, I'm done." I reply and he soon emerges from the kitchen with a tray in his hand. The tray has two cups of tea and a plate of biscuits in it.

I grin at how he looks heading towards me with the tray in his hand and he smiles shyly when he sees me grinning at him.

"Don't make this hard for me. This is the first time I'm doing something like this for a lady." He comments as he drops the tray on the table nearest to me. I sit on the chair next to him and he sits on the same chair and draws the table closer to us.

"Really? That's surprising." I take one of the cups of chocolate from the tray. I take a sip of the bournvita and milk and sigh appreciatively at how good it tastes. I also like the way the hot liquid trickles down my throat.

I catch Peter looking at me with a smile and I raise my eyebrows in question.

"You really trust me a lot, don't you?"

When he sees the confused look on my face, he continues, "I'm just thinking of how Michael didn't want us to be in your room together alone and yet here you are, drinking chocolate that I could have mixed something in."

I glance at the cup of chocolate that is now half empty and at him, not understanding his sudden seriousness.

Could he have -- Would he really --

I let out a nervous laugh but when he doesn't laugh in response, my face goes blank.

He really doesn't mean it? Does he?

He suddenly laughs at my expression and takes the other cup of chocolate, "Don't worry. It's nothing like that."

I watch him take a sip from his own chocolate but for some reason, I can't shake off the feeling that he might have really added something to my chocolate.

Maybe it's because he looked like he could actually do it.

"Relax." He chuckles again when he sees that I've still not reacted. He even goes as far as drinking out of my chocolate. "I was just joking. I thought you said you trust me." He says in a teasing manner.

I finally smile at him, deciding to believe him.

"I do trust you." I tell him and even take another sip from my cup for emphasis.

But the way you looked while you spoke was kind of scary.

I don't add that part though.

"Your phone." He nods towards my wet clothes that is still on the floor and that's when I notice the glowing light. "It's been like that for a while now. I think someone is trying to reach you."

Shit. I've forgotten that I left the phone on silence when we were still at the cemetery.

I hurry towards it and I pull it out just as the screen goes dark from the unanswered call. I unlock it and my eyes goes wide at the number of missed calls on it.

76 missed calls.

52 missed calls from John.

18 missed calls from Michael.

4 missed calls from Grace.

2 missed calls from Nanny.

Everyone must be freaking out right now.

I quickly click on my WhatsApp messenger app to see if I have messages from them and they are all waiting there for me.

Remembering that Grace promised to give me updates on all that happens at the Sports competition, I click on her messages first so I can get the gist of things before deciding on the next thing to do.

Grace: I'm separated from the rest now because I'm partaking in the competitions. The advantage is I get to see everything that's happening clearly.

The principal is giving his boring speech as usual 🤦🏾‍♀️.

We have a very funny MC by the way. I've been laughing non stop for a while now.

Oh, they are about to begin the real competitions now. They are starting with the female 100m race.

Your team came first! Congratulations!!! 🥳🥳

The male 100m race is next. Michael seems kind of distracted though.

I'm actually kind of tense because of the determined face on John's face. I want Michael to win. Not because he is running for our team but because John is an asshole. Have you spoken to him yet?

I shake my head in response to her question like she can see me then remember she can't and let out a sigh. I can't put off talking to him any longer. We will have to talk sooner or later.

John won the 100m race. Bummer 👎🏾👎🏾. He looks ecstatic which is annoying by the way and he keeps looking around.

The 200m female race is preparing because they are next.

Wait! I just got a text from John. He is asking of you. What do I tell him?

Are you even reading these texts? Well, I will keep sending them because it's keeping me from thinking about the fact that I will soon jumping in front of everybody. I'm still nervous by the way.

Our team won the 200m female race. Yay!!! The 200m male race is next. Another John and Michael face off.

Michael looks focused though, thank God. Hopefully, he will win John this time.

You can never guess what just happened?!!!! 😳

So Michael and John were running neck to neck and John was obviously straining himself. He fell on the tracks and reports are that he twisted his ankle and won't be able to take part anymore.

I don't like him but I kind of feel bad for him.

It's the relay races now.

Your team came third in the female relay race while my team came first.

In the male relay race, St. Joseph is first and your team managed to come second.

I'm thinking at this rate, you might end up going on the date with Michael. Why am I so excited?!!!

Cynthia, it's time for the high jump now. Wish me luck 🥺🥺

I came second!!! Your team member beat me by a metre. I'm still happy though. By the way I'm now seated with Nanny and the guys. Sam seems to like my medal, don't be surprise to see it on his neck when you finally get home.

Mum and the twins couldn't make it because of the twin's open day.

How is the outing with Peter? John just texted me that he can't seem to get to you and he really needs to talk to you. I just called you too and you aren't picking.

They just finished the march pass and are about to play the football game. Michael looks unhappy about something. I have a feeling it's because of you.

You need to hear Femi and Wole's argument on which of their team is coming third and who is coming last. I've been laughing nonstop 😂😂.

It's starting to drizzle o. I don't think they can playi the football anymore.

Why aren't you picking up your calls? Nanny is beginning to get worried too. We are leaving now, the rain is too heavy and they don't think they can continue the competition anymore.

St. Joseph was announced the winner in the end. Guess you owe Michael a date.

I'm home now all drenched and worried that I'm unable to reach you. Call me as soon as you get my messages. I might be sleeping by then though.

That's the last of her message and honestly, I don't even know where to start replying from.

I click on Michael's messages next and my stomach churns as I read them.

Michael: Have you gotten to your destination?

I wish you were here so you could wish me goodluck.

I smile as I read that. I think he is forgetting that we are rivals and we are not supposed to wish goodluck for the other.

There's no one to show off to since I know you are not here to watch me.

Why are you not answering your calls? Is everything alright?

We are about to be crowned the winners of this year's sports competition and I'm not even excited. You are worrying me.

Please pick up your call.

You will let me know if you are alright as soon as you get my messages, right? I honestly don't like the fact that you are with Peter. And it's not even jealousy.

I chuckle at that because I know he might be denying it but he has been acting like he's jealous even before we left the house.

I send him an 'I'm alright' message so he can stop worrying then go on to read John's messages.

John: Cynthia, I'm so sorry. I feel like I have offended you and that's why you have been ignoring my messages. I'm thinking of coming to your place but I don't think you will like that.

That message was sent even before the competition had begun.

Cynthia, I'm very sorry. I've disappointed you.

What the hell is he talking about?

Honestly, I am so annoyed at myself. It's like I failed myself and I failed you. I made a promise to you that I would not allow Michael's team win so you won't have to go on the date with him but then I got my ankle twisted.

Now, you will have to go on a date you don't even want to go and I can't stop blaming myself.

But I know what will make you feel better about Michael's date since it will be nothing more than a punishment for you.

Go on a date with me too. We like each other and it will surely be better than going on a date with Michael. It will be like taking a candy after drinking something bitter.

What do you think?

I look at the messages like they are the most ridiculous thing on earth because that's what they are at this moment.

Is he fucking with me right now?!!

***

One word for John, please 😂😂.

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Until next time,

Bye 🥰.