I'm so sorry for the late update. It's been a while, I know. I've just had some things going on so I had to take a short break. I'm sorry for doing that without informing all of you.

I still can't say that my update will be regular from now on so please bear with me. Just know that I'll be trying my best to put together a good chapter for you.

I hope this chapter is one of them although it's not edited.

Happy reading!!!

***

Chapter Fifty Five

CYNTHIA

The bell for the end of the last period finally rings while I ignore Michael's hundredth attempt to talk to me since lunch had ended and we had returned to class.

"Cynthia, I'm sorry!"

He looks frustrated that I'm not saying anything even after he is apologising but that's his problem. Not after how he had treated Peter in everyone's presence.

I clear my book from the table and bring out my bag from my locker.

"Please, Cynthia. I need you to tell me if the date is cancelled or not. Just tell me, I'm brave enough to hear your final answer."

I ignore him again, almost rolling my eyes at what he just said.

"Cynthia, please!" 

Having finally packed all my books in my bag, I strap my bag on my shoulder and pick up the paper bag that contains Peter's clothes. I'll ask him to meet me at the school entrance to collect it and maybe apologise to him on Michael's behalf.

I head out of the classroom, glancing at him and find him looking utterly miserable and defeated on his seat. Ignoring him is a bit harder this time but I still do.

I go to Grace's class and find that there's still a teacher in her class. So I text her to meet me at the school entrance. I also send Peter a text asking him to meet me at the school entrance for his clothes.

As I approach the stairs, I begin to wonder if I had overreacted earlier at the cafeteria.

No, you didn't overreact. You just got reminded of the Michael you used to hate.

With a sigh, I find myself agreeing with my subconscious.

I'm guessing I still have a lot to know about him. Especially why there is so much friction between he and Peter?

There is definitely something between them that only two of them knows. Or maybe the four of them.

I'm lost in thought and hardly paying attention to where I'm going that I don't realise there is someone's leg in my way. I get startled when I suddenly stumble upon it and when I look up and see that it's Dorcas and her bimbos again, I take in a huge breath and ask God for lots of patience.

Don't they get tired??

"So, you are going on a date with my boyfriend today." She announces with a condescending tone, giving me a disgusted look.

At this rate, she seems really pitiful. Still trying to push the 'Michael is my boyfriend' narrative.

"Stop trying too hard." I tell her like I would tell Sam when he insists on getting his way even though he's clearly wrong.

Cat throws me a glare, looking like she's barely keeping herself from gouging my eyes out.

Honestly, she's the only who actually scares me a bit amongst the three of them. But today, I would rather do without the drama and just go home.

Something about the way I spoke to her might have gotten to her because she says nothing as I walk away from she and her friends and make my way down the stairs.

When I finally get to the school gate, I find Peter already waiting there for me.

He smiles when he sees me approaching and I return it.

"Hi."

"Hi." I reply.

There's a moment of awkward silence before he finally talks, "So you asked me to meet you here?"

"Yeah, I wanted to return your clothes to you and to thank you for borrowing them to me." I smile, raising the bag towards him so he can collect it.

"It's no big deal." He responds as he collects the bag from me. "I was thinking you might want to keep it."

And... why would I want to keep it?

"The polite thing would be to return it, right?" I ask with a small laugh at the end.

"I guess so." He replies quietly as he stares at the ground, his face fallen.

'But there's someone's jacket lying in your wardrobe this very minute. I guess it's only polite when the clothes belong to someone you don't like.'

I ignore my subconscious and smile faintly at Peter.

"I hope you are feeling better now, after yesterday." I decide to change the subject.

He nods and his lips rise in a small smile, "You have no idea what your presence did for me."

His eyes make their way from the floor to meet mine and even though he's smiling, it doesn't reach his eyes.

That's when I'm reminded that he might have feelings for me. I was so caught up with John and my date with Michael that I had forgotten about yesterday and the weird things he had said and done.

It makes sense now.

Why he didn't want to listen to them talk about my and Michael's date at the table during lunch.

So does this actually confirm the fact that he really likes me?

My mind goes back to what Grace had told me yesterday during our chat.

Peter's side is pretty simple actually. Ask him straight up if he likes you so you know you aren't concluding on your own and if he says yes, put him down gently. We both know Peter isn't the one you are going for.

I know she's right. I can't just reach conclusions of his feelings on my own. So I have to confirm that he actually likes me by asking him. And if he does, I tell him that I like someone else.

But is this really the perfect time to ask him a question like that?

While I'm still hesitating on whether to ask the question or not, he asks his own question.

"So, you are going on a date with Michael today?"

"Yeah, about that, I really want to apologize for what he said to you in the cafeteria. He really shouldn't have." I tell him, sincerely hoping that whatever tension is between them would ease.

But for some odd reason, what I just said seems to make him annoyed.

"Why are you apologising on his behalf?" He asks, his voice suddenly on edge. "He was the one who spoke to me that way not you. You are not even his girlfriend or anything, so why are you apologising for him?"

By the time he is done talking, I'm feeling really flustered.

Did I say something wrong?

His words remind me of just how little of a relation I have with Michael and I will be lying if I say it doesn't hurt.

But did he really have to put it that way? I was just trying to make him feel better.

"I didn't mean-

"Cynthia!" Grace's voice calls, interrupting me and I've never been so relieved to hear her voice. "Why didn't you wait for me so we can come down together as usual?"

Before I can reply, she turns to Peter, "Oh, hi Peter." She greets him with a smile as she gets to us. But when he doesn't return her smile, she raises an eyebrow and turns to me.

I say nothing and she turns back to Peter then her eyes move to the bag in his hand.

"Isn't that the bag you were holding this morning that you said contains clothes?Why does Peter have it?"

"Because it's his clothes that are in there." I reply monotonously, earning a confused look from her as response.

"How do you have his clothes?"

"It was probably not important enough for you to know." Peter tells her before I can come up with a reply. He then adds with a tight smile. "I'll leave you girls now. Cynthia, have a nice date."

I let out a sigh as I watch him walk away, deciding once again that I like the Peter who is cool and hardly talks than the Peter who just left now.

As soon as he is gone, Grace turns to me immediately, "Why didn't you mention anything about him giving you his clothes?" Grace asks but I'm not about to answer that question right now.

Thankfully, the sound of a message entering my phone makes me reach for it in my pocket, giving me an excuse to pretend like I didn't hear her.

The message is probably from Michael apologising again but I should check anyways.

Only as soon as I unlock my phone, I'm staring at notifications telling me I have a message from John and not from Michael.

What does he still want?

I click on the message.

Cynthia, I'm so sorry for lying to you. The truth is I have a mental health condition. Let's have just one dinner date together and I will explain everything to you, I promise. Please do this for me even though I don't deserve it. Please.

A mental health condition? Did I read correctly?

"Why are you making that weird face?" Grace asks, probably noticing how strangely I'm staring at my phone. Without saying a word, I pass her the phone so she can see for herself.

"Did he really just text that he has a mental condition?" She asks incredulously.

"You read it yourself."

"Is there really a mental illness that makes you lie?"

I give her a dead look. How am I supposed to know that?

"And why is he still talking about the date?"

I sigh as I begin to rethink my life choices.

If only I could go back in time to the day of that party and insist I was going nowhere, all these would never have happened.

Grace is still looking at me expectantly, waiting for an answer.

"He said something about giving him the memory of the date as a gift since he already knows I like Michael and is willing to let me go." I watch as her eyebrows shoot up at my explanation. "And the only way I get to know why he lied to me is if I go on this date with him."

"Wow." Grace exhales, looking a bit speechless. Then she glances at my phone that's still in her hand and reads the message again. "So what now? Are you going on the date with him?"

"Honestly, I don't want to. Just thinking of going on the date with him isn't a pleasant thought. He didn't even look remorseful that I had found out his lie, instead he decided to make me feel guilty for not telling him about Michael as if I actually didn't want to."

"Well, I did warn you to tell him about your feelings for Michael." Grace mutters, staring pointedly at my shoe.

I throw her a dirty look, "This isn't an 'I told you so' moment."

She shrugs and hides her smile, "Okay." Then she clears her throat and makes a pretty serious face. "Go on the date with him. Hear his explanation, gift him the memory of the night or whatever and end your chapter with him."

I start to protest but she doesn't allow me.

"You need to start with Michael on a clean slate. And to do that, you also have to speak with Peter. You don't need those other thoughts occupying your mind when you finally get together with Michael. So put that into consideration and make a decision. Who knows? John's explanation might actually be a genuine one and you might be able to forgive him."

I almost scoff at her last sentence.

A genuine explanation? Yeah, right. Someone who is already making shit up about having a mental illness.

I decide to agree with Grace though. I should just get that over with.

"So, are you cancelling your date with Michael? I need to know so I can follow you to your place to dress you up." She smirks.

The horn of a car from a distance stops me from answering and I see that my ride is already waiting for me.

"We'll see." I reply and head towards the car.

***

It is ten minutes past four pm and I'm still undecided on whether to follow through with the date or to cancel it.

My phone is ringing again as it has been ringing almost as soon as I arrived home and I'm still not in the mood to answer it. Grace who is sitting beside me on my bed picks it and gives it to me, encouraging me to answer it but I just throw it back on the bed.

Grace had followed me home from school because she apparently knows that I'm still going to go on the date and her help will be very much needed.

"Come on, Cynthia. That is definitely the twentieth time Michael has called and you've refused to pick."

"I still don't understand why you are angry with him." She continues and I give her an 'are-you-serious' look.

"What do you mean you don't understand why I'm angry with him? Didn't you witness how he treated his friend? If he could do that to his close friend, I wonder how rude he can be to a complete stranger."

She rolls her eyes, "You already know how Michael is and how rude he can be to a complete stranger. But can't you see what is happening?"

I fold my arms, "No, I can't see what is happening."

"Well, I won't say what he did was right but babe, all is fair in love and war." She sings, earning a dry look from me.

"What nonsense are you saying now?"

The phone begins to ring again and Grace takes it from the bed and points it at me.

"If you won't talk to him anymore, at least tell him whether or not you're still going on the date with him. The poor boy is probably scared you will cancel on him."

"He is not a poor boy."

"He might not be a poor boy but he is surely helpless. I mean whatever plans he had made would go to waste and he would be devastated. Even Femi said it was the first time he was taking someone on a date. Would you really ruin his first date?" She asks, suddenly turning to an advocate for Michael.

I can't come up with a reply because I don't want to ruin the date. And deep down I know I'm probably overreacting and I'm not really ready to cancel the date.

"What do you want me to do?"

"It's simple. Take the phone from me, answer his call and tell him that you will still go on this date with him." She tells me just as the phone stops ringing.

"So should I just call him now and tell him that I am still going on the date with him?" 

She gives an exaggerated sigh, "You're so clueless. Just wait until he calls again and answer all his questions."

The phone starts to ring again and Grace waves it in my face. I snatch it from her and swipe the green button.

"Cynthia!" Michael cries with relief. "Cynthia, I've been apologizing to you since forever. Why won't you accept it? Are you really that angry with me because of the incident with Peter?"

"Yes." I reply. Grace gestures to me to say more but I ignore her.

He exhales upon hearing my answer. "Cynthia, he got me angry. He is my friend and he is supposed to be happy for me but he is actually jealous that I'm going on the date with you. That isn't how true friends are. His attitude led to me behaving that way."

I agree that Peter really was acting jealous in the cafeteria.

"Cynthia, you see, there are some things you don't understand and I would really like to clarify them to you."

"Okay."

"And I promise to do all that if we are still going on this date. I've also spoken to him and we've sorted things out so Cynthia, don't be angry with me anymore and please do not cancel our date." He pleads but I still say nothing, deciding to drag it out a little bit. Grace sends me a death glare but I ignore it.

"Please, Cynthia. If you cancel this date, it will break me. I might not get over it so please do not cancel it." I can hear the agitation in his voice and I can't help smiling.

I decide to give in, "Fine, I'm still going on this date with you." I hear his shout of excitement over the phone and roll my eyes. Even Grace looks happy and smiles with contentment.

"Thanks so much. I guess I'll see you at six." He responds and immediately hangs up.

"Oh, I'm so glad you aren't cancelling your date. But since you've wasted our time on making us think you won't be going on the date anymore, we have less time to get you prepared." Grace comments.

"I'm not attending a wedding; I'm only going on a date."

"Yeah, yeah but you've got to look as pretty as a bride."

I give her a warning look, "You better not go overboard with dressing me up."

"I promise." She places one of her hands on her chest and raises the other up like she's taking an oath. I watch her skeptically, really hoping she doesn't end up overdoing it.

We start by choosing the outfit I would be wearing and it turns out to be a difficult chore because Grace condemns whatever it is I choose and I do the same for hers. Finally, we agree on a straight brown sparkly gown that is not too tight and is just above my knees.

She tries to pair it with a black high heel but I refuse immediately. She knows I don't like to wear heels but just wants to see if I will change my mind. After much insistence, I go with one of my not too high heels.

The next thing on the list is my hair and she surprises me by bringing out a curl iron from her bag.

I stare at her like she's gone mad because I literally have braids in my hair.

I start to protest but she wastes no time in placing me on the chair.

"First, we are losing these braids." She mentions as she reaches for the scissors.

"Why?"

"Because you look best in your curls."

That's going to take time and I try to tell her that but she places a finger on her lips, asking me to keep mute.

"Trust me."

Knowing I don't have much of a choice, I say nothing and allow her do whatever she wants with my hair.

When she is finally done with my hair which took just a little over an hour thankfully, she tells me she's about to start with the makeup. She then turns my chair around so I'm away from the mirror. Since according to her, I'm going to keep complaining and won't allow her concentrate.

By fifteen minutes to six, she drops the face brush and finally turns my chair back towards the mirror. She wears a necklace for me while I find myself staring at the image in front of me.

The makeup isn't too much and isn't too noticeable, just the way I like it plus it really suits the dress I'm wearing.

I'm not comfortable with addressing myself as gorgeous or beautiful but I do accept it when someone compliments me. But looking at myself in the mirror now, only one word comes to mind.

Pretty.

How Cynthia looks for the date 🥰☺️. Just add a pair of heels.

There is nothing I can complain about in my appearance because it just looks flawless.

And suddenly, I start to wish my mum was around so she can see me dressed like this.

"Cynthia, are you okay?" Grace asks worriedly.

"Of course." I reply with a smile.

"Then, why are you crying?" She asks and that's when I notice the tears that are threatening to spill. I quickly blink it back because I'm not ready to let anything ruin my makeup.

"Cynthia, is something wrong with the makeup?" Grace asks, still confused.

I smile at her confused face and give her a hug. "It's perfect. Thank you."

She laughs and hugs me back.

Nanny opens the door at that moment and smiles when she takes in my appearance.

"Cynthia, you look stunning." Nanny compliments and I smile shyly.

"It's all thanks to Grace."

"Well, I'm guessing your date won't be able to take his eyes off you." She winks while Grace giggles.

"And that's the goal." Grace adds causing me to roll my eyes.

"Speaking of which, it's almost six so you should come downstairs because Michael would be here anytime soon." Nanny tells me and starts to close the door.

"Nanny." I call before she closes the door completely.

"Yes, dear?"

"Please do not try to intimidate Michael when he comes."

She chuckles then replies, "Of course." But I'm not entirely certain she meant it.

Just as I put on my heels and take my small black handbag and place it on my shoulder, I hear a car's horn from the gate.

"Oh my God! He's probably here." Grace squeals giddily and is out of the room as quick as lightning.

I smile as she rushes out of the room. One will think she's the one going on the date.

When I get downstairs, Nanny is already on her way to the door and Grace is following closely behind her.

The doorbell rings just as she gets to the door and she waits for some seconds before she opens it.

Nanny opens the door to a smiling Michael who is holding flowers. He is dressed in white and black; white t-shirt and converse, black jean trouser and jean jacket.

"Good evening, ma." He greets and hands her the flowers.

"I wasn't sure which flowers you liked, so I brought this pink rose, hope you like it." He adds with a grin and when Nanny doesn't reply immediately because she's probably so touched, I know she is really not going to intimidate him.

"Of course I do."

I can't see her face but I know she is smiling.

"So when do you plan on returning my daughter?" She asks.

"Is 9 o'clock okay ma?" He asks as if uncertain.

"Sure." Nanny replies and I chuckle.

"Cynthia, you shouldn't keep this young man waiting any longer. Come here, dear." She motions for me to come.

As I pass by Grace, I hear her  scoff and murmur, "She allows Michael take her without any hassle but when Femi was here, he had to negotiate."

I laugh silently and whisper in her ear, "Tell him to bring flowers next time he goes on a date with you."

"Michael, I hope you will take good care of Cynthia. Nothing bad must happen to her." Nanny demands.

"Of course, ma." He replies with a smile and when I come out of the door fully, his smile widens as he takes in my appearance.

"Have a great time, dear." Nanny tells us before entering inside.

"See you later." Grace adds and closes the door.

I return his smile and he takes my hand. "You look absolutely beautiful, Cynthia." He grins and kisses my hand.

I laugh at his gentlemanly behaviour and reply, "Thank you. You look dashing too."

"Shall we?" He asks and I nod.

We then head towards his car that is parked outside the gate.

"I'm surprised Nanny didn't question you a lot since you didn't even bring in your car."

"What can I say? I'm charming like that." He replies, earning a roll of my eyes.

He opens the car door for me and I get in then wait for him to also get in.

He starts the car and soon we are on our way to wherever he is planning to take us to. Hopefully, his backyard so we can have a romantic dinner.

"So, where do you want to go?" He asks and every thought of me going to his backyard vanished.

"I thought you have it planned!" I almost shout and he raises an eyebrow.

"Well, I have to put my date's choices into consideration." He replies.

"Isn't that too late already?" I ask and he shrugs. I try not to be too disappointed that he doesn't have it figured out after all and there's no surprise backyard dinner.

"I have an idea." He says and my face lights up.

There might still be a chance for the romantic dinner after all.

"Really?" I ask with enthusiasm. "What is it?"

"Let's just go to a local canteen like Femi and Grace did. It should be fun." He replies and my face falls.

"Yeah, it will surely be fun fighting purse snatchers and running barefooted." I retort sarcastically and he chuckles.

"We'd be an advantage though because we have you, the black belt holder in taekwondo." He says and I roll my eyes.

"I don't even have a black belt." I mumble but he doesn't hear.

"Okay, what do you suggest then?"

"I don't know." I reply.

It's not like I can suddenly suggest a romantic dinner when we are already out on the date. Besides it wouldn't even be romantic anymore if I'm the one who suggested it.

Michael becomes strangely quiet after that and I glance at him often wondering if he is going to say something or not. I also don't know what to say and then there is traffic.

I might not go out much but it is clear to see that he is heading for the mall and I hold in a sigh.

It is fine by me since we can see a movie at the cinema or eat at a restaurant but what I don't know is what to do till we get there.

Should we just stay in the car in the awkward silence or should I try to make a conversation?

I start to play with my hands and Michael probably notices it because he asks if I would like to listen to a song.

I nod my agreement and he turns on the radio of his car. His phone is connected to the radio so I can see all the music on his phone.

And surprisingly, he chooses Lush Life by Zara Larsson which happens to be one of my favorite songs by the way.

I smile when it starts to play and start to hum along, enjoying the rhythm but then Michael starts to sing.

At first, I'm startled by the sudden sound of a dying chicken that's accompanying the music, only for me to realise that the sound is actually Michael singing.

I stop humming when Michael continues to sing so loudly and so badly to the song. He is bobbing his head along to the beats of the song while singing and it is all so amusing that I start to laugh.

He notices me laughing and smiles, "Why are you laughing?"

"Nothing." I reply, still holding back my laughter and he turns off the music.

"Hey, why did you turn it off?"

"Because you were making fun of my singing."

"No, I wasn't." I reply, trying to hold back the laughter still bubbling in my throat.

"Then why were you laughing?"

"I assure you it's not because of your singing." I lie and he suddenly looks joyous.

"I know too, I was just teasing. People compliment me a lot when I sing so I know you were not making fun of me."

I gave him an unsure look. "So you're trying to say people actually compliment you when you sing?" 

He glances at me then turns back to the road, "Yeah, why do you look so surprised?" He asks.

"Nothing." I smile.

"They were all probably drunk alongside you when you sang for them." I add under my breath.

"What was that?" Michael asks.

"It's nothing." I smile innocently.

"I notice you are not with your bodyguards today."

"Of course. I can't have people lurking behind me when I'm having a date with a beautiful girl."

I smile at his compliment but say nothing.

The ride is once again quiet so Michael decides that he should start to play the music and sing along to it.

Finally, we get to the mall and I'm grateful. My ears feel like they are bleeding due to the loud and bad singing of Michael so I get out as soon as the car is packed.

Michael comes out too and walks to where I'm standing.

"I got tickets for a movie at the cinema." He glances at his watch, "And it will be starting in five minutes."

"Wait, so you already planned coming to the mall?" I ask as he begins to work towards the cinema and I follow him.

"And that was after serious deliberation. You know how many suggestions I had to put into consideration to finally reach this decision? Maggie and Henry surely made it difficult."

Maggie? Who is Maggie? And what suggestions could they have given him for him to conclude this was the right venue for a date.

I won't deny that I'm a bit disappointed that I didn't get my romantic dinner with him but I guess what matters is spending time with him.

"So what movie are we watching?" I ask as we step into the cinema lobby where they are showing teasers for the movies that are available to watch.

"A Nigerian romantic comedy. It has good reviews online and I figured it would be a nice way to start the date."

"That sounds great." I nod, already looking forward to it. Starting the date with a good laugh surely doesn't sound bad.

He grabs a big bucket of caramel popcorn and I can't help staring at it as I pick up our bottles of soda.

"Can you finish that?" I ask as we head for viewing room number 3.

"What do you mean? I'm not eating this alone." He replies like I just uttered something ridiculous so I chuckle.

We settle into the last row of seats, and I'm surprised to see that there are actually quite a number of people in the cinema on a weekday. Although it's evening.

"Do you think these people here are also on dates?" I whisper to him as the opening theme of the movie begins to play.

He makes a show of staring at the people present. Most of them in two's, some leaning towards each other and the answer is clear.

He drops the bucket of popcorn in between us and surprises me by reaching for my hand and holding it.

I glance up at him and find him looking at me, smiling. I return his smile before shyly returning my gaze to the huge screen in front of us.

I can already tell the movie is going to be a good one.

***

Another chapter for you all to read and enjoy.

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