Ayyy guys! So, I'm kinda sorry and not sorry for the late update. I discovered the book was close to 9k reads so I waited for it to hit It first before I can post. Thanks for the 9k reads people🥳

Song: Friday feeling ~ Fireboy dml.

Since today is Friday and my brother was playing the song on repeat whilst disturbing me. LOL I was just in the mood for Friday feelings : ) besides it is a party themed song!

This chapter is dedicated to Choco_lateefah thanks for your lovely comments and for really appreciating my book😘

♤

If Kiki was surprised at my stillness and quietness throughout the ordeal of getting me ready for the party, as usual she wouldn't show it except for the occasional dismayed glances she threw at my direction.

At least I am comfortable with what I am wearing. Though it was a tussle to get which of 'my white outfit' that would have fitted me better for the occasion.

"Aramide...are you okay?" Kiki abruptly pauses her hovering movement over my face. I squeeze my face in a frown wondering why she thinks I am not okay.

"As you can see, I am perfectly fine." I do not mean for my answer to come out rudely but it is all for the devilish plan I have in my head.

"Are you sure? Or do you want to change the outfit?" Wow, this is definitely a side of Kiki that rarely surfaces. She is usually the one that puts up this, 'I don't give a fück' attitude and now she seems concerned that I am quiet all through. Honestly the outfit stuns and awes me to core. I never knew I had such fashionable clothes in my closet but well, what do you expect from an antisocial teenage girl?

My outfit is a graphic designers button down gown that stops inches above my knee - but there is the slit by the sides of the gown that reaches mid thigh. I can practically feel the cold effect of my dressing table-stool because my thigh is partly exposed. Of course the outfit is white, except for the graphic design that says, 'Rock till infinity'. The words drip in neon colour and is somewhat blurry like a smudged artistic surface effect - that's the design of the words anyways. I match the outfit with the high-soled white vans after wearing a black net socks first. I don't think I have much jewels to start with so I wore a double-decker chocker on my neck, my G-shock wristwatch and big loop earrings that complements my face.

The only problem is makeup. Kiki didn't wear makeup at all and now, she is the one plastering my face with anonymous powder and all. Again, I did not object so I sat still and allowed her to take control up until this moment when she suddenly grew weary of my weird silence. She was definitely expecting me to throw a fit when she was applying the makeup but well, I can't forget about the devilish plan. At all.

"You look good." She finally comments with a monotone voice as she places the makeup kit inside my dressing-table drawer.

"Really?!" I gasp and face the mirror that I have backed all this while. Kiki just...put make-up on my face? I cannot even see the evidence of make-up in my face..but taking a closer look, you would notice the smokey eye-shadow and the flawless make-up.

...Wow!

This is...incredible.

"Thank you girl." I beam side-to-side like a maniac on heat period.

"Why, thanks." She simply replies as she drums her fingers on the table in a repeated rhythm. An awkward silence ensues and I know I am the one to break it by giving the reason for my unwarranted silence. Glancing through the mirror's reflection, my eyes lock unto Kiki's sharp gaze causing me to suck in a breath sharply. Enough is enough of her keeping things away from me I really need to get through this if I want to have a clear mind.

First things first, Derek and Kiki's case needs to be resolved.

Grabbing my phone from the dressing-table, I quickly shoot a text to Derek telling him that I need to speak with him urgently. Remember I have not spoken to any member of the household since the unfortunate family get-together so it would be quite shocking to my cousin that I'm about to confide in him.

Sorry to burst your bubbles couz.

"Um, I have to attend to something urgently just give me a minute." I tell Kiki who has now positioned herself on my bed. Her eyes narrow at my utterance and I silently pray she cannot see through my lie.

"K. Be fast about it. The boys are awaiting our arrival." She replies as she flips her phone out of her tote bag. I gulp as I walk out of the room hurriedly.

God..let this plan work.

Hiding by the side of the gigantic statue that serves as a decoration art sculpture at the sharp bend of the long passage, I can clearly see Derek as he ascends the spiral stairs opposite my direction. Immediately he reaches the front of my room door, he raises his hand in an attempt to knock. I shut my eyes instinctively praying he doesn't do so - or else, my plan would backfire.

As if he hears my plead, he places his hand on the door knob and ushers himself into my room. I quickly jump into action by locking the door in case they are trying to escape immediately they discover that I tricked them both. True to my words and in less than a second of locking the door, repeated and vigorous knocks resonates and I have to repress my laughter down.

Kiki and Derek must makeup today.

I smile evily as the knocking pauses for a while. I know they would both kill me but what's the point of not having fun? I cannot hear what they are saying because all rooms are sound proofed. And me being the ever-inqusitive human, I slowly and steadily twist the key of the knob to avoid making a noise.

"You didn't tell her. Did you?!"

"I do not need your fücking opinion Derek. Screw you for telling her in the first place."

Who is this her?

"I can't believe this. Kimbell, you know how much it meant for us. I didn't abandon you neither did my family abandon you." From my little view, I can see Kiki having a very sour look on her face. For Kiki to portray an emotion at all, Derek must have meant a lot to her - and that alone, tells a lot. Derek inches closer to Kiki..oh and I forgot to mention this-Derek is shirtless! Wait..was he going to actually see me without wearing a shirt?

"Kimbell..." He calls her name so softly and I swear my surprise shoots over the roof. If not Derek was my cousin, I would have fallen for him a long time ago. His voice at the moment, has a husky and deep lining to it.

Uggh! That is still my room lady and gentleman...No kissing and making out please!!!

However, Kiki pushes him backward with full force that I had to gasp lowly. Of course, my cousin didn't budge at all as he inches closer to her again.

"Get over yourself Derek! Everything is done and dusted. Besides Ara may hear us from outside..." She trails off and takes a peak at the door. I quickly remove my face from the little peaking space and put my ear down this time.

"Oh really, I didn't know that all the rooms are not soundproofed." He replies sarcastically and attempts to speak again. "Okay listen.." She cuts him off before he can continue. I put my face down to peak again. Though I can only see Derek's well-toned back, I can already imagine the look of frustration marring his face at the moment.

"No! Derek Oghenewaire Kolawale Bolanle, you listen to me. I can't deal with all these shït. I know Aramide did all these with a pure motive but If at the end of the day, she gets to find out about the real deal, trust me it wouldn't be funny for ANY of you."

Wait...what?

Before my brain can recognise what Kiki said, I lost my balance and mistakenly kick the door open. The sudden silence alerts me that the duo now knows that I was eavesdropping on their conversation. I manage to fake a smile as I flash my dentals to them brightly.

"Hey couz!" Removing my gaze from him, I then face Kiki with the same smile, "Hey Kiki, Makeup time over. We've got a party to go for." Without giving any of them a chance to reply, I bang the door and crumble on the floor like a ditched ragdoll. My eyes sting with unshed tears and I hug my body to muself.

If, I ever discover that maybe...just maybe everyone around me has been hoarding different motives or better still, the untold truth they are all hiding is bigger than what I would be able to bear, I know one thing for sure - my heartstrings will be shattered beyond repair.

And with that thought, I silently wipe my eyes and fake a smile as Kiki comes out of my room with her signature emotionless face.

So much for having an evil plan.

***

Ember month.

Growing up as an antisocial kid who had zero friends and living with a little family of three, I always took consolation with nature and artworks - if that makes sense at all.

My best month or rather, months of the year are the Ember months. September, October, November and December. These four months usually play a major role in my life. Maybe it was because when I was much younger, I believed ember was a time of unusual shower of blessings and well, chaotic happenings. Till today--I still hold onto that special believe of mine.

Checking the time on the dashboard of the customised Rolls Royce that was sent to pick us at my place, I notice it is already minutes past seven and of cousre - the sky has a mixture of yellow hues, orange and splattered dashes of sky-blue as it slowly blends with the dark but sparse clouds. The air smells of fresh rain, wet grasses, wet soil and earth that gives off this musty aura in the air that rain descended hours ago. I love October rains and the slight feeling of harmattan to be honest. It brings this this chilly and sensational weather along.

The car swerves past the tight security entrance of the familiar estate, my body stiffens instinctively as I take in the same estate my grandfather lives in. Or rather, memories that were made here just within two days.

The family get-together, down to sleeping over in Jamal's Villa - all these in this same estate. Blowing my cheeks out, I begin to rack my head for what prompted me to come to this party in the first place.

The Triple-J and Tobias made you do so.

My brain retorts without hesitation and of course I roll my eyes at that. I hate going out first of all, and now I am out of my comfort zone going to a party filled with bunches of celebrities and high-class personnels.

How did my life end up like this?

Without realising it, the pace of my breathing changes to an irregular pattern and all I can feel is the anxiousness and dread seeping out of my whole being. I clutch harder to the sides of my gown that has rolled up to mid-thigh level as I feel an incoming anxiety attack threatening to surface and just in that moment--when the gravity of the situation is about to overwhelm me, I feel the soft but cold fingers that encloses mine.

"Aramide.." kiki's voice jolts me out of my mini trance-mare that is already messing with my head. This is the first word she has ever spoken since we got into the car though I am already used to Kiki's quietness, I just have a feeling her quietness is linked to what happened in my room and to confirm my suspicions, they both think I didn't hear them at all.

What an irony.

I close my eyes for seconds counting 1-20 in my head, a mechanism to regain my short gasps of air before I become conscious fully. Reopening my eyes, I suddenly feel embarrassed that the driver must have seem my awful state through the side mirror - nonetheless, Kiki resorts to rubbing my palm in slow circles while the familiar and gigantic see-through gate of Jamal's Villa, automatically opens up for us to enter and I hear the rythmical and deep bass of Fireboy's 'Friday feeling' playing from inside. Kiki gives an encouraging smile and I didn't know that little gesture could lift my spirit up.

"I know how bad you feel..considering the fact that this estate is your grandfathers' also." She scoots closer to me and continues "..trust me you would be alright. This party will help to clear your mind of every toxic thoughts okay?" My face curves into a slight smile as I think over her words. Come to think of it, I've not had a real fun time for a very long time so maybe, this party can be a form of getaway. Griping Kiki's hand on top of mine, I nod enthusiastically.

We elegantly step down from the Rolls Royce and walk through the red carpet that leads to the entryway. I stare at the environment like a lost fish wondering why the beauty of the place looks so top-notch and out of normal class.

Everywhere reeks of hardcore cash and filthy wealth. Don't even get me started on when we were about to enter the party. We had to pass through five security checkup points! A whole FIVE, which by the way pissed me off to no end.

"Welcome to the fourth quarter of the All-white themed party. Kindly enjoy yourselves and have a nice party time." The last bouncer replies after scrutinizing our automatic invitation card. I fake a smile whereas, I feel like wrenching his guts out for such audacity.

"Ah! Finally out of the cruel security checkpoints. Jesus!" I grumble as we pass the last checkpoint. Kiki chuckles by my side.

"It's not that bad, girl. You'll get used to it someday." She replies as the main door to the party arena opens up. Get used to what? God forbid. I am not getting used to shit. Before I can reply her, we finally enter the main arena of the party and boy did I keep shut immediately. Words get stuck in my throat and all I can do is stare.

The coloured lights streaming In neon, gives the atmosphere a cool party as 'Holy Ground' by Davido and Nicki Minaj is currently bouncing off through the mighty speakers with a deep bass thereby making the building to vibrate. I shriek as I sense the caliber of young adults and teens, moving around.

Definitely an elite party.

If Kiki is to say something, I would not be able to hear it cause of the extra loud music and I unconsciously sway my hips to 'Holy ground' as the song gives the real party vibes. Kiki tugs at my arm as we weave past horny humans, drunk ass ones and well, the ones who are there to just chill. Red and blue solo cups littered around, some smoking shisha pens or from shisha pots. The atmosphere reeks of varieties of cologne, weed, marijuana and maybe drugs of all sort and sweaty bodies. As we reach a dead-end corner which by the way is tagged, VIP'S ONLY I abruptly pause and stare at her incredulously.

"I can't." I whine as she palms her right ear, indicating I should talk louder since the music is drowning my voice.

"I SAID, I CAN'T ENTER THE VIP SECTION!" I all but yell louder. She furrows her brow and looks at me as if I am speaking Chinese. She hisses under her breath and before I can say Jack Robinson, she tugs me into the VIP section and closes the two-way glassdoor behind us. I gulp and sigh in relief as the music is no longer loud here. At least my ears can have breathing space - if it makes sense at all.

"Oh my..baby gurlll why did yo-you leave me?!" I giggle, noting the familiarity of the voice. Kiki on the other hand, groans and faces a guy that I haven't seen before.

"How much did he have to drink?" The guy is not even looking at our direction as he types on his phone so fast--that I fear the screen will crack.

"I dunno, Jide is a grown man I can't keep watching over his back like a fücking police on patr..." The guy does not complete his statement however, as he finally raises his face from his screen and stares at me like I am a foreign item. And of course I bounce on the sole of my vans back and forth as his stare is making me overwhelmed.

"Sesan, no no no. This one is off limits." She jerks her hands towards me in indication and walks into the VIP section fully, not without brushing her shoulders roughly against the said Sesan of a guy. However Kiki didn't go far as he quickly spins and smacks her on the head.

Wait what?!

Did he just...oh boy. I hope Kiki doesn't flip.

Surprisingly, Kiki smirks and flips the bird at him. I stare at the scene in my front. Did Kiki have a boyfriend and I am not aware??

Okay I really need to stop jumping into conclusions.

"Hey, I'm Sesan." The guy is already at my front sticking his hands into the pocket/kangaroo of his white hooide. But me being me, I gape at him like as if he is Lucifer himself. I nervously glance round and notice Kiki is taking care of a drunk Jide who is trying to grope her body. Seems like a drunk Jide is a horny plus flirty one cause he kept institing that he wants his baby girl to give him blow jobs. Whatever that means, I'll just pretend I did not hear it - for the sake of my sanity.

Jerry is having light discussions across the room with some other people I can not recognise because of the neon lights and of course others are in this secluded area but someone is still missing amongst them.

"You like?" The guy in my front asks again and I stare at him guilty because hell I don't know what he is referring to. He dunks his head back in fits of laughter and holds his stomach. "You really are innocent as they claim. By the way, I am the boys manager, and an uncle to your boyfriend."

Boyfriend?

Who is he referring to as my boyfriend?

"Ha, I can see the wheels turning in your head. I am referring to Kiki though."

For real?

Did he just refer to Kiki as a boy?

But..he's too young to be an uncle...need I say.

"Wow." The only word that comes out of my mouth and I have to smack my head at my lame response. He chuckles again and before he can speak, I feel the weight of a body crashing against my back accompanied with the fragrance of a familiar cologne I've gotten so accustomed to.

"Sweetheart, missed me?" Please do not tell me Jerry is drunk too...or else I'll hang myself on an iroko tree.

"Get off me Jerry! Can't breathe!" His hug is unusually strong with a firm grip and considering that he is taller than me and well, hugging me from behind, I really do not want to feel that thing down there below my back. The Sesan guy chuckles and goes back to typing on his phone as he leaves me and Jerry together.

Taking a close look at Jerry, I really notice his dressing. A white ripped baggy T-shirt that has the slogan, 'INTERLUDE' in neon colours, almost like mine. His slim fitted white jeans, clings to his legs and well I did not miss the silver dogchain that dangles from his neck and of course the Louis Vuitton designer bucket-cap covering his lovely hair length.

"I know you miss me hun, stop making it too obvious." He says as he tugs me at my arms and draws me in for another round of hug. I do not mind though. Jerry's hugs are the best to be honest. He peers down at me with a look of concern as I am still in his firm hold. "How are you holding up?" He asks sincerely as he hugs me tighter, looking at me with great care. Now I know why he has been extra caring. I forgot to mention that Kiki narrated to the boys my predicament while I was asleep. And well, they were beyond shocked and astonished when they discovered I am a Bolanle except Jamal though. Kiki said he was smart enough to discover that on his own. Speaking of Jamal I wonder where he is.

"I am fine Jerry bear." I say in a light tone and he chuckles lightly and finally releases me.

"Jerry bear? Hmmm I likey." He wiggles his brows seductively.

"Ewww stop that dude. That's disgusting on all levels."

Lie.

Big lie.

Big ass fat lie.

Of course it is not disgusting in any level. I am even blushing right now like come on, Jerry has always been my 'Number 2 celebrity crush so it isn't easy having a normal hormone around him.

"Hmmm I can clearly see that." He replies sarcastically and flips his bucket-cap over. "By the way, did I tell you that you look stunning tonight?" His eyes lit up as he rakes his eyes over my form. I again, blush and mumble an inaudible 'thank you.' I glance round my surrounding again and notice nobody is really paying attention to us as everyone is stuck in their little bubble besides the neon light and music bouncing off the walls gives this perfect picture of a typical party scene.

"Come, let's get you to the main deal." He smirks and entwines my fingers with his - the feeling of his hands felt good and I unconsciously smile but it falters as I remember what Kiki and Derek discussed in my room.

"No! Derek Oghenewaire Kolawale Bolanle, you listen to me. I can't deal with all these shït. I know Aramide did all these with a pure motive but If at the end of the day, she gets to find out about the real deal, trust me it wouldn't be funny for ANY of you."

Those words repeat themselves like a chorus from a song and I could not help but feel like I am in for a deep entrainment. But what I did not know, was that the night was holding stranger things for me that was going to change me momentarily or forever.

《A/N》

Oh boy! Aramide's evil plan was to lock Kiki and Derek in the same room! Ayiii😂

Tbh, I was once a victim of that. When I was in SS1, my best friend wanted me to talk things out with this boy I really really liked. And then, she just called me out of class during our free period and well, I was trapped in the art room with him alone😑 come and see me displaying Jackie chan skills. I was kicking the door like a mad woman whereas, my SAID crush was so calm that I had to reason twice and sit down😂😂
Laslas we talked..but nothing happened. Iteoluwa I know you're reading this story🙄 weldone oo, I didn't forget what you did to me then in secondary school.

By the way Derek and Kiki...something is up and our dear Aramide heard them🥺

So heads up! The next chapter is gonna be, what should I say...mature minds? I swear it is not smut but be prepared! I have a feeling some people will attack me in my sleep when I release the next chap🤧

Oh...don't leave without voting and commenting naaa. It is REALLY important. Till next time lovely readers.

-Jasmine ©️