Becca resumed her seated position by Jessica's side after she'd departed from the doctor's office. She couldn't fully understand the medical terms he used as he showed her an MRI scan.

But one thing was certain, her friend was going through a traumatic experience that caused her blood to coagulate. She forced a smile as Jessica's eyelids fluttered open, she turned weakly to stare at her.

Her face was pale, her breathing shallow—a catheter was connected through her bladder for easy urination. Becca heard urine pouring into a metal bowl under the bed as Jessica linked hands with her. She tried to assume a reclining position but Becca pressed her shoulder, shaking her head repeatedly.

"It's okay. Just lay for now, alright." Becca let out a sigh of relief as her friend obeyed.

"What happened?" Jessica croaked, the white of her eyeballs now netted with long red veins.

"I don't know yet. You must have passed out or something. Can you remember anything?" Becca held onto her hand tightly as she coughed, her chest tightening.

Jessica frowned, trying to rack her brain but instead came up blank. "I can't recall though." The more she forced herself to think, the more her head throbbed. She winced, taking a deep steady breath. Her throat was dry and raspy—she signaled Becca that she needed a glass of water. Becca grabbed an empty tumbler from the drawer table, walking over to the water dispenser.

She took a cursory glance at her friend; she licked her cracked lips and stared at the pristine white walls. "Who brought me here?" She asked, gratefully accepting the glass and gulping down the cool refreshing liquid. Jessica wiped the end of her mouth and attempted a weak smile.

"I don't know, I just got the emergency call as I was packing my luggage to head to Fikayo's place. I called your caretaker to inquire if he was around but he said he wasn't even in the lodge at the time. I also tried calling Dami but his line wasn't going through. I sent him a message though so, hopefully he gets it and hurries down here."

Becca stretched to return the cup to it's original position—it slipped from her grasp and clattered on the floor. She swore under her breath, muttering that she needed to get a broom to clean up the broken shards.

She ordered Jessica to stay put as she raced out of the room. Jessica sighed, lifting the arm that had a drip insert, weighing the light swelling. No matter how hard she tried to think to the past, she couldn't recall anything.

The only thing she could vividly picture was her slipping into her house and locking the door behind her, the rest parts were just bleak. She swallowed with difficulty as the door was pushed open. Her dull eyes lit up as she spotted her boyfriend, Dami, in a casual black jean and blue t-shirt.

He hurried over to her, engulfing her in a warm hug and kissed her full blown on the lips. When he released her, Jessica was beside herself with smiles. She took a clean whiff of the manly scent of his cologne, giggling like a school girl. "I'm glad you could come."

"Are you kidding me?" He asked, pulling one of her cheeks playfully. He scented of fresh rose and aftershave, she trailed her fingertips on his his hand, causing him to shiver.

"Don't do that," he warned, shooting her a bemused glare. "Are you feeling alright?" He enquired, placing a palm over her sweaty forehead and checking on the half full drip bag. He hid a grin when he saw the catheter insert and pretended as if it was nothing. But Jessica who had observing him, snickered. "Say it," she urged. "Say that, I have now turned to a baby."

Dami shook his head, his doe brown eyes glinting mischievously. Becca came in just then with a long broom and packer. She observed Dami who was perched by the edge of Jessica's bed as she crouched to sweep the pieces. "I see that you guys have met already. Dami why was your line not going through na?" She queried, wiping an imaginary sweat off her brow.

"Don't mind the phone jor, it was misbehaving. How far na, this one wen you dress like person when dey go night party," Dami teased.

"You don see am na. I be one travel sha but I had to stay back for my babe. I think that now you're here, I can be excused?" She implied, making Jessica pout.

"Nope, you're going to stay here with me till I'm discharged," the bossy patient asserted.

Becca whined as she left the room. Her brief absence was replaced by a petite nurse who wanted to check on the patients' body temperature and change her used catheter. Dami wrinkled his nose as the nurse carried the bowl to dispose in the toilet. Jessica shot him a look that did the trick in silencing him. She was already irritated by the fact that she couldn't go to the toilet without an assist. When the nurse returned with a fresh pan, she informed her that she didn't want it. She could do fine on her own.

"Are you sure?" The nurse asked, gesturing for Dami to face the other side as she parted her legs and carefully pulled the tube out. Jessica breathed, feeling relieved it was out. She smoothened the light crease in her pale blue gown as the nurse disposed the item in the trash.

"Can I look now?" Dami asked, peeping through closed eyelids.

"It's safe." Jessica simpered, giving the nurse her free arm.

A whoosh of cold air rushed into the room as Becca entered, perching on an empty bed beside Dami. They both glanced at each other, holding their laughter as Jessica made loud whistling sounds. She hated injections.

A vein bulged in Fikayo's neck as his fingers bunched into a tight fist. He growled, his eyes flashing with fury.

"Chill out, bro. She didn't ditch you for nothing." Michael snickered, munching on a slice of his buttered bread. Over the years, he had grown accustomed to Fikayo's display of anger since they grew up together.

"Don't you dare tell me to chill out." Fikayo seethed, kicking the center glass table. "Everyone hates me. They judge me based on the rumors they've heard. Whereas, I didn't do anything. I didn't kill Val."

Michael shrugged as he watched Fikayo stand, akimbo. "Have you taken your meds this evening?"

Fikayo hissed, flipping his middle finger. "You're a piece of shit for not caring. Becca knows me well enough, she knows I hate being stood up."

Michael unfolded his long legs, scratching at the light stubble on his chin. "It seems like she's quite busy since she isn't picking your calls. You can try her line tomorrow."

The cool tone Michael used on Fikayo made him snap his head towards him, his patience was wearing thin. "You're good for nothing. Get the fuck out of my house," Fikayo shouted, jolting Michael out of his languid position.

"Alright... alright... it's fine. I'm out." Michael sauntered to the huge mahogany door, slamming it behind him as he inhaled the crisp night air.

Fikayo's knees gave way and he crumpled on the tiled floor. "Fuck!"