This chapter is dedicated to Princexxy2009.

She did not let me rest 😂😏

"You are too stiff, are you sure you are breathing fine?" Theresa asked me which made me give her a crossed look.

"I'm perfectly fine" gritting out in annoyance. Ignoring the noisy chatter and over bearing laughter around us.

"You need to relax, your shoulders look tensed and it looks like your blood circulation is being cut off..." She deadpanned.

"Thanks for pointing it out" I scoff, taking a sip of my drink again as my eyes flutter around the room full of people.

Rich people that care only about themselves and what they will gain. I swallow the bile in my throat again. I don't know whether I'm truly unwell or it was the repulsion i had towards these people that is making me react this way.

"Tolani, no one forced you to come here" she revolted after seeing my demeanor towards everyone since I got here.

"It would be an insult if i had turned down her invitation!" I snapped which caused her to give me the evil eye.

Mrs Cole, gave me a special invite to an after party to celebrate the new gift she just acquired, and guess the new gift.

Saint James College.

Mr Shubomi Cole bought the school in her name from the founders. He dissolved the school board and council after buying it in his wife's name. This afternoon, he inaugurated a new board of qualified men and women to take charge of the school with Mr James, our Civic Education teacher as the principal while Mrs Teniola Cole is the sole proprietor.

Shocking right? I know....

He wanted to change the school name according to what i heard from Theresa but Teniola Cole won't allow such. I won't be surprised if he changes it to her name.

After the successful inauguration, she was having a small party in which she invited me as i am one of the best students and the supposed valedictorian. Who am i to say no to her invitation.

"A quick heads up, he is in here. Somewhere..." She said with a smirk as i glared at her to shut up. She snickered before looking at the stage where a man is giving a speech.

I caught sight of Teniola Cole, with a flute of champagne in hand standing elegantly beside her husband. They seem to be in their own world as they talk animatedly between themselves.

I was amazed at how free he was around her. He was a big contrast to the no nonsense man i saw and heard of. They kept on talking before she gave him a breathtaking smile, patting him on the cheek.

Awwwnnnn... Wow, their love for each other is so real and something to be jealous of. You can see and feel it around them. He looks like a small boy in love.

I look away shaking my head. Akorede wants that but i don't know if that will be possible with us.

"Good evening ladies" I turn around to see the younger version of my ex boyfriend. He was dressed in a blue shirt tucked into his black slacks, with black suspenders and dress shoes.

Looking sharp and smart, he had his hands in his slacks pocket while staring at me. I haven't had a real conversation with him, although he is civil and polite to me whenever we meet or see in school.

Why do I suddenly feel intimidated by a boy younger than me?

"Iremide? I will lie if i say I'm not surprised to see you" Theresa, forever the blunt one pointed out. The boy only let out a little smirk that gave me serious goosebumps due to it being a replica of someone i am trying so hard to forget.

This boy is going to leave strings of broken hearts...

"Can't i say hello to you lovely ladies again?" He teased while Theresa rolled her eyes. She was about to reply when she got called for something important. She threw me a sorry look before excusing herself.

I almost called her not to leave me with this mysterious younger version of Akorede but the words died in my throat when he slipped into her seat.

There goes my peaceful night...

Ignoring him, i took a sip of my drink. He simply tapped his fingers on the table, bobbing his head to whatever rhythm he was playing in his head. He looks at peace despite the noise.

He suddenly looks at me with squinted eyes.

"Come to think of it...we never had a heart to heart conversation before?" He mused.

"We were never chanced to have one"

"Yes... My brother was always hovering around you, he won't allow any male near you"he said with a scoff.

"He is just being Akorede" i shrugged not knowing what to say at this point.

"Indeed he his. I mean it took him great strength and control not to approach you since you got here but i know that restraint will be broken before the end of tonight."

I gave him a look. This boy seems to be too wise for his age. I don't know what to make of his statement.

"I have nothing to say to that..." I waved my hand at his before looking away, i hear him chuckle.

"Just take it easy on my brother, this is all new to him so he may mess up once in a while but he is a good person"

I sighed at his words, digesting everything he said. I know he is, i just don't want us to start what we won't be able to finish. I turn to tell him this but he was gone.

Like he vanished into thin air...

I frown at this, realising how sneaky Iremide Wellington can be. You would never know he was here, he left no trace. My head moves, looking around the hall but there was no one that looks like the boy i just finished speaking to.

What's wrong with these two brothers?  How can you just sneak away like that? I scoffed again for the hundredth time tonight before focusing on the programme.

****

"I was expecting you" I said as soon as he approached after the speech from Teniola Cole. He said nothing sliding next to me.

I ended up checking him out, he looks elite and proper like he always does. His cologne was a different one, to the one i am familiar with, i don't know if i like this one or not?

"You should be worried if i don't approach you by the end of tonight" now he is starting to sound arrogant but i know it wasn't intentional, that's just his normal way of talking.

"You smell different" i pointed out cause i couldn't help it. I almost burst out laughing when he sniffed his arm. People are taking note.

"How_ oh... I changed my cologne" I scrunched my nose up in annoyance which he must have taken the wrong way. "You don't like it?"

"I don't... I prefer the other one. That's your signature scent. The one you are wearing smells too novel" a small smile graced his lips.

"I will do something about it ma'am" I roll my eyes at his honorifics.

We sat down in a comfortable silence after that, both enjoying the party and the silence between us. I think this was what we need right now. The party was starting to go boring and i don't know if Theresa was ready to go home, I'm sleeping over at hers' this evening.

After a while he stood up, then stood in front of me. I raise an eyebrow at him in question.

"I know you are getting bored" i frown "it's all over your face, you have been glaring at thin air for the past ten minutes now"

"What?!" I panicked not wanting to give the vibe that i don't want to be here to anyone.

"Relax... You are good at masking your emotions but i know you are bored, let me show you around. I know a nice spot around here you will love" he said.

He was right but do i really want to go with him or do i want to stick around this rich snobs. I look to my left to see a group of girls that i had never seen before in my life eyeing me out like i stole a valuable asset from them. In this case, it's Akorede.

How about i rub it on their face...

Smirking, i stood up taking my purse along before linking my arms with his , he was surprised, pleasantly surprised. Giving me a nod we both walked out of the hall.

                             ⚡⭐☄️

"Are you cold?" He asked while pulling off the dark blazer he was wearing. I nodded and i was pleased as he pulled it over him. I adjusted the sleeves enjoying the scent.

I'm actually feeling cold, he brought me here so he has to take the responsibility. I'm not going to act like all this cliche girls I see on screen who lies when the guy they like ask them about feeling cold.

Why will you lie about something that has to do with your health? It's like you are placing the said guy over your well being.

"Thank you..." He nodded before looking back at the space of greenery before us, i also followed his lead. "So your aunt is the sole owner of SJC?"

"That's the work of my uncle" he said chuckling as i shook my head"i guess the couple couldn't bear the fact that their Alma mater was going down in crumbles"

"It's a good thing. I was also scared for a moment after overhearing from some sources that they were going to close down the school after our graduation..."

"You are right." He said looking at me now "that's what prompted my uncle to act fast."

We fall into another round of silence after that. I stretched out my legs, crossing it at the ankle. Looking up at the dark sky which strangely looks beautiful tonight.

The stars spread across the sky in a beautiful pattern, the half moon stood magestic in its own spot adding to the breathtaking view.

"Hmmmm...."

"What is it?"he asked out of curiosity.

"What?" i turn to face him.

"You just made a sound. It seems you saw something or you are thinking deeply" he pointed out.

"And you are an overthinker" he frowned at my statement.

"I'm not an overthinker, i just pointed out obvious reasons why you made that sound" i chuckled while shaking my head.

"You have something to say to me?" I asked tightening the blazer around my frame. Scratching the back of his head, i know he was trying to come up with something.

"I don't want us the argue or have a dispute over anything... I just want to enjoy my time with you. It's been a while..."

"Okay"

"Okay? That's all you are going to say?"

"I have nothing to say Akorede... Like you said, we should enjoy the night and the peace that comes along with it" I said turning away from him.

He stared at him for a long while before turning away. His posture showed that of frustration but I'm not giving in to something that i know it's not going to last.

"Where do I stand in this?" He suddenly asked , staring at the grassy ground around us.

"I don't hate you Akorede. Some things are just not meant to be"

"We can make it happen "

I shook my head with a sad smile clearly evident on my face.

"We can't "

"Again with the pessimism..." He grunts in annoyance.

"I'm not being pessimistic, I'm trying to be the logical one here.... Can we talk about anything else apart from this?"

"What do you want us to talk about?" He asked folding his arms against himself.

"Our upcoming graduation, heard it's going to be-"

The word died in my throat as familiar soft lips descended on mine. I sat frozen as he slowly performed the action and i felt my body giving in. He suddenly pulled away.

"I'm sorry... I don't know what came over me" soft tingling sensation on my lips, shaking my head.

"It's okay... I need to go" I stood up quickly, before walking away from him.

"Wait!-"

I was fast gone before he could get out his next words out. I can't deal with the emotional stress. He can't just go around kissing me anytime he felt like.

We were in the open and someone could have seen us. Matching further, a came to a stop when i realised he still had his blazer on me. I groaned in frustration, not knowing whether to take it off or leave it on.

That boy will just leave you disorganised!

I dragged myself towards the less crowded area of the hall. Avoiding coming in contact with people, it seems i was getting irritated out of pure frustration.

Feelings that i have killed and quashed, he is trying to sprout it up all again. I'm not going to allow that, i have my own life to live and I'm not going to wear my heart on my sleeve again.

Leaning against the wall, i watched them laugh, discuss, wine and dine. Rich folks with being flamboyant. They believe they have the world at the tip of their fingers and why won't they think so?

"Why are you hiding away?" I jumped at the sound of the voice. I turn around to see Teniola Cole staring at me in confusion.

"Ma. I'm not hiding away..." Raising an eyebrow at me, she shook her head.

"You must be bored of the party. Come with me" she struts away with so much grace and i have no other option than to waddle like a duck after.

I became surprised when she reached for my hand as we got to the other side of the hall, leading me through an entrance of a building.

I was more surprised because it seems like another party was going on in here. I realized the setting, the people of higher caliber were all gathered in this place which looks like a lounge. I recognized faces i see in the past school magazine.

Wow... I can't believe i am standing in the same room with the then ELITE.

I find a place for myself after Mrs Cole instructed me to feel at home but i simply can't. I don't want to make any mistakes here.

I spotted Akorede immediately with his friends and he seems to be watching me but i ignored them. I don't know why I was doing that, probably due to the woman who was coming towards me and that seems to possess a lot of his physical features.

From a corner of my eye, I saw Akorede slowing standing up with a frown on his face and Mrs Cole basically face palmed herself from where she was.

I noticed her trying to stop the woman from coming towards my direction but she failed. I stood straight while swallowing hard.

"You must be Omotolani" she declared as soon as she got to me, voice and face equally hard, leaving no rooms for introduction. Her beautifully contoured face was gradually growing a frown as she seems not to be happy with what she saw.

Me...

"Good evening ma" i did a little curtsey. Her face suddenly morphs into a contemptible look.

"I have heard about your secret rendezvous with my son and I must say, I'm not pleased with it" she spoke in what was akin to annoyance.

"Ma?" I said dumbly as my hands suddenly turned sweaty from the stress of being confronted by this woman.

She was staring at me as if i was spoiling her joy.

"Listen to me... I don't know what you have with my son but i want it to end. I'm not suggesting, I'm giving you a command which i know your poverty stricken brain can adhere. Stay away from my son! Are we clear?"

My eyes watered as i shivered in her presence.

"Yes ma..."

"Now at the count of five, i want you out of my sight! You do not belong here" she bites deeper, my legs obeyed me as i move "a minute!" I stopped turning to her, she gestured towards the blazer on me, i quickly removed it handing it over to her, she took it with the tip of her fingers, staring at the cloth in disgust.

From my peripheral vision, I noticed Akorede storming towards our direction but I didn't wait, I walked as if my feet had wheels underneath, feeling congested with the emotions building up inside me.

With the words i have heard tonight, i knew I didn't belong here, i don't belong with him.

I finally updated o 😀

What do you think of the chapter? I'm sure some people already have their knives out.

Mrs Wellington is so.... What do we call it?