"I was very overprotective," that's what people told me. But what wrong did I do by trying to keep everyone's interest at heart? I didn't believe it. Everyone around me echoed the same sentiment. Even my best friend, Chuma, affirmed it. I felt dejected. It was as if I was being vilified for looking out for others. But things took a turn when Adaobi entered my life. She acknowledged my overprotectiveness but found it endearing. Her acceptance gave me hope, yet deep down, I yearned for a male companion with whom I could share my thoughts and time. That's when I met you, Sam. I thought we were destined to be the best of friends before that girl appeared, monopolizing the time you once spent with me. It was truly disheartening," he concluded.

Truly, he wasn't at fault. My heart went out to him. He didn't deserve that, yet I could perceive his friends' perspective. His overprotectiveness was becoming overwhelming.

I lifted his downcast face, meeting his gaze. "Don't ever feel insecure again. I'll never abandon you, Julius," I assured him as we embraced each other.

            ****************************
               Back in sunny California, Charles and Julie found themselves deep in thought about Bliss's recent behavior. With furrowed brows, Julie turned to Charles and asked, "Can you even imagine that?" Sensing her genuine curiosity, Charles saw it as an opportunity to finally voice what had been weighing on his mind.

"I don't understand. Why did she fall in love with him in the first place, knowing that she had an incurable disease?" Julie's voice trembled with concern. "I just hope Sam will find happiness wherever he is. But what if he's devastated and does something rash when he learns about Bliss's illness? There's a certain logic to what Bliss said," she added, her eyes clouded with worry.

Charles, unable to hide his disappointment, stared at her and shook his head. "So even you, the one he trusts, would keep this from him? I refuse to be a part of this charade. Let's face it, Bliss won't recover from that illness. Come on, she has progeria. It's not possible," he exclaimed.

Julie, seething with anger, slapped him. "Stop! I won't tolerate any more of your nonsense. And mark my words, if you ever breathe a word of this to Sam, it will be the end of us," she threatened before storming off.

Perplexed by her reaction, Charles muttered to himself, "What's gotten into her? I thought she was more sensible than this. Whatever happens to Sam when Bliss passes, she'll have brought it upon herself."

For the rest of the day, Julie ignored Charles whenever he tried to talk to her. "Julie, you're being unreasonable and immature right now. Our relationship is suffering simply because I told you the truth and suggested the right thing to do," he said, confronting her as her dismissiveness became unbearable. "I've said this before. Do you want to do the right thing? Fine, do it. Just remember what I told you. If you see it as a threat, you're mistaken. It's a promise I will keep," she retorted, fixing her eyes back onto her book.

"And another thing. Get ready, because from now on, we will be visiting Bliss in Washington D.C. every Saturday," she added firmly.

Charles felt bewildered. This was not the Julie he knew. Everyone had a darker side, but this was something else entirely.

             * In Washington DC*
Bliss's condition was rapidly deteriorating as she was rushed to MedStar Washington Hospital Centre in Washington DC. Her once bright eyes now looked ashen, and her pallor was reminiscent of death itself. Madam Stella, her mother, followed close behind, tears streaming down her face as they whisked Bliss into the emergency ward.

"Madam, what happened to her?" the doctor inquired as Stella entered in a state of distress. "I don't know. When I found her, she wasn't responsive," she uttered between sobs. "Doctor, she's my only child. I'm a single parent. Her father passed away when she was just 7 months old," she continued, her voice breaking.

"I'll do everything in my power to help her, madam," the doctor assured, his voice filled with empathy as he concealed his own emotions. Suddenly, a nurse rushed in, urgently whispering into the doctor's ear. After exchanging a brief, meaningful glance with Stella, the doctor hurried into the ward.