"Envy is the ulcer of the soul."

                 M A K A Y L A

That bitch named Yemisi!

She has really, really crossed the line. I'm still fuming from what happened earlier. Who does she think she is, slapping me in front of everyone? And that threat she made? I'll never forget it.

I've never hated anyone as much as I hate Yemisi right now. She's always been a thorn in my side, but this time, she's gone too far. I'll make sure she pays for what she did. Oh, I'll make sure she regrets ever crossing me.

Whatever it takes, I'll make sure Yemisi knows that she can't mess with Makayla Kingsley.

"Give them, mm-mm-mm. Another one, mm-mm-mm. I dey pepper them, mm-mm-mm. E dey pain them, mm-mm-mm."

I glanced at Zainab and Temitope, who were busy twerking on camera to "War Machine" by Rema. Their behinds were shaking and wiggling in perfect sync, their waistlines rolling and rotating in a hypnotic motion. Their hips swiveled and swayed, causing their skirts to fly up and down, revealing glimpses of their colorful underwear. The camera captured every move, and I shook my head in disapproval.

"You two are the biggest fools," I said, eyeing them.

Zainab and Temitope froze, and turned to face me.

"What's wrong?" Zainab asked, her smile faltering.

"Wetin happen?" Temitope added.

"You two just stood there and watched while Yemisi insulted me and slapped me. You didn't even try to help me."

Temitope continued looking at the camera, twerking slowly. "No vex nau. We didn't know what to do."

I scoffed. "You didn't know what to do? You're my supposed friends, and you just stood there and did nothing, like the idiots you both are."

Zainab looked up, a defensive expression on her face. "Makayla, don't be like that, ahahn! Warris it? We're sorry, okay?"

"Sorry for yourself," I growled.

"We couldn't have done anything, that girl is just too. . . scary. There's something about her that just makes me back off. I no want wahala abeg," Tope stated, adjusting her skirt.

"See, Makayla, just forget the whole thing. You're already planning revenge for her, abi? So, just drop the discussion abeg."

I scowled at them, still feeling angry and hurt. But Zainab's words struck a chord. I was already planning my revenge, and dwelling on what happened wasn't going to change anything.

"Fine," I said reluctantly. "Let's just drop it."

Zainab and Temitope exchanged a relieved glance, and Temitope grinned. "Now, let me tell you about this chief I met on my way home two days ago."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite myself. "Chief?"

Temitope leaned in, a sly smile spreading across her face. "He's loaded, girls. I mean, seriously loaded. He was driving a Mercedes Benz, and his wristwatch alone must have cost millions."

Zainab's eyes widened, and she leaned in closer. "Omo, that sounds like a serious sugar daddy! Temitope, can you introduce me?"

Chai, this girl. No wonder Felix left her.

Temitope chuckled. "I can try, but I don't know if he'll be interested. He's already got a thing for me, if you know what I mean."

I raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Tope, you're not...?"

Temitope winked. "Let's just say I'm exploring my options. But seriously, girls, this chief is the real deal. If we can get in good with him, we'll be set for life."

Zainab's eyes sparkled with excitement, and she grabbed Temitope's arm. "Please, Temitope, introduce me! I'll do anything!"

I watched them, feeling a spark of interest ignite within me. It wasn't that I needed the money - my mom's wealth had always provided for me - but there was something appealing about having my own stash, my own financial independence.

I thought about all the times I've had to ask my mom for permission to buy something, or had to wait for her to send me money. She got strict after sending me to that stupid camp for a whole month!

Too bad that camp didn't resonate with me, because I always skipped the sermons. Thankfully, alot of people attended the camp, over two thousand youngsters. So, they didn't really pay attention to moi!

Anyway, I even have to beg my big brother, Ivan, sometimes for money, and he's shakara is just too much. Probably because he's spending all his cash on that girlfriend of his, Damilola.

Mitchew.

It was frustrating, and sometimes embarrassing. Having my own money, earned through my own means, would be liberating.

And who knows, maybe we could all benefit from getting in good with the chief.

"Okay, fine," I said, smiling sweetly at Temitope. "Introduce us. But if this chief is as loaded as you say he is, we're all going to have to bring our A-game if we want to catch his eye."

"Normal," Tope dragged. "I'll arrange everything. We'll go visit him on Saturday."

Zainab squealed in excitement. "Yes! Saturday can't come soon enough."

I nodded, feeling a thrill of anticipation. "Alright, Saturday it is. But Tope, you have to promise us that this chief is worth our time."

Tope held up her hands, laughing. "I swear, girls! This chief na odogwu. You'll see."

Zainab and I exchanged a look, and I could tell we were both thinking the same thing: this Saturday was going to be very interesting indeed.

We walked back to class, gisting about what we're going to wear on Saturday.

"I'm thinking of wearing my new skinny dress, the one I bought when we went to Lagos Island," Temitope said.

"I'll probably wear the sexy dress Zainab gifted me on my birthday."

Temitope's eyes widened in mock excitement. "Omo, that one go surely catch the chief's eye!"

I hissed, shoving her arm playfully. "I'm counting on it. But you have to promise me one thing."

"What's that?" Temitope asked, her voice dripping with intrigue.

"Don't wear those heels you can't walk with, you'll just disgrace yourself," I said, trying to stifle a laugh.

Zainab guffawed, and I joined her. Temitope hissed, rolling her eyes. "Ogbeni," she muttered, walking ahead of us.

We continued to gossip as we approached our classroom. As we pushed open the door, our eyes scanned the room, taking in the familiar sights and sounds.

It was empty, since everyone was out for lunch break.

That's when we saw her - Divine Wilson, quickly stepping away from someone's bag. For a moment, our eyes locked onto hers, and I could sense a flicker of guilt in her expression. It was clear what she'd been up to - she was about to steal from someone's bag, and our sudden arrival had caught her off guard.

Temitope, Zainab, and I exchanged a knowing glance, our earlier excitement about Saturday's plans momentarily forgotten.

I know that Divine is notorious for her thieving ways, and it seemed she was at it again.

"Oleburuku," Temitope bellowed, making some sounds with her mouth.

Divine's face turned bright red as she realized she'd been caught. She scratched the back of her neck, gulping down saliva.

"I wasn't stealing anything!" she protested, trying to sound indignant.

I snorted. "Madam, we saw you rummaging through someone's bag. What were you looking for?"

Divine's eyes darted back and forth, searching for an escape. "I...I was just looking for a pen. Yeah, that's it. A pen."

I raised an eyebrow. "A pen? In someone else's bag?"

Divine laughed awkwardly, narrowing her eyes. "I must have misplaced mine, okay? And I saw this bag open, so I thought maybe someone had left a pen inside."

Temitope and I exchanged a skeptical glance. I know Divine's reputation, and I wasn't buying her story. Technically, I know everything going on at this school, don't ask me how.

"E-excuse me," Divine stuttered, maneuvering out of the class.

"Chai, she no dey shame," Zainab stated, shaking her head in disappointment.

"Abeg, forget her," Temitope said, already sitting on a desk. "Let's discuss about the chief jare."

                           ✿✿✿

I arrived home from school, dropping my backpack on the floor with a sigh of relief. I was looking forward to a quiet afternoon, maybe catching up on some homework or watching TV.

I walked into the house, hearing the sound of chatter coming from the dining table. My curiosity piqued, and I wandered over to see who was visiting.

As I approached the table, I saw my aunt, Rachel, and my cousin, Emmanuel, seated there, sipping tea and laughing together with my mom.

Oh Lord!

Aunt Rachel was...well, she was a unique individual. She had a flair for the dramatic and a tendency to be overly nosy. And Emmanuel, my cousin, was just as quirky. He had a habit of talking about the most random things, like his favorite conspiracy theories or his latest crystal healing experiences.

And I hate how he puckers his lips when he talks! He looks like a horse.

He attends Crestwood High, and I think he's in grade seven or so. I don't really care.

My mother called out to me from the dining room, "Makayla, you're back. Come and greet your aunty nau."

I reluctantly made my way over to the table, trying not to make eye contact with my aunt and cousin. "Hey," I muttered.

Aunt Rachel beamed at me. "Makayla, darling! It's so wonderful to see you! You're looking more beautiful every day."

Emmanuel, my quirky cousin, grinned at me, his lips puckering out in that annoying way that made him look like a horse. "Hey, big cuz! What's up?"

I forced a smile onto my face, trying not to show my annoyance. "How are you?" I managed to ask.

"Fine," he responded, splashing spit everywhere with that his annoying lips.

My mother interrupted our awkward exchange, "Makayla, we're actually heading out to dinner soon. Why don't you go get changed quickly so we can get going?"

I raised an eyebrow in astonishment. "Dinner? I didn't know we had plans."

I just wanted to chill alone, not go out with these freaks.

My mother smiled. "We thought it would be nice to have a family dinner together, it's been long. We were waiting for you to get back from school before we headed out."

I sighed inwardly, resigned to an evening of awkward conversation and quirky antics with my aunt and cousin.

"Go get dressed quickly," Aunt Rachel added, smiling too much.

I managed not to roll my eyes, and I sauntered upstairs to my bedroom. I seriously miss Ivan sometimes, because lately I'm the one encountering somethings on my own. Such as, hanging out with my freakish family. Mitchew.

I flopped down onto my bed, letting out a dramatic sigh. After taking off my uniform, I showered and just wore anything - a black dress.

I put on my slippers and descended back downstairs, my black dress fluttering around my knees.

My mother smiled as she saw me, and she grabbed her car keys.

Aunt Rachel and Emmanuel were already waiting by the door, looking like hungry bitches. We filed out of the house, piling into my mother's car.

As we drove through the city, the lights of the restaurants and shops twinkling around us, my mother announced, "We're going to try out that new place, 'Bella Vita' - Beautiful Life. I've heard great things about it."

I paid no attention, instead I stared out the window.

"Yay! I'm going order fried rice and chicken. I've never eaten it in my life."

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at Emmanuel's excitement. The boy is a disgrace.

"Really, Emmanuel? You've never had fried rice and chicken before?" I asked, trying to keep a straight face.

Emmanuel nodded enthusiastically. "Nope!"

Aunt Rachel chuckled a little, not saying a word.

I just shook my head, wondering how someone hasn't tasted fried rice before. This is why I call them freaks!

We pulled up to Bella Vita, and I could feel my skepticism melting away. The restaurant looked fancy, with elegant lighting and a sophisticated atmosphere.

We stepped inside, and the hostess greeted us with a warm smile. "Welcome to Bella Vita! Right this way, please."

We followed her to a cozy table by the window, and I took a seat, trying to make myself comfortable. Emmanuel bounced into the seat across from me, still chattering excitedly about trying fried rice for the first time.

Aunt Rachel smiled at the waiter, who had appeared to take our orders. "We'll have a few minutes, please," she said.

The waiter nodded and handed us each a menu. I scanned mine quickly, deciding on the grilled chicken and vegetables.

Emmanuel, on the other hand, was still studying his menu intently. "I'll have the fried rice and chicken, please," he said finally, looking up at the waiter with a big smile.

Like as if he didn't plan to have that in the first place. Idiot!

The waiter nodded, taking note of our orders. "And to drink?" he asked.

My mom spoke up. "We'll have a few glasses of sparkling water, please."

The waiter nodded and disappeared, leaving us to chat while we waited for our food to arrive.

Emmanuel was desperately trying to start up a conversation with me, but I kept giving him the cold treatment.

"Mummy, I want to pee," he cried out after some time.

I groaned inwardly as Emmanuel's voice pierced the air. "Weewee," he whined, looking around the table with a pleading expression.

Aunt Rachel smiled sympathetically. "Um, sweetie," she muttered, looking around for any direction of the bathroom.

I knew what was coming next, and I felt a surge of annoyance. "Makayla, why don't you take Emmanuel to the bathroom?" mom asked, just as I had predicted.

I forced a smile onto my face, trying not to show my frustration. "Hmm," I muttered, getting up from my seat.

Emmanuel grinned at me, clearly oblivious to my annoyance. "Thanks, big cuz!" he exclaimed, bouncing up from his seat.

I trailed behind him, feeling like a reluctant babysitter. As we walked to the bathroom, Emmanuel chattered excitedly about his favorite TV show.

"Can you shut up?!" I growled at him, when I couldn't take it anymore.

Emmanuel's expression faltered, and he looked up at me with wide, hurt eyes. "Why are you always so mean to me?" he asked, his voice trembling.

I hissed and eyed him from head to toe. "Just hurry up!" I snapped, gesturing towards the bathroom sign that read "Men's Restroom" with an arrow pointing down the hall.

Emmanuel nodded, still looking hurt, and we walked towards the bathroom. When we got there, Emmanuel pushed open the door. But then he stopped and looked up at me uncertainly.

"It's full," he whispered.

I let out a frustrated sigh. "Seriously?" I muttered, looking around for an alternative. That's when I spotted the sign for the women's restroom across the hall.

"Come," I said, grabbing Emmanuel's arm and pulling him towards the women's restroom. "Just be quick, okay?" I warned him, as we pushed open the door and slipped inside.

We were greeted by a surprise visitor and I couldn't believe she was here.

The bitch, Yemisi!

Yemisi's eyes met mine through the mirror, and she raised an eyebrow in surprise.

Suddenly, Emmanuel cowered back, looking terrified as he stared at Yemisi. "L-let's go," he whimpered.

I had a quizzical look on my face, as I examined Yemisi's expression and Emmanuel's expression.

Just like that, Yemisi rushed out of the bathroom, without saying a word. What the. . .?!

I turned to Emmanuel, confusion etched on my face. "What just happened? Do you know her?" I asked, nodding towards the door that Yemisi had just rushed out of.

Emmanuel nodded, still looking shaken. "Y-yes... she's senior Yemisi. S-she used to go to my school," he stammered.

My curiosity was piqued. "What happened? Why did she freak out like that?" I pressed, trying to get to the bottom of the strange encounter.

Emmanuel hesitated, looking around nervously before leaning in close. "She got expelled," he whispered. "She wrecked the principal's car."

My eyes widened in surprise. "Expelled?!"

Emmanuel nodded. "Yeah. I don't know all the details, but I know she got expelled for wrecking Principal Kenny's car."

I shook my head, trying to process the unexpected revelation. Yemisi seemed so normal, so put-together. I would never have guessed that she had a wild streak.

I laughed inwardly, running my hand through my braided hair. "Damn," I mumbled.

So, miss perfect has a bad record and still got accepted into our school?! Fuck, this is big news.

Really big!

I turned to Emmanuel quickly, holding his shoulders and peering into his eyes. "Tell me more about that girl, everything you know."

<─────────>
A/N

I'm having a bad feeling about this oo🙆🙆🙆

Please, let me know what you think, abeg.

This chapter was supposed to be posted tomorrow, Wednesday, since I update on Saturdays and Wednesdays. But I'll be busy tmr, that's why I posted it now😃

So, Makayla wan dey visit Chief 😮‍💨
I pity her😂😂

Who else remembers Emmanuel??

For those of you who commented, 'Makayla' in the previous chapter, you were right 😂😂

Makayla was the one that walked into the bathroom Yemisi was in, so clap for yourselves 😌

Thanks for reading, please don't forget to vote 😗

CiCi 🌹

🌺TEASER🌺

I gasped in shock when I felt a hand around my waist. Why do people always target my waist?

I spun around, ready to give the perpetrator a piece of my mind. And then I saw him. . .

. . .Emeka!

Standing in my kitchen, with a sly grin spreading across his face.

"What the fuck?!" I exclaimed, trying to push him away. "What are you doing?! Get your hands off me!"

"Relax," he dragged, tightening his grip. "Let's talk na, eh? Yemisi, Yemisi," he chuckled a little, gazing at my chest.

I felt a wave of discomfort wash over me as his eyes lingered on my chest. I tried to push him away again, but he held firm.