Dedicated to my husband (Burna Boy; in case you live under a rock and you're not aware.) because he dropped his album that we've all been anticipating! 😭💞
There are many songs about me there, so do well to stream it 😗✨.

Lemme not talk too much 🙂.

Enjoy 🥂.

°°°°°

It was very obvious, clear as day, and I'd only be fooling myself to even deny the fact that I was at the center of this dangerous madness.

❦︎

~[VICTORIA]~

A middle-aged lady had guided me here.

Her gentle smile and serene voice had done something to calm my nerves, slow down my racing heart.

Before she walked away, she told me to go in when I was ready. I had nodded with a small smile, muttered some appreciation.

But still, I was fixed before the wooden door painted white, eyes reading the little, metal sign over and over again.

KEYINDE MOMOH
Clinical Psychologist.

Again and again, my eyes roamed the little sign.

I was feeling it again, the pounding in my chest, my mind began to spiral, thoughts were crashing again.

Why am I scared?

I didn't even have any clue why. All I knew was that I didn't have as much will to go in there anymore.

But I need this.

My mind was in conflict. I tried to fight it, lifted my hand to grab the doorknob, but it just hovered above the knob, refused to grip it.

No backing out.

My little self talk from the restroom reeled into my mind, reminded me of the agreement I had with myself.

So, without taking any chances on talking myself out again, I twisted the doorknob, took three slow steps in and shut the door behind me.

Straight away, my spine straightened, muscles stiffened as my gaze jammed with his-the Keyinde Momoh, I suppose.

He was seated behind a desk, it was white like his door. My eyes still followed his as he rose from his seat, and the pounding of my heart synced with the sounds of his footsteps against the oak floor as he approached.

"Ms. Kanayo, yeah?" He raised his full brow at me, and then frowned slightly when I still remained silent. "Victoria Kanayo, right?" He repeated, this time, scanning my face carefully.

Me? I still remained silent, stiff, fixed on that spot.

Then his brows uncreased, lips curved in a gentle smile as he said to me, "You're scared."

Guys, I was still freaking silent. It was like my tongue had stuck to the roof of my mouth, ceasing my ability to speak.

"Please, come and have a seat." He offered, slowly backing away with his eyes still on me. "I have chocolates."

I couldn't help it, I grimaced in both confusion and surprise.

How exactly did he know my weak point?

Wait...

A dangerous but possible thought sprang in my head. My eyes expanded, breath held.

Was he- was he the Gbenga-

"It's literally on your Instagram bio that chocolate is life." He chuckled, tipped his head to the side a little. "I'm a fan, Einstein."

Oh?

Slowly, my features smoothened as common sense rushed back in my head. What was I even thinking?

The Gbenga Williams was supposed to be average height, light skinned old man with crooked teeth. The man before me was not even close to that description. For one, he was young, looked to be in his early thirties. With smooth dark skin, muscular build and a warm smile; he could easily put anyone at ease, manage to guide you off edge.

"So, will you seat now, Einstein?" He gestured to the seat opposite his, that little smile still playing on his lips. "The chocolates are Sneakers actually. According to your insta story from months ago, that's your favourite brand, right?"

Welp, he had me there. I found myself lazily dragging my feet towards his table. My lips could have torn from how much they stretched as I sighted the bowl of chocolates right at the middle of the table, filled to its brim. And this man wasn't lying, they were Sneakers.

"We can start with out session now, yeah?" His question made me lift my eyes from the bowl of brown goodness to his eyes of similar colour.

And for the first time since I stepped that hospital, I spoke,

"Yes."

And then proceeded to pick a wrap of chocolate as I took my seat.

"So, Einstein-" he paused, tilted his head. "I'll be calling you that, is it okay?"

"Mhmm." I responded with a hum because my mouth was busy already.

"Good, good." He leaned back on his seat. "I'm Keyinde. But I'd prefer it if you call me Kenny."

"Mkay." I nodded, stupidly trying to speak with my mouth stuffed.

"Erm..." He trailed off, adjusted on his seat. "You're going to have to slow down with those treats... this is going to be more of you speaking than me."

I let out a string of weird sounds in my attempt to apologize. So, embarrassed, I forced down the contents of my mouth down my throat.

"Sorry." I mustered a small smile. And I could bet on that bowl of chocolates that it was awkward as hell.

"It's nothing, it's nothing." He laughed heartily, brushed it off with a wave of his hand. "We'll start with basic introduction. Tell me about yourself, Einstein."

For someone who was already stalking me, he looked quite curious and oblivious.

Nevertheless, I opened my mouth and spoke, "I'm Victoria, seventeen year-old... erm... I'm a highschooler and I play basketball."

He backed up, squinted his eyes, "You play basketball?"

"Uh... yes?"

"You've never mentioned that online." He shrugged, relaxed. "I'm guessing it's a private thing."

Yeah, private because my mother would have smothered me if I as much as said the word 'basketball'.

I was not going to say that though, at least, not yet. Instead, I nodded and falsely confirmed that, "It was private indeed."

"That's cool though!" He was now all giddy for some reason. "I played B-ball during my university days, very interesting."

I sat up straight, eyes wide, that piqued my interest.

We went ahead to talk about our favourites from various basketball leagues. And I just couldn't believe that I was flowing that freely with the same person I was freaking out about meeting earlier.

Maybe it was his welcoming smile, or his keenness; how he just sat there, listening with utmost attention.

Or maybe it was the simplicity of his office. The place looked pure. With the white walls and furniture. The little pops of colour were the different coloured books displayed on the shelf and the Duraemon rug at the door. Yes, Duraemon the cartoon was there as his rug.

It was calming, freeing too, to just sit and... talk, have a good laugh with someone.

I don't know how he did it, but he even got me to tell him about school too. How Chris scared me with those flames in his eyes, Tracy with her insanity, Charles being the chill one, Fidel and his weird nicknames, and even Jason with his constant glares and scowls.

It felt like a whiff of fresh air, I tell you.

"Ah." He deflated, pouted with a frown. "Our convo time is over." But he was quick to improve his mood as he was already smiling again. "You'll be back tomorrow though, so I'm fine." He whooped in excitement, did a little victory dance.

I just had to double over in laughter, watching his little celebratory moment. Why was this man like another Tracy?

"Gurl, I would have blabbed it everywhere that I got to meet our Nigerian Einstein here, but it'll cost me my license." He joked, laughed to himself.

"Well, I'll see you tomorrow, sir."

He raised his index finger, wiggled it in my face. "Kenny, not sir." He corrected. "And I can't wait for tomorrow, Einstein."

Since it wasn't half as bad as I can bargained for, I was also anticipating our next session.

Even Dad must have noticed the little light in my mood. I noticed him glance at me a number of times during the ride home.

That tiny flame of hope in me had spread a little, made me dare to believe that I still had a shot at freedom, a chance to drop the weight in my chest.

I smiled at the thought. For the second time today, I was catching my eyes in the mirror; this time, in my room.

My eyes, they had an unusual glint in them, low but noticeable. Maybe it was the light above?

But I felt the source of that glint in my tummy, warming my insides. It was expectations, new expectations igniting excitement in me.

Maybe I can still live in peace.

My lips stretched even more. And it was then it dawned on me that Chris was right; that I should smile more, genuine ones.

I liked how I looked with the smile on. For a moment, it felt like a different person was staring back at me. I looked... happy, content. My eyes had life, like my dad's.

And for that short moment, I let myself be, just stayed there, watching myself glow; basking in that rare warmth. Let myself enjoy that moment before they returned, those voices that always screamed at me, that constant press in my chest.

I just breathed and adored myself for that brief moment.

°°°°°

He was doing it again, those his secret calls.

I observed him whisper-yelling into his phone, and at intervals, he'd glance around to check if I was coming. But from the living room, his eyes could not catch me under the stairs.

I had shuffled there when I heard his frustrated voice as he descended the stairs. If it was curiosity that pushed me, I don't know, but I had that urge to eavesdrop. There was only so much secrets a person could take.

It felt like I wasn't even aware of half the things in my life. There was Fidel with his Gbenga fiasco, and then Dad with this dude that wasn't supposed to show up here at any cost.

"Fucking stay where you are." He was still venting out, speaking through gritted teeth. It was weird hearing him curse. "We're dead meat if you step in here, you know that."

I tried to reason, racked my brain for ideas of who could be at the other end of that call.

Nothing came in my head, my mind remained blank.

"Now, listen," the frustration in his voice became louder, "you will not risk my daughter's life for this nonsense. Do you hear me?"

God, please.

My life was at risk as well?

Who did I offend? Why was the devil on my case? Who were these people out to get me?

God, abeg.

"I don't care!" He held himself back from yelling, from losing it. "Don't fucking come here, Alex."

Again, I cringed at his swear word. But my mind was still spiralling, unanswered questions weighing down my spirit.

Alex?

The only Alex I knew was in a teen series I was currently keeping up with. No matter how much I searched my mind, I could not connect a face to that name.

Alex...

There was silence for a while, I could only hear ruffling here and there. Perhaps, he was busy collecting himself.

And then I heard his voice, calm and composed-a contrast to the anger it held earlier-as he called out, "Baby? Vicky? Aren't you ready yet?"

I kept my lips sealed. Answering from under the stairs would have been a dead give away that I was eavesdropping on his call that was supposed to be a secret.

"Meet me at the car soon, okay? Don't get us late, Vicky!"

He was a good actor, I'd give that to him. He was there, casually calling out to me like he hadn't just spat out venomous words over the phone, like he didn't want to scream and rip his hair out.

I only emerged from underneath the stairs when I heard the front door click close. Took a moment to collect myself, organize my mind. And then I made my way out the front door, to the driveway.

I observed him, flashing me a wide smile, rocking on his feet.

But I was all too aware that his giddiness was false. Yet, I mustered my own smile, spoke with an equally false chirpy tone,

"Good morning, Dad!"

He frowned a little amidst his smile. "You're quite cheerful today. Is there good news I should hear?"

"No." I shrugged, maintained the damn smile. "It's just a good day already."

He eyed me, skeptical to my response. "Okay..." He trialed off, slowly nodded. "But we need to be on our way."

"Yeah, yeah." I bobbed my head, pulled the car door open and got comfortable in my seat. Except I wasn't comfortable in the least.

My mind was in turmoil. I was worried about things I didn't know shit about, people whose names I could not pin to a face.

Gbenga Williams...

Alex...

The hell were they?

And as dad maneuvered into the streets, I weighed my options.

Confront him or stay quiet?

But then, I was damn sure that Dad would either lie to my face straight up or give me that his usual 'I'll tell you at the right time' story.

I decided that I'd rather stay quite.

And then I spent the rest of the ride helplessly hoping that whatever chaos that was coming would not get hold of me, chew me up and spit me out with my bones all broken.

I huffed to myself, ignoring Dad's glance.

Who was I kidding?

It was very obvious, clear as day, and I'd only be fooling myself to even deny the fact that I was at the center of this dangerous madness.

•
•
•

A/N

"You go bow for the result o."

My husband knew what he was saying when he said that! 😭💞😭💞.

SOMEONE TELL BURNA TO SING WITH DAVIDO AGAIN! That's definitely what I need right now 😌.

Have you gotten his latest album??? Oh, my chest! 🤧💞✨.

For My Hand and Wild Dreams have been in my headdddddd! In fact, the whole album is heaven 😭💗✨.

Okay...

I should stop fangirling now 🙂.

This chapter was wholesome to write 😌. I loved it ✨. Well, not really with the end part tho 🙂. It's another abrupt ending, I know 🙂.

Say a little prayer for Victoria. Both her and me, because I need strength to battle with Jason for the next chapter 😐.

Anyhoo...

Remember that I love you! 😗💗
Stay safe 💕.

AND STREAM "LOVE, DAMINI" !!! 😭💞✨😭💞✨😭💞✨.