Hi😝

Say it back joor.

Sha get prepared for this chapter.

𝐓 𝐇 𝐈 𝐑 𝐃 • 𝐏 𝐄 𝐑 𝐒 𝐎 𝐍 • 𝐏 𝐎 𝐕
〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎〰︎

After suffering to write exams, endless readings and late nights, the ss3 students were finally done with their exams.

The whole senior block was rowdy because the students were celebrating, some even went as far as tearing pieces of paper and throwing them out the window.

Someone blasted music from a Bluetooth speaker—Rema’s latest jam Ozeba echoing through the corridors like a freedom anthem. Girls danced barefoot in the hallway, twerking, feeling the beat.

Amidst all the chaos and noise, two lovebirds—Sonia and Derrick—were tucked away at the back of the classroom, wrapped in their own little world. While everyone else was busy throwing paper, dancing, or recording TikToks, these two had their own idea of celebration.

Derrick pulled her closer, his hands firm on her waist as their lips moved in sync—slow at first, then deeper, messier. Sonia, in the heat of the moment, climbed onto his lap, not even caring who might walk in. Her shirt collar was loose, his hand daringly close to places it shouldn’t be in public. She let out a breathy giggle, completely ignoring the voice of her ancestors screaming “Nne, behave!”

Just as Derrick’s hand slid to her buttons and things started getting seriously cinematic, a voice shattered the mood like NEPA taking light during a Indian movie.

“Make una stop that rubbish abeg! You no fit wait till una reach house?!”
It was Dexter, mouth wide open, face full of judgment, holding a half-eaten meat pie.

Sonia jumped off Derrick’s lap like she’d touched hot water, fixing her shirt and avoiding eye contact. Derrick just chuckled, unfazed. “Guy rest. Love dey hungry us,” he said, brushing his hair back like a Nollywood fine boy.

Dexter rolled his eyes. “Na like this una go disgrace your lineage? In 4K?”
Then he laughed and walked out, muttering something about ‘children of Jezebel and Romeo’.

“Why don't we finish this at my house.” Derrick recommended as soon Dexter left.

Sonia obviously embarrassed by the whole stunt, blushed. “Can't we just wait, we have the whole holiday to do literally anything we want to do.”

“You're no fun.” Derrick pouts, folding his arms like a kid who just got rejected.

Sonia laughed at his tactics, making him to release his own laughter.

Their laughter was genuine, vibrant and affectionate, literally anyone who passed by them could feel it, and let's just say some people really felt it.

Empress was in the corner, passing a dangerous glare to them, but she gave up after noticing they were in their own little world ignoring everything that's happening around them.

Empress broke the pencil in her hand into half, rage passing through her whole system. She hated how Sonia was just acting like everything was normal as if she didn't almost try to beat her to death a month ago.

And as for Derrick, she's so mad at him that he just let things go just like that. It's bad enough that her father has been questioning her about Derrick because he hasn't seen him around for a while now.

Empress dad needed her to date Derrick, because his dad was funding her dads business.

She had to get Derrick back at all costs. Her parents couldn’t see her as a failure. Not again. But deep down, she knew it wouldn’t be easy. As much as it burned her to admit it, Sonia and Derrick looked in love. And not the fake Instagram kind. The real, annoying, heart-eyes-in-public kind.

She needed a plan. Fast. Her mind raced.

Just when she was ready to give up, a crumpled piece of paper landed on her desk.

She looked up sharply. No one even glanced her way. Everyone was minding their business, as if someone hadn’t just thrown her a lifeline.

Curious and lowkey paranoid, she picked it up and slowly unfolded it.

One sentence. Neatly written in black cursive ink: “Meet me at the library. Fast!!!”

Empress looked around again, scanning the room for any suspicious movement, but got nothing. Everyone was deep in their own bubble, which only made this whole thing weirder.

Still gripping the note, she rose from her chair, casting one last glance at the classroom. Then, without a word, she made her way to the door.

The library? Seriously?

What kind of person chooses the library as a meeting spot? she thought, rolling her eyes internally as she climbed the stairs.

Unless this person was about to confess their love and hand her the master plan to win Derrick back, they better not waste her time.

As soon as Empress stepped into the library, a blast of cold air from the AC hit her face, making her shiver. The place was silent, no students, no librarian, just empty chairs and shelves filled with books.

Creepy.

Her footsteps echoed softly as she walked in, the quiet so loud it made her ears ring. Why was it so empty? She was suddenly very aware of how horror movies always start like this.

What if a serial killer was waiting for her? What if this was all a setup to take her out for good?

Nope. This was a terrible idea.

She spun around to leave, yanked the door handle and it didn’t move.

She pulled again. Nothing.

Panic kicked in. She yanked harder, but it wouldn’t budge. Great. This is how people die.

Just then, a voice rang out, too familiar for her liking.

“You’re supposed to push it, not pull it.”

Florence casually stepped out from behind one of the shelves like it was a runway entrance.

Empress internally groaned, of course it’s her.

“I have to admit,” Empress pauses. “This is actually a nice spot to murder someone, can I say my last words before I get killed.”

Florence just started plainly at her, ignoring her sarcastic comment.

“May I know why I'm here?” Empress questions, not trying to hide her curiosity.

“You're here so that I can help you.” Florence says casually, taking a sit on one of the empty chairs.

Empress rolls her eyes. “Let me guess, you want to ruin Sonia's life and get justice for those children blah blah blah who her father killed, that line is getting too cliche now.”

Florence smirked, unfazed. “A part of me still wants to do that,” she said with a shrug. “But I just found out something even better.”

She walked over to a table and flipped open her laptop. “Turns out, the man everyone thinks is Sonia’s father? Yeah, he’s not. She doesn’t even know who her real dad is.”

Then came the evil laugh, low, calculated, and way too satisfying.

Empress blinked. “Wait. What?”

“You heard me right,” Florence pauses as she laughs again. “Her mum was a hookups girl back in the day, serving it hot, giving it back to back.”

Empress dumbfounded, still trying to process the whole information still manages to ask. “How did you know about this?”

“That's a simple question, my late aunty, was the one who introduced her to the business, she was known as Madam Tope ─ the manager of the brothel, she helped her mum, but the ungrateful brat ran away.”

“So your aunt was managing a brothel, and Sonia's mum was a pimp in the institution.” Florence started putting the pieces together.

“You got that right boo.” Florence started opening some files on the laptop.

“So what exactly are we supposed to do with this information?” Empress asked, arms crossed. “Even if we drop the rumor, it’ll only trend for a week max. Then everyone goes back to their boring little lives.”

Her tone was calm, but her brain was already racing. She knew Florence too well, this girl never showed her full hand at once and she wasn't to be trusted.

Florence’s lips curled into a sly grin.
“That’s the interesting part,” she said, tapping her laptop. “We might actually know who the father is.”

Empress raised a skeptical brow. “We as in how?”

“Aren't you my partner in crime again?” She playfully jabs Empress on the arm, but she wasn't finding this whole situation funny.

“Whatever, who is the real father then?” Empress inquires.

“So last week,” Florence began, leaning closer, “I did a DNA analysis using a strand of Sonia’s hair.” She paused for dramatic effect. “And I ran it against the DNA of the fifteen men her mother slept with that week…”

Before she could finish, Empress cut in, blinking rapidly.

“Wait—what?” She stared at Florence like she was possessed. “How did you even find those men? And how were you able to locate them?”

The whole thing was getting creepier by the second. Florence wasn’t just being messy, she was being unhinged.

Florence smirked, clearly living for Empress’s horrified expression. “My aunt kept records.”

Empress narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean by records?”

Florence leaned back casually, like she wasn’t dropping one of the most insane confessions ever. “Client lists. Dates. Names. Sometimes even photos. Madam Tope was running more than just a brothel, she was keeping receipts like she knew one day they’d be useful.”

She tapped the screen of her laptop. “And now, they are.”

Empress took a step back, genuinely disturbed. “You’re telling me your aunt had a whole logbook of men she pimped Sonia’s mum out to?”

“With timestamps and blood types.” Florence added, eyes gleaming. “She was that organized.”

Empress blinked. “Nah. This is officially sick.”

Florence just laughed. “But you are still here aren't you, anyways guess who the DNA test matched to.”

“I don’t have a clue who it could be,” Empress said, exasperated. “You’re the one who’s supposed to be telling me.”

“Oh yeah, right.” Florence casually turned the laptop screen toward her like it was no big deal.

Empress leaned in and froze.

She blinked once.

Then again.

Then a third time.

But the image didn’t change. It stared right back at her, bold and unforgiving.

“Isn’t t-that…” she stammered, voice barely above a whisper.

Florence finished the sentence for her, voice cold and crisp. “Derrick’s dad. Yes. You’re not seeing things.”

“So Derrick and Sonia are half siblings? Is that what you're trying to tell me?” Empress was now panicking, moving left to right.

“Calm your horses down.”

“So now that we have this information, what are we going to do with it?” Empress asks.

“Just wait and see.”

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

𝐒 𝐄 𝐂 𝐎 𝐍 𝐃 • 𝐓 𝐄 𝐑 𝐌 • 𝐁 𝐄 𝐆 𝐈 𝐍 𝐒
﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌

The holidays were over. Students poured back into school, buzzing with excitement. The hallways echoed with laughter, the air thick with stories of Christmas trips, new clothes, and family drama. Joy floated around like confetti.

Outside the school gates, Sonia waited for Derrick they were supposed to go in together. While waiting, the realization hit her that last year was no more, this is a new year for her. Last year was filled with so much drama and bullshit, secrets upon secrets were released, but she sucked it in, got back stronger and enjoyed the holiday.

Her new year resolution was to avoid drama and graduate peacefully from this school.

But only if she knew what was coming.

She stood in the sun, scanning the road every few seconds. Derrick was thirty minutes late. No text. No call. Just heat on her skin and irritation bubbling in her chest.

Eventually, she found a shady spot by the wall and sighed, trying not to look as anxious as she felt. But then she noticed it.

People were pointing. Whispering. Snickering.

She rolled her eyes. This again. Ever since she enrolled here, stares and whispers followed her like a shadow. She was used to it, this was a normal KIHS tradition at this point. Gossips  and rumours spreading like the flu.

Just as she unlocked her phone to check her messages, she heard two voices shouting from across the field.

“WHATEVER YOU DO, DON’T OPEN YOUR PHONE!”

Kelechi and Flora sprinted toward her like their lives depended on it, faces wild with panic. They stopped right in front of her, gasping for breath.

Sonia blinked. “What happened? Why are you guys panicking.”

Her questions were left unanswered as they both still tried to catch their breaths.

“Well happy new year to you guys too.” Sonia says sarcastically.

“Have you checked any of your social media recently?” Kelechi grabs the phone from Sonia, leaving her shocked.

“I haven't, and why did you take my phone? Please give it back.”

“I think you should avoid your phone for phone for now, or any other gadgets at the moment.” Flora butted in.

Sonia just stared at them like aliens, demanding an explanation to all their tactics.

Just as she was about to question them, Dexter started running towards them. “Sonia how long did you know about this?”

While Sonia was still trying to process his question, she saw Kelechi and Flora giving him the 'cut it out sign'.

“What's going on here sef, you guys are acting weird today, is there anything I should know?” She questions them, but neither of them refuse to say anything.

Then a red Audi pulls up, she didn't need a soothsayer to tell that the car belonged to Derrick. He comes out of the car with a somewhat pissed demeanour.

He walks towards Sonia, ignoring everyone else present there and hands her a phone.

Sonia stared at the phone in her hand like it was made of fire.

Her heart pounded.

Her fingers trembled.

Everyone around her seemed to disappear, it was just her and the screen now.

She tapped it.

A blog post popped up, titled:

“BREAKING: SONIA’S REAL FATHER REVEALED — AND YOU WON’T BELIEVE WHO IT IS”

The banner image? A side-by-side comparison of her and Derrick’s father with the caption: “DNA TEST DOESN’T LIE.”

Her mouth went dry.

Below the headline, the post read:

> “A source close to Madam Tope, former brothel manager and late aunt to an anonymous student, has revealed that Sonia’s mother once worked in the brothel under her care. During that period, records show she was involved with multiple clients — one of which was Mr. Johnson, a respected businessman and father of one of our school’s most popular students: Derrick.”

“Using strands of Sonia’s hair and a confidential DNA database, we were able to compare samples with 15 potential men. The results were undeniable. The paternity match is 99.8% accurate.”

Underneath that? A literal screenshot of the DNA results. Her name. His name. The match confirmed in bold red text.

And then came the comments.

"So she’s been kissing her half-brother???”

“Nollywood should come and see this one o.”

“Wait... So basically they're committing incest?”

“They’re DONE. I knew it. Eww.”

Sonia’s hands dropped to her sides. Her eyes stayed glued to the screen, but everything else felt far away.

She didn’t even realize she was holding her breath until she looked up at Derrick.

His face was unreadable. Cold. Distant.

“You knew,” he said quietly. “And you didn’t tell me.”

Sonia tried to talk but words failed her miserably.

“Why didn’t you tell me he wasn’t your real father?” Derrick’s voice cracked just a little. “Don’t you trust me?”

The hurt in his eyes wasn’t loud, it was soft, aching, and real.

Sonia opened her mouth, but nothing came out at first. Then the tears spilled. “I knew he wasn’t my father, but I swear to God, Derrick, I didn’t know your dad was. I’d never lie to you about something like that.”

Her voice broke. Her chest heaved.

Derrick’s expression shifted. The anger melted, but the disappointment lingered.

He stepped closer, wiping one of her tears gently with his thumb. “We’ll talk about this later, okay? Just breathe. You don’t have to go in today.”

He glanced around at the growing crowd.

“Our classmates are already toxic. You’re not in the right state of mind to face them.”

Sonia nodded, wordlessly.

Derrick looked at her for one more second — eyes soft, but unreadable — then turned and walked back to his car.

Without another word, he drove off through the school gate, leaving Sonia behind, with nothing but questions, betrayal, and the loud silence of her unraveling world.

What a way to start the new year.

A/N

Olololo...

I hate Florence guys...

I know you guys are proud of me, I'm proud of me too, I want to finish this book this year.

And I'm glad that my writing has improved, the way I cringed when I read the first chapter of this book eh😭

Also I have a WhatsApp group for my readers, say hi if you want to join.

And don't forget to vote and comment.

Bye😝