THEODORE

I was seated in Kazeem's office the next morning. He was making a phone call and I sat back in the twirly chair in front of him caressing his sleek desk.

"Theodore!" He called as soon as he ended the phone call. I gave him a small smile and I watched a frown weigh down his brows. "You look awful." he stated.

I was aware of how bad I looked with large eye bags. I had to do something quick before the questions will start coming. "That's why I'm here." I said to him and he nodded leaning back in his chair his hands clasped together.

"Well this is going to take a while."

                               •••••

I took a seat beside Irene on a bench at the love garden. She had her face in a fashion magazine. I watched as her neatly manicured fingers gripped the edge of the paper as she flipped the pages slowly. Taking a quick glance at the cover of the glamorous magazine, I saw Irene seated comfortably in a pool of balloons.

"You're late Theodore, first period is almost over." she said slowly closing the magazine she was reading earlier on. I knew I was very late. I had called her the previous day when I got home. I told her that we could meet before classes but then, my meeting with Kazeem took my time. Luckily for me, first period was Agricultural science and I did not offer that subject. Most art students didn't and that included Irene. That was the more reason why she was reading a fashion magazine during first period.

"What happened to you?" I watched as her eyes widened in horror as her gaze met mine. I wasn't surprised by her question, I didn't look so good.

"I'm sorry I didn't meet up with you as planned, I had to be somewhere." I said ignoring the question she asked moments ago.

She chuckled lightly "Meet up? You make it sound like some sort of rendezvous." Irene was laughing and she was with me, Theodore. I was surprised and also grateful that she didn't push anything further.

I shrugged nonchalantly. "Let's find another time, first period will soon be over." And as if waiting for my declaration, the bell for the end of first period went off and I sighed.

"Let's go." I said to Irene and we walked together to our class. The walk was silent and comforting and for once I felt at peace with Irene not bothering that she might want my head on a plate but then again, I didn't know what she was thinking. A small smile tugged at my lips. I intend to enjoy this strange peace while I can. I thought to myself as we made a turn for the senior's block.

Classes went by but I was barely focused on the things the teachers said as I was thinking of a lot of things like the things Kazeem had said. Today's session was intense, it was more like the one I had during the first six months after the incident.

I was called to order severally by the teachers that taught. "Theodore, you need to concentrate in my class." The literature tutor had said. After so many questioning looks from my classmates, I decided to tell the last teacher who asked why I wasn't concentrating was because I had a little headache. It was not far from the truth though, I did feel the mild banging in my head.

The day passed by in a flash and everyone that asked what was wrong with me bought the 'headache' lie I threw back at them. I was now seated on a concrete bench at the love garden. It had become somewhere I was always at, either with the gang or just on my own.

Irene and I had decided we were going to meet at my house. I knew better than to push it when she said she didn't want us to meet at her house as I was aware of the tension between her and her mom though I didn't know the full story, I knew something was up.

I brought out my phone from my pocket and texted Osaze. We had been talking from time to time and sometimes, I felt she was like the sister I never had. So caring and down to earth and very observant, like me.

She was not online so I didn't receive a reply immediately. Sighting Irene's form walking over to me, I  got up and dipped my phone into my pocket. "Can we leave now?" I asked her and she nodded.

I took a step and another and the Irene suddenly called my name. I turned to her and she walked to where I stood. "Actually." she started looking down. Irene never looks down when speaking. She looks at one right in the eye! "I...um...wanted to apologize for how I behaved the first day. It wasn't right of me to do so..."

I didn't hear anything after that. All I could hear was me shouting in my head IRENE APOLOGIZED? It felt surreal, from what I knew, Irene never apologises to anyone except her friends. What made me an exception was what I couldn't place my hand on.

You're friends with her friends and that automatically means you're her friend. My subconscious screamed at me.  It had to be the reason she apologized. Maybe she isn't as bad as they say she is.

"Theodore!" Irene called out snapping me out of my world of thoughts. I had taken a habit of zoning out lately. I looked at her arching a brow. "I said I'm sorry." she half whispered. "It's fine. I'm not mad at you. No hard feelings at all." I said and gave her a small smile which she returned. The only difference was that her smile was more than just a smile, it was mesmerizing, little wonder she was a hot cake in the modeling world.

We took a short walk to the parking lot where my driver was waiting. As soon as we were settled in the car, the driver stepped on the accelerator.

IRENE

Seated with Theodore in his car, my mind drifted to the recent activities that had involved me. I had told my driver not to come pick me up as I was going to Theodore's.

The disturbing text I got from a private number after school the previous day was alarming. I had ignored a message saying it was a prank but when the second text came in yesterday, I had my doubt.

The text read: Is it just me, or does Irene and death sound alike?

That message gave me the chills. Why anyone would send me such messages was still a mystery to me. I mean, I'm a public figure, everybody loved me. Maybe not everybody but a good number of people loved me.

The text, my mother and the forth coming swimming tournament, all those things invaded my thought and I couldn't help but wish for an easier lifestyle. I made up my mind that I would not be accepting any modeling contracts till the swimming tournament was over and made a mental note to text Eugenia.

"We're here." I heard Theodore's hard but soothing voice called out to me. The door beside me flew open and I got out of the car. The driver had opened the door for me.

Taking in the environment I was in, I stood in awe at the beauty of the building. Flowers everywhere, a large and very beautiful fountain sat in the middle of the compound. A fleet of cars parked at different corners and the gigantic mansion that stood in front of me.

I walked into the house with Theodore leading the way. His house had a homely feel to it unlike mine. I watched as the servants greeted me and Theodore curtly with their heads bowed as we moved further into the house.

Theodore walked up to the lady at the end of the room and gave her a kiss on the cheeks. "How are you son?" she said to him and ruffled his hair. She was his mum and I found that gesture cute. I envied the kind of bond they shared, I wished things were like this with my mother. Suddenly, I felt conscious of what I looked like. As Irene Coker, first impressions would go a long way.
Even Theodore's. My subconscious chipped in and I smacked it mentally.

His mother's gaze landed on me and she moved closer to where I stood fixated. "How are you darling?" She asked giving me her exquisite smile. Everything around her and the mansion screamed CLASS!

"I'm very well ma." I said to her bending slightly as a Yoruba girl should. The look on Theodore's face was priceless, I held back the laughter that threatened to leave my mouth. "Aww such a cultured girl." she said and pulled me into a hug.

"What is your name my dear?" She asked me. "Irene ma, Irene Coker." I said in response. "So my son is dating a renowned model." Heat crept to my cheeks but my love for the woman before me increased. Lady knows me but her son doesn't. I said mentally with a small smile.

"We're not dating mum. She's just a friend." Theodore called from behind his mum. Ouch! Just a friend. Honestly I was just a friend.

"You're not dating, yet." His mother stated emphasizing on the last word.
"Anyways, I'm Adetola Oyedele-Thompson." She said to me and I smiled. "I know, I know you."

"Oh yeah." she replied with a dry chuckle. "You do."

"Mum, we have to go upstairs now, we have some work to do." Theodore said walking up to me and taking my hand. "Alright have fun." She said shooing us with her hands.  I heard Theodore sigh as if to say 'we're going to work on a project, not have fun' .We made our way up the flight of stairs away from the beautifully dressed woman.

"Oh and, leave the door open, I don't want a grandchild from you yet Theodore." That statement got me burning. Picturing myself and Theodore in a bed getting intimate made me want to laugh.

"Mom!" Theodore yelled and her giggle filled the air.

Halting in front of a door, Theodore dropped my hand as though he just realized that he had been holding me.
He pushed open the door to the room I supposed was his and my mouth dropped in awe.

Never had I seen a boy's room this neat in my life. Not even Desmond's room was as neat as this talk more of Zion who's wardrobe was on his bed.

I walked into the room and took in the room decor. Dark shades, with black as the dominant color. The room had a warm feel to it and yet it reminded me of creepy things. It was a direct contrast to my room which was every shade of white.

(Theodore's room above).

"Your room is really beautiful." I said to him and he responded with a 'thank you'

He took a seat on a couch but not before dropping his bag pack by the foot of his study desk. I took a seat beside him on the couch and my eyes scanned the room. My gaze landed on a digital camera on the top of his wardrobe. It was peculiar, very beautiful. Glistening even. It seemed to me that it was a customized product.

He noticed what I was gazing at and he called to order. "Irene, let's get at something." He said and brought out the camera we were given at school.

"You can use a Camera right?" He asked getting the device out of it's case. I left mine by my side, untouched. "No." I said and he turned to me. "And you've offered photography since when?" he asked me. "SS1. Don't ask me how I don't know how to."

He shook his head lightly. "You'll have to learn." he said and moved closer to me showing me what and what to do when I want to take a photo.

I sighed loudly after a while. "I need a break." I hollered grabbing my phone and unlocking it. I tapped on the first notification I saw. It was a text message attached with a video. The sight of what the text and video contained made me freeze.

It started playing in my head all over again, every single bit of it, not even one missed. It felt too real to be a flashback. Suddenly, I felt like the walls were closing in on me and I was finding it very hard to breathe. I felt a hand wrap around me and whisper calming words to me. I knew it was Theodore and I was trying my best to concentrate on what he was saying but that seemed like an impossible task.

I was suddenly pulled into an embrace and he stroked my back gently, that act calming me down and in no time, every thing went black.

______________________________________

Woah! That was intense.
So guys, I need a favor from you and I'll really appreciate it if you can all do it.

I'll like you to give an honest review on this book as you have come this far. You can make it brief too.

It's the tenth chapter, ninety more chapters to go...lol.
Kidding!
We have a lot more chapters to go though.

That said, what do y'all think of this chapter? Do share your thought in the comment section and don't forget to click that little star 🌟 button below.

Word Count: 2201