THEODORE

Things were absolutely back to normal when we got back to Abuja. Tony and Dayo returned to their lives leaving me with our parents and the workers at home.

My relationship with my personal maid was what it had always been, school work set in, hanging out with the guys became a normal thing and so did calling Irene to check up on her.

We were all seated in the classroom after our English class. It was a Saturday and we were in school for Saturday lessons. Since it was a weekend, we didn't have much classes.

Only a few teachers were still in the school premises but the reverse was the case for the students. The whole SS3 population was still present.

It seemed like every single person dressed to kill as weekend classes was the only chance given to the students to showcase their fashion sense.

I recalled the expression on Toby's face when I told him about how I walked in on Michael and Amy making out at one of the bathroom stalls at the Club.

I had just ended my conversation with Matthew and I wanted to use the restroom. I walked into the main restroom only to see my cousin getting sexual with my brother's friend.

I quietly exited the place and even then, they did not know I had seen them. I wasn't surprised as I knew their flirting at the booth would most likely end up there.

I had been thinking of Toby of recent. I missed him so much. Just in two days of knowing him, I had gotten so used to him that I couldn't go a day without mentioning his name.

But I didn't just miss him, I was bothered about him too and always said prayers for him. I prayed that he'd be relieved of whatever it was he was going through.

We had spoken about three times after we left Grandpa's home and we always ended our conversations with Yara, the mystery girl.

I had gotten to know more about her and I was totally convinced that he was smitten by her even though he denied it anytime I made mention of it.

Sounds of commotion could be heard from outside the class. I was still trying to unravel the reason behind it when Jaja screamed. "Irene is back!"

That was pretty much the reason everywhere was so rowdy.

She walked into the classroom looking so elegant with her manger, Eugenia beside her. Eugenia sent a small wave my way and I returned it.

I watched Irene as she smiled at the compliments our classmates made. She looked simple yet stunning in her black thin strapped body con dress.

Eugenia whispered something into Irene ears and I knew what it was because immediately her eyes made contact with mine.

Honey brown orbs alluring yet unsettling. I held her gaze for as long as it could take to take in her serene features and then I smiled.

She smiled back and I couldn't just get over it. Her smile was completely mesmerizing, I would say it again that it was no wonder she was a hot cake in the modeling world.

The other guys walked up to her and I took that as an opportunity to slip out. I wanted to receive fresh air. I felt so weird seeing Irene after telling her almost everything that went down at Grandpa's place.

I called her during the week and we spoke over the phone for almost three hours. I was totally regretting it now. I wasn't thinking when I did so, over excitement cocooned me.

I told her even about my conversation with Grandpa and how he gave his full support in the career I had chosen, law.

I told her everything I could possibly remember from that trip except one thing, Lucia and the incident from two years ago.

I sighted Eugenia and the guys head over to the parked limousine and I walked further through the empty hallways. I was in the SS1 block when I heard shuffling footsteps.

I saw a figure pass by in a black—

Before I could think it through, I pulled Irene by her wrist and she collided into me.

"What the-"

She paused and her features relaxed a bit when she realized I was the one. I didn't say a word to her as I didn't even know how to begin.

Her eyes looked from my face to where I held her firm on her arm and I took that as a cue to let her go.

When I did, she rubbed her arms harshly and looked up at me with yet another brain melting smile.

"I guess you were looking for me."

She nodded. "I was. I wanted to say hi."

"Hi to you to." I replied and she giggled.

"I missed you." She said and a smile crept to my lips.

"I missed you too." I actually did, we were friends after all.

"I hope you're fine." I asked and she nodded assuring me that she was good.

We stood in silence for what seemed like minutes and what Irene did next took me by surprise.

She hugged me.

It wasn't the first time we would hug but the atmosphere around it didn't make everything seem right.

I returned the hug and embraced the warmth it came with. I buried my head in the crook of her neck and was slowly drowning in the scent of her perfume.

It was the very first time I was hugging someone that way in two years and I felt—

Different....

IRENE

I couldn't stop thinking about the hug Theodore and I shared on Saturday. It was in one word, magical. It wasn't like any of the other hugs we had shared in the past.

His hot breath fanning my neck gave me a funny feeling in the pit of my tummy and the warmth the hug brought was one I had never felt before.

"Are you coming or not?" Kiki asked and I whipped my head to face her.

"I wonder what is going on in that of mind yours." She said eyeing suspiciously.

I chuckled nervously, grabbed her arm and led her out of the class before she could start asking questions. It was the week for our second CA and we were done for the day.

It was time for recess break and we were heading to the garden.

"Do you two always have to arrive late?" TY asked as we both took our seats.

TY and Ola were cuddled up on one of the benches, Zion and Kiki were sprawled on another and then Theodore and Osaze were seated on yet another leaving me to seat alone.

I suddenly longed for Desmond's presence. I missed him more than ever. I grimaced as TY and Ola kissed.

"Yo, get a room you guys." Zion said as he threw a sharpener at TY who chuckled instead.

I smiled, I would never take my friends for granted.

I was grateful for everyone of them but there was just something about Osaze that put me on the edge. I was aware she didn't like me a bit and I had no idea why.

That single knowledge though, had me feeling the same way about her.

"Hey Irene, are you okay?" Theodore asked and I smiled.

"I am fine. Thank you." I replied and from the expression Osaze gave off, I came to one solid conclusion.

Osaze likes Theodore.

She legit tightened her grip on his arm and moved closer to him, that single act oozed possessiveness and it irked me to my bone marrow.

I decided I was the only one that saw that as the other guys seemed completely oblivious to my new discovery.

As much as I would not like to admit it, my dislike for Osaze tripled because she wanted to eat from the same plate as me.

➪➪➪➪➪

"...I'm telling you, she definitely likes him." I said relaying my tale to Mayowa. We were seated in my room that evening after school. Me on the bed and him on the couch.

"Who is this Theodore guy that all of you are just dying for?" He asked teasingly causing me to scrunch my face in disgust.

"You make it sound like a crime." A said and he chuckled.

"Well I'm sorry about that."

I waved it off and sat up straight pulling my life size teddy bear by it's ear. "So what do I do?" I asked as I watched him tap his fingers on his legs in a rhythmic pattern.

"The only advice I have for you is to shoot your shot."

"Shoot my shot." I repeated playing with the words.

"Yes and by that, I don't mean you should ask him out. As a guy, I wouldn't take a lady that approached me first seriously. Just give him hints, huge ones, leave him wanting all of you."

I arched my brows not understanding a thing he said. "Excuse me?"

"Look, making the first move as a Lady is not a crime but I'm not just a fan. Moreover from what you have told me, he just might like you as much as you like him."

The thought of Theodore liking me back got me smiling like a love struck Buffon.

I slumped on the bed and sighed. "Honestly, I don't know how you have helped me." I said to Mayowa who in turn only shrugged.

"Just shoot your shot sweetie, it will come when you need it."

I lay sideways so I could get a good look at him. "Why are you even trying to help me? Aren't you supposed to scold me or something?"

He chuckled loudly. "I've been a teenager before and when it comes to the things of the heart, one needs the best directives available."

I hummed in response going over the things he had said. Burna boy's way to big boomed throughout the space of my room and May ow a picked up his phone.

"I have to take this." He said and walked out of the room.

I picked up my own phone and went to WhatsApp viewing statuses. I clicked on Osaze's and immediately a frown marred my face.

She posted a selfie she took with Theodore. I had a feeling it was taken during the early hours of the day while we were still at school.

I immediately swiped to view the next person's status not wanting to feel more annoyed than I already did.

It was Kendall, she posted a couple of designs and I frowned once again remembering that I asked her to deliver some samples I wanted to check out.

I dialed her number and she picked after the third ring. "Irene!" Her chirpy voice screamed almost damaging my ear drums.

"Kendall you didn't send the samples." I said to her with zero percent of the energy she used to call my name.

"Oh about that, I'm sorry. I was out of town and when I got back you had already traveled for work. I could send it today if you wanted."

I thought about it for a while. I didn't want to work with Kendall anymore as she was never on time and always too busy but I wanted to see Ivy again.

"Send Ivy down with the samples before dusk."

"I'll send another of my worker instead since—"

"Ivy or no one." I cut into her sentence and hung up.

➪➪➪➪➪

"How are you Ivy?" I asked as she took a sit across from me.

"Very well. And you?"

I smiled. "I am fine too. How is your brother's health?"

"He's better now, he was discharged two days ago and is doing well."

"I'm glad he's fine."

"Kendall ma'am said I should give this to you." She said and handed me the bag. I took them from her and asked her to seat.

There was something that drew me to her. The need to help her was unquenchable.

I watched as her skinny frame as she sat up in the chair. I watched her every feature, large almond orbs that complimented her oval face. Skinny arms and legs that looked ever fragile and yet strong enough to handle the hardship life brings all on her own.

"Don't you go to school?" I asked her and she shook her head.

"I want to know everything that happened since the death of your parents till now." I said and she gave me a detailed explanation which made my heart ache for her.

Ninety five percent of her parents properties were used as a collateral to receive a loan from the bank. The bank came for every one of it when they died leaving them to the house they lived in.

I got to know that she was supposed to be in SS1 but didn't have any means of sending herself or her brother to school. Even her extended family deserted them saying her parents got their riches through money rituals.

I felt totally sorry for her and wanted to help. I had it all planned out, all I had to do was to be granted with the permission and it would all be settled.

"Come back here tomorrow by Four O'clock but this time, come with your brother." She nodded and responded with an 'okay'

I handed a bundle of cash to her which she thanked me for and left the building.

I rushed up the stairs to my mum's room to meet Mayowa sprawled on the large bed typing into his phone.

He turned to the door and returned Hus gaze to his phone.

"Guess what?"

I slumped on the bed beside him.

"You're taking my mum out on a date?"

"I am but that's not it."

I arched in brow and he sighed and sat up. "You just earned yourself a new follower on Instagram. Your page is so dope."

I snorted and rested my chin on my knees as I hugged my legs to my body. "Yay!" I muttered dryly.

He chuckled and threw his phone to the side. "I know you want to talk, go on."

"I need you to help convince about something." He spread his legs across the bed and turn to me.

"Anything for my beautiful daughter."

Somehow that left a sour taste in my mouth but I went on anyway.

Mayowa was the bait to get to my mum.

THEODORE

"So how was the trip? Did you enjoy it? Did you have fun?" Lucy asked all at once.

"Take it easy young lady, one at a time." I chuckled.

We were both stacking my Ironed outfits the dry cleaner dropped into my wardrobe. It was my decision to join her. Watching her do it alone didn't quite seat well with me.

"I'm sorry, I just want to know."

"It's fine." I told her about my stay at Grandpa's and what sort of person he was. How cool and fun he was.

She was indeed amused at who I portrayed my Grandfather to be. He was indeed my role model. I had always thought he'd be strict because he was living alone having lost his three wives to the painful claws of death.

But the reverse was the case.

I turned to Lucy, I barely knew a thing about her and I wanted to know.

"Why aren't you in school?" I asked her and she smiled a small one as she draped the last outfit in a hanger and hung it in my wardrobe.

"I want to make enough money first before I begin my university education."

"Where do you intend to study?" I asked her as she closed the door to my wardrobe.

"University of Abuja." She said and I chuckled.

"Then you can always go and return after school or during the weekend."

"Even if I am to do that, it's already late. I'll have to wait till next year to apply for admission." I nodded in understanding.

"How about your family?" I asked and her face fell.

"I don't want to talk about them."

She looked pissed. "I hope you don't mind."

I didn't mind. Whenever she decided it the right time, she would come out of her shell. "It's fine by me. When ever you need someone to discuss it with, I'd like you to know that I'll be available."

She gave me a small smile before she walked out of my room.

I began reminiscing over the events of the day and a smile found it's way to my face when I remembered how cheerful Miss Bolanle had been and how surprised the students were.

I was glad she was healing. She didn't need that bad energy, nobody did.

I felt somewhat fulfilled.

*

Here's another chapter for my loves. Still on the quest to finish this book before the end of next month.

I said I would update five more chapters before the end of this month. One chapter down, four more to go.

Y'all know the drill, vote, update and share. Your support means a lot to me.

Stay safe y'all and see you soon.

Word count: 2806