IRENE

"I made a friend today." That was Rowland's answer to my question 'how was school?'

"That's good to know." Ivy replied dismissively and I nudged her.

"His name is Osaretin," Rowland spoke up. "He's so nice and I like him very much."

"Nobody asked you." Ivy muttered beside me but Rowland went on nonetheless paying no attention to her words.

"His sister attends the same school as you and Ivy and she's very nice too. She got us both chocolates. And she says she's a finalist in your school. You might know her."

"What's her name?" I asked.

"Uh, I don't know but I know she's dark skinned and she has big black long braids on,"

"Box braids, they're called box braids Rowland."

He shot Ivy a glare and returned his gaze to me. "The braids has curls too and they're very shiny."

"Goddess braids it is."

"It's not about the kind of braids Ivy, we're trying to identify the person." Rowland said his face in a scowl.

"Well I'm sorry for trying to help you she said and looked the other way. I was in no mood to think about their banters as Theodore's words hit me hard.

"She wears glasses too." He added. The description he was giving did not do justice to anyone I knew.

"Don't worry kiddo, I'll get to know her soon. You description isn't helping instead it's—"

I paused. Big black braids, dark skinned, wears glasses. It had better not be who I have in mind.

"What's your friend's full name?" I asked Rowland crossing my fingers.

"Osaretin Roberts."

I was not wrong?it was her.

Osaretin Roberts, Osaze Roberts.

I knew Osaze had a younger brother but did not know how old and I had never met him either. Now to think of it, I had never been to Osaze's house either and have never met her parents.

"Osaze Roberts."

"No his name is Osaretin not Osaze." Rowland replied.

"His sister name is Osaze." I said and the car came to a halt. We had arrived home.

"Oh so you know her. Is she your friend?"

"I know her." I replied him and did not reply to this second question.

I got out of the car and walked to Ivy who was already at the entrance to the house. "How was school?"

"I thought you were never going to ask." She said with a straight face and I arched a brow at her. Almost immediately her scowl dissolved into a smile. A big smile.

School was good then.

➪➪➪➪➪

"Will you please leave my room. You're distracting me." I said to Ivy who laid on my couch reading one of the numerous novels she got from Kiki.

"I'm not making any sound. How them am I distracting you?" She asked looking away from the book.

I sighed and rolled my eyes returning my attention back to the textbooks before me. We were done with our mock and even JAMB registration and I applied for Theatre arts. We were already preparing for JAMB which was only a month away.

It had been an entire month since Theodore and I last spoke with each other. He had told me to leave him alone and I did just that even though it was very hard to just look away even when he looked like he had not slept in days.

What made the whole situation even worse was the fact that he didn't look my way talk more of trying to start a conversation. One would say we were all overwhelmed by the exams and that could be the reason for everything that went on but I knew it was way more than that.

I knew it had to do with him being scared to sleep at night and what his grandmother told me, being scared to loose his sanity but unfortunately, I couldn't place my hand on it.

The mock exams ended two weeks ago and the previous week was another hectic week as it was the JAMB registration week. Fortunately and unfortunately, we did not register on the same day. My surname started with a C and it meant we were far from each other on the register. The school registered the entire set alphabetically.

The entire registration ended in one week because we did it in school. Our school was a JAMB accredited center which meant we could conduct registration and exams.

The school went ahead and gave us three days of rest meaning the entire set were not present in school from Monday to Wednesday and we only resumed on Thursday which was today.

Even at school, I didn't talk to him and he didn't utter a word to me either. It was a good thing everyone was so occupied with studying that no one noticed any strain in our relationship. But deep down in my heart, I knew I wanted to reach out to him and ask how he had been, how his exams were and if he did miss me.

The sound of Mayowa's voice jabbed me out of my reverie. "I'll be going shopping, who's coming along?" He asked.

"Not me." I said immediately to get myself out of the outing. Mayowa and my mum just got engaged last weekend and ever since then, he had been overexcited and enthusiastic. They had already started shopping for the wedding which was to be held in August. It was supposed to be held earlier than that but because of my exams, they concluded it was best it hold it at that time.

"Will you come?" He said facing Ivy.

"Do I have a choice?" I was certain that was not a question.

"That reminds me Irene, what about your Lover?" Mayowa asked.

"Who?"

"As if you don't know who he's asking about. Theodore of course." Ivy mumbled to my hearing.

"Yeah Theodore, what's up? You haven't talked about him in a while."

Really? "You haven't talked about him in a while"

"Nothing is wrong."

"Liar," Ivy said not looking away from the rather large novel she had her head in. "They fought." She said and her gaze finally landed on Mayowa.

"Is that true?" He asked me and I sighed. I had to tell him everything now don't I?

"We did not fight," He arched his brows urging me to go on with my explanation. "I noticed he was not looking too good and I was worried so I walked up to him and asked what the problem was and then he told me he was fine that he doesn't need my sympathy and said I should leave him alone."

"And you left him alone." I nodded. "You should have understood that he was not in a good mood. It would only take a while for him to come around and he'll tell you what the matter is."

"I don't think so, he doesn't even make attempts to talk to me at school. He barely even looks my way."

"He probably feels bad for pushing you away and doesn't know how to take things back to the way it was."

Thinking about it, Theodore has been nothing but nice and receptive towards me. Maybe Mayowa was right. Maybe he didn't know how to start up a conversation with me.

"How long has this been going on?" He asked.

"One month."

"That a long time. Don't you think this should end?"
I nodded. I do. I wanted this to end already.

"Should I call him?" I asked.

"Call him? You said it yourself that this has been going on for an entire month and you want to end it with a phone call. Go over to his house and see him, talk this through and come back with a clear mind."

I smiled, rushed to the door and gave him a hug. "Thank you so much."

"It's nothing." He waved it off with his hands as soon as we pulled away from the hug.

"Ivy get dressed and meet me downstairs." He said heading out of the room. She grumbled and stumped her feet.

"We're going in the white Porsche." He called from across the hallway and that was enough to put a smile on her face and have her running across the hallway to her room to go get changed. She had a thing for that car brand. She even changed her social media handles to 'Ivy Porsche'

Only the workers would be home when I leave because Ivy and Mayowa were already heading out. Mum was out at work as usual and Rowland was at Osaze's. He and Osaze's brother had become inseparable but that didn't mean I had to see or talk to her. I stilled loathed her person and her guts.

I struck a balance between Rowland's friendship with her brother and any form of relationship between me and her. I never visited the house, I only had the driver drop him there and sometimes Ivy went but me, never.

I hurriedly changed and went down the stairs and out into the yard. I had my driver drive me down to Theodore's house and in no time we were there. The ride there was silent, the only sound was my heart beating against my chest as we neared the Thompson residence.

"We're here ma'am." My driver said and I rolled my eyes.

"I know that. I was the one that told you to park outside wasn't I."

I made sure we parked outside so I wouldn't raise alarm by driving in.

I got down after so much contemplation and knocked on the gate.

"Who is there?" I rolled my eyes. What I had to do because for freaking Theodore. A gatekeeper questioning me!

"Open the door!"

He looked through the peep hole and I stilled my eyes at him. "I no know say na small oga friend dey there. Come inside." I slipped in. (I was not aware it was small boss's friend. Come inside)

"E don tay wey you come hia, hope say nothing happen." (It's been a while you came here. Hope there's no problem)

"There's nothing wrong." I said to him, gave a faux smile and advanced into the house.

The moment I stepped into the house, the entire place was empty as expected. It was a Thursday evening anyway, everyone would be out. I just hoped that Theodore was home.

I helped myself up the stairs and the moment I got to the last staircase, my phone dinged. I took it out of my pocket to have a look and behold it was a text, from the number I dreaded the most.

I thought this freak had given up on the baseless prank, what now!

My heartbeat took a faster pace as I unlocked my phone and opened the text.

I have your sister.

Ivy?!

Immediately my phone dinged again and another message entered.

Not Ivy, Ivory.

What sort of joke is this. Ivory is dead. I saw her get burnt in a car and the remains of her burnt body was buried. What sort of expensive joke is this!

My phone dinged again and another message came in. This time, it was in form of a video. I opened the video and my eyes went as wide as saucers at what I saw. It was Ivory, I saw Ivory eating and tears I knew not of flowed down my cheeks. It indeed was Ivory, it was my sister.

My phone dinged yet again and I got yet another message from that number.

If you want to see her, come to the address given below and be sure to come alone if you want her to live.

I hurried to Theodore's room and pushed open the door and helped myself into the room.

I was faced with Theodore who was seated on his bed and had his hands in his hair pulling at the strands of the curls vigorously. I didn't fail to notice the large eye bags and his pale form.

The text!

I rushed towards him and shoved my phone in his face. "I need your help Theodore I'm not sure what to do."

"Oh wow, you need my help." He said in a eerily quiet voice that had me retreating. "You're speaking to me for the first time in a month and the first thing you say is you need my help."

Pardon my manners.

"I'm so sorry about that I was just—"

"Oh please." He said interrupting me.

"I should have known, you'd never talk to me if you did not need my help."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying the truth Irene." He snapped. "You're just a self centered bitch and to think I thought highly of you."

I moved back as his words hit me. This wasn't the Theodore I knew. The Theodore I knew would never talk to me in this manner and would never swear. I had never heard Theodore swear, never!

"Theodore what is wrong with you?"

"I should be asking you that question. What is wrong with you Irene? It has always been about you, just you. You never cared about anyone but yourself."

What?!

"You know what, it was my fault to think you had good in you. I should have heeded to what I was told about you, I should have listened to them, I should have believed Osaze."

Osaze!!! What the hell?!

"Theodore you have to listen to me, I think there's a misunderstanding somewhere."

"There is no misunderstanding. You're a fucking hypocrite and that's it."

I stumbled back again at his words as fresh tears flowed down my cheeks. This could not be happening. What is happening? Why is Theodore saying these things? Why is he acting this way?!
He never used cuss words, why is he using them now?

Theodore cares for you my dear, he just doesn't want to loose his sanity yet again.

I should hold on to those words right? He didn't mean what he said right?

"Theodore let's sit down and talk, I'm sure you're—"

"Get out!" He muttered. I might not have heard him well. Of course I did hear him well.

"You heard me."

"You can't be serious."

"Get out!!!" He thundered and my heart started beating erratically.

"Don't forget to close the door behind you." And with that, he walked to his adjoined terrace.

I stumbled back in shock. What just happened?

Finally letting the words sink, I ran down the stairs colliding with his maid on the way but that did not stop me from running as the tears spilled.

"Irene!" His maid Lucy managed to call out to me but I did not respond, instead I ran out the gate to the car and ordered my driver to drive me home.

➪➪➪➪➪

"Who does he think he is to speak to me in that manner." I said as I pulled the jacket on.

"Fine then if he wants to act that way, I'll fight for myself." I grabbed the shades and head warmer from my vanity table.

"Why on earth did I believe him? Why did I make myself so vulnerable around him? Why did I let him in? Why did I accept his faith?"

I questioned myself as I hurried down the stairs. Nobody was back yet so the house was empty.

"It's high time to do things myself, to take things into my hands. To save my sister." I pulled on the the head warmer and shades and walked outside.

I was dressed in all black; shirt, trousers, boots, jacket and gloves with the head warmer and shades of course not because I knew why but because that's what most people did in movies if they were going on a dangerous quest.

"Hand me the key."

"Ma?"

"I said hand me the keys." I repeated and my driver looked somewhat confused.

"I'll drive you. Where do you want to go?"

"Don't test my patience Mr Sunday, hand my the darn car keys."

"But—"

"The keys!"

He dropped them in my palms reluctantly and I got into the driver's seat and put in the ignition. The gatekeeper opened the gate and without warning, I sped out of the house.

All through drive, all I could think about was Theodore's hateful words and the possibility of Ivory not being dead and me being able to see her.

"You have arrived at your destination." The voice from the car's map called out. I had been using a map as I was not sure where the address given to me was.

I got down from the car and walked to an abandoned building. I had already driven to the outskirts of town and the entire place was lonely. The signboard on the building was peeling off but I managed to make out the word 'warehouse'. Apparently it was an abandoned warehouse.

I walked to the door and pushed it open and to my surprise it was open.

It could be a trap Irene, go back!

My subconscious warned but I found myself heading deeper into the warehouse. I had to take two more door before I got into a place that resembled a residential area. There was a nice TV and couches and I walked further inside taking in the place.

You can still go back Irene!

I paused when I heard a sound. I followed it and it got clearer to me.

...But you never go away, so I guess I gotta stay now.

That was a voice. It was someone singing. I walked further towards the sound of the voice as my heart was drumming against my chest.

Oh I hope someday I'll make it out of here
Even if it takes all night or a hundred years.

I got closer and saw the thin looking singer with their back to me. Could it be?

She spun around as she sang.

Isn't it lovely, all alone
Heart made of glass my mind of stone
Tear me to pieces skin and bone
Hello, welcome home.

It was who I had thought it was, Ivory. It was my sister. My sister was indeed alive. I couldn't hold in the tears anymore and I let it all out. She looked so lean and pale but she looked like Ivory.

Walking out of town
Looking for a better place

I let the tears flow down in torrents as I walked towards her. She was so into her song that she didn't notice my presence.

Something's on my mind
Always in my head space

"Ivory!" I called out and she stopped and raised her head up and lo, her eyes met mine. Slowly, tears rolled down her eyes too.

"Irene?" She whispered out in uncertainty. I hurried to hug but then came to the realization that she was held hostage with barricades. I gripped the poles tightly.

"You're alive," I stated. "How?"

"Was I rumored to be dead?" She asked.

"I watched you die in that car."

"What car?"

"Never mind, I'm just glad you're okay. I have missed you so much, you don't know how everything had been when you left." I said and her hands enveloped mine and we stayed like that for a couple of minutes. The tears came in large torrents.

"Irene you don't know how much I have missed you too. I think of you every single day and of how you'll cope with mum and without my presence."

"The good thing is I'm still alive. I can't wrap my head around the fact that you're alive and I had been living with the impression that you died. Everyone has."

"I'm being taken care of here but nothing is compared to home. I just want to be home." I saw the need in her eyes, the longing to be home and it brought more tears to my eyes.

Almost a year of thinking my sister was dead and then boom she's alive. That's a lot to take in.

She looked broken but she tried to hold in it. I knew it. She had always been the strong one, the more mature one, the selfless one and at that moment all I wanted was to pull her into an embrace.

She placed her hands on my cheeks and I knew she wanted to hug me so bad but the barricade was hindering her. "Don't cry Irene, I'm fine." She said sniffing and wiping away her tears.

"I'll stop crying only if you stop crying too." I replied her and she wiped away her tears and wore a smile.

Oh Ivory!

"How did you get here." I asked when I ahead regained my composure. The tears were still threatening to flow but I wiped my eyes immediately

"I was getting these texts from someone saying they could help get to the root of dad's sudden death and then they said I should come to a location and that was how I became a captive. It was a trap."

"Why didn't you tell me about it?" I asked

"I didn't want to bother you with everything that was going on with you and mum. How is mum by the way?"

I shrugged. "She's fine I guess. She's engaged."

"Oh wow. So much has happened in my absence. I see you on the TV. You've grown so big and have achieved a lot. Word has it that you could be nominated for the award of the most influential teen model in world. I'm proud of you." She said and placed her hands on my cheek and yet again I wanted to crash into her arms and cry. I wanted to tell her that so much had happened.

I wanted to tell her about Mayowa.

And about Ivy and Rowland.

I also wanted to tell her that I liked a boy... and I regret it now.

I wanted to tell her so much and stay in her embrace for so long but I held back that longing.

"Wait, how did you locate this place." She asked suddenly.

"I was getting strange texts from a number since September last year and it kept coming and today I was finally asked to come and see you."

"September. That was when I started getting the texts too. Oh no, it's a trap. You need to get out of here immediately."

"But what about you?"

"I'll be fine." Was she being serious right now?

"I'm not leaving this place without you."

"You have to leave. You can come back with help to get me out later but if you're caught here with me, they'll change my location and you may never get to see me again."

"Who's holding you captive?" I asked. I needed that piece of information if I wanted to get her out.

"I don't know him but—" We heard a loud clashing sound Ivory tensed up. "You need to leave now."

With one last glance at Ivory, I started making my way out of the place. I ran so I could get out and get help in time.

"Who's holding you captive?" I asked. I needed that piece of information if I wanted to get her out.

"I don't know him but—"

At least I know it's a man.

I ran as fast as I can not minding the perspiration that stood on my forehead and the looming exhaustion. Finally getting to the main door which was the first door I entered with, I placed my hand on the handle to open it and get out but just then, I felt something make contact with my head and a sharp pain followed.

I placed my hand on the painful spot, pulling it away, I saw that my hand was stained with blood. Slowly I fell to the floor and everything went blank.

*

At this point, I think I need to start working on boarding the next flight to Cuba. 👀

Tell me what you think about this chapter though.

And for the last time who do you think was sending the texts? Kindly drop your answers. Don't skip this.

See y'all in the next chapter. Love you ❤️

Word count: 3977