IRENE

"I'm sorry I'm just coming to see you, I'm so sorry. Now that I'm done with my exams, I could even move into your house if you want. Just forgive me." Eugenia said pouting her lips.

"I've told you Eugenia, I'm not mad at you." I said for the umpteenth time. She had been apologizing to me ever since she arrived at my house.

Friday afternoon and I would have been home alone if Eugenia didn't show up. After my JAMb exams on Tuesday, I didn't go to school because all finalists had been excused from school as our school was an accredited CBT center and exams would last two weeks meaning candidates would still be in and out of the school premises till the very last day.

"How is your health now?" She asked.

"Like I said, I'm perfectly fine now." She nodded and pulled my cheeks cooing and I almost couldn't resist the urge to roll my eyes.

"Well that's good cause I'll be off soon."

I shook my head. "I just knew all that apology was bullshit. A facade."

"Oh no Irene. I meant every word I said but I have to be out, Ivy has yet another shoot after school today so I have to go with her since she doesn't have a manager yet."

I nodded a waved my hands. "Yeah whatever." My eyes were trained on the TV. A fashion show was on and I watched as the models walked the runways skillfully.

The loud ringtone of my phone had me tearing my gaze away from the TV screen and placing it on my phone's screen. A frown marred my face as I sighted who it was that called.

Why is he calling me again?!

Theodore had been calling me nonstop since Wednesday that I even had to put off me phone or put it on airplane mode.

"Pick up your phone." Eugenia said and she made for the door. "Goodbye my sweet." She said and blew me a kiss.

"Bye." I waved at her and she walked out the door but not without making a silly face at me.

Oh Eugenia.

My phone dinged indicating a text from someone. I knew who it was yet I still picked up the phone to have a look.

The text was from Theodore, I was right.

I opened the text so read what was in it.

Hey, I'll be at your house in a while.

For some reason that made my heart race uncontrollably. Theodore shouldn't be at my house, Mayowa would be back soon and it'll just be awkward and all.

Don't come over.

I texted him back and waited patiently for him to reply.

I want to see you.

That was his crisp reply. I typed back.

Then I'll come over to your house instead.

Are you serious?

He typed back.

I wasn't exactly sure why I decided to meet up with Theodore. It could be because I didn't want to be anywhere around Mayowa who would be home soon or because I just accepted to hear him out like Kiki said.

It could also be because I didn't want him to come to my house or because I genuinely wanted to see him.

I wasn't sure which it was but I knew I typed back.

I'll be with you in twenty minutes.

I hurried up the stairs to my room to change my outfit. I threw on a hooded sweater as I already had a pair of booty shorts on and headed downstairs with my hair in a not so messy bun but not without grabbing a pair of sunglasses.

If it had been the previous year, I would have been pacing in my room thinking of what outfit to wear but at this very point, all I wanted was rest, sleep.

To ease myself from the entire stress of having to study back to back and to rid myself of the uncomfortable loneliness I feel.

Pulling open the main door to the house, fresh air hit my skin and sent multiple tingles up my body. Nothing beats natural air, not even the several air conditioners in the house.

➪➪➪➪➪

The drive with Mr Sunday was silent, as usual. I managed to get out of the house without my bodyguards with the excuse that I wanted to visit my friends. I didn't feel so secure around them anymore, I kept having the feeling that they report my daily activities to my mum and Mayowa.

Driving into Theodore's house, I began to feel anxious, nervous, you name it. I huffed a breath as I got down and walked into the building. My plan was to spend nothing more than an hour because I had to meet up with KayCee concerning the Parcel he dropped for me.

I didn't want to collect any gifts from him because I barely even knew him and I wanted nothing romantic between us as it appeared that was what the parcel was suggesting.

The moment I got into the building, Theodore's maid welcomed me warmly. "Would you like a drink?" She asked.

I shook my head. "No, thank you. I came to see Theodore."

"He's in his room." She said to me and I made my way up the stairs and walked towards his room. I let out a breath right before I knocked on his room door.

The door was pulled opened immediately and it seemed as though he was waiting for me all along. He actually was. "Come in." He gestured with his hands and I walked in without uttering a word to him.

He was putting on a white vest and a pair of black shorts. He looked simple yet attractive.

I may not be in good terms with him but I wouldn't deny the fact that he looked extremely good.

Too bad he isn't mine to ogle at.

"Sit here." He said as he stood beside the coach and I rolled my eyes.

"I know where to sit." When I was settled on the couch, he walked to his bed and sank into it.

"Well are you gonna say something or should I walk out?" I asked. He wasn't saying anything and neither was he looking my way.

"Please don't go yet." He pleaded.

"I actually called you here to tell you some things you don't know about me,"

"Okayyy." I dragged urging him to go on in a not so friendly way.

"I have PTSD."

What? Post traumatic stress disorder? He is definitely kidding.

My silence coupled with the look on my face urged him to go on and I listened attentively.

"It all began when I lost someone dear to me three years ago, Lucia." I let all what I was thinking come to a pause so I could listen to him carefully.

He continued. "Lucia was my girlfriend, but first my best friend."

Okay, Theodore has had a girlfriend before. Of course he has. What was I even thinking? That Theodore was just like me? How absurd.

Focus Irene, Focus!

"There was three of us, Lucia, Kelvin and me. Lucia had only become our friend the moment we got into secondary school but Kelvin and I go way back. Right from the cradle."

I honestly did not know where the story was going but I knew I was desperate to find out everything so I listened attentively.

"Our families had been acquainted way before our birth so it was so natural for us to become best friends. We did everything together but Kelvin was always ahead of me, probably because he was two months older. Learning how to walk, talk, ride a bike and so on. And in that time, I looked up to him because I always wanted to be like him, he always got whatever he wanted and it intrigued me, it made me want to be like him."

I nodded even though he wasn't facing me anymore, he had his gaze fixed on the carpet but he continued anyways.

"I had always done his bidding without arguing or complaining until we got to secondary school and we met Lucia. She instantly became Kelvin's friend because of how similar they were in nature. With how confident, determined and fearless they both were, they clicked instantly and since I was Kelvin's best friend, I became her best friend too."

He kicked the carpet slightly and my eyes followed the movement, even as he had his head bowed, I could see his expression and for some reason it bothered me.

"Lucia helped me discover who I actually was, she made me this confident Theodore you know. She made me realize that I shouldn't feel indebted to anyone for any reason because I was living my life and not theirs. I wasn't that shy boy I had always been and neither was I Kelvin's right hand man anymore, I became my own person, a replica of the man I admire the most, my father."

He dug into his hands into hair as he continued. "In time, I had realized that I had met someone I wanted to always have close to me, someone I genuinely cared about but most of all, I had found myself."

He sighed. "I was in love with her, at least that was what I thought."

For some reason my heart constricted. I didn't want to listen anymore but I wanted to at the same time.

"And then I found out that Kelvin also liked her and as the softie I was and still am, I decided I'd give her up for him. Making sacrifices just like I had always done." He turned to me his gaze on everywhere but my eyes, I wondered why he wasn't looking me in the eyes.

"I let him ask her out but she did not accept him because she liked me instead. As much as I felt bad for Kelvin, I was happy for myself. We started dating and we all assumed that Kelvin was fine with it."

"He wasn't. All my life, I knew that Kelvin was used to getting what he wanted and not having Lucia to himself made him go crazy and he started plotting his way to her heart but it was too toxic for her to handle."

He got up and headed to his study table gripping it tightly at the edges while I sat on the couch watching him and already picking up the pieces of the story and putting them together.

"He kept causing her harm saying if he couldn't have her then none of us would. Lucia had so many near death experiences and it was always Kelvin's fault. I did every single thing I could to keep her safe, I was breaking down as well as she was."

With the way his voice was breaking, I wanted to stop this, he sounded so hurt and it hurt me too. "You don't have to continue." I said and he shook his head.

"Please," He turned to me, making eyes contact with me. "Let me." I nodded and he continued.

"One day, she told me she wanted to use the bathroom and I waited for her outside but she didn't come out even after twenty minutes. That was when I suspected that something was wrong. I went in and met her in the pool of her own blood. She had slit her wrist, Lucia commuted suicide Irene." He said and gasp left my mouth before I even knew it.

"She committed suicide because she was tired, she felt threatened and she thought it was best to end things. Her sudden death destabilized me, in other words, I lost my mind."

He walked back to the couch and sat opposite me with his head in his palms. "I almost went crazy with the nightmares, daymares and even the panic attacks. I had lost the one person that helped me in my journey to self discovery. I was way too attached to cope without her. I had to be homeschooled for an entire session while I received therapy."

I found it really hard to believe what Theodore was saying. I had always thought he had the perfect life and family and his life was without trouble but little did I know that he was almost broken beyond repair.

"After almost two years, my mental health was way better and I had to take pills whenever I was experiencing anything strange, the nightmares had stopped and it would be that way if I didn't come in contact with anything that triggers it."

He spread his arms around the coach and looked up at the ceiling as he continued. "I resumed at Claret High to start my life afresh. You gave me attitude on the first day and I decided I was going to talk to you about it, the moment I stepped into the swimming area, I knew something was wrong. I had a nightmare that night because swimming pools was one of the things that triggered my attacks, Lucia had a near death experience during a pool party."

Shit!

"From that day, the nightmares kept coming more often and it felt like I was reliving the weeks after Lucia's death again only milder and less brain wrecking."

As he spoke, I felt my eyes water. I was the reason he went through so much for the second time. Maybe if I hadn't been a bitch on that day, he would still be fine.

He chuckled, a dry laughter, one that held no amusement. "I lost two people I loved, Lucia and Kelvin. I had always thought Kelvin would always stand by me at every point in my life but I was wrong. I found myself reminiscing on the moments we spent together, getting our ear piercings together which was solely his idea." My gaze subconsciously dropped on his diamond studded ears.

He wore a small pained smile. "And Lucia, my first everything. First kiss, first girlfriend and-" I felt him choke back and I rushed to his side.

"It's fine, you don't have to tell me anymore, I understand."

"No you don't Irene, you don't."

He continued anyway. "The nightmares continued until a particular time when we connected, somehow thinking about you took away all the pain, made me feel good, made me feel at ease and I assumed you were the drug I needed."

My heart skipped two beats as he said those words. "I was helping you heal and you were doing the same. Somehow it was a fair game for me, a game of give and take."

My heart kept beating erratically as he spoke and I wasn't sure why. "I cared too much about you to even think of hurting you, you were my safe heaven and I held you with high esteem. But the day I snapped at you was Lucia's birthday and I just got all up in my emotions. I didn't mean those words."

My eyes watered and I watched Theodore wipe away my tears with his thumbs but that did not do away with the guilt I was feeling. Maybe I should have been more understanding.

"We didn't speak for an entire month, that period was the worst and I didn't want to apologize to you because my ego was getting the better of me. I was so delighted when I saw you at my house the other day and all I wanted to do was crash into your arms and tell you I missed you but the first words you said hurt me even more than you can imagine."

I couldn't stop the torrents flowing down my cheeks. "I felt cheated, used, I thought that all you wanted me for was to solve your problems and you didn't care about my well being and that was why I said those words you but when I realized that you had gone missing, I put the pieces together and regretted what I did. I figured it had to do with the texts you were getting."

I saw him wipe his eyes. Theodore was crying and that made tears flow down my cheeks yet again. "I decided to tell the guys about it should in case anything happen to you. I was devastated and that was when Osaze came to me, she hacked into the VIO system and tracked your car with the plate number leading us to where the car was and we called the ambulance."

He sniffed. "You were rushed to the hospital in time and it was all thanks to Osaze. If she hadn't arrived at that time, only God knows what might have happened."

Osaze saving my life wasn't seating well with me. She was supposed to be the bad guy in the story. I couldn't quite fathom why she would even help me since she didn't like me one bit. My death should bring joy to her.

"And in those few days you were missing, I realized that you weren't just bringing me surreal peace, you were my peace. I realized that I didn't want to loose you Irene, I realized that I liked you way more than I should, I cared about you to a fault, and I decided if I was going to find you, I had to accept it."

I couldn't look Theodore in the eyes, he might have just confessed that he liked me as much as I liked him and to me, that was a big deal.

"I'm sorry for everything I said to you Irene, I genuinely regret it and I hope you forgive me. Please do."

How can I not forgive him after all he had told me, after the confession, after everything.

I wasn't saying anything because I wasn't sure what to say yet. "Irene?" He called. "Please look at me." He pleaded and I locked my eyes with his and that moment, I felt a thousand fireworks go off in my tummy.

"I forgive you," I said. "And I'm sorry too I had taken things a little too-"

He didn't wait for me to finish talking before he pulled me into a warm embrace. Nothing like the ones we had shared in the past. Still in shock, I wasn't able wrap my hands around him before he pulled away holding me at arms length.

"I don't want you to be harmed and that's the reason I don't want you around Kelvin again, he's very dangerous."

"I don't even know him."

"But you do." I narrowed my eyes at him.

"I do?"

He nodded and spoke up. "KayCee," He had to be joking, KayCee was a very sweet person and I didn't want to believe he was Theodore's Kelvin.

"Did you ever bother to ask what his full name is?" I shook my head. "It's Kelvin Carrington and we both attended Loyola High School with Lucia way before her death and our fall out. And he's the reason I didn't wait for your swimming tournament, I knew he was going to be there."

All of it was beginning to make sense and I couldn't help but feel very unsafe. "KayCee sent me a Valentine's Day parcel." I said and I watched as Theodore's eyes went as wide as saucers.

"He did what?"

"He sent me a Valentine's Day card with a hand written message and a very expensive necklace." I said. "And I am supposed to meet him after seeing you so I could return the necklace."

He looked like he was thinking and after a while, he spoke up. "Can I have a look."

"Sure." I replied and brought out the parcel with the rose flower, the card and the necklace. He opened the card and a small smile made its way to his face.

Uh bruh?

"But he didn't send this," he said and I arched a brow. Tobias said KayCee was in the room when-

"I did." He said and I frowned.

"This is not your hand writing."

"I'm ambidextrous and you do not know that. That's how I write with my left hand and you've only seen my handwriting with my right hand."

There was so much to take in in such little time.

"But as for the necklace," he continued. "I'm not sure who sent them." He said and my already forming smile fell.

"So I was going to wait till the part where you both kiss and become a couple but I have to come in now." That voice had us looking towards the door. It was Theodore's maid.

"Have you been there all along?" I asked and she nodded with a rather wide smile.

"And the necklace is from Theodore too." She said to me.

"It is?" Theodore asked her and she nodded.

"Yes. So while you were busy beating yourself up, your mum ordered for the Valentine's Day package along with the one she got for your dad and had me place it in your car. The necklace was part of the pack." She said and I rubbed my head gently. I was beginning to feel dizzy all of a sudden.

"Does your head hurt?" Theodore asked and he moved towards me cupping my cheeks.

Kelvin Carrington...

Carrington...

Mayowa Richard Carrington...

"Is Mayowa related to KayCee?" I asked Theodore.

"I don't know." He replied

"My mother's fiancé is Mayowa Richard Carrington by name." I said and he narrowed his eyes at me.

"Can I see a picture." He asked and I showed him one on my phone. It was one I took of him and Ivy, they were both smiling.

"I'm not sure about that but one thing I'm sure of is that he used to date miss Bolanle." He said and at that moment I didn't even know what to think or how to react anymore. Everything was just so overwhelming.

"I'm not sure what he wants from me and why he's keeping Ivory."

"Keeping Ivory?" Theodore asked and that was when I realized I had thought out loud. I looked around the room, it was only Theodore and I, apparently Lucy had left.

Tell anyone that Ivory is alive and I'll kill her.

You'll go to jail if you kill her Mayowa

Not when the whole world already thinks she's dead.

Theodore will not let this go that's for sure. "Irene?" I sighed out as I once again found myself spilling out things I had kept hidden from everyone to Theodore.

THEODORE

After telling Lucy everything that I had been hiding for so long, I decided I was going to take Uzo's advice so I decided I was going to tell her every single thing.

I texted to go over to hers but she insisted she would come over to mine instead, I was sure why she didn't want me at her house but I was fine with the fact that I was still going to see her anyway.

The moment she walked in through the door, I knew I was falling for her at a very rapid rate. With the way she took elegant strides towards me and how she dressed in the most casual way possible and still looked unbelievable gorgeous.

Theodore you're a goner!

Taking in a deep breath, I told her everything and when I was done, it felt like large mass was lifted off my chest and shoulders. I felt relieved. I also got to know that my mum was the mastermind behind the whole Valentine's Day package.

"Is Mayowa related to KayCee?" She asked.

"I don't know." I replied. I knew that her mum's fiancé's name is Mayowa even though I hadn't met him before and I wasn't even sure why she was asking me that question.

"My mother's fiancé is Mayowa Richard Carrington by name." She said and I was left to think. Could he be? It could be a mere coincidence for all we knew.

"Can I see a picture?" I asked and the moment she handed her phone to me I instantly recognized the man in the picture. I had seen several photos of him in Miss Bolanle's office, even pictures they had taken together. The guy in the picture was Miss Bolanle's ex-boyfriend. The one that jilted her after dating for so many years.

Something wasn't right here.

"I'm not sure about that but one thing I'm sure of is that he used to date Miss Bolanle." I responded my eyes not leaving the picture.

Something was terribly wrong and I knew we had to get to the bottom of the matter. "I'm not sure what he wants from me and why he's keeping Ivory." She said and that made me snap my gaze at her immediately.

"Keeping Ivory?" I asked. For all I knew, Ivory was Irene's dead sister.

After five entire minutes of silence, yes I counted, Irene finally spoke up.

The information Irene dumped on me was more than a bombshell. "So you mean Ivory is alive and Mayowa has been the one sending those texts to you."

"Yes." She replied and I breathed out a wow.

Well played, he is very smart. "Who else knows this apart from both of us." I asked and she replied.

"Nobody."

"Send a message to all the guys telling them there's something important you want to discuss with them. You're going to tell them everything you just told me."

She turned to me in shock. "Mayowa said he'll kill Ivory if I tell anyone."

"But you told me, didn't you?"

"But I didn't mean to."

"That doesn't matter, you have to tell them. The last time you did not tell them and you see what went down." I was honestly trying to reason with her, to help her realize that she had to trust her friends.

"Are trying to tell me that you'll say mean things to me again and make me run off like I did the last time?"

What is she even saying?

I cupped her cheeks and had her look me in the eyes. "I'm never going to do that again but I need you to trust your friends, they can be of great help, trust me when I say you'll be fine."

Her gaze still fixed on mine, she nodded.

"But only on one condition," she said and I nodded urging her to name her condition. "You'll come with me."

What???

"There's no way I'm going anywhere near Desmond. He'll tear me apart." I said and she pouted.

"He will not and besides, it's high time you two start talking again." She said but I shook my head.

"I can assure you that Desmond hates me."

"No Theodore, he doesn't hate you. He's only being protective of me and since we're now in good terms, he'll understand and forgive you too."

I shook my head, I'm not going to get myself into trouble with Desmond. "Come on." She cooed batting her thick lashes at me.

I sighed out in defeat. "Alright, I'll talk to him but that will be tomorrow, you go talk to them today and I will tomorrow."

"Pinky swear?" She asked stretching her pinky finger at me.

"Yes." I replied and knotted my pinky finger with hers.

She smiled, a wide toothy grin and I let my eyes take in the pretty girl seated before me. She was putting on a pair of bum short and a hoodie with her hair in a quite messy bun. I let my eyes linger on her exposed laps.

"My face is up here." I heard Irene say and somehow it reminded me of the day we were alone in the the kitchen

I cupped her cheek with my right hand and let my left hand trail gently on her jawline in slow motions. I watched as Irene's eyes went closed and a satisfied smile graced my face.

Leaning in closely, my heart was beating faster than ever.

This is it!

My face was only a few centimeters away from hers, our noses were already touching and Irene's eyes were still closed. My eyes dropped to her plump glossed lips and I subconsciously ran my tongue over my dry ones.

I closed my eyes gently as I leaned even closer her hot breath fanning my face and just as my lips was going to connect with hers, a loud shriek had us pulling away.

I turned to the door and I frowned the moment I sighted the person at the door. Irene looked away biting on her bottom lip causing me to groan.

"Tony what do you want?" I asked in annoyance.

"What do I want in my own father's house? I came to spend the weekend." He said walking into the room. Irene still had her head bowed and that was so unlike her because she had always been a confident one, never shy.

"Well why are you in my room?" I asked Tony who looked like he was enjoying what was going on.

"I know you're mad because I came in just when you both were about to kiss but brother I just had to come up here when mum said Irene is up in your room."

Mum?!?

"Are you going to introduce me or what?" He asked and I rolled my eyes before introducing him to Irene as my annoying elder brother.

"So mum was right all along, you two are a thing."

"Actually-" I started and he shushed me heading over to Irene who still looked flushed.

"Tell me Irene, with your status and fame, do you think my younger brother is worth your time?"

Why is this guy hell bent on embarrassing me?

"Irene you don't have to bother yourself with anything he says, he's a jester." I said to her mostly because I wasn't ready to hear her reply to his question.

"If he isn't worth my time, I don't know who is." She replied and at that moment, I knew that I wasn't the only one drowning in the pool of emotions. And my lips stretched into a wide smile.

***
Yo guys! It's been almost a week, I'm so sorry . I was trying to make sure the chapter wouldn't come off as crappy but even now I'm not satisfied with the chapter. Please tell me what you think about it.

This has to be my longest chapter and hopefully will be the longest in this book. I honestly wanted to split it into two but I just couldn't.

So you guys now know about Theodore's past ohh and yes we can now see we have a ship can't we? Drop ship names for Irene and Theodore and also for Kiki and Uche

Alright without further talk, do the needful and I'll see you in the next chapter. Ciao ❤️

Word Count: 5023