CHAPTER 28

KIRA'S POV

I really feel bad about what happened between I and Richard I just ruined his relationship because of my own selfish interest.

My mum told me all along that I should leave him alone that we were probably not meant to be together but I just decided to turn deaf ears to her advice. Even though I love Richard, I know quite alright that without Rhoda in his life, he's just gonna be the shadow of his old self and I don't want anything to hurt him.

Now I feel very bad, if not that I'm in the restaurant right now, I'll be crying already. I wish I could reverse time, I wouldn't have done what I did. I really do care about Rhoda more than I think I can, can she ever forgive me, can Richie ever talk to me, I've totally betrayed Rhoda's trust and confirmed Bessie's hunches about me being after something evil. I'm really a bad person.

"Hey, young lady, Hello" a young man says to me as he sits on the empty chair in front of me and I look at him like what business have we got together.

"A nickel for your thoughts young lady" I almost hiss in annoyance but his handsome features stopped me from doing that so I just decide to talk harshly instead"

"I would love to have some privacy please, so can you just leave me alone" I say and it seems like I talked to the air as he just looks at me like I just spoke in Greek and I immediately left for another seat nearby. Thank goodness that the restaurant is somewhat scanty as it is situated in the private place in the city. Moreover, it is one of the most expensive cafeteria's in town only the rich come here. Only for him to stand up and come and meet me again. Is this guy deaf or he needs hearing aid. "I just wanna know you more, nothing more, okay, I come in peace, seriously"

"Really?" I ask and smirk

"I'm Fred, Fred Maxwell and you?"

"Seriously? Anyways, am Kira, Kira Anderson" I add as an after thought.

"Wow Kira, what a lovely name to go with a lovely face like yours" Hmn, there he goes again. It's like all guys rehearsed this line or what, lovely name, lovely face, so funny.

"Thanks" I mutter so as not to hurt his feelings.

"Can I get your contacts; I'll like to know you better"

"Of course" I say and his face brightens up "not" I add with a coy smile and his face drops.

"I'm sorry, but I can't give you my mobile number"

"Trust me, it isn't what you think. I really do like you, okay and I want us to get closer than this, how can I do that without getting your contact?" he stays and looks at me with a little ray of hope.

"And who told you that I want us to be closer?" I reply him and the ray of hope he had left flatters as he's obviously confused

"Kira, please okay, let's just do this"

I look at him and smile before calling out my phone number. "Okay then, 0802643............"

It's being a month since Fred and I have been dating now and it's like heaven on earth, if I lose him. I would probably die I now felt worse about what I did to Rhoda that time and I understand fully that I and Richard weren't meant to be together at all. I really do love Fred. In a month's time we would be convocating. Fred graduated last year already. He's working already and my mum approved our relationship, even though he felt awkward when I took him to my mum but back in New York, I introduced all my boyfriends to my mum so it's no big deal. We are close to the extent that I already told him about I and Richard's escaped. He felt really bad about it but he was the one always pestering me for it as I was always thinking about it so he had no choice but keep quiet about it. But there's a problem now, he said that we should go and apologize to Rhoda. I'm fucking freaking out. I can't bear the sight of her, I'm really scared. She would probably boil hot water and pour it on my head or if she can't wait for water to boil, she would gladly acidize my face. I told Fred all these but he claimed that it wasn't possible for her to do that as he was gonna see her first. He said we were gonna head to her house tomorrow. As the clock ticks, my mind flies. I'm really scared. I don't wanna die yet. Seriously. I'm completely freaked out of my mind already.

RHODA'S POV

"Madam, one man outside say he wan see small madam" I hear the gateman say to my mum downstairs"

"What's his name?"

"He talk say im name na ....erm.........ehn, I don forget o ..............ehm.........ehn ehn........Fred"

"Why won't you forget? Basket brain, all this while, that you've been here, correct English you haven't been able to speak, but whose Fred anyways, Rhoda! Rhoda!"

"Yes mum, I'm coming"

"The gateman said a man named Fred is waiting for you at the gate, do you know who he is?"

"Fred? Actually I can't remember having heard that name before but let him come in anyway, or better still I'll go and meet him outside"

"Oh okay then, I hope Reeds has returned the chairs back to the shed"

"Yes, she has, I already checked it this morning"

"Okay then, go and meet him then"

"Yeah"

"Sorry young man but I don't seem to recognize you"

"Oh, yeah that's true, I'm Fred, Fred Maxwell" the young man says extending his hands for an hand shake.

"I'm Rhoda, how may I help you" I say taking the hand and folding my arms still standing in front of him before I realized that we were still standing.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, I forgot my manners, let's have a seat" I say leading the way to the shed in the compound"

"Thanks a lot" he says as we both sit down.

"So, how may I help you?" I ask him at least to ease his tension.

"Um, you know Kira right? Kira Anderson"

"Oh, yeah I do, what's the problem with her?"

"Erm, I heard she offended you"

"Not really she was just being bitchy, that's all what exactly is the problem now Fred"

"Actually, the thing is that she's deeply sorry for all her misdeeds and she doesn't know how to come and face you, she's really sorry"

"Really, Kira? Sorry, I don't think so. Kira of all people. Anyways if that's what you want to say, I think we are done with that, you can leave, thanks for your concern".

"Actually, that's not all, she's waiting outside but she's scared"

"That I would bite her or what anyways that's her business and I don't wanna see her, you guys should just leave"

"Please Rhoda, don't behave this way, please she hasn't really being able to get peace of mind since that incident. She has acknowledged the fact she was terribly wrong and she's really sorry as well. I'm serious, please forgive her" he says holding my hands as I stand up to leave. I really hate things like this.

I'm naturally soft-hearted person and I know that I'll forgive her but I don't think she deserves to be forgiven. Everyone deserves a second chance anyway.

"Madam, you phone day ring, you leave am inside" Reeds says running from the house with my phone. I check the caller and it turns out to be Richard.

"Hello sweetie".......yeah........I'm home..............now? Oh, okay then ...chocolates.......as usual honey........yeah okay then, kisses" I drop the call still smiling and face the guy called Fred in front of me.

"Okay then, tell her to come in and Richard is coming over I bet she already told you about him then" I add as an afterthought"

"Oh, yeah she did, thanks" he says and leaves to fetch Kira"

Immediately Kira comes in my heart drops and she rushes in front of me.

"I'm really sorry Rhoda, I know that I don't have any justification than to say that I'm sorry. I'm really sorry Rhoda. I swear I am" she says as she starts crying. I'm moved too but decide against taking at all so I just keep mute and watch her cry.

"Baby, I got you chocolates ready" Richard says as he enters the gate carrying a shopping bag. He looks up and sees Kira, I can swear that I felt his heart jump. He loses color and just looks at me like 'what's happening' I quickly talk so as to ease tension.

"Thanks dear, I say as I collect the bag and hug him before my chocolate will fall down and scatter. "So erm kira, you know what, we could be friends again but you should know that I don't trust you, I'll just give you the benefit of doubt and I really hope that this time around, you don't end up cheating on me with my dad".

She looked taken aback and embarrassed at my words as blood rushes to her cheeks and she becomes very red like a tomato. I would have felt for her but she doesn't deserve pity. I don't even believe she didn't come back to continue what she hasn't finished. She's a traitor, nothing else but a betrayer. I never trusted her anyway.

"Rhodie, are you really sure about this?" Richard asks looking unsure about what I've just said.

"Of course Richie, it's not worth keeping malice, it's betters to just let it go" I answer smiling.

"Thanks a lot Rhoda" Kira says moving towards me and before I can blink she's embracing me tightly. I just hope I won't regret this decision. Immediately she's done embracing me, she goes to meet Fred and hugs him tightly. I now understand the relationship between them. Yeah, they are dating. That's a good step anyway.

At least she would stay away from my Richie.

"I love you Rhoda. I'll continuously say it and I really mean it"

"I know that already, okay" I answer smiling as we embrace each other. Thank God Mum doesn't come out, she would probably say something to embarrass me anyway.

"Reeds! Reeds!! I call out to the maid.

"Yes madam, I dey come" this girl can never speak correct English till she dies. It's already in her blood.

"Go and get us some drinks"

"Okay Madam, shey na red wine abi fruit juice abi......"

"Idiot, fruit juice, or better still alcohol" I say and hiss at her.

"That's harsh baby girl" Richard says smiling at me

"She likes behaving as if she doesn't have a brain of her own"

"In about 20 seconds, the drinks are already arranged on the table in front of us.

"So cheers to the fresh start of our friendship" I say as our drinks are already served in tumblers.

"Cheers" they all say as we clink glasses happily.