Eliza lay down on her bed, going through her Instagram page. It was 9 pm, John was already asleep but she couldn't sleep. It was one of those nights when sleep eluded her. She has had these nights before and it was all in her mind. She was dreading school the next day and the worry accumulated in her mind causing insomnia.

She felt a sting in her eyes as she thought of what those girls did and said to her. She blinked the sting away as she fought the urge to cry. She didn't want to wake John up as she stared at his sleeping form opposite her bed. She didn't want anybody to worry about her. Her mother in particular, should not know about her dilemma. Her mom had a lot in her mind and she didn't want to add to that.

As she lazily scrolled through her feeds. Her eyes widened as she saw Chioma's post.

It was a really fun day with my friends. I never knew I loved sports until now. Team kings won. Isaac the star player led us to victory. #teamkings #loveIsaac #sportsday

Eliza cringed as she took note of the second hash tag. As she went through Chioma's pictures, she noticed how happy Isaac was with the huge cup. She saw a selfie Chioma took with her friends and Isaac. They were all happy and it seemed like they had fun.

She could remember the hurt in Isaac's eyes when she snapped at him. Her phone buzzed and the caller ID was none other than the boy she was thinking about, Isaac. Her heart thumped in her chest as she rehearsed in her mind how to start apologizing to him. She picked the call.

"Hi, it's me Isaac" His voice caused a fluttering through her heart. She didn't fail to notice a sense of indifference in his tone.

"HI" She managed to utter. "I know it's you. I saved your number remember?"

"Well, after what you said to me last week. I figured you would have deleted my number instantly"

"Isaac, look, I'm......."

"Don't worry about it. I heard everything you said loud and clear. But that's not why I called. I called to tell you to log into our school's group chat. Your name has been cleared."

"What?!"

"Just do it. Goodbye" He hung up the call.

She knew that Isaac was still mad at her. She vowed that she would seek his forgiveness even if it means being a leech to him.

As she opened the chat. Principal Justice post popped up the screen.

"In light of the incident that occurred at Chioma Okoro's birthday party. The school authorities looked into it, did some investigations and came out with the conclusion that Elizabeth Chigozie was just an innocent victim. We went into Chioma Okoro's home and with the consent of the father, looked into their security cameras and this is what actually happened"

A video of the incident popped up instantly and she clicked it. Everything happened exactly as it did.

"It was all a misunderstanding. No one is to blame here except Chika Akachi who reacted impulsively. We implore Miss Chika to apologize to Miss Elizabeth either on social media or in person. Thank you"

Eliza felt a heavy weight being lifted off her chest. She could finally breathe again. She felt elated and relieved. For the first time since the incident, she smiled wholeheartedly. Now she could sleep.

*       *        *        *         *          *         *
"Ijeoma! Oh my God!"

Ijeoma whirled around and saw someone she probably knew.

"Dabby! Is that you?! Wow! How long has it been?"

They both hugged as Ijeoma introduced her to Theresa. Theresa thought she was also a nurse but she was surprised when she heard that she was a pharmacist and Ijeoma's roommate while in school.

"Hey, come on. Let me introduce you to my husband" Dabby offered.

"Oh wow! Okay"
Ijeoma mouthed to Theresa that she would be right back as she left with Dabby.

As Theresa sighted the buffet, her stomach growled in response as she wondered what it contained. She moved towards it and opened it and she saw mounds of chicken.

Her eyes widened. She looked around but couldn't see anyone eating anything, they were all drinking wine. She wondered if she should grab the chicken leg and dash out the hall, towards the nearest room. Because she knew she couldn't eat it here. People would start casting strange glances at her as if she just came out from the village.

"Just grab the damn chicken and stop staring at it as if there's a cockroach in there"

A slightly tenor voice startled her as she whirled around and met brown eyes that was so familiar. She's seen these eyes before. She noticed the beards that covered his jaw, the slight scar on his left cheek. Her eyes widened in recognition as she recalled those eyes being so playful and mischievous.

"Emeka!"

"Yep, that's me" He chuckled as Theresa engulfed him in a tight hug.

"How long has it been?!"

"I don't know. Who's counting?" He laughed as he picked up a tong and scooped a chicken into his plate.

Theresa laughed as she watched him bit into the chicken.
"Same old Emeka. You haven't changed o! You're the only one that could eat a huge chicken. Only you!"

"Eh, no one wants to eat nah! They're too busy acting posh (refined). I say make I eat am for them (I said let me eat it for them)" He responded in pidgin English as he bit out a shred, chewing it.

Theresa burst out into fits of laughter. She really missed this friend of hers. Her coursemate in nursing school. Emeka has always been the impish type. He has never been serious in his life. Always cheerful and mischievous. Emeka had the gift to make you forget you had a bad day. They've been in touch after nursing school but when he traveled to the states, the connection broke.

"So what brings you here to this part of the world? I thought you were in USA" Theresa asked.

"Oh, yes. I came back for my sister's traditional wedding."

"Wait, you mean Linda that teenager that loves visiting you in school that time"

"She's no longer a teenager ooo. She's all grown up with a husband now" Emeka chuckled.

"Wow. How time flies"

"Yeah. Indeed. My friend was the one that told me of this gathering. I knew I would meet some old friends." He winked as he nudged her. "So I decided to show up, you know, to have some fun."

"Of course. You've always been the fun type" She chuckled. She could remember those times he forced her to go to some parties with him to relieve school stress.

"It's really nice meeting you here Theresa. Marriage really agrees with you. Look at you, looking all fine."

Marriage? She thought as she only smiled in response.

Someone called his attention as he excused himself taking his chicken with him.
"Don't allow those chicken to go to waste Theresa" He chuckled as he left.

Her gaze followed him as he met someone else. Suddenly she felt someone's eyes on her. As she glanced around, she sighted Dr Chukwuma, whose gaze was directly fixed on her.

Her breath hitched. She felt butterflies fluttering inside her. He looked very handsome with his dark suit and blue tie, his beards neatly styled. He had this smile on his face as he brought his wine glass to his mouth, his gaze still on her.

She felt a blush creeping up her neck as she glanced away. She couldn't melt into a puddle now.

As she turned towards the buffet, still contemplating whether she should eat that delicious chicken or not. A fair and beautiful woman appeared in front of her. She wore this beautiful black evening gown. It fit her curves so perfectly.

"Hi, you must be Theresa. My husband has said so much about you"

"Good things I hope" Theresa muttered. Her face looked so familiar. Theresa was still trying to place her face.

The anonymous woman laughed with a high pitched tone.
"Oh, you're so funny"

Theresa joined in the laughter but she was still confused.
"Who did you say you were again?"

"Oh, pardon my manners. I'm Meredith, nice to meet you" She held out her hand adorned with long red nails and a ring.

Theresa shook hers in response. She must admit she was very beautiful, tall, fair and has an hour glass figure. She knew she was the exact opposite of this woman standing in front of her.
But where has she seen her before?

"And how do you know me?"

"Oh, from my husband, whom I believe is your ex. Am I right?"

Theresa's eyes widened in shock.
Her mind went back to that day at the hospital. A beautiful receptionist welcomed her and led her towards David's office. She was all smiles and confidence. Theresa couldn't miss the intimate look the both of them shared plus the fact that she called him by his name 'David' instead of 'sir'. Theresa knew something was up. That was when Theresa started suspecting her husband.

Theresa looked into her eyes covered with long lashes. It was filled with mischief. Theresa was filled with mixed emotions, anger and fear. She knew what was going to go down and the hairs at the back of her neck stood up.

"Why are you so nervous?" Her eyes squinted, a smirk on her face.

"Hey honey, I've been looking all over for you"

A low deep voice appeared behind Meredith, giving her a peck.

"Oh really, I was busy chatting with your ex"

He glanced at Theresa and a sarcastic smile appeared on his face.

"Hi, long time no see" He said.

Theresa clenched her fist. She thought he would emaciate and shrivel up but he was actually looking really good.

"Have you seen my wife?" He asked Theresa, as if he was showing her off. His question had a double meaning.

Have you seen my wife? She's more beautiful than you.
Have you seen my wife? She's everything you're not and will never be.

Theresa was conscious of her environment. She was trying not attract unnecessary stares.

So she smiled and responded.
"I've seen her. She was your receptionist, right?"

"Of course" He replied and they both laughed.

Theresa was constantly looking around, to see if someone noticed what was going down. As she did, she sighted Ijeoma and a couple of her colleagues that were staring at them so intently.

That was when her nightmares came to life. Theresa looked into Ijeoma's eyes and she could read what those eyes conveyed.

Lies, deceit, betrayal.

Theresa felt broken and guilt washed over her.

"It seems like you're alone" Meredith's voice brought her attention back to them. "Where's your husband? Oh, you don't have a ring. It's a pity. Where's your date instead?"

Theresa tightened her jaw as she tried to withhold her hand from slapping her.

She was highly embarrassed as she could feel a sting of an upcoming tear forming in her eyes.

Don't do this Theresa, don't tear up now. You're stronger than this. You knew that this sort of thing would happen one way or another. You just have to be stand your ground and face them.

"Hey honey. Sorry I took so long" Someone appeared behind Theresa and gave her a peck.

Theresa was startled at first but masked her shock as she recognized Chukwuma and smiled up at him.

"I got caught up in traffic" He looked into her eyes, leaning down, he gave her a quick kiss on the lips which left Theresa stunned.

Theresa gave him a questioning gaze but smiled when she understood what Chukwuma was trying to do.

"Oh, okay" Theresa managed to say. "And here I thought you stood me up"

"I'm so sorry, darling. Can I make it up to you by taking you somewhere else for dinner?"

"Oh sure. Why not" Theresa was surprised at how good her acting was.

"You look stunning by the way" He said as his eyes roved over her.

"Thanks" Theresa's cheeks flushed. Theresa wished it was an honest compliment and not an act. "And you look handsome"

Chukwuma smiled in response.

Theresa heard someone clear his throat behind her. Their attention was finally back at the couple behind them.

"Who is this?" David asked, appearing bewildered.

"Oh sorry for my rude behavior. This is my boyfriend, Dr Chukwuma." Theresa made sure she made an emphasis to the title 'Dr'.

"Oh, great. You're a doctor as well" Meredith muttered as her gaze roved over Chukwuma sensually.

This girl is a slut Theresa thought with a scowl on her face.

Chukwuma offered his hand shaking David.

"Nice to meet you"

"Theresa, you seem to forget to introduce us" Meredith turned to Chukwuma "My husband is her ex and I'm his wife"

Theresa tried to make a move to attack Meredith but Chukwuma held her back.

"Oh, Theresa has said so much about the two of you" He said pointing to David. "You are the one who cheated on her with this plastic doll over here and you" He continued pointing to Meredith "are the one that snatched a married man, am I right?"

Meredith mouth hung open as she stared at Chukwuma.
The both of them were rendered speechless.

Chukwuma turned to Theresa.

"Let's go darling."

Theresa nodded in response, grinning from ear to ear, silently thanking him with his eyes.
She was no longer embarrassed, even though they were attracting a few attentions. She felt like the joke was now on them.

As they turned to leave, David grabbed Chukwuma by the hand.

"Oh, you wait here! I'm not done with you yet!"

"Get your filthy hands off me. Unless you want to cause a scene here!" Chukwuma growled,giving him a death stare.

Theresa noticed how Chukwuma towered over David and how well built he was. She made a mental note on who was going to leave the party with a black eye and a broken nose.

She stifled a smile. She could sense the look of alarm in David's eyes but he quickly masked it.

David released his arm.

"Good choice" Chukwuma turned and led Theresa out of the party.

A new chapter is here again with a new and exciting drama.

The cat is out of the bag.
Chukwuma saved Theresa this time but the secret is out.
Would he continue to be there to defend her?

Pls write down your response in the comment box below and Pls, Pls, pretty Pls
Vote.
I really need it guys. It would be very encouraging for me.

And Pls, share guys, so your friends can read it as well.

xo ❤️