Leri woke up euphoric the next morning. It was Denis’s birthday and he was back in Lagos.

Her plan was pay him a surprise visit, and cook his favourite meal while also giving him a gift.

Leri studied the wrist watch with a smile. It was his favorite brand and had caused a dent in her account, but she didn’t mind. She loved him and he deserved it.

A soft knock on the door drew her attention and she gave the person permission to enter.

Tomiwa strolled in, looking corporate but also very handsome and Leri’s heart did a little leap.

Instinctively, she shut the wristwatch box and flung it to the bed.

“Tomiwa.” She greeted with a fake smile, “Good morning.”

Tomiwa coughed and nodded. “How was your night?”

“Cold.” Leri replied him, “I was too lazy to get my blanket so I embraced the cold throughout.”

Tomiwa chuckled and so did she.

“So,” Leri had to break the silence of awkwardness, “did you travel?”

Tomiwa nodded. “Within Lagos though. I went to see someone.”

Someone important. Leri remembered Astrid’s words. That person would would be no other than his girlfriend or fiance.

“That’s good.” Leri said without looking at him. She also had a boyfriend so there was no need to feel all hurt. She didn’t care.

“Are you free this night?” Tomiwa’s question was unexpected.

Leri looked at him cautiously and curiously. “No. I’m not free. Is there any problem?”

Tomiwa shook his head. “No, there’s none.”

“So why are you asking me if I’m free this night?” She moved one step closer.

“No it’s nothing. Never mind.” Tomiwa took a step back.

“You’re lying,” She pin pointed taking another step. “Are we going somewhere?”

Tomiwa took a second step back. “Going somewhere with you? That’s ridiculous.” He scoffed.

“I’m ridiculous?” Leri asked him as she continued to move closer to him until his back was against the wall. A whiff of his body spray drifted into her nostrils which she inhaled. “I’m not your type I guess?” she trailed a finger along the collar of his suit, “I’m too outspoken for you. You like quiet thick women right?”

Tomiwa swallowed. “I-”

“Shh.” She placed a finger on his lips as she leaned towards him and whispered softly. “I understand. You’re not my type too and I wish you and your girlfriend all the best in life.”

She stretched to get his sweater which she had hung on the wall and stretched it to him. “Thank you once again for the other night, so I’m returning this now.” She pushed it to him and quickly ushered him out the door before slamming the door and exhaling in relief.

Where did all that confidence some from? Leri wondered, unable to belief that she did all of that. But it was good that she had finally placed boundaries between them. She had a boyfriend who loved and cherished her, which she also felt the same.

Astrid’s abduction had caused quite the panic the previous day. She was glad that she was back, safe and uninjured. These people were all beginning to mean something to her now and she wouldn’t want any harm to befall them.

Discovering that Inome was Dahlia’s sister was absolutely thrilling. She felt like she was in a mystery movie and she was one of the detectives. She enjoyed every moment of going out with with Astrid and planning ahead with the team.

For the first time she felt like she belonged somewhere, with people who didn’t treat her like she was irrelevant. Unlike her former work place where all they did was to gossip about her behind her back. They never made her feel like she wasn’t part of them and they never invited her for any of their outings.

They were toxic and she was happy to be out of their midst. Among all the madness going on in her life at the moment, she was happy to meet agents from The Jewels Hearth-or TJH rather. It made her life more unpredictable, but interesting.

By the time she left the room to the part-sitting room-part meeting room-part research room, she found Astrid and Wura talking to each other, which was shocking.

The others were also present, including Aminat who looked radiant in her sky blue turban over a blue long abaya.

“Dahlia is now the official ambassador for Celeste.” Faizah announced, “she posted it on her Instagram page yesterday night.”

“The opening party is tonight by eight pm.” Aminat leaned into the sofa. “Fareed, were you able to do something about table arrangement?”

“Yes,” Fareed nodded as he tapped on a key and automatically, the projector showcased an image consisting of circles at intervals, with five rectangles projecting out of each circles.

“Which is her table?” Wura asked.

“Table three,” Fareed zoomed in. “I was able to hack into their table arrangement and place Tijani next to her and -”

“Tara Buseri,” Leri gasped, “the blogger. She’s the one that started the rumour about Dahlia and Tijani’s affair. Dahlia hates her.”

Faizah nodded. “Exactly. She’s going to play a major role for us where we don’t even have to stress ourselves.”

“Astrid is on table 4, the perfect spot to see Tijani and Dahlia and take pictures.” Fareed continued.

“But what if someone catches her taking their pictures with her phone?” Leri asked.

“We never said she was going to use her phone.” Wura told her as she and Astrid exchanged glances.

“What do you mean? I don’t understand.” Leri had on a look of confusion.

“She’s going to use a spy watch. A camera watch.” Aminat absentmindedly intoned, “how about the pictures? Were you able to get them?”

“A spy watch?” Leri thought out loud but no one was paying attention, except for Tomiwa who she caught staring. They both looked away.

“Yes.” Faizah said while pressing keys on the keyboard. “Turns out Tijani and Dahlia did have an affair,” she adjusted her glasses as a picture of Tijani and Dahlia in a beach hugging so intimately suddenly popped up on the monitor screen.

Leri shook her head. “No,” she whispered in disbelief.

“A secret vacation in Santorini.” Faizah explained, “it was difficult getting these pictures, but these are real, not photo shopped.”

“If rotten mango was a person,” Wura muttered.

“I agree,” Astrid nodded, “having an affair with a married man but acting all good and saint-like to the masses and her fans is just despicable. Who knows how many other married men she’s had affairs with?”

Leri legs felt wobbly, so she sat, unable to believe all these. Once upon a time she adored Dahlia and wished to be like her. How stupid she was in the past. Dahlia Kagabel was a wild animal in human skin, she was the worst.

“I’ll go alone right?” Astrid glanced at Aminat.

“Yes.” Aminat replied her, “take your tracking jewellery and communicator to keep in touch. This plan must be successful.”

“What’s going to happen after we catch Dahlia? What’s going to happen to the Gothium?” Wura asked.

There was silence and nobody spoke.

“TJH is going to take over the Gothium project right?” Wura asked again staring at Aminat and Tomiwa.

“Wura.” Aminat started, “it’s beyond my control. I-”

“It’s dangerous.” Wura raised her voice, “Do you actually think we can control it?”

Aminat sighed. “One step at a time. Let us successfully complete this mission first.” She looked at Wura with caution, who said nothing.

Leri glanced at everyone in the room and she could sense the tension and unspoken words. Something was definitely going on, something concerning TJH.

“Dahlia asked me about Leri,” Tomiwa said.

Leri’s heart started to beat twice as fast. Her eyes widened in fear.

“She said she hasn’t been seeing you and she asked if I had seen you.” Tomiwa explained. “I think she’s suspecting that you’re still alive.”

Astrid shook her head. “She wants to make sure you are truly dead.”

“We have to be extra careful.” Aminat said. “Leri especially you.”

“I have somewhere to go this night.” Leri blurted out which made everyone stare at her questioningly.

“Where?” Fareed asked.

Leri’s cheeks flushed. “Um..it’s kinda private and personal and -”

“Okay Okay,” Astrid interjected, “when do you want to go? I can take you.”

“I’m going by 8:00 this evening.” Leri told her.

Astrid nodded. “I’ll drop you off on the way to the party then, it is not an issue. Right Aminat?”

Aminat hummed. “Will you be able to find your way back here, or do you want Tomiwa to come pick you up?”

“No.” They both said at the same time.

“No?” Aminat raised a brow as she glanced at the both of them.

“I have somewhere to go this night,” Tomiwa quickly explained, “I won’t be able to pick her.”

“There’s no need for that, I can find my way or I’ll just come back tomorrow morning if its gets too late.” Leri added.

“You’re going to see man.” Fareed blurted out and Faizah immediately nudged him to keep quiet.

“Um-” Leri was speechless as six pairs of eyes stared at her.

“Leave her alone.” Tomiwa was the one that spoke. “She’s an adult and she has the right to go wherever she wants.”

Leri glanced at him and Tomiwa stared right back. She diverted her gaze elsewhere.

“So should we watch a movie?” Astrid asked and multiple Yeses responded.

Leri sat in the car, staring at the window and grinning. She was going to see her boyfriend after two months, she was excited.

“So, what’s this lucky man’s name?” Astrid’s voice penetrated her thoughts.

Leri blushed as she turned to Astrid. She resembled a goddess in the lemon green sleeveless gown she wore. Her bantu knots had golden circlets around them and her face was coated in nude makeup but bold eyeliners that made her cat-like eyes stand out.

“His name is Dennis.” Leri said softly.

“Pretty name for a guy,” Astrid said, “how long have you been together?”

“Two years now.” Leri responded, “we met when I was in my final year.”

Astrid hummed. “That’s good. I hope you’re happy.”

“I am.” Leri grinned. “I’m so excited.” Leri squealed. “I haven’t seen him in two months.”

Astrid smiled. “I understand that feeling. If I see my boyfriend now, I will literally jump on him.”

Leri’s smile was so wide as she stared ahead. They were almost there.

“Make sure to stay safe,” Leri warned her with concern, “don’t follow strangers anywhere and I mean it.”

Astrid rolled her eyes. “It was just that one time but yes Ma’am, I hear you and I promise to behave myself.”

“Good.” Leri laughed as she glanced at the black wrist watch on Astrid’s left wrist. It looked so simple deceiving, but she knew what it was, the spy watch.

“Am I to turn left or right?” Astrid asked once they came to a T-junction.

“Left.”

She would spend the night with Dennis. Leri decided that moment. She missed him. Her body needed him and she wouldn’t deny herself the opportunity.

“Here we are.” Astrid turned off the ignition key. “That black gate right?”

Leri nodded. “Thank you so much Astrid.”

“Just go already.” Astrid rolled her eyes, “and have a great time.”

Leri stepped out of the Ferrari and waved at Astrid as she drove away. Quickly, she took out her pocket body spray and sprayed. Next, she took in a deep breath, imagining the look on her boyfriend’s face after surprising him.

She walked into the compound, looking around. Dennis’s apartment was on the first floor, so she went up the stairs and eventually arrived in front of his door.

Taking another deep breath and fueled by excitement, she pulled down the door knob and rushed in.

Leri froze on the spot, unable to move. All excitement in her had vanished into nothingness and was replaced with disbelief and emotional pain. Her heart fell and crashed into tiny pieces.

Leri couldn’t say anything or do anything as her hand bag dropped to the floor. Her brain couldn’t process the sight before her, her tongue was tied and her and heart kept on shattering.

Dennis was sitting on the sofa, and on his laps straddling him was her best friend, Ojite. They were kissing and once she arrived, they separated as if something had electrocuted them off each other.

“Why?” Was the only word that came out of Leri’s mouth as a whisper.

“Leri,” Dennis rushed over to meet her. “I can explain.” He wore only his boxers and that bare chest which Leri had known and gotten used to, another woman was touching it. Another woman was doing everything she was supposed to be doing with him and he had let her.

“How long as this been going on?” Leri didn’t bother stopping the tears that flowed freely down her cheeks.

“Leri I-”

Leri lashed a slap across his cheek, preventing him from continuing speaking. “You’re a bastard. So this is what has been going on? The silence, the excuses of being busy? If I don’t call you, you won’t call me.” Leri sniffed and her voice was wobbling, “I tried to understand. I was patient and this is how- this is what you’ve been doing behind my back.”

Leri pointed at Ojite who wouldn’t look at her face. “Ojite, you?”

“Ehen and so?” Ojite faced her boldly, “was he not the one that came to meet me? Is it my fault that you couldn’t love him properly as his girlfriend? Abeg abeg.” Ojite hissed and Leri couldn’t believe that Ojite was the one saying those things.

“Ojite-” Leri’s voice broke. Her own best friend was having an affair with her boyfriend. It was too much for her and suddenly she felt like as if an invincible hand was strangling her throat. She found it difficult to breathe.

Picking up her bag from the floor, Leri dashed out the door, down the stairs and out the compound.

She took several deep breaths as she leaned against the fence and stared at the starless sky.

Hot tears poured down from her eyes, trailing down her cheeks and staining her vintage shirt. No matter how used her hands to wipe her tears, more kept gushing out.

A relationship of two years was down in the mud. A man she given everything to, had discarded her like broken glass. She was lost in the sea of muddiness because she did her best to be a good girlfriend. She cared, she loved him and even went as far as giving away her innocence to him. She did everything just to make him happy, she did everything to make her relationship work, but look at her now.

Leri screamed in her palms as she sobbed. Her shoulders quaked and part of her wanted to run back to him, part of her believed it was a lie that she was dreaming, but her legs couldn’t move. Her heart ached.

Leri felt empty as she trudged down the street. Occasionally she sniffled and her eyes blurred with tears. She looked at the time on her phone and part of her wished that Dennis could call her and tell her everything was a lie and it was a prank. But she saw it, she saw them. Her best friend and her boyfriend.

Ahead of her on the right she sighted a club and found herself walking towards that direction. She needed to drink, she needed to let loose and she needed to forget.

I feel so bad for Leri 💔💔 but it had to be done.

Don't forget to vote, comment and share❤️