Grace strolled home that night, passing through the back secret gate to the guest house Susanne had shown her. Just about to enter, her gaze met with Susanne at the entrance. As if she’d been waiting for her outside, she hurried towards Grace and began with hesitation.

“Why didn’t you inform me that you are going to the hospital? We would have checked the DNA report together.”

“Oh! Sorry, I was equally curious and forgot to ask you.” Grace's voice lowered.

“No, don’t be sorry. It’s a good thing it came out positive. Where have you been since morning? I called and texted but you didn’t reply. Is something wrong?”

“Not at all. I met with a friend of mine, Ada, at the hospital today. She was angry at me. I didn’t know why.” Grace gasped, gazing down. Her small voice shivered as if to cry.

Susanne walked up to her, resting her hands on her arm as if to hug her. “The little I know about you is that you don’t have many friends. I want you to accept me as your sister and friend, and I promise not to make you sad. Together, we can give ourselves that comfort we need.” Suzanne explained. Her eyes lit up with hope. “Come, let’s go inside.” She urged, opening the door.

To her surprise, Grace met with a dozen of toys and Teddy’s. Child clothes and shoes.

“When I was younger on my birthday, mum always prepared 2 exact gifts for us. She hid it from me, though. These are all the presents, mum prepared for you during the last 23 years.” Susanne placed an innocent smile on her lips as Grace stood, stunned. She grabbed one of the teddy.

It was warm and soft. She couldn’t help but wonder how good it would have felt to grow with her actual family. Susanne walked up to the fridge and brought out a cake. She coated it with baby pink and sky blue icing. Two identical-black-skinned dolls stood on it, representing them. The smile on their faces made Grace watch and grin, at the feeling. It was too good to be true. She lit a candle and placed the cake on the table.

“Grace,” Susanne called her. “I always felt a part of me away, not knowing it was you. Now that you’re back here with me, I want to celebrate our Union together. I’m happy now that we can celebrate our birthdays together, put on sane clothes, and maybe one day, be the strength that our mother needs to heal. Let today be our reborn day, Grace.”

Tears filled the space of Grace's eyes. She gulped down the swelling pain in guilt, her usual strong facade, crumbled. The condition filled the room with an uncomfortable silence. Susanne was unsure of how to comfort her brave twin sister. Reading the words on the cake, ‘Susanne and Grace, Forevermore’, made her chuckle even more. In tears, Grace forced her lips to smile, though it was such a sad moment. Her thumb was wiped between her wet eyes and running nose. As Susanne watched her sister cry, tears welled up in her eyes. And a single drop lingered from her left eye. Susanne was also not the one to cry. She barely shed a tear in the last decade, but watching Grace, her heart swelled with a mixture of pity, love, and nostalgia.

Watching the burning candle on the cake amidst two identical icing characters that represent both of them, Grace wondered if Susanne was just desperate or just kind. Susanne raised the cake towards Grace and deepened her sad smile. An expression of hope and belonging.

When morning came, Ore stormed into his dad’s room and picked up his car key. He left without eating breakfast, intending to find Grace. And reconcile with her. It’s been weeks already, and he abandoned the idea of his scholarship. He spent most nights alone in his room or outing with some friends for days and when he returned home; he crashed anything his hand lay on. Instead of screaming and ranting agitatedly, Ore was silent. He never smiled, spoke, or ate. He didn’t greet his parents, neither was he involved in any conversation with anyone since the compromise and the feud. Ore just wanted to be alone. He looked slim and miserable. Although others did not easily brainwash or influence Ore, it scared Hadassah that it might lead him to take hard drugs or find another way to seek solace or put out his anger.

Slamming the door, Ore felt an eerie calm. He had cried throughout the night, and today, he just wanted to set his eyes on her. His face, was blotchy, his eyes red-rimmed, but his mind was clear. He picked himself up, squared his shoulders, and faced his challenges full-chested. Ore turned in the key and the car engine started. It was a spotless red Toyota Corolla, glittering in the daylight.

After a brief ride, a call came in.

“Buzz! Buzz!” The phone’s vibration was audible enough.

Checking on his phone, he came in contact with a white vehicle. Cryst, who went to check on a friend in Lugbe, bumped into him. She stepped on the brake to stop her white Bugatti Veyrons from damage, but it screeched and scratched once he stepped on the break. The car haltered with force, and its engine suddenly stopped. The situation made his eyes boom in fear and realization of what had just happened.

“Who the hell is this?” Chryst disembarked from her car. A frown spread across her face as she listened to her car engine fade. “Are you blind? How can you hit my car?” She walked to where his car brushed hers.

“It was evidence from the side of her white BugattVeyronns. Your car scratched such a big piece of paint! You have to pay me.” Her voice heated as she tapped on his side window, which was winded close. Ore drove his father’s red Corona Toyota. He held onto the steering wheel with shut eyes to face the humiliation. He stole the keys and fueled himself just to find Grace. Chryst opened the car from its knob.

“Are you playing deaf on me right now, or should I call the police?” she threatened.

Ore immediately took off his seatbelt and stepped out. His shivering body slipped from his mobile phone to the floor, but he didn’t realize it. Chryst took a step back, studying him for a moment. She never met a man with such charm, coolness, and charisma. Another man in his right mind or position must have called her names by now, knowing they both made the mistake.

“Sorry, I have a lot on my mind. I was a little distracted. I will help you check your car.” He persuaded, and his phone dropped.

Chryst watched, mesmerized by his action. Her wandering eyes locked onto his striking physique. As if he made her heart swell. Of course, he did. And Ore had no idea.

A sly smirk spread on her lips as she walked toward this bonnet, and kicked Ore’s phone under his car, while he checked on the damage. The car's side and tail light had scratches, but they were not broken. Ore touched it and faced Chryst.

“I’m... I’m sorry for the damage caused,” he stuttered. “I’m not used to driving and while and this happened in a flash. I’m sorry-“

“What do you mean by you’re not used to driving manual!” Cryst interrupted. “Look here, mister, you're sorry cannot solve anything! This is a new car, and you scratched it. I mean, how can you burst into this lane out of nowhere?”

“I’ll take full responsibility, just to let this pass as quietly as possible.” The faces staring at the both of them were quite annoying.

The situation felt him in a rage, but he tried his best to conceal it. Ore flipped through his wallet to hand her some cash but, he only had #1,420. From the look of Chryst, the money could barely buy her nail polish, let alone repair the damage he caused.

“It’s the first time driving my dad’s car, miss. Can we settle this in another way? My dad will kill me if he finds out.”

Cryst replied with a confident chuckle. His sincerity captured her attention. Her black eyes raked him from head to toe. From his clean shaved head to his clean, white sneakers. The white polo shirt and blue jeans ed to his charm. Even his divine goatee was one to die for. “Can I have your contact?” She requested.

“I don’t have enough on me now. Can I transfer to your account?” Ore nodded, not in a good mood for this.

“Who said I want your money?” She chuckled. And it faded briefly. If destiny unites us once again, you must take me out to lunch.

“What?” He gasped, “Okay, fine. If that’s what you want.”

“Is that a promise?” Her eyes pressed at him.

“Yes, sure. I promise to take you for lunch when next we meet.” He muttered quickly and glanced at his wristwatch. “Would you let me go now? I’m in a rush to meet someone.”

“Okay, fine. I’ll let you go now.” She stepped aside so he would drive. She rolled her eyes at him.

“Thank you.”

Ore jumped into his car and slammed the door. Kicking the car engines on with a turn on the key in the ignition. Pay attention while driving. She warned with a pressed smile.

“Thanks, bye!” He zoomed off into the busy street while Cryst stood, watching him drive away.

She walked up to his phone, picked it up, and a smirk formed on her lips. “It’s noon now. I hope you get to me before dinner, handsome. I’ll wait for lunch.” She threw his phone into her purse and parked her car by the road path, properly.

A few moments later, Ore got to Ability Schools. He found a crowd protesting in front of the school gate. Some wanted to withdraw their wards from the school. Many already did.

“Are you sure you want to continue the secondary section? A woman alerted. “How can a class teacher leave at the beginning of the term? What incompetency?”

Many parents yelled at the teachers as they calmed the parents. It was an awful sight. Ore snuck through the gate to get in.

“It’s all over the internet! Now, many parents are requesting to transfer their kids after completing their primary section.” Mrs Oluchi complained to Mrs Njoku. “It’s even affecting the kindergarten.”

She stood, her folded arms rested beneath her small, firm breasts, as she patiently listened, lost for ideas.

“Mrs. Njoku!” Ore rushed to her at once, and they met in her cubical office.

“It’s been a while. How are you?” She replied to him calmly.

“Why do you visit at this hour? Asked Mrs Njoku.

“Excuse me, ma. I’ll check on the parents.” Mrs. Oluchi said and stepped out of the office. For both of them to discuss properly.

“Why are there so many people outside?” Ore asked with curiosity in his eyes. “Is your school going to shut down?”

“I hope not, my dear.” She replied to him with a sigh of relief. Somehow, she had hope. Her eyes coated with tears. “This is happening because of Grace.”

“Where is Grace?” Ore asked. “I came here to find out about her. It’s been a month since we last met.

“Didn’t she tell you?” Mrs Njoku interpreted the innocence of his eyes. “She resigned.”

“What?” Ore gasped around, baffled. “I didn’t know. When did she resign?”

“Three weeks ago.”

At once, Ore dashed out of her office. “Ore! Ore, come back!” Mrs. Njoku called after him, but he stormed out of her school. Pushing the troublesome parents to pass.

“My phone!” He checked his car. Hoping to find his mobile phone. It was then he realized that it wasn’t there.

‘When? Where?’ He remembered calling Grace on his way to the school. Not until he met that strange girl. Without thinking twice, he jumped into the car. His eyes peeled as he turned on the car engines. Revising and dashing onto the busy road.

“You’re such a big fool, Ore! How can you make such a mistake?” He caused himself and drove deeper into the streets.

Watching the leftover of the cake that morning, the door suddenly opened to Susanne. She had three heavy bags at hand and she struggled to walk. In a blink, Grace walked out of the bedroom into the main living room to help her twin sister.

“Welcome back, Sis. Where are you coming from?” it brought Susanne joy to hear Grace refer to her as ‘Sis’, a short term for sister.

“I went to get you some new stuff from the market. Mostly foodstuffs,” she explained. “Are you hungry? I hurried because you didn’t have breakfast and this kitchen was empty. Would you like some fruit?

“Susanne, it will baffle you to know how much I can hold on to hunger. I fast most days when I was alone. Going broke was the usual. Sometimes, I ate once daily.”

“No wonder you’re so slim. I hope you don’t die from starvation someday.” Susanne joked, taking out some fresh apples, watermelon, and banana from the leathered bag she brought from the market. She washed and sliced the fruits in a clean gold tray, so they would eat from it.

“You better eat when you can. You don’t have to fast unnecessarily or stay hungry again. Now you have found me and I will take care of you. Here is a pack of sanitary pads and simple house clothes. Don’t worry, they are your style.” She softly chuckled, watching Grace's shocked expression. “I also got you somebody lotions and these beauty masks.”

“What mask?” Grace frowned. “Do I need that?”

“There are instructions on its pack. You need to glow up now that you’re with me. You should look better than me.” Susanne handled her another leather bag and strolled toward where she stood. Staring into her eyes in a closeup view. “Grace, whatever you do, remember that you’re not alone. Use anything in this guesthouse and ask me anything at any time. Sister, support each other.” Susanne emphasized.

“Okay,” a gentle smile ripped on Grace's lips while she replied to her. She ate, took a shower, and stepped out. Grace visited the Clifford.

At first, it scared her to walk into their compound, but she did. Painful scenes of humiliation she faced by Mr. Shina, never to step into his compound, played in her mind, but she reached the door and tapped on it.

The door swung open by Hadassah. Her eyes looked droopy as if compelled to open the door. For some reasons unknown to Grace, she paused.

“Good afternoon ma.”Grace greeted. “It’s been a while.”

“Oh, my dear... It’s you.” A faked smile appeared on her face. Her cheeks deepened because of the effects of her expression, revealing the wrinkles at the sides of her eyes. “Come in, please.” She requested.

Grace's smile pressed as she stepped in, closing the door behind her and walking with gentle steps.

Hadassah led Grace in as she motioned towards the living room. Shina sat on the chair, reading his newspaper as usual. His legs, crossed as he sipped on a glass of fruit wine. He noticed her presence but acted as if he didn’t. Hadassah rubbed her palms, taking a seat right next to him, while Grace stood before them. Ore’s mum signalled her to sit. Instead, she replied with a negative nod.

“Why are you here?” Mr. Shina started.

“I hope you’re doing well, sir.”Grace’s voice didn’t rise above a whisper. She gazed at the floor, as though stricken by a sudden attack of shame. Her heart ached as it raced. Her eyes stared at him in a catatonic stupor. She was ready to face him just a second ago. She prepared her mind and soul. Now, why the fear? Why the panic?

“Haven’t I warned you to stay away from me and my family?”

“Although, I broke up with Ore. I need to make things clear with you, sir.” She opened her hand purse and brought out the box in which Ore proposed to her. In it was a ring. She didn’t check on it, though. She threw it away sometimes, and she thought it was best to give it back. Not to look like a thief.

“I came to return the ring you married Mrs. Hadassah to. It’s ancestry so, it needs to be with its rightful owner. I feel guilty for having it.”

“I underestimated you. It’s a good thing you haven’t sold it.” Mr. Shina slipped through his newspaper without setting a glimpse at her. You appeared out of nowhere to see him, right? Well, Ore isn’t home. You can leave now."

“Thanks so much for everything, sir. I swear, I bear no grudge against you. But at least, can you tell me why you hate me so much? Am I so ugly that you can’t even look at me? Don’t you ever want to see ever again?”

Pissed, Shina rolled his eyes inward and slapped his newspaper on the arm of the sofa he sat on. Then he lifted his gaze at her with a painful smirk. His eyes bled, not with tears or blood. The agony in them startled Grace. The expression in his eyes was tragically mocking as if thinking; I’ll put you in your place! He had a step of two enormous eyes that turned red whenever he was angry. He had a way of looking at Grace; with squeezed brows and lifted jaws, as if she stunk.

“Okay, fine. I’ll be frank with you.” Mr. Shina explained. “My son got a girlfriend and introduced her to us. She’s my friend’s daughter, anyway. So they’ve known themselves for ages. Long before you both met. They also attended the same school... You wouldn’t know about that, would you?”

Overwhelmed, Grace ducked her head with welling tears in her eyes.

Hadassah’s lips dropped at his words. “Stop that, Daddy Ore!” She interrupted, but he glared at her with a look that forced her to silence. Then he cut his glance back to Grace.

“Her name is Rose Shomakinde. She’s about your age, I guess...or maybe you’ll be older than her by a year or two. Check her on the internet if you can. Rose is from a blessed home and has a good upbringing and education. I hope you understand why now and leave Ore alone.” Mr Shina watched Grace, irritated by her presence. His crossed legs parted in a blink. His attitude wounded her pride, and took advantage of her patience, more than she ever imagined.

“But Ore can’t double date. How come he never told me about this, Rose?” Her shivering voice questioned.

“What do you know? He’s my son, after all.”

His reply stung her. Grace wanted to give him a befitting response but, she was lost for words.

Once again. She faced him.

‘What brought me here?’ The thought tormented her. Blinded by pain, she let the tears fall. Each one washed away a bit of the pain she’d been holding onto.

Grace turned her back to leave. Hadassah immediately rushed to her.

“Don’t move an inch!” Mr. Shina ordered his wife. His eyes filled with a beastly rage, as if she was a prey he would devour at any time. Grace stepped out and slammed the door shut.

Watching her leave shattered Hadassah’s beat. She signed with hate in her eyes, which pooled in an ocean of tears. I wonder if Ore even knows Rose, like, seriously. Why would you stoop so low? She gave him a lame look and stomped into her room.

The situation left Shina frustrated. He tried reading his newspaper but couldn’t concentrate. Thankfully, Grace left already. She wouldn’t meet Ore. Even if she did, he would never change his mind on her. Mr. Shina sipped on his chilled juice, smiling vaguely. Perhaps he was thinking how far she would drag the case.

Heartbroken, Grace walked down the street. Just outside his compound, she stood under a tree to take shade. She had planned to see Ore one last time. But it seems destined didn’t want them together, after all.

She picked up her mobile phone from her pause and dialled his contact.

Once he picked, her heart swelled. “Ore! Where the hell are you? I thought you left the country. Why haven’t you checked on me? I need to see you. Why don’t you tell me in my face that you’re seeing someone else?” 

“Who are you?” Cryst cut her off. “The owner of this phone is not here. I’ll tell him you called.”

“Hello, are you still there?” She chuckled playfully, like a child.

“No, don’t worry. It’s an unknown number.” Grace ended the call in a jiffy. Knowing for sure, it was Rose. So his dad wasn’t lying after all. Ore has moved on in just weeks. He didn’t call or text, and now that she did, a lady picks.

“Oh, what a strange lady?” Cryst rumbled. She laughed and then sighed. “Why is he taking so long to come back?” She wondered, still waiting for Ore at the spot.

“Ore... You’ve let me down so much.” Grace squalled under the burning sun. It wasn’t sunny, a part of the sky darkened with gathering clouds. “I can’t believe I feel for all your tricks. Even Ada warned me about you… Now, I’m grateful we broke up.” In anger, she scrolled through her phone and deleted his number. “You’re worse than your father! I pray we never cross paths again.”

Grace continued strolling, lost in thoughts. As she squalled, her body hunched over, as if carrying the weight of her unspoken grief on his shoulders. His clenched fists were the only telltale sign of his silent struggle.

When the sobs finally subsided, she felt a lightness she hadn’t felt in a long time.

Cryst sat in her car, turned up the side glasses, and switched on the air conditioner. Soft hip-hop music from Christ Brown slid in as she listened and gradually drifted to sleep.

A car honk woke her at once and she jerked up to Ore, who just parked in front of her car.

“Finally.” She sighed.

Ore hurried to meet Cryst, and they met halfway. You forgot this. She lifted his phone at him.

“Gosh! I thought misplaced it. Thanks so much!”

“Gratitude accepted. But under one condition.”

Ore’s thick brows pressed to her witty attitude.

“As promised, you’ll take me for lunch at any restaurant of your choice.”