˗ˏˋ༻ʚDelphine's Povɞ༺ˎˊ˗

"D-did he just . . ." I wasn't sure what to call this, but it was similar to that of a panic attack. I tried to catch my breath as I watched Romeo disappear amidst the small crowd. My first instinct was to quickly chase after him, but the fingers around my wrist prevented me from doing so. "What are you doing?!"

"Do the calms."

"What?"

"You both need to chill out first," Krystian answered with reactions that were radically different from mine.

"What if he tells someone?!" I nearly yelled. I didn't know what was wrong with Krystian or why he was so calm. Romeo was aware of my identity, yet acted as if it was no big deal.

"Romeo's . . . not that kind of person." After a brief hesitation, Krystian shook his head and released my wrist. "Trust me."

Do I trust him? I glanced out the door Romeo had walked out of. It was difficult to relax knowing that none of us was on good terms and that he would exploit my information to his advantage.

"How did he know?" Although it was a rhetorical question, I expected Krystian to respond and alleviate my anxiety, but instead, he dismissed it. "You're not helping."

"And I'm also not a soothsayer," I rolled my eyes at his witty response. "It's not like he's close to anything relating to you."

Debby. . . .

"My big sister could have—" I couldn't stop thinking about my sister. Many possibilities ran through my mind, prompting my mouth to slightly open. "Oh my God, she must have."

"Romeo's working for Deborah?" He questioned, his gaze never leaving mine even as he sank back in his chair.

I gave a small nod. "She must have let my identity slip. That's the only explanation I can think of."

"When you say Romeo's working for your sister, you mean?"

"As a makeup artist assistant," Krystian's demeanour shifted dramatically, with his brows knotted in perplexity. He couldn't hold it in any longer and burst out laughing.

"I know that we are in gender equality, but Romeo. . . ?" He paused to talk, but it wasn't long before he burst out laughing again. "Working as a makeup artist assistant? God, I'd love to see that."

Watching Krystian laugh with little to no regard for the world allowed me to relax.

"You seem to enjoy talking about Romeo, and you even defended him," I said, breaking his laughter in the process. "Are you still seeing him as a friend?"

Krystian remained silent. There were no grins or interested looks. Thinking back, I realised Romeo was usually the unfriendly one. They were in JSS1 when their rivalry began. I wasn't sure what happened, but how much pride did they have to keep a grudge for nearly six years?

˗ˏˋ༻ʚ♡︎ɞ༺ˎˊ˗

Kim's party eventually came to an end. I was glad she stayed firm in shutting the party on time, despite others complaining that it was too early to call it a night. Mind you, it was past seven.

"That's the last one," I sighed as I loaded Kim's gifts into the back seat of the Uber she'd booked. My gaze fell on the small black nylon she had been carrying all night, but I said nothing about it.

"Let me drop you off—"

"It's fine," I said, cutting Kim off quickly. I bit my lower lip and turned to hunt for an explanation. "I need—"

"To hang out with Krystian?" I gazed at Kim, surprised she'd thought of that.

"What do you mean?"

"You guys were inseparable tonight," she answered innocently, before opening the passenger seat. "If you like him, go for it."

I was completely shocked. First, I thought she truly liked him. Second, she sounded much more mature than she normally did.

"I don't like him!" After what she had said had settled in my mind, I instantly responded.

"Denial is . . . what's the phrase again?" I chuckled at her endearing nature before guiding her into the passenger seat.

"Happy birthday once again, Kim." I stepped aside to observe the driver turn on the ignition before hitting the road. I dug for my phone in my bag and quickly texted Debby that Kim's party was still going on and that once it was finished, I'd sleep at her place. It was a little white lie for the better good.

"I've been looking everywhere for you." I turned after pushing the send button to see Krystian towering over me.

"Was saying goodbye to Kim," I instinctively pointed to my back, where the Uber was once parked. "Can we not go?"

"Having cold feet?"

"Literally," I trembled when I was reminded of the cold nighttime breeze. Krystian stared for a few seconds, leaving me wondering what was going on in his thoughts, before shrugging off his denim jacket.

"Have this." Before I could respond to his comments, he slipped his jacket over my shoulder and adjusted it so that it would shelter me from the cold.

"Thanks," I was able to say after clearing my throat. I looked to the main road for a distraction. "Is your car, like . . . coming to pick us up or something?"

Krystian shook his head. "My designated driver reports my every movement to my parents. If you want to see me alive tomorrow, then we better take the Bolt I ordered."

I chuckled at his remarks and unwittingly moved closer to him. His ride hadn't arrived yet, so we still had some time.

"Hymn's song was nice," I commented after reliving the night's events in my head. I just wanted to start a discussion with him, even if it wasn't the one I had in mind. "I can tell why Ore's all over heels for him."

"Don't tell me you're crushing on my best friend, new girl." Krystian raised an eyebrow, and I scrunched my nose at his remark, leading him to laugh uncontrollably. "I get the hype; he's a great singer."

We fell silent again, and thank God, his ride arrived at the right time. We both sat in the back seat and relaxed as the driver drove to the location Krystian had given him on his phone.

"You're nervous," Krystian muttered near me. It felt different knowing it wasn't a question but a reality, which he was aware of.

Yes, I was nervous about three things. First, I did not want to go to a club of all places. I was attempting to prepare myself for the scenario I was about to encounter. Second, I wasn't sure how I'd respond if Toyosi was really there. Third, I was unsure how to confront Romeo. Every resentment I had against him was gone. Now all I felt for him was terror. I wasn't afraid he'd tell anyone, since I knew he wouldn't . . . or hoped he wouldn't, but I was afraid he'd never speak to me again. Despite my best efforts to suppress it, I valued both Romeo's and Kim's friendship.

"You shouldn't be," Krystian's soft voice slowly pulled me out of my suffocating thoughts, as I felt a hand grabbing my smaller ones. "I'll be by your side all the way."

I couldn't pull my gaze away from his, and I could tell he was having that difficulty too. For some reason, I could see the things other girls saw in him that made them go crazy. Krystian had gorgeous eyes endowed with long lashes that put women's lashes to shame. His face was without blemish, and his natural lip colour made every pink lipstick lose its value in the commodity market.

Peep!

I instantly pushed away from his grip and gazed out the window. It felt so hot that I wanted to thrust my head out the window until the heat left my face. I tried not to worry about his words and gestures, but it was easier said than done. Despite my best efforts to deny it, his touch had affected me. When he said those words, I felt my fears fade away.

It took a while, but the driver eventually halted at our destination. I stepped down to look at the neon sign at the top of the magnificent building, which read PUZZ N' BOOTZ. It was the same as the picture I'd seen in Danielle's room, which increased my heart rate. In front of what seemed to be the entrance was a great queue, one that seemed never-ending. It made me sick in the stomach to see how much people were ready to waste a fortune to see girls naked.

"We haven't joined the queue, and I'm already exhausted," Krystian walked to stand alongside me, as I commented. Men dominated the queue, which made it much more disgusting.

"We are not joining the queue," I turned to face Krystian. He had a distinct vibe about him as his fingers hooked my wrist and drew me after him. I gripped his jacket tightly to keep it from falling off as we moved quickly.

There appeared to be another red door at the side of the building, which was tightly guarded by two large men. There was no one standing in a queue, which was a comfort, but it didn't help my confusion.

"What are we doing back here?" I mumbled, weary of the two overweight men putting on an expensive suit. Krystian appeared to enjoy mocking me as he turned to me with a naughty smile, which made him look adorably gorgeous, by the way. We approached the men, Krystian not letting go of my hand.

"Name?" One of the bouncers enquired in a baritone voice. His looks made me want to confess to sins I had not committed.

"Krystian Williams and Delphine Peter," my surprised gaze met Krystian, who was looking at the two scary men with no fear whatsoever. "It's on the VIP list—"

"I'm checking that," I almost laughed as the darker man interrupted him with a deeper voice, and I saw the frown on Krystian's face as a result of the interruption.

"Finding it funny?" Krystian asked, lifting both eyebrows as he turned to face me.

"Very," I finally let out the laughter I had been suppressing. It didn't help that we both looked like ants in front of the two giants.

Krystian sighed and switched his focus to the men. "At least I'm the reason behind your smile."

I came to a stop in front of him, astonished, and this time he grinned. It was official: Krystian took pleasure in my agony.

"Your names are here," that deep voice interrupted my dilemma once again. "Can I see your ID?"

"You both look quite young to be in a place like this," the second huge man commented, his scrutinising gaze never leaving us, and I felt my heart race in my chest from the terror of being exposed.

"Based on good genes," I heard Krystian say. "If I could afford VIPs, what makes you think I'm young?"

"Your ID cards," regardless of what Krystian had just said, the man repeated it. Krystian, unaffected by the fact that these two men could pound on us at any moment, reached for his pocket and eventually brought out his wallet. Opening it, he fetched out his fake ID and handed it to the man on the left. Not wasting much time, I summoned courage and gave the man demanding the ID Krystian had given me.

"Born in nineteen ninety-seven," the bouncer read after inspecting my ID. He turned to Krystian's and read with wrinkled brows. "Born in nineteen ninety-five?"

Both men glanced at the card for what seemed like an eternity before turning to us. They were presumably attempting to find out why we appeared so youthful for our age.

"I told you," Krystian smiled with a small shrug, "good genes."

˗ˏˋ༻ʚ♡︎ɞ༺ˎˊ˗

I wanted to throw up.

Don't get me wrong, the place wasn't bad; in fact, it looked sophisticated. Its long foyer was decorated with every luxury item imaginable, so why was I feeling sick in the stomach?

This place made it appear like pornography was legal. Portraits of completely naked girls with guys beneath them hung on the wall. One even included an image of a half-naked female in black heels getting serviced by a repulsive man. I closed my eyes, trying to regain my breath and figure out why I was in this facility in the first place.

"When are we leaving?" I turned to face Krystian, who still had his fingers around my wrist. "And I can walk alone."

"Won't take chances," he said, looking ahead while not letting go of my wrist.

"I can't believe you added eleven years to my age."

"You haven't looked at the identification card ever since I gave it to you?"

I shook my head, "I was busy trying to look mature".

"You look perfect." I paused in my tracks, prompting Krystian to do the same.

"Can you stop?"

"Stop what?"

"Saying things like this," I pulled away from his hold. "It's confusing me, and I hate being confused."

Krystian smiled slightly as he cocked his head sideways to look at me. I watched his eyes scan mine as if looking for something buried in them.

"You look perfect." He moved closer, making my breath hitch. He really did enjoy making me suffer.

"Space," I placed my hands on his chest, something I find myself doing every so often, and then pushed him back. "Please."

Krystian's playful demeanour suddenly changed and was replaced with a softer look. "Let's go in."

Despite my desire for some space, Krystian's fingers wrapped around my wrist again as he led the way down the foyer.

As we proceeded deeper in, I could hear music blasting from the main hall and loud cheers from the audience.

"I'm going to be sick this time," I whispered to myself. Krystian must have heard, for his fingers around my wrist slipped down to my palm and interlocked with mine. I attempted to ignore his motion as we passed through a door.

The interior of the vast chamber we found ourselves in was significantly darker than the foyer. Every corner of the room was painted a darker shade of crimson. With wonder, I scanned the area, speechless at the sheer number of spectators. In the centre of the room was a very tall stage with five poles on it. Each pole had half-naked girls dancing rhythmically to music booming from the speakers. What surprised me was how young every girl onstage was. They looked no older than sixteen.

I focused my attention on the ninety per cent of male clients, who were ecstatic with the girls dancing seductively against the poles. They acted like hungry lions, eager to eat their prey.

"Is there a place to sit?!" I turned to Krystian while trying to beat the loud music and the louder cheers from the customers.

"We are VIPs!" Krystian yelled back, "We've got a special table!"

He carefully drew me away from the ravenous lions and directed me to a stairway that led to the second floor. This floor was more peaceful than the lower floor, and it had high tables with men who I thought were well-known in society. I noticed someone old enough to be my father licking his lips seductively as he gazed at the enormous stage downstairs.

Krystian led us to a table closer to the balcony; from our vantage point, we could see everything going on downstairs without impediment.

"Want anything?" He questioned, as we settled down in our chairs.

"I'm so sure the only thing they sell here is alcohol, so no." Krystian chuckled at my response, but I didn't care.

"They sell suya too," he said. "Should I get you one, with a bottle of water?"

Why was he so caring? I nodded, hoping to pass it off as a kind gesture. Krystian indicated for a waiter with a tray, a service that was not visible downstairs.

"How did you know they're selling suya?" I questioned.

"Unlike you, I'm conscious of my surroundings." I nearly rolled my eyes at his witty retort, but the sight of a man attempting to enter the stage to kiss a dancer's boots distracted me.

"There's a forty-nine per cent chance Toyosi won't be here," a great way to ruin the atmosphere even more.

"Why is your percentage so high?" I turned to him.

Krystian gave a small shrug, "She denied those pictures, remember? Plus, I know Toyosi; she wouldn't be seen doing something like this."

My fist tightened at Krystian's remarks. He had indirectly branded Danielle a liar, which did not sit well with me at all. As if to distract me from Krystian's words, a fresh set of dancers emerged, confidently moving up the stage, causing everyone, including several in the VIP area, to erupt in loud cheers. I didn't care and watched boredly at each dancer until one caused me to sit upright with wide-eyed anxiety.

There she was, half-naked like the rest of her peers. I couldn't get my eyes off of her white leathered boots and white cat ears, which stood out against everyone else's black boots and black cat ears. Why was hers different? I saw her move to the central pole, arranging herself so that her body was exposed to the hungry beasts.

Was she the main event?

"You were saying?" Though I looked and felt too stunned to speak, I couldn't help but say I told you so to Krystian. Krystian wasn't paying attention to me or my words. His eyes were glued to his friend who was busy giving a show to older nasty men.

"And the other fifty-one per cent expected her to be here," Krystian's voice was devoid of passion as he observed Toyosi. His look was filled with disappointment for his friend, who was smiling and winking at the hyenas in front of her while swaying her waist smoothly.

"Where are you going?" Krystian held my upper hand when I attempted to leave.

"To confront your friend, and don't you dare stop me!"

"Like this? In front of all these people?"

"I don't care!" I yelled, ignoring the looks of other occupants in the VIP area. "My sister was right, Krystian. She was right!"

"You are angry; I get it." Krystian pulled me down to my seat. "But I don't think confronting her here is the answer."

"What are you saying?" I glared at him. Why was he preventing me from going down there and ensuring that Toyosi had been caught?

"I'll let you do you after today, but only if you let me make the decision tonight."

"Are you trying to save your friend?" I demanded coldly.

"Trust me, I finally have the right to ask the questions bothering me for weeks now." My brow wrinkled at his assertion. I was unsure what his comments meant, but I could sense sincerity in his eyes. I hated not going down there to confront Toyosi, but I wanted to give Krystian the benefit of the doubt.

˗ˏˋ༻ʚ♡︎ɞ༺ˎˊ˗

I stormed out, and into the freezing air, with fingers tugging Krystian's jacket so it could properly cover me. I was upset, and I knew Krystian was aware of it. Toyosi was right there in the open for me to question, but all Krystian did was take a video of her dancing.

"I'm going home," I humphed, turning to Krystian. I planned to not talk to him, but even that seemed impossible.

"It's past ten," he looked at me. "Do you think your sister would be proud seeing you home by this time?"

I hated admitting he was correct, especially after informing my sister that I'd be sleeping over at Kim's apartment. "What's the point of coming here? You didn't even let me confront her, so why was I brought here?"

Krystian stared; he knew I was mad. If my expression didn't give that away, my voice did. "Because I wanted to know if she was lying or not."

"And?"

"And I know she was lying."

I folded my arms. "You could've let me confront her."

"You will, Monday."

"I won't be in school on Monday," I said. "I'm going to that two-day training at Blossom High School for the competition on Wednesday!"

I wasn't sure what reaction I was expecting from Krystian, but it wasn't him chuckling. "Is this funny to you?"

Krystian pulled out his phone, undoubtedly checking the time and wondering why his ride hadn't arrived yet.

"Look, Delphine." He eventually spoke. I knew he was about to say something important since he addressed me by name. "I need to collect my thoughts, and that's why I can't let you confront her, at least not now."

"You are not making any sense."

"Do you trust me?"

"Will you blame me if I don't?" I looked elsewhere, entirely avoiding his gaze. Nobody could blame me for being unsure of what to believe.

"The ride is here," Krystian stated his voice void of every emotion. "Let's go."

I was about to take a step when something struck my head, causing me to stop. "Go where?"

Krystian, who was in front of me, paused and turned to look at me. "Where else? Ore's place."

˗ˏˋ༻ʚ♡︎ɞ༺ˎˊ˗

That's it for today's chapter. I can't promise a quick update, but I'll try my best.

What do you think about today's chapter?

Are you team 'Delphine could've confronted Toyosi red-handed'? Or you're team 'Krystian was right in taking a video of Toyosi and confronting her later'?

Let me know in the comments.

Don't forget to vote, comment and share...

Oh! MITC has officially 18+k reads despite the lack of updates... Love y'all so much!

Bye!