Dedicated to
thereal_bharrie

I believe she just started reading

I believe she just started reading this book, but her engagement did bring a smile to my face. Voted on all chapters, and commented too. Girl, you are loved.

Another Dedication to
TOLA_AISH

I won't say the reason, but she sure knows the reason.

Dedicated to
Rokeebat_Eesuola. HizDaniel pweetyaffy
JoannaAvalorie efuamolen1 dynma662 Adun_ni_ola_mi Reyapenz
soyagirlz
Your comments always motivates me

Love you all

Lastly, Dedicated to
Reyapenz
efuamolen1
dynma662
Adun_ni_ola_mi
JoannaAvalorie

Promised for Dedications to your names.

Don't forget to vote babies, spam my comment section too, really wanna get your feedback on this chapter, if possible every paragraph😂 I enjoyed writing this chapter, also hope you enjoyed reading it.

Vote and Spam my comment section babies💜
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Cherish doesn't utter a word, she only follows his lead, she knew the route they were taking, it led to the labs in the school, not to exclude the music room and the library.

She tenses up, it was obvious the memory of her experience in one of those labs had an impact on her.

Was Ashley taking her to the laboratory?

This was the first question that got into her head.

Why was he taking her there?

Another question popped into her brain, although her inability to say anything, was very much intact.

Cherish could swear, the relief and fresh air she felt within her, immediately they walked past the laboratory, not to exclude Ashley pulling her into the library.

She felt calm but also inquisitive, the first question was, why did he bring her here? Also, what did he want to talk about?

"You can seat," Ashley says in a casual tone, meanwhile Cherish observes the library closely. Everything was arranged and in proper position. The fact they were the only ones in there wasn't overlooked.

She didn't want to seat, she just wanted to leave, but she couldn't say it. She slowly takes her eyes up to meet his, but breaks it immediately it does, she couldn't meet his eyes for some seconds.

"Cherish?" He calls out slowly. She couldn't tell his facial expression, because she wasn't looking his way.

"Yes!" She responds slowly, her voice tiny, like she was trying to make it louder. She noticed him take a few steps closer, reducing the gap within them.

This act makes her tensed. She wasn't totally scared. A part of her wanted to believe she was comfortable, another part wanted her, on her bunk safe, not in a secluded place like the library, all alone with an older boy.

"How are you?"

This question makes her take her eyes up slowly, why she tries to take a deep breath, which she had been holding, since he started moving closer to her.

Was she fine?

Wasn't she okay?

Questions, she didn't even know if she had the answers to.

Immediately their eyes meet, she lets her eyes dwell into his, she observed something she hadn't noticed before, his eyeballs weren't black.

How come she had never noticed that?

She found herself thinking about why she hadn't noticed the colour of his eyes before now, while she tries to blink. She didn't miss him deep his hand into his blazers, like he wanted to take something.

"You okay?" Ashley asks again, his hand still in his pocket, while his gaze is on her.

This sudden development, makes her very uncomfortable, as she feels chills in her skin, the way he was staring at her made her heartbeat abnormally.

"Cherish?" He calls out trying to touch her, making her flinch immediately.
She didn't miss how fast his eyes grew wide. The expression was mixed, more like shock to confusion.

"Sorry. I just wanted to know if you are okay, and give you this. I couldn't do it in the hallway. I have no right to trash it, it belongs to you." Ashley says.

All this while Cherish stares back at him, with no idea of what he was talking about, her gaze softens immediately it meets what he just brought out of his pocket.

The description of what she felt that moment, she couldn't tell. Was she ashamed or embarrassed? She had no response.

He could define the look on her face. She looked very embarrassed, the situation did seem awkward. What was he to expect? He was holding her panties. But what could he do? Returning it was what he felt was right.

Nathan wanted to trash it, but he felt returning it to her was the right thing to do. He could see how shaken she was immediately she stretched forward to take it away. It dawned on him, bringing it to her was a big mistake. A mistake that had been made and couldn't be corrected. He doesn't act, neither talk, he only lets her take it away.

Her mouth moves, although she didn't speak up, he knew she had just said thanks. He slowly takes his eyes up, trying to catch her's, but it doesn't meet.

"Look no one is going to disturb you again, you don't need to be scared and also I know it won't be easy, whatever I said to you the other day was selfish, and I am also doing the same now. But please try to forget about everything and keep this between..., "

"That's why you are being so nice, why you stopped punishing me! So I would keep quiet."

Her voice was very calm, tiny and it did make an impact on Ashley. He suddenly couldn't open his mouth to talk.

"Because every senior tends to have a problem with me. Even when I have done nothing wrong. Because they know I am weak." She says, now meeting his eyes. "You know I won't be able to talk, deep down! You don't need to try to scare me further." She says slowly, taking the words bit by bit.

Ashley lets his eyes grow wide, the fact those words cut deep into him, was something he couldn't deny. He had never seen this part of her before.

Besides he didn't stop doing all those to keep her shut, he felt guilt within him, he didn't just want to keep her shut, he cared.

"Did Nathan talk to you?" Ashley asks, due to her statement. He watched her blink twice and doesn't utter a word.
When he gets no response he takes a deep breath, before saying what else he had in mind.

"Rape is a stigma." Ashley forces the word out. "It follows you." He couldn't believe he was having this conversation and going down to this level. He was wrong, but that was his view. "I know I can't stop you from thinking about what happened, I know it won't be easy forgetting it, it almost happened. Nathan was careless, and he regrets it. Cherish try to forget about it, I know it's not easy, but you just have to convince yourself it never happened, that was a nightmare. He didnt do it. I know Nathan, he would just...., " Ashley suddenly stops, taking a good look at the girl, who was listening to him patiently.

He lets out a small sign, fully aware that whatever he had just said, wasn't sensible in any way.

"Cherish!" He calls touching her hand, meanwhile she flinches roughly. He is shocked by how scared she suddenly looked.

"Hey." He calls out slowly. "Don't be scared of me. Maybe other seniors might tend to want to punish you or..." He pauses taking in the air. "I punish students who break the school rules, but it doesn't mean, I am not friendly," Ashley says, wondering what he was even saying.

Meanwhile, she gives him a calm yet sketchy look.

"You always punish me, and let the others go." Cherish says honestly.

"I. I..., fuck!" He cusses under his breath, hoping she didn't hear him. Slowly he turns to her, giving her a look. No girl had made him stutter, so short of words. Here a fourteen-year-old stood, taking words out of his mouth, and rendering him speechless.

Most times he wondered when and how he fell for her. She was just a naive girl, who knew nothing, neither was she his spec, or maybe he didn't know his type.

How was he to explain, he didn't always punish her because he hated her, he just needed an excuse to see her? How was he also going to explain the effect whatever Nathan almost did to her had on him. She had already tagged him a no good. He could read her body languages. The way she flinched and acted.

"Ash!"

He recognised the voice immediately, trying to turn around, he noticed the speed Cherish used in putting her underwear into her pocket.

"You? What are you doing here?" Ukeme asks harshly. The question was directed to Cherish, it was obvious. "It's time for siesta," Ukeme says with a questionable look on her face.

Ashley looks from Ukeme down to the confused looking Cherish. It was clear she had nothing to say.

"I asked her to stay behind. Observing punishment." Ashley concludes giving Ukeme a look. Meanwhile, Ukeme just nods her head, it was obvious she bought the explanation. Because she quickly looked away from Cherish direction and faces Ashley.

"You have been avoiding me right?" Her voice was harsh and demanding.
Ashley doesn't think but responds immediately.

"No? Why?" He says in a questionable tone, meanwhile she stares at him hard for a while, making him stare back at her, feeling very uncomfortable. She was right, but he wasn't stupid to admit it. In less than a minute she drops a kiss on his lips, totally ignoring the fact they had a third party. She does it again, this time he deepened it. It happens for a while before he finally breaks it. Catching his breath, his eyes meets with Cherish, who had clearly been watching them.

He couldn't read the meaning to her expression but knew she was very uncomfortable, standing there.

"Let's go." Ashley suddenly says, picking Ukeme's attention. He noticed her turn to him, wide-eyed. He knew what she wanted. But the last thing he wanted was allowing Cherish to walk alone, in the lonely hallways. Especially with how empty the class and hallways were, he could better it they weren't the only ones around, it won't be up to four person's extra.

___________________🖊️

Jayden watches Leo who seemed lost in his own world, currently staring into thin air, like there were some secrets he needed to discover at any cost. He watches him from a distance, for a while, before walking up to him.

Hearing laughter, Jayden is forced to look sideways, only to see some group of friends, he didn't know them, so he tagged them as friends, running into the court. He quietly takes his eyes down to Leo, who he observed didn't even move, despite the noise been made.

He makes himself comfortable gently, before turning to the court. Quietly watching them play.

"You guys are here." He recognized the voice instantly. A voice he had forcefully grown used to. It wasn't enough they were seatmates, but since their trip, he had been hearing and seeing more of her. To top it all, there had been this sudden closeness between her and Leo. Which was questioning, although he always did well to keep to himself.

Warming up to having her almost all the time, had been a little bit easy. Although she talked a lot, most of the things she said, always got his interest, also they weren't all stupid, some educational, but if the was something he had analysed. It was the fact, if you want to know the history of any of their classmates, ask Ekanem. He didn't know how she did it, but she always had an answer to any question asked. He was sure, she already had something to say about him.

"I might just use the pool." She says casually. Seating in between them, that was when it dawned on Jayden, he left a space between himself and Leo. "I told Mr John, and he asked if that was what I came here for." She says and lets out a small chuckle, relaxing now on Leo, who had just taken down the fact he wasn't alone.

Jayden could see the look of surprise on his face, he looked like he was wondering when they joined him, but is quick to wipe it off his face, and replace it with a cool smile. A smile which Jayden had started reading more to.

He noted the fact Leo always smiled, but was it genuine? Or was it just a facade or just for smiling sake? That was the question. But the boy was just too hard to analyze to him. Every thought about him only confused him the more.

"If we continue like this, we might win FGIQC!" Ekanem says and chuckles, Leo smiles too, while Jayden watches those in the court, although his attention was with them.

"It's been long I felt such tension." Leo chuckles.

"I noticed." Ekanem smiles. "I have said it before and I am saying it again, I didn't see anything special Munachi did there, when I..., " Ekanem is caught off by Leo's short-lived laughter, which she joined him in, meanwhile Jayden who was the odd one, just threw them a quick glance.

"What did she ever do to you? You never seem to get satisfied with anything she does." Leo says calmly, meanwhile Ekanem chuckles.

"I hate it when people are overhyped." She says now choking. This act makes Leo almost burst into laughter.

"Don't faint oh." He says chuckling.

"See now, she wants to kill me," Ekanem says and burst into laughter. Which was short-lived.

"Your wahala doesn't finish." Leo laughs.

"God! I feel like taking that." Ekanem suddenly says, picking both boys attention, making them follow her gaze.

"The alcohol level is high." Jayden blurts out without actually thinking it through. It just came out.

"I know." Ekanem chuckles. "Have you taken it, " She smiles. Meanwhile, Jayden moves his mouth to talk, but keeps quiet, especially with the look not just Ekanem but Leo was giving him, so mischievous.

"Jesus!" He blurts out and lets out a small chuckle. "I am not a devil neither am I a Saint."

Ekanem burst into laughter, meanwhile Leo just chuckles.

"Jayden." Leo smiles calmly, making Jayden wonder what was going on in his mind.

"God, I was like, the alcohol level is high, because she is a girl..., "

"Like you can handle what I handle." Ekanem burst into laughter.

"God," Jayden responds and turns to Leo, who just chuckles.

"You know, between you and Jason, I think Jason is more into the lifestyle, but after..., " Ekanem burst into laughter, following Leo, meanwhile Jayden who had no idea about what was going on, just watched them till they were done.

"Ekanem, won't you leave that issue alone?" Leo chuckles.

"Me?" She chuckles. "Leave it, I would continue to taunt him for life, he knows that already." Ekanem laughs. Meanwhile, Leo just nods his head.

She slowly turns to Jayden. She gives him a look, which makes him break the eye contact immediately, Jayden felt the effect, just by looking into those eyes, he felt very uncomfortable.

"You both are very different." She rushes her words before turning to Leo.

"I heard Nathan's house is big," Ekanem says looking at Leo, like she wanted to milk information from him or something.

"Your news are..., "

"You know it's legit." Ekanem cuts Leo off, playfully rolling her eyes.

"Abi, it's confirmation you want to do," Leo says, pulling his sleeves.

"Like bloggers hasn't confirmed it already, although most of the news self, aren't legit," Ekanem says playing with her hair. "Nathan hasn't been clear about it, his caption sha wasn't straight. I have already made plans, of throwing my next birthday there, begging things ." She says giving her statement a Nigerian vibe.

"His dad bought him a house, I have confirmed it, oya you can rest," Leo says using the Nigerian accent she used too.

"Omg! God no go shame us." Ekanem says and claps her hand in a dramatic manner, leaving Jayden stunned, he hadn't seen this side of her before.
He observed how calm and reserved Leo was with her. "Nathan has a house in his name, and Ekanem doesn't even have a mud or toy house." She jokes.

"Your drama eh. Kia!" Leo says giving her a look of disbelief.

"Ehen, why am I managing him? if he won't be useful to me. I row with Nathan because of how big his Mums house is and his new car. Now he Dad gifted him a classy house, he means he is now my best friend. " Ekanem says chuckles.

Jayden couldn't help but smile, if he said Jewel was dramatic, he had found someone way worse.

"So, why are you now managing me?" Leo suddenly asks with a raised eyebrow, Jayden just shakes his head, he knew Leo would ask that, he had already gotten used to the way he reasoned and acted.

Ekanem laughs out loud and pauses.
"The first reason why I like Nathan and because you are cute." She burst into laughter again. Meanwhile, Leo chuckles and nods his head.

"I don't blame you," Leo says and smiles.

"Also, the car you took a picture with, I like it, it also came with the package of liking the owner," Ekanem says in a bubbly tone. Making Leo just smile and nod his head.

"It belongs to my Mum," Leo confirms and chuckles.

"So you are under the category of the broke boys," Ekanem says and burst into laughter.

"I am under the category of self-made, we don't rely on Mummy," Leo says in a mock tone, clearly referring to Ekanem.

"We shouldn't enter bank account challenge now," Ekanem says and laughs.

"Like she would win me. Do you know the brands I sign with?" Leo chuckles jokingly.

"There is this brand I signed with." Ekanem suddenly says, now looking serious. "I just want to make a short skit, something I thought of, although it requires more than one person..., "

"So far as it's not for free," Leo says and smiles.

"Ahan..., "

"Shey, you just called me a broke boy, how would I make money, when I continue doing free work?" Leo asks giving her a funny look.

"I will give you ten per cent." She laughs.

"Ole! How much are they paying you?" Leo attacks, meanwhile Ekanem lets out a short-lived laughter.

"Have you asked what your role would be? You want to quote price." Ekanem attacks.

"Madam, I am quite expensive, in case you haven't heard. " Leo says dramatically.

"Sha, you will only be putting on boxers and Bandana," Ekanem says looking serious, meanwhile Leo gives her a funny look.

"Nathan is also on it, he isn't going for free too. Reposting is part of it." Ekanem says and smiles. "The both of you are thieves, you love money."

The manner in which Leo's countenance changed, wasn't something which wasn't noticed.

"You should find someone else to play the role kept for me then," Leo says, his expression dull, you couldn't tell what was going on in his mind. Ekanem pauses a while before talking.

"What's the beef between both of you self?" Ekanem asks. On getting no response, she makes another statement. "You act like you don't care about him, but deep down you know you do." She concludes.

"Honestly, there is no difference between you and a ghost." Ekanem suddenly turns to Jayden, amidst the hostile environment. Making Jayden wonder if he was her next target for mouth lashing.

___________________🖊️

"What was he saying to you?" Jason demands, leaning on the wall, close to the door. It was half past four already. Prep was going on, in the other halls.

Jewel who couldn't help but wonder when he got there, and how long he had been standing over there, watches him silently. She noted how serious he looked.

"I don't want to see you behind close doors with him ever again, " Jason warns.

"Did you meet the door closed, abi your brain is malfunctioning?" Jewel attacks immediately, not blinking at all.

"I have said my own, empty classroom, behind close doors, in fact, I don't want to see you alone with him," Jason says now walking into the almost empty classroom.

There is a sudden silence for a while, Jewel busy concentrating on her book, although it was just a facade, she wasn't reading at all. While Jason seats unmoved.

"What is it self?" Jewel suddenly says turning to him with a raised eyebrow. "I was here before you, " She says but gets no response from Jason, instead he stared back at her quietly.

She turns back to her book and start flipping through.

"Like if I ask you any question from that chapter, you would be able to answer It, look at how serious you look." Jason's scoffs.

"Silence is the best answer for a..., "

"Childish." He cuts her off.

"You have started mixing with another crowd." Jason suddenly says. With the look Jewel gave him, it was clear it caught her interest. "Honestly, I don't like this, having friends isn't a bad thing, but having the wrong ones..., " He pauses. "I don't like Nathan at all."

Jewel pauses for a while, it was clear she was digesting what he had just said.

"So I shouldn't talk to someone because you don't like the person?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.

"It's not personal." Jason drags.

"Well, he is the only friend I got now," Jewel responds in a carefree manner.

"What's going on between you and Gidi?" Jason suddenly asked. He sounded interested.

"She doesn't care about me, I don't care about her too, full stop," Jewel says dramatically, meanwhile Jason chuckles.

"You are really a case," Jason confirms.

___________________🖊️

Cherish quickly hurries down to Zara, who was waiting for her in the hallway. They were on their way to the hostel when she remembered she had forgotten her notebook in the hall.

On sighting her, she launches towards her.

"Let's go." Cherish says immediately she comes face to face with Zara, who was humming a song. Cherish knew it was to mock her, due to their recent augrement about Young M.A! She only nods her head gently, in a dramatic manner.

"Seriously, I never knew he was a she, I mean, " She laughs. "I never knew Young M.A was a she, till of recent," Zara concludes. Meanwhile, Cherish continues giving her a stink eye, like she was expecting her to say, something abusive.

"Cherish." She stops immediately, she head her name, Zara does the same too. Turning around, she takes in seeing him walk down to where she stood.

"Zara, you can go to the hostel, she would meet you there," Ashley says, sounding rather too calm.

Cherish didn't miss the look of confusion in Zara's eyes. It disappeared almost immediately.

"Okay." She says giving Cherish one last look, before walking away.

There is a sudden silence between them, Cherish stylishly look up to him, she could make out his properly, even with the dim light.

"Hey, I don't want to punish you. I just wanted you to know, I could be nice too." Ashley suddenly letting out a cheeky smile. Which she noted as the first time, he had ever smiled at her.

Meanwhile Cherish only stares back at him, marvelled at the rate he could stoop, just to make her keep quiet, she doesn't utter a word, only observes him closely.

"Aren't you on your way to the hostel?" He suddenly asks. Although the question didn't only seem stupid, but was also stupid, Cherish only nods her head.

3864 Words🌹

Awwn, I missed Gidi in this chapter😂😂😂😂

Okay, what are your thoughts regarding this chapter?

Jason telling Jewel to stay away from Nathan, what do you think?

Lol, with the way he orders Jewel around self😂😂😂

What are your thoughts on Jayden Leo and Ekanem's scene?

Do you think Jayden Is right about something being up between Leo and Ekanem?

What's your thought on Ashley's behaviour to Cherish, do you think is selfish, because that's what Cherish thinks.

Which was your favourite scene?

THE BETRAYAL SER🌹ES