- Hope's POV -
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So I wasn't feeling too well that's why I couldn't update... But I'm better now so here's one.

Above is Hope.
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I woke up the next morning and got ready a hand written letter, telling the house I'd be going to the market to get what I'll prepare later so there was no need calling in the cook.

I spent close to three hours in the market, buying things to cook a home made meal. Well, I used half the time to argue about prices with the sellers. When I got back to Henry's place, it was already noon and I knew both boys would be starving. I got to the living room to witness Henry putting on a casual loose white shirt and fake jean shorts. Well, the jean wasn't thick and whatever jean that wasn't thick, I call it fake. Though I knew it cost way more than my salary. I won't be surprised if it did.

"Sorry sir," I mumbled, moving to stand beside the chair he was sitting on. "Market was crowded. Are you hungry, sir? Where's Jackson, sir?"

"Loose the sir," Henry turned to face me. "Jackson and I helped ourselves with tea and bread this morning so I'm not hungry. Jackson went over to the studio to work on Baby's debut."

"Baby's debut...." My brows creased, then slowly rose in realization. "Jesus, Baby's debuting? Since when?"

"Since last night I guess, Jackson told me last night." Henry shrugged. His eyes slowly moved to the nylon in my hands, making me to realize I was supposed to start cooking. "What's in there? What's the occasion?"

"Fried rice stuff. My salary is the occasion, sir." I grinned from ear to ear, but didn't loose guard with my voice. "When I got called into your sister's office, I thought I was going to get fired but instead she doubled my salary my, sir."

"Again with the sir?" Henry smiled softly and I looked away shyly.

"Sorry, sir." My eyes widened and I tried to correct myself. "Not sir, definitely not sir."

When did I turn this mushy?

"Why did you think she wanted to fire you?" Henry asked in a curious manner.

"I didn't protect you during the last shoot because I overslept." I knew if it was protection it would be the other way round but still, I was his bodyguard. "I should start cooking before you get hungry again."

"I'll let you do that," Henry permitted. "Do you need my help?"

I laughed at that question. "It will only show me down."

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The aroma was all-over the place before I was even done with the cooking. Henry was in the kitchen with me, even after I had asked him to leave several times cause of the heat but he wouldn't budge.

"Let me help you with that," Henry said, lifting the tray off of my grip and moving it out of the kitchen. I smiled as I watched him go then too the second tray and followed suit.

Once I arrived at the dinner table, I noticed it was already set by Henry. The juice, the cutlery I still couldn't use and the right glasses were placed perfectly. I placed the tray on the center, closer to where Henry would sit then opened the deep bowl to reveal the fried rice, deep fried turkey and fresh fruits.

"You work hard," Henry complemented and sat down. I was about doing the same when I heard a knock from the door leading to the living room. Probably the gateman.

"I'll get it," I said to Henry, then proceeded to the door. I passed the living room and into the small lobby leading to the door. Getting to the door, I opened and saw a smiling Christy staring right at me. I quickly pushed her out and closed the door behind me.

"What are you doing here? Nice bundles by the way but what are you doing here?!" I whispered, which made Christy frown.

"You left yesterday, I asked Baby for Henry's address and he gave it to me." Christy frowned and folded her hands. "What? I can't come over?"

"It's not that," I tried to explain, then frown when I had nothing to say. "Sorry, come in."

"Cherry's learning to apologize first?" Christy cooed as I let her in. "So, the iPhone? Baby's debuting o."

"Yeah, I heard." I led Christy over to the dinner table to meet her..... Well, Henry.

He had a surprised look and I was hoping he wouldn't be mad about this. Christy came uninvited to someone else's home, of course anyone would be mad.

Henry stared at me for a moment. "This is um.... Christy. She's the um... girl I've been telling you about."

"Christy?" Henry extended his hand which she took in a flash. "Nice to meet you."

"Really nice to meet you again in person, Henry." Christy reacted in a way like she was about to melt any second.

"Have your seat," Henry offered. "You too, Hope."

I did. I sat at Henry's right while Christy sat at his left, which was directly in front of me.

"I wasn't expecting a feast, what's the occasion?" Christy didn't waste time to make herself feel at home.

"Hope's celebrating something," I stared blankly at my plate filled with food.

Hope,

Christy just came in and she'd already clicked with Henry.

Hope,

But I shouldn't be feeling this way, right? I mean, this was what we needed. For Henry to meet Christy, fall for her charms and dump Yemi for her.

Hope,

It also wasn't like I had a chance. It wasn't because I thought Christy was more beautiful than I was or because of my disguise, but because Henry hated my guts. He hated Cherry.

"Hope!" I blinked, staring at Henry, then at Christy, whom had knitted brows. "What's wrong with you?"

My eyes moved back to Henry and I could tell his eyes were laced with worry. "Nothing," I chuckled to mask my true feelings. "You were saying?"

Christy lifted one of her brows, studying me hard, before waving it off seconds after. "What are you celebrating?"

"Oh," I laughed, then stared at the food. "My salary got doubled."

Christy brows lifted, stunned. "Lie."

"I bold?" Christy rested her back.

"You and Baby are quite lucky these days," Christy placed a spoon in her mouth.

"What are you good at?" Henry asked suddenly, taking both Christy and I by surprise.

"Me? Well um... I'm—" And I tuned her out. Tuned Henry out. I watched both of them laugh and interact and it felt like I was an intruder. Like I was spying on their private moment. I wasn't happy. No matter how much I smiled when one of them turn to me to throw a question or make a comment, I still wasn't happy.

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"Here's the room," I tried not to let my feelings reflect on my voice as I showed Christy to my room. She gasped at how nice looking it was but it seemed like her attention was elsewhere.

"Nice, nice, but what's Henry doing right now?" I groaned internally as we moved further into the room.

"I thought you were here to see me?" I jumped into the bed.

"Yeah," Christy walked over and sat beside me. "But you see, wow, this bed is damn soft. What was I saying? Yeah, but you see, mostly Henry."

I didn't like what I felt afterwards so I decided to change the subject. I reached for my phone laying not too far from where I sat, seeing it as the only distraction I can get.

"What? You want to rub it at my face that your phone is now bigger than mine?" I chuckled dryly at her comment as she eyed my new phone. "Still, why are you repairing the other one when you've got this? Just dump it or something."

"I can't," I said to her. "Yes, I'm going to get a new one for Abasifreke and Mary, but I can give the phone I'm repairing at Bros Jaleel store to the first twins."

"Yeah, yeah, okay." Christy gave me back my phone, then relaxed on her palm which was supported by her elbow. "What do you think Henry is doing right now?"

"Reading his movie script, I dunno," I frowned. When I thought the conversation was drifting off of Henry, she usually found a way to pull him back.

"Are you still talking to him about me?" No I wasn't. I did tell her he said he was in love with someone else but she wasn't giving up.

"I told you Christy, Henry likes someone.... What am I saying, not like. Henry is in love with someone else." I tried to make this one stick to her brain. "He literally just made a tattoo for his true love or something."

"Yemi?" Christy squeezed her face in annoyance. "Babe, no do me like this na. Still try for my matter, abeg."

I let out a shaky breath. "Okay, sure. I'll try again."

"Thank you, thank you, thank you." Squealed Christy as she jumped and squeezed me in a tight hug. "You'll be my favorite person in the world if you do this, no cap."

Before I could say anything, Christy stood up from her spot on my bed. "Okay, I should run. You probably have schedule tomorrow, right?"

I shook my head. "I have the day after tomorrow. I'm free tomorrow."

"Both my friends are becoming famous!" Christy cooed in excitement and I followed her out of my room.

"The only person being famous is Baby. I'm literally in disguise cause of a bodyguard job. No one will recognize me once I take this shit off." We both walked down the stairs. "One person knows my secret, it wouldn't take long before others know it too."

I know they say you attract what you feared the most but this was reality. It was pure fact.

When we got downstairs, Henry wasn't in sight which brought a disatisfactory look on Christy. I was glad she didn't make her emotions vocal, even till we got to the gate.

"Remember," Christy said once we got to the gate.

"Yeah, yeah, sure, I'll talk to him about you." I made my voice manly because of the presence of the gate man. We said our goodbye and I turned back towards the house.

Entering the living room was the exact same moment Henry was walking out of the kitchen. He looked around and I could tell what he was looking for.

"About my friend, she's gone." I said to him, getting ready to leave for my room. "She was the one I was asking you to um... date."

"Don't," Henry growled, stopping me from moving to my room.

"But you've seen her, gorgeous, beautiful, sexy," I went on, stopping every intention of climbing up the stairs to my room. "What else do you want?"

"Someone else," Henry took threatening steps towards me and I moved a step back out of reflex. "Someone dark, tall, beautiful, not afraid to call out shit on people's faces irrespective of status and clearly not afraid to take risk."

Yemi wasn't dark.

"I d-don't know this person you speak of but Christy g-got a nice—"

"Personality?" Henry kept reaching for me and I eventually lost my footings, making me land on the couch. Henry placed his hand behind my head, preventing it from hitting the arm supporter as he hovered atop me. "I'm not looking for that."

His hand reached for my wig and brushed it gently so he could have a better look at my... eyes? He kept staring at me like he was lost and I tried not to make things look intimate even though I was failing badly at that. "I told you, I'm in love with someone else."

That moment, the front door opened, footsteps, then followed by a surprised gasp. I tried to get up, to see Christy staring at both Henry and I in mixed emotions. I felt my throat tighten.

"I'm sorry i-if I interrupted s-something." she began to point upstairs. "L-left my phone."

"This isn't good," I watched Christy scurry upstairs to retrieve her phone. There was no freaking way she wouldn't label me a traitor. No fucking way. "What have I just done?"

I wasn't sure if I had said that with my actual voice and at the same time, I didn't care either.

"Are you—" Henry was the least of my problems right now as I ignored him and chased after Christy. Already getting to my room, Christy was putting her phone in her bag.

"Christy, I can explain." I tried to say, getting close to my best friend.

"Was this your plan? It obvious he knows since you two were that close." Her thunderous voice boomed as she snarled at me. "Was this your plan? Was this the reason you didn't put in good words for me just like the way you did to Baby? To have Henry all to yourself?!"

"What? No!" I felt offended on behalf of Baby. "Baby paved his own way. I didn't help him much... Didn't at all if I think about it."

"Which showed how self-centered you are," Christy pushed me out of the way, walking out of my room. But I didn't give up, I rushed till I was obstructing Christy's part again.

"I really did try, Christy. I did. Henry is just too—"

"Let me ask you something," Christy voluntarily stopped just before she could descend the stairs. "Do you or do you not have feelings for Henry? Just say you don't and I'll just ignore what I saw earlier and call it all a misunderstanding."

I stared down at my foot. I was in a tight corner and wasn't sure of what to say. I did like Henry, I literally admitted that to Baby. But on the other hand, I didn't want to loose a friend.

"I...." Though I was stuck inbetween love and friendship, I still couldn't bring myself to say I wasn't having any feelings for Henry. It would mean lying to myself and hiding from the truth and right now, I didn't have the strength for that. I slumped my shoulders with pressed lips, hoping my best friend will understand me and atleast put me first.

"Thought as much," Christy scoffed, followed by the sound of her kissing her teeth. The way she looked at me with disgust broke my heart. But I knew we'd get back to normal. Henry doesn't mean much. Henry doesn't... right? "So much for chicks over dicks. Don't preach it if you can't practice shit."

She angrily descended the stairs and I slowly followed her, not bothering to run after her as she stormed out of the living room, slamming the door hard behind her. I let out a sigh and the only thing I could do right now was to stare right back at Henry and wondered if he was worth all this shit.

I just couldn't believe I was loosing a friend over a guy I wasn't sure even liked me. How could he? I closed my eyes and heard him take couple steps towards me.

"I can go talk to her," Henry said softly. I opened my eyes to see him standing directly in front of me.

"You don't have to, she'll get over it soon." I knew I would have gone into details with Henry. He probably must be thinking Christy liked me or something and that was the reason she was mad. But it was best he doesn't know. Going into details means snooping into my life. A life of Cherry meant exposing my identity to him.

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That afternoon I laid quietly in bed, thinking deeply on how to solve this situation between Christy and I but it wasn't like I was one of those pastors that could directly speak to God. I didn't do anything to Henry, we didn't even kiss. But that position could make anybody who liked Henry, mad.

My phone began to ring beside me. I stretched my hands, blinding looking for it and when I did, I brought it to my face and smiled. Baby was calling, I didn't want to ruin his moment with my sad ones.

"If it isn't my upcoming star friend that chose not to tell me about his debut preparation." I heard a sigh, followed by a not so much heartfelt chuckle.

"Are you okay?" Of course he knew, nothing was getting passed him. But how did he know? He was meant to be busy with Jackson. Probably, Christy called him. He was best friends to both of us after all. "You haven't been on Twitter, have you?"

I shook my head, then scolded myself cause Baby won't be able to see that. "No, why?"

"It's best you check yourself," Baby replied quietly and I think I could hear Jackson sprouting out instructions to someone. "You're equally hot headed, don't be mad."

Baby ended the call before I could ask what he meant by that. Sighing angrily, I sat on the bed and turned on my data before heading over to twitter. I scrolled through my time-line, not quite knowing what I was looking for. Suddenly I found something that must be related to what Baby was talking about. It was a tweet from Christy. It didn't point directly at me, but it was pointing at me and only a bird brain won't figure it out. Judging by the comments, everyone knew it was about me.

"When you think you've got someone that got your back and found out it ain't different from what the media portrait. It's all fake life and fake personality, wrapped in a little dark soul." I read quietly, not once, not twice, but three good times.

— This is about Cherry, right?

— No, be defending her. She have turned against you.

— This one is sounding like they've thief her boyfriend.

— Fake life, fake personality... Is it not the same thing.

I made my phone go blank as I couldn't read more of the comments. I just couldn't believe this was Christy. My blood started boiling as I made up my mind to go confront her to explain this bullshit to me. I got up, adjusted my boy wig, then stormed out of the room.

Descending the stairs, I noticed Henry staring at his phone with a slight frown. Clearing my throat, I said deeply. "Sir, I have some errands to run. I'll be back soon."

"Do you need my help?" I could sense the worry in his voice and that was not what I wanted right now.

"No sir," I shook my head. "I just need your permission."

Henry felt reluctant to see me leave, I could tell by just looking at him. "You can, but be careful."

I tried not to read to much of his actions as I dashed out of the living room, and out of his home.

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I jumped out of the bike before the bike man could even stop and threw money at him without waiting for my change. I stormed into the compound, noticing half the tanants present outside. Christy was making loud rants which was what took their attention and she was busy.... throwing my stuff out?!

"Christy, what is your problem?!" I roughly pushed few people to get to the front and witnessed with my eyes, what Christy was doing.

"What do you think I'm doing? Getting your filthy stuff out of my house!" Christy moved in to bring more of my stuff out and throwing it to the dirty floor.

"Who is he?" Someone asked, making me to realize I was still in my disguise but was too mad to even care.

"Your house?" I squinted my eyes in disbelief.

"Have you ever brought any money for rent?" Christy questioned with her hands on her waist. "Have you ever? I clothe you, feed you, put shelter on your head and what did you do?"

You're equally hot headed, don't be mad. I chanted Baby's words in my head.

"We can sort this out," I tried telling her. "And what the hell did you mean in your tweet?"

"Is this Cherry?" I heard Mary ask.

"My tweet is what it is!" Christy snapped, not having any intention to be rational. She went back into the room and threw the remaining of my stuff out. "Now get your old worn-out items out!"

With that, Christy went back in and shut the door behind her. I pressed my lips in anger while staring at my stuff. I couldn't claim rights on a place I never paid for.

"Eweeee," Mary yelled, leaning closer to me. "Na Cherry be this o. The guy I dey fall for na Cherry o, tufia!"

I ignored the stupid mumbling and went out of my compound to make a call. Once his line went through, I spoke. "Baby, please don't tell me you're still at the studio cause I need you and why the hell didn't you carry your bike?"

"On my way home. Why?" He spoke afterwards.

"Christy threw my stuff out," I informed him.

"Why?" Disbelief laced his voice. "But it hasn't gotten to that."

"To her, it has." I let out a sigh, already feeling the incoming headache. "I want to put my stuff inside your room, atleast until I get mine. Hope you don't mind?"

"Of course not. Just hang in there, I'm close." Baby wasn't lying when he said he was close. Soon a car pulled over and both Baby and Jackson came down. Walking towards me, Baby said nothing. The look on his face showed he understood perfectly well.

"Come here," Baby pulled me into a hug, making me to relax and feel a bit vulnerable in his embrace. "Let's go."

I stepped into the compound with Baby and Jackson. Gasped followed, as most haven't seen a celebrity in real life.

Baby stopped, taking note of my things on the floor. He bent down and began to pick my stuff up and I followed suit.

"Why don't we take it over to Henry's?" Jackson asked, unintentionally stopping Baby and I.

"No one wants to be a liability," I said to him. Baby was my friend, it was okay to ask him for help. Henry was my boss, it would only be a burden.

Jackson let out a sigh as he moved towards us and bent to help get my stuff. I gasped, getting up and trying to stop him. He had fans around, I didn't want to be in more people's bad book. "You'll only get your hands dirty, Jackson."

"I'm no salt, I won't dissolve when I wash my hands." Jackson waved my excuse off. We took my stuff towards Baby's room, as he helped open his padlock.

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I sat quietly on Baby's bed. Baby had turned on his TV to lighten up the atmosphere.

"I'll talk to her," Baby reassured me.

"And I'll talk to the media," Jackson sighed, staring at his phone. Baby peered in then took his phone to have a better look.

"It's an article," Baby confirmed. "J.K popular Nigerian singer was seen in the ghetto, helping an occupant being thrown out."

"Only your face was seen since this picture was taking when Cherry and I were busy picking her stuff,"  Baby reassured, then snarled. "One of those stupid neighbours must have taking the picture."

Jackson took back his phone and made a comment. "Henry will be so mad."

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So guys that's it for this chapter. Who else is angry at how unreasonable Christy is?

Do you think she'll come around?

Next update won't take long, promise.

Happy new month.

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Word count : 4000

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Eddy