A/N: The video up ☝️is of Lewis Capaldi's Forever. And it's for the chapter. Thanks for all the votes and comments, guys. It truly means a lot to me. Thanks a million times❤️❤️❤️.

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Chioma's POV.

The ride was a really quiet one, although I wasn't bothered cause I really didn't want to speak to Ebuka and I truly hoped that he wouldn't say anything to me either. I knew he wanted to say something, anything, cause he kept throwing a few glances at me. I thought he'd stop doing that cause, well, I felt really uncomfortable. I mean, he's my ex and I'm sitting in his car right now, he'll be married in a few months and here I am sitting in his car with a blanket of awkwardness hovering around us, ready to engulfed us both.

"You really should relax though. I don't bite" he finally said as he fixed his eyes on the road. I turned to look at him and noticed that very familiar grin fully displaced on his pinkish and full lips. I knew it all too well cause he's used it on me a lot. And I must admit that it's really bewitching. Yes, I said it.

Looking him over one more time, I felt... Sad? Those eyes weren't holding that passion like they used to. He used to be so sweet to me. His chocolate brown skin always seemed to glow with his thick black hair, always sticking out like bangs right next to his left eye. He had this really beautiful set of dimples, the kind that was only visible when he smiled or spoke. That scent, it wafted through my nostrils and brought back memories. I don't want to remember those memories, I hate them and won't like to remember them. They're in the past now.

"Act like you can't see me and just shut up and drive. I have no intention of starting up a conversation with you" I replied, returning my gaze back to the road while slowly placing my head on the headrest.

"Really?" He chuckled. "Then what do you call what you've just done and said?" He asked.

I wasn't looking at him anymore but I could sense the smirk in his voice. I chose not to reply, giving him my ignorance and silence  instead. All I wanted was to be far away from him now, to get those documents dad had asked for and then head home.

"Look," he said in a more solemn and calm tone. One that'd make you just want to listen to him. To know what he's thinking.
"I'm truly sorry," he continued. "I know you're still mad at me and I'm sure you hate me _ you should, cause I messed up big time _ but all I'm asking is that you try, at least, to forgive me. I truly am sorry and I'd like us to get along again, as friends?" He added.

His last words hovered around in the space between us for a while. I could say Yes but I didn't want to. My ego wouldn't let me, I'd like to say No but a piece of me doesn't want that either. As friends? It rang in my ears again. I spared him a glance and saw him doing same, but returning his gaze back to the road in front of him.

"Ebuka, just don't bring up that topic. Not now, not here and definitely not ever. Let it die a natural death and remain that way. Keep your words to yourself cause I don't need them!" I snapped. I'm sure I made my point clear enough.

He chuckled but it sounded like a scoff and a chuckle all at the same time.

"I actually thought you'd listen. You'll never change, you just don't know what it is to actually forgive someone" he said and I pursed my lips and grinned. A small but influential grin.

"Forgiveness is actually a ticket to getting hurt for the second time, over and over again. You'd probably be told the words 'I'm sorry'  and you'd keep forgiving and then keep getting hurt each time cause they'll still go ahead and do it all over again. So I don't waste my time in the name of forgiveness when I know it's a useless waste of my precious time. It's for the feebleminded, not me" I replied and I could hear him hum.

He's humming? But why?

That's when I finally got to understand and listen to what he kept humming about. He was humming Forever by Lewis Capaldi.

"I'm sure you know the song" he finally said, invading my thoughts. I didn't reply but chose to ignore him like I had earlier done.

"I'll take that as a Yes" he said and continued humming the exact same song. It's lyrics ringing in my ears.

'Darling, nobody said that it would last forever, that doesn't mean we didn't try to get there. I never said that we would die together, that doesn't mean it was a lie, remember?'

I shut my eyes and exhaled. Letting those words hang around for a little while. Ebuka on the other hand, kept humming the exact same song and even ended up playing the song. I listened but didn't get lost in it, I only listened to the lyrics and let it flow.

* * *

"A 'thank you' wouldn't hurt, now would it?" Ebuka said as I got down from the car.

"In your dreams" I said before shutting the door and heading out.

I hastily got into the tall skyscraper before me. I had no time to lose and I certainly had no time to entertain idiots.

Getting to the third floor, I had to hurriedly look for Amanda but didn't see her.

Gawd! Where the heck is she when you need her?!

I tried calling, thrice, but she didn't pick up and that pissed me off the more. I was so pissed that I snapped at the first individual that called out to me.

"Chioma?!" The voice called out and I groaned and snapped without turning around to see who it was first.

"What?!" I yelled in anger mixed in frustration and turned around immediately. That was when I regretted my actions and bit my lip trying to fight the urge to facepalm myself.

"Woah! I was just__"

"Um, no. Agozie, I was so pissed that I took my anger out on you. What are you doing here?" I immediately replied, cutting him off.

"Oh-kay? I came here cause Amanda forgot her phone at home. I saw your missed calls though but didn't want to pick up cause it'd be rude to answer her calls for her. What brings you here? Cause I know you don't work here, I've been here like quadruple times and I haven't seen you here ever before" he said and I heaved a sigh to calm my nerves.

"Yeah, yeah I don't work here. I'm here cause my father sent me to get some documents and I think I'm doomed cause I'm sure I'm already too late" at this point, it took all I've got to not throw something at someone, anybody! Including Agozie. Gawd! I was so pissed.

"Well, I could help you with that. I know a few employees here and I'm sure they could help" he said and I let out a grateful sigh.

"Sure" I replied and he smiled with a nod and finally left. With him gone, I decided to sit down on the couch which was right next to where I was currently standing, enjoying the feel of the air conditioned reception hall and trying to calm my tensed nerves.

"I need those documents as soon as possible. Hand them over to the investors, I'll join you all in a few" I heard that one voice that was enough to ruin my already sour mood. I didn't want him to see me but what's the point when he'll still see me at the end? After all, he's standing right behind me.

"Okay sir" that voice belonged to Amanda. And so I turned my head around and saw her walking into the conference room with Femi standing at a corner behind me, with his left hand dipped into his left pocket and his phone in his right hand. He seemed to be really focused on whatever it was he was doing with his phone cause all his attention was on his phone screen as he swiped through.

"Amanda!" I finally called out to Amanda as she walked into the conference room but unfortunately, she didn't hear me. She had already gone inside and much to my dismay, I caught Femi's attention instead. He took his eyes off his phone and stared at me, his eyes were looking calm with a hint of nonchalance glimmering in them. He looked me over one more time before dismissing my gaze with a shrug and then he continued with what he was doing earlier.

"Well, Chioma. I think you were right about being late" Agozie said as he finally approached me and placed two firm hands on my shoulders. His hands felt warm and soothing all at the same time but sadly, they weren't enough to calm me down at the moment. I turned my head around to look at him and I immediately knew things had taken a drastic turn from bad to awful. "Turns out you're already late cause the meeting started a few minutes ago and the documents are now about to be given to new investors who are interested in them but I think I know who can help you with your problem right now" he said and a glint of hope arose in me like a fairly lit candle.

"And who exactly could that be?" I asked with so much enthusiasm whilst furrowing my brows in thought.

"That guy over there" he said pointing at someone behind me. I immediately turned around to see who it was and in that split second _ just when I thought things would work out _ all form of enthusiasm and hope I had earlier on automatically died down. It turned out to be Femi who still stood at the corner where he had been before, but this time he was answering a phone call.

"That can't be him. Are you sure?" I asked as I returned my attention back to Agozie.

"I'm pretty sure that's him. We're friends and he's the assistant manager of this company. We got to know each other when I first came here to pay Amanda a visit. We just kind of clicked" he said as he ran a hand through his bushy hair. I groaned inwardly and wondered why I had to be in this situation. I mean, it's bad enough that I have to deal with this document problem but it's even way worse that I have to deal with Femi alongside this document issue. And I'm sure he won't help. There's no need asking for something I know I won't get.

"Let's go and explain things to him" Agozie said as he took my hand and was about leading me to meet Femi.

"No, I__" and as if on cue, my phone rang in my purse and I immediately fished it out and excused myself. I didn't have to think twice to know that it was my dad calling.

Jeez! What the hell will I tell this man?!

"Hi Dad" I simply said.

"Chioma, where are you? And what's this I'm hearing about the car breaking down?" He sounded furious but was able to contain his anger in a more calm tone.

"Dad, I'm at the company and I'm trying to get the documents but__"

"The meeting started about fifteen minutes ago. You probably won't be able to get them. Just come home instead, there's no need. I'll suffer the loss" he said, cutting me off, and I immediately felt horrible.

"I can still get them, dad" I said.

"How?"

"I'll speak to the assistant manager. Just trust me, dad. I won't let you down" I replied.

He sighed and I bit my lip in anticipation.

"Fine, but don't bother too much about it. If he doesn't listen, then leave it. Just come home" he said and I nodded, forgetting he can't see me do that at the moment.

"Okay. Bye, dad" I replied instead.

"Bye" and with that, I hung up.

I shut my eyes as I tried to shove my ego aside and go talk to Femi. I won't beg him, definitely not, but I know he'll want to derive joy in this situation. Ugh! Thinking about it makes me so angry. And God knows, I'll snap if he smirks about it. I swear that I'll snap if he does that.

"You done?" Agozie asked.

"Yeah, genius" I said, and he chuckled.

"Well, let's go" and then he led the way.

Femi was about dropping the call when we arrived.

"Gozie! What a pleasant surprise?!" He exclaimed as they both shook hands with each other and smiled at each other like they were brothers or something. I silently rolled my tired eyes at the sight of this.

Can we get this over with so I can finally get the heck out of here?!

"What brings you here?" Femi asked after giving me a look that I didn't really understand.

"Um, my friend here needs help with something" he said, referring to me. " And I also came to give Amanda her cell phone. She forgot it at home" he further explained and Femi nodded with a bright smile on his face, showing of his pearly whites and slightly perfect dentition. It's not that perfect, just saying.

"You're friends with her?" He asked, stressing the word 'her' and Agozie answered with a nod.

"And what's your problem with that? Not everyone is as dumb as you are, you know?" I replied with a scowl.

Agozie paused for a second or two and looked at me, then at Femi, me again, then Femi and then me again and then he chuckled.

"Do you two know each other?" He asked and I eyed Femi before replying.

"I'd like to refer it to as a sad coincidence and misfortune all at the same time. We definitely aren't friends and neither are we acquaintances. I just think fate plays a nasty game on us and keeps making us meet. I'd give anything to not see his ugly face ever again" I said, with so much disgust and disdain laced in my voice.

"Well, seeing your face gives me nightmares so I guess we're even" he retorted and I gritted my teeth in annoyance.

"Would you just quit acting like a jerk for a minute or two?!" I raised my voice at this point, drawing the unneeded attention of the workers around.

"Well, this is my work place and I will not allow you to insult me while you're here. If you have nothing important to say, then please leave. Oh and this time, please use the stairs cause I don't think we can always attend to rude claustrophobic patients whenever they get stuck in an elevator" he replied with a sudden sharp and harsh edge to his voice. I unknowingly gasped.

I hate talking about my condition. People could actually use it against me, like he's doing right now.

"I don't even know what to say to you" I was seriously at loss for words.

"Then leave" that was awfully blunt.

"Hey, hey. You two better stop this stupid bickering. I didn't say anything cause I was trying to understand what this was all about but now I can see you guys have a problem with each other. Fix it up somewhere else and not here, please have some decency" he said and then I immediately became conscious. Those silly workers were staring at us the whole time we argued.

"Agozie, you talk to him. I'll wait here cause I can't stand obnoxious individuals like him. He reeks of excessive overconfidence mixed with a damaged ego" I said as I turned around to sit down at the couch which I had been sitting on previously.

"Don't!" Agozie said to Femi who was about to say something to me. "Let's talk in your office, please" he said and then I heard a loud grunt from Femi and then their retreating footsteps.

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Hi guys!
I wasn't exactly planning on updating but the moment I saw that this book hit 2k reads I just had to update. Thank you guys so so much, words can't describe how grateful I am for this. It truly means a lot to me and I'd like you guys to know that I truly appreciate all the votes, comments and all those who have been silently reading this book.

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