Femi's POV.

I had to call the family driver to come with my car just so I'd take Chioma to Amanda's place. I didn't know the directions to take but Chioma was of great help with directing me on which path to take. Momentarily, I'd steal a few glances at her and I must say; she looks really miserable. I've never seen her this way ever before. Usually, she always tries to mask up the fact that she's hurt but today; she doesn't even seem to care anymore.

I wanted to say something to her, but with each glance I stole at her, she looked like all she needed was to be left alone for a while. I did feel bad for her, but I won't ignore the fact that she's at fault for this, she's in fact the architect of her problems. But that's not the right thing to say to her right now since she's so sad and distressed; it will only add more fuel to the fire.

I decided to turn on some music, to help lighten the saddened mood. 'Human' by Christina Perri began to play softly and I hoped it was enough to at least ease the tension a bit.

"Can I ask a question?" Chioma said, her voice came out as a thin whisper, not too audible, but audible enough for me to hear her out.

"Sure" was my simply reply as she pointed to the next street I was to turn to.

"Do you think your parents will let me come back to your place after this? I mean, I'm sure they hate me now" she said and I stole yet another glance at her and could see her fidgeting with her fingers. Clearly, it was indeed very obvious, that she still didn't want to live on the mainland but of course her ego wouldn't let her solely admit that and actually mean it.

I let out a sigh before I finally replied.
"To be honest, I'm not sure. But I'll try talking to them" I replied but she shook her head vehemently, shutting her eyes and letting out a really tired sigh. Just looking at her made me feel so bad for her. At this point,she looked drained and tired of completely everything. So much that I just wanted to try making her pissed just to get her back to the vibrant and fierce tigress I used to know; to get her back to yelling at me and calling me all sorts of inappropriate names. But then again, she looked like all she needed was rest, to forget all that happened and just relax. And I know getting her pissed at this point could be really deadly.

"You don't have to do that. I've finally made up my mind and I'm going to live on the mainland. I can't keep seeking refuge under your roof, I don't want to keep being a burden" she replied, running a hand; lazily, through her blonde box braids.

"You're not a burden. And there's no way I'm letting you live on the mainland. What if something happens to you? Like if you get attacked? Or__"

"Then it'll be good. Why do you even care? We both hate each other and me finally getting out of your hair should be a really good thing. Quit pretending to be nice and actually care about my well-being. I don't need your false concern" she replied bluntly, irritably to be more precise.

She's kinda right though. Why do I even care?

"I'm not showing false concern. If I was, I wouldn't be ditching my work just because of this. You might hate me but that's just your opinion cause I don't, believe it or not" I replied and she sighed and groaned.

"Can we just stop talking to each other? I'm too tired to argue with you right now" she replied, that sharp edge to her voice very visible and clearly stating that she wasn't in the mood for any of this. So I decided to respect her wish and didn't say anything else. If she's finally deciding to live on the mainland then that's okay. It can't be that bad.

Slowly, I took a left; as directed by her, and then I parked my car right in front of the black, huge iron gate right in front of me.

"Take care" I said to Chioma the minute she opened the car door to get down. She turned to look at me, probably trying to decide what to say to me, but then she just turned around and left without saying a word to me. I sighed and shook my head in disbelief, recalling all the events of this morning  and slowly dreading work. I needed to chill but apparently that's out of the question.

* * *
Chioma's POV.

"Girl, you look like a mess. You look nothing like my very vivacious and obnoxious best friend. What the hell happened to you?" Amanda asked the minute she opened the door to her house and met a distressed and fagged out looking me. She looked like she was about heading out for work, and by the looks of things she's definitely running late. She was dressed in a black pencil skirt, white dress shirt with a black suit jacket over her white dress shirt, with a pair of black stilettos and her black pixie weave-on; looking all neat and well brushed. Her makeup wasn't much though but she looked stunning anyways.

"Long story. I just need rest right now, lots of hugs and some peace and quiet" I muttered as I walked into the house, dragging my feet along with me, my Pam slippers making slight screeching noises as they came in contact with the ground.

"Well, forget peace and quiet cause you're not going to get any here. What you, my friend, need is some real chill and fun! Something to get you out of this glum state and into the glam category, you feel me?" She said as she flung her arm across my shoulder with a wide and very contagious goofy grin. I sighed as I shrugged her arm off and plopped on the couch nearby.

"Amanda, I seriously don't feel like doing any of those things. I'm just not in the mood for any of that" I replied dismissively and buried my face in my palms.

"Chioma, what exactly happened to you? I've never seen you this upset and I'm running really late for work" she said and I raised my head to look her in the eye. I told her all that happened, not leaving any details and she listened, smiling pitifully at me at some point.

"Well, do you want to hear the truth now or later?" She asked after my sad narration and I shrugged.

"I don't want to hear any of it. I just need rest, my mind isn't at peace. I just heard my own mother open her mouth and say trash about me like that in front of everyone present. And I'm so sure those busy-bodied maids and all those pesky little scums we hire as servants heard everything she said. Do you even have the slightest idea how that feels? How embarrassing that feels? Awful! It feels really awful! It stinks!" I yelled, feeling the tears well up in my eyes like never before. I shut my eyes, allowing them to spill out of my eyes and finally stream down my cheeks like an endless river. Amanda, being the good friend she is, hugged me so tight that I didn't even care if I'd choke to death or if my ribs would crack. I cried on her shoulders and I didn't even feel like stopping anytime soon.

Finally, I pulled away and she handed me a tissue from her hand bag. I took the tissue from her and wiped off the streaks of tears on my face, luckily, today I put on waterproof mascara and so it wasn't ruined.

"I'm running real late but I don't mind sparing a few more minutes cause of you. First, please don't feel bad. I mean, I would if I were you. I'd probably die of a heart attack or something or probably faint right on the spot. But, that doesn't mean it's the end of the world. I'm a hundred percent sure she didn't mean what she said, all she said; she said out of anger. That was wrong of her, I know that but I also think you were wrong too. Don't worry, I'm not going to go all Judge Judy or Mom on you but I'll save it for later. After  you're back to your normal self. And second, I've gotta go now. I'm so dead when I get to work but hopefully my boss won't mind since he's the one that dropped you off and stuff...I'm talking way too much but I'm in such a hurry! There's food in the kitchen and snacks too just in case you get hungry and my room is open. My parents are out and will be back in the evening and so is Agozie so you kinda have this entire house to yourself. Do not, I repeat, do not try killing yourself while I'm gone. In fact, I'll send Agozie to come over and keep an eye on you. Till I return; bye!" She said it all too fast but I was able to process food and Agozie real quick.

"Sure, bye!" And with that, she got up from the couch where she had been sitting with me and headed for the door.

With her gone; I shut the door, turned on the TV, grabbed some snacks from the kitchen and plopped on the couch. I just needed something to get my mind off everything that happened today. And after a few minutes, or probably hours, I slowly fell asleep.

* * *

That repeated ding sound in the background was enough to bring me back to reality. I yawned extensively as I got up from the couch and rubbed my tired eyes. Walking towards the door, I opened it still a lot sleepy and tired but the minute I set my eyes on those familiar light brown orbs, all that sleep vanished from my system.

"Agozie?" I said, more like muttered.

"Yeah. Amanda said you'd be here and asked that I babysit you" he smiled as he walked into the house.

"Babysit me?" I asked, lifting an inquisitive brow as I watched him shut the door behind him.

"Yeah," he smiled. "So, what do you want to do first?" He asked as he walked into the kitchen and I followed behind him.

"First, I'm not being babysat and second, I can take care of myself" I said, rolling my eyes at him the minute her cocked his head to the side and wiggled his brows at me.

"You sure? Cause last time I checked; you needed company. So bam! Here I am, the life of the party!" He beamed and I shook my head in disbelief.

"Whatever" I said and he shrugged, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge.

"How come you're not working?" I decided to ask.

"Um, cause I can still do that online and I have nothing much to do today" he replied. "You hungry?" He asked, grabbing a box of cereal from one of the cupboards.

"Seriously? Cereal? That's your idea of food?" I asked and he laughed.

"Not really. I'm just took lazy to cook that's all" he replied nonchalantly as he sat on the kitchen island.

"You cook?" I asked, surprised.

"Yeah. I love cooking but sometimes I'm just too lazy to cook" he said and I nodded my head approvingly.

"Cool. Why don't you make something for both of us? Don't get me wrong, but cereal isn't something I'd consider food. It's just like an early breakfast or an appetizer for me, you know what I mean?" I said.

"Kinda. So what do you want me to cook?" He asked and I joined him on the kitchen island.

"I'm craving jollof rice right now. So yeah, that's what I want" I said and I watched him get down from the kitchen island and come face-to-face with me with a smile glued to his face.

"Done! Get ready to eat your fingers cause you're about to eat the best of the bestest jollof rice ever made in the history of jollof rices" he bragged and I rolled my eyes and chuckled.

"Less talking more cooking" I said and he nodded his head with a smile and headed to the sink.

"Should I help you or...?"

"Nah, you just sit there and watch me. I've got this all under control. This ain't my first rodeo" he said and I laughed.

"What?" I asked amusedly.

"Just sit there like a good girl and don't distract me" he said and I rolled my eyes and threw my hands up in the air in defeat.

"I'll try. Although, I'm not making any promises" I replied and he chuckled.

__________________________________

Hi guys!!
So, another update. What do you think? Was it good?

Okay, so I've got a huge favor to ask. I've announced this on my message board but I'd like to do it again for my readers who aren't following me.

So please, I was nominated by a very good friend Truewriter2020 and so many others like: Kivaonyi, Desi20052004, Damah_tee, AsalaDeji and last but not least dheenmah.
I truly appreciate all efforts you all made to support this book. I so wasn't expecting it. And so, to those of you out there that feel the need to nominate me, PLEASE feel free to. Just head on to Nigerian Readers' Choice Awards 2020 and in an inline comment; comment: "@chisom_dili" for Best Upcoming Writer or any other category you deem fit for me or this book. But only if you think I deserve it. Thank you all so so much for this and God bless you all❤️❤️❤️

Also, thanks guys for 6k+ reads. That means so much to me. Thank you all so so muchhhhh!!!💜✨✨✨

Till my next update,
Bye...