A WEEK LATER
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Third Person's POV.

Kunmi wasted no time in getting out of her car, alongside Damola. They were going to see Femi. It had only been a few days since she'd told Damola about Femi's accident and he was furious with her. He didn't like the fact that she had kept something so serious away from him. He wasn't even talking to her, he was currently giving her the silent treatment and she didn't like that.

Normally, Damola would've been talking and saying hilarious things while they drove over to the hospital, but instead, he kept to himself and didn't even say a word to her.

"You know? You can't keep ignoring me like this. I already said I'm sorry" she said and he still said nothing to her, walking towards the hospital, with his hands shoved into both his pockets. He completely ignored her.

"Damola!" She called out, running after him but he still ignored her. This made Kunmi upset and she hurried to his side and got in his way.

"Why are you ignoring me like this? I already apologized. You were not even feeling well, I was only looking out for you" she said and he sighed and tilted his head to the side.

"Move" although that was first thing he'd said to her since today, she wasn't happy with his tone, and got closer.

"No" she said, a daring look in her eyes, and he laughed.

"Move jare! We'll talk about this later, I want to see Femi first. Your own case is different" he said and walked away with Kunmi scowling behind him.

She reluctantly walked into the hospital, a frown marring her face, as she finally made it to Femi's hospital room. Damola was already laughing when she got in and she rolled her eyes as she walked towards the duo and sat down beside Femi, on the bed.

"How're you feeling?" She asked him, reaching for his hand which she held in hers, with a smile on her face. Femi managed a smile and nodded his head affirmatively.

"I'm getting better" he replied.

"And your mom?" She asked.

"She went home, she'll be back soon though" he said and she nodded her head in understanding.

"You two owe me an apology. What if something had happened to you? You guys didn't do the right thing and I'm so mad at you both. Kunmi especially" he said and Femi grinned, knowing Damola would be angry about that. Although, Femi knew he couldn't be angry for long, he was never that way. It wasn't in his nature to hold grudges.

"Why are you so mad at me?" Kunmi threw at him.

"Cause you knew he had an accident and didn't think to tell me. Luckily, I stumbled upon the news and Femi, who was obviously the victim, couldn't let me know. Which means you're the main person at fault here" he said and Kunmi huffed and shook her head in disbelief.

"But I still told you in the end!" she protested and he rolled his eyes.

"When it was already too late" he snorted and she huffed and sighed.

"Fine, I'm sorry" she said, making this the fifth time today she'd said it.

"I'm sorry too. I also told her not to tell you" Femi said and Damola gasped in mock shock.

"The betrayal! What happened to bro-code, Femi? What happened to it?" He said and Femi laughed it off.

"I'm sorry" Femi said again but Damola feigned hurt.

"That was so...ugh! I nearly fainted when I found out. I was so worried. What were you thinking riding like a madman? Huh?!" He said and Femi held a straight face.

"I was in a hurry" was all he said.

"To die? Couldn't you wait till you're fifty?" Damola shot back and Kunmi laughed. "Forget that I'm being funny, I'm seriously angry" he added and Kunmi immediately sobered up.

"We're sorry, Dami!" They both apologized and he huffed and sat down on the couch and shrugged, eyeballing them both.

"You're both forgiven" he finally muttered.

"Thank you" Femi and Kunmi chorused at the same time.

It didn't take long before the entire room fell silent again, a comfortable silence though. Femi wanted to ask questions, he still hadn't forgotten about Chioma's kidnapping and he was so worried about her.

"Um, guys?" He started and they looked at him, wondering what he wanted to say.

"Yeah?" They said and he took a deep breath and exhaled.

"About Chioma...any news about her? I mean, it's been a week now and..." He trailed off and Damola sat up straight, understanding what he meant. Kunmi had a frown washing over her face, ripping the smile she had earlier on, off her face.

Damola noticed, he had his eyes on her, trying to observe and confirm what he'd told Femi about Kunmi liking him more than a friend. He was sure he wasn't wrong, he could tell she did and he wished Femi would realise this too and clear things up with her. And let her know he doesn't see her that way before she starts getting ideas that they could actually be something between them. Something more than just friendship.

"She still hasn't been found" Damola said and Femi shut his eyes, a wave of disappointment washing over him and ruining his entire mood. He hoped she'd be fine, and he hoped he'd get better soon so he could at least try to help find her.

His sudden change of mood didn't go unnoticed by Kunmi, who knew he was thinking about her. She refused to get angry by it but slowly found herself feeling the exact same way she'd felt when he had mistaken her for Chioma while they were playing together. It hurt her that he was still thinking about her, and although she wasn't happy that Chioma was in danger, she was also angry that Femi was still thinking about her. And at this point, she hoped Chioma would never return.

"She'll be fine, Femi. The police are looking for her, just get your mind off her, quit thinking about her so much... It's not going to be good for your health. Plus, her parents are doing the needful in trying to find her. It's really none of your business, so don't stress yourself over it" she said, still holding onto his hand.

Damola had eyes on her and he was definitely sure, at this point, that Kunmi had feelings for Femi. Her behavior said it all. And it seemed like Femi was becoming a little suspicious too, he stared at her, with confusion glinting in his eyes, as he watched and listened to her say all that.

"She's my friend, Kunmi. I should be worried" Femi stated and she gritted her teeth, secretly. She hated hearing him say that, she wanted him to quit saying that. It annoyed her so much 'cause she felt Chioma doesn't even consider him one. She didn't like the fact that he was so concerned over her. She had always been a pain in the neck, hadn't she? Where the all that hatred and bitterness towards her go to? She always knew a way to make Femi upset and they'd always fight and Kunmi prayed they'd go back to those times. Times when Femi couldn't even stand her, let alone think about her. She hoped he'd forget every single thing about her, and although she hated this toxic feeling of jealousy she had; she couldn't control herself. She wanted that girl, that girl who'd cause her too much worry, out of hers and Femi's lives... For good. Was that too much to ask? Couldn't things return to the times when Chioma Aniobi never had to intrude?

"No, she's not, Femi!" anger rose within her as she said this. She could feel the anger steaming in her veins and she hated the sick feeling she got by everything that was currently happening.

"She's just... I... Just stop talking about her, okay? I don't like her, please stop saying her name" Kunmi was fully angry now, frustrated even. She wanted him to quit thinking about that girl, she was gone now. Wasn't that good? That meant she could have him, and that was all she cared about. Chioma being out of the picture meant things could go back to the way they were before, without her in the way. She needed him to understand this. She wished there was a way she could force this into his system. She needed him to hate Chioma again. More than he'd ever did before, and she was willing - at this point - to do anything on her power, to make sure that happens. She couldn't help it! The feelings were becoming so overwhelming!

She'd loved Femi for far too long, but had tried so hard to keep the feelings at bay, and yet they kept coming back. Every. Single. Time! She wasn't dumb, she could see Femi was slowly falling for that girl. He probably didn't even know this, but Kunmi did. And it hurt her, this possibility was killing her. And she needed her freedom, her sanity was slowly slipping away at this possibility. She couldn't help the feelings spewing up within her. And as much as she hated what they were doing to her, she just couldn't stop!

Frustrating!

Yes, it was. She was going crazy, and yet she couldn't stop! Why? Cause she'd fallen too hard... And sadly, Femi might and possibly won't ever catch her. And that, that ripped her senses out of her, spat venom into her system and was slowly strangling her. What else could she do? Watch and do nothing? No! She was ready to something... ANYTHING at all.

"Kunmi... You're acting strange" Damola pointed out and she closed her eyes and exhaled, trying to keep her anger at bay.

"I'm fine" she protested.

"I didn't say you're not" Damola pointed out, he wanted to get something out of her. He wanted Femi to see for himself. His oblivion towards this issue was giving Kunmi crazy and unrealistic ideas and hopeless fantasies. She was slowly changing and he feared it would get worse if Femi still chose to object facts. He needed proof. He needed to ensure Femi knew the truth, and without doubt, end this entire madness!

"I just don't like the idea of Femi getting so worked up about that girl..." she said the 'that girl' part, with so much hatred and disgust laced in her words.

"...That doesn't give two..." she cussed. "... About him. That's just sick and I'm stating that" she said, letting go of Femi's hand and running a hand through her woven hair.
"I mean, he just survived a fatal accident, the last person he should be worried about is Chioma" Kunmi added and this made Femi frown.

"Kunmi, that's just about enough crap for one day" he said, his voice edgy and stern - he sounded like he was trying so hard to strain himself from saying anything harsh to her - and she turned to look at him, stunned. Utterly discombobulated.

"Crap? I'm spitting crap now?" she asked, hurt slipping into her dark orbs, as she spoke through gritted teeth.

"As much as I hate to say it, yes. Chioma is in danger, no one knows where she is or if she's..." he choked, blinking back the anger growing inside him. "... You know what? Let it slide" he muttered at the end and she gritted her teeth again.

Let it slide? Did he seriously think she'd let it slide after he'd just said all that? Heck, no!

"I'm with Damola on this one, Kunmi. What's your beef with Chioma anyways? I don't get it" Femi added and she tried thinking of what to say.

"She's a proud and selfish person, arrogant and rude. She was the reason why I didn't get my first job and I know she doesn't care about you. She doesn't care about anyone. And I think it's best you start seeing that for yourself. And if I'm being honest, I really think your relationship with her is pure unhealthy. Toxic! You've gotten into enough trouble already" she said, making sure to avoid eye contact. That was all she had in mind to say.

"But she has changed now, you have a job now and I don't see why you should be mad over all that. That's not you, Kunmi. Clear your beef with her 'cause she's changed now. I've seen it myself. The Chioma, whom I've come to understand better, is not all what you've said. She's tough, yes... But she also has feelings and good intentions too" Femi said and Kunmi grunted.

"You make it seem like she's the devil himself" Femi quickly added and Kunmi threw her hands up in frustration.

"Because she is, Femi! She freaking is!" she tried swallowing the words that came rushing into her head, clawing at her throat to get spat out of her mouth.

"She's putting up an act. Why don't you guys see that this girl is a snake? I don't like her, case closed!" Kunmi replied, balling her hands into fists and hating the fact that they were having this conversation.

Damola, on the other hand, was enjoying every bit of this. He hoped it'd get to the point where she'd just spit what he wanted to hear, what him and Femi both wanted to confirm.

"But why? I just don't get why" Damola chose to press on and she ignored him and refused to look at any of them anymore.

"Damola, just let it slide" Femi said, exhausted by her querulous outbursts, and Damola tried objecting but Femi mouthed that he let it slide.

"I'll be back, I need to make a call" and with that, Kunmi left the room, her face still covered by a frown. She needed to let off steam.

"Believe me now? You think I was making it up when I said she likes you? Guy, have sense and wise up! This should've unlocked some senses in you" Damola said and Femi sighed, not sure what to even say, what to even believe.

Damola got up and headed for the door, he wanted to get to the bottom of everything, and he wanted to do that today. He wanted to hear Kunmi say it and he'd bring evidence. He whipped his phone out of his pocket, unlocked it and scrolled through his apps, finally tapping on the record app. He wanted to get it all on recording, and make Kunmi spill her gut to him - unknowingly. He slipped his phone into his pocket and walked further, down the hallway.

"Kunmi!" he yelled after her the minute he was out of the hospital room. She was heading out of the hospital and she didn't even stop, even when he called after her.

He immediately ran after her, and in a matter of seconds, he was right behind her and pulled her by her arm and took her to a more quiet corner, where he stared at her with critical eyes.

"Start talking" Damola demanded, eyes roaming hers. Kunmi looked taken aback, flustered for a moment or two, and a confused look wrapped around her face.

"What are you talking about?" she asked, staring queerly at him.

"I'm talking about what happened in there... Don't act dumb, I know what you meant by all you said about Chioma. You don't like her cause you feel she likes Femi and cause you think Femi likes her too" he noticed she shut her eyes, exhaled and balled her hands into fists - the minute he mentioned Femi liking Chioma.

"... And you like Femi, true?" he said and her mouth tried opening but words failed to come out, she looked flustered and nervous all at the same time.

"What...? What...?" she choked out. "You're crazy, Damola. Absolutely crazy" she muttered, about to walk out on him, but he pulled her back, a daring look on his face. His face read seriousness and even she hadn't seen him this serious about anything, ever before.

"You of all people should've known that I know you way better than you think. Femi maybe oblivious of everything, but I'm not. I'm not stupid either and I know you know what I mean. It's best you tell me the truth, Kunmi" he said and and she scoffed, pulling her hand away from his grip.

"You must be high. You're clearly delusional that's why you're __"

"Oh really? Kunmi stop joking with me, I'm not here to beat around the bush with you. You like Femi, I could tell from your behavior back in there and during the past few months we've known Chioma" Damola said and she laughed, a sarcastic get nervous laughter. "You can fool everyone, Kunmi... But you can never fool me" he said, his eyes digging into hers, plunging at her conscience and rushing a feeling of nervousness through her.

"Oh my..." she laughed again, trying to feign disbelief. Damola stared at her squarely, eyes digging into her head. "Damola, I don't have your time" she said, about walking away when he pulled her back and glared, hard.

"You just don't like Chioma 'cause you feel she likes Femi too. You feel threatened by her, true?" he said and Kunmi huffed and eyed him.

"No. And you can't force words into my mouth" she said and tried waking away again but Damola held her hand, firmly this time.

"You've changed. This... This is killing the old Kunmi I used to know. If this infatuation has turned you this way, then I fear you've fallen too hard. Snap out of it, Kunmi. Femi doesn't see you that way and he'll never see you that way, you guys are just friends and you're like a sister to him. He might even like Chioma, so just accept it and be happy for him. Face it!" Damola said and she felt the anger brim within her.

"That, that, is where you are so wrong! You're wrong! It's not an infatuation, I love him, Damola! And you wouldn't even know what that means or feels like cause you've never felt that way before. I want to stop, but it's driving me insane... I love Femi and that's not an infatuation 'cause I care about him way too much. Damola, you don't even understand what that means 'cause you hate commitments. Period!" she protested, glaring at him and stepping right in front of him, eyes boring holes into his head. "You wouldn't even understand what I feel anyways" she waved it off, scoffing at the end.

Damola's stern look morphed into a smile. He'd gotten what he wanted and he was happy she fell for it, using Reverse Psychology on her.

"Femi doesn't see you that way, Kunmi. Please snap out of it. This whole thing has changed you and it'll ruin you if you're not careful, you've become someone else. Realize this before it's too late, the old Kunmi would never do all this. Please" he pleaded and she glared at him. She hated the "lies" he spat out of his mouth, choosing to walk out on him, instead.

"You don't know that, so stop sticking your nose into other people's businesses. Quit poking your nose into where it doesn't belong, Damola!" she said, with her back turned towards him, and with that, he finally let go of her hand and let her walk away to make her so-called "phone call".

"At least I got the evidence I wanted" Damola said as he whipped his phone out of his pocket and saved the recording.

* * *

Amanda couldn't stay away any longer. She really needed to see her cousin and the fact that he was still in a coma, made her heart clench, worry smacking it's way into her veins.

Ade offered to come along with her, to be sure that she'd be okay while she'd be there. Her parents, on the other hand, couldn't object cause they'd refused her from going to see him during the past week. Now, she was determined to go see her cousin.

Ade had his hands around her waist as he led her to his car. She looked like she couldn't feel a thing and he was really worried about her, wondering what he could do to lighten her mood. He decided his driver would take them to the hospital instead, while he sat in the back with Amanda.

She placed her head on his shoulder the minute he got into the car and sat right next to her. And with a small smile, he ran his hand through her face and hair, soothingly. Placing a kiss on her hair, and she smiled.

"I'm here, Manda. Always here" he whispered into her ear, his lower lip brushing past her earlobe slightly, still running his hand through her hair, down to the lengths of her back.

"Thanks" she managed to say, her voice low and fragile.

His heart clenched again, he had been with her all week, trying to ease the tension she felt, but she still managed to look miserable. He wasn't expecting that she'd forget all her problems just that easily, but he hoped she'd return to the old Amanda he used to know. He'd be laughing right now, at her jokes and they'd tease each other, if only she wasn't so disturbed. Day by day, he'd prayed for Agozie's quick recovery and Chioma's safe return. He wanted his girl back, happy and laughing as usual.

No one wanted that more than he did - as far as he was concerned.

Drawing her closer to him, he wrapped his hands firmly around her, taking her in and praying she'd be back to normal... Soon.

* * *

Mr. Aniobi was lying on his bed, his mind racing through Chioma's whereabouts. He'd tried everything possible to find her, still, there wasn't any sign of her. Absolutely no sign of her.

He dreaded thinking about what she must be passing through, he wondered if she was okay and didn't want to think any further on the possible things they must be doing to her. At this point, he blamed himself for her kidnap.

He shouldn't have sent her to the mainland, what was he thinking? He should've at least made sure the escorts went along with her. But he didn't 'cause he felt no one knew she was staying there to begin with, he'd made sure to keep that a secret and he made sure he had someone watching her secretly, someone who had been feeding him with informations concerning her well-being. He didn't know things would escalate this much.

It didn't take long before his phone rang beside him. He decided he didn't want to talk to anyone at a time like this, and decided to ignore the call. The phone rang again and he grunted, getting up from his bed as he reached for his phone, which he'd kept on his nightstand. He stared at the number, with creased brows. The number was a private number and he wondered whose it was. With a final grunt, he answered the call.

"Hello?" Mr. Aniobi said.

He waited, and didn't hear any response. He could only hear shuffling at the background and a few murmurings, but they all seemed muffled.

"Hello?" he said again, his patience running thin. Still, he didn't hear any reply... Just the same kind of shuffling and muffled sounds.

Was this what he'd taken time to rise up from bed for?

He was about hanging up, when he finally heard a reply.

"Hel... Hello? Da... Dad?" A very familiar, but weakened and fragile voice, said. That voice, he couldn't believe his ears. He quickly sprang out of bed, his heart racing within his chest. Disbelief came over him and he wanted to be sure, he hoped he wasn't imagining things... Maybe his mind was playing tricks on him?

"Chioma...?" he didn't know how else to get the words out of his mouth, his heart swelling with the happiness of finally hearing her voice. The confirmation that she was safe and still alive, arose a sigh of relief from him.

"Dad... I really need help" he could barely hear what she was saying 'cause the line kept breaking. "They're... After m... I... I__" and the line suddenly went dead.

His heart raced within his chest and his head pumped with blood, his breathing ragged with worry and panic. From all she said, he knew she was in great danger. And that only increased his panic to a hundred. He wondered what had happened and his head spun around, as he reached for a chair, holding it firmly; for support.

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I'm not that mean jorr, another chapter is waiting for you. I can't keep you in such suspense na😂

So, predictions please? I'd really love to read your theories on this. And Kunmi? 🙁 She's falling my hand bad badddd!!! And this jealousy is really becoming toxic. I fear she'll cause trouble soon😏

See me trying to scatter place😂😅
Hmm... I'm thinking abou' doing something ohh💭

And yeah, yeah, Damola has sense, who else agrees wi'h me? Finally, Femi will understand that aunty has caught too much feelings🤭 guys!!! Y'all don't know what them votes and comments do to me, please keep them coming. PLEASE😉 THANK YOU AS YOU DO SO, just know I love you all❤️💖💖💖

Okieee!!! Time to get lost now, see you guys at the end of the next chapter.

PS: that fine Bobo up there 👆 is Damola... Our one and only clown and heartthrob 💖
I realized I didn't put up a pic of him in the previous chapters. That guy fine bah? 😏 Lawddddd!!! I was about to faint when I saw the pic. Fine people are in this life ohhh😩

PPS: I realized some people couldn't access the last chapter. That broke my heart cause I republished that chapter three good times. And it hurt me that some people still couldn't access it (Wattpad, why me nau??😢 Did you guys see me in the dream?? 😭😭).
I feel the problem is from Wattpad. But, maybe you can still try accessing it - if you haven't... Please🙏🏽. Please check my third update of that particular chapter. I'm so sorry that had to happen, so sorry for the inconvenience it caused. What actually happened was that, when I was first publishing that chapter, I realized I hadn't posted the pic of Ade, yet, so I had to unpublished it, post the pic and publish it again😭😭😭💔
Once again, I'm so sorry 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

Anyways, please let me know if you are able to access it later on❤️

Till my next update,
Bye...