A month later.
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Chioma's POV.

It's been a month since my abduction, everything seemed okay... Everything, besides the fact that Agozie was still in a coma.

Unlike a few months back, my life seemed to be better than what it used to be before, I was finally back home with my family, I'd gotten all my privileges back and most importantly, my parents were proud of the positive change I'd made, and the new and improved human being I turned out to be. On my own accord, I'd asked to learn how to cook. And although my mother was in shock at that confession, she gladly offered to help me out. And as far as mine and my mother's relationship was concerned? Let's just say; we're basically trying to patch things up. I was happy that she didn't have that resentment towards me anymore, and I was glad she felt remorseful over all she'd done and said that day. And honestly? I genuinely didn't want to think about that day either. I figured it'd be best to forget everything, turn a new leaf and start afresh. Rewrite my own story for a change, and act like all that had happened; never did in the first place.

At first, I'd been a total disastrous cook, I'd burn, undercook or basically overcook some meals and I'd sometimes turn the kitchen into a huge mess. But at the end, I got better. Not perfect... yet, but at least, now... I could actually make a decent meal, something edible. Something people would want to eat and not throw up or fall sick for weeks... Or probably die from eating the abominable meal. Yeah, I was just that bad at the beginning.

And during this past month, I'd basically spent my time with Amanda and two really interesting people, and those were: Femi and Damola. I'd gotten so fond of the two and we all got along really well.

Occasionally, I'd go ahead and pay visits to Agozie, I couldn't help but feel guilty for his condition, and hate myself for what has happened to him. But each time I blame myself, I'm being told it wasn't my fault. I figured they were only trying to be nice to me, and not make me feel like a wicked person - which I kinda felt I was. I knew, deep down in my heart, that I was to blame for it.

Knowing how close Amanda was to her cousin, I couldn't help but feel bad that she had to watch him slip away like that. Not once did he open his eyes, he didn't and couldn't even move.

My fault.

It was my fault he was in that position, and each time I'd pay him a visit, I'd cry at the sight of what used to be a very happy, vibrant and loving young man. Weak. Helpless. And slowly dying. I couldn't help but wish he had never been there in the first place... All I ever wanted, right now, was for him to be alright. Open his eyes, and just say something. Anything. And honestly, I missed him. His goofiness and his enthusiasm and vibes were always contagious, and I loved and admired that about him.

And then there's Ebuka, my ex - who I'd thought I'd hate for the rest of my life. Well, I guess the hatred I felt earlier, had disappeared, the minute he saved me. Now, we were actually friends. And he'd even invited us - and by us, I mean Femi, Damola, Amanda, Ade and I - to his wedding, which was today. I found it weird at first, I mean, attending my ex's wedding? How freaky is that?

But as time went on, I felt it wasn't so bad. He was happy with the girl he was with, she was pregnant with his baby, and they both loved each other dearly. So I figured that I'd just be happy for them, and maybe if I'm lucky, God will finally looked down on me with pity, and finally assign me my own love story. Someone who'd understand me, love me at my best, and adore me, even at my worst.

And although a bit too much, I wanted a person as carefree and exciting; like Agozie. And a person as caring, down-to-earth, honest, patient, tolerable, encouraging and handsome; someone just like Femi.

Honestly, I know I can be a pain in the neck sometimes, but I also know that everyone deserve some love in their lives. Even I deserve some love too. I may have a lot of flaws - and by 'a lot', I mean A LOT - but I also know that there's someone out there who'd at least ignore those flaws.

In my life, I've been hurt a lot of times - by the men I'd come to love, and although I try not to show it, the hurt's still there... Although at its minimum.

I had my hopes up on Agozie, but I'm sure that won't work out now, 'cause he's currently fighting for his life on the hospital bed. And might hate me. But I think I've given up on looking for matchmakers. For now? I'm taking a break from romantic relationships. I guess, I'm only cut out to be one of those girls who are only meant to stare at couples from afar and be like: "Hey! That's a really cute couple".

Funny, but awfully true.

"Chioma oh! What are you still doing there?! We're running late!" Amanda yelled from downstairs.

She was downstairs with the guys, at my house. And I was still busy, trying to fix up my makeup. I'd already selected a purple skin-tight, off-the-shoulder, ankle-length gown. It had a silver outline at its hems, and waist region, and had a really long slit that stopped just below my thighs. My hair was done in a simple black faux weave-on, which was lain back elegantly. My hair accessories followed and I put a floral hair pin on my hair and added a beautiful silver hair accessory to it.

For my footwear, I'd decided to go with my Jimmy Choo six inch, silver high heels. It had a silver strap, which stopped just below my knees in a zigzag design.

I stared at myself in the mirror, totally ignoring Amanda's call as I reached for my silver hoop earrings and jewelry. My silver bracelets  and my silver Versace purse.

It was a wedding, and not a maid exhibit, I had to look my best.

"This girl! What on Earth are you doing up there? We'll leave you oh!" Amanda yelled from downstairs, once more, and I rolled my eyes and finally headed downstairs.

"Hold your pants, I'm coming!" I yelled back, and walked out of my room, taking careful, yet elegant strides.

* * *
Femi's POV.

"This girl can waste time oh! I wonder if it's her wedding we're all getting dressed up for. See all the amount of time she just wasted" Amanda complained as we all sat down on the couch, waiting for Chioma's appearance.

I really wanted to see what took her so long, the dress, or her makeup?

The past months had produced a new and refined, Chioma Aniobi. She wasn't exactly the haughty, stuck-up brat she used to be. The new Chioma was friendlier, and smiled genuinely now. She wasn't as selfish and arrogant, as she used to. She was much more considerate and the minute we finally became closer, I finally understood her - fully. And much better.

The minute I heard of her return, I couldn't express my joy and when she'd narrated all she'd went through, I felt pity for her. I'd usually come to check up on her and on some occasions, we'd go out together. She was a much more interesting and fun person, and that made me like her even more.

"I'm here!" I heard her voice echo through the stairs area, I diverted my attention from Damola - who'd been telling me about yet another girl he'd just met, of which I wasn't in the least interested - and set them on her approaching figure.

Unconsciously, my jaw dropped at the outfit she was putting on. With the way the dressed hugged her curves nicely, and the way she swayed her hips in a model-like manner, to the bright smile on her face, down to the confidence in her steps... This girl was literally trying to kill me. And I'm sure I wasn't the only one stunned at her entire outfit. She was literally trying to give me a boner. And it was working.

She knew she was looking beautiful, she was aware of her looks and the way she nailed the ravishing looks of a supermodel. Her small but elegant frame was bewitching and that dress looked liked it'd been specifically made for her. In that dress, she was looking like an enchanting goddess, a mistress of seduction and an angelic empress to sin itself.

"I know, I look awesome, please don't stare" she smiled as she walked towards us.

Yet, I just couldn't stop staring. I wanted to, but I couldn't. My eyes roamed her entire physique, from head to toe, the dress hugging just about the right places I wanted to see. And that catwalk.

God, I need to get out of here.

And to think the torture was enough, she decided to sit next to me and actually crossed her legs, exposing more of her fair, beautiful skin. Her long legs brushed across mine and I groaned.

"Hey!" she smiled at me and I mumbled a reply:

"Hey" I said and she smiled at me.

"I really love your outfit. So you can dress like this?" she teased, placing a hand on my thigh.

Jesus Christ! Chioma...

"Yeah" I choked out, about excusing myself, but then Amanda had to intrude.

"At least all that time you wasted wasn't entirely a waste of time" Amanda said as she smiled at Chioma.

"Chioma, you just want to kill somebody here. Pity us now, pity us! Why 're you doing this to us?" Damola said, referring to himself and I.

She laughed at his statement, obviously enjoying all the compliments she was getting. I, on the other hand, was trying so hard to keep myself together. Her hand was still on my lap and I wanted to take it off, but I also liked it being there. But not when I was dying to keep myself together. And not do something stupid.

"I think we should get going" I suddenly said and she immediately took her hands off, and I found myself groaning when she did.

Please put it back.

"Are you okay?" she suddenly asked, pools of honey staring at me. I don't even know why, but my eyes suddenly travelled to her dark purple lips, her dark purple lipstick only made her appear fiercer, prettier... And even more seductive. Her lips: outlined to perfection, glossed to ultimate attraction and curved in the most attractive smile I had ever seen her put on before.

"Hello?" she waved her hand in front of my face and I immediately snapped out of my reverie.

How can I be okay? When you're putting on that intoxicatingly seductive dress.

"I'm fine" I suddenly muttered and she nodded her head and walked away. With her back turned towards me, I had a clear view of her exposed back, and firm behind. Her back had a long spinal hollow, which ran down her back, in a really attractive way. And when she'd swayed her hips as she walked, God! When she did that, I swear, I lost my senses.

No! No! No! Femi, this is wrong!

I tried cautioning myself, but each time I tried, my eyes would still wander to the places and things they wanted to see.

"Take it easy. You're staring at her like you want to rip her apart... Be calming down na" Damola joked and laughed while I eyed him, and we both walked out of the house.

My eyes still wandered towards her and each time she'd either smile, laugh or basically strike a pose, I'd find myself longing to just walk up to her and touch her. Feel for myself.

"My guy don go!" Damola laughed at me, while I kept staring at Chioma.
["My guy has gone!"].

I gave him a slight punch and got into the car. Chioma and Amanda were to ride together in Amanda's car, while Damola and I were to ride together in his.

"Hold yourself oh! Na person pikin be that!" Damola said, the minute we got into the car.
["Hold yourself! That's someone's daughter"].

I shot him a glare, "for once in your life, just be wise. It won't kill you to act like you have sense, honestly" I said to him, and he gave off a hearty chuckle.

"Okay oh! It's me that's the fool now. I saw you staring at Chioma like you couldn't have enough of her. Who knows what that dirty mind of yours is thinking about right now? " he laughed again. "Just don't let her catch you, that's my own" he joked again and I rolled my eyes.

Observe the pig calling the sheep dirty.

"Dundee!" I muttered and he laughed once again.

* * *
Chioma's POV.

Amanda had to ditch me the minute she met Ade at the wedding ceremony. I didn't mind that, and decided to walk into the church and find a seat first.

"I'm loving your outfit more and more. This girl, you're just killing me here" a very familiar baritone whispered into my ears from behind, sending chills down my spine. He snaked his hand around my waist and pulled me closer. Weird, but I didn't object.

"I almost mistook you for the bride" he joked, nestling his face in the crook of my neck. I fought the groan that nearly escaped my lips.

"Femiiii..." I whined, and laughed, slowly pulling away from his hold.

This is quite unusual.

"But thanks anyways" I smiled and he nodded his head, his million dollar smile on his face. Hands shoved into his pockets and his chocolaty orbs, drawing me in.

Again, he tried pulling me to himself, and I felt my cheeks heat up with embarrassment, people were looking and some were whispering. I had to pull away, but he didn't let me.

"See all those girls?" I said, referring to the girls eyeballing me from the other side of the church hall.

"Yeah, so?" he pulled me even closer.

"Can't you see how they're literally shooting lasers my way? Check them out" I replied and he rolled his eyes.

"Those ones that are dressed like clowns?" he scoffed. "I'm staring at a hot piece of cake, and you're asking me to go and take beans. No nau!" he said and I laughed.

Did he just refer to them as beans?

"Then let go of me" I whined, feeling a little uncomfortable at the way he still pulled me so close to him, earning numerous stares from people. And the worse part, was that we were standing right in front of the church entrance!

"No!" he said.

"Femi, please. People are staring, it's somehow. We're looking like crazy people" I protested again.

"Let them stare na. They're jobless and they don't have anything else to do with their time. We're entertaining them, it's good" he said and I groaned.

"Please?" I begged and he cocked his head to the side, his smile still on his face.

"Beg me again" he said, eyeing me in a way I couldn't really explain, his smile still on his face.

"Please?" I said it again. He smiled and let go of me.

"Okay. Let's go inside then" he said and held my hand, leading the way into the church.

Damola was nowhere to be seen and Amanda was still with Ade while Femi and I sat at the middle roll in the large church hall. It was a catholic church and it was a really big one at that, with beautiful interiors.

"I wonder when the Mass will start. This people can waste time" Femi whispered into my ear, the minute we sat down.

"Be patient" I said and he laughed.

"If I get tired, I might go to the car and wait" he added and I looked him over and hissed.

"Try it first. I'll so kill you" I warned and he shrugged.

"I've said my own" was all he said before we heard the sound of the priest, indicating that the Mass was about to begin.

The bridal train was to die for, and honestly, Jade looked really stunning in her wedding dress. She barely looked like she was even pregnant, although her baby-bump was slightly visible.

And there was Ebuka, clad in a black pantsuit and suit jacket. His suit looked really expensive and so did his pair of black, polished and glimmering dress shoes. He had a really big smile on his face, and he couldn't stop looking at Jade, eyes roaming her entire physique - like he couldn't wait to hold her.

He really does like her.

Suddenly, my eyes wandered towards Femi's, and it so happened that he was looking at me at that exact time. Our eyes locked and we both exchanged sympathetic looks, like we were asking each other if we were cool with seeing our exes getting married to each other.

"I'm cool, you cool?" he said and I chuckled and nodded my head, yes.

The rest of the celebration went smoothly, and soon my eyes grew tired of the long wedding procession. Scooting a little closer to Femi, I lay my head on his shoulder, and slowly fell asleep - with his arms slowly wrapping around me.

"Thanks" I mumbled in my sleep, as he drew me closer.

* * *
Femi's POV.

Finally, the extremely tiring, and long wedding procession had finally come to an end, and each of the guests present were heading to their various cars, about getting heading to the Wedding Reception.

Glancing over to Chioma, who still had her head on my shoulder; fast asleep,  a smile stretched across my face. She'd slept all through, and I laughed at that. I didn't want to wake her, but I had to, so we'd meet with Jade and Ebuka and wish them a happy married life.

Slowly, I patted her shoulder lightly and she murmured incoherently in her sleep.

"Wake up. The Mass is finally over" I whispered into her ear and she did it again: muttering incoherently.

I patted her once again, and she finally tore her eyes open and sat up straight.

"I'm up! I'm up!" she yelled, as she sprang up from her seat. I slowly chuckled at her reaction.

Realizing the half empty church hall, she groaned, "I slept all through, didn't I?" she asked and I nodded, amused at the slight frown on her face.

She smacked my hand lightly and hissed, "why didn't you wake me?!" she half-yelled and I shrugged.

"You looked so peaceful, and didn't want to wake you 'cause I didn't want to get nagged by you, endlessly. Seriously, don't you get tired of nagging me?" I questioned and she eyed me humorously.

"I do not nag at you. I only state the obvious. Anyway, where are Amanda, Ade and Damola?" she suddenly asked and I shrugged.

"They're outside... Maybe?" my voice held so much uncertainty and she quirked a brow at me, and frowned.

"You don't even know, do you?" she asked.

"Again with the nagging! Please come and sleep again, I don't need your endless complaints right now" I muttered, a playful grin on my face, and she hissed and got up.

I followed her and we both walked out of the church. Right outside the church, my eyes landed on the bride and groom, alongside Damola, Ade and Amanda - taking pictures.

"See? I knew they were here... Somewhere" I whispered into her ears and she rolled her eyes.

"Let's join them" she suggested and led the way towards the crowd of people, who'd been taking pictures with the bride and groom, and some who were busy wishing them a happy married life.

"Congratulations on your wedding. I wish you both a happy married life" I greeted the couple and they both turned towards us, and smiled. I gave Ebuka a hug and to Jade - who basically looked like she couldn't face me - I gave a side hug.

"Congrats, you two. Wishing you both a happy married life as well" Chioma said, hugging Ebuka and then, to my greatest surprise, Jade.

Jade had been staring at Chioma and I for quite some time, and I could tell she was feeling guilty. I didn't want her feeling that way, so I had to think of something to lift the tension and awkwardness.

"You both are looking amazing, by the way" I complimented and she smiled, they both did.

"Thank you" were their replies.

And at the corner of my eyes, Chioma was smiling at them too. A genuine, happy smile.

"Okay then, we'll meet you guys at the Reception" I said and they nodded their heads in agreement, and then I grabbed Chioma's hand, and headed for the car.

"Thank you, that got awkward real quick" she said, chuckling lightly and I laughed.

We met with the rest, after taking a few pictures with Ebuka and Jade, and we all got into the car, and headed for the Wedding Reception.

_______________________________

Next chapter awaits you😊

Okay, this chapter was funny, to me. I know this is actually a romance book, but truth be told, I DO NOT HAVE ANY ROMANTIC BONE IN ME😂😂

You should have seen my face oh!🤣

That's by the way tho, so... Yes. I'm not trying to rush the book, I'm just trying to... To... Erm... Hurry up🤷🏽‍♀️

I don't want this book to get boring, please guys! I'm working on this whole drama, romance thing and before you know it, this book will come to an end. Please be patient❤️

Now that that has been said, I'd really like to read your thoughts on this chapter. I'm not sure if it came out well, or maybe seemed crappy, but if it did, then I'm really sorry. I still have A LOT to learn in this writing thing, and I'm only exploring my opportunities. Pushing aside all my naive behaviors, to produce something you'll read and not cringe at. Hope you get my point😂 I don't even get my point, so it's okay if you don't🤦🏽‍♀️

Anyways, please don't forget to drop a vote and leave a comment if you liked this chapter. I'm happy y'all are still reading this... Erm... Unprofessional work of mine😂

PS: the photo up👆is of what Chioma's dress looks like... Kinda. It's not exactly what's in my head but it's close to it😊

Thank you all for that❤️❤️❤️💋

Till my next update,
Bye...