₦airaland Forum

Which kain school be that make I first ask sef...

Or are they scared of her father..
Just imaging having 5 of sarah in that school...

And a nice way to introduce Effiong

jupitre:
Which kain school be that make I first ask sef...

Or are they scared of her father..
Just imaging having 5 of sarah in that school...

And a nice way to introduce Effiong

🤣🤣 Just imagine the daughter of a governor going to your school, then aim higher

Nice episode... It's about to go boom

tonystark007:
🤣🤣 Just imagine the daughter of a governor going to your school, then aim higher

Cos she's the daughter of the senate president??

Omo let’s ka boom 💥 it’s getting into the nuclear phase

jupitre:
Cos she's the daughter of the senate president??

👍

yungbanks:
Omo let’s ka boom 💥 it’s getting into the nuclear phase

You predicted well. We are about to get into nuclear phrase 1 😂😂

Next update dropping soon

Stay tuned.

CHAPTER 12

Thursday — 6:26PM
******

Sarah stepped out of her room and walked into the living room, her outfit sparkling under the Chandler light. Fiona and Chinonye were deep in debate over a TV show, curled into opposite ends of a plush white sofa. An uncorked bottle of wine sat on the glass coffee table between them. They both looked up at her and smiled, noticing her appearance. They could tell she wasn't just dressed for a night out—she was clearly dressed to make an entrance.

“How do I look?” Sarah asked in a singsong voice, twirling around.

“Beautiful!” Chinonye said, her eyes wide with admiration.

“Drop-dead gorgeous!” Fiona added with a playful grin.

Sarah shook her head at Chinonye. “You really need to work on your vocabulary. ‘Beautiful’ is so outdated.”

Fiona giggled. “Well, you have fun, dear.”

“You wanna come with me?” Sarah asked Fiona, raising an eyebrow. "I could use a company."

“Nah!” Fiona replied with a wave of her hand. “You know I’m not into parties without booms and banging music. I’m sure this one’s going to be preeetty boring.”

Chinonye, on the other hand, stood up from the sofa, her eyes bright with excitement. “I’d love to come with you!”

Sarah shot her a look of mild irritation as though she were a stranger.

“Excuse me, who are you again?” she asked sacastically. "Yeah, right. Nobody."

Chinonye blinked, slightly taken aback, while Fiona roared with laughter.

Sarah’s expression quickly softened into a smile. She spun on her heel, ready to leave, giving a little catwalk to the door.

After Sarah had left, Chinonye turned to Fiona, her face puzzled. “Why is she dressed like those evil villainess in Hollywood movies. Is she about to torment or kill someone?”

Fiona burst into laughter. “Don't mind her, she’s just being dramatic. It’s Sarah.”

Chinonye, still looking confused, shook her head. She was the odd one out in their group, and even though she had been living with them for nearly a year, Sarah never let her forget it. She wasn’t from a poor background, but she wasn’t like Sarah and Fiona—girls born into wealth and influence.

She also knew that Sarah had only invited her to move in with them after evicting one of her other friends. It wasn’t lost on Chinonye that she was being used for her position as the Assistant Course Rep, with Sarah seeking favors in their class whenever she could.

******7:19 PM******

Jason gazed at his reflection in the full-length mirror in his bedroom. He buttoned up his shirt, then shrugged into his suit jacket. Flashing a confident smile, he gave himself a thumbs-up.

"I'm the best!" he muttered to himself, grinning.

He was truly proud of what he'd accomplished. At thirty-two, he had already achieved so much—two PhDs and a master’s degree. And today, he was celebrating the opening of his new hospital. The medical center would boast state-of-the-art facilities that could rival those in any foreign country. It was all thanks to his aunt, Maggi, who was both a surgeon and a psychologist. She had been his guiding light from the moment she noticed his interest in the medical field.

A pang of sadness hit him as he thought about her absence tonight. She was abroad for a medical conference and wouldn’t be able to attend the grand opening.

As he checked his appearance in the mirror, the door to his room creaked open, and a slender young woman casually walked in. Jason’s lips curved into a smile.

"Hey, softie," he said, his voice warm and teasing.

"Hi, big brother," Sarah greeted with a smile. "Good evening... and congratulations."

"Thanks a lot. I’m glad you could make it. It really means a lot to me."

"I wouldn’t miss a day like this for the world," she replied, her smile genuine. "What about Dad?"

Jason’s smile faltered slightly. "He wouldn’t be able to attend. You know how he is—always busy with 'you-know-who.' We did speak on Zoom earlier this afternoon, though."

Jason took his time to study his sister. She was dressed in a dark, fitted short-sleeve lace gown that accentuated her shapely figure. Her hair was styled in a French twist, and her lashes and lips were painted with dark makeup, giving her a sardonic yet enchanting appearance. She carried a black clutch in her hand, completing the sophisticated look.

She reminded him so much of their mother. While he had inherited their father’s tall, dark-skinned appearance, Sarah had taken after their late mother, who was Caucasian. In fact, Sarah could easily be mistaken for a foreigner.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" Sarah asked, breaking his reverie.

Jason blinked, realizing he’d been lost in thought.

"I just remembered Mom," he muttered softly.

Sarah sighed thoughtfully. "I'm sure she would be proud of you too," she said, placing a hand on his shoulder. Then, she giggled loudly.

"What?" Jason asked, a puzzled smile spreading across his face.

Sarah pointed at him and laughed. "You're wearing your shirt inside-out... again!"

Jason glanced down at himself and chuckled. This wasn’t the first time he’d been unaware of his wardrobe malfunction. As a doctor, he had far more important things to worry about than his fashion sense. Even the buttons were done up wrong. He quickly shrugged off the jacket, unbuttoned his shirt, and fixed it. Just as he was about to put the jacket back on, Sarah stopped him with a hand.

"Tie first, then jacket," she said, her tone matter-of-fact.

Jason grabbed the tie from the dressing table and she took it from him with a grin. "Let me help you with that." With practiced hands, she tossed the tie over his neck and brought the ends forward, expertly forming the first knot.

"Try not to get drunk tonight," Sarah advised, her voice light but serious. "You know how you get when you're drunk."

Jason smiled and nodded, though he couldn’t help but feel like a kid again whenever she gave him instructions like that. It was like she was his mother instead of his younger sister.

"Are you still into your modeling gigs?" he asked, changing the subject.

"No, not for now," Sarah replied, her eyes focused on the tie. "You know I have a business to manage, and also, I need to focus on passing a carry-over course this semester."

Jason gave her a weird look, raising an eyebrow.

"Don’t look at me like that," she added quickly, momentarily pausing her work on the tie. "Seventy percent of the students who took that course failed. Even the best of the best only scraped by with a D. The lecturer is a known sadist... and a wicked fool. Gosh, I just hate that school."

Jason chuckled awkwardly, shaking his head. He paused for a moment, thinking carefully about how to bring up what he really wanted to request of her. He debated whether she would agree to it, even though deep down, he felt like he was about to ask her for the impossible. But he decided to try anyways.

"Softie," he called softly, his voice slightly hesitant.

"Yeah?" Sarah answered, still focused on adjusting his tie, her hands working with precision.

"Can you do me a favor?" He asked.

"Sure, anything for you," she replied with a playful sing-song tone.

Jason took a deep breath, then spoke carefully and slowly. "Can you... be nice to... to... Emily, even if it’s just for tonight? I don’t want my guests to think my sister don't get along with my fiancee."

Sarah's hands froze at the mention of Emily's name. She looked up at him, her once-smiling face now twisted into an angry frown.

"So, I'm the troublemaker who's going to ruin your night, right?" she snapped, her voice sharp.

Jason sighed. "No, Softie, that's not what I mean—"

"I don't care what you mean!" Sarah cut him off, her voice rising.

"Can you just do this for me? Just for tonight... just act like you two are on good terms," he pleaded, his tone soft but earnest.

Sarah scoffed, crossing her arms. "Jason, I would do anything for you, but asking me to pretend to like someone I don't? That's impossible."

Jason’s heart sank. He searched her face, hoping for a hint of compassion, but the look in her eyes told him she had already made up her mind.

"But I thought you two were once best friends. What ever happened to that?" he asked, his voice tinged with sadness.

Sarah’s eyes narrowed as she crossed her arms more tightly. "I have a better proposition for you," she said, her tone cold. "Tell your girlfriend to stay away from me tonight, and then maybe no one will notice anything. Because I promise you, I won’t be nice to her." She paused for a moment, her anger simmering just beneath the surface. "Gosh, you’ve just completely ruined my mood."

She reached up and yanked the half-done tie from his neck, tossing it into his palm. "Knot your tie yourself."

Jason stood there, stunned, as Sarah briskly catwalked out of his room. He watched her go, the weight of her words sinking in. With a long sigh of frustration, he ran a hand through his hair, feeling the tension in his chest tighten. He still had no idea how things had gotten so complicated.

******8:48PM******
The party was held around the swimming pool in the expansive backyard of Jason's compound. Stomach-length glass tables were strategically placed at various spots around the pool, where groups of male and female guests—mostly dressed in black, white, or shades of both—clustered together. They were chatting, laughing, and sipping wine from delicate glasses. Waiters and waitresses, dressed in white shirts and dark trousers or skirts, moved gracefully through the crowd, offering trays of wine and attending to the guests' needs.

Sarah stood by the edge of the pool, her eyes fixed on her fluttering reflection in the water, distorted by the ripples created by the loud music booming from the speakers. As the waves gently spread toward the pool’s edges, she found herself lost in the movement, but her thoughts were far from the tranquil scene before her.

She had rolled her eyes and hissed in disdain when she saw Jason circulating with his fiencee, introducing her to a crowd of guests; most of them friends, former colleagues, doctors, investors, and a few politicians. Now they were heading back toward the main house, and Sarah hissed again. She wouldn’t have come to this boring event if it wasn’t for her brother. She hated these types of parties.

Having taken a few glasses of champagne, she felt the slight buzz, but not enough to get drunk. She wasn’t about to let herself lose control. So far, she hadn’t spoken to anyone except the overly enthusiastic DJ who kept pestering her for a selfie. He had gone on about his sister being a student at AUST—like she cared. She had excused herself, irritated by his constant chatter.

The night seemed to stretch endlessly before her. How she wished Fiona had come. At least then, she would have someone to talk to. Someone to make the evening a little more bearable.

"Hello, pretty angel!" A familiar voice called from behind Sarah, and her lips curled up in a smile. She couldn't never miss that voice in a crowd.

Charming.

She turned around to see him and Dominic approaching, both dressed in sharp suits. She sighed deeply. Finally someone to chat with.

"Hi, Charming," she greeted him, then turned to his cousin, "Hi, Dominic, long time no see."

Dominic glanced around, taking in the scene. "Looks like a nice party going on here."

Sarah scoffed. "Please, this party is very—"

"Booooring," Charming finished her sentence, and the trio burst out laughing.

Dominic raised an eyebrow. "Where’s Uncle Jason? I haven’t congratulated him yet."

"He’s inside the main house with some of his guests," Sarah said with a smirk. "A little advice—try not to join in their conversation. Trust me, you’ll regret it."

"I’ll keep that in mind," Dominic said, chuckling, before walking toward the house.

"I’m glad you could make it, Charming," Sarah said, turning her attention back to him.

"So..." Charming began, eyeing the crowd. "No champagne to kill the boredom?"

"I’ve had three glasses already," Sarah replied. "Don’t wanna get drunk." She glanced at his outfit. "I thought you hated suit."

"Just sticking to the dress code," he said, glancing around at the guests. "But, yeah... it does look like a boring party. A fancy boring party, just like when we were kids."

Just then, a woman in her mid-thirties, whom Sarah recognized as an old acquaintance of Jason’s, approached them.

"Hey, Sarah," she called with a wide smile. She spread her arms for an embrace, but Sarah, ever the cynic, gave a stop gesture with her hand, then extended it for a handshake instead. Slightly embarrassed, the woman was about to take her hand, but Sarah withdrew, her hand coming down with a fluid motion. Then she raised a brow and scoffed, as if irritated at the woman's audacity.

"Ho... how are you doing, Sarah? You look stunning tonight," the woman said, smiling a little too brightly to hide her awkwardness.

"I was fine until you showed up," Sarah quipped, her eyes glinting with mischief. "And you’re not looking too bad yourself... I guess," she added, killing the woman’s already faint attempt to cover up her discomfort.

The woman seemed taken aback, stuttering for a moment. "Hmmm... uh... Whe... where... where is Jason?"

"He’s in the main house," Sarah replied, giving her a pointed look. The woman quickly excused herself, her face flushed, and briskly walked toward the house.

Charming, who had been watching the entire exchange, finally spoke up. "That wasn’t nice, babe."

"Why was she trying to hug me?" Sarah snapped, her arms crossed. "I never liked her, and she knows it."

"Why don’t you like her? She seemed nice," Charming asked, genuinely curious.

"She’s a gossip," Sarah replied, her voice dripping with disdain. "She spreads rumors everywhere. I don’t even know why Jason’s still friends with her."

"Well, you should’ve spoken more politely toooo..."

Charming’s voice trailed off as his eyes caught, and followed the swaying hips of a young woman who was walking past them. Her figure was generous—curves that filled a chair differently than a slender woman's would, hips that swayed with a quiet, unhurried rhythm. Even her skin held a kind of stillness, pale and smooth as cream. Every movement felt deliberate, like she knew exactly what she was worth without ever needing to say it.

"That’s an eight and a half," Charming muttered under his breath, almost to himself.

"CHARMING!" Sarah shouted, her face contorting in disbelief. "What are you doing?"

Charming snapped back to attention, shaking his head. "Nothing, I just-- I was just... wondering... who that girl is. She doesn’t look like a doctor or an investor. Do you know her?"

Sarah gave him a look of utter disgust. "Why? Is it because of the size of her bumbum?"

Charming scratched his head in confusion, trying to shake off the comment. "Hmm babe... I hmm... I still haven’t congratulated Uncle Jason yet," he said, slowly backing away from Sarah.

"Are you concern about Jason or the big bumbum?" She asked, her frown exaggerated for effect.

Charming chuckled and shrugged. "You know, I can actually kill two stone with one— No, one bird with-- wait, no, I mean, I can... I’m sure you understand." He chuckled again, turned and rushed off in the direction the lady had gone.

Sarah laughed softly to herself. Charming would never change. Now, she was left alone again.

Just as she was about to turn back toward the pool, she noticed someone walking toward her. Her brow creased in irritation as she spotted a beautiful young lady about her age, with caramel-toned skin. The lady was wearing a sleeveless gown and high heels, her posture a bit unsteady, as if it was her first time wearing them. Sarah smirked, the corners of her lips curling mockingly.

"Hi, Sarah," the lady greeted, stopping beside her at the pool.

"Hello, Emily," Sarah replied, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "You look gorgeous tonight, especially with the heels. They are beautiful."

Emily blushed, the redness creeping up her neck. She chuckled nervously. "Thanks. Jason asked me to wear them just for tonight."

Sarah’s sharp eyes scanned Emily’s outfit, noticing the expensive brand of her heels and gown. "Well, I can see Jason’s been spending a lot on you lately. Trying to elevate your... beggarly status," she said, the word "beggarly" laced with contempt. "I just wish he could see through your little act."

"I didn’t ask him t—"

"Oh, please!" Sarah interrupted, her voice cutting through Emily's words. "Spare me that trash." She took a step back, her expression turning cold. "I promised Jason I wouldn’t cause any trouble tonight, so can you please keep your distance?"

Emily didn’t respond, her lips pressing together in a thin line. Sarah began to walk away, brushing past her with a slight flick of her hair.

"Sarah, please wait," Emily called out.

Sarah stopped and turned to face her. "Yes, what do you want?"

"Can... can we talk?" Emily asked, her voice hesitant.

"We’re already talking," Sarah snapped, her voice rising. "What do you want?"

"Sarah, I just want things to go back to normal between us. I’m ready to do anything you say to make that happen. Please, just forgive me," Emily pleaded, her eyes filled with desperation.

"Are you ready to leave my brother alone?" Sarah’s voice was cold, her gaze unrelenting. "Will you be willing to break up with him? Because that’s the only thing I want."

Emily’s face faltered, and a wave of sadness washed over her. She couldn’t respond.

Sarah raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a slight smirk. "I thought as much," She muttered under her breath, her tone laced with contempt.

She turned to walk away again, but then, as if a thought had crossed her mind, she stopped.

Slowly, she turned back to face Emily, a devilish smile creeping across her lips.

"You said you’d do anything I say, right?" Sarah’s voice was low and dangerous.

Emily, clearly caught off guard, nodded quickly. "Yes... yes, I’ll do anything."

Sarah raised her hand and beckoned to a nearby waitress carrying a tray of wine glasses. The waitress approached them, and Sarah casually took a glass from the tray. She sipped it slowly, her eyes still fixed on Emily.

"Wait here," Sarah instructed the waitress, who stood silently, unsure of what would happen next.

Turning back to Emily, Sarah’s expression turned serious, her eyes gleaming with malice.

"Kneel down and beg for my forgiveness."

Emily’s eyes widened in shock. The waitress looked equally stunned.

"But... but... I... right here?" Emily stammered, unable to believe what she was hearing.

Sarah took another leisurely sip of her wine, her expression calm, almost bored. "You can’t do it? I don’t think you’re ready, then."

"No, I’ll do it!" Emily blurted out lowly, her voice trembling.

She hesitated for a moment, then slowly, sank to her knees in front of Sarah.

Some of the guests had stopped their conversations, their attention now fully on the strange scene unfolding before them. Whispers spread through the crowd as they wondered why the young lady, who had just been introduced as the host’s fiancee, was now kneeling before his sister.

"Please, Sarah, forgive me for what I did. I was just scared you would be mad at me, that's why I never told you the truth."

The waitress, clearly uncomfortable, muttered an excuse for permission to leave, but Sarah shot her a cold look, daring her to move an inch. The waitress quickly stood frozen, unsure what to do next.

Sarah looked down at Emily, her expression hardening. "Look at you," she said in a biting tone. "You're willing to humiliate yourself by kneeling and begging for my forgiveness, but you’re not ready to walk away from my brother. You know exactly what you stand to lose if you do. That shows who you really are—a poverty-stricken gold-digger." She let her words sink in, relishing the sting. "And this is what people like you deserve."

Without warning, Sarah tipped her glass of champagne over Emily’s head, letting the sweet, golden liquid cascade down her hair and drip down her face. The glass was returned to the tray with a soft clink, and the waitress, looking uncomfortable, quickly walked away. Emily slowly stood up, stunned, tears welling in her eyes as the crowd began to murmur.

"I’m never going to forgive you," Sarah said, her voice cold and final. "Stay away from me. This is your last warning."

Just as she began to walk away, Emily reached out, holding her arm with desperate fingers. "Sarah, please, I—"

"Get your filthy hands off me!" Sarah snapped, spinning around and shoved Emily hands away.

Emily, unsteady in her heels, tried to regain her balance, but she staggered back and missed a step. In an instant, she was tumbling backward.

Sarah, caught off guard, instinctively reached out to save her. But it was too late.

Emily hit the water with a loud splash.

"I can’t swim—!" Emily’s voice was filled with panic as she flailed in the water, struggling to keep her head above the surface.

Guests who had been chatting in the background now rushed toward the pool, shouting for help. Some were already pulling out their phones to record the spectacle.

Sarah stood still, her eyes wide in horror and disbelief, her body frozen as Emily’s cries for help echoed in her ears. She watched as Emily's frantic hands splashed in the water, the girl she had once called her best friend now drowning in front of her.

The reality of what had just happened began to settle in, but she remained eerily calm, her expression blank.

I believe this update is long. Let's here your comments and opinions.

The thriller has started.
This is an accident, but the context is not good for Sarah at all.
The previous videos, which she had been associated with, may only add fuel to the fire.
And Jason may not be free from criticism if he did not employ a lifeguard for the party.
Having a private swimming pool is more than just aesthetics. Apart from putting up safeguards, it could also mean an extra prayer point.

Kudos for your effort—the plot is really thickening. Sarah comes across as extremely vile; her actions show a deep lack of respect for others. It makes me wonder if she had a traumatic upbringing that shaped her behavior. I have a strong feeling that somewhere along the line, she’s going to cross paths with Alex again, and that encounter could be innd more formal, more dramatic.

sal1974:
Kudos for your effort—the plot is really thickening. Sarah comes across as extremely vile; her actions show a deep lack of respect for others. It makes me wonder if she had a traumatic upbringing that shaped her behavior. I have a strong feeling that somewhere along the line, she’s going to cross paths with Alex again, and that encounter could be innd more formal, more dramatic.

Love your feedback, you just gave me something to think about. I think I will use it to improve and add suspense to the next few chapters. 👍

The chaos has began to come in

Getting interesting. More please

Update:

Just as always I will mention the commenters who I have seen on this thread.

yungbanks, Jupitre, Ybbjune, panpan, repogirl, aurion1, Iseddy, DeltaBachelor, iamL, anjay1212, brightspecimen, immanuelson, ifecodblissedboy, Echetex

My ghost readers 🧐

Nice and interesting story

CHAPTER 13

Charming chuckled loudly, though he didn’t find what she said funny. Bisi, the lady he had been flirting with, was a final year student at AUST, studying in the same Computer Science department. Her older brother was the DJ who had been pestering Sarah earlier. They were standing near the platform where the DJ had set up his sound system. Bisi had mentioned that her brother was a celebrity DJ and MC, mostly catering to the rich and influential.

"So, what do you think about what I asked you earlier?" Charming said, flashing his usual charming smile.

Bisi hesitated for a moment before answering. "I’m sorry, Charming, but I can’t give you my number."

Charming raised an eyebrow. "But why? Hey, I'm not asking for your BVN?"

She chuckled softly and shook her head. "No, it’s not that. I have a boyfriend."

His smile faltered slightly. "And so? I can’t be your friend because you have a boyfriend?"

"It’s not that either," She replied, her tone softening. "My boyfriend might not be too happy about me exchanging numbers with you. I’ve heard him tell his friends how much he hates you. We can say hi when we bump into each other on campus, but anything beyond that... I’m sorry, it just won’t work."

Charming felt a little taken aback, but he brushed it off. He thought she was just playing hard to get. He had already pegged her as the type to flirt without commitment; she had been giving him signs since he introduced himself.

Before he could respond, they heard a loud commotion from the pool area. Shouts and screams pierced through the music, and the crowd around them began to stir. Charming and Bisi turned in unison, both eyes widening as they saw the guests rushing toward the swimming pool.

"I think someone’s drowning," Bisi said, her voice tense with concern. But Charming was already moving, his instincts kicking in. He didn’t wait for another second.

He pushed his way through the crowd of guests, his heart racing. As he reached the edge of the pool, his eyes immediately locked onto the motionless figure floating in the middle of the water—her body barely moving. She was sinking, her face submerged beneath the surface.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Charming whipped off his suit jacket and dived into the pool with a powerful stroke. The cold water hit him like a shock, but he didn’t falter. He swam quickly to the middle, his eyes focused on the lady who was now barely visible beneath the water. Reaching her, he grabbed her lifeless form and pulled her to the surface.

With one hand firmly clutching her, he kicked and paddled his way back toward the edge of the pool. The weight of the unconscious lady in his arms made every stroke more difficult, but he pushed on, dragging her closer to safety. The crowd around the pool had fallen into stunned silence, all eyes on him as he reached the edge, panting with effort.

Two men were already waiting to assist him. They carefully lifted Emily out of the pool and placed her on the ground, farther from the edge. Charming emerged from the water, his body dripping wet, and pushed his hair back with one hand. He dropped to one knee beside Emily, now realizing it was her. One of the men, a doctor, was already performing CPR on her.

Everyone just watched in horror, and fear in their eyes of what could happen next, some of them already muttering silent prayers.

After what felt like an eternity, Emily finally gasped for air. She coughed violently, water splashing from her mouth, and struggled to breathe. The doctor quickly turned her onto her side to help clear her airways.

"Please, give her some space!" the doctor called out to the crowd of guests gathering around them. A few of them reluctantly stepped back.

"And can you please stop recording?!" Charming snapped at the people holding their phones up, their flashlights blinding in the dim light. One of them, the lady Sarah had embarrassed earlier, was among them. Charming couldn’t help but think, No wonder Sarah doesn't like her.

Jason and a few of his friends rushed out of the house, pushing through the crowd. Jason quickly knelt beside Emily, his eyes wide with concern as he gently cradled her. Charming could smell the unmistakable scent of alcohol on his breath, and it was clear from his wobbling posture that he was drunk.

"What happened?" Jason asked, his voice strained, as he held Emily up slightly. She coughed again, still breathless.

Emily gasped for air before managing to say, “I tripped and fell.”

"Your sister pushed her," a voice from the crowd spoke up, drawing everyone's attention. It was the same woman Sarah had clashed with earlier.

Jason’s expression darkened. "Sarah wouldn’t do that," he said firmly, but there was doubt in his voice. A few murmurs rippled through the crowd.

"It was your sister, Jason," one of the doctor said, his voice calm but insistent. "Everyone saw it happen."

Jason's eyes scanned the crowd, searching for Sarah. "Where is she?" he demanded, his voice rising.

The guests shifted uncomfortably. No one spoke, and a few people exchanged uncertain glances.

"Where is Sarah?" Jason repeated, his voice now sharp with anger. Still, no one could answer.

Sarah was nowhere to be seen.

******
Charming walked down the long lobby of the large house, now dressed in a white T-shirt and black trousers, both generously provided by Jason. The T-shirt fit him fine, but the trousers were far too oversized, making him look slightly out of place.

The party had abruptly ended after the near-drowning incident. Jason had carried Emily to his room, and within minutes, some of the guests had started leaving, clearly unsettled by the events.

This wasn’t the first time Charming had found himself rescuing someone from a drowning situation. In fact, he’d once volunteered as a lifeguard at the beach, though he’d mostly done it to flirt with the half-naked ladies. But this time, it was different. He had been genuinely surprised to learn that Sarah had pushed Emily. Why would she do such a thing? He was still trying to wrap his head around it, as he searched for her now. She hadn’t left the compound, not with her bodyguards still around, and her SUV was still parked outside.

Charming walked past a few rooms, then stopped in front of one with the door slightly ajar. He pushed the handle down, and the door creaked open.

Inside, the room was a study. Three bookshelves lined the walls, with a reading table in the middle, a desktop computer sitting on top. The shelves were positioned on both sides of the room, but the one opposite the door was set a little away from the wall, creating a small space behind it; just big enough to accommodate a person.

Curious, Charming walked over to the opposite shelf and peered around the side.

There, sitting on the floor, was Sarah. Her knees were pulled up to her chest, her head resting on them, and her arms wrapped tightly around her legs. Her heels and purse were lying discarded beside her.

"Sarah," Charming called softly, startling her. She quickly lifted her head and shot him a sharp glare.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

"I could ask you the same thing," Charming replied. "Why are you hid--"

"I’m not hiding," Sarah snapped quickly, as if she had to clarify that. "I just don’t want to see anyone right now." She slowly rose to her feet and stepped out from behind the shelf.

"This is all Emily’s fault. If she had just left me alone, none of this would have happened."

Charming’s expression hardened. "Sarah, this isn’t the time to shift blame. What you did was wrong."

Her face twisted with anger. "I told her to leave me alone, but she wouldn’t listen!" she shot back, frustration evident in her voice.

Charming sighed deeply, his expression softening. "But the fact remains, Sarah—you embarrassed her, and you pushed her."

"It wasn't intentional!" Sarah shot back, her voice rising. "I just wanted her to leave me alone. How was I supposed to know she was going to fall into the pool?" Her frustration peaked as she shouted, "And why the hell was she even wearing heels? Emily never wore heels! She hates them!"

"If it wasn't intentional, then why didn’t you try to help her?" Charming pressed, his tone calm but firm. "I know you're a good swimmer."

Sarah hesitated, her anger slowly fading. She shrugged, her face tight with emotion. "For a moment, I forgot she couldn't swim. I was shocked when she started screaming, and it just... it felt like a déjà vu. It reminded me of what happened with Mitchell." Her voice faltered for a moment, the weight of the memory clearly affecting her. "She was screaming exactly the same words. I just froze. I couldn't do anything."

Charming nodded, his expression understanding. "I’m sorry if it brought back bad memories, but right now, you need to make amend, because your brother is very pissed at you. And the only way to bring the heat down is apologizing to him and... Emily"

Sarah scoffed, almost amusingly. "Did you hit your head against the floor of the pool? I should apologize to Emily?"

Charming frowned. "Babe, this isn't a jo--"

Before he could finish, the door to the study suddenly burst open, and Jason stormed in, fury written all over his face. He marched toward them, shouting Sarah’s name.

Sarah instinctively stepped behind Charming, a move that didn’t go unnoticed. Jason only used her name when he was deeply pissed.

"What the hell, Sarah?!" Jason bellowed, his voice echoing through the house.

"Uncle Jason, I think you need to calm down," Charming interjected, stepping between the two. His tone was measured, attempting to de-escalate the situation.

"I begged you, Sarah!" Jason’s voice cracked with frustration. "I pleaded with you not to spoil things for me tonight, but not only did you ruin the party, you also embarrassed and almost drowned my fiancee!"

Sarah, still standing behind Charming, shot back sharply, her voice rising in anger. "Didn’t I tell you to advise your girlfriend to stay away from me? It was all her fault, so stop putting the blame on me!"

Jason couldn’t believe his ears. It was clear his sister didn’t feel an ounce of remorse. His frustration boiled over as he spoke, his voice tinged with disbelief.

“Can you even hear yourself?” he exclaimed. “What if something worse had happened to her? Is this what you would be saying right now?”

“I don’t know, and I don’t care,” Sarah shot back. “If anything had happened to her, it would still be her fault.”

Jason shook his head, the words cutting deeper than he expected. “I don’t even know what’s wrong with you. You’re not the sister I used to know. Right now, You’re acting like a devil!” he lashed out.

“Your girlfriend is the devil here!” Sarah fired back, her eyes flashing with venom. “Can't you see she’s always trying to cause a rift between us? She doesn’t love you, she’s only after your money. I’m the only one who cares about you, if you don’t know that by now.”

“You only care about yourself!” Jason barked, his frustration reaching a breaking point. “You know what, I think you need to revisit your psychotherapy sessions... or better yet, get yourself a boyfriend so you can stop meddling in my relationships. Oh, wait, never mind... you wouldn’t be able to keep a boyfriend, would you? No guy could tolerate this devilish, and wicked attitude of yours!”

His words pierced Sarah’s heart like a spear. Her anger flared, her eyes blazing with fury.

“You’re right,” she snapped back. “I can’t keep a boyfriend, but at least I know the difference between someone who pretends to care and someone who actually loves me. You can’t even tell the difference! All the women you’ve ever dated never loved you—they were just after your wealth and influence. I may not have a boyfriend, but I’m better than you, who can’t even choose a decent woman! You’re just going after gold-diggers!”

Jason’s face turned crimson with fury. “What did you say?” he thundered, his voice low and dangerous.

“Is there anything wrong with what I said?” Sarah retorted, her chin lifted defiantly.

“No, I didn’t hear you clearly. Can you please repeat it?” Jason’s voice dripped with menace as he took a step toward her, his hand raised as if to strike.

Charming, who had been physically standing between them, immediately raised his hands, trying to stop Jason from advancing. “Uncle Jason, please calm down. Let’s not do anything rash,” he said firmly.

Sarah, meanwhile, also moved to step forward, but Charming stopped her.

“Stop begging him, Charming. I’m only speaking the truth. He only dates gold—”

“SARAH!!” Charming’s voice boomed, cutting her off sharply. “That’s enough!”

"Oh, please," Sarah retorted, batting her eyes in an almost dismissive manner. "After all, the evidence is right there. And I was the one who always proved it. And I will prove it again!"

Charming sighed, turning back to Jason, who was still seething but trying to hold it together. "Uncle Jason, please, it's okay. I’ll talk to her myself," he said, attempting to de-escalate the situation.

Jason remained silent for a long moment, his gaze fixed on Sarah, disappointment written all over his face.

Finally, he spoke, his voice low and strained. "I don’t know what happened to my sister, but this... this isn’t you. You disgust me right now, and I don’t want to be around you."

"Well, I don’t want to be around you either!" Sarah shot back.

Charming’s expression hardened as he turned to her, disappointed by her response.

Jason shook his head in disbelief, pity in his eyes as he turned to Charming. "Get your friend out of my house," he said, his voice cold. "I don’t want to see her again. Before I do something I’ll regret." With that, he turned and stormed toward the door, slamming it behind him with finality.

Charming stood there for a moment, letting the weight of the situation settle in. He turned back to face Sarah, his frustration evident.

"Really? You were using me as a human shield?" he asked, his tone incredulous.

Sarah shrugged nonchalantly. "Didn't you noticed he was drunk? I panicked at first."

Charming let out a deep sigh, his patience running thin. "Then why were you adding salt to the wound, babe? He's your elder brother—who is ten years older than you. You don’t treat him like that."

"Didn't you heard the things he said to me!" she snapped, her voice rising defensively. "He started it!"

Charming sighed again, tired of the same old arguments. "Sarah, must you always have the last word? Must you always win?" His voice softened.

Sarah didn’t respond. Instead, she hissed, turned away and walked back to the space behind the shelf. A moment later, she reappeared with her purse and heels, clearly preparing to leave.

Charming watched her in silence as she sat at the reading table, her movements mechanical as she bent over to put on her shoes. He couldn’t help but notice how different she seemed now. The Sarah he once knew—always smiling, always lively—was nowhere to be found. This woman before him, isolated and cold, was a stranger.

He was still processing everything Jason had said, and even more so, the way Sarah had reacted. His mind was racing, trying to make sense of it all. Jason had mentioned something about Sarah attending therapy sessions. Could it be that something deeper was going on with her? Something that had changed her so much? He couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t just a phase. This was something else entirely.

Charming couldn’t help but reflect on the past. He remembered when they were both kids—how Sarah used to have a huge crush on him. Every time their families visited each other, she would hug him and plant a kiss on his cheek, declaring to anyone who would listen that they were going to get married when they grew up. They even wore matching outfits for photo shoots, modeling for various clothing brands. Those were the days when everything felt simple and innocent.

But then, after her mother’s death, things began to change. Sarah’s character shifted, slowly but unmistakably. Her father’s remarriage to her mother’s best friend, just a year after her mother’s funeral, seemed to set off the transformation. Sarah’s reaction was intense—she made life unbearable for her new stepmother, driving her father to send her abroad to live with her Aunt.

Charming vividly recalled the day she left the country. He had escorted her to the airport, and as they said their goodbyes, Sarah had hugged him tightly and kissed him on the cheek one last time. With tears in her eyes, she had made him promise that he would wait for her—that they would marry when they met again. He was just 13 years old then, and the promise had felt like an eternity.

When Sarah returned to Nigeria seven years later, after being expelled from Stanford University, she had changed. She was undeniably more beautiful and mature, but her character had also morphed into something darker. The sweet, innocent girl he once knew was gone. In her place stood someone proud, rude, and easily irritated. She had become domineering—far more so than she had been in her younger years, where she had once been controlling in a subtle, almost playful way. Now she was harsh, quick to lash out with cruel words, and quick to belittle anyone who crossed her path.

Whatever infatuation she had once felt for him had mysteriously faded over time. He had been the one clamoring for her attention now, longing for something special with her—a commitment he had never pursued with any other woman. It took him a while to adjust to her new behavior, to accept that she wasn’t the same girl he had once known. And when he finally gathered the courage to ask her to be his girlfriend, her rejection hit him like a cold slap.

“Seriously? You want me to date someone like you? A community fish? Charming, girls are always around you like a public toilet,” she had said, her tone dismissive. “I don’t share my things with anyone. I can’t date you because I’ve known you for most of my life; so you’re like a brother. You’re even just one year older, and I don’t think you’re mature enough for me. Even if I decided to date you out of pity, it would be a one-sided thing. You’d just be loving yourself.”

Her words had stung, but it wasn’t just the rejection that bothered him. It was the sudden shift in Sarah’s attitude, the way she had distanced herself from him and grown so cold. What confused him even more now was her inexplicable hatred for Emily.

Sarah and Emily had first met during their JAMB exams, and by some twist of fate, they ran into each other again on the day of their POST UTME exams. From there, they became inseparable, despite Sarah’s initial condescension towards Emily because of her poor family background. But Sarah had taken an immediate interest in her, protecting her like a fragile egg. Many guys had felt the wrath of Sarah’s bodyguards when they tried to make advances or bully Emily.

At one point, it seemed as though Sarah might have romantic feelings for her. Charming had even noticed the closeness between them and, foolishly, had tried to make advances toward Emily himself. Sarah had quickly put an end to that, ordering him to back off. She had explained, with an air of authority, that Emily wasn't for him. And when Charming had, in a moment of misguided confidence, tried to directly make a move on Emily, Sarah had ruthlessly embarrassed him in front of everyone.

"He is sweet with words, right?" Sarah had said to Emily after Charming introduced himself in his usual charming manner. Emily had blushed and nodded, clearly flattered by his attention. Sarah, however, didn’t share the same sentiment. With a smirk, she leaned in and added, "Then that’s exactly why you should stay away from him. He’s a dog, only interested in what’s under your skirt. He’s the kind of guy mothers warn their daughters about."

Her words had been sharp, cutting, and meant to leave a mark. They were said in the presence of Dominic, his friends, and some of their coursemates, who had laughed so hard that they nearly broke their ribs at Charming’s expense. Charming had stood there, humiliated, anger bubbling under his skin. He didn’t speak to Sarah for a week after that, the hurt and embarrassment still fresh in his mind. Even when he finally gathered the courage to bring it up, she only shrugged it off with a cold, "You deserved it."

Charming could never understand why Sarah acted this way. She had a way of pushing people away, even those closest to her, and it was something that seemed to only grow more intense over time.

Sarah’s cynicism was not limited to Charming alone. She had always been distrustful of the women Jason dated, successfully ruining five of his previous relationships. It wasn’t just a casual dislike—it was something deeper, something she felt was her duty to fix. She had always believed they were after one thing: his wealth and his fame. And, for the most part, Sarah’s instincts had been right. She had been the one to expose Ezinne, Jason’s last fiancee before Emily. Everyone thought Ezinne and Jason were perfect for each other. But Sarah had dug up evidence, showing that Ezinne was only after a quick marriage to Jason, with plans to divorce him after she'd enriched herself from his fortune.

Charming couldn’t understand it. He thought Sarah had kicked Ezinne out, indirectly clearing the way for Emily. But as soon as Jason and Emily’s relationship blossomed, Sarah’s feelings shifted. Emily, who had once seemed like the best friend, suddenly became the enemy. Sarah had begun calling her a gold-digger, plotting to break them apart. But despite her efforts, Jason’s love for Emily had only grown stronger.

As Charming replayed all of this in his mind, he felt the weight of the situation settle deeper in his chest. He couldn’t help but wonder why Sarah was so determined to protect her brother from any woman who came into his life. What was she afraid of?

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Sarah’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts, her frown pulling him back into the present.

Charming spoke slowly. "But Sarah, I don’t understand. I thought you always wanted Emily and Uncle Jason to end up together. You went out of your way to ruin his other relationships just to make that happen. So why do you hate her so much now?"

Sarah's eyes flashed with disdain. "When did I said such nonsense!" she blurted out, her voice sharp. "Why will I match-make my brother with a low-life like Emily."

"But back then, you were always protecting her from other guys," Charming pressed. "You even went as far as getting her a part-time job, cooking and delivering food to uncle Jason."

"I was just being a good friend! Nothing else. That was before I realized who she really is. Yes, when I first met her, I liked her. I thought she was nice, simple, intelligent—but I never for once wanted her for Jason. After I introduced them, I was happy when she told me that she saw him as just an older brother, but then she later went behind my back, seduced, and started dating him. Even after I suspected something was going on between them, she lied to my face and denied it."

Charming’s brows furrowed as he processed her words. "Well... maybe she later fell in love with him."

Sarah scoffed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, please! Even you don’t believe in that nonsense. Love only exists between family, and even then, your own family might betray you. If she had just told me the truth when I asked her the third time I confronted her about it, I wouldn’t have gotten angry. But she lied—swore nothing was going on between them. She betrayed my trust and tried to deceive me."

Charming thought for a moment, then spoke gently, "I think she was just scared of telling you the truth. You can be... a little intimidating when you’re interrogating someone."

Sarah rolled her eyes. "Charming, please. You don't know the full story, so stop covering up for her. She waited for Ezinne to be kicked out just to secretly seduce Jason in his emotional and heartbroken state. She did what she did because she’s after my brother’s money. She knows exactly what she stands to gain from him."

"Sarah, you and I both know Emily isn’t the type of person who’s swayed by material things," Charming said, attempting to reason with her.

"I don’t care!" Sarah snapped, her voice rising again. "She betrayed my trust... just like my stepmom betrayed my mom. She cheated with my dad, and that led to my mom's death! My mom didn’t deserve that—she was just a good woman who trusted her best friend too much, and look where that got her. And to think... that... that bitch of a stepmom even... even had the guts..."

Her voice faded as her breathing quickened. She bowed her head slightly, clasping both hands against it.

Charming had seen the fury in Sarah’s eyes as she spoke about her mother, and he knew this was a sensitive subject. Quickly, he stepped in, trying to calm her down.

"Sarah, it’s okay. Just breathe. Calm down, please."

Sarah took a deep breath, visibly trying to regain control of her emotions.

There was a long silence before she spoke again, her voice tinged with anger but more measured. "You know, this is also your fault. If you hadn’t gone off chasing after that useless girl, leaving me to face Emily alone, none of this would have happened."

Charming let out a quiet laugh, though it was more out of nervousness than amusement. He raised his hands in mock surrender. "Okay, okay. I admit it. I’m guilty as charged. Happy now?"

Sarah hissed, a sly smile spreading across her face as she stood up from the chair.

"So, what's your next move?" Charming asked, his voice laced with amusement. "Jason's still fuming, and you know there'll be a video of tonight's incident trending on social media by tomorrow morning."

Sarah shrugged, her expression unwavering. "I don't care about some stupid video. My brother's all that matters. Jason will cool off once he's sober. I'll visit him tomorrow morning at his office, before our 10:00 AM class."

As Sarah walked towards the door, Charming called out, "Want me to escort you to your car?"

She tossed a nonchantlant reply over her shoulder, "Do whatever you like."

Charming chuckled and followed her out of the room.

The few remaining guests at the house turned to watch as Charming and Sarah made their way toward the gate, where Dominic and Sarah's bodyguards were waiting for them. Charming spotted Bisi approaching from a distance, wearing his suit jacket draped over her shoulders. She flashed a bright smile as she walked up to them.

"Hi, Charming," she greeted, her voice warm and friendly.

Sarah, without missing a beat, shot her an irritated glance and kept walking ahead, leaving the two of them to chat.

"You're still around?" Charming asked, raising an eyebrow with mild surprise.

"Yeah," Bisi replied, glancing down at the jacket. "You left this by the pool."

She began to take it off, but Charming quickly stopped her. "Please don’t. You can keep it," he said with a grin. "It suits you better."

Bisi giggled, clearly flattered. "What you did tonight was pretty heroic. I was surprised by your actions. You really have a big heart." She reached into her bag and pulled out a small piece of paper, slipping it into his palm. "Call me," she said, making a phone gesture with her hand to her ear.

Charming’s eyes widened in amusement. "Sure, of course."

"Don’t forget," she added as she turned to walk away.

"Dem no born my papa well make i forget," Charming joked, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. Bisi burst into laughter, clearly enjoying the banter before heading off to join her brother.

Charming chuckled to himself as he watched her go. It was funny how quickly things had changed. Just a while ago, she had been hesitant to give him her number or even chat with him, but after witnessing his so-called "heroic" rescue, her attitude had shifted completely. Some girls and their strange ways of thinking!

But Charming wasn’t interested in a friendship—he didn’t want the honeybee, he only wanted the honey-pie.



******11:43PM******

"Who is she?" Chinonye asked Fiona as they watched the video clip that was already trending on Twitter and Instagram.

"Her name is Emily. She was once Sarah's friend, the one who used to live here before you came..." Fiona replied, her voice trailing off.

Chinonye’s eyes widened in surprise. "The one you said Sarah chased out?"

"Yes," Fiona confirmed. "She and Sarah were very close—closer than I was to Sarah, actually. Sarah always protected and supported her. Then, out of nowhere, she secretly started dating Uncle Jason. I’m not sure what happened after that. All I know is that Sarah came home one day and just threw her things out. That was it."

Chinonye sat quietly for a moment, processing what Fiona had said. "Sarah can be really scar--"

The door suddenly burst open, interrupting her. Sarah walked in, her expression stormy. She glanced at the ladies and saw they were watching something on Fiona's phone.

"Another video, right?" Sarah asked, her voice laced with annoyance.

The ladies nodded, and Sarah hissed under her breath, heading straight for her room.

"So much for that boring party..." she muttered as she passed them.

She entered her room, slammed the door behind her, and threw her purse onto the bed. With a sigh, she pulled out her phone. Her father had been calling repeatedly during the ride home, but she had ignored it. Just as she was about to put the phone down, another call came through. Reluctantly, she swiped to accept.

"Princess, what is this I’m seeing now?" her father’s voice boomed over the line. "What is your problem? Why are you always ruining this family name? Why are you trying to destroy your brother’s relationship again? Don’t you want him to get married and..."

Sarah didn’t even let him finish. She set the phone down on the bed, undressed, and stepped into the shower, letting the hot water wash away the stress of the night.




>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Alright, that's it for now. Two more chapters will be dropping this week on Thursday, and Sunday.

Till then, stay tuned.

Don't forget to drop your comments and opinions about the story so far.

Like and share. Let's invite more readers👍

Nice chapter

Thank you for the update.
Since Charming's effort was successful, news of the party incident will probably fade eventually.
That means another thriller scene is coming.

Thanks for the update Tony,

Where men fit buy this book ? The suspense is killing me

nastynic:
Thanks for the update Tony,

Where men fit buy this book ? The suspense is killing me

The full book would be released soon. I'm just editing the last parts of it. By God's grace, it's should be ready next week to be published online.

I will make an announcement whenever it's up for sale.

Bro....you sabi

New Update:

Just as always I will mention the commenters who I have seen on this thread.

yungbanks, Jupitre, Ybbjune, panpan, repogirl, aurion1, Iseddy, DeltaBachelor, iamL, anjay1212, brightspecimen, immanuelson, ifecodblissedboy, Echetex, sal1974

My ghost readers 🧐

CHAPTER 14

Friday — 9:37AM
*******

Alex parked his scooter in the parking lot, just as he always did: right on the white line dividing two parking spaces. A red Rav4 Jeep was parked in the left section, but the right section was empty. He observed the space carefully, making sure not to take up more than his fair share, before heading toward the lecture halls.

As he walked, he noticed a young lady approaching from the road leading to the College of Technology. She was smiling at him, and although she looked vaguely familiar, he didn’t think much of it. He simply looked away and continued walking. However, she picked up her pace and caught up with him.

"Hi," she said, stopping beside him.

"Hello, good morning," Alex greeted curtly, giving her an uninterested glance.

"You don't remember me, do you?" she asked, her smile still intact.

Alex raised an eyebrow. "I don’t think so," he replied, hoping she would take the hint and leave him alone.

"I’m the server from the CS canteen," she said, her voice light and friendly. "The food counter, remember?"

Alex’s eyes widened as his memory kicked in. She was the cheerful and friendly lady who had served him that day in the canteen. He quickly offered her a smile.

"Oh, I remember now! Well, it’s nice to see you again," he said, extending his hand. She took it, her smile widening in response.

She hesisted for a moment before saying, "I was also the one who gave you the water bottle to wash your face after that incident."

Alex's expression softened as he remembered the awkward moment. "Oh! I see," he said, his tone indifferent but appreciative. "Thanks a lot. I couldn't really see your face properly that day."

She nodded sympathetically. "Yeah, I know. I’m sorry about the humiliation you went through because of that girl. I’m sure you had no idea who she was and just wanted a seat."

Alex felt a slight relief at her understanding. Finally, someone who gets it, he thought. "That whole thing was a setup. One of the students in the hall directed me to her seat, saying it was free. I admit, I was a bit naïve."

"That’s really bad," she said, shaking her head. "Every session, the naughty students on campus are always waiting for the next JJC to fall into her trap. Most new students don’t even know who she is until they’ve experienced her firsthand." Her voice lowered slightly. "Do you know that she pushed someone into a swimming pool at a party yesterday? The person almost died."

"What?!" Alex exclaimed, his eyes widening in shock.

She pulled out her phone and started scrolling. "Let me show you."

Alex quickly raised a hand to stop her. "There’s no need for that. I don’t want to see anything related to her."

She tucked her phone back into her jeans pocket, a knowing look in her eyes. "She’s a very cruel person, one you should definitely avoid at all costs."

"Yeah, I know that, especially after finding out we’re both course mates," Alex muttered.

Her’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Wait, you’re in the same class? I thought you were… I don’t understand."

"I came to this school as a transfer student," Alex explained, his tone more matter-of-fact now.

She blinked, processing the information. "Oh! So you’re in 300 level, then?" she asked, and Alex nodded in confirmation.

"I’m in 300 level too. Department of Science Laboratory Technology. I am Monalisa by the way, or Lisa for short."

Alex gave her a warm smile. "Nice to meet you, Lisa."

"I would’ve loved to keep calling you 'Mr. Superman,' but it seems that embarrassing incident has ruined the name," Lisa teased, and chuckled.

Alex laughed, though it was a little strained. "Yeah, that was... something else. Just call me Alex."

Lisa nodded with a smile. "So, Alex, how’s your third week at AUST going?" She asked, her tone light and friendly, trying to steer the conversation to a more positive topic.

"Second actually, but It’s okay," Alex said with a shrug. "I’ve met some nice people... some rude ones, and a few funny ones too. I’d say it’s going great. Oh, and I wouldn’t be exaggerating if I say you’re the nicest student I’ve met on campus so far."

Lisa blushed, a soft smile tugging at her lips. "I think you’re being too nice with your words," she said, clearly flattered. "I haven’t seen you at the canteen since that day. I’m guessing it’s because of... you know, the incident?"

Alex nodded, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "Yeah, I’ve been avoiding that place like the plague."

Lisa burst out laughing at his honesty, and Alex couldn’t help but smile. Her laugh was light and infectious.

"Oh please!" Lisa said between giggles. "You don’t have to let that incident stop you from doing what you want. It’s just one of those things."

Alex shook his head, still grinning. "I know, I know. But it’s just... well, it’s hard to get that image out of my head. Do you work there, by the way?"

"Kind of," she replied with a shrug. "My dad owns the canteen. He also runs the one at the College of Technology and the staff cafeteria."

As they reached the SLT hall, Lisa stopped at the entrance.

"Well, I guess this is where we part ways," Alex said, looking at her with a smile.

"Yeah, most of my classes are here," Lisa said, pausing for a moment. "I’ll be expecting to see you at the canteen later."

Alex gave her a nod. "I’ll keep that in mind."

Lisa grinned mischievously. "If I don’t see you, I’ll come to find you and drag you there myself."

Alex chuckled. "I’ll make sure I don’t give you the chance."

They exchanged a wave as Lisa turned to enter her class, and Alex continued on his way to his hall, feeling a little lighter than before.

******

A sleek black Lexus SUV rolled into the parking lot, smoothly sliding into the only available spot on the left side of the carriageway. The back door opened, and Sarah stepped out, dressed casually but with an air of authority. She wore the official sky-blue Manchester City jersey, paired with black jeans and dark sneakers. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail, and a waist bag rested around her waist, while her school bag hung over one shoulder.

Her two bodyguards, Peter and Audu, exited the front seats of the car. They were both dressed in matching red tracksuits, their bags slung across their chests.

As Sarah moved past the rear of the Lexus towards the lecture area, her gaze drifted over to a yellow scooter parked improperly in the space between her Lexus and a red Rav4. The scooter was almost touching her car, and she immediately scowled.

"Who parked this thing here?" she demanded, turning to look at her bodyguards.

Peter and Audu exchanged a glance, both clearly confused. They had just arrived with her, so they had no idea who the scooter belonged to.

Sarah heaved a deep breath as if trying to calm herself. Just another idiot trying to test her patience this morning. Why don't they ever learn?

"Take this nonsense out of here and trash it," she suddenly ordered, her voice cold and unyielding. "Make sure you leave a message. I want whoever owns it to come back and see their mistake. Am I clear?"

"Yes, ma'am," they both replied in unison.

She gave the scooter one last disdainful look before continuing her walk toward the lecture halls.

Audu waited until she had gone a reasonable distance before speaking. “When she said trash it, did she mean dump it somewhere else or actually vandalize it?”

“I think she meant the latter,” Peter muttered flatly.

“Are you sure?”

“She told us to leave a message. What else do you think that means?”

“What if you’re wrong?”

Peter sighed heavily. “Then the owner of the scooter is just unlucky. Better them than us. She’s already on edge after last night. You really don’t want to get on her bad side." He paused, then added. "You do the trashing, I’ll follow her."

Audu nodded and got to work, while Peter fell in step after Sarah, maintaining a watchful distance.

Audu shook his head with a mix of pity and resignation as he wheeled the scooter away and pushed it to the side. He couldn’t help but wonder who the unlucky person was that had fallen into his boss’s trap today. Normally, he would have just wheeled the scooter somewhere else without causing any damage, but he knew better than to take that risk. If Sarah somehow returned and found out her orders had been flouted, he and Peter would be the ones in trouble.

He recalled the day they were first assigned to her. Their job was simple enough; protect her and report back to her father about her daily activities. But things had changed the moment they met her. The moment Sarah laid eyes on them, she had scrutinized them with cold, calculating irritation. Without missing a beat, she had informed them that she knew they were there to spy on her, and dared them to report anything to her father.

"You two work for me now, not for him," she had said, her voice sharp and uncompromising. "Double-cross me and I will gladly ruin your careers."

She had secured their loyalty with that chilling threat, but also sweetened the deal by significantly increasing their monthly pay. Audu had learned quickly that working for Sarah wasn’t just about protection; it was about survival. And her demands were never small.

Now, as he opened the boot of the Lexus SUV, he reached inside and grabbed a hand hammer. He knew exactly what was expected of him.

******

Alex arrived in class and stopped at Big John’s desk.

"Big John," he called out.

"Hmmm?" Big John responded, not looking up from the paper he was writing on.

"Where's my textbook? The ones you were supposed to pick up for me from the departmental office?" Alex asked.

Big John looked up, his expression blank for a moment as he tried to recall. "Oh! Your textbook. Ehh... I went there yesterday and the day before, but the office was locked. Don’t worry, on Monday or Tuesday, you'll get it."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "Why does it feel like you're lying? I'm pretty sure you just forgot about it."

Big John sighed, clearly irritated. "Oga, I don tell you say I go collect your textbook next week, abeg make you dey go."

Alex was not satisfied. "How about you go there today?"

"Oooooh God! This guy leave me na." Big John grumbled. "On Monday or Tuesday you will get your textbook. I have a lot in my mind now."

Alex resigned with a sigh and continued up the aisle. He nodded at Kobiruo and Bayo, the two guys occupying the seats before the last, then shook hands with Jimi and Sam.

Jimi and Sam were both watching something on Sam's phone. Alex didn’t need to be a psychic to guess what it was. It was the same video Lisa had tried to share with him some minutes ago. It seemed like most of the students in class were debating it, too.

In their class, Sarah was always a topic of conversation. Students were either talking about her latest outfit; usually a mix of boss-lady corporate styles or rich-spoiled-girl aesthetics, or about her most recent posts on social media. She was a special student, one who came to class whenever she felt like it, and most of the lecturers didn’t seem to mind. Even when she wasn’t in class, no one except Chinonye dared to sit in her designated seat.

"Hey, Alex, have you seen that new video trending on the school platform? It’s everywhere, even on social media," Jimi said, nudging Alex with his shoulder.

Alex shot him a hard stare, and Jimi immediately understood. "Sorry!" he quickly apologized.

Alex's gaze shifted to a guy who was about to sit down in the 14th row of the middle column. The guy was dark-skinned, about five-foot-eight, and looked matured and older than most of the students in the class. The guy smile and waved at Alex, and Alex did the same.

"Do you know that guy?" Jimi asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Yeah," Alex answered.

"A friend?"

"Not particularly. He is someone I met about a year ago under a certain situations. Just saw him again here on campus. He's a nice guy."

Jimi shook his head. "Effiong is a nice guy, yes. But he also every suspicious. He’s the oldest guy in our class—about 27, I think. Doesn’t come to class much. Has deferred his admission countless times for reasons no one really knows. Some of our current final-year students even said they met him back when they were freshers. It’s almost like he doesn’t want to leave this school.

He leaned in and whispered, "I’ve also heard some bad things about him. He’s rumored to be into illegal business activities. The police have arrested him thrice, but they couldn’t find any evidence to hold him. He’s trouble. I think you should stay away from him."

Alex chuckled softly, giving Jimi a funny look.

"Why are you laughing?" Jimi asked, puzzled. "Did I say something funny?"

"You gossip a lot for a quiet guy, you know," Alex said. "What you heard were just rumor, doesn't mean it real."

******
Sarah smiled as she saw Charming heading toward her. She was sitting inside one of the arch-shaped pavilions in the college garden, the morning sun casting a warm glow around her.

"Hi, Pretty Angel," Charming greeted as he entered the pavilion.

"Hey," Sarah replied, her smile widening.

He took a seat beside her, looking her over. "I can see you're shining this morning. Care to share the good news?"

"Who told you there’s any good news?" Sarah beamed, clearly amused.

"If there wasn't, your facial expression would be almost unreadable. So, did you visit Uncle Jason like you said you would?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Sarah rolled her eyes playfully. "Yeah, I did. And, like I said, Jason can't stay angry with me for long. I apologized, and he apologized too. We’re good now."

"Wow! That was easy," Charming chuckled. "What about your dad? I’m sure he saw that video that’s already trending."

"He did." Sarah shrugged nonchalantly. "And he gave me the chastisement of my life last night."

Charming laughed, his amusement obvious. Sarah continued, "He kept going on about how I was ruining my brother's life, how I didn’t want him to get married, how I was embarrassing him—bla-bla-bla. I didn’t bother to listen to the details. I just left the phone on the bed, took a shower, and when I came back, he was still talking."

Charming burst into laughter, but Sarah's smile faded a little as she added, "Then he said something that really bothered me. He said this was my second strike, and I have only one more left. If another scandal about me hits the internet, I wouldn't want to see what he'd do."

Charming raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "What do you think he would do?"

Sarah shrugged, her expression indifferent. "I don’t know, but I imagine the worst. After all, he dragged me all the way to this school, even though I didn’t want to come to Nigeria. He cares more about his political image than anything else."

"What was your first strike?" Charming asked, genuinely curious.

Sarah pouted thoughtfully, then gave a nonchalant shrug. "I think it was the Mitchell incident at Stanford."

Charming nodded in understanding. "I’m glad you and Jason were able to work things out." He paused, studying her face closely. "Sarah, I think you should take your father’s threat seriously—even if he’s just worried about his image. I mean, you’re not an entertainment celebrity. You shouldn’t be drowning in scandals like this."

Sarah frowned, her brow furrowing. "Are you saying it’s my fault?"

"No, Sarah. I’m saying…" He hesitated, trying to find the right words. "You shouldn’t let people... hmm, especially annoying people... get to you, piss you off, and make you do things that put you at odds with your dad."

"Annoying people like Emily, right?" she asked, giving him a curious look.

Charming nodded, though he wasn’t entirely comfortable with the direction of the conversation. "Yeah… something like that."

"What are you doing here, anyway?" he asked, trying to change the subject. "We have class in about..." He checked his phone. "Ten minutes."

Sarah smirked, as if she’d been waiting for the question. "Yeah, I know! Jason asked me to apologize to Emily, so I called her to meet me here."

Charming gave her an awkward look. The Sarah he knew would never apologize—not even to her father. The word ‘apologize’ didn’t even exist in her vocabulary. Apart from Jason and her Aunt, Sarah had never apologized to anyone, period.

"And you’re actually going to do it?" he asked, clearly skeptical.

"Of course," she replied, her voice firm. "Though I also wanted to speak to her about something else." She paused, then glanced up as if on cue. "Oh! Speak of the devil," she added, spotting Emily walking into the college garden.

Charming’s curiosity deepened. He wondered what Sarah wanted to speak to Emily about. As Sarah stood up, her eyes locked on Emily, her expression turning cold with contempt.

"Hey, Emily. How are you doing now?" Charming greeted as Emily entered the pavilion.

"I'm fine, Charming. Thanks a lot for yesterday," Emily replied with a faint smile.

"Anytime!" Charming cheered, his bright tone trying to lift the mood.

Emily’s gaze flickered to Sarah, who was still staring at her. "Hello, Sarah. Good morning."

"You can keep your greetings to yourself," Sarah retorted, folding her arms across her chest. She sighed dramatically and continued. "I’ll just go straight to the point." Her voice was cold, but she powered through. "I can’t keep fighting you because Jason loves you so much. I care about my brother, and I don’t want to hurt him anymore, so I’ll have to accept whatever he wants—even though I hate to."

She cleared her throat, clearly preparing herself. "So... I want to apologize for what I did to you last night. It was wrong, and something worse could have happened." Her words carried no warmth, her antagonistic tone draining every atom of sincerity from them.

"Although..." Sarah paused, her lips curling with irritation. Charming rolled his eyes as he could already feel the shift in her words.

"If you had stayed away from me, like I told you, or if you weren't wearing heels, yesterday’s incident wouldn’t have happened. So, it was partly your fault too."

Emily blinked, a little taken aback, but she maintained her composure. "It’s okay, Sarah. I’ve already forgiven you. I know you didn’t do it intentionally. And, I would also like--"

"Yeah, whatever!" Sarah snapped, cutting her off. "Now let me warn you!" She took a step forward, her gaze sharpening, and Emily instinctively stepped back.

"If you take one step backward, make one wrong move or do anything to hurt my brother and break his heart, I will come after you with everything I have. I’ll make your life so unbearable that you’ll regret not drowning in that pool last night. Are we clear?"

Emily nodded, her face pale, looking like a frightened child. Sarah fluttered her fingers dismissively at her. "Now, shush off!"

Emily slowly turned and left the pavilion, her steps heavy and hesitant. Sarah watched her go with a mixture of satisfaction and annoyance.

Turning to Charming, Sarah found him watching her with a disapproving look.

"What?" she asked, her tone defensive.

"So, you only wanted to threaten her?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I just wanted her to know her place," she replied, her voice hardening. "She needs to be aware that I’m watching her every move."

Charming shook his head, his voice playful but serious. "The words you use sometimes are terrifying, you know. If you weren’t so pretty, I’d swear you were the Devil in human form."

Sarah smiled mischievously, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, the Devil’s not ugly either. Infact, the Bible describes him as one of the fairest of God’s angels. So who knows, I might just be that Devil."

"Blood of Jesus!!" Charming exclaimed, his face wide with mock horror.

Sarah giggled softly, her earlier tension melting away.