C11 Chapter Eleven

The moment I heard what Chidi said, I felt terrible.

For some reason, I felt like everything was my fault. I remembered how Chidi and Ebere used to be. They were like twin brothers. They laughed together, joked together, played together, and did almost everything together. If you saw them playing, you would hardly believe they were grown men from wealthy families. They could behave like children whenever they were together.

And now, hearing that they were no longer on good terms because of me made me feel guilty.

I looked at Chidi.

“I’m sorry,” I said immediately. “Because of me, you’re no longer on good terms with your friend. Please forgive me. This whole thing shouldn’t affect you.”

Chidi looked at me and smiled.

“Come on, Angel. It’s not your fault. Nobody forced me to choose your side. One thing about me is that I can never choose the wrong path. You are innocent. You didn’t do anything to Ebere that deserved this. So why should I support him in treating you badly?”

He paused and looked at me.

“So please, don’t feel bad. All I want is to see you happy. I want to see you smiling again. I want the former Chinyere I used to know.”

I looked at him quietly.

“Do you remember the Chinyere I used to know?” he continued. “The original Chinyere was always happy and always smiling. Not this Chinyere who cries every time.”

He smiled.

“I want that Chinyere to come back. And you know something? Whenever you smile with this beautiful face, you look even more beautiful.”

I couldn't help but smile a little.

“Please, my dear, promise me one thing. Promise me you will stop crying.”

I nodded.

“Come on. I want you to smile for me.”

I forced a small smile.

Chidi laughed.

“That’s my girl. Please, I don’t want to see these tears in your eyes again. I want this smile to remain on your face. Promise me.”

I nodded again.

“That’s my Angel.”

After a while, Chidi stood up.

“I need to go back to the office. I rushed home immediately I got the call, and there are still some things I need to handle at the office.”

He picked up his things.

“But get dressed. Once I come back from the office, I’m taking you somewhere. There’s somewhere I want to take you.”

I immediately became curious.

“Where?”

He smiled.

“Don’t worry. It’s a surprise. Just do as I said. I’m coming back.”

“Okay. Bye.”

“Bye, Angel.”

He walked out.

As soon as he left, I locked the door behind him.

For the first time in days, I felt a little different. After talking to Chidi, something inside me felt lighter. I felt calmer and, somehow, a little happy.

I went upstairs, took my bath, dressed up, and came downstairs to eat.

That evening, Rita knocked on my door.

“Ma, Oga is back, and he said you should dress up.”

“Okay, Rita.”

I still had no idea where Chidi was taking me, but somehow, I was excited to find out.

I went to my wardrobe and picked one of my beautiful red short gowns. I styled my hair, applied soft makeup, wore my sandals, and made sure I looked good.

Then I started coming downstairs.

When I was almost at the bottom of the staircase, I saw Chidi standing in the sitting room.

The moment he heard my footsteps, he turned around.

Our eyes met.

He looked at me for a few seconds, then smiled.

“Wow! What a beauty.”

I smiled.

When I reached the second-to-last step, he stretched out his hand. I placed my palm in his, and he gently helped me down the remaining steps.

As we walked, he kept praising me and calling me different beautiful names. I couldn't help smiling.

“You still haven’t told me where you’re taking me,” I reminded him.

Chidi smiled mischievously.

“I’m taking you to where they asked me to bring you.”

I became confused.

“They asked you to bring me? Who?”

He looked at me teasingly.

“And where?”

I burst out laughing.

“Are you scared?”

I didn't answer. I simply looked down.

“Don’t worry,” he said. “You’re always safe with me. As long as you’re with me, nothing will happen to you. Don’t be scared. I have somewhere to take you, and I believe you’re going to love it.”

We walked outside together and got into one of his cars—a BMW.

As we drove, he played beautiful music through the car speakers. He was even dancing slightly while driving.

At one point, he looked at me.

“Angel, are you enjoying the ride?”

“Yes, but please mind the road.”

He laughed.

“Yes, my chauffeur madam!”

We both started laughing.

After some time, he stopped at a boutique.

I looked at him in surprise.

“But why are we here?”

“To do a little shopping.”

“Shopping?”

“Yes. I want to get you some clothes.”

“But I have clothes.”

He smiled.

“Yes, I know you have clothes. But none of those clothes came from Chidi.”

I burst out laughing.

“You’re too funny.”

“Yes. That’s my job. My job is to make sure I see a smile on this face.”

He came around and opened the door for me. I stepped out, and he held my hand as we walked into the boutique together.

“Angel, pick anything you like.”

“Anything?”

“Yes. Anything.”

I started picking beautiful gowns, clothes, and shoes.

After choosing the ones I liked, I went into the changing room and tried them on one after another. Each time I came out, I would show him.

He would look at me and say, “Turn.”

I would turn around.

“Wow! This is beautiful.”

I would smile.

It was so much fun.

After I finished choosing the clothes and shoes I wanted, Chidi paid for everything. He carried the bags himself while I walked beside him back to the car.

I thought that was all.

I thought we were going back home.

But I was wrong.

That was only the beginning.

We continued our journey.

“Where are we going now?” I asked.

“Don’t worry. Just relax and enjoy yourself.”

He smiled.

“Today is your day. It’s just you and me today.”

We kept driving until we arrived at a recreational bike-riding centre.

The moment I saw the different power bikes lined up, I looked at him.

“Are we going to ride those?”

“Yes.”

I became nervous.

“Oh, I’m scared.”

“Don’t worry. You’re going to enjoy it.”

He paid for our tickets, and they gave us the necessary riding gear—helmets, boots, gloves, and protective pads for our elbows and knees.

We changed and got ready.

Chidi got on the bike first, and I climbed onto the seat behind him.

“Hold me tightly,” he told me.

I wrapped my arms around him.

Then we took off.

It was one of the funniest and most exciting experiences I had ever had.

The breeze hit my face as we rode along. The trees seemed to dance beside us, and I couldn't stop laughing.

“Wow! This is lovely!”

“I told you you were going to enjoy it!” Chidi shouted back.

We had so much fun.

After the ride, we returned the equipment, changed our clothes, and continued our outing.

Chidi also took me to a restaurant where we had drinks and something to eat. We laughed, talked, watched a movie, and simply enjoyed ourselves.

For the first time since everything happened with Ebere and Ngozi, I wasn't thinking about my problems.

I was just happy.

By the time Chidi brought me home that night, I was exhausted.

As soon as we entered, Madam Mary welcomed us.

“Ma, sir, dinner is ready.”

“Dinner?” I asked dramatically. “Me? Dinner?”

Everyone looked at me.

“Your boss wants to finish me with food today, and you’re still talking about dinner? My stomach wants to burst!”

Everyone burst into laughter.

“The only thing I need now is to freshen up and give my bed a very big jump tonight!”

They laughed even harder.

I picked up my handbag and waved at them.

“Good night, everyone.”

As I walked upstairs, I noticed Chidi watching me.

He was smiling.

I didn't know what was going through his mind, but he looked genuinely happy.

I went into my room, took my bath, changed into my nightwear, and climbed into bed.

That night, I had the most peaceful sleep I had experienced in a very long time.

For the first time since everything with Ebere and Ngozi began, I slept without crying.

I slept without fear.

And for one night, at least, my heart was at peace.

TO BE CONTINUED.