And Karma said you will fall in love with someone who doesn't love you, for not loving someone who did.
•|•|•|•|•
Imade went to the ladies restroom and sat in a stall. She sighed heavily. In a short while, someone walked in humming a certain tune that made her freeze.
Imade's eyes followed the person's shoes underneath the door. It was a man's shoe just like she feared. She quickly clapped her hand over her mouth and kept quiet.
The man walked about twice before leaving the restroom and when Imade felt she was safe, she shakily came out.
Imade stared around the hall fearfully but no one was around. She began to cry in relief and an approaching figure just came in. He stared at Imade and came closer. "Imade?"
"Ah!" Imade jumped fearfully and turned to see Darren. "Darren..." Imade breathed in relief and the floods of tears came in.
"What happened? Imade?" Darren asked concerned.
At the after party, Kim sat in a table with Tristan and she whispered to him. "Tell me what is going on" she said annoyed. "i'm not blind, I can see what is happening. What is up with you and Mr. Badmus?"
"...Mr. Badmus is a brotherhood member and the one with Kazeem's brother" Tristan admitted quietly. Kim gasped in surprise, glancing quickly at Badmus.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" She griped.
"Sorry" Tristan apologized.
Just as Kim was about to chew into Tristan some more, she got a text from Darren. "Darren is here...there is a problem with Imade, hold on" Kim said and excused herself.
Kim went outside and saw Imade trembling fearfully in Darren's arms. "What happened?" Kim asked concerned.
"I'm not exactly sure but she seems terrified" Darren answered. "she is scared about something and it is really serious."
"Imade, what's wrong? What's wrong?" Kim asked.
"He came, he came again, I was so scared" Imade repeated crying. She hid her face in Darren's suit. "he came for me. He won't leave me alone."
Kim and Darren exchanged a pensive look. "Who is following you? What is going on Imade?" Kim asked but Imade didn't answer them.
"I think we should take her home" Darren suggested and Kim agreed. She returned to the party hall.
"Mr. Alabi, Imade isn't feeling well and it's serious. I need to take her home" Kim said.
Mr. Alabi nodded, "she looked really worried earlier. Take care of her."
Kim nodded and exchanged glances with Tristan before leaving. As she walked away, a man whistling the same tune the man at the bathroom whistled joined Mr. Badmus and whispered in his ear.
Kim joined Darren outside and they took Imade in Darren's car. At the party, Tristan opened his phone to see a text from Darren.
D - Can't come for the party, i'm taking Imade and Kim home. Have fun.
Tristan grunted grumpily and returned to the party but not a moment too soon did he converse more when he received another text.
I - There was a bit of a problem. Can we meet?
Tristan looked concerned and got up. "I'm sorry, I have to go" he said apologetically. "Goodbye."
Everyone exchanged goodbyes and Tristan left. Badmus watched him leave cautiously.
At Imade's house, Kim changed into Imade's shirt and shorts which were a bit big for her considering Imade's size. "Your cloth is swallowing me" Kim deadpanned.
Imade chuckled feeling much better. Darren peeked his head in and entered the bedroom. "Wow, you have nice house and bedroom" Darren said impressed.
Kim gave him a look as he sauntered over to Imade's wardrobe and brought out a bra. "Ooh, sexy" Darren grinned mischievously, "and you are an A-cup, nice. Kim is barely a B."
"What the heck man?!" Kim exclaimed, looking scandalized. She threw a pillow at him but he dodged.
"Shut up" Imade said and snatched her bra.
"Okay, but will you please tell us what happened at the party?" Darren said, sitting on the bed. He continued, "we have noticed that you are really worried about something, talk."
Imade looked hesitant to talk. "Fine, I'll tell you Kim. Darren leave, I want to talk to Kim alone first" Imade said and stared at Darren expectantly.
Darren was taken aback and got up grumpily. "I help her and I end up the one kicked out" he grumbled offended. "women."
Kim rolled her eyes ignoring Darren comical rant and turned to Imade. "Tell me, what is the matter?" She asked seriously once Darren was gone.
"She...it started after I returned from the village. I started receiving strange letters about how they liked my dress or hair" Imade said scared. "I thought it was really strange and creepy but I didn't pay it any attention, then it got worse."
"I went on a few dates but when I got back but whenever I checked up on the dates, they were badly beaten up." Imade said, "it was only days ago I knew I was being stalked, and that man is every where. He keeps whistling that annoying song. I even heard him at the party, he is a bastard."
Kim looked so sad and worried for her friend. "What nonsense? I can't believe it" she said in disbelief and hugged her friend. "Did you tell the police?" Kim asked.
"I tried even though I was scared but they didn't even do anything. It was as if they didn't care" Imade said, "he knows where I live Kim, he knows everywhere I am and it scares me."
"Hmm" Kim looked worried. "You, you can't stay alone in the house with a madman threatening you. I am going to stay here with you and we will report this properly to the police, they have to do something."
"Are you sure this will work?" Imade asked unsure.
"Of course, it's our best option" Kim assured, "don't worry, i'm here. Darren is here too."
"Okay." Imade said relaxed then added, "now tell me all about you and Mr. Ogunkoya, how did you end up his fiancée? Give me the gist Kimberly."
"Fine, relax" Kim said and they talked more until a desperate knock on the door distracted them.
"It's not fair you guys, how could you just leave me out here?!" Darren exasperatedly whined from the other side and Kim and Imade giggled.
At Tristan's apartment, Tristan sat helping Iyke dress his wounds. Iyke got out barely injured though his legs did hurt from jumping down. "I would scold you but I have no right seeing as I was the one who sent you there" Tristan said trying.
"At least I got information on Waris and diverted their attention" Iyke said, "we can topple Badmus easily once we target those in charge of his business."
"I will get some of our other contacts to get on that" Tristan said, "you should lay down for a bit and stay away from Badmus."
"Okay, but we should tell Kazeem we know where is brother works." Iyke said and Tristan nodded.
•|•|•
The next day, Kim was in the bathroom talking to Tristan. "...I am planning to report to the police, Imade is really worried about it and I am too" Kim said. "I will have to stay with her for a few days."
"I understand, you can ask me for some help if you need it" Tristan offered and Kim smiled.
"I don't want to get you involved but if it comes down to it, I will" Kim said, "how was the party yesterday?"
"I left after you did. Iyke got back from his mission" Tristan said.
"Tristan, promise me you will inform me of all your plans. Who knows if I can help you?" Kim said.
"I will" Tristan smiled. "I promise...it's a shame though. Why did this come up now? I really wanted you to move back to the house."
Kim grinned pleased. "I bet you feel bad now for not grabbing the opportunity properly back then" she gloated, "next time, appreciate what you have properly-"
"Hey Kim! I know we have no work today but we still should be prepared" Imade yelled from out the door. "stop talking to your boyfriend and leave the bathroom."
Tristan chuckled and Kim smiled broadly, looking chastised. "Well, I'll see you later. Love you" Kim said.
"Love you too" Tristan answered and hung up.
Later, Kim and Darren were leaving Imade alone to do their businesses. "Take care Imade, and I have some things that can help so hang on" Darren said.
"Thank you Darren, you've been good to me" Imade said and Darren nodded. She turned to Kim, "come back soon."
"Just give me a day" Kim smiled and waved goodbye to Imade. Kim and Darren walked out and Kim sighed audibly.
"I didn't really believe things like this existed" Kim said.
"It does. Some people are just sick" Darren said.
"Do you know what we can do to help? I am not entirely sure I can help" Kim said feeling insecure.
"We will help her, relax. Just go to your dear Tristan and I will go back to work." Darren said, "I am coming back too to help. I am staying with you guys, you need a man."
"You can't stay in a house with two women!"
"You stayed in a house once full of four men, it's no big deal" Darren retorted, "we even stayed together once, alone. Don't overreact."
"Still..." Kim said unconvinced.
"You don't trust me? I should be the one scared, you might just rape me because of my handsomeness." Darren said dramatically. "I'm just too handsome to resist."
Kim stared at him deadpan and scoffed, rolling her eyes as she walked away. She ignored Darren's calls to drop her off.
At Iyke's place, Kim came to check on Iyke and found Deborah there to see him as well. She was helping him though he insisted he didn't need help.
Kim sat with Iyke as they watched Deborah walk about doing things Iyke didn't need her to do. "...don't stop her, she only wants to help you" Kim said.
"She actually messes things up for me" Iyke said looking irritated but not really irritated.
"What are you going to do now that you know where Waris is?" Kim asked.
"I can't go there because they know me so we are planning to send Darren. That place seems to be more of his style anyways." Iyke said nonchalantly.
"I pray this goes well and Kazeem meets his brother." Kim said then got up. "I will see you later Iyke. Bye Debbie."
"Bye" Deborah said waving cheerily. Iyke looked soured faced at her cheeriness but said nothing. Kim left and Iyke watched Deborah walk around a bit before he stopped her.
"Why do you like me?" Iyke suddenly asked and Deborah paused. She looked at him.
"Did you say something?" she asked nervously.
"Why do you like me? I am not the kind of man a woman should want" Iyke said somberly.
"Said who?" Deborah said defensively. "you are a good person though your actions maybe questionable but I understand you. I like you just because you are who you are."
"That's not enough." Iyke said quietly and got up.
Deborah quickly walked over to him. "Why?" she stopped him, "why do I need a reason to like you? Why can't you like me back?"
Iyke stayed quiet. "Why are you suddenly asking me this? All the times I have chased you, you have never asked such questions so why now?" Deborah asked tensely.
"I just wanted you to stop wasting your time on someone like me." Iyke said monotonously, ignoring her.
"Do you like someone?" Deborah asked, though she was scared to know the answer. She held Iyke's arm.
"I don't think it is any of your business." Iyke said and gently pulled his arm from her grasp. "I gave you false hope because I believed I could come to like you."
"I thought about it several times but it would be unfair to use you like that" Iyke said impassively. "I'm sorry."
Deborah's eyes filled with tears. "Are you officially rejecting me?" she asked shakily.
Iyke looked like it hurt him to see her cry but he steeled himself to look away. He said nothing as he watched Deborah cry silently.
Deborah couldn't summon the strength to say anything so she just walked away while crying silently. Iyke looked at his phone and picked it up. He seemed to have someone in mind.
At Tristan's apartment, Kazeem, Tristan and Darren sat down to plan. "Iyke got your brother's details. These are the pictures" Tristan said and gave Kazeem his phone.
Kazeem's eyes brimmed with unshed tears when he saw his brother's picture. "Waris" he whispered sadly as he remembered the last time he and his family were happy together.
"I want to get my brother back before they poison him further" Kazeem said, looking at Tristan determined.
"Darren will take care of that. He will try to meet your brother as soon as possible because I plan to crush Badmus immediately" Tristan said darkly.
"You can trust me on this" Darren said earnestly and the trio combined their fists supportively.
Outside a restaurant, Iyke stood and Cindy came to meet him. His eyes silently lit up when he saw her and he felt his heart pounding a bit faster in his ears. He felt dismayed.
"Hey, it's been a long time since we've seen" Cindy said cheerfully. "I was even thinking about calling you. I have so many complaints about that Tristan, is he really a good man because I really don't understand why uncle is against him? But I don't like him stealing Kim from me."
Iyke smiled amused and it felt rare to see a genuine smile. "You talk too much" he commented.
"That is not the point here, also, let's talk inside" Cindy said, "it's weird to talk outside like this."
"I only called you to say a few words." Iyke said, "don't worry about Kim, she is good hands. Tristan is a trustworthy person."
"I sill don't like him."
"Nothing I can do about that" Iyke said shrugging then he turned serious. Cindy felt a little worried but his seriousness.
"Cindy, I...I like you" Iyke confessed and Cindy looked shocked. Iyke looked like he wanted to run away but he steeled himself. "What do you have to say?"
"You? But...?!"
"I just want a straightforward answer, yes, or no?" Iyke said impassively. Cindy looked confused and conflicted but she slowly shook her head.
"I saw that coming and i'm not disappointed" Iyke said, "I have no right to be disappointed. For the first time in my life, I had been scared of something normal and it's thanks to you."
Cindy stared at Iyke not knowing what to think.
"I came to tell you because I knew you would reject me, and i'm glad you did. I wouldn't want you to stay with someone like me too." Iyke said.
He smiled sadly at her. "I...don't know why I like you," he said, "you're strange but still. I just wanted you to know my feelings and now that you do...this is where we say our goodbyes."
"Why? You don't want to be friends anymore?" Cindy asked upset.
"I need to return to who I was before we became friends. Don't feel bad, I valued the times I sent with you" Iyke said sincerely, "they weren't meaningless. You made me feel normal for some time, thank you."
Cindy stared at Iyke brimming with tears while Iyke walked away trying not to let his face crack. "I thought you were a good friend, you were cool" Cindy said tearfully, "stay well."
"You too" Iyke forced a smile and left. He left Cindy there feeling miserable while he returned to his house looking heartbroken.
In Darren's parents house, Deborah laid dully in her bed and Darren came to find her. "What happened?" He asked, "Dad is worried."
"He rejected me" Deborah answered.
"Who?"
"Iyke." Deborah answered and got up. "I thought he would like me if I persisted but he liked someone else instead. What is so special about that girl that I don't have? I liked him first!"
Darren pulled his sister into his arms and consoled her. "Liking someone first doesn't mean you gain their heart" he said quietly, "it's okay Debbie."
______________________________________________________
I liked writing about Cindy's, Iyke's and Deborah's love triangle; it was different from other love triangles that I've written.
Anyways, Imade's stalker is a chief Badmus's guy, will Kim and Darren find out and will Kazeem's brother be saved? Find out in the incoming chapters.
Merry Christmas everyone even though the main day has passed.
✨VOTE, COMMENT, SHARE✨