CHAPTER 43&44
“See you later” Atlas murmured, leaning in to plant a soft kiss on my lips. It felt both exhilarating and troubling, but I couldn’t resist his charm.
Once school was over, Atlas and I walked back together, prompting me to inform my driver to stand down since I’d be heading home with him.
Approaching the familiar gates of my house, I noticed three unfamiliar cars parked in the compound, standing out among our family vehicles.
Excitement surged through me as I hurried into the house, the sounds of laughter from the living room urging me on.
Upon entering, I first caught sight of Tife’s face, followed by Tobi’s, Mom’s, and Dad’s.
“Tife!” I exclaimed, rushing over to engulf her in a tight hug. Tears welled up in my eyes as I embraced my beloved sister, overwhelmed by emotions.
“Don’t cry,” Tife whispered, reciprocating the hug with equal warmth.
“Timi!” Tobi’s voice rang out, joining our embrace. His playful teasing about my height brought a smile to my face.
After exchanging warm greetings with Mom, Dad, and the other guests, including Stephanie, my brother’s fiancée, I finally made my way upstairs, pulling Tife along with me for a much-needed catch-up session.
~~~
“How was school?” Tife asked as she took a seat on my bed.
“Fine but stressful,” I replied, shrugging off my uniform shirt.
“You’re still dating Kelvin?” she inquired.
“Yes, I am,” I confirmed, but her reaction was skeptical.
“What??” I protested, stepping closer to her.
“Don’t tell me you and Atlas are still messing around while you’re dating Kelvin,” she accused. My silence spoke volumes.
“Mrs. Player,” she teased, laughing.
“No, I’m not. Atlas knows I’m with Kelvin, so…” I trailed off, unsure how to justify my actions.
“But does Kelvin know that you and Atlas are kissing anyhow?” she pressed.
“I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to break Kelvin’s heart,” I confessed, collapsing beside her.
“And what about Atlas?” Tife prodded.
I pointed towards Atlas’s room. “That’s his room.”
“If only my boyfriend’s window was beside mine back in secondary school,” she mused, smiling.
“He’s not my boyfriend,” I clarified, feeling a blush creeping onto my cheeks.
“See how you’re blushing,” she teased.
“I am…” I began, interrupted by the door swinging open. Tiwa entered, glaring at me until she spotted Tife, her expression instantly softening.
“My baby,” Tife exclaimed, pulling Tiwa into a tight hug.
“I missed you,” Tiwa admitted, melting into the embrace.
“I h@ťě surprises,” Tiwa grumbled as they separated.
“We had no choice,” Tife explained.
“You won’t hug me?” I asked, smiling at Tiwa.
“I see your ugly face every day,” Tiwa shot back, though her tone was playful.
“Me? Ugly? Have you seen yourself?” I retorted, grinning.
“Yes, and I’m more beautiful than you,” Tiwa boasted proudly.
“In your dreams,” I quipped back, laughter filling the room.
~~~
Days flew by, and before I knew it, it was time for prom. I was grateful to have Tife around because she helped me with my makeup and dresses.
I adorned a stunning dark red strapless gown, accentuated by a rope that elegantly tied around my neck. I felt beautiful.
“Ọmọbinrin mi lẹwa (My beautiful daughter),” my dad exclaimed in Yoruba as soon as he saw me.
“Are you seeing her?” he asked my mom, who was also beaming with pride.
“You look stunning,” Mom complimented.
“Do you know the amount of money I will take for her bride price?” Dad joked, causing Mom to laugh.
“Don’t chase her husband away,” Mom teased, and we all shared a laugh.
“So, who is your date?” Mom inquired with a smile.
“Hope is Ava’s son,” Dad interjected.
“I told her,” Tife added.
“If it’s not Ava’s son, then you will have to go alone because I don’t trust those boys in your school,” Dad cautioned. I understood his concern, especially after what happened with my first boyfriend. Despite trying to bury that memory deep down, it still lingered in my mind.
I was about to respond when one of the housekeepers interrupted us.
“Two guys are outside the house,” she said.
My eyes widened at her words, and I glanced at Tife, who looked equally surprised. Oh no, it couldn’t be Kelvin and Atlas at the same time.
“Two?” Mom questioned, already heading to the door alongside Dad.
Wow, this was unexpected…
Both Kelvin and Atlas stood in my living room facing my dad. Kelvin’s eyes betrayed a hint of fear, while Atlas seemed rather pleased.
They each held a bouquet of roses.
“This is the same guy Atlas reported to me the day he came to our house,” my dad said, causing me to gasp.
Wait! I thought my dad saw Kelvin through the CCTV cameras. It was all Atlas’s doing.
“Atlas is supposed to be Timi’s date,” Mom added.
“I didn’t say that,” I interjected, but a glare from my father silenced me.
“I don’t know you, young man,” my dad said to Kelvin. Please don’t say anything. Oh Lord.
“I believe I am talking to a human being,” my dad continued.
“S-Sir, I am Timi’s very close friend,” Kelvin stammered. Thank goodness he didn’t say boyfriend.
“Do you mean boyfriend?” Mom asked, causing my eyes to widen.
“No, just close friends,” Kelvin clarified, bringing a wave of relief over me.
“Did she accept you as her date?” my dad pressed.
“She did, sir,” Kelvin replied, prompting my dad to turn to me.
“You accepted him?” he questioned, and I nodded.
“What about you, Atlas? Did she accept you to be her date too?” my dad inquired.
“Well, I asked her, but she told me she would get back to me,” Atlas explained, making my dad’s gaze shift to me once more.
“So, which one are you taking for prom?” my dad asked.
“Team Atlas,” my sister declared, earning glares from everyone except Atlas, who simply smiled.
“I don’t know,” I admitted.
~~
Prom with two guys was not what I had planned. I found myself sitting between Atlas and Kelvin, and neither had said anything to me since we have been inside the car, Could this get any more awkward?
“We are here,” my driver announced. Stepping out of the car, both of them extended their hands for me to hold, but I declined both. I could see the confusion in Kelvin’s eyes, but he didn’t say anything.
The hall was filled with students, some looking stunning while others seemed like they had come to watch a movie.
“Let’s dance,” Kelvin suggested. I glanced at Atlas, who was watching us both.
“Later, please,” I replied.
“Timi, I don’t get this. Are you dating me or him, or both of us?” Kelvin asked, obviously annoyed.
“Kelvin,” I called out.
“I don’t understand what’s happening. I’m asking you, my girlfriend, to dance with me, but…” He trailed off, not finishing his sentence.
Prom was supposed to be fun, but it wasn’t. I spotted Dera with a guy, looking overdressed as if it were her wedding day. She was clearly not impressed, and neither was I. This was just prom, after all.
It was time to announce the prom queen and king, and everyone was gathered eagerly.
“Our prom queen is… Joanna!” the announcer screamed. I turned to see Dera’s reaction, and she appeared almost embarrassed and angry. I felt a surge of excitement – at least Dera wasn’t the prom queen.
“Our prom king is…” the announcer continued.
Suspense filled the room.
“Kelvin!” the announcer shouted. I looked at him, and he seemed genuinely surprised.
“Congratulations,” I said, nudging him to go up on stage.
Kelvin went up on stage, he and a girl I swear I hadn’t seen before were crowned prom queen and king. They were then asked to dance together.
“Finally some privacy with you,” Atlas whispered, wrapping his arm around my waist and leaning in for a kiss.
“We’re in public, Atlas,” I protested, trying to stop him, but he kissed me anyway.
“I can’t resist,” he confessed, kissing my neck.
“You look so beautiful today,” he complimented, smiling.
“Just today?” I teased.
“No… you look beautiful every day,” he replied, planting wet kisses on my neck. I nearly forgot we were in public, with my boyfriend on stage.
“Can we do this later?” I asked, nudging his chest to signal him to stop.
“Sure, anytime,” he agreed, returning to where he was standing before.
“Well, well, well,” Dera said as she walked over to where Atlas and I were standing.
“What do you want?” I asked, my tone sharp.
“What do I… want?” She replied, her gaze shifting to Atlas.
“I was so happy when Joanna won prom queen,” I said, putting on a smile.
“Who cares about being a prom queen?” she retorted, her anger palpable.
“You’re funny,” I said, chuckling.
“Well, this isn’t funny,” she said, pointing her phone at me. My eyes widened when I saw the image of Atlas kissing me displayed on the screen. Oh, $h|t.
“Delete it,” I demanded, stepping closer to her, but Atlas held me back.
“I won’t. I’ll show Kelvin,” she thr_@tened, smirking.
“I’ll beat you up and smash your useless phone,” I said, attempting to approach her again, but Atlas restrained me.
“Let me see you try,” she challenged, then shifted her gaze to Atlas. “She’s no different from me,” she declared.
“Says who? You’re a slut, and she isn’t,” Atlas fired back.
“I didn’t complain, but let’s see how Kelvin will react when he sees the video,” she taunted before walking away.
I felt utterly screwed.
To be continued…