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Chapter 9: unexpected turn
After her bold step at the restaurant, Priscilla got home that evening with butterflies fluttering in her stomach. Something about Franklin's smile... the way he looked at her... it just lingered in her mind.
Unable to resist, she picked up her phone and called him.
Priscilla: "Hey…"
Franklin (teasing): "Ah! Isn't this the boldest girl ? The one who walks into restaurants like she owns the place?"
They both burst into laughter.
That night, they talked. And talked. And talked.
From that day onward, not a single day passed without a phone call between them. Whether it was a five-minute break or a long drive home, Franklin always found a way to reach out to her.
For Priscilla, it was unfamiliar ground. No man had ever made her feel this… seen. Loved. Wanted.
Their late-night calls became a habit — one she secretly hoped would never stop.
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Later that week…
Zackary and Amelia unexpectedly showed up at Nifemi's school.
Once again, the presence of the famous actor sent the entire school into a frenzy. Students screamed, whispered, and pointed. Some even took photos discreetly.
Student 1: "Isn't that Zackary?!"
Student 2: "Omg, Nifemi is so lucky ."
Student 3: "And that girl beside him? That's Amelia. I swear!"
Zackary strolled toward Nifemi with his usual playful grin.
Zackary: "Hey, just the girl I was looking for."
Nifemi (rolling her eyes): "What are you doing here? You can't just show up at my school like you're in a movie."
All this while, Priscilla had been on her phone, giggling. She finally looked up.
Priscilla: "Ah ah, Nifemi, why are you making a big deal out of this? It's actually sweet that he came. Look around — we're trending!"
Nifemi: "Oh please…"
Priscilla (grinning): "Hey, my favorite person, I'm hungry. Can you take us somewhere to eat?"
Zackary: "Sure. I think I saw a restaurant down the street."
They all hopped into his car, chatting along the way.
Priscilla (smirking): "By the way, you don't have to keep looking for your cousin for me anymore. I found myself a new lover."
Nifemi (rolling her eyes): "Oh please…"
Zackary: "That's… amazing?"
Nifemi: "If you knew how she got the guy, you wouldn't say that. Who asks a guy out?"
Priscilla (laughing): "I didn't ask him out. I just made it easier for him to say yes."
Zackary (grinning): "She's got a point."
Nifemi (shocked): "Wait, what?!"
Zackary: "Girls don't need to wait around anymore. If you like someone, say it. Life's too short to keep feelings bottled up."
Priscilla: "Exactly! I just gave fate a little push."
They arrived at the restaurant and took a seat.
Zackary: "So, Priscilla… are you ever going to tell us about this mystery man? Or better yet, when are we meeting him?"
Priscilla (blushing): "Speaking of that… how about now? He's on lunch break and he's coming to meet me here."
Nifemi: "Huh?!"
Priscilla: "Yup! He should be here any moment."
Just then, Amelia who hasn't said anything excused herself to take a call. Not long after, Franklin walked in — crisp shirt, smooth cologne, confidence in every step.
Priscilla (excited whisper): "Oh my God, he's here!"
Nifemi: "Relax. Breathe."
Franklin: "Hi everyone."
Priscilla: "Hey! How are you?"
(She glanced at Franklin like the rest of the room had disappeared. It was clear — she had caught feelings.)
Zackary & Nifemi: "Hey."
Franklin (spotting Zackary): "Wait... are you Zackary? The Nollywood star?"
Zackary (grinning): "Guilty as charged."
Priscilla introduced everyone proudly — as though she were presenting royalty.
Priscilla: "Franklin, meet my friends properly — that's Nifemi, and of course Zackary, the actor. And this is—"
Just as she turned to mention Amelia, the girl walked back in.
Franklin (cutting in, surprised): "Amelia?"
There was tension.
Amelia's fake smile faltered.
Amelia: "Franklin? What are you doing here?"
Zackary: "Wait… you two know each other?"
Amelia: "He's the guy I told you about — the one who couldn't take no for an answer."
Franklin (smiling bitterly): "And she's the one who mistook love for obsession. The girl who thought she was too good for someone who actually cared."
Amelia: "WHAT?!"
That one word hit her like thunder. For the first time, it didn't feel good hearing Franklin tell another girl that.
For years, she thought he'd never move on. That he'd always be waiting.
But now… he had. And she wasn't the one.
The curtain closes with Amelia standing frozen, while Priscilla's smile glowed even brighter.