The music came to an abrupt stop. I glanced at my diamond wristwatch—2 million Naira! Half past eight.
"Ok, everyone, the party is officially over!" Bernard announced.
Fifteen minutes later, the guests trickled out in their expensive cars. Our school wasn't just elite—it was insanely costly. Semester fees: 100,000,500 Naira.
"Good night, Ann! I mean, BenAnn," I waved, stepping into our Ferrari, Fred and I sharing the gift from my dad.
"Bye!" Ann and Bernard called back.
I stole a glance at Fred, who was quiet, focused on the steering.
We took the bushy shortcut home.
"Ann and Ben…?" he asked, winking.
The car screeched to a halt.
"What—why stop in the middle of nowhere?" I asked, eyes wide.
A gun was suddenly aimed at us, along with several tough-looking men. Their cars blocked the road, headlights blazing.
"Ann!" I screamed.
"No! Your name isn't to be uttered here!" she shouted, dragging me out. My face slammed into the car door, then the bonnet.
"Let go of her, Ann! Do that to Fred, not her!" Bernard warned.
Ann's laughter was cruel.
"Bernard, this is a prank, right?" Fred shouted, already face-palming.
"Bernard never loses what's his," she hissed. "She's mine forever," pressing her gun to Fred's lips.
"Zizi's mine, not yours!" Fred yelled, blood trickling from his mouth.
"Shut up!" Ann slapped him.
"You're too desperate, Ann… I didn't know you'd stoop so low," I muttered.
"How dare you!" she shrieked, grabbing my hair.
Fred lunged, trying to pull her away.
"Oh, I see… you love her," Ann laughed, shoving me into the car's headlights, smashing the bulbs. Blood ran down my face.
Fred shouted, but I was pinned. Weak, wounded, bleeding—I couldn't stay back anymore.
I crawled to the car, grabbing the pistol from the glove compartment. My target: Ann's leg.
Bang. She screamed, gripping her leg. I aimed at Bernard, but she stomped on me with her stiletto, sending pain through my leg.
"Let go of her!" Fred gasped.
"I'll make you pay for this! Watch her die!" Ann screamed, alternating the gun between my head and leg.
"Shoot me instead! Please! Bernard, please!" Fred begged.
Ann smiled at Bernard. "Your move."
Bernard laughed. "Shoot him for stealing my princess."
The countdown began. "One… two… three…"
"No! Shoot me instead!" Fred pushed me away.
"Fred, please! I love you!" I cried, clutching his bloody hand.
"Four… five…"
A gunshot hit me in the chest. Pain exploded as I fell.
"No! No!" I heard Bernard and Fred scream.
"The police are here!" a voice shouted.
Another gunshot. Another scream. My fingers intertwined with Fred's. Darkness swallowed me.
"I'll never leave you," Fred's voice echoed.
---
Zara's POV
The call came from the police. My brother and his girlfriend were critically injured at City Care Clinic. The attackers were caught.
Mom and I raced to the hospital. The press swarmed Ann and Bernard's families.
"What… they were behind this?" I whispered, tears welling.
BBC Naija reported:
"…Zizi Kora shot by her ex-boyfriend and best friend… Ann, TikTok star and Vogue cover girl, and Bernard, son of a senator, involved…"
Mom led me into the hospital. Mrs. Wills was in tears.
"They… donated blood… lost a lot… the doctor hasn't said… since…" she stuttered.
"What about Fred?" Mom asked.
"They're in critical condition… one unconscious… one saved… a miracle," the doctor said, leaving us.
I prayed silently.
We reached the room. Fred and Zikora lay in separate beds.
"Mom!" a voice cried.
"My child!"