Chapter 24: Chapter 24

Jasper's POV.

"Dude, you gonna finish up or what? Stop being a girl!" I yell at Kevin, who has been in the bathroom for ages. I hear him groan before finally stepping out.

"Finally. Did you get your manicure done right?" I jibe, receiving a blow to the head from a pillow.

"Get your freaking feet off my desk, Jas," he orders but I simply roll my eyes.

"You've kept me long enough. I can do whatever I want," I deadpan.

"Fine, I'm going to get some food cause I'm not starving at this party like the last one." I laugh at him and he glares back, walking out of the room.

I rest my head on the backrest of his chair and sigh.

‘Lima is pregnant...’

I wanted to confront that shithead before talking to Halim but somehow, I found myself in front of her.

~ Halim had a frightened look on her face the moment she opened the door. It took her a few seconds to let me in.

The stony expression on my face told her everything.

"What's going on?" I asked, turning to face her once in the sitting room.

She tried to put on an indifferent look but was failing woefully. I could see right through her. "What are you talking about?" she scoffed.

"You're pregnant." I decided to hit the nail on the head rather than waste my time. She was speechless for a about a minute before she started to stutter.

"Um...Jasper, I uh―" I didn't let her finish.

"Why did you do it?"

She pursed her lips and looked down in shame. It took me some time to realise she was crying.

"Halim, don't. Just talk to me." I moved closer to her but she backed away.

"Did he force you?" I asked, feeling the anger begin to bubble inside me.

She shook her head in repudiation. "No, I told you before." She sniffed, looking up to meet my gaze. "I did it because I wanted to."

My stare gradually turned to a glare and surprisingly, she returned it with her own glare.

"I told you to stop, Halim."

"Don't call me that cause you don't mean it." I felt my face contorting into a frown.

"What are we talking about here?" I asked, conveying my confusion.

"Everything!" she yelled, throwing her hands in the air. I was taken aback by her sudden outburst.

I sighed. "Tell me about everything then."

A brief moment of silence passed before she spoke. "Look Jasper, I did this of my own accord alright? So stop dadding me around." A scoff escaped her lips. "We dated for a long time, Jasper, yet you refused to see what I wanted; what I needed. And now I got satisfaction from someone else and you're upset?"

Her words were enough to make me find myself a seat. I placed my head in my palms and closed my eyes.

"This is about me now, isn't it?" I looked up at her. "What exactly have I done now?"

I watched her as she moved to sit opposite from me. "I hate it when you play dumb. If there is anyone I would gladly do these nasty things with, it'd be you and you know it. But you’re such a careless and insensitive person. And I got too desperate, so I did it with him. I'm sorry."

I was so dumbfounded by what she said, I could only stare. The whole revelation was too much for me to take in.

After a few minutes of staring, I finally snapped out of it. "Are you sorry for sleeping with him because it's not right or―" She didn't let me land.

"Because I shouldn't do it with someone I don't really love. Wanna know a secret?"

I shook my head. I did not want yet another blow. But being Halim, the girl who didn't care what she said to me, she continued.

"I swear I wouldn't be this upset if this was yours," she whispered, palming her tummy lightly. I swear my eyes almost fell out of their sockets as my brain processed what she had just uttered.

My mouth opened itself but closed, probably coming to terms with the fact that my brain had been overridden by a virus.

She just stared at me, the tears never escaping from the rims of her eyes.~

"Food's here," Kevin announces, kicking the door shut behind him and pulling me out of my reverie. He places the tray on the table and gets a pack of juice from his fridge.

"So tell me," he begins as he swallows the food in his mouth.

"What?"

"How are you holding up?"

I arch a brow. "Holding up what?"

"Don't be a chicken. I'm talking about the headaches," he clarifies. I scowl at him for insulting me before responding.

"Didn't get better. Until last night that is," I explain.

He looks at me, waiting for more information and I sigh. "I had to take it. And it worked."

Kevin's expression goes from confused to shocked and then to angry. "What the hell, man?" He lowers his voice as he continues. "Why'd you take it? Don't let yourself sink deeper."

I drop my spoon with a clank and he looks at it for a few seconds before looking back at me. My breathing has changed due to the anger raging inside me. Does he not see that I'm trying? Does he not see that I can't handle it?

"Don't let yourself sink deeper. That's very easy to say, Kevin. Very easy for you to say," I hiss.

"You're not the one stuck in this. You're not the one having to deal with the pounding headaches and dizziness and mood swings. No, that's me!" I stop to breathe, ignoring the apologetic look on his face.

"Two nights ago was hell! I took an overdose and..." I trail off, not wanting to relive that night. But I say it anyway. Kevin is my most trusted friend who has been there for me through thick and thin.

"I went through all that alone. It didn't go away; no. Rather, it doubled."

"Look man, I'm so sorry. I'm not the one going through this so I can't judge you," he apologises, causing a wave of calm to wash over me.

"You were just trying to make sure I'm fine. Thanks anyway." I decide I’m done eating and after some time, we leave for the party.

***

"Hey sweetheart, sorry I'm late." I hear Aramide's voice as she comes up behind me and plants a kiss on my cheek. She takes the seat beside me and greets my friends. I'm currently seated at a round table with Kevin and his girlfriend, Loveth, Bella's cousin Patrick, Aisha, a girl I can't even remember where I know her from and the Bayo brothers. The Bayo brothers are a set of twins who frequent Ballerz club too.

Flash is supposed to be with us but being the assistant manager, he's probably busy with a thing or two. The guys can't wait to see him, though. They made an idiotic bet that involved girls, saying if anyone can bring a 'good girl' to the party tonight and make her do crazy stuff, they'll give that person ten thousand naira each.

One guy named Chike wanted to get me entangled in the game but I made it clear that I have no intentions of doing that to any girl. They forced me to bring my own money, though but so far, even Chike has not been seen with any new girl and so everyone is waiting for Flash; the only one who bet twenty thousand naira, claiming he'd do it.

Aramide orders a drink and starts a conversation with the others while I play a game on my phone. A short while, later, I feel a hand on my lap and I look up.

"Do you want to take a break from the noise?" Aramide asks, leaning in so that our faces are almost touching. Her scent fills my nostrils and I almost sneeze. She has a knack for perfumes with sharp and intoxicating scents; one of the traps she sets for guys like me.

"I'm fine." I smile, politely rejecting her offer. She pouts before giving my thigh a gentle squeeze and intertwining our fingers.

"What's wrong with you?" she asks, tilting her head to the side.

I shrug, looking away from her at my phone. "Nothing, just having a little headache."

"That's exactly why we need to go outside," she presses but I give her a pleading look and she scoffs, dropping it.

"My dad is back in town," she informs and I look at her. "He said he saw you on his way home from the airport." I huff in annoyance at this. Her father is always seeing me. What's up with him, anyway?

She turns to glare at me and I scowl in return. "He saw you with a girl," she states, giving me a questioning look.

"What's with you guys and keeping tabs on me? So I can't walk with a girl simply because your father's in town or I'm dating you?" The annoyance is evident in my voice.

Her brows pull together in a sneer as she speaks. "My dad hates you and I don't like that. But you give him reasons to hate you more."

I scoff. "The feeling is mutual, Mide. But why do I need to please your father? It's not like we're getting married. Plus, what about the guys you gallivant with? What about them?" She moves to speak but Chike's voice pulls our attention. We didn't even see him take a seat.

"Oh boy, Kunle win o," he says in pidgin. "The guy bring girl! If you see her ehn."

Surprised and curious faces stare at him from around the table.

"Where are they?"

"He says he's coming with full force, so he's showing her to us when she's already in the mood."

Everyone, except me, at the table begins to look around, searching with their eyes for this good girl who has fallen victim of a guy like Flash. I sigh and focus on my phone again but Kevin taps me harshly.

"What, what, what?!" He doesn't even realise how annoying his incessant tapping is.

"Look!" He points to the dance floor.

‘Why am I looking at a bunch of crazy kids dancing?’

I raise a questioning brow and he looks pissed that I'm not seeing it. "Look," he insists again and this time, I focus on my search.

My eyes stop on someone's back. She's moving to the beat of Disturbance by Davido. My eyes slowly narrow as realisation begins to set in. The next thing I know, I'm marching towards her with unimaginable speed.

I pull her arm, forcing her to face me. "What on earth are you doing here, Au―Bella?" I'm too angry to call her Audrey.

She squints at me as if not recognising me before a smile lights up her face. "Jasper! You're here. I was expecting you!" She stops, confusion marring her features. She shakes her head. "No, I was not expecting you," she mumbles.

"Bella, what's wrong with you?" I ask, frowning in puzzlement. I inch closer to her but there is no smell of alcohol.

‘Spiked.’

Her drink must've been spiked. ‘Which douche bag did this?’

"Dance with me!" she suddenly says, grabbing my hands and pulling me around with her.

"See that you low waist, your low waist

I can't wait to―" she begins to cough but gets a hold of herself quickly.

"You need to leave," I state, pulling her along but she yanks her arm away harshly.

"Why should I go with you?!" she yells. "Why do you care? Oh, you're not so happy I'm not the baby you always thought I am?"

‘What?’

Is that what this is about? Me calling her a baby?

"Isabella! What's wrong with you? Why would you pick a challenge from my words?! Gosh, you're so―" I'm cut off when I feel a slight pain on my cheek. She just slapped me!

I stare at her in shock.

"You have no right, Jasper. You're not the boss of me. You can go play with Lima or any other girl," she shouts but the expression on her face is one of mirth.

"Bella please, let's go. Please," I beg, moving closer to her. I don't know why I feel guilty that she's here. Or maybe I do but I feel like it's my duty to protect her reputation.

Once I'm close enough, she suddenly swings her arms around my neck and pulls me closer. She has this beautiful smile on her face, I zone out, lost in it.

"Have I ever told you how attractive your eyes are?" She asks in a feathery voice. On a normal day, I would be able to hold her gaze to the point she would have to look away but the look in her eyes, bordering on lust, makes me falter.

Her eyes trail slowly from my eyes to my lips.

‘What is she doing?’

"Bella―" I'm cut off by something soft on my lips. It takes me a few seconds to realise what is happening.

My eyes go wide. In a split second, it's over. It was only a peck. The burst of feelings inside of me is not something I'm acquainted to; it's unnerving. Unable to hold back, I find myself pulling her closer and reconnecting our lips.

The way I'm holding her close, it must look as if my life depends on it. I finally realise this is something I have always wanted to do.

All of a sudden, the noise of the party returns and I can't feel her warmth anymore. I feel myself being shoved back by two strong arms.

"Guy, you don dey craze ba? Who you be?" (Guy, are you crazy? Who are you?) Flash yells in my face.

"What the hell is wrong with you, Flash?" I yell back.

"Na my girl you dey touch?" (Is it my girl you’re touching?) I'm stunned by his words.

‘What is he talking about?’

Then it hits me. It's Bella this scumbag brought?

Without thinking, I pull my arm backwards and in a twinkle of an eye, my fist connects with his jaw and he stumbles back in shock.

"How dare you?!" I yell, rage blinding me. He lunges at me but guys intervene and hold him back. The next thing I know, I'm also going for him.

"Jasper!" I'm shoved hard and my attention shifts to the person pushing me. I almost punch Kevin for holding me back but decide against it. He gestures with his head to the left and I follow with my eyes.

Aramide is standing there, glaring daggers at me. Then it dawns on me, what I just did. Before I am able to make a move, she walks out.

I begin to make my way towards the door but the same Kevin pulls me back harshly.

"What?!"

"Don't be an idiot, man. You started this already, so don't back out now," he admonishes but I'm lost.

"What are you talking about?" I query. Why am I so confused about everything this night?

"This is your chance to make your final decision. If you follow her," he bobs his head in the direction of the door. "Then don't you ever think of Bella again. Make up your mind." He lets go.

My eyes land on Bella. She's pushing Flash away, whining about going with me.

‘If you follow her, then don't ever think of Bella.’

He's right. Bella manages to break free while Flash is pulled away by some of his friends.

I walk up to her and grab her hand. She looks like she's going to collapse anytime.

And she does. She slumps the moment I touch her and luckily, I'm quick to catch her. I lift her, bridal style, ignoring the weight.

"Kevin, call Melody!" I don't know why I chose Melody but maybe it's because she loves Bella so much, she won't bother antagonising me for all this. Alice, on the other hand, will kill me.

Luckily for us, her house is not so far and she gets here fast.

"Oh my gosh, what happened?!" she shouts when she sees Bella's state in my arms.

"She collapsed. Please Melody, take her to your house and don't tell anyone about this," I plead. As we place her in the cab, Melody passes me a sceptical look and I quickly move to clarify.

"I met her at the party. Some guy spiked her drink." She nods and hurries into the cab and they drive off.

I let out a long sigh. Hopefully, she'll be fine.

"8:38. Wasted night," Kevin mumbles beside me and I shoot him a glare. He scoffs.

"We both know this is partially your fault," he deadpans.

"What, how?" I question.

He raises a crooked brow at me. "First of all, all you needed to do was leave Ara and tell Bella how you feel. Then maybe, she wouldn't end up going out with that scoundrel and you won't end up kissing her in front of everyone!"

I frown in thought. He's right. But...

"And you think she feels the same way? She clearly dislikes me."

"Yeah, and that totally explains why she kissed you first. She was drunk, yes. But that's when true feelings show, dude," he says and I must say, his words might actually make sense; to a person in the right frame of mind, that is. And I'm not in the right frame of mind right now so...I don't agree with him.

"You know what? Let's just go. Pretend this night never happened." With that, he releases a tired sigh, knowing that I'm impossible to argue with in this.

A short while into our walk, three guys walk out of a corner, blocking our way.

‘Why didn't I think of this?’

"Well, well, well. Where's the girl?" Flash asks. We remain silent.

"Who the hell do you think you are Jasper?! You kiss my girl in front of me and then you hit me? Do you know who I am? I brought you into this game!" he rambles on.

"There's no game, Flash," I state coolly.

He laughs. "Whether you like it or not, there's a game, and you're in it. You must work for him eventually, Jasper. Or maybe we can just take something else in return. Let's see, maybe your little princess. You know, making a video of her being f―" For the second time this night, my anger takes control and this time, it results in a full blown fight.

Kevin is trying to get me off of Flash and at the same time, trying to keep the other guys away.

Flash pushes me to the ground and I notice two bags filled with white stuff fall out of his large pockets.

In that split second of distraction, he lifts one of the bags, which is already torn, and with full force, slams it on my face. Almost all of the powder pours into my mouth, nostrils and a little bit gets into my eyes, throwing me into a coughing fit.

In no time, everything begins to spin. I try to cough it all out but it's too late and Flash is still pinning me down and hitting me.

All if a sudden, the people around me are scampering here and there, as if trying to escape some impending danger. Kevin runs to me and tries to drag me to my feet but I'm too disoriented to do anything helpful.

Then I hear the sound that has everyone running.

Sirens.