Chapter 21

Zoe's phone chirped on their way to the bus stop. She checked it. And a message notification popped on her screen. The message was from her mother, she tapped on it and the message came to full view, while the others chatted as they walked.

The message read…

"Please Zoe, don’t do anything stupid. I beg you. My family is all I have. You've been good on your own for years. Please you can still take care of yourself, don't do anything stupid.”

Zoe read the message. And she felt like throwing the phone away. The phone chirped again, but now it was a bank alert. Darasimi had just sent her money, five hundred thousand naira. Zoe winced as she dropped the phone in her purse. Hiding her anger, she joined her friends in laughing. They got a cab in no time and took another bus. She walked home alone in the dark.

Her heart was shattered and pained. But this was beyond something that could make her cry. She was angry bitter and upset. So, her new family was all she had? What about her? What about her father? What about how she felt…

She got to her apartment and sat down, boiling with anger. She was angry about a lot of things, jealous about a lot of things.

How was it that her newly found friend was her mother's stepson, Zion?

She couldn't help but feel betrayed, all she felt was that Zion was enjoying all the attention of her mother. Zion was the one that was being loved up and cared for, while she was here all alone. Zion was the one who enjoyed the soothing feeling of her mother's hands when he needed a massage. Zion was the one enjoying her mother's delicacies, and though she felt better without her heartless mother. She couldn't help but get jealous at the thought of all Zion enjoyed.

And Emily. She was now more than sure that Emily was the little girl she saw. She had grown so big, the realization bringing a smile to her face and taking it away almost immediately. Emily had seen her, and she had run back. She really thought it was just her mother not interested in having her in her life, but Emily. Had she fallen in love with the life of the rich that she had so forgotten about her lovely sister? But as much as Zoe felt upset for this. She couldn't help but feel Jealous that Emily was the one enjoying all the riches and wealth there.

And little Gloria. She still didn't know why she was upset with the little girl. It was obvious she was Dara's child. Her replacement. Her mother had replaced her with the little girl. Was she better than she was? Zoe felt like yelling ad punching them all in the stomach.

Who was she to think she mattered to anyone? When her own mother felt she was a threat to the perfect family she had managed to build. How could she have forgotten her resolve not to care about anyone. Everyone had themselves and what they wanted from you, no one truly cared. Zion was only close to her because she helped him with his studies. Julia and Matthew were only with her because of Gbenga. Who was she to think she really mattered?

But this time. The ones that needed to pay for bringing her pain would pay.

••••••

The end of term exams went smoothly. While Zoe pretended all was well with her. Even when she secretly stared at Zion despicably. They still read together and hangout together when they had spare time.

The exam went smoothly and beautiful. It was easy as usual for Zoe and Matthew. While Julia and Zion had a great time writing exams for the first time in a long time. It was easy and smooth for them and they couldn't have been more grateful for friends like Zoe and Matthew.

"Finally!!!” Zion exclaimed excitedly as he rested on the chair in their favorite place the lawn.

"Thank you Jesussss,” Julia exclaimed. Zoe watched and smiled while sitting next to Zion. "This is the best exam I've taken in years!!!"

"Me too,” Zion added. “I need to specially appreciate you guys though. If not for your help I don't know what I could have done.”

“It's nothing bro,” Matthew said holding Julia by the waist. Corper Gbenga walked in and they a chanted his name.

"Hey guys,” he greeted. "It's been an amazing three months. And I’m so glad I met you guys. Especially my cousin. You guys are the best students ever.”

“Thank you so much Corper Gbenga. For your efforts and encouragement, I'll be forever grateful to you.” They all appreciated him, and they went out for some ice cream.

Three weeks later, the results were out. Julia and Zion couldn't curtail their joy. They had passed all their subjects with distinctions.

"Now I can celebrate Christmas without my mum lecturing me about how I need to do better,” Julia said as she stared at her results.

“Same here. I can go for the Dubai vacation nowww,” Zion said as he twirled happily.

“You are going to Dubai,” Zoe asked.

"Yes. With my mom and my siblings,” He said.

That could have been me. Zoe thought.

“Your mom? Thought she was your stepmom,” Zoe asked, obviously irritated with Zion's excitement.

“Yes. I decided to accept her after all these years. I really can't bring my mum back.”

I can bring back mine…

“Oh.”

“And she's the mother to my siblings, so…"

“Yeah cool…”

“What are you doing this Christmas?” Matthew asked.

“The usual,” Zoe said dismissively.

Zion burst into laughter.

“What's so funny?” Zoe asked irritated.

"You are so boring. Don't tell me you are going to binge watch again. I thought Corper Gbenga asked you to follow him home before he left,” Zoe said, while Zoe fumed with anger.

Gbenga had really suggested she traveled back to his family's house for Christmas. But due to how much she didn't want to be attached to anyone. She declined. Gbenga was now away in Osun state, meaning Zoe was back to how she was before. Alone.

"Or. Should I tell my mom to adopt you for a week?” Zion teased intending a joke. But Zoe wasn't finding it funny even though others did.

"That's not funny,” Zoe said.

"Yes, it is,” Zion laughed.

“No it's not funny okay!!!” Zoe yelled as she picked her bag and left. Leaving the trio confused at the outburst.

Zoe ran out of school and through the streets till she got home. She banged the door behind her and sat down angry.

She was more upset at Zion at his words and his stupid humor. So, her mother was planning to take someone else's child for a vacation, while she was all alone here.

That wouldn't happen!!!

She thought. But before that, she was going to make Zion pay for his words.

••••

Two days later. The four friends agreed to hang out at Zion's place. Zion had apologized to Zoe and she had pretended to forgive him though she still had an evil plan planned out. She was going to poison his food with a drug that would make him purge so bad he would have to miss his flight.

"Welcome to my humble abode,” Zion said as they entered the room for the second time that month.

“This place is nowhere near humble, bro,” Matthew said. "If proud and rich was a building. Here it is!” Matthew teased, causing an eruption of laughter.

"You guys will help me pack oo,” Zion said as they sat down.

“So you've not packed all this while?” Julia asked.

“He is a lazy boy nah,” Zoe said.

“You fall my hand guy,” Matthew said.

Zion walked towards the television and bent down.

"Let's watch a movie!” Zion suggested.

"I'll get the popcorn!” Julia volunteered.

“I'll get the juice!” Zoe said. And with that the two girls went to the kitchen were Priscy's mom was cooking, Gloria watching her.

"Good afternoon ma!” The girls greeted,

"Good afternoon my darlings, do you need something?” She asked.

“Yes we can get popcorn and Juice,” Julia answered.

“Go back I'll bring it.”

“No need ma. We will get it ourselves,” Zoe said.

“Okay,” She said. “The popcorn is in that cabinet there,” She pointed at the cabinet she was referring too. “And you can get juice are in the refrigerator. Glass cups are this cabinet.”

Julia took the popcorns and left for the living room. While Zoe had to rinse the cups and dried them with a paper towel. Before pouring the orange juice. While no one was watching, she slipped a pill into Zion's drink. She carried the drinks in a tray and headed for the living room.

Zion collected his own drink first, followed by Julia and then Matthew.

"You guys started the movie before me. That's so unfair!” Zoe ranted.

“It just started, stop whining.” Matthew said as he sipped his drink. Zoe watched Zion hoping he would take the drink any time from now. She felt bad about what she was doing but was reassured by the fact that the drug won't hurt him. But will just give him tummy pains and toilet problems.

Just then Gloria appeared from nowhere and climbed the chair Zion was sitting. Grabbing the drink from his hands and downing the content. Zoe's heart flew to her mouth. She wanted to yank of the cup off Gloria's hands, but she would seem weird, and it was not as if Gloria gave her that option seeing how she downed the content of the cup.

Zion felt heat all over her body. What had she done!!! His anger and unforgiveness was going to cause this young girl a lot of pain. A girl who didn't know anything about her and the issue with her mom. She felt like stabbing herself. Watching the little girl hoping she would not react to the drugs. She didn't know how much effect that drug would have for a younger person. Cos the drug label had specifically said not to be taken by children.

How could she have done this!!!

She didn't deserve love because it was obvious she was a terrible person.

Throughout the movie, Zion couldn't concentrate with the thousand thoughts running through her head. Gloria slept and rested her head on Zion's laps throughout the movie. She woke up with a cry and rushed into the visitor’s toilet.

"What's wrong with her!!!” Zion yelled.

"Calm down Zion. It's obvious she is pressed,” Matthew said.

After few minutes, they heard the flush of the toilet and Gloria walked out, holding her stomach.

"My tummy!!!” Gloria cried, tears were already flowing down her eyes. Zoe sat down crying inside her, she just wished she could time travel two hours back. She would not have acted that way.

"What's wrong with your tummy?” Zion asked holding her. But that was it, little Gloria passed out.