Chapter 39 Chapter Thirty-Nine
The sun was already high when Leon arrived at the luxury poolside restaurant. The place was all glass railings, white umbrellas, and people who looked like they spent money just by breathing. Perfect distraction.
Mark and Deji were already there, lounging like kings, drinks in hand.
Mark raised a brow the moment he saw Leon. “Omo, see who finally left house arrest.”
Deji smirked. “Abeg shift jare. Married man approaching.”
Leon scoffed and sat, signaling a waiter. “You people are mad.”
But the teasing didn’t stop.
“You literally vanished,” Mark said. “We thought you were living holy life because of Felicity.”
Leon’s jaw tightened at her name, but he forced a shrug. “Life changed. Had to adjust.”
“Adjust,” Deji echoed dramatically. “Please. Just last month you were turning girls down left and right. Leon the reformed man.”
“Leon the faithful,” Mark added.
“Leon the—”
He cut them off with a tired laugh. “Abeg, shift. Things happened.”
Deji leaned forward. “So, tell us why you canceled yesterday. The plans you couldn’t turn down twice.”
Leon tried to act casual, swirling the cold drink the waiter just dropped in front of him. “Tomiwa came over.”
Mark nearly spat out his juice. “Tomiwa what?”
Deji slammed the table. “AY! You’re sick! That girl?”
Leon smirked, keeping it small. “It wasn’t planned.”
Mark shook his head. “How wasn’t it planned? She’s been calling you since that your loyalty phase.”
Leon ignored the stab in those words.
“Last night was crazy sha,” he said, forcing bravado. “Forgot how good she was.”
His friends hollered loud enough for nearby tables to turn.
“Ahhh! Leon is back!”
“Leon has resurrected!”
“Born-again phase officially over!”
He tried to laugh with them. Tried to play the part.
But the truth pressed heavy in his chest.
Because he had tried.
He had been different.
For someone who didn’t even know how much he cared.
Felicity.
Her name sat in his mind like a bruise he kept poking.
Deji nudged him with a knowing grin. “You know if you never liked that girl, you wouldn’t feel somehow right now.”
Leon stiffened.
“I don’t feel anything,” he lied.
Mark scoffed. “Then why your face change when we mentioned her?”
He forced a breath. “Abeg. I’m fine.”
They exchanged looks but didn’t push further.
“Anyway,” Leon said, changing the subject, “Are we eating or not? I didn’t come here to do therapy.”
Mark laughed. “Food dey come. But we still dey judge you.”
Leon clicked his tongue and leaned back, letting their banter drown out the quiet ache.
Across town, Felicity lay curled on her couch like laundry someone forgot to fold. Hair messy, hoodie oversized, face bare.
Her phone buzzed.
Gwen:
Outside.
Ibukun:
Open your damn door.
She groaned. “God… why today?”
But she dragged herself up and shuffled to the door.
The moment she opened it, both girls gasped loudly.
“Haa! Felicity!” Gwen clutched her imaginary pearls. “What is this life?”
Ibukun stepped inside, eyes wide. “You look like your soul has been ironed flat.”
Felicity frowned. “Thanks?”
“No, seriously,” Gwen continued, walking in and dropping her bag. “You look like heartbreak sponsored you.”
Ibukun placed her hands on her hips. “Oya, stand up. You’re coming out tonight.”
Felicity blinked. “Eh? No now. I’m not in the mood—”
“We didn’t ask,” Gwen interrupted. “We told you.”
Ibukun grabbed her hand. “Let’s go. Today, we’re dragging you back to being a human being.”
Felicity sighed but didn’t fight it.
Her body was tired.
Her heart was tired.
Her eyes were tired.
And maybe… maybe she didn’t want to be alone tonight.
Ten minutes later, they had her sitting on Gwen’s low stool while Ibukun sorted through her wardrobe.
“Soft look,” Gwen declared. “Pretty girl. Clean makeup. Light dress.”
Ibukun held up a pastel lilac dress. “Try this.”
Felicity bit her lip. “I’m not sure…”
“It’s gentle and soft,” Gwen said. “Just like you.”
Ibukun put the dress down and held Felicity’s hands. “You need to feel beautiful again, even if it’s just for a night.”
Emotion rose in Felicity’s chest, but she pushed it back.
They took their time with her—polishing her nails in a classy nude, curling her hair until it framed her face softly, brushing makeup onto her skin until she looked fresh and bright again.
When she finally looked at her reflection, she blinked in surprise.
She hadn’t realized how long she’d been dimming herself.
Gwen shook her shoulders excitedly. “Look at this fine babe!”
Ibukun whistled. “Whoever hurt you is somewhere begging God for reset.”
Felicity laughed—her first real laugh in days. Soft. Shaky. Genuine.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“Always,” they answered together.
On the drive to Preston’s, she kept catching her reflection in the side mirror.
She looked… normal again.
Actually, she looked beautiful.
Her phone buzzed with notifications from WhatsApp and Snapchat.
She hesitated—then blocked Leon from viewing her status.
Blocked him on Instagram stories too.
He wasn’t hers anymore.
She had no right to feel guilty.
But she still did.
She didn’t want him thinking she’d changed just because she was going out.
Even though she had every right to live her life.
At Preston’s place, the boys were already waiting.
“Ah, Felicity!” Preston called. “See fine girl!”
Gwen raised a brow. “Be careful oh. We borrowed her to the world today.”
Inside, they all gathered around the center table.
On it was a tray of brownies.
“Here,” Ibukun said, handing Felicity one. “Hold these. You’re the only responsible one.”
Felicity nodded and held the tray carefully.
The brownies smelled good—like chocolate heaven. She reached for one, curious.
“No!” Gwen and Ibukun shouted simultaneously.
She froze. “What?”
“There’s weed inside,” Ibukun said, eyes wide.
Felicity dropped the brownie immediately, horrified, wiping her fingers on her dress.
Everyone burst out laughing.
“Ha! This girl is such a church girl,” Preston said, shaking his head.
“I didn’t know!” Felicity protested.
“No wonder we made you carry it,” Gwen teased. “You won’t be tempted.”
Felicity rolled her eyes but smiled.
For a moment, everything felt normal again.
They headed out to Kolade’s party, unaware of how the night would twist their stories again.