The Things Girls Do

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 17

Gloria’s POV:

Junior stepped out of the school building and walked towards where I stood. I opened the door and waved my hand in.

” After you, your highness.”

He showed his teeth. ” I know you’re still mad about what happened with me yesterday.”

I held myself from slapping him. Who does this brat thinks he is anyway?

” Just get into the car,” I said out of rage. I knew I was supposed to get him to like me but the sight of him jeering at me turned my stomach.

He shrugged and got in. The driver started the engines and we drove off in silence towards home.

” Stop at Crunches,” Junior ordered the driver.

The driver nodded and diverted into another turning.

” Wait, where are we going? What’s this crunches? We’re supposed to be headed home.”

He rolled his eyes. ” Do you want to cook today?”

I frowned. ” I don’t think so.”

” Then do you want me to starve?”

I bite my lips really hard until they hurt. He was going to start mocking me, I knew it.

” No.”

” Then be quiet and allow to me help your life,” he snapped.

I froze but not for long.

We arrived at this really good place meant for serving good dishes, ice creams, cakes and lots more. Anything that’s good enough for your taste buds.

I came down from the car and holding Junior by the hand, I led him towards the counter. I noticed he held my hand tighter as if I was going to run away. Believe me, it made me feel like a mother.

He ordered for ice cream, fried rice and chicken and some drinks. I paid and we left for home.

It made me sick to know that this would be my daily routine. I wouldn’t have to cook. I made a resolution and that was after all these is over, I’m going to have Cynthia and Priscilla teach me how to cook. By all means I swear.

” Are you and my dad close?” Junior asked.

This was a sudden question that I never expected from anywhere. It caught me off guard.

” Excuse me? What did you say?”

He was licking his Ice-cream but that didn’t fool me. I knew he asked that question on purpose.

” I wanted to know. Are you and my dad close?”

This was one weird boy. Whatever must’ve triggered that question must been something he might’ve known about me.

” What are you talking about?” I tried to stall him. ” I barely know your father.”

His eyes went to the driver and they returned back to me. ” Never mind.”

But I minded. I mind ooooo. What is wrong with this boy? What does he know that I don’t know.

In a few minutes, we were at home. Soon in a matter of seconds, I was leading him to the dinning table where I served him what we bought at Crunches.

” Don’t go, Gloria,” Junior called as I was about leaving.

I turned to him. ” Is there anything else you want?”

” I want to talk to you,” he said. ” Seat down.”

Nawao. See this small boy, ordering me to seat down. To my surprise, I sat down opposite him. Didn’t know what made me to obey him but I obeyed.

He took a spoonful of rice and ate. ” Gloria, can we be honest with each other?”

” Why?”

” I want us to talk about my father.”

” Well, what about your father?” I asked, but at the back of my mind, I was anxious.

” Where did you meet my dad? And don’t lie to me. I know who you are and what you’re here to do so you had better say the truth or I’ll send my recordings to the police.”

Recordings? What recordings?

” Wait, wait, wait, wait,” I drew closer to him. ” What are you talking about? What recordings?”

” Last night conversation you had with my dad. I was by the door listening to all you two were saying. I had my phone with me so it didn’t take me anything to record the whole conversation. Now don’t look like that, I won’t rat on you. Just tell me what I want to know and everything will be alright.”

I swallowed. It was at that moment that I became afraid of this boy. He was too smart, too in the know to play with. I decided to play along with him. If I perish, I perish.

” What do you need to know?”

” How did you meet my dad?” He asked me, cutting a chicken with his cutlery knife.

I took a deep breath. If that was all he needed to know, well, I was gonna go to give it to him. I told him everything, how I’ve met Adeola, how he’d taken me out and given me the story of his family and how he’d gotten me the job of being a maid.

I hid nothing back from this boy. I was scared of him and I didn’t know why. Junior ate while I spoke and he only looked up when he opened his drink to take a sip.

By the time I was done, he’d already finished eating. I stared at him. He was still in his school uniform which made me felt inferior Because I realized he was being the superior and I, the inferior despite our differences in age.

Junior met my eyes. ” And you believed everything he told you?”

” Well, I have my doubts about him, but I believed him,” I paused, remembering something. ” Why do you hate your father?”

Junior smiled. It was a bitter smile but it covered half of his face. ” I don’t hate my father, Gloria. My mom is the one who hates him. I’m just playing along with her because I don’t want her to know the real truth about him.”

The real truth about Adeola?!

” What Truth?”

Junior looked away. ” Gloria, my sister’s didn’t die of anemia. My father lied to you.”

I thought as much. I knew there was something fishy going on with that man.

” I’m not sick either,” Junior continued. ” My sister’s died in the middle of the night. I was in my room when I heard their screams. Dad was away for a business trip. Mom was the only one home. By the time we got to them, they were already dead. They all died mysteriously.

Mom did all she could. She prayed, she cried but they were gone. A prophet disclosed to her that dad was responsible for their deaths.”

” Don’t tell me you believed everything a prophets tells you,” I said, trying to laugh it off. ” Your father isn’t that stupid to use your sisters for money rituals.”

He turned to me with a deep frown on his face. ” I believed the prophet because it’s the truth.”

My mind went cold. Okay this was serious and very scary.

” It’s the truth? What makes you say that?”

” Dad has a secret room in this house under the basement. It’s always kept locked. One night, I was awake to hear him sneaking out of his room towards the basement. I followed him. He didn’t know I saw him. He got into the room and shut himself in. I took a peek at the keyhole. It was the most scariest place I’ve ever seen. There were human skulls, red clothes everywhere and horrific images.”

If this boy thinks he can scare me like that, he had another thought coming. ” Are you making that up or you’re just trying to scare me. Your father doesn’t look like the kind of man to–”

Junior slammed his hand on the table. ” It’s the truth. I saw him with my own eyes. At first I was doubtful of my mom’s accusations but as I grew older, I started to understand why she was Soo mean to him. He killed my sisters, Gloria and now he’s coming for me as well.”

My eyes didn’t blink and my mind went dull. What could I say? What should I do? Who do I believe? Adeola or this small boy? For all I know, he could be conspiring with his mom agaisnt me turning against his father. Was that his plan?

This was a jam. I had no idea what to do. I was lost. As a matter of fact, I became terribly afraid.

Cynthia’s POV:

Pastor Sam stared at me in shock. ” Are you sure of what you’re saying?”

I nodded. ” I’m sorry but I can’t marry your son.”

” I am terribly disappointed in Paul,” he gritted his teeth. ” I can’t believe he’d do such a thing.”

” I just came to let you know my decision. I hope you’re not mad at me for refusing to go on with this engagement.”

” Not at all, not at all,” he said, thoughtfully. ” I apologise for everything, Cynthia. If I had known Paul to be this…..I’ll deal with him. He’ll regret the very day, I brought him into my house to take him as my own.”

” Don’t be too hard on him. He has his every right to have any woman of his choice. Turns out, I’m not the woman for him.”

Pastor Sam held my hand. ” This is all my fault. I wanted you to have the best of everything, Cynthia. You’re such a good girl. You’re perfect. I didn’t want you marrying someone who’s going to cause you Soo much pains in the future. That’s why I brought Paul to you. I’m just disappointed Paul didn’t turn out to be the boy I trained all my life. I’m really really sorry.”

I smiled. ” No body is perfect, pastor Sam. We all make mistakes. There’s no need to be sorry.”

” Don’t worry, just focus on your studies,” he said. ” I will make sure I talk some sense into that man w—e. By the time I’m done with him ehh….”

I wasn’t interested in what he was going to do to Paul. There was something I desperately wanted him to do for me.

” Pastor Sam?”

” Yes?”

” I need your help,” I paused, as I swallowed. ” I’ve sinned. I did a terrible thing and I feel guilty about it.”

Pastor Sam was surprised. I wouldn’t blame him he’d always seen me as a good girl, a saint. But now, I don’t see myself the same way he saw me. I was a foolish sinner. I can see that now.

Pastor Sam didn’t ask me what offense I made. He was like that all the time. ” Take my hands, let’s pray.”

I took his hands and we prayed. He prayed for my forgiveness and after all said and done, he advised me. ” Go and sin no more.”

Go and sin no more.

I’ve decided what I was going to do. I’ve been thinking about it for a long time since last night.

Bella and Lucy were home when I returned back. Bella was studying while Lucy stayed far away from her, awkwardly.

Yesterday after catching us in the act, Bella had gone out and didn’t return till 11.pm. She didn’t ask for an explanation over what happened. It was as if nothing happened. I couldn’t look at her and so did Lucy. We were both ashamed of ourselves.

But Bella didn’t seemed to mind. She went along her normal life without bothering for an explanation.

Well, today I was leaving and I ain’t coming back. I went over to my wardrobe and began throwing my things inside my bag

Bella looked up from her book and so did Lucy. They stared at me as I emptied my wardrobe, packing my things without looking at anyone.

” Where are you going?” Lucy asked.

” I’m leaving,” I managed to answer even though I didn’t want to talk to her.

” Leaving? To where?” Bella asked.

I glanced up at her. It was with an effort I made not to look Soo weak in her eyes. ” I’m renting my own place. I can’t stay anymore with you girls.”

If Bella was surprised, she didn’t show it. ” But why, leaving? Is it because of what happened yesterday? Come on, I’m an adult, I’ve seen worse things than that. Just because Lucy and you are lesbians doesn’t make you two devils.”

” I’m not a lesbian,” I snapped. ” Stop calling me a lesbian. Lucy is the one who’s the Lesbian not me.”

” But you were kissing her,” Bella pointed out.

” I wasn’t kissing…” I paused as the memory filled me with rage. ” She started it.”

” And you succumbed,” Bella said. ” So what are you saying? Doesn’t that automatically makes you a lesbian?”

She was right. Even though I hated to admit.

” Well, you’re right,” I signed dejectedly. ” That’s why I’m leaving.”

” You’re leaving because you’re a lesbian?”

” No, I’m leaving so that I won’t remain a lesbian. I’m leaving so I won’t fall into temptation again. I’m leaving so that I won’t end up being influenced into becoming like you. I’ve been such a fool for long. It’s about time I Sort my life straight.”

” So, this automatically means, You’re the holy one and we’re the sinners?” Bella asked.

” It means I’ve automatically made up my mind,” I shot back at her. ” And there’s nothing. Absolutely nothing you nor anyone else in this room can do about it.”

Bella watched me take my bags and began dragging them out of the house. She didn’t even made a single attempt to stop me.

” Cynthia if it’s about Paul, I’m sorry,” she called over. ” I didn’t know he was your fiance. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have slept with him.”

” It’s not your fault,” I said throwing my last bag out of the room. ” I know you didn’t know who he was and yes I forgive you. But I honestly can’t live here anymore. I’m done. I’m leaving.”

Bella wanted to say something. Then she closed her eyes and opened it. ” Alright. I pray you find yourself a better life out there for yourself.”

” Thanks,” I stepped out. ” I hope so too.”

It didn’t take me long to get a taxi. The moment I had dumped my things at the boot,I heard my name. Someone was running up to me. I squinted my eyes to see Lucy.

” Cynthia, wait.”

But I didn’t wait. I poked at the driver. ” Drive.”

” Drive? But madam the person de call you,” the driver said in pidgin.

” I said drive!” I yelled. ” If that girl gets here by the window I swear I won’t pay you anything.”

As if fired from a gun, the taxi blared to life and instantly, the vehicle was shot down into the highway.

I turned behind to see Lucy trying to meet up with the moving car but she tripped and fell.

I watched her call out my name and it shocked me to see tears in her eyes.

To my surprise, I felt nothing.

I felt no anger, no mercy, no pity, no feelings at all for her. I was immune to those tears and those big eyes.

I didn’t know what she wanted to say to me and I didn’t care. I was glad I was gone. Glad I never revealed where I was going to be living now and glad I’m never going to have anything to do with my roommates ever again.

With that said and done, I turned my face back to the road before me. Bella was right. I am now a lesbian but I’m going to change. It would be much easier for me when I’m more Alone than when I’m in the company of girls like Lucy.

As for Paul.

Paul, Paul, Paul!

Paul was a disappointment. I hated him now. I hated him Soo much I wished I could kill him but I shouldn’t be bothered about him. I’m still a virgin and that’s what really counts. I’m going to be focused on my studies and no man, I swear no man on Earth is going to rush me off my feet like that. Ever again.

I swear!!!

[ END OF CYNTHIA’S POV]

Gloria’s POV:

It was nighttime. I couldn’t sleep,I couldn’t blink an eyelid. I was scared, I was worried, I was confused.

Was Adeola playing some games with me or was Junior the guy with the mind games.

” My sister’s died in the middle of the night. I was in my room when I heard their screams. Dad was away for a business trip. Mom was the only one home. By the time we got to them, they were already dead. They all died mysteriously. Mom did all she could. She prayed, she cried but they were gone. A prophet disclosed to her that dad was responsible for their deaths,” Junior had said earlier today.

But Adeola told me they all died of anemia.

” Dad has a secret room in this house under the basement. It’s always kept locked. One night, I was awake to hear him sneaking out of his room towards the basement. I followed him. He didn’t know I saw him. He got into the room and shut himself in. I took a peek at the keyhole. It was the most scariest place I’ve ever seen. There were human skulls, red clothes everywhere and horrific images.”

Is that even true? If it is then Junior and Linda and even all the prophets put together were right about him being a cultist.

But I had my doubts about that story. Adeola was such a sweet nice man. There’s no way in hell he can be a ritualist. I find that hard to believe.

Still, I was going to find out. I glanced at my watch.

MIDNIGHT

Let’s see if what Junior was saying is true.

I remained quiet. There was a grave silence in the darkness that made my heart pound. It reminded me of the days when I was a young girl.

Creeeeak!!!

Came a sound on the wooden floor outside my room.

Wait! Was that a tip toe?

Creeeeak!!!

Indeed it was. A tip toe. A real tip toe. But who was that?

The noise stopped then took a lighter sound as it walked past my room down the corridor.

This was my chance. It was now I’d know if Junior was telling the truth or not.

I placed my foot on the ground and crept to the door. Opening it a crack, I peek down the corridor. Someone was going downstairs. It was dark to see the shape but that doesn’t mean I don’t know who it was.

Opening the door wide opened, I followed the creepy sound of the mysterious man downstairs. I was light enough so I didn’t make that much sound.

I held my phone tight. If this was Adeola and what Junior said about him is true then I’m going to take pictures and videos and sent it to the police to save Junior’s life.

Popping my head over the barrister rails I saw the uismistable figure of Adeola in the darkness. He was holding something in his hand and was headed to the kitchen.

So it’s true. Junior was right all along. Adeola was a ritualist. Alright. Only one way to find out. I’m going to expose this mother f*cker today.

With each cautious steps I sneaked down the stairs towards the kitchen where I took a peek at Adeola as he placed the stuff he held in his hand and opened a pot on the table.

With my hands ready and set, I placed my phone before me and took a picture.

Flash..

Oh shoot! I forgot to turn off the flash. Adeola turned sharply to my direction as the light from my phone illuminated the entire place.

Wait, what?!

Meat? Adeola was stealing meat?

He stood there, his mouth oily and full with three big pieces of meet. The pot he had opened was the soup pot Linda had prepared with soup this evening before going to bed. She had denied him food that evening.

On the table was a Torchlight. For God’s sake, what the hell!!!!

Adeola stared unblinkingly at me with a full mouth and I stared right back at him. Confused, embarrassed, shocked and angry.

That little brat!!!

Junior!!!