I won't hurt her...

After cutting the fruits and sending them to the hall for the girls and boys, she said to them, ''I have work to do, so enjoy yourselves.

''Thanks, aunt''

''Thanks aunt Gladys''

''Thanks mom''

Inayah looked at Gideon suspiciously and turned to whisper into Bertha's ear, ''hey, are you alright?''

Bertha flushed and shook her head, ''yeah, I'm fine'' she lowered her gaze and avoided eye contact with Gideon.

''Did Gideon pester you again? Should I break his legs for you?'' Inayah probed further.

''No'' Bertha smiled and looked up when she heard a familiar ringtone. It was so familiar that she couldn't ignore it.

Gideon took out his phone and said to them, ''it's my dad. I have to answer it''

''Go to your left, there is a study room there. You can answer it there'' Clara said to him and he nodded.

''Okay'' Gideon stood up and went to the balcony to answer the call. Bertha's gaze followed him all the way to the balcony.

''Ayah, you're not eating'' Noah touched Inayah's shoulder and she turned to look at him. She smiled and picked her fork to dig in.

''Wait, Noah. Do you like Inayah? He has been paying attention to Ayah a lot'' Sandra asked and everyone turned to look at him.

''You're right. Tell us, do you like my cousin?'' Clara teased.

''Come on guys, he is just being a caring friend'' Inayah said and ate the fruit on her fork.

'Really?''

''Is true, I like Ayah'' Noah suddenly said and Inayah choked. She coughed and her face turned red.

''That was a big joke, Noah. Aha haha'' Bertha said and Clara and Sandra started laughing.

''Why is that a joke? Liking someone is not a joke, why do you want to make a joke out of his feelings?'' Gideon asked as he stood in front of them. the hall suddenly turned silent.

''Wowww, there goes nothing'' Bertha muttered.

''Ayah, accept him if you like him too'' Gideon said to Inayah and they all turned to look at her.

''Why are you all looking at me? Let's eat the fruits''

''Seriously? You just had to come and make everyone feel awkward'' Bertha said to Gideon.

''What did I do?'' Gideon looked at her.

...

A few days later.

Fountain High School

Inayah and Clara said goodbye to Miss Gladys and waited till her car was out of their sight before they turned to go.

''And here I was thinking you finally gave up on school'' Samantha said sarcastically as she stood with Joy and Selina at the school gate.

''Isn't it that just your wishful thinking?'' Inayah asked back.

''I know, right? I was just thinking that maybe you realized you weren't needed anymore''

''I wouldn't be so pompous if I were you? After deceiving the whole class about a common purse. I won't be surprised if everything you ever said about wearing only Italian shoes was a lie'' Clara mocked Samantha.

Samantha looked at Clara and smirked, ''you?''

''I'm not done. Samantha, be humble before you go down a road of no return. Right, you already on that path''

''I must say, you take after your mother. But, you shouldn't be this way to me, Clara. Inayah's parents we all know are dead but, no one knows who your father is''

''That's enough, Samantha. I told you. I won't allow you to treat my friends the same way you treat me''

''My father? How dare you talk about my father?'' Clara became furious and Inayah held her back.

''Oh my gosh, did I prick a nerve?''

''Clara, come with me'' Bertha walked to them, holding a cup of juice she was sipping.

''Take her away, Berth'' Inayah said as she took the half cup of juice from Bertha.

''Sorry, Clara. That didn't come out well. My apolo…'' Samantha's face turned ashen when she felt the juice over her top.

''Oops, sorry. My apologies, my hands slipped'' Inayah said and walked away. She threw the cup into the trashcan and smiled as she walked away.

''Hey!!!'' Samantha screamed.

''That was intentional'' Selina said.

''Get me a new set of uniform'' Samantha shouted at Joy and Selina.

Classroom.

Clara banged her bag on the desk and sat down. ''Seriously, that girl must have a death wish. Talking about my father like she knows something''

''Forget about her, she is just frustrated. Don't put her words to heart''

''Berth is right'' Inayah added as she pulled out her chair to sit.

''Where is my juice?'' Bertha asked.

''Oh that? I put it to good use'' Inayah said and smirked.

...

Hanna's Diner.

Counter.

''Silly girl, I told you to rest. What are you doing, coming to work? '' Mrs. Hanna said and tried to stop Inayah from picking the apron.

''I told you. I am strong'' Inayah said and turned with the apron.

''Mrs. Hanna, you won't win against her; just give up already'' Bertha walked to the counter as she spoke.

''She is so stubborn'' Mrs. Hanna said and walked to the kitchen.

''She is worried about you, maybe you should go home and rest'' Bertha told Inayah when Mrs. Hanna left.

''There are only three of us, how can I leave?''

''We can manage. Just do as she says''

''Since when did you become a nagging granny. Alright, I will go home, okay?''

''Yes. That's more like it'' Bertha smiled.

….

Inayah got down from the taxi and looked at her apartment. She cussed, ''darn it. What are you doing here, Ayah? Have you forgotten, you no longer live here?'' she turned to go and saw Jasper at a distance watching her.

Pretending not to notice his presence, Inayah started walking away until she heard him saying.

''If you leave right now, you will lose the house forever''

Inayah turned and looked at him. ''I've lost it already. Since I am the bigger person, I've decided to let you have it. You don't even need to pay for it, since it's my gift to you''

''Then, what are you doing here?''

''I forgot, okay? I forgot I no longer lived here. That's why I'm quietly leaving? Why are you disturbing me? Why are you purposefully provoking me?''

''Can we talk?''

''Talk? I don't think we have anything to talk about anymore''

''Come with me''

''I'm sorry, but, is late and I need to go home before my aunt and cousin gets worried. Is way passed my curfew time you know'' as she was talking, Jasper snatched the phone from her hand. ''What do you think you're doing?''

Jasper looked into the phone and dialled Miss Gladys number. She answered upon the first ring.

''Hello, Ayah. Where are you?''

''This is Jasper Miles speaking. Miss Ibrahim is staying at my place for the night.''

''Is my niece alright? What are you going to do to her?''

''I won't hurt her. Yes, you can speak to her'' he said and handed the phone over to Inayah.

''Aunt, is me. I'm fine. You don't have to worry; he won't hurt me. I will explain to you tomorrow''

''Okay, be careful and call me if anything happens. He can be powerful but aunt will risk everything for you'' Miss Gladys said over the phone and Inayah chuckled.

''Alright, aunt. Goodnight'' Inayah hung up and looked at Jasper, ''happy now?'' she asked and walked towards the mansion.