A Devil's Kiss

''How about we go to him tomorrow and beg him to forgive you? We can come to terms with him concerning the house.'' Miss Gladys sighed.

Yesterday, her boss at the law firm had called her that Miles Group were looking to sign a contract with them through her.

She knew at once that she was been pressured but she couldn't tell Inayah about it. She knew how Inayah loved the house''

''No, Aunt. Even though, I'm scared of what he would do; I won't apologise to him. He provoked me first."

"Also, if we go to him now, he is going to use that chance to ask me to move out.''

Even though she slapped him, Inayah didn't have any intention to go and apologise to him since it would just make things go from bad to worst.

''Then just move out already and stop being stubborn. Mum, I'm scared for this fool. What if she goes and confronts him without telling us? That man is dangerous; do you want to join your parents that much?''

''Clara…''

''Clara, you've crossed the line!'' Inayah said angrily.

''I'm worried about you, you fool!'' Clara stood up and went into her room and banged the door angrily.

Miss. Gladys looked at Inayah and apologised. ''Inayah, I'm sorry. Clara didn't mean anything bad.''

''Is okay. I know, she doesn't mean it that way. She is just worried about me.''

''Ever since you left 8 months ago. Clara has been blaming herself for not going with you that night. She feels responsible somehow for what happened to you.''

''I Know. Don't worry Aunt. I will stay away from him. I will stay here in the meantime.''

''Good girl. Go and sleep in Clara's room. I will make the bed in the guestroom and buy some toiletries so you can use it tomorrow.''

''Thanks, aunt!'' Inayah entered Clara's room and saw the latter pretending to be asleep. She went closer and got into the bed and snuggled against her.

''I will be fine. Don't worry.'' Inayah said to her.

''I'm sleeping!'' Clara said smiling.

''Since when did people who sleep talk?''

''Tsk!''

''I will be fine. I won't do anything to make you worried.''

''I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring in your parents.''

''Is okay. Good night!'' Inayah kissed Clara's hair and closed her eyes.

''Good night too.''

....

Fountain High School

Yeae 3 Class C.

Noah turned to Inayah and asked when he saw the latter dozing during first period.

''What did you do yesterday? I called you but you didn't answer. I went to your house and no one was there.''

Inayah yawned and asked back, ''you went to my house? Oh, I was with Clara.''

''You don't look too well. Is anything the matter?'' Noah touched her face and frowned, ''your eyes are puffy and there is band aid on your left knee.''

''Nothing much, I'm fine. I just tripped last night in the kitchen.'' Inayah lied.

''You must tell me if you have any problem, okay? You know, I'm rich.'' Noah said confidently.

''Yes, rich Noah!'' Inayah chuckled and felt the phone in her pocket vibrating. She took it out and saw an unknown number caller ID, so she muted the phone and kept in back in her pocket.

''Ayah, are you alright?'' Clara asked when she saw the uncomfortable look on Inayah's face.

''Of course. Why won't I be?'' Inayah said and looked at her pocket, her mind suddenly going to someone.

The phone vibrated again and she muted it again.

''Why aren't you picking the call?'' Clara asked.

''We are in class. What will happen if a teacher comes in and sees me receiving a call in class?''

''You're right!''

....

School Canteen.

When it was break time, Samantha, Joy and Selina picked their food and walked to Inayah's table.

''Ayah, can I join your table?'' Samantha asked and Noah and Clara looked at them disapprovingly.

''Samantha, is it a must for us to dine with her?'' Selina asked contemptuously.

''We can sit at a different table.'' Joy added.

''What do you mean? Ayah is my best friend; it is only right that we sit at the same table; right?'' Samantha smiled as she looked at Inayah.

She turned her gaze towards Noah. She was curious about him and wanted to find out more about him. Who he was and the family he came from.

''Best friend my foot!'' Clara said and scooped a spoonful of rice into her mouth.

''Clara, I know you don't like me but could you please for the sake of Ayah tolerate me?'' Samantha asked.

''Yeah, right!!! This is who I am and I can't tolerate you, what can you do about that?'' Clara glared at Samantha and went back to eating her food.

''Clara, that's enough.'' Inayah stopped Clara and turned to Samantha, ''Samantha, there is no reason why you shouldn't sit here with her, but, I doubt if your cousin and friend feels the same way. Is clear they don't like that idea.''

''Girls, if you like me then, do this for me. You know how important Ayah is to me.'' Samantha's voice seemed meek and helpless as she spoke to Selina and Joy.

''Yeah, so important that you actually testified against her. Inayah, I just lost my appetite. See you in class.'' Clara picked up her tray and left the table.

''Hi, Noah. Remember me? We met at the beach the other time.'' Selina said as she flashed a seductive smile at Noah.

''Is hard not to remember you.'' Noah said in an indifferent tone which didn't sound pleasant at all.

''Oh, I see. So, you and Inayah are not dating?'' Selina pressed on. She had liked him the moment she saw him at the beach.

''Sorry, Ayah, I have to go before I lose my appetite too.'' Noah stood up and picked his tray and walked away.

''Ayah, I'm really sorry about that. I think your new friend doesn't like me that much?''

''Of course, she must have said something bad about us to him. Why else would he avoid us like the plague?'' Joy said as she looked at Inayah.

Inayah didn't bother with them and kept eating her food silently. Her phone vibrated again and she took it out and stood up. ''Ladies, I'm full. See you later Samantha.''