Different from the devil's kiss

''Oh, I see. So, it was just a movie. That's a relief too, you know how this school is. It won't be good if they hear you have a boyfriend. Especially now that Gideon is getting back here today. '' Samantha stared at Inayah carefully trying to read her reaction.

''Gideon is coming back, today? How?'' Inayah and Clara turned to look at each other.

''Yesterday, I met his cousin at the mall and I found out he was already awake for the past one month now. That is exactly about the same time we came back to the school. I even heard he might return again. Looks like we are all back to square one.'' Samantha looked at her watch, ''look at me, is almost time for class. You girls should hurry before you get punished.''

''Wait!'' Inayah said when Samantha turned to go away.

''Why? Is anything the matter?'' Samantha asked innocently.

''Where is Gideon now?'' Inayah's hands were clenched into a tight fist when she asked. She had an uncomfortable expression on her face.

''Oh, that? I'm not really sure. But, he should be at their mansion right now, I guess. Why? Do you want to visit him?'' Samantha raised her brows questionably.

It was like she was now showing her true colours in front of Inayah.

''No.'' Inayah laughed sarcastically.

''I will be going with my parents this weekend. I can say a few words of favour for you.''

Inayah sighed and chuckled. She looked at Samantha with a cold gaze and asked. ''Tsk!!!! Seeing that you are now speaking your mind; you must be done 'playing house', right?''

Samantha laughed and folded her arms smugly. ''Then, are you also done pretending to not know what is going on?''

''I wasn't pretending. I really liked you, but the Samantha I loved died a long time ago. You, I don't recognise you anymore. Oh and, I heard everything you said to Clara yesterday over the phone. She has a habit of not ending the line anytime she finishes speaking on the phone you know."

"Clumsy, right? But, it did help me realise just how much of a great friend you are. Listen to me, Samantha Logan… '' Inayah stepped closer to her, ''I am definitely going to dig into what happened that night. I will make sure I get evidence of how psychotic of a person you are. You can look forward to it.''

''Really? Alright then, I look forward to it, my dear Inayah.'' Samantha touched Inayah's face and walked away laughing.

''Inayah, I…'' Clara didn't know what to say.

''Let's go.'' Inayah walked away and Clara followed suit.

....

Hanna's Diner.

Counter.

Inayah finished serving a customer and turned to face Bertha. ''if you have something to say; just say it. Keeping quiet is not your style so why hold it in?''

Bertha chuckled. ''Are you really going to investigate what happened that night?''

''Wow!!! News does really spread like wildfire."

''I don't know why I keep getting entangled in your issues but, I'm not going to say anything about that night… if you…'' Bertha seemed panicky.

''Don't worry, I won't be asking you to do anything for me. I have no reason to ask you that, right?'' Bertha's words were cut short by Inayah.

Bertha looked at her and mumbled to herself. ''I was going to say if you ask me nicely, I might be able to help. But, I guess you won't be asking me either''

Mrs. Hanna walked out of the kitchen and clapped her hands, drawing their attention. ''Girls, how about a party at my house this Saturday?''

Inayah and Bertha groaned.

''Mrs. Hanna, party at your place means cleaning.'' Inayah frowned her face.

''You're clearly abusing your position as the owner of this place.'' Bertha added.

''If I can't even use my rights as the owner of this place; then I would be doing myself disservice. Just imagine how bad that will be? See you girls on Saturday then. It's settled.'' Mrs. Hanna said and turned back to the kitchen.

Inayah and Bertha looked at each other and said at the same time.

''Do I have to see you on weekend too?'' they both shook their heads and concentrated on their work.

….

Inayah got down from Noah's car with him and yawned tiredly. She was about to go home after work at the diner when Noah came and gave her a ride.

''You didn't have to bring me home? Is not that far.''

''How can I not bring you home? You've been working after school; the least I can do is send you back.''

''You are so nosy. At this rate, people might think we have something going on.'' Inayah said and turned to go and heard Noah saying.

''What if we have something going on? I've told you already, I don't intend to just be your friend forever...''

Inayah turned to look at him. ''Whag do you mean?''

Noah took her hand and pulled her back. He touched her chin and leaned closer, kissing her on her lips lightly before letting go.

As he did that, his gaze shifted to the CCTV camera that faced Inayah's building from the mansion.

''Hey, what did you do that for?'' Inayah pushed him away and stepped back. Her face looked flustered.

''Inayah wait…'' Noah tried to hold her hand but she stepped back before running into her house.

When she was gone and out of sight, Noah's lips curved into a sly smile as he looked at the CCTV before getting into his car.

Inside the mansion, Jasper looked at the screen and chuckled, but his gaze was cold. He pulled out the drawer under the table and removed a pack of cigarette. He picked one and walked out of the security room into his bedroom.

Jasper went to stand by the glass wall facing the small apartment and took a drag of the cigarette he had lit up. He smiled when he saw the window open and then closed at once.

Inayah laid on the bed and touched her lips. ''What is wrong with them? Do they think they can kiss me anytime they want without my permission?''

She frowned and closed her eyes. ''It's different from the devil's kiss.''

Inayah sat up on the bed and screamed, ''hey, what is wrong with you Ayah? Have you gone crazy?'' She shook her head and laid back.