Meanwhile, Felix sat in his study, his head lowered, lost in his thoughts rather than examining the documents before him. His brow furrowed in concentration, but it wasn't work occupying his mind. It was Chioma.
Audrey entered the room, a wave of her floral perfume preceding her. She carried a tray with a steaming cup of coffee, her pale pinkish nightgown flowing behind her like a cloud. Her hair cascaded down her shoulders, framing her elegant features.
Placing the coffee on the desk with a soft clink, she spoke gently, 'Coffee helps sometimes.' She settled into the chair opposite him, her gaze filled with worried empathy.
Felix sighed, his voice heavy with melancholy. 'Not in the mood for coffee right now.'
'Big brother, Chioma didn't just deceive you but also our cousin Michael,' Audrey began.
Felix's head snapped up, his eyes meeting Audrey's for a fleeting moment before darting away again.
Felix stared into the distance, a wave of longing washing over him. He closed his eyes, and a bittersweet fantasy bloomed in his mind. He envisioned himself beneath a sprawling fig tree, its branches adorned with tiny fairy lights that cast a warm, ethereal glow. The air shimmered with the soft chirping of crickets, a peaceful chorus that filled the night. Beside him, in this imagined world, sat Chioma. Her presence a comfort that warmed him from the inside out. He loved the way the night air seemed to hold a hint of her natural sweetness, a delicate fragrance that was uniquely hers—a mix of sunshine, wildflowers, and a touch of citrus.
Laughter, soft and melodic, filled the air. It was Chioma's laugh, tinkling like wind chimes. Fireflies danced around them, their gentle glow illuminating her face bathed in moonlight. In his mind's eye, he held a simple woven bracelet, its colours mirroring the vibrant sunset they had just witnessed. He imagined carefully fastening it on her wrist, his fingers brushing against hers, sending a jolt of electricity through him. A shy smile, genuine and warm, played on her lips.
Their eyes met, and for a fleeting moment, the world seemed to disappear. In that shared look, Felix felt a connection unlike anything he had ever known. A kaleidoscope of emotions washed over him—tenderness, understanding, a silent promise of a future together. But then, the fantasy flickered and faded, leaving him with a heavy emptiness. The shared laughter, the gentle touch, the unspoken promise – none of it was real. It was a beautiful fabrication his heart desperately craved, a love story he yearned to write with Chioma, a story that would forever remain unwritten.
He opened his eyes, the vivid dream scene dissolving into the harsh reality of his study. Audrey's voice, a faint echo from a world away, continued, 'I asked her if she had a boyfriend, and she said no,' Audrey said, trying to explain. 'I had no idea that she had ulterior motives. She played hard to get, making you pursue her even more.'
Felix remained silent, his gaze fixed on a single point on the desk.
'Big brother, it's all my fault. If I had done a background check on her, you wouldn't be suffering from this heartache now,' Audrey confessed, her voice filled with regret.
Felix finally spoke, his voice hoarse. 'Chioma isn't at fault. She…' He paused, searching for the right words. 'She never loved me. She always rejected my gifts. She doesn't love me…' His voice trailed off, a heavy sigh escaping him. 'And she never lied to me.'
'But she never told me that she was in love with someone else. She lied to me,' Audrey countered, her brow furrowing slightly.
'No, she never lied to you,' Felix admitted, his voice growing softer. When you met her, she didn't have a boyfriend. But before I could win her over, Michael had already won her heart. She met Michael before me, and she loves him more.' He looked up at Audrey, his eyes filled with a deep sadness. 'I love Chioma... my heart knows it. You know it, Celine knows it, Michael knows it, our parents know it... I was waiting for her to love me back, so the whole world could witness our love and hear our own love story. Unfortunately, I lost to Michael. Honestly, Audrey, I never thought I would fall in love with the girl you chose for me. I never dreamed that I would love and cherish Chioma, despite her humble background. When I fell in love with her, I realised that true love has nothing to do with social status, wealth, or beauty.'
'I realised that too when I met Daniel,' Audrey said, her smile faint. 'I thought I would love a man of the same status as me, get married, and have children with him. I never expected to disregard my own position and fall in love with a lowly man... but he has betrayed me. He knew all along that Chioma was involved with someone else and didn't tell me... but since I've fallen in love with him, I can't help but suppress my anger towards him.'
'In all my life, this is the first time I've met a woman I love and don't want to let go of... I've never encountered anyone like Chioma before, and I don't know if I'll ever meet someone like her again. I wish I hadn't been part of the same love story with Michael. I wish I had met Chioma first. I wish she loved me too. I wish I could have written this story myself, so I could make myself the lead male character and Chioma the female lead. But instead of being the main lead, it seems fate has cast me as the supporting character in this story... I hate such roles,' Felix expressed with a mix of longing and frustration.
Audrey sighed, feeling the weight of the situation. She didn't say anything more and slowly stood up, tears filling her eyes. She didn't want to witness the disappointment on Felix's face any longer. She turned around and quietly left the study.
Meanwhile, Felix couldn't comprehend why, even in this moment, he found himself supporting Chioma when he should have been furious with her. He questioned why love had to bring such immense pain. Shouldn't being in love with someone you care about be a source of joy? Felix's mind raced with unanswerable questions, leaving him in a state of confusion and turmoil.