At Star Restaurant, as soon as Chioma arrived, Jessica, dressed in tight leather clothes that accentuated her figure, lunged at her. Fortunately, Chisom reacted swiftly, stepping in to pull Jessica away from Chioma and engage in a struggle with her. Although Chioma might still be weakened from her recent surgery, she refused to stand idly by. After all, Jessica had come to confront her, not Chisom.
Jessica took advantage of Chioma's untied long hair, grabbing hold of it in the scuffle. The customers dining and enjoying their drinks noticed the commotion and rushed over. Some of them quickly intervened to separate the three girls.
Chisom found protection in Emeka's presence, continually voicing her complaints about Jessica's actions. Chioma, with Stanley's arm around her, narrated the entire story, knowing that Stanley trusted her and wouldn't doubt her account. Meanwhile, Jessica remained unattended to, as no one dared to touch her or hold her back, fearing the consequences of her influential background.
'I won't leave here until Chioma swears to stop seeing my boyfriend!' she roars, her voice laced with fury. 'If she doesn't leave Michael alone, her family will face the wrath of hell!'
'No way!' Chioma and Chisom exclaimed simultaneously, as if they had rehearsed the response beforehand. Being best friends, it was possible that their words synchronised naturally.
Julia, perhaps attempting to gain favour with Jessica and avoid being disliked by her, stepped in front of Chioma and pointed at her, saying, 'If you leave her man, it'll be over.' Julia was clad in high-waisted ankle skinny black jeans, a white top, and accessorised with hoop earrings.
Before Chioma could respond, Chisom intervened with anger in her voice and said to Julia, 'Don't spout nonsense, Julia. This has nothing to do with you. If you're done eating, you may leave...'
'She should apologise to me for stealing my man and stay away from him!'Jessica glared fiercely at Chisom. 'If your friend wants to survive...'
Before Jessica could finish her sentence, someone firmly grasped Chioma's wrist and pulled her in front of Jessica. Confused about who could be doing this, Chioma sensed a unique and familiar fragrance and turned her head to see who was holding her. She was both surprised and delighted to see him there.
It was Michael! He had appeared suddenly, resembling a hero from the pages of a book, coming to rescue his princess. With an undeniable presence, Michael exuded confidence. From his impeccably straight legs and high-end dark blue retro suit to his captivating fragrance and polished brown leather shoes, everything about him seemed exceptional and flawless.
'You're certain you want her to apologise and stay away from me?' Michael asked, his eyes fixed ahead, not even glancing at Jessica as he spoke.
Jessica nodded, her resolve unwavering.
Michael scoffed and then shifted his gaze to Chioma. 'Then I'll punish her for trying to come between us,' he said, smirking as his voice, though slightly muffled, was still audible to those nearby. He was referring to punishing Jessica.
'Why should Jessica be punished when she did nothing?' Julia murmured, tilting her head in confusion.
Michael turned back to Jessica, his tone cold. 'Jessica, I believe you've reached the end of the line.' He pulled out his phone, dialling Robert's number. 'Issue an order to cancel all business projects with the Nnaji family immediately. Also, notify our clients and partners that Moon Corporation will no longer engage in business with any company or corporation associated with the Nnaji group.'
'Sir... Sir... Michael, did you mean to say... are you referring to the business dealings with Jessica's family, the Nnaji group?' Robert sounded confused from the other end of the phone.
'Are you questioning me?' Michael responded harshly to Robert's confusion.
Robert was taken aback by Michael's sharp tone. He wondered what could have provoked Michael to issue such an order. Yes, Michael had stormed out of the meeting in anger, but was that the reason? Could it be because of Chioma? Did Jessica harm her again? Robert knew Edward, Michael's father, wouldn't be pleased with this decision. He would surely be furious with his son. Is this what comes with being in love?Being willing to sacrifice one's fortunes for the sake of love. Love is indeed wicked.
'No, Sir. I will definitely carry out your instructions,' Robert said, ending the call. He didn't dare to ask any further questions, perhaps out of fear of losing his job.
Jessica stared at Michael, clearly surprised that he would take such a drastic action against her family. The Njemanze and Nnaji families had been long-time friends. She never expected their relationship to crumble so suddenly.
Everyone present seemed astonished by the news. Chioma felt confused. She never wanted this. She didn't want to be the cause of misfortune for others. Now, everyone would blame and hate her.
'The fight is between you and me, why did you involve our families?' Jessica asked Michael, her brow furrowed as tears welled up in her eyes.
'I won't change my stance until you apologise to Chioma,' Michael replied firmly.
Jessica felt humiliated to the core. How could she apologise to someone of Chioma's perceived low status? Just moments ago, she demanded that Chioma apologise and leave her man, but now the man she had claimed as her own was forcing her to apologise to Chioma. How could she bear such humiliation? She wanted to disappear from everyone's sight. But how could she do that? No, if she apologised, it would mean admitting she was wrong. So, glaring at Michael, she said, 'Michael...'
'When you're ready, arrange for a press conference and apologise,' Michael interrupted, not allowing Jessica to finish her sentence. He looked down at Chioma, who stood there bewildered, and said, 'Let's go.' Michael headed towards the door, but upon noticing Chioma still standing stiffly, he returned to the restaurant. He gently patted her head and, in front of the onlookers, said, 'Honey, let's go.'
Michael called her 'honey'? Jessica grew even angrier. He had never used such a term for her before. He wanted her to hold a press conference and apologise to Chioma? It seemed more like an opportunity for Chioma to be the star while she became the villain. Would Jessica tolerate and accept it?
'Chioma, you can go home. Come tomorrow,' Emeka said to Chioma.
'Okay,' Chioma replied, lowering her head and following Michael outside.
'I'll take you home,' Michael said once they were outside.
'I don't want to bother you,' Chioma said as she hailed a taxi, about to get in. However, Michael swiftly grabbed her hand, pulling her out and leading her to his car. He drove her home, making a quick stop at the clinic to purchase supplies for treating Chioma's wounds from the fight.
As they entered her empty home, Chioma switched on the lights. Michael opened the first aid kit and gently tended to Chioma's wounds, displaying his caring nature.
Chioma went into the kitchen and brought out a glass of watermelon juice and a meat pie. She shyly placed the juice and meat pie in front of Michael, but before she could speak, she noticed him gazing at her with tenderness. After a moment, he said, 'On Saturday, you'll be meeting my parents. They might not approve of you, but I do. I'm taking you to meet them because I want to set things right. Whether they accept you or not, it doesn't matter to me. You belong to me, and I will cherish you for the rest of my life.'
Chioma's heart raced as Michael spoke, even though she had known about the meeting with his parents. What she feared most was their judgment. She bit her lip, trying to steady her voice. 'Michael, I'm not afraid of meeting them. I'm just worried… what if they don't accept me? What if they think I'm not good enough for you?'
Michael's eyes softened as he reached for her hand. 'Chioma, I already told you—whether they accept you or not doesn't change how I feel. You're more than enough for me. I choose you, and that's all that matters.'
Chioma sighed, her tension easing slightly, but the worry still lingered. 'I just don't want to come between you and your family.'
'You won't,' he said firmly, his voice full of conviction. 'They'll come to see what I see in you. And if they don't, I'll stand by you, no matter what.'
Chioma smiled faintly, comforted by his words, but as she looked away, the weight of uncertainty still pressed on her heart. She wanted to believe him, to trust that everything would be fine, but the fear of not being accepted lingered. Yet in that moment, with Michael's hand firmly holding hers, she found solace, knowing he would stand by her no matter what.
***
Back inside the restaurant, amidst the lingering aftermath of the confrontation, tensions continued to simmer as Julia's sharp words cut through the air, leaving Chisom grappling with a surge of frustration. Despite the tension, she maintained a composed facade, her mind preoccupied with thoughts of Chioma's well-being.
Julia's voice turned to ice as she whipped around to face Chisom. 'Thanks to your friend,' Julia hissed, the words dripping with disdain, 'Jessica is now in a mess because of your stupid friend.' Her tone sliced through the air, cold and sharp as a winter wind.
As Jessica neared her car, a fiery surge of rage ignited within her. The mere thought of Chioma being the cause of her family's troubles fuelled the flames of her fury, intensifying with each step she took.
Chisom's jaw clenched tight. A muscle in her cheek twitched as she fought back a surge of anger. The scent of sizzling garlic and frying meat, normally a comforting aroma, did little to soothe her now. Jessica might have been the catalyst for this mess, but Julia's manipulative tone only inflamed Chisom's frustration.
'My friend didn't do anything,' Chisom forced out, her voice tight with controlled fury, barely audible above the restaurant's din.
'Jessica will soon be Michael's wife.' Julia pressed, leaning in with a predatory glint in her eyes. 'Not even you can stop it.' A smirk played on her lips, but it never reached her eyes. 'So, for God's sake, you should step forward and explain to the world that the mess was caused by your friend,' Julia insisted.
Chisom's anger threatened to boil over. 'Admitting that Chioma was responsible for the mess would be like denying the love story between Michael and Chioma. You know the truth, so don't pretend otherwise. Maybe you're hoping that Jessica will like you or become your friend, but I want to be frank with you. Just because you've been touched by an angel doesn't mean you have the blessings of an angel...'
A flicker of uncertainty crossed Julia's face, quickly masked by a forced smile. 'Maybe you're hoping Jessica throws your friend a pity bone for this,' she said, her voice laced with fake sympathy. 'But let me enlighten you, darling. Just because Michael tossed your friend a crumb of attention doesn't mean she's blessed by Cupid. Now, why don't you be a good friend and clean up this mess your friend has created?'
'I don't have time for your nonsense, Julia. Excuse me.'
'If you don't have time for my nonsense, then tell your slutty friend to leave Michael alone…'
Ignoring Julia's sputtering protests, Chisom turned away, her gaze meeting the worried eyes of her waiting customers. Taking a deep breath, she forced a professional smile onto her face. It was time to get back to work.
Feeling a knot form in her stomach, Jessica entered her car, the weight of the situation pressing down on her like a heavy blanket. Jessica felt as if a knife had pierced her chest. She couldn't believe what had just transpired. Waves of pain engulfed her, causing her to strike her hands against the innocent steering wheel. Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably as she sobbed, unable to contain her anguish.
After a moment, she managed to regain composure, wiping away her tears and starting her car. She would find a way to apologise, for the sake of her family's business. But she was determined to make Chioma experience the pain she was feeling right now.