Inayah went into the classroom and Samantha followed her. She stopped by Inayah's desk and smirked, asking. ''How do you do it, Inayah? All the boys in this school are going to fall for you at this rate.''
She looked at Inayah with a sarcastic gaze.
Joy who was standing at the side scoffed. ''Have you forgotten who she is? A seductress.''
''As if hurting Gideon is not enough, you have even seduced the new boy in our class. How low are you willing to stoop, Inayah?'' Selina added from the side. She had fallen for Noah since the day she saw him at the beach, but he never gave her any chance to even talk to him.
''I should come to you for lessons. I'm afraid that in this school, you will end up getting dirt on your name again. Even the walls of this school can tame you at this rate. Inayah, you should slow down.'' Samantha said and Inayah banged her palm on the desk and stood up.
''Oh my gosh; you scared me!'' Selina wasn't expecting Inayah to bang the desk, so when that happened, she panicked.
Inayah sighed and looked at Samantha. ''Do you know the difference between you and me? I get mud on myself for playing dirty but, you get mud on people like them...'' Her gaze turned to Selina and Joy. ''For playing dirt. You don't have to worry about my reputation as it is soiled already."
Inayah stepped closer and whispered softly. "Worry about what I have in store for you. It will surprise you just how much dirt or lower I could stoop to make sure you pay for everything you have done so far.''
Inayah turned and left the classroom. She met Bertha at the door.
''Bad timing?'' Bertha asked as she peeped into the classroom.
''I know, right? Just some nuisance trying to ruin my day.'' Inayah's lips curved.
''Just who are you calling nuisance?'' Selina asked as she walked towards them.
''Don't think we can't do anything to you because you have the protection of the new boy in our class.'' Joy added.
They had been instigated by Samantha to get in Inayah's way every way possible so that Inayah could get into trouble for losing her temper.
Bertha looked at Joy and Selina with a mocking gaze as if they were a bunch of idiots. ''Aye! It is indeed a misfortune to not be smart. You don't even know you're being used."
''Hey, psycho!'' Sandra arrived and saw them at the door.
She furrowed her brows and chuckled before turning to Joy and Selina. ''Hey, would you give me way or do you want me to knock you both down and pass?''
Joy and Selina stepped aside and gave Sandra a way. Sandra turned to Inayah and said sarcastically. ''Good going, Inayah. Everyone just wants a piece of you.''
...
Hanna's Diner.
Inayah entered the storeroom to help Bertha take stock of the ingredients available and Bertha asked her.
''So, who is the man you drew?''
Inayah looked at her and frowned. ''You still remember that?''
''How could I forget? I'm still angry with Mrs. Hanna. How could she say something dangerous like that?'' Bertha exhaled deeply.
''Like you falling in love with Gideon?'' Inayah leaned against the door with a questionable expression.
''Oh. Gosh, I hate that guy's guts. He is so selfish and immature...'' Bertha shook her head.
Inayah turned to face Bertha while holding the book and pen. ''Berth, what if what Mrs. Hanna said comes to pass? What would you do?''
''What? Are you also trying to curse me or something? That would never happen. Also, I'm leaving this damned country after graduation.'' Bertha frowned.
''You still want to travel?'' Inayah was surprised Bertha still had that dream.
Since she had known Bertha, the latter had always wanted travel.
She hated the country because it reminded her of their parents.
''Why do you think I'm working my bones out here when my brother is a doctor? I need to save money in order to run away from here.''
''I heard that you little wench!'' Mrs. Hanna said from the kitchen.
''I said it so you could hear it. That way you will increase my salary.''
''Don't worry Mrs. Hanna. I will tie her and lock her up immediately after graduation.'' Inayah teased.
''Do you want to die?''
''No yet!'' Inayah shook her head.
''Then don't mess with my plans with the love of my life.''
''Geneva?''
''Exactly. Wait!!! When did we change the topic? Don't think I won't ask you about that mystery man?''
''Should I tell you about him?'' Inayah asked.
''Yes!''
''He is a very rich and powerful man. Very handsome and he lives close by.''
''Are you sure you don't like him already?''
''No. We didn't get off on the right foot. But, I think he is a good person.''
''Hey, you're done for?''
''Why?''
''You already like him!''
''No way. Hey, let's concentrate, okay?''
…..
After closing from the diner, Inayah called Clara and they chatted on the phone as she walked home.
''So, you two are now friends?''
''Not exactly. We are just not fighting that's all.''
''You still remember what I said, right? About the tattoo having something to do with him?''
''I'm sure it does. It has stopped acting up lately.'' Inayah said meaningfully.
''Really? I must say I feel strange these days.''
Inayah walking and asked. ''Why? Did something happen?''
''Everything feels strange. You coming back with a tattoo, Samantha revealing her true feelings, Gideon coming back. Everything seems like is happening all over again. Do you know that I even felt like one of us died and is back again? I'm not getting crazy, am I?'' Clara said, feeling goosebumps all over her body.
''No, you're not crazy. Just relax and don't think about anything.'' Inayah started walking again and saw a man's shadow on the ground. The shadow seemed to be following her. ''Lara, I have to go. Someone is following me.''
''What? Okay, be careful and call for help.'' Clara said and hung up.
''Okay, bye!'' Inayah hung up and started walking faster. She noticed the man also increasing his strides.
Inayah put her phone into her pocket and quickened her pace.
A Camry pulled over in front of her and she screamed and turned to run.
''Hey, stalker!'' Jasper called from the car and Inayah stopped. She turned to see the man at a distance watching her.
Without wasting time, she hurried into the car and turned to Jasper.
''That man was following me...'' She told Jasper.
Jasper turned and looked at the man and he started walking away. Jasper drove the car as his gaze shifted from the man to Inayah.
''Where did you first notice he was following you?''
''Across the road. I was speaking to my cousin on the phone and noticed him following me.''
''I see!'' Jasper didn't say anything anymore and simply drove away. When he got to her apartment, he pulled over.
''Thank you for the ride. Good night!!'' Inayah got down from the car and walked to her house.
Jasper got down from his car and made a call as he went inside his house. ''Get someone to secretly protect Inayah and find out who is after her.''
.......
Fountain High School.
Bertha and Sandra were standing at the hallway chatting when they saw Inayah walking listlessly towards them.
''Hey, look. What is wrong with her?'' Sandra asked first.
''Oh, she looks so lifeless.''
''That's what I'm saying...''