Samantha’s phone buzzed again.She picked it up quickly.“Hello, Tasha! I was just about to call you. I’m done getting ready—let’s meet at Joan’s hostel.”“Okay,” Tasha replied.“Marian and Naomi are already here with me.”“Perfect,” Samantha said, smiling.But before Tasha could finish her sentence, Samantha interrupted gently.“Please hang up—I need to take another call.”She switched lines.“Hello, Joan?”“Sam! Where are you girls? Time is flying!”“We’re on our way to your place,” Samantha assured her.“Just a few more minutes and we’ll be there.”Meanwhile, Tasha, Marian, and Naomi arrived at Joan’s hostel first.Joan opened the door and burst into laughter.“Babe, come on! What is all this? This isn’t a hook-up night!” she teased.“My boyfriend is coming—what do you expect me to wear?” Tasha said, striking a pose.“Same here,” Marian added with a wink.Naomi twirled dramatically.“Tonight, I need to look extra hot at the party,” Naomi said, striking a pose.“I’m burning every ve
“Gloria, you’re welcome. It’s so good to see you again,” Nathan said, standing to greet her.“Thank youuuu… I missed you all so much,” Gloria replied, smiling brightly as she settled into a seat.“We missed you more, Auntie Gloria!” Samantha said, rushing over to hug her.Gloria looked around. “Where’s Lillian? Where’s your mum?”“She’s inside… she’s not feeling too well,” Samantha said softly.“Oh no… not again. Has she taken her medicine?” Gloria asked, her face full of concern.“Yes, she has,” Samantha replied.Nathan added, “She took it some hours ago.”Gloria stood up quickly. “Let me check on her.”Just then, Lillian walked in slowly, holding a cup of tea.“Here she comes already,” Nathan said with a smile.“Well, well, who do we have here?” Lillian teased.“Your destiny helper!” Gloria joked, throwing her arms open.Everyone laughed, even Lillian, as she hugged her friend before she eased herself into a chair.“Looks like the medicine is working,” Nathan said.“Yes, I think so.
Samantha’s thoughts raced faster than her heartbeat.Should she find a reason to say no?Or should she embrace the moment?Or was there any reason to hold back?Her eyes met Clark’s, who was standing just behind him.He gave her a gentle smile and a small nod—his way of saying yes, accept him.But then she turned her face away.Her mind raced through every reason she might say no to Jake.Jake was no longer the cultist she once feared. Ever since they’d saved Frek from that poisoned drink, Jake had publicly renounced the Brotherhood, cutting ties with his former life and vowing to stay free of secret allegiances.He’d proven his devotion: He proved his devotion again and again—paying her hospital bills without question, cutting off every other girl who had ever chased him, or he had once had a relationship with a benefit, and declaring himself hers alone.And the final seal of approval? Her parents adored him.Jake’s trembling voice broke into her thoughts. Still kneeling in the cente
“You think I don’t know it was you behind all this?” Daniel shouted, voice trembling with rage. “Go ahead—have her to yourself!”But before he could finish, his friend struck him hard across the face.The blow landed squarely on Daniel’s nose.A sharp crack.Blood burst out instantly, streaming down his face.Gasps echoed around them as students nearby turned to see what was happening. Boys and girls alike leaned in, drawn by the sight of blood and the tension in the air.“What’s going on?” someone asked.“Why are they fighting?”Daniel’s friend, breathing heavily, turned to the crowd. His voice was raw, but steady.“You want to know why?” he said. Daniel tried to set up a girl, Samantha. He wanted to take advantage of her. She trusted him. She told him she hadn’t been with anyone before. And still, he planned to use her.”The crowd fell silent.One female student stepped forward, her face twisted in disgust.“So this is what you planned for your fellow human being?” she said coldly. “
The next day, news broke out in school that shook the school, most especially the beneficiary students. At first, Samantha heard it from one of their lecturer during his lecture. The lecturer rounds the lecture with the news of the day.Horizon Foundation Scholarships are coming soon to reward their beneficiary who are the best in their study…The whole class shouted, and everywhere became lovely..We can wait to see him…We love him..We await his coming….We are ready to have him…shout of joy coming from a different area.It’s already in your dashboard, the lecturer added.Then everybody locked on their phone, checking.Samantha opened it and saw that it was well written. It is true;Subject: Horizon Foundation Scholarship Update Dear Students, We are pleased to announce that the founder of the Horizon Foundation will be visiting the campus as soon as possible. A special event will be held to honor the scholarship recipients. The date will be fixed soon; get prepared. —Office of
Samantha felt trapped.Her body was frozen, her voice weak. The man in front of her had turned from charming to dangerous in seconds. He grabbed her trousers at the waist, trying to pull them off.“Don’t worry, baby,” he whispered. “You’ll enjoy it like never before.”She wanted to scream. But she feared that if she did, people nearby would think it was just sex—consensual, playful. Not the horror it truly was.“Please… don’t do this,” she begged, her voice shaking. “I’m begging you.”But the man didn’t stop. He kept pulling.He finally yanked the trousers off—but the force of it made him lose balance. He fell backward, his head slamming hard against the wall.Samantha sat up, paused for a second, stunned.Then she realized—this was her chance.She dashed out of the room, barefoot, half-dressed, breathless, heart pounding like a drum of war. The man was left behind, groaning, one hand on his head, the other still clutching her trousers.She ran to her department, not stopping until sh