Chapter 5

We stepped off the plane and were immediately met by a sleek, luxurious car waiting for us on the tarmac. It was a brand-new black G-Wagon, its polished surface glinting under the sunlight. The chauffeur stepped out and greeted us politely before opening the doors.

I climbed in after Odell and his mum, feeling completely out of place in the plush leather interior. The seats were so soft it felt like sitting on clouds, and every surface gleamed with pristine detail. Even the buttons and dials seemed unnecessarily luxurious, as though everything was designed for someone who lived in a world far removed from mine.

We drove through the city until we reached a hotel, and I could hardly believe my eyes.

The building towered over everything around it, its glass exterior reflecting the golden hues of the sunset. Inside, the lobby was breathtaking, white marble floors polished to a mirror-like shine, grand chandeliers sparkling overhead, and golden accents adorning every surface.

Every step I took felt surreal. The air itself smelled rich, like some blend of expensive perfume and fresh flowers. It was the kind of place I had only ever seen in movies, and now I was standing in it, completely in awe.

Odell’s mum turned to him and said, “You should stay with us for a few days, Odell. There’s somewhere I’d like you to go with me, and besides, you can’t leave so soon after just arriving.”

Odell sighed but nodded reluctantly. “Alright, fine,” he said. He grabbed his bag and walked toward the elevator without so much as a glance in my direction.

His mum gestured for me to follow her, leading me to a different part of the hotel. When we arrived at the room she had arranged for me, my jaw nearly dropped.

It was massive and elegant, decorated in soft white and gold that matched the rest of the hotel. The bed looked like something out of a royal palace, dressed in silky sheets and fluffy pillows, and the windows offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline.

As she handed me the key, she leaned in and whispered with a knowing smile, “I purposely had you two sit together on the plane. I hope you had some time to catch up.”

Her words made my stomach flip.

I forced a small smile and nodded, though inside I felt a sharp twist of embarrassment and frustration. Catch up? How could we, when he barely even looked at me?

I thanked her and stepped into the room, closing the door behind me. As I leaned against it, I exhaled deeply, the events of the day washing over me.

I was overwhelmed, confused, and hurt all at once.

Seeing Odell again wasn’t supposed to feel like this.

That night, I barely slept. The looming pressure of the scholarship exam weighed heavily on me. I tossed and turned, my thoughts a tangled mess.

A part of me wanted to give up, to fail the exam on purpose so I could leave and never have to face the pain of Odell’s indifference again. He was the reason I had worked so hard, the reason I had dreamed of coming to this university, and now it was clear he didn’t care about me at all.

But then I thought about my parents.

I thought about the sacrifices they had made to get me here, the countless sleepless nights I had spent studying, and all the hope Odell’s mum had placed in me.

Failing on purpose would crush them.

My chest tightened with guilt, frustration, and confusion. I felt trapped, trapped between the dream I had built around Odell and the reality I was now facing.

The next morning arrived faster than I wanted.

The same sleek G-Wagon that had picked us up from the airport was waiting outside the hotel. Its polished exterior gleamed in the morning sun as the chauffeur held the door open for us.

I climbed in, followed by Odell and his mum, my stomach twisting with nerves. The car smelled faintly of leather and fresh cologne, but even the luxury of it couldn’t calm the storm in my chest.

As we drove toward the university, tension thickened in the car. Odell sat beside me, silent as ever, his attention on his phone or the passing scenery outside the window. His mum, seated in the front passenger seat, seemed lost in her own thoughts.

My palms were clammy despite the cool air from the AC. I kept fidgeting with my fingers, unable to stop the swirl of anxious thoughts.

What if I wasn’t good enough?

What if the exam was impossibly hard?

What if I disappointed everyone?

Even with the chill of the air, I could feel sweat gathering at the back of my neck. My heart pounded as I struggled to keep my breathing steady.

Why is Odell like this? I thought bitterly. Even if he doesn’t care, even if he hates me, basic courtesy demands a word, a glance, at least. Am I really that insignificant to him?

Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t notice at first when a warm hand reached out and closed around mine.

My breath hitched.

I glanced down, then up, meeting Odell’s eyes.

He was looking directly at me, no phone, no distractions, just me. His gaze was steady, intense, and filled with something I couldn’t understand but felt deep in my chest. My heart stuttered, my pulse racing wildly.

There was something in his eyes, something dangerous, something soft, something I had waited years to see.

My lips parted, but no sound came out.

His grip tightened slightly, not enough to hurt, just enough to remind me that this was real. That he was really here. That he was really touching me.

Then he spoke.

“Nichole.”

Hearing my name on his lips after so many years felt like lightning tearing through my body.

My chest tightened, and at the same time, something inside me burst open. Joy, relief, shock, everything crashed into me at once. It felt like I might actually die from how fast my heart was beating.

He was finally talking to me.

Finally saying my name.

My eyes burned, not with pain, but with overwhelming happiness. All the questions I had carried for years rushed forward at once, pressing against my lips, begging to be spoken.

This was it.

Now I could finally ask him everything.