Martina is the ideal example of a girl who loves a pampered life with lots of money. But she lacks that luxury which throws her into a world of living a double life. One that her best friend Lola, knows her as a broke university drop out student seeking a job. While the other she operates in a swindler group aiming to rob Lola's uncle Henry off millions. Martina has one job, seduce a man enough to distract him and steal his possession. But when Henry finds out about her intents, he offers her a deal to work with him against her crew in exchange for millions in her pockets. She's thrown into rocky waters when she realizes her crew ploy against her. It only worsens when she starts developing feelings for Henry. Martina is now caught between choices,go along with Henry's plan or follow a solo mission to get the money or quit all for the sake of being the good friend Lola needs at the moment.
Chapter 1 Kiss and tell
My mama did raise me right, just incase you ever question. But along the way I installed my own virtues, though some call it vices, it's just an indication you can't please everyone.
I like to think of my virtues as an upgrade to my system, people will complain about how the new look is inappropriate but it works smoother and faster. Like how I got fired in the twelve hours ago for flirting with a customer. Thats how fast it works. Bonus point for running broke.
But what I didn't need was for my best friend to announce she was pregnant just as we were getting evicted.
The landlord was a little sore over the four months unpaid rent. In all honesty, that's dramatic on his end, four months? That was all he needed to get his tits up in a bunch? I know, I had the money Everytime he asked for it but I'd been saving for an expensive bag I wanted. I mean, I'd rather look like I walked out of some rich girls Instagram page than look like a drug dealer's girlfriend with a paid rent. That's called priorities.
In the back of my mind, I could hear my mother scold me about my reckless behaviour. She's 'religious' by convenience being a wife of a local Pastor back in my hometown, it wasn't like she had a choice.
Meanwhile, I was the fruit that fell 1mile away from the tree. The tree of conformity.
In real sense I was just a version of my mother, one doesn't want to accept which leads us to crossing swords most of the time.
The only time I agree with her is when she talks about her dream. Which entails me getting married to a rich guy. I always love that dream and i'd do just about anything to achieve it.
Which included me in heels trailing up the winding steep asphalt while dragging my heavy bag along. Heels shouldn't have been a choice of a now homeless twenty-three-year-old homeless and jobless me. But I wanted to make a statement as I left my previous place. Make it look like I was going for a vacation, and not pass as an eviction victim to my nosy neighborhood. My best friends uncle is rich that's the other reason too.
"My legs are killing me," I groaned
"I told you to go with sneakers," Lola muttered as she shifted her bags on her shoulder.
"Nope, I'm trying to look presentable,"
"No, you look like you are married to a rich guy with an automotives dealship and you own two beach houses, go to brunch with your young wife association convenience friend group and host ball gown parties on weekends. I won't be surprised if my uncle doesn't take us in,"
"First of all, your words flattered my heart. And if anything the guy will take you in because you are pregnant that is if he isn't first enticed by me,"
She suddenly stopped, her bags slipped off her shoulder hitting the asphalt as her face moulded into an ugly expression before she let out an inaudible cry. I watched as her hands travel to her mouth as she tried to muffle a cry that escaped her mouth.
My first instinct was she might have seen something horrific. Alerted, my eyes dart cautiously around us. Nothing, the coast is clear.
I let go of my bag and stepped closer to her wrapping my hands around her wrist and gently jerked to get her attention.
"What's going on? What did you see?"
She shook her head vigorously as her cries grew louder with deep gasps of air.
"I fucked up so bad," she finally said after what felt like 20 minutes of trying to calm her down.
I rubbed her shoulders as I pulled her into my arms, knowing what she meant, "no you didn't,"
"I did Tina, so bad! I'm a fuck up. My mum will kill me if she finds out,"
I didn't know about that part, but okay.
"Hey, don't call yourself a fuck up, what about me?"
She choked out a peal of laughter through her tears as she raised her head, a sad smile on her face, "you are just worse,"
I stared at her for a moment before shrugging, "I hoped that you'd deflect but fair enough,"
Slipping off my hold, she picked up her bags and continued with the never-ending journey up the spiral asphalt road.
We go on silently, taking turns, going deeper into the residential gated mansion homes.
"Mind me asking something?" I started
"Not at all,"
In the back of my mind, I knew this wasn't a good idea especially after she had just broken down a while ago. But the nagging question wasn't up for being shoved in the back of my mind.
"Why did you go after that guy?"
She turned to me, she faced screwed up, "you are seriously going to ask me that after I just cried my eyes out?"
"Yeah, "I shrugged, " I'm just trying to understand..." I paused trying to recollect my next words, "...how could you make such a dumb move?"
You killed us all, that's what I wanted to add. But she didn't need to know.
She goes silent and I expected another breakdown but she doesn't.
"Lola, you knew how we rolled!" I cried out, " we drool over tens but dated safe six's,"
Not most of the time, but that was it.
"But he was nice- "
"-enough to get you pregnant!"
She groaned loudly in a way that said -did-you-have-to-bring-that-up.
"And before you ask," she said through a forced smile, " we used protection. It must be that damn one per cent chance that fucked this up,"
Studying her face for a moment, i shook my head before turning and resumed walking.
Her footsteps echoed behind me as she tried to catch up with me.
"That's it?" she asked falling into step with me.
Ignoring her was all I could do. What was there to say anyway. Nothing could undo her situation and now I was forced to feel something I hated, pity. And that emotions was going unravel everything I had set.
"Let's just hope your Uncle will let you stay for the next nine months," Though that would give me just enough time and yet too much time.
" It's six and he will- "
"Six," I was confused, " why six?,"
" I'm three months pregnant," she blurted out.
I stopped on my tracks, " Three m- what? Why didn't you tell me about this?"
She doesn't meet my eyes. They dart everywhere except to my face.
I'd known her a short while but it was still enough for me to know, this was how she acted when she kept secrets.She didn't trust me as I thought. And that was a problem that would cost me everything.