SURVIVAL GAME

CHAPTER TWENTY

Femi frowned and removed the cigar from his mouth. He dropped the cigar on the floor and stood up. He walked around in his house for a while before he finally went outside. He sighed.

He just lost. Gosh, losing is actually painful. He needs to act fast. Ever since he saw Ava and Kofi kissing, his mind has been restless. He needed to stop Kofi. Quick and fast .

He owes Ava so much. And he is going to pay her back. He has to .

What happened those years ago must not repeat itself. History must not repeat itself. But something told him it will.

***

Ava stepped into the living room, still wearing her normal face. The frown. Miriam sat on the couch, eyes fixed on the screen.

"You're back," Miriam said curtly, not looking up.

Ava dropped her bag, her eyes locking onto Miriam's profile. No "how was your day" or concern. Just a cold acknowledgment.

Miriam paused the TV and turned to Ava, her gaze piercing.

"Let's talk."

The air felt thick with unspoken tension. Ava steeled herself for the confrontation.

Miriam's eyes narrowed.

"I saw the pictures." Miriam scoffed " even if you want to cheat. Do it with someone that is actually wealthy. Not an orphan depending on someone else." Miriam said rudely.

Gosh. Ava scoffed.

" If you use those hours you use investigating . I'm sure you will be more than a woman who does nothing all day but sit and wait for people to do her work " Ava said rudely. " And moreso it was just a little misunderstanding"

Miriam's laughter was cold. "Save it. I know about your little arrangement with Coffees. Don't play dumb."

Ava's palms grew sweaty. "What do you want to know?" Ava was losing patience. Miriam believed she liked him . This could not be in her favor.

Miriam leaned forward. "Who. Is. Femi"

Ava's mind racing, she chose her words carefully. "You should know since you did your own investigation" Ava said coldly.

Miriam's eyes flashed with anger. "just answer me."

Ava shrugged, playing it cool. "It's not like you are going to believe anything I say. Up till now you still don't think me and Kofi are in a genuine relationship.Believe what you want. It doesn't matter anyways."

Miriam's face twisted in frustration. " just make sure that orphan don't ruin things"

This was the same thing Kofi told her. Was Femi really a threat?

" Have you ever heard of Dark Shadow" Miriam asked seriously. After a brief silence.

" No, and if I've, I don't remember" Ava said uncertain.

" He owns most of the garage in Logos. In order words, he has men and power. I believe Kofi works for him"

Ava was getting interested. Was kofi really working for Dark Shadow. Well Kofi did mention that he was working for someone. Wow.

" Use Kofi to get connected to Dark Shadow. I need him ."

Ava frowned

" If Kofi is actually one of his men. How sure are you that he even knows who Dark Shadow is?" Ava asked seriously.

Miriam smiled darkly

" Because Dark Shadow is Kofi's dad"

Ava widened her eyes immediately she dropped the bombshell. But...was... none of it made sense. If Dark Shadow is Kofi's dad, then why was Kofi still suffering.

Kofi made it clear that he was actually beaten up by the one he was working for. If it's actually Dark Shadow. Then why? Why doesn't it make sense?

" So you want me to connect you with Dark Shadow using his assumed son, Kofi."

" Yes. And don't waste time"

" After I do this, we don't need Kofi again right?"

Miriam formed a little smile

" Are you really that desperate to get rid of him" Miriam paused " just pray that nothing comes up " Miriam said and walked away.

Ava frowned. She was confused. And she knew that she had to get the answers herself.

A little of her doesn't believe that Dark Shadow is Kofi's dad. But that name. Rings a bell.

Who is DARK SHADOW.

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.

Ava stood up from her bed confused. A party? This guy was actually good mad. How could he think of a party, after what just happened. Ava scrolled down and fixated her eyes on her phone. She slowly formed a smile. This party was actually for her. To celebrate her and a sorry from her fans. Those who doubted her. Well actually the smart ones but now guilible ones.

Was this actually Kofi's idea. Wow. Kofi keeps surprising her. Ava began to blush then immediately frowned

" What wrong with me? It's just a party" Ava's said feeling disgusted.

Ava sighed and sat on the bed. Kofi was changing, she could tell. But was it genuine? Or just another plot to get something for her.

Ava had other things to think about than that. Her dress.

" Gosh!" The party is tonight and Ava just had like ten hours to prepare. Not enough time for a girl who cares about her looks because she had so much people watching her.

She had to look good.

For her fans.

For Femi, if he comes.

And maybe...for Kofi.

***

The party was loud.

People were dancing, shouting, having fun.

Ava and Kofi were on the stage, watching everyone move to the beat. Ava felt disgusted. The fact that people who once insulted her could come and act fake annoyed her. She wanted to kill them all.

Ava walked to the balcony. She sighed and stared at the moon. At least there were no stars. Ava looked down after a while and sighted Femi . Ava looked at him confused

" What's he doing?" Ava asked herself uncertain.

Femi looked restless and she could tell he was waiting for someone. The fact that he was acting weird wasn't the thing that bothered her. It was the dagger in his hands . Ava swallowed her, she was feeling really uneasy. The Femi she was looking at right now was different. This Femi looked mysterious. Just like Kofi.

Something was up, Ava could tell. She needed to...

" Here you are , the surprise is about to start" Obi said from behind snapping Ava out of her thought.

Ava turned around and smiled

" Where is your clinger?" Ava asked teasingly. Ava knew that Obi was already suspicious that his girlfriend and best friend may not be on good term. But he just kept it to himself. What's the point of bringing up a problem that hasn't arrived yet?

" She went out. I think a problem from home. Come on, let's go"

Ava followed Obi out of the balcony and found her way to the stage where kofi was already waiting for her. Ava faced Kofi and smiled, real this time. As much as she hated the people celebrating with her, the fact that Kofi organized it warmed her heart.

Kofi stared at Ava for a while. This was the first time ever that he has fully observed her. She was beautiful and cute. And she had a good body shape. He really wanted to know how long her real hair is but he knew that's wasn't going to happen. Kofi smiled, Ava was the first person that big lips fit. Gosh, although she was guilible, Ava was damnnnnnn, attractive

“See them? Nobody can dance like me.” kofi said to Ava then looked at the crowd.

Ava laughed.

“Please, you can’t even keep up.”

They laughed together, like as if they were two besties that do this all the time. Ava and Kofi stopped laughing and stared at each other, speechless and warmly. There was something in his gaze that Ava liked.

Then, suddenly, the music stopped.

Everything went quiet.

People looked around, confused. Ava and kofi looked away from each other and stared at the DJ who was looking confused himself.

Ava frowned.

“What happened?”

Kofi shrugged.

“Maybe the DJ stopped it.”

Then something shiny started falling from the ceiling — glitter.

It fell all over Ava and Kofi. Everyone cheered at first, thinking it was part of the show. But Ava felt.... This feeling was not good.

Ava looked up. “Wow… this is—”

But the lights began to flicker.And a dark, creepy music started playing.

The crowd stopped cheering.People looked at each other, whispering. Where was this song coming from. She knew the song that was playing. It was Royalty byEgzod, Maestro Chives, and Neoni. She loved the song but at this time and moment, standing in front of the confused crowd. Ava hated the song.

Then something fell from above.A loud thud shook the stage.

Ava gasped.

“What was that?”

Kofi stepped closer — and froze.It was a body.

The lights blinked. Glitter covered it.

Someone screamed.

Obi pushed through the crowd, shouting,

“Shade! Shade!” He dropped to his knees beside her. “No, no, no! Shade, wake up!”

Ava’s hand covered her mouth.

“Oh my God… it’s Shade.”

Kofi grabbed her hand.

“We have to get out of here.”

The music kept playing — low and dark — while everyone screamed . Ava looked at the body and saw where the music was coming from. The murderer actually taped the MP around shade's stomach. Ava swallowed hard, looking at Shade slit throat disgusted and mostly scared her.

Ava stared at Obi and at the body. She knew what just happened, but she couldn't accept it. This wasn't murder. It was a message.

Another person just died because of her.