FRAGILE WALLS

Chapter Three

She noticed the crowd was grumbling and groaning in anger as she went around searching for her family.

“I thought you were kidn*pped. Where were you?” Ngozi asked.

“I- I just went out for some food.”

“Where’s the food?” Ngozi asked looking around her.

“I ate it now, dont stress me. Why is everyone grumbling? Your superstar ditched you guys?” There was a tap on the microphone drawing everyone’s attention back. A man dressed in brown plaid shirt and cream coloured large pants grinned widely.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” he began in a very fun tone, “the moment we have been waiting for, the man of the night, please welcome, Leonardo Thunders!” The crowd that was down and gloomy few seconds ago suddenly started yelling and screaming and drawing closer to the stage as though a light bulb had been switched on in their brains.

Black pants, white shirt, ruffled shoulder length hair, and a silver bracelet.

No. It couldn’t be happening. She thought to herself.

“Hello everyone!!” He was definitely louder and more cheerful than when she last saw him which was few minutes ago.

“Before I begin guys, I remember getting asked a lot at interviews about the lady behind forever, and my usual answer was always a No, but tonight, I found her.” The crowd went wild with screams and cheers. “The lady forever was written for. My forever. She’s in the crowd, the loveliest smile,” began strumming his guitar. “Her rose scented perfume, the dimple on her left cheek, and most especially, the pink scarf around her neck that complements her skin.” Immediately Amaka heard it, she dragged away the pink scarf and threw it on the ground.

“What’s he saying? What’s he doing? Why does Leo always do this?” His manager said shaking his head.

“That’s Leo for you, always coming up with surprises.”

“I wonder who his new found love is. We haven’t been able to recover from his ex who caused him a whole lot!”

Leo’s best friend, Nick remembered the lady from before. He shook his head,

“Leo. He’ll never change.” He said dismissing the discussion to avoid further questions.

“I’m going to pick a random lady, to come sing with me tonight. I will be picking one lady at random.” Trust the crowd to go crazy about this new development.

Amaka wasn’t moved in anyway. Rather, she hated him. She felt it was pointless being the centre of attention, a whole one hundred percent of the females population interested in you, hyping you up, she didn’t like him. She believed he was a proud and arrogant person. All they had spoke about earlier just dissolved and her new found hatred for him took away in her heart.

“You there,” the crowd followed his pointed index finger in the direction of Amaka and her siblings.

“Is Leo pointing… at us?” Ngozi was about to go wild with excitement when Leo interrupted. “The lady in a white shirt,”

“It’s you!” Ngozi screamed jumping for joy, pulling her sister, “go go go!” Amaka wasn’t having it. She was already thinking far ahead. Her father is very well into the media space, what if a video of this went viral? She would be screwed. Lying, and being surrounded by boys. Amaka shook her head vigorously pulling away.

“Just go!” Ngozi whined.

“Have you forgotten the children of whom we are?” She asked in a whisper.

“Amaka has a point. Let’s leave,” their brother said.

“But this crowd,” Teni said looking around. “Amaka just go, we will deal with your parents later.”

Amaka looked around her, but the fear didn’t let her move forward. She quickly turned around and ran out. The crowd began to shout boos.

“Let’s go.” Jerry said. As they left Ngozi noticed Amaka’s pink scarf on the floor. She picked it and looked back at the stage just to see that Leo was no longer there. She carried it along with her and left the concert.

Amaka was fuming when she got out.

“Who the hell is this guy? What gives him the audacity to just call me out on stage? What if this gets out?!” She was pacing up and down in anger.

“Imagine he was speaking about you. I almost thought it was you when he said the pink scarf, the dimple… Ama, was it with you?” Ngozi asked holding up the scarf.

“Dont be ridiculous.” Amaka snapped snatching the pink scarf from her.

“It wouldn’t be bad to get a foreign brother in law.”

“Ngozi please! Now is not the time.”

“Excuse me!” All heads turned towards the direction of the call. Leo stood behind them panting, and behind him was the guy Amaka saw him arguing with earlier and another unfamiliar face.

“Is that Leo Thunders standing in front of us?” Ngozi whispered under her breath. “Somebody pinch me.” She cried out.

“Pinch me too.” Teni said as she also pinched her.

“I never got your name,” he said immediately standing in front of Amaka who ignored him.

“Please, your name.”

“Her name is-“

“It’s not your business. What gives you the right to call me out on stage? I Dont know you, you Dont know me. We have completely different backgrounds. Not everyone is crazy about you. For goodness sakes! Can we go?!”

“Why’re you being rude all of a sudden?” The hurt in his eyes couldn’t be hidden but she couldn’t care any less as she got into the car while everyone else stood dumbfounded.

“She’s tensed.” Teni said giving him an apologetic look. “But thank you for stopping by.”

“Here’s my card, call me when you want to stop by my place. I live with my aunt; she’s a good cook. Your friends can come along too.” Amaka looked down at the card and gave a long hiss before getting into her brother’s car.

“Thinking that you can just have anyone you want just because you’re a celebrity. I Dont want your invite or anything that has to do with you. Just leave me alone and move on with your life my goodness! Why are we still here? Can we go home now?” She said as she sat down comfortable in the car before slamming the door. Once Amaka gets saucy, she never filters her voice or tone or words. “Go find another girl that’s ready to be embarrassed. You invite a girl over and it’s a whole other story in the internet. Find someone else sir cause I’m not the one. Jerry let’s go!” She snapped again. She could feel her blood boil, the irritation rising. The good atmosphere was now gone, Amaka’s angry fumes spreading like wild fire.