MY BABY GIRL: Shadow Love S1 🖤

CHAPTER 8

Chapter 8

I hated a lot of things in this world.

But one thing I truly, deeply hated was someone looking down on me.

I don't know where the courage came from, but I had to ask him that question.

"What's your problem?"

Ever since we met, he had been acting strange toward me. One minute he was kind. The next he was cold. And sometimes when I looked into his eyes, I felt it... that unmistakable disgust.

But why?

Why?!

I had given him the honour of carrying my school bag. Something I had never, not once, allowed anyone to do. Not even Mercy.

But I allowed him.

He should be happy about that. If not happy, at least grateful.

Girls... you know what I mean.

If he thought carrying my bag gave him the right to insult me, then I wasn't going to take that lying down.

He had better give me back my bag.

I noticed Mercy shoot me a sideways glance the moment I asked Chris the question.

But I didn't care.

I hissed and turned to face Chris.

He was still looking forward as we walked, like my question hadn't registered at all.

Like it wasn't even worth acknowledging.

He didn't even blink.

Didn't slow his steps.

Not even a glance.

That was provoking enough.

"What's your problem?" I asked again.

This time I stepped in front of him, blocking his path and forcing him to face me.

He stopped.

His eyes held that same cold intensity as he stared down at me.

I stared back.

I didn't flinch.

...Or maybe I did.

But just a little.

Chris stared at me for what felt like hours, though in reality it was only a few seconds.

'Isa, why did you have to provoke him? You could have just let it slide,' a part of me whispered.

I didn't know when I had developed this part of myself, this hesitant, second-guessing side. Because normally?

I was fearless.

And I hated proud people like him, the ones who thought that because of their pretty face they could treat others anyhow.

Finally, he spoke.

"Relax. I was just joking," he said simply.

Joking.

For me... that wasn't a joke.

He sounded so serious.

I knew he meant every word he said.

So why was he lying?

Again?

Are all cute guys big liars? Because if I were the Creator, I would have cursed every single one of them. The more you lie, the uglier you become. After that punishment, I guarantee there would be no more handsome guys left in the world!

I wanted to call him out on his lie right then and there.

But then I heard Mercy's voice.

"We've reached the junction, Isa. Let's cross."

Huh?

I looked up and realised we had already arrived at the junction. We stood at the edge of the express road. Cars sped past in both directions, bicycles weaved desperately between them, while motorcycles clustered at the entrance of the main road, their riders scanning the street for passengers.

"Oh."

I turned to Chris.

"Thanks. You can give me my bag now."

"Let me carry it."

"What?"

"It will compensate for calling you losers."

What?

Was Chris indirectly apologising?

I hadn't expected that from him.

"I'll help carry your bag until you reach your school bus stop," Chris said, smiling at me.

His smile dazzled me.

And at the same time, it troubled my conscience.

It felt like this good act of his was covering something else entirely.

Something dangerous.

Something I would end up regretting.

"No," I said firmly.

"Isa," Mercy said, walking over to my side and grabbing my hand as she prepared to cross the road. "Chris just wants to help you. After all, he called you a loser, so see it as his punishment."

Punishment?

Well... if she put it that way.

I turned to Chris.

"Okay. You can carry it. But that's your punishment, not for calling me a loser. For calling all Commercial students losers."

Mercy laughed.

I smiled.

I felt victorious.

For the first time since I had met Chris, it felt like he wasn't in control anymore.

I glanced at him one more time.

He didn't look embarrassed.

Not even a little.

He wore a calm smirk.

Like he had never lost control in his life.

Or maybe...

That was just what he wanted me to think.

"Let's cross," Mercy said.

We held each other's hands and ran across the road.

Chris crossed too.

But unlike us, he walked.

Pfft.

Who was he forming steez for?

Just because the vehicles stopped for us to cross didn't mean he owned the road.

We arrived at the other side and hailed a keke.

We all hopped in.

Chris still held my bag.

I tapped Mercy, and we sat together at the back.

The ride was smooth. We were on the expressway, not the side streets.

I sat quietly, watching the road ahead.

Then I felt it.

The warmth of Chris's arm brushing lightly against mine with every slight movement of the keke.

My cheeks turned red instantly.

Still, I kept my eyes forward.

As if sensing my discomfort...

Chris slowly turned his head toward me.

This caused my already reddened cheeks to heat up even more.

I quickly turned my head to the other side.

I couldn't let Chris see me like this...

This embarrassing, flustered state.

'Isa, why are you reacting like this?'

I was the bold girl just moments ago.

The one who stepped in front of him and pushed back.

That was me.

This...

Whatever this was...

Wasn't me.

I took a slow, deep breath and returned my head to its original position.

But I still refused to make eye contact with that handsome devil.

I could still feel his gaze on me.

It lingered for a moment.

Then slowly...

I felt it lift.

Mowokekere! Lord, have mercy on me.

The keke finally arrived at my school bus stop and halted.

Mercy stood to let me out.

I quickly climbed down, then walked over to Chris's side and collected my school bag from him.

"Thank you," I said.

Then I heard Chris say,

"I'll pay your transport fare.”