Chapter 7
734 Words
No Feelings, Just Profit
Night came alive differently on the streets.
Music. Laughter. Cheap lights flashing from bars that never really closed.
And Nii?
He fit into it perfectly.
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A girl laughed loudly, holding onto his arm.
“You don’t even smile, but you’re still fine,” she teased.
Nii glanced at her briefly.
No emotion.
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“You like quiet boys?” he asked.
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She grinned. “Depends… are you dangerous?”
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Nii looked away, taking a slow sip from his drink.
“…sometimes.”
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The girl bit her lip. “I like that.”
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Across the table, Abu watched, shaking his head.
“Every time, same thing,” he muttered.
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The girl leaned closer to Nii.
“So… you’ll call me, right?”
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Nii pulled out his phone, handed it to her.
“Put it in.”
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She smiled excitedly, typing quickly.
“What should I save it as?”
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Nii didn’t look at her.
“Anything.”
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She laughed. “Hmm… I’ll save it as ‘Don’t Forget Me.’”
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Nii took the phone back.
Didn’t react.
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He already knew—
He wouldn’t call.
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Outside, the air was cooler.
Quieter.
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Abu followed him, lighting a cigarette.
“You go break that girl heart too.”
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Nii shrugged slightly.
“No promises were made.”
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Abu scoffed. “You no dey feel anything at all?”
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Silence.
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They walked a few steps.
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“Feelings don’t pay,” Nii said finally.
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Abu nodded slowly. “Money over everything.”
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Nii didn’t respond.
But that was the truth.
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They reached their usual spot.
The same broken building.
The same silence.
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Abu leaned against the wall.
“So… about that girl.”
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Nii didn’t look at him.
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“The rich one,” Abu added.
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A pause.
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Nii sat down, resting his elbows on his knees.
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“She’ll come back,” he said.
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Abu frowned slightly.
“That’s what worries me.”
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Nii looked up.
“Why?”
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Abu stepped closer.
“Because you’re thinking.”
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Silence.
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“You don’t think about girls,” Abu continued.
“You use them, you leave. That’s it.”
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Nii’s expression didn’t change.
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“But this one…” Abu shook his head.
“You’re calculating.”
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A beat.
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Nii’s voice dropped.
“She’s different.”
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Abu blinked.
“Different how?”
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Nii looked away briefly.
Thinking.
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“…she’s naive.”
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Abu nodded slowly.
“Yes…”
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“…and she’s rich.”
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That was it.
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Abu froze for a second.
Then let out a short, surprised laugh.
“Ah…”
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Now he understood.
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“You want to use her.”
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Nii didn’t deny it.
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Silence stretched.
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Abu’s smile faded slightly.
“Wait…”
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He studied Nii carefully now.
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“You? Thinking this deep about a girl?”
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Nii’s jaw tightened.
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“She trusts easily,” he continued calmly.
“She comes alone.”
A pause.
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“No protection.”
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Abu stared at him.
Half impressed.
Half uneasy.
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“That’s not your usual style,” he said slowly.
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Nii looked at him.
Cold.
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“This one isn’t usual.”
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But something in his voice…
Wasn’t completely solid.
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Abu noticed.
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“You sure say this one be just money?” he asked quietly.
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Silence.
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For a brief moment—
Nii didn’t answer.
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Sakina’s voice echoed again—
“I came to see you.”
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Nii looked away quickly.
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“…it’s money,” he said.
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Abu didn’t respond immediately.
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He just nodded slowly.
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“Hmm.”
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But his eyes said something else.
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You’re lying.
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Nii stood up.
Conversation over.
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“Tomorrow,” he said.
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Abu frowned. “Tomorrow what?”
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Nii adjusted his cap slightly.
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“I’ll be there.”
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Back at the house—
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Sakina lay on her bed, smiling faintly at nothing.
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Completely unaware.
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Of the boy she was thinking about…
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And the thoughts he was having about her.
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🔥 End of Chapter Seven
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- Writer
