Chapter Five: Free Food and Hidden Agendas
Khali Williams had never plotted so carefully over something that wasn't money or a new car. But winning a bet was winning a bet and Liyah's indifferent stare was slowly turning from a challenge to an obsession.
After days of watching from afar, he figured food was his best weapon. If the gossip around campus was true, Mirah never said no to food, and where Mirah went, Liyah and Missi always followed. Easy bait.
So, Friday afternoon, Khali leaned on his car near the faculty block, sunglasses on, perfect smile locked and loaded. Mark and Daniels hovered behind him, pretending to scroll their phones but listening for any gist.
Just as planned, the trio appeared: Missi, too busy texting her boyfriend Jason to watch where she was going; Mirah munching chin chin again; and Liyah walking like a queen no one could touch.
Khali stepped forward, his voice dripping charm.
"Hey, ladies. Just in time. How about lunch? My treat. You've been on my mind all week."
Missi squealed dramatically. "Aw, Khali the great notices us peasants today. Unfortunately, peasant Missi has a date with Prince Jason. So, excuse me!" She winked and hurried off before anyone could stop her.
Liyah folded her arms. "No, thank you. We're fin—"
But Mirah clapped her hand over Liyah's mouth, giggling. "Who says no to free food? Not me! Lead the way, Mr. Hero"
Khali laughed, half surprised at her boldness. Liyah glared at her, but Mirah just squeezed her shoulder and whispered in her ear as they walked to his car, "This is your chance. Get a new boyfriend, move on from Alexis. Also, who says no to free food?"
Liyah rolled her eyes. "You're impossible."
Khali opened the car door for them like a gentleman, but as they slid in, he couldn't help glancing at Mirah. Unlike other girls who blushed or flipped their hair around him, Mirah was unbothered she was more focused on the menu she found on the restaurant's website than on him. It amused him more than he expected.
At the restaurant, Mirah wasted no time. She ordered jollof rice, chicken, salad, a meat pie, and extra juice. Liyah shook her head in embarrassment.
"You eat like you have two stomachs," Liyah muttered.
Be quiet. Let me enjoy my lunch date with Prince Charming here," Mirah teased, stuffing her mouth. Khali watched her, a crooked smile tugging at his lips. It was meant to be about Liyah, but Mirah's carefree attitude was annoyingly… refreshing.
Meanwhile, Liyah stayed polite but distant. She thanked Khali when the waiter brought her meal, responded when he asked simple questions, but gave nothing more. Her answers were short; her eyes kept drifting to the window as if wishing she were anywhere else.
Mirah, however, handled the awkwardness for everyone. She laughed too loudly at her own jokes, teased Khali about his fancy perfume, and lectured him on why a "proper man" should know how to cook.
"Do you even know how to cook ?" she challenged him with a mouthful of chicken.
Khali raised a brow, amused. "Why would I cook when I can have someone else do it for me?"
"Lazy!" she declared, pointing her fork at him. Khali laughed genuinely, forgetting for a second that he was supposed to be charming Liyah, not enjoying Mirah's nonsense.
After lunch, as they stepped out into the sunny parking lot, Mirah stretched and sighed dramatically. "God bless you, Khali Williams. May you always be handsome."
He grinned and leaned closer to her, lowering his voice. "You know, I'd like to do this again sometime. But your friend... ?"
She winked and ask him. You like liyah right?
He chuckled at her bluntness. Bold, funny, and completely unimpressed by him. What an interesting friend she was.
Then, with a sudden thought, he touched Mirah's arm lightly. "Hey, can I get Liyah's number? Just to plan another outing. I promise I won't misuse it."
Mirah narrowed her eyes at him playfully, pretending to think hard. "Hmm. Don't break her heart, lover boy." She rattled off Liyah's number, ignoring Liyah's half-hearted protest.
Khali saved it immediately. Mission one, done.
Liyah glared at Mirah as they walked away. "You traitor. Why did you give him my number?"
Mirah shrugged, grinning like a mischief goddess. "Relax! Maybe he'll help you forget Alexis. Plus, who knows? It could be a cute love story like in my novels." She clasped her hands dreamily. "Next thing you know, he'll write you poems, kiss you in the rain, and—"
"Mirah, please," Liyah said, but she couldn't help smiling a little.
Behind them, Khali leaned on his car, watching their retreating backs but his eyes lingered on Mirah a moment longer before shifting to Liyah's cold profile.
One month, he reminded himself. One month to melt the ice.
But in the corner of his mind, he wondered why the one who should have been easiest to ignore was the only one who made him laugh without trying.