That night, Ariel sat on her bed in silence, her mind heavy with thoughts. The room was quiet except for the soft hum of the fan. She hugged her knees to her chest, staring blankly at the floor.
Favour glanced at her from her own bed, wondering how to begin the conversation. After a few moments, she broke the silence.
"Ariel…" she said softly, "can we talk?"
Ariel looked up slowly. "Yeah. What's up?"
"I… I told Samuel how I feel about him," Favour began with a shy smile.
Ariel's eyes lit up. "Wait—what? You did?"
Favour nodded. "Yeah. I didn't speek to him all day and he invited me to his place this evening. I told him everything. And… he said he likes me too. He's still figuring things out though."
Ariel grinned. "Favour, that's amazing! I'm so happy for you. I hope it works out."
Favour smiled gratefully, but the joy in her chest was mixed with something heavier. She hesitated before continuing.
"There's something else," she said, her tone now serious. "Something I need to tell you."
Ariel's expression changed. "What is it?"
Favour took a breath. "In the library today… I overheard a conversation. I didn't see their faces, but I'm sure it was David and Joy. They were arguing. She was begging him not to leave her and asking him to break up with you."
Ariel blinked. "What?"
"I know it sounds crazy," Favour said quickly. "But Joy sounded desperate. It was about you. She said something like, 'You said you'd leave her for me.' And he didn't even deny it."
Ariel's face darkened. "Favour… no. You must've heard wrong."
"I'm telling you…"
"No," Ariel cut in. "I know David. He would never do that to me. We've been together for over a year. He loves me. And he's been trying lately, calling, showing up more… He even promised to change."
"I get that," Favour said gently. "But…"
"But what?" Ariel snapped. "You heard something and you just think it was David. Do you want to destroy everything I have with him? I trust him, Favour. I know him."
The air in the room shifted. Silence stretched uncomfortably between them.
"I'm just trying to help," Favour said quietly.
Ariel turned away. "Well, you're not helping."
That night, they both turned in without another word. Ariel lay on her side, her face to the wall, blinking back tears. Could Favour be right? she thought. No. David said things would be different. He promised. I have to believe him.
Still… the ache in her chest remained.
---
The next few days, David was everything Ariel had wanted him to be — calling her before class, walking her to lectures, texting her cute messages in the evening. It felt almost perfect again.
Favour and Ariel weren't able to fully settle their disagreement, they would talk to each other but not as well as before.
Divine sat next to Ariel in class like always, his smile quiet but a little forced. He noticed the way she giggled at her phone or blushed when David's name popped up. It was killing him inside.
Maybe I should just give up, he thought.
Friday afternoon, as Divine walked toward the faculty building, he spotted David standing near the parking lot, speaking in a low voice with someone.
He froze when he saw who it was.
Joy.
They were arguing. David looked frustrated, and Joy looked… hurt.
Curious, Divine crept closer, hiding behind the wall near the corner. He pulled out his phone and hit "record," just in case.
"I told you, Joy," David said, his voice low but firm. "I love Ariel. I'm not leaving her."
Joy's eyes widened. "Are you serious right now?" she hissed. "After everything you said to me? All the time we spent together?"
"I never meant for it to go that far. It was just… fun," he said flatly. "You knew that."
"Fun?" Joy's voice broke. "You ignored her for weeks! You told me you were tired of her!"
David sighed and looked away. "I made a mistake."
Joy stepped closer. "You think you can just throw me aside? Like I'm nothing? I swear, David, if you walk away now, I'll tell Ariel everything."
David's face paled. "Don't do that."
Joy crossed her arms. "Then don't leave me."
David ran a hand through his hair, clearly panicking. "Okay. Fine. We'll keep it going. But it has to stay secret. I'm not breaking up with Ariel."
Joy stared at him. "You want both of us?"
"I don't want trouble," he muttered. "Just meet me in my room tomorrow night. We'll talk."
She hesitated, then nodded. "Fine. But this isn't over."
They walked away in separate directions, both fuming.
From the shadows, Divine ended the recording.
He stared at his phone, heart racing. His hands trembled slightly.
I have proof now.