Later that night, Kwame decided to go and congratulate his brother. As he approached Marvel's door, he overheard him speaking on a phone call.
"How about we go to your favorite restaurant tomorrow?" Marvel asked. "Of course it is a lunch date," he added with a smile in his voice. "I miss you so much. We can go swimming afterward as well."
Kwame stopped in his tracks. His expression changed as disappointment filled his face. He turned around quietly and walked back to his room.
On his way, he saw Alchemy stepping out of Tansy's room. He noticed she was not holding her phone.
Curious, he went into Tansy's room to confirm his thoughts.
"Hey, what brings you here?" Tansy asked.
"How long was Alchemy here?" Kwame asked directly.
"She came right after dinner, she helped me iron and fold some clothes," Tansy replied.
"Did she make any phone calls?" Kwame pressed.
"No, she did not even come in with her phone," Tansy explained.
"What is the purpose of all these questions?" Tansy asked after a brief silence.
"Nothing. Have a good night," Kwame replied, then left the room.
"What a selfish person," Kwame muttered to himself. "Why would someone fight for another person's love, only to betray them afterward?"
The next morning at breakfast, Marvel requested permission to go out with his friends.
"Where exactly are you going to hang out?" Aunt Kathy asked.
"We plan to have lunch, then go for a swim," Marvel answered.
"May I come along?" Alchemy asked hopefully.
"Oh no, I will take you out tomorrow instead," Marvel said casually.
After breakfast, Kwame went straight to Alchemy's room.
"Well, this is unexpected," Alchemy said when she saw him.
"Marvel is being unfaithful to you, Alchemy," Kwame said without hesitation. "He is not going out with friends. He is going on a date."
"What?" Alchemy exclaimed in disbelief.
"I do not know why I am telling you this. I suppose I still care about you," Kwame began.
"Get out. Now!" Alchemy cut him off angrily.
"You must listen to me, Alchemy. He is cheating on you," Kwame insisted.
"You do not have to stoop so low just to make me hate your brother," Alchemy replied. "You are only upset because I chose him over you."
Kwame shook his head and walked out in silence. "Why did I even tell her?" he thought. "She is in love. She will not listen to me."
A few minutes later, Tansy walked into Kwame's room. Kwame raised an eyebrow at her.
"I should have knocked. I am sorry," Tansy said quickly, raising her hands.
"Why are you here?" Kwame asked.
"Marvel is cheating on Alchemy with Gigi," Tansy said.
"What? Gigi?" Kwame asked, stunned.
"Yes, Gigi. I want to tell Alchemy," Tansy said.
"I found out that he is cheating, and told Alchemy, but she refused to listen to me," Kwame replied.
"Someone still cares about Alchemy," Tansy teased.
"I do not think it is wise to tell her," Kwame explained. "I don't want her to think we are against their relationship."
"Are we not?" Tansy asked with a small laugh.
"Just act as if we are not," Kwame answered.
"I have missed you so much, Kwame. Please do not leave again," Tansy said, her voice trembling. Kwame drew her into a hug and kissed her forehead gently. "I will not," he whispered.
Later, everyone had gathered for dinner when Marvel returned from his outing.
"Come and join us, son," Aunt Kathy called, and Marvel sat down. The room fell silent. The only sound was the soft clinking of forks and spoons against plates, until Tansy spoke.
"Is that a hickey on your neck?" she asked, pointing directly at Marvel's neck.
"Um… no. Of course not. I… I was bitten. Yes, by an ant. No, a bee," Marvel stammered, quickly covering the red spot with his hand.
"I am quite certain that is a love bite," Tansy insisted.
"He said it is not. Can we eat in peace, Tansy?" Alchemy interrupted.
"Of course we can," Tansy replied.
After dinner, Alchemy and Tansy remained behind to clear the table and wash the plates.
"I am absolutely sure it is a love bite," Tansy said, breaking the silence.
"Can you not do that?" Alchemy replied, clearly irritated.
"He is cheating on you, Alchemy. With Gigi," Tansy said firmly.
"Did Kwame convince you to say this?" Alchemy asked.
"I am not pleased with how things ended between you and Kwame," Tansy said, "but that does not mean I would lie to destroy your relationship with Marvel."
"Marvel would never—"
"Check his phone," Tansy interrupted.
"I would never do that. I trust Marvel completely," Alchemy said, then walked out of the room in anger.
"Is it only me, or is this girl refusing to see the truth? Love truly makes people blind," Tansy thought to herself.