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Chapter 31 - Chapter 31: The Moment That Changed Everything

The morning sunlight stretched lazily across the polished floors, slipping through silk curtains and casting a golden glow that made everything feel… intentional. ✨

It was the kind of Saturday that didn't rush.

The kind that held possibilities.

And somehow, without anyone realizing yet

This particular day was about to change something.

MideFlex 🖤

MideFlex stepped out of his room with quiet confidence, adjusting the sleeve of his fitted charcoal-black designer T-shirt as he walked toward the mirror.

Not rushed.

Not trying too hard.

Just composed.

Slim ash-grey jeans sat perfectly on his waist while his crisp white sneakers looked untouched by dust. A sleek silver wristwatch rested against his skin, minimal but expensive enough to speak for itself.

Everything about him whispered effortless class.

"Study group…" he muttered with a faint smirk, running his fingers through his hair. "Let's see how that goes."

From the kitchen doorway, Peace slowly looked him over before folding her arms dramatically.

"Well… this is unexpected," she teased, leaning against the wall.

"Say what you want to say," Flex replied calmly as he picked up his phone from the counter.

"You're dressed like you're going to a private brunch in Lekki, not a study session."

"You never know what might happen," he said smoothly, slipping his phone into his pocket.

Peace laughed softly.

"Oh, I know exactly what will happen. You'll eat, talk, and contribute absolutely nothing."

Flex finally looked at her, one brow lifting slightly.

"At least I'm out on the weekend, find a date and go on one."

Peace gasped loudly.

"Excuse me?!"

But he was already heading toward the door.

"Enjoy your cooking," he said casually before leaving.

Peace shook her head, trying not to smile.

"Unbelievable." 😂

At AraBaddie's House 🍽️✨

AraBaddie's house felt alive.

Not noisy.

Not chaotic.

Just warm.

The marble countertops reflected soft chandelier lights while neatly arranged dishes sat across the dining space like they belonged in a luxury food commercial.

🍝 Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

🍗 Honey Garlic Chicken Wings

🍟 Loaded Fries

🍰 Mini Cheesecake Cups

🍫 Chocolate Fondue

Everything looked sinful.

AraBaddie adjusted one of the plates carefully before stepping back to admire the setup. Her beige lounge set hugged her perfectly while subtle gold jewelry shimmered softly against her skin.

Her phone rested nearby on a stand.

Content was being made. Always. 📱✨

"Perfect," she murmured with satisfaction.

Ding dong ⏰

Doorbell.

Right on time.

She opened the door to see BigDave standing there in a loose white linen shirt and tailored black trousers.

His eyes immediately drifted toward the food behind her.

"Tell me I'm not late," he said seriously as he stepped inside.

"For what?" AraBaddie asked, already knowing the answer.

"The food."

She sighed dramatically.

"You're predictable."

"And you love it," BigDave replied with a grin before walking in fully.

A few minutes later, Gift arrived wearing a pastel hoodie and fitted joggers, her hair tied neatly with loose strands framing her face.

"I'm still tired," she complained while dropping into the nearest chair dramatically.

"You'll recover," AraBaddie replied while arranging cups.

"With food," Gift corrected immediately.

"Obviously."

Then Loladripz arrived. 😮‍💨✨

And as usual...

She entered like the room belonged to her.

A fitted black crop top hugged her figure perfectly while high-waisted denim and a lightweight designer jacket completed the look effortlessly. Her sunglasses rested on top of her head like an accessory chosen by a stylist.

She glanced at the food spread slowly.

"So this is what you've been posting online?" she asked, impressed despite herself.

AraBaddie folded her arms proudly.

"Only a preview."

Lolade nodded once.

"I'm impressed."

Ding dong again ⏰⏰⏰

The door opened again.

And MideFlex walked in.

The atmosphere shifted slightly.

Not loudly.

Not obviously.

But enough.

"Finally," BigDave said dramatically from the couch.

Flex glanced around calmly before sitting down.

"I assume nobody has started studying."

The room burst into laughter immediately.

"You came for food too," Gift accused while pointing at him.

"I came to observe," Flex replied smoothly.

"Observe what?" Lolade asked, tilting her head slightly.

"Poor planning."

AraBaddie clapped once.

"Perfect. Then you'll help fix it."

📚🔥

They all gathered in the living room with notebooks, phones, and snacks scattered across the table.

The energy slowly shifted from playful to serious.

AraBaddie stood in front of everyone with her phone in hand.

"We have four events this week," she announced while scrolling through her notes.

🎨 Parent Art Fair

🎮 Game Night

🌍 Cultural Day

🎤 Talent Hunt

"We need structure," she continued, pacing slowly. "Maybe merge some events, maybe align timelines—but everything has to feel smooth."

"Game Night and Talent Hunt can work together," BigDave suggested while leaning back comfortably.

Gift nodded immediately.

"Yes. Entertainment segment."

"Cultural Day should merge with the Parent Art Fair," Lolade added thoughtfully. "It'll feel more immersive."

"That depends on timing and coordination," MideFlex interrupted calmly as he crossed one leg over the other. "If you merge too much, the whole thing becomes messy."

Everybody turned toward him.

"You need flow," he continued smoothly. "Not just only ideas."

AraBaddie leaned forward slightly.

"Go on."

And just like that; so called nonsense is making some sense

He was fully involved.

Soon, voices layered over each other naturally.

"Lighting matters for the art fair—"

"No, positioning matters more—"

"What about audience movement?"

"What about transitions backstage?"

The discussion grew deeper.

More focused.

More intense.

Then—

The door opened softly.

At first, nobody noticed.

Except Lolade.

She turned slightly to speak—

And froze.

AraBaddie's brother had just walked in.

Tall.

Refined.

Effortlessly calm.

He wore a crisp white button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled neatly to his forearms and tailored dark trousers that fit perfectly.

No extra accessories.

No unnecessary effort.

Everything about him looked precise.

His eyes met Lolade's for barely a second before he raised a finger slightly to his lips, silently asking her not to announce him yet.

Lolade immediately sat properly again and faced forward.

Just before...

"TAYO!" 😭

Everybody turned as Mama K rushed toward him excitedly.

"Mama K," he said warmly, his deep voice instantly filling the room as he hugged her tightly.

Mama K held his face dramatically.

"This is your face?! My boy is now a big man!"

AraBaddie immediately ran toward him smiling brightly.

"What's up lil sis?" Tayo asked while hugging her tightly.

"I'm cool as always," she replied with a grin so genuine everybody noticed.

Nobody had ever seen AraBaddie look this openly happy before.

Tayo finally looked toward the group.

"I can see you people have a meeting," he said casually.

"Oh, we're organizing school events,"

AraBaddie explained while fixing her hair.

Tayo looked fake shocked.

"I thought you were a baddie. Baddies don't do school work."

Everybody laughed instantly.

"Le Foudateur gave us the task," AraBaddie replied dramatically. "We couldn't turn it down."

"He came all the way from France?" Tayo asked, genuinely surprised.

"I think he's here for a school budget thing," BigDave added while standing up to greet him. "Nice to meet you bro."

"Nice meeting you too," Tayo replied politely, but his eyes drifted briefly toward Lolade again.

Gift noticed immediately.

MideFlex noticed too.

"Alright, let's continue," AraBaddie said after Tayo disappeared upstairs with Mama K carrying his bags.

But somehow...

The energy had already changed.

Hours later, they finally finished planning and gathered around the dining table.

The smell of food filled the entire room beautifully.

All of a sudden

"What smells so nice?" a deep voice asked from behind the curtains.

Everybody turned.

And froze.

Tayo stepped into the dining area shirtless. 😭🔥

Gift instantly looked away while adjusting herself awkwardly.

Lolade looked away too—

At least she tried to.

Water still glistened faintly on Tayo's skin like he had just stepped out of the shower while a Cuban-link gold chain rested against his chest effortlessly.

Defined abs.

Smooth skin.

Quiet confidence.

The air shifted immediately.

And then came the scent.

Creed Aventus.

Fresh citrus hit first before settling into warm amber and musk.

Expensive.

Smooth.

Dangerously attractive.

"Am I included?" Tayo asked casually while pressing his phone.

MideFlex leaned back slightly.

"Don't you wear shirts at home?" he asked, his tone calm but edged.

BigDave nearly laughed.

"He means the girls are uncomfortable," he clarified while glancing toward Gift and Lolade.

Tayo sat comfortably beside Lolade before resting one arm against the chair.

"I don't think that's the issue," he said smoothly.

Gift immediately reached for her water.

"Are you uncomfortable," Tayo continued while glancing sideways at Lolade, "or you just can't bear the sight?"

Gift coughed instantly.

MideFlex tapped his glass lightly against the table.

"What?"

Tayo didn't even look at him.

"I wasn't talking to you."

Small tension filled the room immediately. ⚡

"I don't go shirtless at home," MideFlex said calmly while folding his arms.

"Why?" Tayo asked lazily.

"Because I live around girls. My cousins."

Tayo shrugged carelessly.

"Don't sweat it, MideFlex."

AraBaddie laughed softly.

"It's just abs," she teased before looking toward Gift. "Haven't you seen a guy with fine skin before?"

Gift nearly choked on air.

Lolade adjusted herself carefully while trying very hard not to glance sideways again.

Unfortunately—

Her eyes betrayed her. 😭

Tayo noticed instantly.

"I'm Olutayo Adeleke," he introduced smoothly while finally reaching for food. "And you guys are?"

"Adeniran Olamide," Flex replied calmly. "You can call me MideFlex."

Tayo nodded once while MideFlex noticed his chain.

"Nice Cuban."

"Balogun David," BigDave added confidently. "But everybody calls me BigDave."

Tayo looked him over briefly.

"Nice build. What's your max on bench?"

"100kg for 3 reps."

Everybody stared blankly.

Gift blinked slowly.

"What language are you people speaking?"

The boys burst into laughter.

"I'm Okafor Gift," she finally introduced herself properly.

Tayo nodded thoughtfully.

"Nice skin. You're the low-key babe, right?"

Gift immediately turned toward AraBaddie suspiciously.

"You told him about me?"

AraBaddie looked innocent.

"What? I talk."

Gift rolled her eyes while smiling.

"Yes. Proudly low-key."

Then Tayo's gaze shifted again.

Straight toward Lolade.

"And who's she?" he asked casually, though his eyes clearly said otherwise.

AraBaddie smirked knowingly.

"That's the senior girl."

Lolade laughed softly before brushing hair behind her ear.

"I'm Makinde Lolade. Nice to meet you."

Tayo's eyes lingered on her for a second too long.

"Nice crop top," he said smoothly.

Silence.

Gift cleared her throat loudly. 😭

BigDave hid his smile behind his cup while MideFlex looked away completely.

The tension was impossible to miss now.

The short glances.

The subtle smiles.

The dangerous eye contact.

Something had started.

And everybody at that table could feel it. 👀🔥

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