CHAPTER 8: BELLA’s BIRTHDAY BASH

Stacey grinned. “Mr. Parker, what a coincidence. We meet again.”

Henry stared at her intently. He realized that she was no longer wearing the long skirt and silk shirt she had earlier. She was now wearing a British suit with a mini skirt. She had even applied a light makeup and for a moment, Henry found her quite attractive.

While Henry was yet to give her a response, Stacey moved closer to him, maintaining a sheepish grin. “Did you drive here? If not, I can give you a ride home.”

Henry was speechless.

Stacey continued. “You know, it’s such a coincidence that I had just closed for the day and it’s obvious you’ve been waiting here for a cab for quite a while so hop in and let me drop you off.”

“Did you say coincidence?” Henry finally spoke. He cracked a smile and then the thought of Bella wavered in his mind. He found both women compatible because they had proven that their actions could be shaped by the power of money.

Stacey began to fondle her pinky finger while licking her lips slightly.

Henry noticed how hard she was willing to be charming and he was starting to grow bored. For Henry, the value of love could not be measured with money and if it was the other way round then it was the same as prostitution.

“No need. I’ll call a cab.” Henry replied quickly.

Suddenly a cab drove in front of the bank and while Henry attempted to hail it, Stacey was soaked in disappointment. Then the cab turned around and drove in Henry’s direction.

Henry watched as a man dressed in a tuxedo stepped out of the car. Henry could tell that the man was no ordinary driver.

The chauffeur greeted Henry with a smile. “Sir, President Parker ordered me to drop you off.”

Henry nodded.

The chauffeur, a young man about Henry’s age walked up to him and took charge of his briefcase then he quickly rushed and opened the door to the back seat for Henry.

Henry ignored Stacey and made his way to the car. He got into the car and threw his back against the comfy car seat.

Stacey felt downtrodden. A few moments later, she smirked and got into her car.

Henry gave the driver the address of his dormitory.

*****

Henry pushed the door inside and stepped into the room he shared with some other students. There was no one inside.

He moved to the window and when he looked down at the courtyard, Henry saw a boy yelling at his friend to hurry up.

“We don’t want to miss this birthday party for anything in the world. I heard Benedict is giving out cash to the first ten persons to turn up.”

Henry moved to his mattress and sank on it.

It wasn’t Benedict’s birthday party but Bella’s and he was certain that it was where his roommates had gone to. Henry’s roommates love to party and were always on the lookout for any party on campus even the ones they weren’t invited to.

Meanwhile, Benedict was throwing a party for Bella and no one wanted to be left behind because Benedict was known for throwing lavish parties.

Henry never attended any of the parties thrown on campus, especially not even Benedicts. He knew that he’d be mocked the moment he set his feet at any party and as for Bella; it was obvious that she would now join the bandwagon in mocking him.

Henry cast a glimpse at his briefcase and he smiled. Now that he had money, there was no point in sitting and nagging because of a woman. He collected the case and safely hid it in his cupboard.

Even though it was barely 7 pm, he was drowsy. With a yawn, Henry collapsed on the bed. Lately, he had been getting up quite early to collect trash so he barely slept.

Henry placed his hands behind his head and shut his eyes. Henceforth, he wouldn’t have to worry about collecting trash. It was time to treat himself better. He was about to slip into a deep snooze when his phone began to make buzzing sounds.

Henry picked up the phone from the bed and realized that it was a message from the class group chat. He had given his contact to be added to the group since year one but since he had no phone, he never had access to the group chat he had been added to for the past 3 years.

Now that he had inputted his sim card into the phone Bella had refunded, Henry could access the group. 

He went straight to w******p, the source of the messages, and began to read through.

Benedict is awesome!

Best birthday party ever!

Benedict is so generous!

Bella’s birthday bash is happening right now at the Road River Hotel courtesy of Benedict!

There was a photo sent to the group with the caption. Our table has a Remmy Martin drink which costs 1000 dollars.

Two girls were occupying the table in the photo and were smiling brightly.

More pictures began to flood the group chat with messages admiring how rich Benedict was.

It was only at Benedict’s party that the students got to drink expensive wine because the spending limit for wines on campus was 75 dollars.

Henry wanted to ignore the messages but then he discovered that someone had mentioned his name.

Henry’s feelings will be hurt today. I think he likes Bella. Someone wrote.

Another person replied. Watch your mouth. He’s in the group too.

The person who had mentioned Henry fired back. And so what? He doesn’t even have a phone and even if he’s in the group, who cares?

Other students began to trash-talk Henry in the group chat. A girl said she was ashamed to be in the same class with him while others said he had no use being in school when he could simply drop out to pick trash.

Well said! Benedict typed.

Henry glued his eyes to the phone screen as Benedict went on typing.

Why don’t you guys relax and have fun at the party? In the meantime, I’ll help Henry take care of his girlfriend.