73

I won't lie, I was very impressed; the grades they all mentioned indicated that everyone in their group was academically sound and where doing very well.

Our senior physics teachers warned us that the exam would be extremely difficult and that we would have to read our asses out. And, as they predicted, our physics midterm exam was extremely difficult.

All of the senior classes went on and on about it. Hearing their scores was, as I previously stated, extremely impressive.

"What about you, Guy Frederick? I'm pretty sure you've got the best." Chimdi approached Frederick and inquired.

"oh me? I got a 96 "Frederick responded, but you could tell from his actions that he wasn't bragging or even attempting to brag. When he replied, my eyes widened slightly.

But then he laughed "But I wasn't at the top. No way, not this time." The look of surprise on everyone's face was palpable. I'm sure the thought was running through your head. They were thinking, 'If he didn't get the highest score, who did?'  Favour immediately asked with a raised brow, "If you didn't get it, who did?"

Frederick shrugged in bemusement.

"Ehen, It's true sef, I almost forgot, Amanda, how about you?" Tobi inquired.

I averted my gaze from their enquiring stares, unsure how they would all react to my response.

"98," I mumbled. Sure, I said the exam was difficult, but as the teacher advised, I read my ass out, figuratively speaking. I always read in my spare time...and believe me, I had plenty of it. People in my class weren't too convinced when they discovered I was the highest in the entire set.

"Wait a minute, what?" Chimdi inquired, as he couldn't hear my muffled words.

I exhaled a sigh. "I got a 98" All of their eyes grew as big as saucers. All but one were successful, as I'm sure you guessed, Frederick. I noticed him with a proud grin. Did he have prior knowledge of my score?

"Who would have guessed that the one to beat Frederick would be his own fiancée?" Victoria laughed.

"Remember when I said I liked you? Let's just say that I like you even more now "With a smirk, Favour told me. I was worried about nothing at the time. I expected a much different reaction from them all. I was mistaken.

Chimdi grinned as he yelled, "Omo brains and beauty!"

"Yup. And she's entirely mine "Frederick said confidently, not caring whether or not the others heard him. I couldn't help myself and burst out laughing, surprising everyone. Frederick was really something else. The way he proudly asserted a claim on me was strange, but endearing.

"I'm sure I'm going to puke now. I understand you're engaged, but Frederick, could you please tone it down a notch? Please" Favour said, faking another gag. I burst out laughing once more.

"Well, since you asked so nicely, I guess I can take it down a notch," he said with a playful smirk. When Frederick finished speaking, the quiet Library was filled with laughter.

It was official, and I couldn't even pretend to deny it any longer. Frederick Zikora was appealing to me and I liked him.

--------------------------------------------

So, tell me, what have you been doing in the recent days and nights? As Frederick was driving, I turned my attention to him.

At this very moment, Frederick and I were on our way to the hospital. The plan was for him to take me home, but I asked him if we could visit his mother in the hospital instead, so he changed his plans. When I told him that I had been going to his mother's ward in the hospital on a regular basis, at first he seemed a little taken aback.

"Are you sure that's all you want to know?" Frederick asked.

After giving it some thought for a while, I came up with a response that went something like this: "You're right, I do have other questions, but I'm not sure if you'll answer them." I honestly spoke.

"Don't be troubled." He momentarily took his eyes off the road and flashed me a friendly smile before turning around and saying, "I will."

I heaved out a "alright then" before continuing.

"I'm going to start off with the same question I asked before. What have you been up to all through this week that you haven't even bothered to show up to school once?"

"I was working" he grinned.

Confused I asked "Working?"

"Yeah, I was working at the family business, which is why I wasn't able to come to school," he said. I was not expecting this.

I had a lot of questions I wanted to ask you, such as, "What kind of business does your family run?" and "Why are you the one in charge of it?" or "Aren't you too young to be putting yourself through all of the stress that comes with running a business?" and everything else, but I didn't want to go into further detail because he had already provided an answer to my question.

Instead I said "Next question, Why don't you usually come to class? No that's not even the right question" I paused then continued "Why does the principal allow you to skip class anytime you want. I mean I know you get good grades and all, but I'm still trying to make sense of it"

"Oh that?" he chuckled "Qatass academy is owned by my family. I guess that's why I am given some kind of privileges. But trust me I skip class for a good reason" I was shocked by the next revelation.

"Your family owns Qatass academy?" I was still trying to wrap my head around this recently acquired information.

"Yeah.But I won't say 'my family' per say, but my Mom that owns it"

"Totally wasn't expecting that" I mumbled still trying to let all the information sink in.

Nobody really knew who the founder of Qatass academy was, well at least I knew we student didn't. But I can just imagine when people find out that Frederick was the son of the founder of us school. You know before how I said that Frederick was treated as the golden boy of our school? Well this time they 'would' start treating him as pure gold itself.

"So is Qatass academy the 'family business' you were speaking of?" I just had to ask.

Shaking his head he said "No, it's a different one"

"Oh" I mumbled.

I guess most of our teachers knew about it. That's why they love kissing up to him, well figuratively speaking of course.

"Just so you know" Frederick told me "Apart from Tobi, Favour, Victoria and Chimdi, you're the fifth person I'm telling this"

I frowned a little "I'm not going to tell anyone Frederick, don't worry" it kinda hurt that he thought I was going to easily tell others about this. I didn't really have other people I could talk about it to.

Frederick frowned also "No don't get me wrong, that wasn't the reason I said that, I know you won't tell anyone. I trust you far too much to think that" My heart stupidly skipped a beat at his words. That one word 'Trust' got me.

He continued "I told you because I wanted you to know that you're important to me. that's all" Forget my heart skipping a beat, this time it skipped twice. I don't know if Frederick was doing a it purposely or not, but my heart senselessly raced every single time he said things like this.

I smiled happy that Frederick saw me as someone important in his life.

"So do you have any other question for me? Ask now, or forever hold your peace" He joked with a pretend deep voice. I chuckled softly.

I actually did have another question to ask him, it's one that I have been extremely curious about since the very first day we met in the library. But I have asked him before and he said when the right time comes he'd tell me. So I decided to wait and not ask.

I gave him a brazen smile "No I do not"

He too grinned "Well that's good, cause we are here" I turned my gaze and saw that we were indeed in front of the hospital building.

"Hey mom," Frederick said cheerfully as we entered his mother's hospital room.

Mrs Zikora smiled as she lifted her head from the book she was reading.

"Ah, Frederick, are you here?" she said.

"Yup," he said, popping his 'P'. Then he added, "And I also brought Amanda with me." I gave her a small wave as he mentioned me.

"Good afternoon, ma," I replied.

"No way, don't speak with such formality. I'm not sure how many times I'll tell you to call me mom. After all, I am your future mother-in-law." She winked amusingly.

I didn't know what to say, so I scratched my neck awkwardly. True to what she said, she told me several times to just call her "mom" on the various occasions I visited her, but anyone else in my situation would find it extremely awkward.

As my silence continued, her expression softened slightly "Or do you not want to? Is it because you don't see yourself marrying Frederick?" My eyes widened slightly in alarm. I didn't like her sad expression; it broke my heart.

"No, no, it's not that," I said quickly.