Without much thought, she tossed the box aside, the action deliberate yet casual, as if its contents were beneath her notice. She had no intention of indulging them by opening whatever "gift" Chidera had prepared.
However, Queen Chioma was not about to let things slide so easily. She wanted to ensure her "concern" as a mother was on full display, especially in front of the king, and perhaps subtly remind everyone in the room of Nnenna's place.
After all, Obinna's unexpected gesture had already disrupted the carefully crafted hierarchy she had worked so hard to maintain.
"Now, Nnenna, that's no way to treat a gift," Queen Chioma said, her voice laced with false sweetness. "Come now, open it. These are thoughtful presents chosen specifically for you. Show some gratitude, my dear."
Her words might have sounded kind to an outsider, but Nnenna could hear the underlying command. It wasn't a suggestion, it was an order wrapped in flowery language.
Nnenna's fingers twitched slightly as she resisted the urge to retort. Instead, she leaned back against her pillow, her calm demeanor masking the irritation bubbling within her.
She looked at Queen Chioma, her expression neutral but her eyes cold. "Is it really that important?" she asked softly, her voice calm yet filled with unspoken meaning.
The queen's smile tightened. "Of course, it is, darling," she insisted, motioning toward the box. "Gifts are an expression of care and love. I'm sure Chidera put a lot of thought into it."
At this, Nnenna let out a barely audible sigh. It wasn't worth the fight, yet. Reaching over, she picked up the box again, her movements slow and deliberate. She held it for a moment, her fingers brushing against the edges as if contemplating whether it was even worth her time.
Nnenna was still basking in the satisfaction of Obinna's changed gift. The Rolex watch on her wrist glinted softly. Buoyed by this small victory, she decided to humor the situation once more.
With measured composure, she opened the box Chidera had given her.
The moment the lid came off, a foul, nauseating smell filled the room. Her stomach turned as her eyes fell on the grotesque contents inside.
"A rat?!"
Her voice rang out, sharp and incredulous, as the realization hit her. He had given her a dead rat as a "gift." The sight was revolting, and the insult stung deeper than any words could have.
For a moment, silence enveloped the room. Even the king, who had been watching passively, frowned in visible disgust. His expression darkened as he shifted his gaze to Chidera, who stood there with a smug, unapologetic look plastered on his face.
But not everyone shared the king's disapproval.
Queen Chioma's lips twitched with barely contained delight. This was what she had wanted, a clear message sent to the "attachment" that dared to overstep her bounds. Ebere and Abuchi exchanged gleeful glances, their satisfaction evident as they reveled in Nnenna's humiliation.
Chidera, emboldened by their reactions, raised his chin proudly. 'Finally, someone knows their place,' Queen Chioma thought smugly, though she masked her true feelings with a faintly disapproving look for appearances' sake.
Meanwhile, Nnenna's mind raced. The wave of nausea and anger threatened to consume her, but she held herself steady. She wasn't going to give them the satisfaction of seeing her break, not today, not ever.
She glanced at the box, then back at Chidera, her expression hardening into something unyielding. Slowly, she closed the box and set it aside, her movements calculated and calm.
"Thank you, brother," she said evenly, her voice betraying none of the turmoil raging inside her. "I'll make sure to treasure it."
The room stilled again. For a moment, even Chidera faltered. Her response wasn't what he had expected. Instead of erupting in anger or tears, she had taken the high road, leaving him and the others unsure how to react.
But inside, Nnenna seethed. 'Love System,' she called out silently, her voice sharp and resolute.
"Yes, Nnenna?"
"I'm not letting this one slide. Change this pathetic excuse of a gift. Now."
"Are you certain?" the system asked, its tone almost amused. "You'll have to use more points for this level of interference."
"Do it."
"Very well," the system replied.
Ding!
"'Changing hearts to change gifts.' 300 Good Points deducted."
Within moments, Chidera's smug expression shifted. His brows furrowed, a wave of guilt washed over him and a look of panic crossed his face as he stepped forward abruptly.
"Wait, no! That wasn't the gift I meant to give!" he blurted out, his voice uncharacteristically frantic.
The queen's smile faltered, confusion replacing her amusement. "What are you doing, Chidera?" she demanded, her tone sharp.
Chidera didn't answer immediately. Instead, with a hesitant hand, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a sleek black bank card. He extended it toward Nnenna, his movements almost robotic.
But strangely, a sense of relief washed over him as he handed it to her. Somewhere deep down, he felt like he owed her this, like it was a debt he was finally settling.
"This is... this is the real gift I prepared," he said, his voice strained as though the admission physically hurt him. Yet, there was an undercurrent of sincerity, a rare vulnerability that slipped through his usually guarded demeanor.
Nnenna accepted the card without a word at first, her gaze flicking to it briefly. The black card gleamed faintly under the light, a symbol of wealth and sacrifice. She knew what this meant, it was probably all of his savings, painstakingly accumulated over time.
Her fingers tightened around the card momentarily before she looked up, her expression unreadable. Then, with a smile as sweet as honey yet sharp enough to cut, she said, "Thank you, brother."
Her tone carried a delicate balance, just enough warmth to sound genuine but tinged with subtle triumph. It was a performance, and a good one, one that made Queen Chioma's carefully composed mask slip for a brief moment.