When Chiamaka shared the news about Emeka with Ogechi, she expected her friend to be happy for her. Instead, Ogechi masked her shock and jealousy with feigned excitement.
"Wow, Chiamaka," Ogechi said, forcing a smile. "He sounds amazing. You're so lucky."
But behind closed doors, Ogechi seethed. She couldn't bear the thought of Chiamaka finding happiness in love on top of all her other successes. Determined to sabotage the budding relationship, Ogechi decided to take matters into her own hands.
She reached out to Emeka under the guise of wanting to "protect" Chiamaka. Inviting him to a café one afternoon, she began weaving a web of lies.
"Emeka," Ogechi began, her tone serious, "I think you should know something about Chiamaka before you get too involved."
Emeka raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. "Go on."
"She's not who you think she is," Ogechi continued, lowering her voice. "Chiamaka is… manipulative. She's dated multiple men at the same time in the past. She only cares about money and status. I've been her friend for years, so I know."
Emeka listened in silence, his face unreadable. When Ogechi finished, she leaned back, satisfied with her performance.
Although Ogechi's words planted a seed of doubt in Emeka's mind, his instincts told him something was off. He had spent months observing Chiamaka, both from afar and up close, and nothing in her character aligned with the accusations.
Determined to uncover the truth, Emeka decided to confront Chiamaka.
"Chiamaka," he said one evening after dinner, "I had an interesting conversation with Ogechi."
Chiamaka's face lit up. "Oh? What did she say?"
Emeka hesitated before continuing. "She said some troubling things about you. She claims you're manipulative and only interested in money. Is there any truth to what she said?"
Chiamaka's smile faded, replaced by a look of shock and betrayal.
"How could you believe that?" she asked, her voice trembling. "Ogechi has been my best friend since childhood. Why would she say such things?"