Worst Cupid Ever

A Shining Example

It was so worth it. Seeing Luke's eyes nearly roll off their sockets and the way his jaw fell was priceless. Ada wished she could take a picture.

The One Up High had made an appearance most unexpectedly. One blink after she took his hand and they were in the midst of the hearing.

Stunned silence greeted their entrance. Even Ada was shocked by how suddenly they appeared at the hearing.

When the One Up High said he would help, she hadn't expected something so direct. From her scanty knowledge of the division's history, the One Up High had visited the Southern Division maybe once or twice and limited his interaction with the division through correspondence with the Helmets.

Now the One Up High was here because she sent a letter up. Heh. Nose in the air, Ada sent a smug smile Luke's way, but his focus was on the One Up High, like every other cupid and rifter present. There was the sound of a camera shutter, then another. Soon, murmurs rose within the gathering.

Their expression shifted from shock to reverence—no excitement or curiosity on their faces. Was she the weird one for seeing the One Up High the way she did? Yes, she revered him, but she also couldn't shake off the feeling that they were friends. She did have the habit of sending prayers his way, though. Maybe that was why she felt at ease with him.

Seeming to snap out of their surprise all at once, the Helmets, Retired and Amil hurried forward, each offering a bow. Bo said something that made the One Up High chuckle. As he interacted with the others, Luke lingered in the background, seeming unsure.

Ada craned her neck in search of Teddy. She spotted him. Unlike the rest, he hadn't brought out his logger to film the One Up High. Shock was still stark on his face as he stared. Ada could scarcely blame him. Apart from the One Up High's impressive height and eccentric appearance, there was an air about him that was too much.

Ada sent a wave Teddy's way. When he saw her, he grabbed his logger and began typing. Soon, her logger pinged.

I swear you were next to me a second ago. How?

Ada shrugged and typed, it happened in an instant. One second, I was with you, and the next I was with him. Was crazy wild.

"Luke."

Ada turned in time to see the One Up High beckon for Luke. "Wouldn't you come forward?"

Clearing his throat, Luke marched forward all stiff-like. It took all of Ada's self-control not to burst into laughter. Luke looked pressed, so pressed in fact that Ada noticed his hands were trembling.

Stopping in front of the One Up High, he offered a bow. "I stood aside because you seemed occupied."

"I saw your letters of requests," One Up High said as he placed a hand on Luke's shoulder, urging him to stand straight. He turned to the rest. "I will be taking Luke for a short walk. The rest of you, carry on."

With those words, the One Up High and Luke vanished.

***

The last person Raymond expected to see waiting for him was Sule, his father's driver. If his memory served him correctly, he had called for the company driver to pick him up from the airport. But it seemed Raymond's plans had been changed without his consent.

"Awesome. Super, bloody awesome." Raymond's grip tightened around the handle of his luggage. He was close—so close to turning around, hightailing to departure and heading back to Abuja. But cowardice was not his strong suit.

Releasing an exasperated breath, Raymond resumed walking. After the driver handled his luggage, he steeled his nerves and entered the car.

His father, Dayo Dominic, didn't so much as spare Raymond a glance.