My Toxin

Chapter 20

The memory of Kemi's kiss haunted me like a bad dream I couldn't shake. No matter how hard I tried to push it out of my mind, it always came back—her anger, the heat of the moment, and the way it all spiraled into something I never wanted. The guilt gnawed at me, and the thought of telling Marjorie made my stomach churn. But keeping it from her felt worse, like letting a crack in the foundation grow into something irreparable. I needed advice, someone who wouldn't sugarcoat things—and that someone was Chanel.

Early one morning, after a night of tossing and turning, I found myself driving down to Birmingham. The highway stretched ahead of me, the rhythm of the tires on the road doing little to calm the storm in my head. By the time I arrived at the café where Chanel and I usually met, my nerves were frayed.

She was already there, sipping on an iced coffee, her sharp eyes immediately honing in on me as I sat down. "Alright, spill it. You look like you haven't slept in days."

I hesitated, my hands twisting the coffee cup I'd barely touched. "It's about Kemi."

Her brow furrowed. "What about her?"

Taking a deep breath, I told her everything. The argument, the kiss, the way Kemi had walked away without a word. As I talked, Chanel's expression shifted from confusion to disbelief, and finally to anger.

"You're telling me she kissed you?" Chanel's voice was sharp, low enough to avoid a scene but forceful enough to make me feel every word.

"Yeah," I said quietly, avoiding her gaze. "And I pushed her off immediately. But now I don't know what to do."

Chanel leaned forward, her eyes blazing. "You tell Marjorie, Alex. You tell her everything. If you don't, I will."

Her words hit me like a slap. "I don't want to hurt her, Chanel. I don't even know how to bring it up without making everything worse."

She rolled her eyes. "Worse? Alex, if Marjorie finds out from someone else—or worse, Kemi decides to spin her own version—you'll be done. She deserves the truth from you, not some twisted version from Kemi."

I nodded reluctantly, the weight of her words sinking in. "You're right."

Chanel's tone softened slightly. "Look, I get it—it's a shitty situation. But you need to fix it before it blows up."

The drive back didn't bring me any clarity, but at least I had a plan. Later that night, as I sat in my room trying to figure out how to approach Marjorie, my phone buzzed. It was Kemi.

I hesitated before answering, the knot in my stomach tightening as I picked up. "What do you want, Kemi?"

Her voice was shaky, almost pleading. "Alex, don't tell Marjorie. Please."

I clenched my jaw, my patience already thin. "You kissed me, Kemi. She has a right to know."

"Just give me time," she begged. "Let me tell her in my own way. Please. I don't want to lose her friendship."

Before I could respond, I merged the call with Chanel, who'd asked to be kept in the loop.

"Why should he wait?" Chanel's voice cut through the line, cold and unwavering. "You didn't think twice about kissing him. Now you're worried about losing her? Bitch please."

Kemi faltered, her voice dropping. "I made a mistake, okay? I don't know what I was thinking. But Marjorie's my friend, and I don't want to hurt her."

"Too late for that," Chanel snapped. "You should've thought about that before you kissed her man."

"Enough," I said, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Kemi, you have until the trip. If you don't tell her, I will."

Chanel groaned, but I held firm. "This is your chance to come clean. Don't make me regret it."

"Thank you," Kemi whispered before hanging up. The call ended, but the tension lingered like smoke in the air.

The next few days dragged. Marjorie finally reached out, her exams over and her tone apologetic.

Marjorie: Hey, Alex. I'm sorry about before. Things just got overwhelming. Can we talk?

Her message hit me in the chest. I wanted to tell her everything, to unload the truth that had been eating me alive, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. Not yet.

Alex: 👍

It was all I could manage. She deserved more, but I wasn't ready. Not with Santorini looming, not with Kemi's promise hanging in the balance.

When the day of the trip arrived, the airport buzzed with excitement. Ayo and Chanel were in high spirits, their partners tagging along and adding to the lively energy. I tried to match their enthusiasm, but my mind was elsewhere, scanning the crowd for Marjorie and Kemi.

Marjorie arrived first, her braids flowing down her back in soft, curly waves. She looked incredible, her smile as bright as the summer sun. When her eyes met mine, there was a softness there—a hint of reconciliation that I desperately wanted to lean into.

Kemi showed up moments later, dragging her suitcase with a casual ease that made my stomach churn. She greeted Marjorie with a warm hug, her demeanor so carefree it was almost maddening. If she felt any guilt, she hid it well.

As we moved through security and into the VIP lounge, Chanel pulled me aside. "Something's off," she muttered. "She hasn't said a damn thing to Marjorie, has she?"

"No," I admitted, glancing at Kemi, who was laughing with Marjorie like nothing had happened. "She hasn't."

Chanel's jaw tightened. "She's playing games, Alex. Watch your back."

I nodded, my unease growing. The flight itself felt endless, even with the luxury of first class. Marjorie was beside me, her presence comforting yet bittersweet. Every laugh, every smile she shared felt like a knife twisting in my chest. Kemi, seated a few rows away, occasionally glanced back, her expression unreadable.

As the plane descended toward Santorini, the knot in my stomach tightened. This trip, which I'd envisioned as a carefree escape, now felt like a fragile thread stretched to its limit. And I had no idea how much longer it could hold.