"Nothing, don't pay attention to what they said. Those two only have nonsense going on in their heads. What are you doing here?" Henry answered and asked, starting to walk back. "I came to find you when Ellen came back alone. Only for me to see you flirt with Esther, and hear her talk of a challenge. Is Ellen a challenge to you, Henry? Are you playing her, even after making a promise to me?" Clara asked, hurt in her voice, making Henry halt in his steps. Gosh, he wished he could make good on his threat, and throw Esther to the fishes now. That stupid girl, is ruining everything he has built this year with his friend, and girlfriend. "Yes, she is a challenge. She is the only girl that made it challenging for me to get her, and that makes her a priceless jewel. She didn't jump on my fan train like every other girl did, she has standards, and that made her a challenge for me. When I was planning Paris, I wasn't even sure if she would make it, or that she would finally accept me, after telling me blatantly that she doesn't want to be with me, before I even proposed, back in high school. Paris, Afua, it took flying across to Europe, before she said yes to me, that made her a challenge, a worthy one. I don't know how she understood whatever Ben said to her, but Ellen is a priceless jewel, because for the first time, I thought I was not rich enough to get a girl. She's a diamond, Afua, a rare one, worth every penny. As for flirting with Esther, I was just proving a point to her. You understand that?" Henry explained with conviction, clearing Clara's doubts a little. She wasn't too convinced, but what he just said was true, Ellen was a pretty tough one to get, but it doesn't mean he should play her. "So, you are not playing her?" Clara asked with raised brow. "No, contrary to what some people might think, I actually love the girl. It's weird, and unbelievable, but I do." Henry answered, resuming their walk again. "Does she know you are also leaving the country tonight? Did you tell her when you two came here? That Naa is not the only one leaving, we all are. You and she are just taking the lead." Clara asked, when she remembered; they were leaving to study abroad, and Henry's flight, like Stephanie's, was tonight. Clara and Eric would leave in two days' time to a different school. The friends had been happy yet sad when they got admission into Yale and Oxford separately, after their SAT exams. Eric and Clara gained admission to study engineering in Yale, while Henry was going for a medical course in Oxford. This was the first time they were going to be apart in separate schools, especially Henry, who refused to accept his Yale admission, for the same course Oxford gave him, to be with his friends. His reason being that he wanted to be with his mom and sister too. No one knew about their admission aside their families and Stephanie. Henry said he wanted to tell Ellen himself about his departure, so none of them spoke about it to her. Besides, she was out of reach anyway. "Not yet, I'll tell her when I take her home. It's almost 4pm, we have to get going. Seriously Afua, don't think too much about this. I have never broken my promise to you; I won't start now." Henry answered and assured as they entered the restaurant. "Oh, great you are here. We're about to have a closing toast, my flight is at 6pm, so I have to go home fast." Steph announced when Henry and Clara entered. "I also have to leave soon actually. Let's make a toast to a new level, friendship, achieving goals, and love. Cheers." Henry announced when Steph handed him a glass of champaign, kissing Ellen afterwards. They drank and hugged each other good bye as they had to leave. "I'm very happy I had nothing doing that day when James called me to the mall. I wouldn't have met you again, or finally apologize to you. Fun fact, you're the first girl to slap me. I usually block the others. I'll miss you Naa, call me sometimes." Henry said to Steph as he hugged her goodbye too. He called her Naa, because he was being emotional. "Well, I'm your first everything, so I'm pleased to hear that. I admit, I'm glad you showed up too Kobby. Fun fact too, I don't regret slapping you, or our little secret. I'll definitely call you, but right now we have to go, Chris won't stop calling me." Steph replied with a mischievous grin. "Right, thanks for keeping that, and I don't regret it either. But seriously, if that brother of yours was your boyfriend, it would have been disastrous. He's too overbearing." Henry commented with a smile, while checking to see no one was listening to them, and Steph laughed. "He's not overbearing, he's sweet. He's going to miss me, but won't admit it. He just loves his cute little sis too much. Besides, he dated Audrey, and it was not disastrous till we broke them up, with our break up." Steph said. "Um, I have to leave guys. Still have to prepare for school tomorrow." Ellen said, getting slightly irritated by the bonding of those two. She was too over possessive of Henry for her own good. "Yeah sure, I'll take you home. Bye guys." Henry said, but Ellen declined. "I can't have you drive me home Henry, my parents won't be easy to convince this time." Ellen said. "She's right, we came with her, so we must take her back." Abby said, coming near them. "Okay, fine, but you have to come with me for a minute, there's something I need to tell you." Henry replied, glancing at Clara who was looking at him.
