Fear could probably be the least of my expressions after knowing the true identity of Phil last night. I lost my appetite even when Chris nudged me to eat. He was the one that later ended up eating it all. According to him, it seems he likes me and thought I might help Phil one way or the other.
I am still finding it difficult to digest it. Such a young man who happens to be charming, caring, and respectful. Even when I listed the qualities I liked about him, Chris still told me they do not write it on their foreheads whether they are cultists or not.
****
Standing in front of the mirror, I could not help but compliment my look. Putting on a grey round neck and black trousers with a black sandal. Chris suggested I put on clothes with his favorite colors.
"Be calm, I will be at the restaurant. I work there now", Chris said.
" What? When have you started working there?", I asked
"I was transferred yesterday. I could not tell you since you seem affected by the true identity of Phil", Chris reasoned as I nodded.
"Congrats bro. Just take things easy. I would have advised you to stop working since you are in your final year", I voiced out.
" Don't worry about me. I have cut off hours from work now. You should worry less about me while worrying more about yourself. Who will cook for you?", Chris questioned as I burst into laughter?
"I can cook okay? Just lazy and you know being a Pharmacy student does not allow me to do some things", I teased as he snickered.
" Don't worry, Mr. Philip will cook for you", Chris said, making me blush lightly, as we ended that part of our conversation there.
Chris narrated how he escaped from a restaurant where Phil and his gang beat up a young man, who he felt was a rival. He later confirmed from a final year student that he was the leader of one of the well-known cult gangs.

My mind flashed back to the first time we met. Some of the students in the corridor either walked away(probably the ones who know who he is), and others just wore a surprised stare at us(probably because he was popular).
"Hey, all the best bro. I think he likes you a lot", Chris whispered, making me groan.
" Great. You have told me that a million times", I let out a frustrated groan as he chuckled.
Phil's words make it obvious already. He needs my help. He said he was my secret admirer. He would miss me. He won't get angry no matter the question I ask.
"One last thing, do not ask him if he is a cultist, he might end your life. Even those that knew kept their mouth shut", Chris mumbled the words, as I felt my heart race again.
I sat on the bed, closing my eyes, breathing in and out. 'God, please help me, I mumbled and gave myself a confidence boost.
Chris and I both entered the restaurant as he had to work by 4- 8 pm. We both got there by 3:40 pm as he went over to the counter. I took a seat two tables away from the entrance, my eyes squinting outside the window.
The beaming light from the restaurants was enough to make you calm as the bulbs kept blinking the rainbow colors ROYGBIV, and soft music in the background.
The waiter came dressed in black trousers with a white shirt and black shoes. I told him I would be waiting for someone, and once the person comes, I will order.
I kept staring at my phone as if a miracle would happen. My home blinked indicating a message from Phil. I smiled as I looked at it. He will be here in the next 10 minutes. I busied myself going through my Whatsapp messages with Chris who told me to calm down and converse as if he never told me the true identity of Phil.
I could not help but feel Chris is afraid. Who wouldn't he be afraid anyway? He gave out a secret that no one was supposed to know. To be honest, I am not afraid. I don't know why but I just feel anxious, nervous about what I would say to Phil. The questions I need to ask him and how he would react if I probably ask him about his identity.
This seems risky and two-third of me were against it. If he gets angry, then I'm doomed. But if I never ask, I will continue to feel a bad emotion in my tummy.
I raised my head from my phone barely 8 minutes later as I looked outside the window beside me. A smile crept to my face as I saw Phil's car making its way to the parking space.
He later got out of the car, making his way towards the cafeteria. He wore sky blue short live, with black trousers, and black shoes to match. He wore a smile as he sighted me, which I reciprocated.

Getting to my side, he sat down in front of me as he touched my head.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting, hope you did not miss me", he said, a smirk on his face.
" Stop being cocky", I whispered as he chuckled.
"You should have ordered something", he said as he waved his hand to call a waiter.
" I had to wait for you. This time, I am paying, understood?", I clarified as he stared at me with a complicated face.
"Ok then. Let see", he paused as he looked at the menu.
In no time Chris appeared in front of us in a white shirt and black trousers with a pen and small note on his hand. I almost laughed at how he looked like a professional, not until a frown creased from his face.
" Em, Phil, this is my friend Christopher. Christopher, meet Mr. Phil", I said as Phil dropped the menu in his hand stretching his hand forward for a handshake which Chris took with a smiling face.
"Nice to meet you Mr. Philip, my friend has said a lot about you. Thanks for the package yesternight, we enjoyed it", I could not help but compliment Chris.
He looked quite composed compared to what I expected.
" It is nothing. I won't like to take much of your time, so whatever he orders should be my order too, and I will see you later", Phil said, as Chris turned to look at me.
"Ice cream and a meat pie for me", I said, trying not to reflect on his previous words.
" Same here", Phil said as Chris left.
"You should have ordered something else. I will pay", I let out my concern.
" Don't worry too much, okay. We still have a lot to talk about. Your questions?", he said

I adjusted my body, putting my hands forward as my eyes met with his. He made a funny face, as I blushed slightly.

Chris brought our orders as Phil gave him a card and told him to visit the place soon. I closed my mouth trying not to ask him about the card he gave to Chris. I will just ask him later.
I watched as Phil helped me open the ice cream plastic, which I was a little bit hesitant to, but he won't give in anyway.
I put some chunk of the ice cream in my mouth as I melted it with my tongue. It was a strawberry flavor, while Phil's one was vanilla flavor from the plastic container view.
"How did you know me?", I asked as he smiled.
" I won't answer that question now", I frowned at his words
"But I can tell you something I know about you, which I like about you", he drawled making my heartbeat, as I tried to chew the small piece of meat pie in my mouth.
" Ok, go on", I said nervously
"You like animals, mostly birds, geese, or any flying creatures. You like putting others people's interests at heart, which makes you the best person I have ever seen", he said but stopped as I raised my right hand.
" Okay, okay, just stop Mister. You are making my head swell, and my mouth might hurt from too much blushing and grinning", I finally voiced out as we both laughed.
"I'm being serious. Thanks for stopping my introductory speech, your next question", he raised his hands as I smiled.
" You never answered my first question, what is the probability of you answering the second one?", I asked as he stared at me, smiling exposing his cute dimple.
"100 all over 100. The probability goes as one. I promise to answer this one. Your first question seems simple and part of what I wanted to tell you later. Please ask me another question", he requested, his cold hands covering mine.
" Okay, I agree. Stop being cheesy", I said as he dropped his spoon.
"You think I am dramatic. I will show you how cheesy I am", he said as he leaned closer with a spoon of his ice cream, placing it in my mouth. It was fast, as my face blushed, people might be staring.
" Will you stop? I have a question to ask", I said as he put some of the ice creams in his mouth.
"I'm all ears", he beckoned me to go on.
" Are you sure you won't get angry no matter the question I ask?", I asked as he looked at me with those eyes of his.
"I promise never to be angry. I can't be angry at you, you are my friend, a good friend of mine. So let it out", he reassured, putting his hand on my shoulder.
I whipped my head on the left side as it came in contact with Chris. He shook his head, as I darted my eyes back to Chris, who kept staring at me.
" Ask me the question. If I get angry at you, don't ever talk to me again", Philip finalized, making my heartbeat.
"Don't be ridiculous. I will ask the question", I said trying to calm down as he picked his spoon to take another chunk of the almost melting ice cream.
I readjusted my sitting position, as I breathed out gently.
" Are you a cultist?", I summoned the last of me to ask that question as my heart did a backflip.
His spoon dropped, making the small piece of ice cream spill on the table. I felt my heart race instantly. I asked the wrong question.
Stupid me.