Chapter Four: The Bet


    Steve was visiting Mike in his room, the one friend he could always count on aside from Tina. But today, his visit wasn’t just for casual conversation. Something was gnawing at him—something about the way Tina had smiled at that lecturer earlier. It wasn’t the friendly, casual kind of smile. It had been softer, personal, as if they shared something secret between them. The thought made Steve uneasy, though he tried to push it aside.


    “You’re quiet,” Mike said, tossing a football in the air as he lay back on his bed. “What’s eating you, man?”


    Steve hesitated. He wasn’t the jealous type—at least, that’s what he told himself. But the image of Tina, smiling like that, kept replaying in his head.


    “You know that lecturer—the one Tina is always working with on her project?” Steve finally asked.


    Mike raised an eyebrow. “Mr. James?”


    “That’s the one. What do you know about him?”


    Mike smirked. “You mean besides the fact that half the girls in our year have a crush on him?”


    Steve frowned. “You’re not helping.”


    Mike sat up, catching the ball mid-air. “Okay, seriously. He’s a smooth talker, rich, older. He’s been divorced for years, and yeah, there are rumors he’s into younger women. But no one has ever actually caught him doing anything sketchy.” He paused. “Why? You worried about something?”


    Steve shrugged, trying to play it cool. “I just… I don’t know. Lately, Tina’s been acting different.”


    Mike studied him for a moment before shaking his head. “Man, you’re overthinking. Tina’s not like that.”


    Steve wanted to believe him. But something in his gut told him otherwise.


    Their conversation was cut short when Jack and a few other friends barged in, their voices loud with excitement. “Boys, listen up,” Jack announced. “We’ve got a challenge for you.”


    The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    Steve sighed, already knowing that whatever Jack had planned would be ridiculous. “What now?”


    Jack grinned. “The Valentina Challenge.”


    That got Steve’s attention. He straightened, his brow furrowing. “What?”


    “Simple,” Jack said, pacing dramatically. “Valentina—our foreign goddess—is officially the most sought-after girl on campus. Every guy wants a shot, but she turns them all down. So we decided to make things interesting.” He turned to the group, lowering his voice for dramatic effect. “Whoever gets a kiss from Valentina in the next forty-eight hours wins two thousand shillings.”


    Laughter and cheers erupted around the room. Mike whistled. “Damn. That’s serious cash.”


    “Serious bragging rights too,” another guy added. “She turned down even Slicksmile.”


    Steve shook his head. “This is childish.”


    Jack smirked. “Sounds like someone’s scared.”


    “I just think it’s stupid,” Steve said, crossing his arms. “She’s not a prize to be won.”


    “Oh, come on,” Mike said, nudging him. “You can’t tell me you haven’t thought about kissing her.”


    Steve’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t respond. The truth was, of course, he had thought about it. More times than he cared to admit. But not like this. Not for money. Not as part of some foolish bet.


    They were all looking at him now, waiting for his answer. He exhaled. “You guys do whatever you want. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you when she shuts all of you down.”


    And with that, the game was on.


    <hr>


    Over the next day, Steve watched as one by one, his friends attempted—and failed—to win Valentina’s attention. Some tried flattery, others confidence, but she shut them all down effortlessly.


    Mike was the first to make a move, strutting over to her like he owned the place. “You know,” he said, leaning against the cafeteria table where she sat, “I hear Boston is full of beautiful women. But I think you might be its greatest export.”


    Valentina barely looked up from her drink. “Is that your best line?”


    Mike blinked. “Uh—”


    “You might want to try again,” she said, smirking before walking away.


    The group burst into laughter as Mike returned, groaning. “Alright, she’s tougher than I thought.”


    Next was Kevin. He tried a more direct approach, waiting until she was leaving the library before catching up with her.


    “So, Valentina,” he said, matching her stride. “Ever thought about experiencing real Kenyan romance?”


    She didn’t even glance at him. “No.”


    “…Would you like to?”


    “No.”


    Kevin stopped walking. “Wait, you didn’t even think about it.”


    She finally turned to him, deadpan. “I didn’t need to.”


    By the second evening, it was obvious—Valentina wasn’t playing anyone’s game. And Steve couldn’t help but admire her more for it.


    But something about the whole thing still didn’t sit right with him.


    Maybe it was because, unlike the others, he didn’t want to win a kiss from Valentina.


    He wanted her to want to kiss him.


    And that made all the difference.