At that very moment, two familiar faces, Tina and Nikita, were walking down the corridor. Tina’s startled expression as she caught sight of Derek was impossible to miss. She poked Nikita, her curiosity piqued.
“Oh my God!” Tina exclaimed, her voice tinged with amazement.
Nikita took a step back, her eyes wide with surprise. “Who is he?” Tina inquired, her gaze fixed on Derek, who had now become the center of attention.
“Take a look at his figure, girl. I’m on fire!” Ishi, a friend of Tina’s, expressed her sensuous desire, not shying away from voicing her appreciation for Derek’s physical appearance.
“But why is Elena with him?” Tina questioned, her confusion evident.
“Is he her brother? or her uncle?” she pondered aloud, trying to make sense of the situation.
“No, he’s too young to be her uncle,” Ishi chimed in, her curiosity piqued.
Tina couldn’t help but laugh, suggesting, “Or maybe her brother?”
Nikita, growing impatient with the speculation, decided to set the record straight. “Keep your mouth shut. Elena does not have a brother,” she clarified, her tone firm and resolute. “Paul is the only brother she has.”
The corridor chatter continued as Tina, Nikita, and their friends huddled together. Their whispered comments and speculations about Derek and me only fueled the mystery surrounding our relationship.
Tina, ever the provocateur, couldn’t resist the urge to add more fuel to the fire. She pinched Nikita, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Don’t forget, Paul doesn’t think of her as his sister,” she teased, alluding to the complex dynamics within our family.
Nikita, unamused by Tina’s playful jab, responded with a firm, “Shut up, Tina.”
With determination in her eyes, Nikita decided to approach me. She led the group toward us, and it was clear that they intended to address the matter head-on.
“Hello Elena, I haven’t seen you in the last three days. Where have you been?” Nikita asked, her tone a mixture of curiosity and concern.
I had been aware of Nikita and her friends approaching, and as Nikita stopped me in my tracks, I knew that the inevitable confrontation had arrived. Their questioning gazes were focused on Derek and me, and I braced myself for the impending inquiry.
“I was busy,” I replied curtly. My response was meant to deflect their attention.
Nikita’s curiosity was unrelenting, and she was determined to get answers. “I see, but who is he?” she pressed, her voice filled with persistence.
My patience wore thin at this point, and I couldn’t bear the prying eyes and invasive questions any longer. “It’s none of your business, Nikita,” I retorted, the firmness in my tone meant to convey my boundaries.
Nikita’s probing questions and teasing remarks had left me exasperated, and I decided to respond with a hint of humor to deflect the awkwardness. “Oh, so he’s just another target for you?” she laughed, her tone lighthearted.
I couldn’t resist playing along, and I looked at Derek with a mischievous smile, my hand firmly clutching his. “Exactly, Nikita, he’s my new prey,” I replied, our shared smiles indicating the good-natured exchange.
But the unexpected arrival of Eva brought a pause to our playful banter. “Elena!” someone called out, and I turned to see her approaching.
“Eva.” I greeted her with a warm smile, my heart brimming with joy at the sight of an old friend. It had been a while since we had spoken, especially after that fateful night. She rushed towards me, tears in her eyes, and held me close.
“I’m sorry, Elena. Please accept my apologies,” Eva whispered as she embraced me. Her words were filled with remorse and sincerity, and I could feel the genuine regret in her hug.
I returned the hug, holding her close; our friendship rekindled in that moment. “Eva, it’s just that you know his true colors now, and I’m happy,” I reassured her, my voice filled with a sense of closure and acceptance.
Eva nodded, her expression reflecting a mix of relief and gratitude. “I called you so many times, Elena; where have you been?” she asked, her concern evident.
“I’ve been… busy,” I replied, choosing not to delve into the complexities of my life in that moment.
Eva seemed eager to help, and she made an offer that took me by surprise. “You asked for help, but I think my papa can give you half,” she suggested, her voice earnest.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm Eva’s eagerness to help and defuse the situation in front of my friends. “Eva, relax,” I reassured her. “We’ll speak about it later, but first, let me introduce you to him,” I suggested, trying to redirect her attention.
I knew that my decision to marry Derek had been hasty, driven by the fear of Paul’s actions, and now I had to bear the consequences of that choice. It was a reminder that life often takes us on unexpected paths, and we must navigate them to the best of our abilities, even if it means facing the judgments and misunderstandings of those around us.
My gaze shifted to Derek, who had remained composed throughout the unfolding scene. He offered a polite smile and extended a hand toward Eva. It was a gesture of welcome, a silent acknowledgment of the new relationships forming in our lives.
Eva, still inquisitive, inquired, “Who is he?”
I knew that it was time to address the elephant in the room. “He is, without a doubt, my husband,” I declared, my words carrying the weight of the truth.
Eva was taken aback, and her eyes widened as she absorbed the revelation. “What?” she exclaimed, the shock evident in her voice.
Tina and Ishi, who had been listening intently, exchanged surprised glances. Tina whispered to Ishi, “What?”
Nikita, on the other hand, frowned at me, her expression reflecting her confusion and frustration.
I felt the need to clarify the situation for Eva, who was still processing the shock of my revelation. “Eva, yeah. I’m now married. Later, I’ll tell you everything,” I assured her, hoping to ease her confusion.
I turned to Derek, introducing the two important people in my life. “Derek, she’s a friend of mine,” I explained, acknowledging the significance of Eva in my life. Eva and Derek exchanged friendly smiles, both understanding the importance of each other in my world.