TIFFANY’S POV
She got into class and everyone’s eyes were on her. She totally ignored them and had her seat close to Freya.
“How are you?” She asked.
“I’m fine, and you? I’m sorry for stringing you into my problem yesterday, ” Freya said, soberly.
“Shush…we are friends, right? All for one, and one for all, huh?”
“Thank you so much, Tiff.”
“You are welcome. Have you seen Timothy?” Tiffany asked.
“No. We will all see during recess. Tiff, keep quiet, there is a teacher now.” Freya said, hushing her.
RACHEL’S POV
She knocked on Shawn’s door against her wish. If she wants to win him back she has to be careful and do his biddings.
“Come in.” He said.
She walked in all smiles. “Good morning. Look who came late to work.”
“Good morning, Rachel. I had an errand to run.” He replied, looking up from the paperworks on his table.
“Yeah, right. Dropping your little girlfriend at school is an errand indeed,” she thought to herself.
“Do you have something to say to me?” He asked when she suddenly fell silent.
“No, I mean yes. I came to check on you. You know, how you are faring.” She replied.
“That was thoughtful of you. I’m fine. Thank you for your concern.” He replied, offering her a small smile.
Gosh! She missed that smile and wanted to say it but said “How is your little fiance?” instead.
“She is not little, Rachel. She is nineteen.” He replied.
“But nineteen is still a kid. Don’t you think so?”
“I don’t. Nineteen is an adult, one that is recognized by the law.” Shawn insisted.
“Okay. I hope she is worth defending like this.”
“And what do you mean by that?” Shawn asked, raising his eyebrows at her.
“Nothing. Just that, after the story a friend just told me, I don’t think these young girls should be trusted.”
“What story is that?” Shawn asked, interested.
“About a girl that got married to an older man because she wanted to save her father’s company. At the end of the day, she filed for a divorce and made away with half of the man’s money and assets with her highschool boyfriend. It happened that everything was planned by her father.” Rachel said.
“That’s bad.”
“It Is. Which is why I want you to be careful.”
“Wait, are you in any way insinuating that Tiffany is capable of such?” Shawn asked, arcing his eyebrows.
“No, I’m not. But then, we can’t overrule the possibility. Do you really think a nineteen year old will willingly settle down with an older guy when she has barely enjoyed her youthful years? Come on Shawn. What happened to younger boys within her age range? What happened to partying with reckless abandon? This girl has not tasted the waters, and you think she will willingly settle down with you if she doesn’t know the benefits of what she will be getting out of the union. Can’t you see? She and her father are using you to get what they want. You are more or less a pawn in their game. The only thing you are gaining out of all this is being made chairman. Aside from that, what other things do you think you can achieve out of the union?” Rachel said, trying to brainwash him.
Shawn’s head was full, as he tried to process everything she said. “Rachel?” He called.
“Yes, Shawny.” She answered sweetly.
“Get out!” He ordered.
“Are you asking me to leave?” She asked, taken aback.
“Leave!” He said, again.
“Fine. Just think about what I said.” She said walking away.
SHAWN’S POV
He held his head, as Rachel’s words kept ringing in his head
What If she was right? Was that why Tiffany had remained persistent despite his harsh behaviour towards her
Was her father backing her up? Does she have a boyfriend somewhere that she would abscond with, with his money?
If this was her real motive, then he better be ahead of her. No one would ever make away with his hard earned wealth.
Never! With that thought in mind, he went back to work.
TIFFANY’S POV
“Tiffany, are you sure he remembered to call the driver? Join me in my car. I can ask my driver to drop you at his place before heading home.” Timothy offered.
They have been waiting for the driver Shawn promised to send to pick for the past thrifty minutes.
“Thank you, Tim. I will wait a little longer. You can leave.” Tiffany said.
“Will you be fine?” Freya asked.
“Yes, I will be fine.” Tiffany answered.
“Here, I know you didn’t bring money. I don’t know, but just hold on to it. Just in case.” Freya said.
“Thank you, Freya.” Tiffany said, and they all shared a hug.
They both bade her goodbye.
She was getting worried. The school was almost deserted and yet no sign of Shawn’s driver. She doesn’t bring her phone to school, else she would have called her driver.
After waiting to no avail, she decided to take a cab home. She got outside the school gate, and flagged down a cab. She was so engrossed in getting home, she didn’t notice the camera flashes.
She told the driver Shawn’s address and relaxed on the seat to rest. A few minutes later, they arrived and she paid the driver before going inside.
She hurriedly freshened up and went downstairs to make something she could eat and then keep some for Shawn.
She had nothing against him. He must have been caught up with work and forgot to send the driver to her.
She made Cauliflower fried veggie rice and grilled chicken. She ate a little because she was hungry and then waited so she could eat with Shawn when he got back.
She was almost dozing off on the couch when he got back. She immediately jerked up and offered him a smile. She immediately knew something was wrong when he did not return her smile.
“Welcome back. I made something for us to eat.” She said,
“I’m not hungry.” He said, not returning her greetings.
“Why?” She asked worriedly.
“Do I have to explain why I’m not hungry to you?” He stopped to give her a hard look. And she cringed at the Intensity of the look.
“Not really. You are acting strange. Did anything happen at work? You even forgot to send the driver you promised.” She replied.
“And so? Aren’t you home?” He asked nonchalantly.
“What do you mean by ‘am I not home?’ I was stranded, and if not for the money my friend gave to me to take a cab, I would have walked home.” Tiffany said, wondering what had come over him.
“Come off your high horse! You are not better than those that take cabs, are you?” He said, walking up the stairs leaving Tiffany stunned.
He didn’t just say that to her, did he? What came over him? They were cool in the morning and now he is back to his old grumpy self.
She looked back at the food on the dinning table and tears welled up in her eyes. She had really put in a lot of effort to prepare the food, hoping they would eat together.
This was making it the second time he rejected her food! Sniffling, she got up and walked to the dinning. She would have to eat dinner alone.