It was midnight and he couldn’t sleep because he was hungry. He was beginning to regret why he rejected dinner. He was mad at her and not at food, right?
He tried going back to sleep all to no avail. The worms in his stomach kept gnawing at his intestines, threatening to puncture them.
When the hunger became unbearable, he knew he had to go downstairs and get some food. Hunger was not to be toyed with and he won’t be one to you with it.
With that, he stealthily opened his door, careful not to make a sound. Then he slipped out of his room and gently tiptoed downstairs.
He got to the kitchen and turned on the lights. He opened the microwave and heaved a sigh of relief when he saw the food in it.
He took out the plate and uncovered it and his mouth watered at the sight of him. He would have thought that the brat could make cauliflower fried veggie rice and grilled chicken. It was one of his favorite meals.
He got a spoon and dug into the food like a wolf who had just caught a prey after hours of hunting.
On a second thought, he hurriedly turned off the kitchen light. He doesn’t want to be caught by Tiffany eating the same food he rejected.
After clearing the content of the plate, he drank a full bottle of water belching like a glutton, and then turned on the light. God! How much relief he felt.
He quickly washed off the plate and returned it to the plate rack, after which he disposed of the water bottle.
Deciding his job in the kitchen was over, he turned off the light and sneaked back to his room.
Only then was he able to fall asleep.
TIFFANY’S POV
She hurried downstairs in a haste, praying Shawn must have made breakfast. Darn! She was almost late.
“Good morning.” She greeted, as she got to the dinning.
“Morning.” He replied curtly.
She glanced at the table and found only one plate on it. His plate!
“Ummm…is my food in the kitchen?” She asked.
“Your food? Did you ask me to make food for you? If you are hungry, go into the kitchen and make something for yourself.”
“But, you usually make breakfast.” She said, trying to control herself.
“Look, I hope you were not carried away by little acts of kindness? If you are hungry, make yourself something to eat.”
Tiffany looked at him in confusion as she was surprised at his Change in behaviour. She was hungry and needed to eat before leaving for school and she was running late too.
She suddenly remembered the food she left in the microwave. She dashed to the kitchen and opened the microwave only to find it empty.
She stood for a moment, trying to figure out if she ate everything, which she was sure she didn’t. Then who could have taken the food?
Shawn? Yes, Shawn! She walked angrily to the dinning.
“You rejected my food yesterday, but went behind my back to eat it instead!” She yelled.
Shawn looked up at her, and then returned to his breakfast without saying a word.
“What do you expect me to eat? You made breakfast for yourself, but you ate the one I’m supposed to eat.” She said, at the brink of breaking into tears.
“Fix yourself something to eat. It’s as simple as that.” He said, nonchalantly.
She looked at him in anger as tears trickled down her cheeks. She cleaned them off and ran upstairs, took out her credit card and hurried back downstairs.
Picking Up her school bag, she hurried out of the house.
SHAWN’S POV
Immediately she left, he dropped the cup of coffee and buried his face in his hands. What has come over him? Was the attitude necessary?
Making her cry and starve to school. He was not a sadist, but his attitude pointed to him as one.
He was letting Rachel’s words influence him and the realization of that alarmed him.
They were beginning to get alongHimself and Tiffany, not until Rachel brought up that story of hers.
He stood up, abandoning his halfeaten breakfast. He was a jerk and there was no doubt about it.
He picked up his suitcase and headed out, making a mental note to avoid Rachel at work.
TIFFANY’S POV
She alighted from the cab angry and hungry. In her anger and rush to get to school, she had left the Ferrari car at home.
Damn him and his car! She was glad she didn’t bring it to school.
She got into the school compound and everyone kept whispering and pointing at her.
Just then, Freya and Timothy rushed to her.
“Hey, Tiff. Have you seen the news?” Freya asked, concerned in her tone.
“Should we really tell her?” Timothy asked.
“We should. If we don’t, someone will still tell her.” Freya said.
“Tell me what?” Tiffany asked, confused.
“You are on the news.” Freya said.
Freya pulled her to a discreet area as phones were prohibited in the school. She brought her phone out from her inner shorts.
“Here.” Freya gave her the phone to read what’s on the screen.
“TROUBLE IN PARADISE!”
Broke Billionaire Dion’s daughter, Tiffany Dion, seen hopping in a cab after school.
Has her father finally gone broke owing to his company going bankrupt? Is he so broke that his daughter has to jump cabs now?
Wait…! She was seen with the new model of Ferrari sports car which we suspect was gotten for her by her fiance, Shawn Gold. What happened to the car? Did he take it back?” Tiffany had to stop reading as tears were already running down her cheeks.
Timothy and Freya engulfed her in a hug, as they tried to console her.
“Who could have written this?” She asked, sobbing hysterically.
“I suspect Mary. That bitch has always been on the lookout for your downfall.” Freya said through gritted teeth.
“Exactly! It’s a catfish Instagram account. Cheap coward!” Timothy fumed.
“Let’s go back to class, Tiffany. We, your friends, knew why you took a cab home. Don’t let that bitch win by seeing you cry.” Freya said.
“Exactly. I won’t be broken by her stupid post. If she wants an altercation, she should come forward and stop hiding behind a catfish account.” Tiffany said, cleaning her eyes.
“That’s the spirit. All for one…!” Freya chanted.
“And one for all!” Tiffany and Timothy replied. They hugged one last time before leaving.
MARY’S POV
She looked at the post in surprise. This was supposed to be her handiwork, but unfortunately, she didn’t do it.
Who did it then? Well, it seemed she was not the only one against Tiffany Dion. They were two of them and she wanted to know who.
Why was she bothering herself? Whomever it is, should continue and not stop. They were obviously helping her course.
She hissed from where she stood as she saw Tiffany and her friends walking towards her. She gave them a dirty look before walking away.
SHAWN’S POV
He got to his office in a sour mood. His thoughts were in turbulence as his conscience pricked him.
He had wronged her, and the fact that she did nothing to deserve his harsh attitude, made him ashamed.
Just then, Rachel walked in all smiles.
“Good morning, Shawny.” She greeted, making to touch him.
“Keep your hands to yourself. Why are you here?” He said, taking Rachel by surprise.
“To see you of course. Why are you upset? Did that little girl upset you? I told you she was not good enough for you…”
“Shut up, Rachel! What do you have against her?” Shawn said, cutting her short.
“Me? Nothing of course. I’m just looking out for you.” She replied.
“By saying ill things about her? You barely know her for christ sake! Jesus, Rachel!” Shawn exclaimed.
“I don’t know her, but I know her type.” Rachel said.
“You know what? Leave my office with your bad energy. And do not come here unless it is work related. You have changed so much, Rachel. I can’t even recognize who you are.” Shawn said.
“I haven’t changed. You are the one who did, since that little girl came into the picture. Look at you, Shawn. You never cancelled or turned down a date with me. But guess what? You have been doing that since she arrived. You barely have time for us. For me! How do you expect me to feel, knowing you are the only Friend I have got.”
Shawn’s expression softened a bit before hardening again.
“Just leave! And I mean it. Do not come here unless it is work related.” He ordered.
Seeing that his mind was made up, she left the office.