“With due rest, you are being paranoid. He was comforting me in that picture.” Tiffany said.
“Yeah. I know, right. He was comforting you. Who knows how he comforts you behind closed doors.” Shawn said, sarcastically.
“Shawn!” Mrs Gold yelled.
“It’s fine, Ma. I will explain.” Tiffany said.
“Please, feed us with your lies.” Shawn said.
“Keep quiet!” Mrs Gold ordered.
“That day in school, I almost had a fatal fall in the school hallway if not for the intervention of a junior student. After analyzing the whole situation, my friends and I concluded that someone actually wanted me to fall that day.” Tiffany began.
“Oh, darling. How do you mean?” Mrs Gold asked.
“It was not adding up. A junior student came to call me in class that a teacher sent for me. While heading to the teachers staff room, I stepped on some banana peels.”
“This is a cock and bull story. Tell us something else.” Shawn interrupted.
“Can you just let me finish?” Tiffany asked.
“Ignore him and go ahead.” Mrs Gold nudged.
“But a junior student was quick enough to catch me. Now, it was strange because there were never any dirts littered in the hallway, not to mention banana peels. I still went on my way to the teacher’s staff room and the teacher said she never sent for me. It was strange. Why were they banana peels there in the hallway? Why did the student prank me about a teacher sending for me? After analyzing it, we realized the Student’s prank was a bait to get me out of class and to the hallway. I was so scared and downcast, and that day, in the parking lot, Timothy offered me a hug. One I have not had in years.” Tiffany said.
“Oh my God. That was terrible. Why would anyone want to hurt you?” Mrs Gold asked.
“I don’t know either. But what baffles me is who took that picture and sent it to Shawn? What is their motive for sending it? I can vouch that Timothy did not take that picture, and neither did Freya.” Tiffany said, staring hard at Shawn.
“Who sent the picture to you, Shawn?” Mrs Gold asked, turning to look at him.
“Does it matter, Mum?” Shawn asked.
“Who sent the picture to you, Shawn?” Mrs Gold asked through gritted teeth.
“Fine. I don’t know the person who sent the pictures. It was sent from a burner contact.” Shawn replied, feeling embarredd.
“You mean you don’t know who sent the picture, but you were quick to judge Tiffany even without hearing from her? A picture, Shawn. You trust a faceless person but can’t trust your fiance?” Mrs Gold scolded.
“I don’t know, Mum. I was just enraged.” Shawn said, defending himself.
“You were enraged and lost your sense of reasoning? What happened to talking to her about it before assuming?” Mrs Gold yelled the more.
“It’s fine, Ma.” Tiffany said.
“No, it’s not. This boy needs some scolding.” Mrs Gold said.
“I’m sorry, Mum.” Shawn pleaded in remorse.
“Direct the apology to her. I will give you both some time alone. Leverage it and earn her forgiveness.” Mrs Gold said and walked out of the sitting room.
SHAWN’S POV
He stared at his hands not knowing what to say to Tiffany after his mother left the sitting room.
“Look, I’m sorry for how I behaved. It was not logical.” Shawn said, finally mustering the courage to speak.
“Is that how you apologize?” Tiffany asked, folding her arms.
“Okay, I am sorry for being rash with my judgement.” Shawn said.
“I can’t believe you ruined our dinner last night because of a mere picture. Why didn’t you ask me?” Tiffany asked, raising her eyebrows at him.
“Honestly, I don’t know why. I was so angry. The picture was disrespectful.” Shawn said.
“But we agreed on an open relationship.” Tiffany objected.
“Yes, we did. But imagine what your cheating could do to my reputation.” Shawn said.
“So, it’s all about your reputation?” Tiffany asked, scoffing.
“Come off your high horse. You and I know this is a marriage of convenience and we have a lot to lose if it doesn’t work. You can’t be my wife and cheat. As if that is not enough, cheat publicly.” Shawn said.
“Oh, I see.” Tiffany said.
“So, am I forgiven? You have to forgive me, at least for my mum’s sake.” Shawn said.
“Sometimes, I wonder if you have a mind of your own. If your mother had not intervened, you probably would have kept on with your cold attitude towards me.” Tiffany said.
“Can you just forgive me and let us move past this?” Shawn asked impatiently.
“I won’t accept your apology because you are apologizing out of compulsion.” Tiffany said and looked away.
“What is your problem, little girl?” Shawn asked, frustrated.
“Nothing. Just leave me alone.” Tiffany replied.
“Are you guys done?” Mrs Gold said, returning to the sitting room.
“Yes, Mum. Tiffany here, has forgiven me wholeheartedly.” Shawn said, giving Tiffany a sign to act along.
“Tiffany darling, thank you for forgiving him. He can be a handful and jealous too when he likes someone.” Mrs Gold said, winking at Shawn.
“Mum?” Shawn whined.
“It’s true. Why else will you get worked up just because you saw a picture of her hugging another man?” Mrs Gold teased.
“I was not jealous, just disrespected. She is engaged and soon to be married to me and frolicking around with other men is a slap to my personality.” Shawn said.
“Keep deceiving yourself. Tiffany dear, thank you once again for keeping up with this son of mine.” Mrs Gold said, hugging Tiffany.
“It’s a pleasure, Ma.” Tiffany replied.
“Mum, we have a house and if you don’t mind, my fiance and I will love to go home.” Shawn said.
“Oh, now you remember you have a fiance. You are so silly. Please, you can take your finance home. You have both overstayed your welcome.” Mrs Gold said, playfully.
“Ma, are you sending me away from your house?” Tiffany asked, Catching the joke.
“Yes, darling. Your fiance said you both have a house and you need to return to it. Please, leave my house.” Mrs Gold said.
“Lets leave.” Shawn said and pulled up Tiffany.
“See you some other time, Ma.” Tiffany said, waving.
“Come give me a hug, you both.” Mrs Gold said, spreading her arms.
They both walked into her arms and they shared a beer hug.
“Okay, Mum. See you later.” Shawn said, as he headed out with Tiffany.