SHAWN’S POV
He looked at her and noticed the tears trickling down her cheeks. He scoffed and looked away. If she thought her crocodile tears would earn his sympathy or guilt trip him, then she had better have a rethink.
She always acted innocent when she was anything but innocent. But something else bothered him. Who was sending those pictures to him, and why? The person seemed to be stalking her and only took compromising pictures of her.
He decided to push the thoughts out of his mind and focus on driving. His mother’s call suddenly came in.
“Where are you? We have been waiting.”
“We are heading home, mum. We can’t make it for the after party.”
“Why? Is there a problem?”
He momentarily went silent and turned to look at Tiffany who was still staring out the window. “No, we are just exhausted.”
“Okay. We understand. I will let your father and Mr Dion know about it. Make sure you get enough rest. Bye, son.”
“Thank you, mum. Bye.”
He ended the call and returned his focus to the road. They soon got home and She went upstairs while he walked into the kitchen to fix himself lunch.
“I want to see the pictures.” He was startled as he turned and saw her standing by the kutch door.
“Pardon?”
“The pictures, and don’t act dumb with me because you know what I’m talking about.”
“And what if I say I don’t?”
“Well, you and I know you are lying. Just show me the pictures. Someone sent you pictures of me and I know they are responsible for your recent attitude.”
“What good will it do if I show them to you? Will they change the fact of who you are and what you do when you feel no one is looking?”
“I don’t do what I’m not supposed to do. Stop being a coward and show it to me.”
“I don’t need to show you anything,” he snapped. “You already know the truth, don’t you?”
Her eyes filled with anger “The truth? You don’t even know what you’re talking about, because if you do, you will show me the pictures.”
“Oh please,” he scoffed. “You think you’re so innocent, but I know what you’ve been up to.”
“What have I been up to, Shawn?” she challenged her voice with anger. “Tell me, because I honestly have no idea.”
“You’re a liar and a cheat!” he spat, his face hardening with disgust. “You think I wouldn’t find out? I travel for a day and you decide to follow one of your numerous boyfriends to a hotel.”
“That’s preposterous!” she shouted, tears streaming down her face. “I told you my friend worked in the hotel and he was only showing me around. How dare you accuse me of cheating all the time? How dare you!”
“I dare because it’s the truth!” he yelled back. “The pictures say it all”
“You keep believing mere pictures from an anonymous over me! Can’t you see whoever is doing this is trying to set us against each other?”
“Oh, spare me the dramas!” he retorted. “You’ve been caught red-handed and now you’re trying to turn this around on me.”
“I have nothing to hide!” she yelled. “Whatever is in the picture is not true. Show them to me and I will explain!”
He hesitated for a moment, and then pulled out his phone and reluctantly handed it to her. She scrolled through the photos, and he watched her facial Expression change.
“You see? Caught in the act, huh?”
She shook her head, tears flowing freely down her cheeks. “These pictures are not what you think they are.”
“You keep denying even in the face of evidence. Gosh! I can’t stand the sight of you anymore. I hate you.” He said and walked away.
TIFFANY’S POV
She stared after him in shock as more tears trickled down her cheeks. She was confused, tired and hurt. The fact that he wouldn’t let her explain, hurt her the most.
Those pictures were taken when Oscar showed her around the hotel he worked in, the day she went grocery shopping. They were innocent pictures but the angle and manner they were taken was suggestive and compromising.
Tired, she dejectedly walked up to her room, the weight of his words heavy in her heart.
The next day was Sunday and she spent the entire day in her room, not daring to come out and face him. She couldn’t bear to see the hatred and disgust in his eyes.
And soon, Monday morning arrived, and she woke up with mixed emotions. She was going to school and didn’t know how to face her friends after standing them up and avoiding their calls and messages.
She got ready and went downstairs to have breakfast, hoping that Shawn must have left for work because she still could not stand his face.
She got to school and the students kept giving her suspicious glances. She was confused and didn’t know what was going on until Mary confronted her.
“You are all over the news, Mrs Gold.” Mary said, accosting her.
“And what do you mean?”
“What I mean is that you and your gold digging father have finally clamped your claws around Shawn Gold. Tell me, how does it feel to be finally married to him?”
That was when it dawned on her that news about her marriage to Shawn must have gotten to the school.
“Great. No, heavenly. It feels good to be digging a gold mine.”
“You Bitch!”Mary said, angry at her response.
“And if you don’t mind, I will love to get to class. See ya!” She said and walked away.
She got to class and immediately Freya saw her, she moved away from her seat to another one. Tiffany sighed in sadness as she moved to her seat. She dropped her bag and stared in Freya’s direction with pleading eyes that said, “Can we talk?”
Freya looked away, and ignored her. Left with no option, she stood up and walked to her.
“I know you are mad at me, but please let me explain.”
“Go away, Tiffany. I do not want to talk to you.”
“I know, but please hear me out.”
“Hear what out? How you ignored our messages on the day we were supposed to hang out, or going ahead to get married without letting us know and we had to hear about it from the news. From the news, Tiffany! What friend does that to her friends?”
“I deserve the bashing. Let it out, but please, don’t give me the silent treatment.”
“Yes, you deserve it. All of it. The bashing and silent treatment.”
“Freya, please.”
“Thank Goodness, the teacher is here. Kindly return to your seat.” Freya said and looked away.
She sighed in resignation and walked back to her seat. School was boring without her friends and she wished she did not attend that day. They went to the cafeteria with her, and gave her the silent treatment.
She was heartbroken. Getting the silent treatment from Shawn was bearable, but getting it from one of the most important people in her life was heartbreaking.
She wished school would dismiss so she could go home and soak up her pillow with tears.
Soon, her wish was granted as the bell for dismissal rang. She picked up her bag to walk up to Freya but she ignored her and hurried out of the class.
“Freya, wait up. You can’t stay mad at me forever.” She said, running after her.
“Who said I can’t? Just stay away, Tiff. You can’t force people to accept your apology.” And with that, she walked away.