SHAWN’S POV
To ensure that she was okay when he was not around, he employed the service of a bodyguard. The bodyguard would drive Tiffany to school and back, and anywhere else she wanted to go to.
It was another working day, and after ensuring she had been driven to school by the bodyguard, he left for work. He arrived at work and after settling down, he decided to go through a few paperwork. Just then, the door went open and Rachel walked in.
“Hey, Shawn.”
“Good morning, Rachel.”
“How are you?”
“I’m fine, thank you. And how are you too?”
“Very well. How is your wife? Did she love the product I recommended?”
“I guess she did, but she never mentioned it.”
“Oh, I see.” She said and walked to stand by his side. “So, any news so far? Were the culprits apprehended?”
“Yes, they were.”
“Did they say who sent them?”
He went mute for a moment as he processed her question, and then he turned to look at her.
“Why do you think someone sent them and they didn’t do it out of their own volition?’ He asked, staring at her intently.
“Umm…oh well, ummm … . C’mon, you and I know these guys don’t do these things on their own. There is always a brain or brains behind their actions. You know, more like a sponsor.”
“Maybe. You are right.” He shrugged and returned his attention to the paperwork.
“So, I was thinking if we could go out today after work. It’s been a while.”
“Sorry, Rachel, I can’t go out with you today.”
She frowned slightly, leaning against the desk. “But why not? We used to go out all the time.”
“Rachel, I really appreciate your friendship and all the help you’ve given me, but I need to prioritize my family right now. My wife needs me, especially after what happened. I hope you understand.”
She crossed her arms, a defiant look in her eyes. “So that little girl always comes first? Is that it?”
“Don’t call her little!” And then he sighed and brushed his eyebrows. “I’m trying to be there for her when she needs me. Please try to understand.”
“And what does that have to do with you going out with me? Just this one time won’t stop you from being there for her, right?”
“It won’t, but I want to spend more time with her henceforth.”
“You don’t have to be so cold, you know that, right? I care about you, and you’re just shutting me out.”
“I’m not trying to be cold, Rachel. Just realistic. I have a wife who is going through a difficult time, and I need to support her. I hope you can understand that.”
“It’s fine. I guess I’m the only one who cares. You only come to me when you need help with something.” And with that, she walked out of the office.
He tried to call her back, but the words could not leave his mouth. He exhaled sharply and returned his attention back to the paperwork.
After work closed for the day, he drove home, and on his way, he stopped to get Tiffany some chocolates. He arrived home, and as he expected, she was seated in the living room waiting for him.
“Hey,” He called as he walked inside.
Surprisingly, she stood up and walked into his arms. He was shocked at first, then he gently wrapped his arms around her.
“Are you alright?” He asked, after they disengaged from the hug.
“Yes, I am. I just needed a hug.” She said and returned to her position on the couch.
“Ohhh…here, I got you chocolates.” he said and handed the box to her.
Her face beamed up in excitement as she took the box from him, and by God, he would do anything just to always see that priceless expression on her face.
RACHEL’S POV
Her heart was heavy and bitter as she walked back to her office. She was losing the battle, and this time, it was so evident and it suffocated her. Shawn was now attached to the little girl and he treated her like a priority.
The fact that he comfortably called her his wife irked her and she felt like driving a knife into the bitch’s heart and ending her life forever. She didn’t realize she was crying until she felt the saltines of tears on her lips.
She was not going to back down until it was over. She would keep trying even if it took infinity to get Shawn to be hers. She was still grieving when her phone rang,
She reluctantly checked the caller ID to see it was Shelley, she let out a sigh before picking up the call.
“What do you want, Shelley?” she snapped, her frustration evident in her voice.
“Oh, Rachel, I was just calling to remind you about the money you promised me. You said you would have it by now,” Shelley’s pleading voice sounded over the phone.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t give you the money right now. I have my own problems to deal with,” She replied curtly.
“Rachel, I really need this money. I’m struggling to pay my student loan bills.”
“Well, maybe you should learn how to manage your finances better, because the last time I checked, I never asked you to take any loan.” she retorted, unable to hide her irritation. “I’m not responsible for your poor choices.”
There was a momentary silence on the other end of the line before Shelley spoke again, her voice filled with disappointment. “I thought you were my friend, Rachel.”
“Friendship doesn’t mean I have to constantly bail you out of your financial messes. I have my own life to worry about.”
Shelley’s voice cracked as she replied, “I guess I was wrong about you having a change of mind.”
Rachel was about to end the call when a thought struck her. “Well, I think I might have a way to help you.”
“Really? What way?” Shelley’s voice was now eager.
“We can’t talk about it over the phone. Let’s meet somewhere.”
“That’s fine by me. Where do we meet?”
“I will send you the address, date and time. For now, it’s goodbye.” And without further ado, she ended the call.
She was going to use Shelley’s helplessness to her advantage and she was really optimistic that things would go as planned. Relieved on her new thought out plan, she turned on her laptop to begin work for the day.
The next few hours before lunch break was uneventful as all she did was reply to numerous emails and set appointments with prospective clients. When it was lunch break, she exhaled in relief as she shut her laptop and walked out of the office. She was starving and needed to eat too.
She got to the eatery and since Shawn was not here with her, she ordered takeout and returned to her office to have it. Yet, her mind kept drifting off to Shawn and why he could be doing it at that time.
Only if he knew how much she loved and was obsessed with him. Only if he knew.