Chapter 34
Tessy’s POV
“You’re dead for real,” Elizabeth said, her voice stern. “You need to meet up with your dad ASAP and start apologizing.”
I felt a calming sensation wash over me like cold water had been poured on my fiery emotions.
“Do you think he’ll forgive me?” I asked, uncertainty creeping in.
“He’s your father,” Elizabeth replied. “Just tell him you were drunk and didn’t mean what you said.”
I took a deep breath, hoping my words would be enough.
“I hope Father forgives me. I really didn’t mean to hurt him.”
“I hope so,” Elizabeth said, her expression serious.
We walked out of the school, planning to take a taxi when Eddy suddenly pulled up.
“Hey ladies!” he exclaimed, winding down his window.
“Eddy!” I called out, why is he coming to my school without my consent? He is getting on my nerves.
“Perfect timing, right? Let’s have lunch together,” he suggested, beaming.
Before I could protest, Elizabeth was settled in the backseat.
“Are you not getting in?” she asked, looking at me expectantly.
“Sure…” I trailed off, reluctantly entering the car.
Eddy’s enthusiasm was overwhelming, but I didn’t have the energy to ask why he was so happy.
My mind was consumed by guilt and anxiety about apologizing to Dad.
Would he forgive me?
Eddy’s chatter filled the car, but I tuned him out, lost in my thoughts.
This lunch might be a distraction, but my problems wouldn’t disappear.
“Tessy!! TESSY!!!” I heard the scream of my name, “Yes.”
“Are you sure you are alright? I have been calling you non-stop!” Eddy said to me, I need to be conscious at least, sweet Lord help me out.
“I am fine, so are there yet?” I faked my laughter and he brought my hands close to him, “If you are going through some tough time, please let me know, you are my betrothed, and I really don’t want anything to happen to you.”
“I told you already, I am fine.”
“Okay if you say so.” We came down from the car, and Elizabeth whispered to me, “You need to get a grip on yourself.”
“Says the friend who betrayed me by jumping up his car..”
“I am sorry just that it’s better we are out now so you don’t end up crying over your sugar daddy.”
“Really Elizabeth?? I had my father’s issue to deal with and here we are, I won’t waste time here, I will leave immediately Why don’t you just help me marry Eddy.” I got so angry passing my aggression at her.
“You girls okay?” Eddy asked but I kept him mute as we entered the cozy restaurant, the aroma of freshly baked bread and simmering sauces enveloping us.
Eddy rushed to pull out my chair, attempting to be romantic.
“Allow me, Tessy,” he said, his eyes sparkling but I wasn’t in the mood.
I ignored his gesture, taking the seat across from Elizabeth instead.
Eddy’s face fell, but he quickly recovered from it.
“I’ll get the menus,” he said, forcing a smile.
As he walked away, Elizabeth leaned in.
“I know you’re angry, but you need to control yourself,” she whispered.
“Not now, Elizabeth,” I replied, my voice barely audible.
“But Tessy, you’re hurting Eddy’s feelings,” she pressed.
“I don’t care, I am the victim here, I also got hurt by Anthony” I snapped, my frustration boiling over.
“Dad, Anthony, and now Eddy… I just can’t deal with anyone right now.”
Elizabeth’s expression softened.
“I understand, but try to be nice at least, remember he is your fiance, For my sake, at least.”
I nodded, taking a deep breath.
Eddy returned with the menus, his eyes cautious.
“Everything okay?” he asked, handing me a menu.
I forced a weak smile.
“Yeah, sorry. Just stressed.”
The lunch continued, tense and awkward, with Eddy trying to make conversation and Elizabeth attempting to mediate.
My mind, however, remained with Dad and the impending apology.
Would he forgive me?
And what about Anthony? Where did I stand with him?
The questions swirled, giving me a headache.
I suddenly asked Eddy a lot of questions about Anthony.”Does your uncle Anthony have a girlfriend?”
Eddy burst into laughter, his eyes crinkling. I glanced at Elizabeth, wondering why he found it so amusing.
“I’m sorry,” Eddy said, composing himself. “It’s just… my uncle doesn’t really do love.”
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow and I tried to control myself, “What do you mean?” I asked.
Eddy leaned in, using a calm tone. “His one true lover passed away years ago. Now, he’s a… let’s say, a god among women.”
I frowned, feeling a pang of jealousy. So I am in love with him but in return, he doesn’t feel the same, it’s so unfair and my heart beats for just him…
“But why asking? You seem interested in my uncle a lot, is it because he is like your second father?” Elizabeth looked at me and I didn’t know what to say, he couldn’t know about my dirty affair with him.
Just then, Eddy’s phone rang and I was relieved. He glanced at the screen, and his expression changed. “Your dad’s calling me,” he said, surprise etched on his face.
My heart skipped a beat. “Tell him I’m not with you,” I urged, frightened and Elizabeth tried to calm me, dad has been trying my number non-stop and I refuse to pick up, I don’t know how to react on the phone, I just need to summon courage and face him.
Eddy’s confusion deepened. “Why?” he asked, but he answered the call anyway. They talked and I overheard them asking if I was with him and he answered, “She’s… uh… not with me.”
I breathed a sigh of relief as Eddy ended the call. But his expression turned curious.
“What’s going on, Tessy?” he asked.
I shook my head, trying to brush it off. “Nothing.”
Eddy’s eyes lingered on mine, searching for answers. “I’ll drop you home after lunch,” he offered.
“Okay.
I decided to go to Elizabeth’s home because I don’t know if I can cope just yet. All I need is a good rest and a plan, then how will I know how to handle the mess I have created?
As soon as we stepped out of the car, I thanked Eddy for the drive. He nodded, his expression still puzzled, and zoomed off.
Elizabeth turned to me, her voice firm. “Tessy, why don’t you end things with Anthony now it’s still early?”
“Are you advising me to break up?”
“You heard from his nephew already; he’s a flirt, and you don’t want to keep getting hurt, I care for you friend but this is not happiness anymore, its affecting you emotionally and mentally, you ended up drunk last night.”
I sighed, my emotions tangled. “I love him, Elizabeth. I know I’m angry, but I just want him to explain, to say something.”
Elizabeth’s eyes narrowed. “But his first lover died. Do you even know if he’s a killer?”
I rolled my eyes, frustration boiling over. “That’s ridiculous, Elizabeth. Anthony’s not a killer.”
Elizabeth’s voice rose. “How can you be so sure? You barely know him!”
I’d had enough. “I need to be alone,” I said, my tone cold.
Elizabeth apologized, but I ignored her, hailing a taxi instead.
As I settled into the backseat, Elizabeth called out, “Tessy, wait! I am sorry, you don’t have to go,”
“Just drop it, Elizabeth.”The taxi drove off, leaving Elizabeth behind.
I took a deep breath, determination coursing through me. I needed answers.
I made up my mind, I know it will make me look so foolish, but I am going to confront Anthony myself, after which I will make my decision.
The taxi driver brought me home and I walked directly to his room door but it was weird because I saw some set of people parking in.
What’s going on??
“Hey Tessy, you home..” Sophia got my attention and I walked to her asking, “Yes, what’s happening here? Why are people parking their things in Anthony’s room?”
“Oh, you didn’t know?”
“Know what?” I was so curious, come on tell me already, why is she slow now???
“Anthony no longer lives here, I thought he told you..”
“WHAT????” I yelled not believing what I just heard, she was not serious, right? So after cheating on me, he parks out? What does this mean? Is this his usual way of dumping me???
TBC…