CHAPTER 4

A SURPRISE VISIT

It felt like an eternity for Mr. Andrew as he waited out there. Eventually, Savannah came out smiling and excited to share the results.

She had aced the interview, much to Mr. Andrew’s relief since he had already planned a celebratory treat.

They went to a desert store where Savannah had enough donuts and cookies to get a sugar rush. Mr. Andrew simply handled the payment.

They arrived back home to find a white jeep with a brown interior parked in the compound. Mr. Andrew seemed just as confused to see the car.

It was only once they got to the living room that they got an idea of what was going on. A beautiful young woman with brown hair and blonde highlights was quick to walk towards Mr. Andrew.

“Hey Javyn, you weren’t answering my calls, so I figured I’d just come to see you. We need to talk.” The lady was looking at him, desperate for any reaction.

He simply held onto Savannah’s hand and told her she needed to leave. Just then, Mia walked in with the flowers the lady had brought, neatly arranged in a water pot.

Savannah sensed the tension in the room and could feel the lady’s glare. She simply freed her hand and mumbled an inaudible excuse.

She was about to walk away when Mr. Andrew pulled her closer and kissed her cheek. He then asked Mia to help her carry the desserts they had brought home.

“Deysha, what makes you think you can show up here as you please? It’s been ten years, you’re not welcome here anymore.” She looked disappointed.

{YEARS AGO}

Javyn Andrew is not only one of Lovetta High’s most brilliant minds, but also the son of a multi-millionaire, James Andrew. He is heir to his great business and an admirable young man.

He never had time for the ladies despite the many approaches he got. He hated distractions and knew that they only saw dollar signs.

He never planned to cross paths with any lady, let alone end up having a close relationship that would end when it mattered most.

Deysha joined Lovetta High as her father’s last resort to make her focus on her education. She was everything he hated in a daughter.

As a man notorious for running illegal businesses that had built his fortune, he wanted gorgeous, smart children who would have something going for them.

He thought that if they could not pursue a career that would help in his businesses, they could at least get married to a man who could.

Deysha was neither the most beautiful nor the most intelligent. All she had going for her was her love of Biology, which is what led her to Javyn.

The day she raised her hand to answer a question in Biology class is the day Javyn noticed her and was instantly drawn to her.

What started as them sharing an interest in the medical field turned into a full-blown romance.

They had it all planned out: they would become doctors and start a hospital together. This was until Javyn’s father passed away, and she suddenly vanished.

****

Looking at her now, he could not help but hear the past questions coming back to him. Why had she left? Did she love him? They were endless.

Deysha had not changed much; she was still a curvy young lady with a pretty, dimpled face. All that had changed was his feelings towards her; he could not stand her presence.

She was about to leave when Celia walked in and recognized her immediately. She was amused to see her son’s lost lover back and embraced her. Celia had always adored Deysha and still did.

She insisted that Deysha stay for dinner and spent the evening catching up with her. They were like best friends.

****

Savannah got to Mr. Andrew’s office tray in hand to give him his afternoon medications. This time, though, she met him with company.

At first, she was too exhausted to remember where she had seen the person. Then she recognized the blue, washed-out jeans and white T-shirt.

She immediately remembered what she had seen that morning and cringed inwardly. Mr. Andrew was quick to introduce him.

“Savannah, this is my good friend Zayn. Zayn, this is my nurse. Stay away from her.” He had said it playfully enough, but Savannah hoped he took the advice seriously.

She would feel his eyes scanning her as she carefully laid out Mr. Andrew’s medicine. This made her feel uncomfortable, to say the least.

Savannah was relieved to see that Zayn was helping out, and Mr. Andrew was not receiving that many phone calls.

She went back to her room, smiling for no reason in particular. But she could not help but wonder who the lady they had met in the living room was; this erased the smile from her face.

Judging from the way she looked at him, she could tell they had shared a lot more than kisses on the hand, forehead, and cheeks. This reminded her of her love, or rather, the man she once loved.

She had always viewed Tyson as her protector until he turned into her father, a controlling man with no regard for other people’s feelings.

She pulled out a crumpled picture she had snuck from the family album. Just as she did in every other family picture, she stood out. She was the only biracial one among the three of them.

She had no idea who her real mother was or what had happened to her. Her father’s husband gave her no reason to want to find out; she was more of a parent than even he was.

****

The mood around the dinner table was awkward. Everyone seemed to have a secret thought about another person at the table.

Jada Rose had not even tried to conceal her disapproval of Deysha. She had quickly asked her mother what she was doing there before her brother calmed her down.

Mia seemed to avoid Zayn as she helped serve everyone else, and Savannah avoided small talk with him. They were seated next to each other.

Celia was the only one who seemed to enjoy the moment like it was a long-awaited reunion.

“I prayed to the heavens that my son would finally get a companion. Today, my son’s long-lost lover is back, and I am sure it is a sign they are meant to be.” Those words did not sit well with anyone.

Savannah did not look up from her plate, and neither did Deysha. Jada simply excused herself and could be heard cursing as she left.

“The heavens sent me someone else mother, I love someone else, Deysha.” Everyone was silent after that declaration.

Then Zayn stood up and proposed a toast to his friend, having finally found love. The mood around the table changed with Celia cheerfully asking to know more.

Savannah looked up from her plate just in time to notice Deysha quickly wipe a tear drop from her cheek. She was even more silent than before.