CHAPTER 9

TWISTED TRIBULATIONS

Mr. Andrew drove there as soon as Savannah called. She was worried her friend would get in trouble for sticking up for her. Her voice kept trembling on the phone.

Savannah had been too stunned to speak when she heard the man. Not Melody, though; she was infuriated.

There was no stopping her when she walked towards him and aimed her fist at his nose. Savannah got there to stop her, only to find a bloody mess.

The man dropped to his knees and was gasping for air. His friends ran off as soon as security was called, not wanting to get in any form of trouble.

Mr. Andrew was more focused on the man who dared degrade Savannah in such a manner. He did not say it out loud, but he felt the man deserved the beating he got.

While Mr. Andrew was in the dean’s office, handling the situation. Savannah was stuck with the two bloody culprits at the dispensary.

Melody showed no remorse for the man even as he winced while receiving first aid. She kept looking at her bandaged fist as though it were a trophy.

“I should teach you that move, Savannah, I’m sure he’s just one of the many jerks you’ll come across.” The man seemed to take note of those words more than Savannah.

Savannah simply looked at her fist with a scared face. She certainly did not have it in her to pull that move off.

****

Mr. Andrew finished his meeting with the dean, who promised that the man would take accountability for his actions. He then volunteered to have Melody join them for a meal.

With that, he booked reservations for three at The Modern. They dined on the most mouth-watering dishes until their clothes were digging in.

To further thank Melody, Mr. Andrew ordered her a ride home before leaving with Savannah.

Silence hung between them for most of the ride. It was only after Savannah let out a sigh that Mr. Andrew broke the silence.

“I am so sorry about today. I can only imagine how frustrating that must have been.” He now placed one hand on her thigh.

“It’s okay, I’m just glad you came through. Thank you.” The rest of the ride was full of banter as Savannah told him all about her day.

They arrived at the mansion just as Jada and Zayn were heading inside. Jada simply walked away in a hurry as soon as she saw them arrive.

Savannah felt something was off between the two, but she all the same chose not to let her suspicions get the better of her.

Celia Andrew was eagerly waiting for her son when he arrived. Mia informed him that she was in his office and wanted to see him immediately.

What could be the matter? He had nothing in mind and walked into the office, bracing himself for the worst. Celia was not one to call her son for an urgent meeting.

He walked in on a rather distressed Celia, with some documents in hand. They embraced before she motioned him to take a seat.

“I got information that your father’s murder investigations have been reopened. They have new clues.” She seemed relieved, saying this.

“That is a good thing, right?” He was trying his best to conceal his confusion. How had she gotten this information?

“It took them twelve years, Javyn, and they won’t even let me know what leads they got.” It was a statement and a plea. She was asking him to look into it.

Drained as he was that day, he promised to find out and then get back to her. Despite her desire to learn more sooner, she knew her son had a lot on his plate and chose not to pursue it further.

No sooner had Celia left than Javyn began making phone calls. Information on the murder investigations was not to be revealed to any other party.

Savannah kept tossing and turning in bed. She hoped Mr. Andrew would walk in any moment.

Soon, she was fully absorbed in her thoughts. She was missing the nights she and Tyson had spent scaring Chiri.

{YEARS BACK}

It was during the April holidays, and Mr. Grant had proposed a visit to the calm, serene county of Kericho. The busy Nairobi city life had become too much for him.

It was also almost a year into his new life as a single dad who had just adopted a son. He knew he needed to unwind before he went back to continue with his campaigns.

Chiri joined them on the trip since her grandparents resided there. She would spend two nights with Savannah and her family before visiting them.

The car ride had been full of fun for the children, but exhausting for the man responsible for them.

They must have stopped more than five times for a bathroom break. He only got some peace when they all coincidentally fell asleep, and did not enjoy this peace for long either.

That was why he headed straight for his room immediately after introducing the kids to their nanny.

The young lady ensured they were clean and well fed before leaving them to sleep. Savannah was the first to wake up after she left.

She walked up to Tyson’s bed as she had done many times before. He was not asleep either.

Usually, she would join him in bed, and Tyson would tell her stories while stroking her hair until she fell asleep. Not today, however, because she had other plans.

Chiri’s reaction to them calling out to her, covered in white bedsheets, was priceless. It was a joke that had never aged since.

For Savannah, that night was also memorable for another reason. When they finally got Chiri to calm down and fall asleep, Tyson offered to tuck her into bed.

It was after she was comfortably in bed that he stared at her and gently touched her cheek.

“I will marry you, Vee, then I’ll tuck you in bed every night.” It was after he said those words that he leaned in and kissed her.

“You stole my first kiss.” She was wiping her lips with the back of her palm.

“It was going to be mine anyway.” He kissed a yawning Savannah on the forehead once more before going to his bed.

They had shared many kisses after that. Tyson was always tender and loving until he became a dominating partner, so keen on being the next Mr. Grant.

****

She woke up feeling just as exhausted as she had gone to bed. She still chose to have a nice day and got ready for the day, jamming to some jazz.

She found Mr. Andrew already fully occupied with work in his office. He took his medicine rather distractedly before a phone call came in.

He only managed a kiss on the cheek before she left. Her driver was already waiting for her.

The lessons that day were demoralizing, so they chose to get some coffee once they were free. Savannah and Melody were both struggling with drowsiness that day.

It was a chilly day, hence why they opted for some warm coffee. They were finally regaining some energy and laughing happily when they were cut short.

It was hard for them not to remember the man before them with his bandaged nose. He simply stood there, glaring after clearing his throat.

Melody looked ready to throw another punch. Savannah knew she was waiting for him to strike; after all, she never gave the first blow.