The next day, they didn't have much time to speak as they intended. Both of them were caught up in their preparation for the final match at noon. It was a competition between the two best universities in the world and other college students had begun making their way to their school. The cheerleaders were having a hard time choosing from the four new uniforms they ordered. They felt them all gorgeous but decided to vote and agreed on a blue and black turtle neck shell tank top with a mid-high pleated skirt won over spankies with matching white shoes. Black and blue were the school's official colors so it seemed like the best option from the rest.
The football team waited in the lounges while their coach gave his final direction. It was a very competitive match with each team wanting to graduate as the winner, wanting to give the school it's glory. It was about five minutes to the end of the game before a ball entered the net in favor of Queens College. The roar from the crowd was ear - damaging. It took a while for Estelle to realize the goal was scored by Joel. She was encouraging her team when she realized they were getting tired before the roar from the crowd pulled her attention back to the match.
The match ended in few minutes and before she could make her way through the crowd to congratulate Joel, girls were already around him including those from other universities but the worse was Brittany acting all in control. She almost lost her cool if not for Nina encouraging her to let it go. Embalmed with jealousy and disappointment, she turns to join her team of cheerleaders but is abruptly brought to a halt by two strong pairs of hands, lifting her in the air. She didn't have to ask who it was. She could smell him even with all the sweat washing down his body, escaping the mercy of his towel.
"I can't believe you were going to leave without giving me a proper kiss and congrats." He said in a husky but gentle voice. Estelle impulsively wrapped her arms around his neck and plastered and a soft kiss on it.
"Congratulations!" she smiled. Turning around, she only met the gaze of Britanny, who was burning with anger, not even trying to hide it. It happens that, after Joel scored the goal, he was looking for non-other to share his victory but his one and only Estelle. He looked around and saw her running towards him and moved away from the girls around him to meet her, only to see Britanny running towards him but before she got close, he bent down, dodging her hug and scooping Estelle in his sweaty arms in the process. She was left fuming with anger, envy, and jealousy. 'Why can't a girl find a man around here?' was the thought that crept into his mind. Seeing Britanny gazing in their direction made Estelle tighten her grip on Joel's neck.
"Thank you, my motivation," Joel kiss her cheek.
"Your motivation? Since when did I earn such a name?" She asked wide-eyed.
"Ever since you walked into my life. I wanted to make history today, to be able to get a contract with the football club. I have to make a lot of money to meet your needs. I mean, to give more than you are currently used to." He said, ignoring his team members calling him here and there for a meeting.
"You don't have to compete with what I am used to. Love is more important than money and I don't think this is the right place to talk. Your team needs you." She smiled proudly, knowing his plans for her life makes her leap for joy. She always knew that Joel was never taking advantage of her but genuinely loved her and that confirmed it.
"And what about you? Don't you need me?" She said frowning, feeling she was pushing him away.
"Of course I do but since we are going to get married soon, I figured I will have you all to myself so why don't you take care of them first? Am not going anywhere." She giggled.
"Yes, your majesty," Joel said before placing her feet gently on the ground. Estelle laughs shyly when she sees the number of girls looking at her with different emotions. But she doesn't care. She knows that he's hers.
Joel goes to meet his coach with his other team members for their closing business. After everything is wrapped up, he goes looking for Estelle, ignoring the after-party planned but Pete goes after him almost immediately.
"Dude, you are the captain, and you have to be at the party." He said after Joel.
"I will be there. I just want to see Estelle first. I didn't get to properly thank her for yesterday."
"Yesterday?" Pete asked wowed.
"Have you forgotten she paid for my birthday party?" The words escaped his mouth before he realized it but there was no way he could take it back. Pete has come to know for sure.
"You said the manager gave you an installment plan or something like that. You never said she paid." He said with confusion.
"That's why you mustn't tell anyone." He warned sternly, moving closer to Pete.
"If she did that, does it mean you guys got.." Pete couldn't let out the words he wanted to say but Joel understood.
"No way. That will only be after the wedding. I will never take advantage of her."
"What if she wants to? He asked, surprised they've been able to abstain despite how much they were into each other.
"Even with that, I won't. She is too uniqued I want our first time to be very special in that, once we go to that length, she must always wake up by my side," He said dreamily."I think from today, my respect for you just increased. Keep it up and don't forget to meet your team for the party tonight." Pete said before leaving.
"Don't worry, I will be back before you know it." Joel yells happily after him.
He headed to the cheerleader's lounge but before he got close, Estelle had finished her meeting with her team and was getting her things from the locker with Nina.
"I'll take that," Joel said, taking her backpack and books before she could say No. Nina watched on amazed at the two love birds, and with a shrug, she left. "Let me walk you to the car." She smiled.
"Okay. I thought you will have a party with your team."
"Yes, but I wanted to see you before you go home." Estelle was flattered and how much Joel craved her attention. She was good at controlling herself and hiding her emotions but it didn't seem to apply to him.
They walked to the car, talking about the match and how the day went, without Joel telling about his real intent for seeing her. He placed her books and backpack on the passenger seat but just before Estelle sat at the driver seat. He pulled her gently to face him and kissed her softly.
"Thank you, my love, for everything."
Estelle was lost in his kiss and did not even hear what he said but nodded her head.
"See you at the party," She said and drove off.
Joel went back to hang out with his team whiles Estelle went home, thinking of the best outfit for his birthday party but try as she may, her father's demand kept hammering in her mind. She wishes she could come up with a perfect excuse not to go like she did the last time. With everything going on, one thing Estelle never thought about, was what Britanny was planning for Joel's Birthday Party as soon as she saw the invitation.
"Nina, I don't like this. It's too short," Estelle whined, looking at herself in the mirror."But it's perfect. You will be the hottest at the party", she winks. Estelle moves to sit in her bed, turning to face Nina who has been grinning since she tried on that dress."I know, but I don't want to make him lose control. He has promised to wait till marriage and I don't want to tempt him to go against his words," she explains, moving her gaze from Nina, to Amanda. She hoped Amanda will defend her. She needed their help because she wanted to look her best, and at the same time not looking seductive."Well if he has waited this long, he can still wait a few months. This dress is not coming off your body, whether you like it or not." Nina insisted, In a firm but friendly tone.Estelle shifts her gaze through her vast closet, landing her eyes on a black, shiny, knee-length dress. "Okay, that is is fine"."No. I mean it looks good but not as good as what you a
Estelle sends a cold gaze towards Joel's direction when she beholds the brand new yellow Ferrari in front of her. Joel was just numb and she couldn't figure out if he was angry, excited, or sad. It seems to her that Britanny has succeeded in ruining their perfect party.Joel turned and with his hand still wrapped around her waist, begins to walk back to the party, throwing the gift box containing the keys on the floor in front of Britanny. Britanny looks on as her face drops in disappointment, as she quickly picks up the car key, leaving the box on the floor.This is the first time anyone has rejected an expensive gift like this from her. She was even more determined to make him accept the gift and kept running after him like a fool."Joel!" Britanny howled behind them, making them turn involuntarily to face her. "Look, it's your birthday and you are accepting gifts from everyone so why do you have to reject mine?" She asked with an innocent expression on her face.
Joel threw an angry look at Britanny, before following the direction Estelle exited but before he exited the door, he took another look at Britanny."What did I ever do to you? Just one memorable event of my life and you still had the brasses to ruin it. Are you even human?" He asked rhetorically, shaking his head in disappointment before following the and exit.From where Estelle had his new car parked, it took some time to get it out of the car park because she didn't want anyone to see it. As soon as he was out of the car park, he made his way to the police station and since it was about an hour to midnight, there was no traffic.Upon arrival at the police station, he realized he saw Estelle coming out, just as he was about to enter."Babe, did they hurt you?" He asked with concern, anger, and regret."No, they let me go," Estelle responds passively."Seriously? Just like that?""Hmmm," Estelle hummed, raising her brows.Whe
The week moved on fast and there were no major activities as everyone was preparing for the exams. Estelle and her friends spent most of their time in the library, but she did make time for Joel. Their discussions were short and brief. They were straight-A students and wanted to keep it that way. Soon it was time for Estelle to leave for Paris and Joel chaperoned her to the airport. Even though she promised to return in two days, Joel doubted it but didn't tell her, and kisses her goodbye.Before he drives out of the Airport, someone taps on his window and he winds down his window glass, thinking it might be security or something important. To his amazement, Brittany was standing there smiling innocently."Are you stalking me?" he asks furiously."Yes, to be honest," She says, directing her gaze to the floor. Joel was still angry with her for making the police arrest Estelle but gave her a listening ear regardless."May I know why?" He asks impatiently.
Just as Brittany promised, a driver was there to pick Joel from his house at exactly 4 am. They drove to the private jet where Britanny was waiting. Just as he got in, they were on their way to Paris. Few minutes to the arrival, Britanny handed over to him, a black, designer tuxedo with matching pairs of shoes. They sat in separate seats, even though Britanny was against it but it was Joel's way of keeping everything professional.She also went to change into an ocean blue backless gown, and styled her hair, applying the right make-up to compliment her appearance. As soon as Joel saw her, he couldn't hide his compliment. He knew she was very beautiful but her virtue was just the opposite so he wasn't in any way attracted to her. In her high heels, she was almost the same height as Joel."I must say, that the gown fits you perfectly," he complimented.Brittany blushed. "Thank you, We should be arriving in a few minutes."They arrived in Paris and there was a c
Joel kept staring as if he has seen a ghost. There was something about the woman he just saw. Sure she didn't have the same hair color as Estelle and her eye-lashes were longer and she was also dressed too extravagant but what he couldn't understand was the attraction he felt towards her. It was the same thing he felt for Estelle and he couldn't understand. She looked like her in a way and yet, so different.Also, he couldn't believe Pierro Montanna and his wife, Adelaide Montanna was here. He has always wanted to meet Pierro. He was more of a role model to him and since the girl standing in front of him was his daughter as he said, it means it's not his Estelle. But wait, did he know her parents? What if?"Joel!" Brittany yells, bringing him back to himself, but too loud, in that, it draws the attention of others, including Estelle and her parents, who looked in their direction."I've called you for the 7th time, she says with disappointment. He was supposed
Estelle felt her heart fall out of her chest, the moment she saw Joel walk out, hand in hand with Brittanny. She trusts him with her life but this? The shattering sound of glass fetched her back to reality, as the glass of wine she was holding had fallen out of her hand, making the shattering sound. She bent to pick it but was stopped by Anthony before two waiters came to clean up the mess."Are you alright?" She heard Anthony's concerned voice but she felt irritated instead.Nonchalantly, she responded, "Yes, am fine, thank you.""Should I get you another glass of wine? Anthony asked."No, I think I had enough wine.""That was the first glass of wine you had this evening. It's about the guy who just left, isn't it? His voice was laced with jealousy."What makes you think it's because of him?" She asked defensively."You never focussed on our conversation and kept stealing glances at him. Who is he to you?""I am very sorry
"It's him, isn't it?" Estelle thought to dig a pit and bury herself when she heard the deep voice behind her.""Who dad?" Estelle asked, swimming in embarrassment, as she tries to avert her father's piercing gaze, not knowing her father had seen everything that transpired, and also heard her conversation with her mum."Don't be silly, Estelle," He was irritated at her act. Her dad doesn't call her by her name so calling her name precisely only meant this was a matter of all seriousness."I honestly don't know what you are talking about." Estelle denies, lowering her gaze."Don't play smart with me, you silly girl. Do you think am dumb? I have observed how you kept looking at the guy my investee's daughter introduced as her boyfriend." His words were startling and Estelle didn't conceal her surprise and stood cold because she trusted Joel and wanted to hear his part of the story, before taking any decision."I also heard everything you said to your mum a