chapter 4

Renee

It's been a few weeks since I came back and school activities have been going smoothly.

Ivor has been sending different kinds of gifts with apology letters, some letters were of him threatening me to unblock him. I just scoff after reading them most of the time.

My friends have been trying to get me to talk cause apparently, they thought I met my lucky guy and decided to hide it from them. I always smile at them whenever we pick up new gifts by the end of every week.

We were just coming back to the dorm, and Megan had gone to her room while Tian was still with me as her room is just adjacent to mine.

We were just gisting when my eyes caught the dorm metron coming onto the floor. Tian didn't see her as she was facing me and I was facing the stairs. “Hey Tian, don't turn around but the metron is coming. Act like we didn't notice her.”

Tian’s eyes widen at the mention of the metron. Well, everyone is afraid of the metron. Who wouldn't be? If you are six feet two, almost towering over everyone in the dorm, a female with her kind of face then who am I kidding?

She stood by the extreme end of the hallway and proceeded to bring out a speaker making my face scrunched in confusion. “What? Why is your face like? Are we in trouble?” Tian's breathing got more labored as her anxiety chips away at her, sweat dripped down her shirt.

“Renee Morse.” What? Why the fuck is she calling my name? Am I in trouble? I hope not.

Seeing that I hadn't said a word as she kept yelling my name through the speaker. Tian's hand rested on mine and she shook me a little bit. “Aren't you going to answer that?” She asked, her shoulders visibly tensed and everyone in the hallway was staring at me.

“But what if I am in trouble? It's better not to answer.” I voice out.

“Hell no, I am not about to get in trouble with you babe. You got this.” She rushed out and bolted into her room.

What a nice friend she is.

“Renee Morse? Is there a Renee Morse in here? Or is she absent or deaf?” Her deep guttural voice hit my eardrum again.

My hands were sweaty and shaking but I managed to raise one finger up. “ I am here, Mrs. Das.”

Her eyes scanned everyone, searching for where the voice came from till they landed on me. “And you have been listening since? Get your ass over here.”

Nearly tripping on my shoes, I followed behind her quietly, afraid of making any noise. We reached her office before she turned to me. “Go to the waiting area. You have a visitor there.” I turned, ready to leave. “Girl, I am sure you are not the only one loved in this school so tone down the gift-flaunting.” She mocked before entering her office.

I didn't have time to think about her statement as I made my way to the waiting area hoping it's not who I think it is but deep down I wanted it to be him.

The door was ajar so I just entered without bothering to knock and to my disappointment, it's not him.

Guess who? His fu***ng secretary with gifts again. No wonder Metron asked me to tone it down.

“What are you doing here? And what do you want?”

Her eyes bore into mine with so much disdain making me uneasy but I stood my ground. “If you don't have anything to say then you leave.” I scoffed, walking back to the door.

“What do I want? Why am I here?” a wicked grin spread across her face as she cackled, her eyes glinting with malice and hatred.

I stood by the door just staring at her, watching her movements. She took calculative steps towards me, her eyes sizing me up like a predator stalking her prey till she was in my face but I wasn't backing down.

“Stay away from Ivor. He is my man. You better squash that tiny teeny crush of yours. I mean the man would never see you that way. You will never be half the woman I am. And he needs a real woman.” She snickered.

Fury coursed through my veins, my heart pounded in my chest as my fist clenched involuntarily. How dare she? Did Ivor send her here to insult me?

Well, let's see how well she can do that. My hand went akimbo as I glared at her. “Did Ivor send you here? How about you go back and tell him, you didn't do a good job.” I snarked, deep down I was hoping she would leave already so I could let my tears flow in peace.

“Ohh, he sent me to give you this.” She said, waving the bags on my face, “and to tell you that he loves me and me alone. so use this to nurse that little thing you call a heart.” She leaned in a little and my eyes fell on her cleavage that was scattered with love bites. My face fell, colors draining from my cheeks.

It was like she wanted me to see it. Her eyes followed mine to her chest and a fake gasp left her throat.

“So sorry, you weren't supposed to see that.” crossing her arms, she taunted with a twisted grin.

“I didn't want you to feel bad but since you already did. Might as well go ahead and tell ya.” With a sly smile, she whispered. “He was insatiable last night. I never knew he had such… stamina.”

Her words cut through me like a sword, slicing my heart and soul. My vision blurred as tears started shimmering down my cheeks.

“Oh, are you crying? Is that tears I am seeing? Now tell me how can you be a woman if you cry at every little thing? Huh? Look for someone your age that you can handle.” with that she turned and left the waiting area, her stilettos echoing through the hall and fading into silence.

I stood frozen on the spot. Trying not to believe every word she uttered but how could I not? When the evidence is laid sharply before me. Would he really choose her over me? Is she that good? Did he forget our promises to each other?

“Are you done?” The metron's voice cut through my thoughts and I scrambled to clean the mess that bitch made with the gift and wiped my tears.

“Yes, Mrs Das. I am done.” I tried my best to smile but it felt so cringe.

“So who's she?” She asked, her gossiping nature coming into play.

“Her? Oh, she is my uncle's secretary.” I hope so. Cause I don't sound convincing to myself.

“Alright and what's in that?” She sat on one of the chairs, pointing at the bags in my hand.

Maybe she can rid me of it. A smile came to my face as I thought of that. “You know what Mrs Das. You can keep it.” I shoved it into her hand and bolted off, my tears falling freely.

‘I hate you, Ivor! I hate you, Ivor!! I hate you, Ivor!!!’ I kept muttering till I got to my room, my chest heaving from all the running and my eyes already swollen.

***

“Helloooooo.” My voice was groggy from sleeping. That's what I have been doing since two days ago. Crying, binge eating, and going back to sleep.

“Hi baby… are you alright? Why are you sounding like that?” My mom's worried voice came on the phone.

Sitting up on my bed, I wipe my eyes with the back of my hand. “Yes Mom, I am fine. Just woke up from sleep.”

“Sleep? Aren't you supposed to be in class?”

Oh for God's sake Mom, my eyes rolled at her. “ yes but my period came in so I didn't go.”

“Ohh, so sorry. Are you okay?”

“Yes, mom. I'm okay.”

“Guess what baby.” Her tone switched quickly. “I got transferred to my dream location.” She screamed out, almost busting my eardrum.

“What? Mom, Are you serious? Congratulations.” The sadness I had been feeling reduced to sixty percent.

“Yes baby, I am serious. I'll be moving in two days and your dad is going with me to help with settling down.”

“Yes, honey.” I heard Dad's voice.

“Aww. You love birds. I am so happy for you Mom. So when I am moving? Is it…” I asked to clarify but her voice stopped me.

“Moving? Oh, sweetie, I know you'll miss Mom but you are not moving. We decided that since you still have two more years before graduation. You'll be staying with Uncle Ivor from now on. He is the closest family you have in town now.” She explained like it's the best decision ever.

My eyes bulged out and my heart started beating rapidly like it's going to bust out of my chest as I yelled out. “What? Are you kidding me? Why would I stay with him?”