C3 3

Andrew's Cafe.

Hebrew sighed in relief.

From the time he dropped his sister home and then drive here, it took roughly half an hour. He parked his car and prepared to exit his car but before he could, his phone blared out its notification tone indicating a new message at the notification bar. He picked up his phone and checked the message. Upon doing so, his eyes widened in shock. It read:

Hebrew, please come over now to my place. Some men are here at my house and they are trying to force themselves on me. I am hiding here inside my bathroom. Please come and get me. I am really scared, please come quickly.

Hebrew Please, they are banging the door hard, they might break in anytime soon, please, come get me.

Hebrew's face changed to that of worry and fear. He kick-started the car engine and in no time, he was back on the road.

“Please be safe, Sarah,” he muttered as he drove off with speed.

°°°°°°°°

Ceyson street.

"And why did she lock herself inside her room? Why is she not still out? Why is she so bent on adding to my troubles? This child, what do I do with her?" Jessica’s mum exploded.

She’d just returned from her place of work earlier than expected after getting the news from Cynthia about Jessica’s unusual behaviour.

Cynthia who was worried was also scared for her sister. So many crazy thoughts were running through her head. She felt it was better to avoid such a person till that person returns to the pitch of their game.

"Aunt…" Cynthia tapped her aunt’s shoulders and pointed in the direction of an elderly woman who just exited her vehicle outside their home. "Isn't that Jessica's principal?"

"Uh? Jessica's principal?" her aunt turned around and looked at the said woman clothed in a black tuxedo standing at their doorstep. Soon, there were light repetitive knocks on the door.

Cynthia’s aunt went to open the door and wore a friendly look upon seeing the woman.

"Mrs Jacobs." she greeted. "It’s been long since you last came here and the last time you were here was…"

The woman interrupted Cynthia’s aunt. “I was here last time due to your daughter’s behaviour."

Mrs Anderson sighed internally at the principal’s response. She needed no soothsayer to tell her that this visit wasn’t any good news. She couldn’t help sighing internally but her smile didn’t falter.

"It so happens today that it seems your daughter might have returned to her usual habits and it only worsened this time and I’m here to discuss with you about them." said the principal as she adjusted her medicated glasses.

"Sure. Please sit down." Mrs Anderson offered.

“Thank you dear.” the principal said as she sat cross-legged in one of the chairs in the living room.

“What may I offer you.” Cynthia’s aunt asked.

The principal leisurely waved it off. “No need for refreshment. Come sit down.”

“Ok.” Cynthia’s aunt sat nervously on the chair opposite Mrs Jacobs.

"Do you two mind telling me if Jessica has had a fallout with either of you before leaving for school?” the principal asked as she rested her right hand on the armrest, her fingers clasped.

"No, we haven't had such an issue before." Mrs Anderson responded assertively. "My girls have always been my pride. I have done everything for them."

"Just because you've done everything for them is not enough, Mrs Anderson. Jessica, your daughter, has proven to be intimate with a boy during school hours when she's supposed to be in class, learning with her peers. And she even fought and caused a commotion today." Mrs Jacob unveiled.

“What?” Mrs Anderson gasped. “A-Are you sure that…”

“Madam, I saw it with my own eyes. It’s such a shame that your daughter was one of the most brilliant students but now, she's nothing but a bad influence on others. This is the last time that I’ll pay a visit to this residence. If her behaviour continues, I’ll have no choice but to oust her, Mrs Anderson."

“That… I’m so sorry about my child’s behaviour. I… I’ll talk to her.” Cynthia’s aunt vowed with her left hand on her chest.

“*scoff* I have taken time to lecture her myself and even given her some punishments in hopes that she’ll turn a new leaf but my efforts have proven abortive. As I said earlier, I’m not coming here again if it’s something related to Jessica.” Mrs Jacobs stern face suddenly wore a thin smile as she elegantly rose from the chair.

Mrs Anderson also rose too, trying her best to wear a smile too. “Thank you for the visit. I’ll talk some sense into Jessica.”

“You’d better. And thanks for the hospitality. I wish you a great day.” Mrs Jacobs said before leaving.

°°°°°°°

BlackFord street.

The door to the living room of an apartment got yanked open by an anxious Hebrew. He then stormed inside with much anxiety written on his face.

"Sarah!” he shouted and repeated the name several times as he hurriedly opened several doors. Soon he heard sobbing sounds coming from behind a door not far from him. He assumed that must be her room and ran toward it.

Many crazy thoughts ran through his mind as he ran. Did those bastard men hurt her? He’d alerted the police before he arrived and they were on their way here. He could hear a lady's sobs from where he was and without hesitation, he yanked the door open and rushed in.

Abruptly, a lady dressed skimpily jumped on him and hugged him tightly with her whole body. Hebrew who didn't what was going on throws her off him. Wasn’t this the Sarah that he was worried about? Didn’t she say bad people wanted to hurt her? He didn’t see any other soul since he entered her apartment. And here she was, dressed like this!

“Hebrew, how could you do that to me.” the lady said, wearing a pitiful expression.

"What the hell is this all about, Sarah? You said you were in trouble!" uttered Hebrew in exasperation.

"Yes, I am in trouble, not in a danger zone but rather in paradise." the silver-haired lady replied with a smile. Hebrew didn't pay much attention to the short black gown that she had on, which revealed much of her eye-boggling melons.

Hebrew fumed at her reply. "I am supposed to be at the office now and you…"

"Oh relax, my dear. It’s not like you ran away or eloped with someone," she said in a seductive manner, placing one of her hands on his chest but he knocked it off.

"Wow... someone's feisty today, uh?" she chuckled.

"Sarah..." he sighed and took his phone out of his right pocket. He then made a call, telling the police that it was a false alarm. He apologized and promised to compensate them for the wasted time and needless anxiety on their part, after which he kept the phone back in his pants pocket.

"... Hebrew, stop being such a baby and let's have a drink. Let’s celebrate." the unrepentant Sarah motioned to the array of drinks and two wine glasses that decorated the table in her room.

"And what are we celebrating for?" he asked with arms folded.

" My parents," she replied.

He raised an eyebrow at her answer. "Your parents?"

" Yes, Hebrew.”

She made him sit down on the red couch and then poured wine from one of the bottles into the two wine glasses. She gently handed one to him which he accepted but he placed it back on the table.

"And what exactly about your parents that call for this petty celebration of yours," he asked apathetically.

"Boo boo..." Sarah teased as she sat down beside him, handing over to him the other glass filled with red wine in her hand.

“Answer me first,” Hebrew said as he put the wineglass beside the other one on the table.

“Geez, you’re no fun at all.” she pouted.

“Be serious, Sarah. If you’re just gonna waste my time, I’m leaving. I have tons of things to do.” he warned, attempting to rise but she made him sit back down and then distanced herself away from him due to his baleful look.

"Okay, fine. My parents are finally ready to talk about the marriage, isn't that exciting?” she unveiled with a sunny smile.

"Marriage?" he asked with creased eyebrows.

She nodded in agreement. "Yeah, marriage!”

Seeing his bewildered look, she was driven to ask: “What's with that look, Hebrew? Have you forgotten so soon already?"

"Look..." Hebrew said after sighing. "I know you are excited about getting married to the Woods…"

She shook her head in disagreement. "No, I am getting excited about getting married to you and just you!"

"Okay... Slow down, Sarah. Relax." he said in a low tone.

"Okay?" she said with a confused face. Isn’t he supposed to be happy that her parents agreed for her to marry him? Why did he have this uneasy look rather?

A sigh escaped his lips again before bringing himself to confess. "Sarah, I don't think I am ready for it."

"What?” Sarah exclaimed in disbelief. "What do you mean by you aren't ready?"

"I am just not ready yet. This… it’s too sudden. I need some time to think about it. For now, let's just stay business partners and friends, alright?"

"Are you joking?" Sarah said in disbelief. "You need time to think about our relationship? Are you being serious right now, Hebrew?"

" Sarah..."

"No!" she rose from the couch. "Do you know how long I have been waiting for this moment? It’s finally happening and now you're throwing everything away? Why are you doing this to me, Hebrew?" she looked like she could break down any moment and cry.

"Try to understand me, Sarah,"

He got up but she turned away from him. "I just… need some more time to think about this. I don't mean to throw everything we've been through away. You just have ... *sighs* Please, give me some time." he implored.

”Hebrew, why?”

“Sarah, I’m sorry. I have to go. Take care.” with that, he exits the room, leaving her behind.

Sarah’s face reddened and her blood boiled. In a fit of rage, she threw the glasses of wine to the floor and even had the open wine bottle flung across the room without hesitation.

She always dreamt of being Hebrew's bride but fate had other plans and just when it seemed like she could tackle fate itself, Hebrew declined the chance to be joined to him in matrimony!

"I am not going to back down, Hebrew.” she cried, sitting back on her bed. Hot tears rolled down her cheeks. "I won't stop, till I become yours, Hebrew. I won't!" she swore as she dug her nails into her palms.