"Beatrice... Beatrice" I called after her. She stood in place after a while probably waiting for me to approach her. I did.
"What were you doing back there?"
Grandma had told me all about her stalking through a text I received before heading out to the coffee shop. Her obsession had gone too far.
"Like I said, I just happen to bump into them," she said, trying to contain her tears.
They didn't move me. Apart from family, only Summer's tears could make my heart feel broken.
"Granny saw you. From the moment you tailed their car from home, they already knew. They just didn't know your purpose, so she played out the whole falling drama to know what you were after."
She was completely dumbfounded. I guess she thought her plan was flawless. Too bad she was so naive.
"I didn't mean to. I just love you so much Quincy. I always have," she said tearfully.
"So you stalked my granny to get to me? You shouldn't do that. I have a girlfriend who I love so much. Your plan wouldn't have worked either because her granny introduced us. My family adores her more than I do, and her family sees me the same way too." I laid it out there for her to see. I never had feelings for her, never had and never will. She needed to let go before she did some irreparable damage.
"I don't care. I met you first. Why did you choose her? She doesn't know you like I do. She's too young for you. She can't take care of you."
She was screaming at the top of her lungs. I was so enraged at the moment. My fists were balled up, but when I was about to explode, a small hand covered mine. That familiar warmth immediately dispelled my anger.
"You promised," she said as she raised her eyebrow. She got me, and she got me good.
"Sorry," I said pitifully.
"Go back. I'll take it from here."
"You sure hon?"
"Yeah."
I had no choice but to retreat. Of course, I was still worried that Beatrice was gonna do something crazy, but I still let her go anyway.
"Let's head to your car and have a talk." I saw her face full of tears and felt a tiny bit of pity for her. She led me to her car and we sat behind.
"I'll call you Beatrice. I won't sympathize with you seeing that you're trying to invade my relationship. I heard what you said back there. I might be young but I'm far from naive. Although I can't empathize with you, it still gives you no right to belittle my feelings for Quincy."
I took a deep breath before I continued.
"So what if he's older? It's just 7 years. I can't take care of him, then I'll learn. I'm not good enough for him, then I'll work harder. I really hope that you'll stop right here, think things through and move on."
"I've just liked him for so long," she said as she burst into tears.
Unrequited love was a disease eating up the heart of some many girls.
"Usually people say you forget about an old love if the new love is better," I tried to comfort her.
"What do you mean by that?" She said in an angry voice.
"Don't misunderstand me. What I meant was try loving yourself a little more than Quincy. Treat yourself better, take a break from everything and breathe. You'll see how much difference it can make."
"Why should I listen to you? You're my rival," she snapped at me a little less fiercely.
"Yes... yes... I'm evil, but I don't wish you bad. I'm protecting my man from a rival, so I can only wish for her to let go and take care of herself."
She took a while to calm down, but I was extremely patient with her. I knew she was hurting.
"I'm sorry for any inconvenience I've caused you," she expressed sincerely. "I'm too ashamed to see the others but do tell Quincy that I apologize. Express my apology to granny Davis too."
She meant it, and I accepted her apology. Man saved, girl saved.
I exited her car and watched her drive off, then I fell into a warm embrace.
"You're okay babe?" He asked in a mellow tone. His voice was sweet to hear and tickled my heart.
"Yeah. She'll be fine. Just stop attracting bees hmmn?" I raised my eyebrow and crinkled my nose. He liked that.
"I'll try my best."
We joined the grandmothers for tea and they squeezed the gossip out of me the moment I took my seat.