The authoritative tone of Andy's voice didn't go down well with Tiara. She sat thoughtfully contemplating whether to adhere to Andy's call but then, the mention of the job was just good enough to move her from her seat. She tilted her head, her face suddenly beaming with smiles.
"Is not bad anyway.., at least I get to get an extra income which is also good for me."
She jolted up from her seat and sauntered towards her room. Tyra stared from behind as she left and slightly shook her head, turning back her attention to what she was doing.
Just as she left, Mrs. Eugenia walked back into the hall.
"Where is Tiara?"
"She has left to her room. I think she will be going to town. She just received a call from someone."
"Oh...? What about Andrew? I thought she was taking him to the ranch."
"Well..., I guess that has to wait." she shrugged, "I can't believe I'm stuck with this trouble marker of a brother for a whole day, gosh.."
Mrs. Eugenia stared at her daughter and smiled.
"He is still your brother Tyra. You have to learn to put up with him."
"I know mum...but Andrew is seriously annoying."
Mrs. Eugenia sighed, draping a hand over Tiara's shoulder as she leaned over, "That's why he is your brother. Learn to be more patient with him just like Tiara and you will get to understand him more. Okay..? I know he loves you so much that's why he likes being around you."
Tyra stared at her mother for some seconds and cocked her head. "Alright, mum..."
Mrs. Eugenia smiled as she patted her shoulder and left.
TIARA'S ROOM
Tiara pushed the door open, shuffled over to the right corner of the room where her towel hung, deftly removed it, and headed straight to the washroom. After a few minutes, she returned to the room to get dressed.
She hung the towel back where she took it from and glided over to the dressing table.
She settled down on the wooden chair in front of the table, smearing some pomade on her skin. After some seconds, she went over to the wardrobe scanning through for an outfit. Though to Tiara, Andy is an annoying, rude guy, there is something about him that makes her want to know him more. After some seconds of critically examining the wardrobe, she settled for a sleeveless, pink straight dress. She took it out and got into it, matching it with a pair of her favorite black sandals.
She looked herself up in the mirror and smiled,
"Not bad....." She deftly turned, picking her bag from the side drawer beside the wardrobe, and dashed out of the door, slowly closing the door behind her.
She got to the hall to meet Andrew sitting beside Tyra in wait for her. He stood up with a smile as Tiara neared them.
"Can we go now?"
"Um...I'm sorry Andrew." she draped a hand on his head, "There has been a change of plans."
"But you promised to take me to the ranch to help Papa." he exuded, not happy with the twist of events.
"I know Andrew but I just received a call about a job. I have to go." she paused for a moment, "How about this, I will make it up to you when I return."
Tiara was still convincing her brother when their mother walked in from the backyard.
"You should let your sister go and take care of her job Andrew..."
"I think you should stop acting all babyish, Andrew.." remarked Tyra, "it's annoying."
Andrew swiftly glared at Tyra and she stuck out her tongue teasingly.
"Don't mind her Andrew," interrupted Tiara, " I promise to make it up to you okay.."
He glanced at his sister and cocked his head, "Okay..."
"Great, that's so sweet of you."
She pecked his cheeks and strolled towards the door. "See you later mum..."
"Alright dear, take care." She replied but Tiara had already left.
"Woow, guess she is so much in a hurry."
****************
Andy jogged back into the house with a stern look, walking straight up to his room pissed by his encounter with Odette.
"She is so full of herself..." He mumbled, unlocking his door.
"Who is...?" a voice queried skeptically behind him.
He hastily turned to the direction of the voice.
"Wow," gasped Kalisa, "what a look you have there. Thought you said you were going to run to refresh yourself. Now why return home with such a look?"
"It's nothing Kalisa."
"Sure...?"
"Yeah..."
"Al...right.." Kalisa replied skeptically, "Anyway, Mum and Dad were asking of you. You should go see them."
"Okay, I will see them but it will be later. I have to go to town now."
"Alright..." she heaved an inaudible sigh, "I will be in my room."
"Okay." He replied and staggered into his room whilst Kalisa also left to hers.
Andy undressed himself and walked into the shower. He opened the tap to let the water pour down on his hair through to his entire body as he stood thoughtfully under it.
"Wish I can just propose to her but it might be so sudden. She might even reject me and I may end up losing the chance to see her every day but I don't think she will reject a job offer. I hope this works."
He stayed under the shower for a while then heard a knock on his door. He quickly stepped out, pulled the towel, and dried himself up. He walked to his room with a towel wrapped around his waist to meet Mr. Bob there.
"Good morning Mr. Andy..."
"Good morning Bob..., why are you here?"
"Please your ride is ready?"
"Ride...? What are you talking about? I never asked you to prepare any ride for me."
"You didn't but Mr. Richardson did."
"Why..?"
"That, I don't know sir.."
"Alright.., I will talk to my Dad later. You can go."
"Thank you, sir..." he slightly bowed before walking out of the room.
Andy stood quizzically for a while and staggered off to his wardrobe to get dressed. He scanned through and took out a casual attire. After some minutes, he was done. He took his car keys and hurried out of his room. He descended the stairs to meet his father sitting in the hall.
"Why are you dressed casually?" his father asked.
"Because I'm going out for a stroll."
"What about your meeting with Mr. Graham? Weren't you informed?"
"What are you talking about Dad..? I don't have any schedule with them."
"It's about your engagement with Odette. Get your head straight Andy."
"For God's sake Dad..., this is not about getting my head straight. This is about my life we are talking about here. I can't just give up my happiness for some kind of business deal..."
Mr. Richardson's face instinctively contorted with rage at the words of his son.
"You do as I say, Andy. This is not merely about your future but for the future of the company. Stop acting like a nerd."
"There we go again, Dad...I think I have had enough already. You've controlled my life for these past years. It's about time I do something for myself. I'm no longer going to dance to your tune. As for the meeting with Mr. Graham.." he paused, staring sternly at his Dad, "It can wait." He added and walked out furiously.
"Andy..., Andy..., Andy..." Mr. Richardson called but he had already left.
"Pamela..., Pamela..." he called out furiously for his wife as he went up the stairs.