What happened last week became a hot topic. Wherever I go, it seems like everyone was talking about it.
"You are the winner, the crown is all yours." Exclaimed by Shai right as she saw me. "Why didn't you tell me that your relationship with Kiefer was at that level?" She frankly asked.
Suddenly, a piece of bread was stuffed into Shai's mouth. It was Kiesha, "you didn't come home on the weekends, Kei. Mommy was worried sick! They even called Kiefer to ask if you were together. You didn't even bother telling me where you were going. I didn't know what excuse to tell mom." I suddenly felt sorry for my sister so I pulled her into a hug, "what do I do with you? Next time don't walk out like that or if you do, inform me so we can walk out together." We both laughed at her remark.
A minute later Kiefer entered the classroom and as usual, Hanna tailing right behind him.
When she noticed my glance at them, she instantly linked her arms with his. I almost busted out a laugh when Kiefer harshly removed his arm from her hold.
"What was that? girl, are you a snake?" Shai teases Hanna. I thought she would pounce at us again, but Kiefer was quick to block her.
"Did you talk to Kief already? He kept on saying sorry when he was talking to daddy on the phone while looking for you. He said he felt like it was his fault why you left." I shook my head as an answer, after I left the lobby I never spoke to him again. "Well, speaking of."
Well, I don't expect him to come up and talk to me. Not.
"Keira." His eyes darted on my ring finger. I hid my hand right away when I realized what he was looking for. "Of course, why did I expect you to wear the ring, right? Silly me."
"Is it required that I wear it?" I sarcastically answered. "What do you want?"
"You." He responded which made Shai and Kiesha squeal beside me. They even hit each other as I scoffed, "I need to talk to you. Can I? Can you spare me a little bit of your time?"
Everyone was waiting for my answer, even Hanna was waiting what I would answer or do. And because I wanted to piss her off more, I nodded and stood up.
"Let's go." I said and held his hand. I'm just doing this 'cause I want to piss off Hanna and nothing else!
"They're holding hands!" I heard Shai announce which only made me sigh and shake my head.
Right as we stepped outside, I let go of his hand and crossed my arms in front of him instead, "what do you want to talk about?"
"Last night, your dad and I discussed some things." He started, but I felt like what he was gonna say next was about to tick me off, "And he wants us to live under the same roof."
For a moment, I felt like I became deaf due to what I heard. However, I kinda expected this to happen just not this early. Hello? I feel like I'm in one of those telenovela's because of what's happening in my life! It was so cliché and unlike the books I read, I have no magical beings or super powers to help me change my life. No nothing, so I had no choice but to go with the flow, right?
"Daddy already made his decision, right? So, do I have a say on this one or were you just giving me a heads up of what's about to happen to the next couple of days?" He just sighed and took my hand.
"I am really really sorry for everything, Keira. I know how much you hate me right now because of everything that's going on, but can I please ask for a favor? Can we keep this set up until our company recovers? It will only take a few months, after that you're free. You can cancel the engagement anytime. There will be no wedding, not until we graduate anyway, don't worry."
"Whatever, it's not like I have a choice other than to follow my father's orders. So, where do we stay?" I asked him, defeat evident in my voice. I was quiet, but my mind was screeching with questions, plans that I probably will never get to do anyway, "Will he provide something for us?"
"We've already agreed on somewhere we can stay at." He answered. "They already moved your things there yesterday. Don't worry, Kiesha arranged your things, we didn't touch anything there."
"Oh, you already took care of everything. Do you still need my opinion?"
"Let's go home together, here's my number." He handed me a small piece of paper. Inside was his number — his same number years ago. Familiar cause up until now I still have it memorized in the back of my head.
"Whatever, so are we done? I'll head back inside." I said and walked past him, but my steps were halted as he pulled me back and caged me into a hug.
"I don't know what else to do for you to forgive me, but Keira please believe me when I say that I didn't want what happened years ago and I don't like what's happening now. I know, I know I'm just bringing you so much pain and I'm so sorry for that. I'll do anything to bring back everything to the way it was, no matter how much you push me away." I froze on the spot.
For a moment, I let him hug me there. Some students passing by are looking at us, but I just stood there, waiting what he'll do next. Until he decided to let go.
We didn't mind each other the whole day, but dismissal came and we had to face reality. I had no plans on stepping a foot at the condo unit that daddy prepared for us. I was planning on escaping and staying at my own unit for awhile because I know that I can't bear staying in the same house as him.
Before I could even make a run for it, he was already standing beside the door of our classroom, calmly waiting for me, "Let's go?" He confirmed while smiling and even took the heavy books that were in my arms.
Murmurs quickly filled my ears after. My complaint was about to start but he already pulled me away from the crowd, right up to the parking lot where his car was. "I won't go." He paused and looked at me. "I won't go, I still have stuff to do."
"Are you still trying to dodge me?" He carefully whispered.
"Just please let me be, okay? I can go home by myself." I snatched back my books from him. "Don't worry, I'll comply with what you all want, but for now can you just let me be?"
"Then let me take you to where you're going and I promise to leave you alone. Just let me do my job."
"What job? Acting like you're a good fiancé?" I sarcastically remarked. "You don't have to pretend, Kief. Act natural, babe. Being fake doesn't suit you.."
My phone rang which made me stop from walking away. We stared for a couple of seconds before realizing that the caller was my dad. "Oh shit." I whispered and nervously answered the call.
"Dad!" I enthusiastically said. "Why are you calling?"
"Finally, you answered my call." Anger was evident in his voice, of course, what parent wouldn't be when their child doesn't come home without telling them where they are? "I assume that Kiefer has already informed you about what we discussed"
I glared at Kiefer who was busy looking at me and seemed like he was listening to our conversation. He just shrugged his shoulders when I raised my eyebrows at him. "Yes dad, he already told me."
"Great, I'm here at your condo right now. Me and your mom had things delivered and she said she wanted to see you, so I expect you two to be here, okay?"
I was about to say something when he cut me off, "I know you're going to make excuses again Keira, but no more buts this time. Come home right now with Kiefer. We'll all join for dinner."
I can almost feel a headache as dad hangs up. I quickly turned to Kiefer and threw a punch at his shoulder, "Ugh! This is all your fault!"
"Why me?!" He asked with eyes wide open. "You know what, being grumpy doesn't suit you. For once, can I please have back the old Keira I used to hangout with?"
He tried being a gentleman and opened the car door for me, but I only glared at him even more. Oh if only looks could kill, "What? You'll just resent me here and keep our parents waiting?"
"You're really pissing me off!" I hopped in his car and angrily slammed the door shut. I don't care even if I damage it.
"Keira, we'll be living together for months, will you be fine if you'll be feeling irritated every time you see me?" He said smiling whilst starting the car engine. I want to rub that smile off of his face!
"Maybe I should just do myself a favor and finish myself off hmm? Or I'll just transform myself into a potato." I answered sarcastically.
"Look, I didn't really mean for those things to happen, Kei. I know I'd be stupid to push away someone like you, but believe me, I regretted it so much." I ignored him and fiddled with the radio in his car, until a familiar sound came up.
"Are you doing this on purpose?" I frustratedly asked, but he only sang along to the music. And he eventually changed some parts of the lyrics.
"Knock, knock are you there?" He smiled while singing those words to me. "C'mon, Keira, I know you miss singing with me."
"The amount of confidence you have is outstanding." I said and displayed a disappointed face. I still tried to act like I was mad, but deep inside, I still found myself enjoying the song with him.
And I swear, it was maddening, but I somehow missed it.