"Why isn't Joan back yet, she isn't always this late", Maggie said while she moved around the house, wondering what's going on with her friend. "Calm down baby, she should be home soon", Annie answered. "Yes, you know how our friend is, she might be working overtime again", Tracy added. Maggie stared at Tracy for some while and said, "Why do I feel you know her better than we do". "Isn't it Joan, does she have any hobbies apart from working", Tracy said. "I think you forgot about Fred, they might be together", Annie said. Maggie nodded her head in agreement, when the door opened, it was Joan. "Where have you been Joan, we've been worried about you", Maggie asked. "Sorry, I was working overtime", she answered. "It's past ten already, why are you working so late, you need to go easy on yourself", Annie said. "I'll try not to work till late hours. I wanted to complete the project I'm working on, it's a big one", Joan answered. "I understand baby, but ensure you're getting some rest", Tracy said while holding Joan's hands. "Well, I have some news to share with y'all", Tracy added. "Wow! Did you meet a new guy again", Maggie asked her while laughing. "You're such a bad friend. The man I met this time is completely different from the ones I met in the past. He's so handsome and is work oriented, he earns quite a lot too", Tracy replied. "Does he like you, I mean is the feelings mutual", Annie asked. "He likes me but I don't know if he's fallen in love with me. He asked us to go on a date tomorrow, I can get to know him then", Tracy replied. "You said he's work oriented, I think he's a good man. But you really need to be careful, don't trust him easily", Joan said. "Alright ma'am, I'll be careful", Tracy replied. She looked at Joan and added, "did you really say that, you believe in love now my dearest friend. Fred really did a good thing to you". Joan frowned a little and said, " by the way, I'll be having dinner in his parents house tomorrow". "Wow! you're having dinner at the chairman's place, you're indeed lucky", Maggie said. Maggie looked at Annie and said, "Joan and Tracy will be busy tomorrow night, what about us". "Don't worry about that baby, I already have plans", Annie answered. "What!", Maggie screamed. "You're a betrayer Annie, you kept your relationship hidden" she said. "Let me explain to you baby, I didn't mean to hide it from everyone. I kept it to myself because I've not gotten serious with him yet", Annie explained. Joan smiled a little and said "It's alright, we understand". "I'm going inside y'all. I need to put on my mask and go to bed. Goodnight!", Tracy said. "Beauty queen, you're always using your masks", Maggie said jokingly. "She's maintaining her beauty", Annie said. "Can I get some from you Tracy, I need to look beautiful as well", Annie asked. "Sure, I'll give you", Tracy replied.
At the chairman's house
It was past 07:00pm already, Mr Benard and his wife were seated at the dining room together with Mitchell and Jane. Mitchell looked at her watch and texted Fred. Her parents glanced at one another occasionally while Jane sat still. Fred and Joan walked in few minutes late. Joan greeted them and apologized for being late. "It's alright, we only waited for few minutes. You came together with Fred", Mr Benard said. "Yes, he picked me up", Joan replied. "Dad, I picked Joan cause I didn't want her to come in alone, it'd look a bit awkward", Fred explained. "Wow! you're so protective of her. You would have made me jealous if your father wasn't here", Mrs Benard said. "Have your sits", Mr Benard said. Joan sat down while Fred took a sit next to her. Jane casted a frown look and said, "I reserved a sit beside me for you Fred, why did you sit with her". "Mitchell is sitting with you already", Fred replied. "But... nevermind", Jane said. "It's alright Jane", Mitchell said while holding Jane's hands. "Can we eat now", Mr Benard asked with a keen look. "Yes dad, I'm hungry already", Mitchell answered. The maids served the food and the family ate. "I went on a work trip a week ago. I returned this morning upon hearing we're having a family dinner. I can't miss it, I had to rush my work", Mr Benard said. "You're really considerate darling. I invited Joan and Jane to join us", Mrs Benard replied. "Sister-in-law, have some fish", Mitchell said while she passed the fish bowl to Joan. "Thanks", Joan replied and smiled. "What about your brother, I need some too", Fred asked Mitchell. "There's no fish for you", Mitchell replied. "Let me give you some Fred", Jane said. "I'll share mine with him", Joan replied. "Yes, I'll eat with my darling. Don't bother Jane", Fred replied. "You never cease to show how affectionate you are to each other. It's good, but you need to remember Jane is not an outsider", Mrs Benard said. "Yes, she's also considered my sister. Just like Mitchell", Fred answered. "Let's focus on eating", Mr Benard said. Everyone finished their food, then Fred went to his room to change his clothes, while Mitchell talked with Joan. Jane saw him when he went in and followed Fred. "I drew another painting, let me show you", Mitchell said to Joan while showing her the paintings on her laptop. "Wow! they're so beautiful. You're very talented. Have you considered opening a gallery where you display your artworks. What about your studio?", Joan asked. "I don't have a studio yet, but I consider having one. Regarding the gallery, I'll also like to have one. But I don't know if my parents would let me hold an exhibition in the future", Mitchell answered. "Ohh! I understand. They aren't in support of your work. We can sort it out though", Joan said. "Really! Would my parents really agree?", Mitchell asked. Joan smiled and said, "yes, they would. Trust me". "Thank you sister-in-law", Mitchell said. "You're welcome. I need to check on Fred, he hasn't been out for so long", Joan said. Mitchell looked around and said, "that's true, Jane isn't with us either. What's going on. You need to check on him, I don't trust Jane that much".
Jane went to Fred's room and found the door locked, she placed her ears on the door and overheard them. "Do you really love her that much, what does Joan have to offer you. She's only got a beautiful face and nothing else", Jane said to Fred. "It doesn't matter who she is, I only have her in my heart. Joan is beautiful and capable. She's also got a good heart and treats me well. I don't need anything else", he replied. "What about the company, can she help you with that? does she have a strong backing? She only earns from the company, she has nothing to give you in return. Why can't you understand my intentions", Jane asked. Fred looked at her and said, "I won't rely on a woman to achieve success". "Are you doing this because she rescued you? You and I have known each other for a long time. We've....". Fred cut in and said, "but we've never been together, you need to stop your obsession. You never had my heart then, and you will never will". Jane starred at him and said, "just know you forced me". "What're you going to do?", he asked.
Joan stopped listening to the conversation and looked for Mitchell, she was in her room already. "Do you have a spare key to Fred's room?", she asked. "I don't know, but let me check the drawers. Joan checked the drawers while Mitchell wondered what's going on. She saw a key in the third drawer and took it. "It should be this one, thanks", Joan said and headed to Fred's room. "What's going on with her, could it be.... ohh no!!", Mitchell exclaimed and went after Joan.
Jane was still in Fred's room when she sensed someone was trying to open the door. She tore her clothes and threw herself on Fred in an instant. When the door opened, Joan saw Jane hugging Fred tightly with ripped clothes. Fred pushed her away while Joan approached them slowly. Jane stared at her deeply and asked, "so what if you saw us, is there anything you can do?". Joan slapped her twice and said, "this is a warning, stay away from my man". Mitchell went in and saw the whole scene. "Gosh!! that was scary", she exclaimed. Joan stormed out of the room while Fred followed her. He caught up with her and held her. "I can explain Joan", he said. "Explain what? how she ripped her clothes before you. Or how she threw herself to you while you enjoyed it", Joan asked angrily. "There's absolutely nothing between I and her. She did all of that, but I can deny I disappointed you. I'm truly sorry about that", Fred answered. "Do you know what you did wrong?", she asked. "I shouldn't have allowed her in", he replied. "Good. Since you know that, you deal with her yourself and resolve the issue", Joan replied. "I promise this won't happen anymore and I'll deal with it appropriately. It happened because of me, I feel bad about it", Fred answered. "It's alright, you need to stop feeling bad. I know all of this wasn't intentional, let's forget about what happened tonight. I raised my voice at you, I'm sorry about that", Joan said. "It's alright. I know you did that because you loved me. You already did well by not making the issue more complicated. I'm really glad you understood me", Fred said while he held her hands. "What about your parents, did we disturb them?", Joan asked. "I don't think so. They're asleep already", Fred replied. "They really slept after eating, that's nice", she said. "Yes, my parents don't like to sleep late", he said. "Let me take you home", Fred added. "You want me to leave so you can spend some time with her right?", Joan asked. "No. You know I wouldn't do that", Fred answered. "I think she left already. I'm going home also", Joan said. "Are you leaving because Jane left already. You can spend the night here", Fred said. "I'm not staying", Joan said. Fred went in and took his car key and drove her home. He played music on their way while Joan remained silent. "I don't think Joan is still angry, she's a straightforward woman. But why is she silent, did I say anything wrong", he thought in his mind. "Joan I plan to move out. Let's go for house seeing tomorrow, I'll tell Josh to contact an estate agent". "You're moving out. So fast", Joan said. "Yes. I don't want to experience what happened tonight in the future. Do you remember I told you about Jane, she's always up to no good. Besides, I'm grown man, I shouldn't stay with my parents", Fred answered. "Yes. You're right. We need a place of our own. I'll go with you tomorrow", she replied. They arrived at Joan's place shortly after. Fred hugged Joan and said, "I don't feel like letting you go". "We're still going to see each other tomorrow. I'm tired and need to sleep", Joan said. "Alright, rest early then. I'll get going", Free replied. "Let me know when you're home okay, drive safely", Joan said and went in while Fred returned home.
"You're back honey. How was it, did you have a good meal?", Maggie asked Joan. "Yes I had a good meal and a good show too", she replied. "Where's Annie and Tracy, aren't they back yet?", Joan asked. "They're back. Tracy came back with annoyance while Annie came back smiling so sweetly. Should I call them for you, it seems you have something to tell us", Maggie said. "Let's not disturb them, I can say it tomorrow", Joan replied. "Let's say it tonight", Annie said while walking out of her room. "I thought you were asleep Annie", Joan said to her. "No I wasn't. We were all waiting for you before I and Tracy went in. Tracy also came out of her room and said, "I knew you when entered. I'm not in a great mood Joan, you should gist us tonight". "Wait, you three went out tonight, who's going first?", Maggie asked. Tracy and Annie pointed to Joan. Joan smiled and said I'll go first then. "So I had dinner at Fred's place with his parents and sister. An outside also joined us ", Joan said. "Who?", Maggie asked. "Jane, the lady I told you guys about. So after we were done eating, I talked with Mitchell when I noticed Fred was gone. He told me he wanted to change his clothes, the lady followed him. I saw her leaving but I acted as if I wasn't aware. Ten minutes passed and I noticed she wasn't back yet so I went to check on Fred. The door was locked, I got the key from Mitchell and opened it, it was a mess. The lady plotted a drama to send me out of Fred's life but I outsmarted her. Fred is moving out soon, I can enjoy enough privacy with him then", Joan said. "Tell us in details", Annie said. Joan sat up and explained in details to her friends and even demonstrated. "Wow! you're really amazing. You managed to outwit her", Tracy said. "Of course, her little tricks is nothing compared to mine", Joan replied. "I actually trust Joan, she won't dare to mess with you", Annie said. "When you told us Fred told you to be wary of her, I wondered what kind of lady she was. She's so irresponsible", Maggie said. "I can't imagine it", Tracy said. Annie shook her head and said, "it must have been scary, you did well Joan".
Maggie turned to Tracy and said, "it's your turn next. Why did you come home looking so unhappy". Tracy remained silent for a while before talking. "It's the guy I met with, he's so unreliable. Could you believe he asked a female friend to join us!", she exclaimed. We were doing so well until this lady walked by. It turned out to be his classmate from high school. They were happy seeing each other again and they did a reunion. I was sited there while he talked to her attentively. I got so angry and left", Tracy explained angrily. "Did he chase after you?", Annie asked. "No he didn't. He didn't even call me. I didn't even get a single text from him. He's so...", Tracy was still complaining to her friends when a text entered. "It's him right", Joan asked. "Yes. I don't know why he's texting me now. "Ignore him", Maggie said. The ladies continued their conversation, and each one exchanged gist until midnight before going to bed.