" Hi Ken." Jordan greeted.
" What are you doing here?'' Kendrell asked looking from Tiana to Jordan, while trying to stifle the urge to throw a punch.
" I came to get the rest of my stuff, and he accompanied me." Tiana said.
Kendrell then directed his gaze at her.
At that moment, he didn't know what to do. He felt like shouting at the both of them and at the same time, he felt like begging Tiana to comeback to him.
While he was lost in thoughts, looking at Tiana, Jordan cleared his throat before speaking.
" You heard her. We came to get her things." Jordan said. " if you don't mind." he added before folding his arms. His voice brought Kendrell out of a daze.
Clearing his throat, Kendrell mouthed an 'ok'.
But he had forgotten he was still standing in their way, so Tiana reminded Kendrell who was looking very miserable.
" Excuse us." She said.
Looking at her, one more time, Kendrell stepped aside, without saying a word.
The distance he gave was enough for both Tiana and Jordan to pass at the same time, but somehow, Jordan still managed to brush Kendrell while he walked past him.
Unable to put on a display of bravery, Kendrell looked at the both of them, with a clenched fist, till they disappeared out of his sight.
The only thing he managed to do was to not shed a tear, although his eyes were Crimson red, but that counted for something, right?
While Kendrell still stood by the door, Malcolm came back from wherever he went to, only to see Kendrell staring into a particular space, away from the door which was wide open.
" Why are you standing here?" Malcolm asked immediately he walked in, pulling Kendrell out of a state of abstraction, but still unable to make him flinch out of shock or surprise. At this point Kendrell was a neutral body.
" What's wrong?'' Malcolm asked looking around. Something about the living room suddenly smelt familiar. Maybe he was just overreacting, Malcolm thought to himself. But to confirm that or not, Kendrell's silence was not helping at all.
" Kendrell, what's the matter? Why are you standing by the door?'' Malcolm asked.
After a few seconds, Kendrell managed to voice out " Tiana and Jordan." before he headed for the sofa, while Malcolm still stood by the door, already fuming, with a leather in his hand.
He assumed that they came to get Tiana's belongings so he walked to an arm rest chair and sat on it, waiting for the both of them to come out.
While he waited, Malcolm decided the best way to react was to act as if nothing happened. Everything he was going to do concerning Tiana and Jordan henceforth, was going to come as a surprise to the both of them and if Kendrell heeded to his advice, that would make the two of them.
Just as he was lost in thought, Tiana and Jordan walked out.
" Hey there guys." Malcolm greeted with a smile that of course, didn't reach his eyes.
" Umm...hi" Jordan answered.
" I see you both came to get Tiana's stuff. I bet you're done, right?" Malcolm asked, still maintaining the smile on his face.
" Yes, we are." Jordan answered with creases on his forehead.
Now, the both of them were surprised at Malcolm's reaction. Infact, they were a little surprised to see Malcolm there by that time of the morning.
The previous day, Jordan suggested they visited Kendrell to get Tiana's possessions before it was barely dawn. What Jordan really wanted, was to see the miserable look on Kendrell's face. Being very familiar with Kendrell, Jordan knew how he reacted to slightly similar situations in the past.
But to his surprise, Kendrell smelt different. Yes he did look pitiable and miserable, but his physical appearance had no association with that. He wanted Tiana to see the miserable man she allowed in her life and body.
Yes, he hated Kendrell!
Ever since their childhood, Kendrell had always been the center of attraction, especially amongst the female folks. Jordan knew he had issues with his attitude back then, but that was asides the point. After all, he was hot and handsome too.
But when Jordan actually started despising Ken was when he learnt he was dating Tiana. The one he had his eyes on, before Kendrell even knew she existed.
But that is behind him now. Kendrell is suffering now anyways.
That was the point of the whole thing, to make Kendrell feel the pain of being neglected and abandoned.
But seeing Malcolm, who didn't look like he was just arriving at Ken's house, Jordan couldn't say he didn't give a damn about that.
And the way Malcolm was acting as though everything was cool, that also didn't sit well with both Jordan and Tiana.
If there was anyone who was unpredictable amongst the three, it was Malcolm.
Clearing his throat, Malcolm smiled before speaking,
" It seems you both weren't paying attention to what I just said. Or is it that couples don't accept compliments anymore?''
" Yeah, sure. Why shouldn't we? We didn't hear you clearly that's why.'' Jordan replied.
" Ok then. Goodbye." Malcolm said with a chuckle, which graduated to laughter.
If only they knew Malcolm never said a word, he was sort of testing the waters with them, to confirm if they truly didn't see his attitude towards them coming.
He never asked them a question after Jordan had replied 'yes', that was why he was laughing at Jordan's foolishness.
Kendrell who initially, was staring into an empty space, now fixed his gaze at Malcolm. Seeing how Malcolm helped Jordan make a fool of himself, Kendrell couldn't maintain his sullen expression any longer.
' Is something wrong with the both of them?' Tiana who was also previously deep in thought, wondered. This was the same Malcolm who killed them with the look in his eyes the previous day. So what happened?
" Or do you want me to help you take the luggage out?" Malcolm asked seeing that they were still looking at him.
" No. We're fine. Let's go babe." Jordan said to Tiana, before they both turned to leave.
" Byeeeee" Malcolm waved with a wide grin.
This was not even the beginning.
_
~ Ramsey's Mansion ~
" Welcome home darling." Gloria Adkins greeted Neil Ramsey who had just returned home.
He had dinner with some clients so Gloria returned home before him.
After the hug and kisses, Neil replied.
" Thanks hon."
" So how was dinner?'' Gloria asked, while she helped him with his suit.
" It went well thanks for asking."
" I assume you're full now aren't you?" Gloria asked as she started unbuttoning his sleeves.
'' Honestly speaking, I'm not. We talked all through, I could barely eat." Neil replied.
" That's fine. I had Martha prepare your favorite." Gloria said.
" Thank you. " Neil said with a smile.
" Let me run a bath for you. One sec" Gloria said before pecking him on his cheek. She hummed as she walked to the bathroom, while Neil looked at her with a smile on his face, before returning his attention to taking his clothes off.
_
During dinner, Neil remembered to bring up the discussion about their house hunting.
" So what's the latest development concerning H-Imperials?'' Neil asked Gloria since she was in charge of the house hunting. He trusted her judgement a lot. She was smart and intelligent too, asides the fact that she was Five years older than him.
" Yes, about that, we should be able to bargain the final price by this week. Lizzy (their realtor) and our lawyer advised we should settle for $80 Million Dollars." Gloria said.
" Well, you know I don't have a problem with that, I think it's pretty fair, considering the fact that it was priced $127 Million in the market and it's worth the money. But what about you? What do you think? "
" Well, we're not gonna deny it's worth the millions, but I'd rather we settle for $75 Million." Gloria said before biting off and chewing a piece of meat.
" Hmm, ok then. It's up to you and Lizzy. " Neil said before picking up a glass of water.
The couple ate and slept, without worry, unlike a certain someone.
_
Doctor Collins, who was supposed to enjoy a good night's sleep, was restless and couldn't help but think about Jenna.
' What have you done to me, young lady?' Collins murmured to himself.
Groaning inwardly, he stood up to get a glass of water and probably type away on his laptop since he couldn't sleep. He also needed a distraction.
Leaving his bedroom for the kitchen, Collins heard some strange noises.
' What could that be?' he wondered.
Regardless, he still headed for the kitchen, and took a glass. But suddenly, he heard another sound, like steel against a rock.
That prompted him to halt his steps.
'' Over here'' A voice said
Turning around, Collins saw no one.
" Who's there?" He voiced out.
'' Me." The mysterious person replied.
" Who are you? Come out now!'' Collins managed to say. But the person chortled but speaking.
" Your wish is my command then.''
After what seemed like 6 seconds, he called out.
" Behind you...''
Turning around as fast as he could, Collins was dumbstruck at who he saw!
" It's been a long time coming, my old friend..."