As Laurel was going back to her office, her mind drifted off to her past life and how she got here.
After the encounter with David at his party, Rose avoided him as best as she could. But soon, in a twist of events, David was the one looking for her.
It scared her at first, then excited her when she noticed he wasn't going to give up.
"Why are we constantly coming across your brother these days?" Ava had asked Esther on one occasion.
"Maybe you should ask Rose." was Esther's simple response.
"And why would she ask me?" Rose had asked defensively.
"I don't know?" Esther had teasingly said.
"I don't know anything." Rose voiced out and walked away from them.
DAVID can't seem to get his mind off that girl, not like she was too pretty but she obviously had a hold of his thoughts. He thinks about her all day long and wanted to always see her in school.
Initially, it was just for fun but since she started putting him through the stress of having to fight to get her, he was gradually losing his mind over her.
First of all, he's never lost a bet before and he definitely wasn't going to lose this one. Not when his brother, Solomon also joined in the bet. That would give him a total of $1500 if he won the bet.
It's already been more than six months after his birthday and still no progress. So as he walked down to the table where his sister sat with her friends eating in the canteen, he was determined to make progress.
"Just the man after God's own heart." his sister called out when she saw him, like she always does.
"How are you Esther?" he asked but didn't concentrate on his sister today as usual but concentrated on Rose.
"I'm good and well," Esther replied and added when she noticed where his attention was. "of course you didn't come for me." she said and nodded.
"Come with me." David simply said and started dragging Rose out of her sitting position.
"What's this?" Rose managed to say in her shock. "Can't you see I'm eating?" she asked in anger.
"Just follow me if you don't want to cause a scene."
"Aren't you already causing one?" she spat out angrily but had to follow him cos he was dragging her strongly and various eyes were already cast their way, looking at them suspiciously.
David dragged her all the way up the stairs to the roof and released her hand. Rose stared at the spot he'd held and noticed it had reddened.
"What's this David? Why did you bring me here." Rose managed to keep her voice calm and ask.
"Why have you been avoiding me?" David asked without thinking to give her an answer.
"I've not been avoiding you. We were never really close before now, and we're still same as we were before." she still kept her voice calm. "You've always ignored I and Ava, remember?"
"Yeah. And you still watch me through your window, keep up with my daily activities but whenever you see me coming close to you, you hide or change direction. And that in my dictionary is called 'avoiding somebody'."
"I don't hide." Rose said defensively.
"Oh, yeah you do." he said with a nod and Rose just eyed him and turned to leave. "Yeah, leave, leave like you don't feel what's going on between us two."
Rose stopped. "I don't know what you're talking about." she said calmly without facing him.
"So you're going to play dumb right now with me?" David said like someone tired. "I know you feel the heat between us. It was there in that first kiss, it's there everytime you see me and run, it's still there now."
David slowly moved close to her, held her shoulders and slowly turned her around. "Why suffer instead of exploring these feelings." he said calmly.
"Why?" was all Rose could say.
"Because I'm sure you feel it too." he said as he trailed his index finger on Rose's lips before engulfing them in a kiss.
The kiss lasted a while but by the time they were done, both were smiling at each other.
***
Esther Edward always knew that when it came to girls, none of her brothers were serious, especially David. But seeing the way David was going over and beyond to show her friend, Rose love and care, she was a bit convinced that maybe he'd changed.
He even went as far as pushing other flings he had out of his life. Even had to ask her to put up with Cheryl so that Rose wouldn't feel uncomfortable when she came around.
But her thoughts changed with just a single conversation she eavesdropped on.
She had some day walked into the garden unannounced and noticed David and Cheryl were engrossed in a seemingly hot argument.
"I don't know why you're blowing hot over a simple comment I made." Cheryl had told David.
"And I said, keep her fucking name out of your fucking mouth." David had warned sternly and this had caused Esther to withhold her legs from moving further.
She had to look for a perfect spot to hide, so she'll be able to listen in on their discussion.
"Or what?" Cheryl challenged "Or what, David?"
"You won't like the outcome." David replied through gritting teeth.
"Wait, are you falling for this girl already?" Cheryl asked as if the thought scared her.
"No one said anything about falling for anybody. All I'm just saying is, stop making fun of her. She might not be as privileged as you are, but she's definitely a human being."
"I hope you still remember why you're doing this, though?" Cheryl asked picking her fingers instead of looking at him.
"Is there any reason why you'd think I don't remember?" David asked with a voice that told Esther he was getting pissed.
"I don't know, you're leaving for college soon, and she graduates in less than five months, and you still have not done that which is the actual reason why this started in the first place."
"I told you, she said not until she turns 18."
"And you agreed. It's so unlike you to agree to such terms."
"She turns 18 in three months. Why do you think I always postpone my moving down to school?"
"You've lost too much time, you need to join up soonest, you said so yourself." Cheryl reminded.
"I'll survive, the rector is making sure I follow up well,so I don't fail." David informed her. "I just need to make sure I win this bet." he added, much to Esther's disappointment.
"It's only the bet for you right?" Cheryl asked with a probing voice.
"What else would there be?"
"Love?" Cheryl voiced out her fears
"I don't even know what love is." David replied with a very chilly demeanor that made Esther shiver.