Robert, attempting to soothe Desmond's agitation, pleaded, "Calm down, Desmond. What's going on?"
Desmond's eyes burned with fury as he spat, "Oh you haven't heard? Your finacée almost got killed. Where was your concern when she needed you most?"
Robert, caught off guard by the news, gasped, "Oh my God, where is she now? Is she alright?"
Desmond, still bristling, retorted, "If I hadn't been there, she might be dead. My hands took all the pain to save her life."
"For the love of all that's holy, can you just tell me what happened?" Robert implored.
Desmond's ire mounted, his fury now unleashed. "She was humiliated because of you, in front of the entire school, before almost losing her life! What kind of a person are you, Robert?" He seethed, his tone ablaze with indignation.
"I..." Robert stammered, about to interject, but Desmond interrupted him.
"If only you had come yourself, instead of forcing me into this sordid scheme to spy on your finacée. Why I ever agreed to do such a thing is beyond comprehension," he bellowed.
"A freaking knife! Pierced through my hands to save your finacée's life! The pain I've endured and still bear, was all because of you. If I hadn't been trailing her to the dressing room, perhaps you would've received her corpse instead of her safely. You owe me, Robert, you owe me for what I've suffered to protect your beloved!" Desmond said, his voice rising to a crescendo of outrage.
Robert, humbled and remorseful, pleaded, "Desmond, I'm truly sorry for the agony you've endured, I'll make it up to you."
"You owe me for the sacrifice I made, and I'll not soon forget this," Desmond stated.
Robert, seeking to placate Desmond's rage, soothed, "Please, Desmond, calm down. I'm truly grateful for what you've done."
Unimpressed, Desmond retorted, "If we weren't friends, what I would have said to you."
Sighing, Robert answered. "I'm sorry, Desmond. Thank you for saving her life. How's she now?"
"I'm not going to answer that," Desmond said a little calmer.
"Okay, how's your hand now? Is it doing alright?" Robert asked.
Desmond, bristling, responded curtly, "You should expect a call from your parents. They'll tell you everything that happened. Frankly, I'm not in the mood to speak with you."
Robert, chagrined, pleaded, "Come on, Desmond. Don't shut me out like this."
Desmond, his demeanor coy and mischievous said to Robert with a grin, "Your fiancée is quite stunning, you know. Maybe I should consider pursuing her myself."
Robert, his face set in stone, snapped, "Don't even think about it, Desmond."
Desmond, unfazed, purred, "Perhaps, I should take on the task of cherishing her, seeing as you've proven unwilling to do so. After all, I did save her life."
Robert's voice laced with frustration, retorted, "Don't even entertain the idea. You know why I'm doing this, Desmond."
Desmond, his words dripped with sharp candor, held firm to his stance, "Rob, what you're doing isn't right. You barely know the woman you're about to marry, and this isn't an excuse for how you're treating her. Do what's right, before it's too late."
Robert, his lips pursed in contemplation, hummed "I'll consider your words."
Desmond, a playful smirk on his lips, taunted, "Maybe she'd be more interested in me, don't you think? She's worth more than your cold shoulder."
Robert, his voice grave, admonished, "Let that thought out of your head, Desmond. Emily is already taken, stop teasing."
Desmond, undeterred, erupted into raucous laughter. With a dash of wicked humor in his voice, he quipped, "Sounds like someone's jealous. I'll send you a proof of my delimma, a picture and a video that you'll love to see. Ta - ta, I'm off!" And with that, he ended the call, leaving Robert in a state of frustrated silence and suspense.
Desmond's fingers flew across his phone screen as he dispatched the videos of himself treating Emily's injuries and his wound being treated. A heavy sigh escaped his lips as he tossed his phone aside, exhaustion weighing on his shoulders.
Meanwhile Robert, at the receiving end of the videos, watched with a mix of guilt and jealousy. Robert knew Desmond was making him feel guilty, that's all. He also had sympathy for his friend after seeing his predicament. He just didn't know what to do.
In the late hours of that day, Emily, her parents, Robert's parents and uncle, united by their concern for Desmond's well-being, gathered at his side. Though they were all aware that Desmond was Robert's friend, but Emily was the only one in dark about it.
After the emotional visit, each person returned to the safety and comfort of their respective homes, and Desmond was given leave to depart as well.
Emily and Camilla, fatigued from the day's turmoil, sank into the plush cushion of the living room couch.
"Today was simply unhinged," Camilla said breaking the somber silence.
Emily, the remnants of her traumatic experience still vivid in her mind, nodded in agreement, "Indeed, between Melissa's homicidal ambush, the public humiliation, and all the drama that ensued, today was beyond insane."
"Thank the heavens Melissa was arrested," Camilla said, offering a silver lining in form of gratitude.
"My father is adamant that Melissa should face justice for her heinous act. He wants her to be prosecuted for attempted murder," Emily explained.
"That would be fitting. If she ends up behind bars, perhaps when she emerges from her confinement, she'll have gained a dose of humility," Camilla responded.
"Yh, I haven't yet gifted you with your graduation present," Emily said her smile growing.
"You have a gift for me?" Camilla asked, her eyes widening in surprise.
"Yes, it's to show my appreciation for being such an amazing friend," Emily replied, offering the small box to Camilla.
Camilla opened the box to reveal a glimmering car key inside.
"The car you were admiring earlier is yours," Emily announced, beaming with joy.
Camilla gasped, her excitement overflowing as she embraced Emily in a heartfelt hug.
"You deserve far more than this," Emily asserted, her words laced with genuine affection.
"Thank you, Emily. You're forever my best friend and my sister," Camilla replied.
Together, the friends ventured outdoors to admire the sleek lines of the new car. Camilla ran her fingers over the flawless exterior. Then they returned inside, Camilla also gave Emily a gift.
They also recounted their cherished memories from their academic journey, their laughter ringing throughout the room and they were very happy with their achievement.
As the clock ticked late into the night, Emily turned to Camilla, with a thoughtful expression as they were watching a movie.
"I have a hunch," she began, her eyes betraying the curiosity brewing within.
"Go on, tell me," Camilla encouraged, her gaze riveted on Emily.
"I believe that Desmond, the man who saved me today, may be somehow connected to my fiancé," Emily ventured.
"How so?" Camilla inquired.
"You see, my parents, Robert's parents, and uncle were all familiar with Desmond, yet I was the only one who seemed to be in the dark. The way they all seemed reluctant to reveal any information about him...It makes me suspect that they knew Desmond on a personal level," Emily said.
Camilla stroked Emily's hand in a gesture to comfort, offering a reassuring smile, "It could be that he's simply a family friend. No need to get too caught up in speculation."
"My instincts are telling me there's more to this. I can't but wonder if there's some hidden link between him and Robert," she fretted.
"Time will reveal the truth my dear, have patience," Camilla uttered.
The movie continued to play, but for Emily her mind was elsewhere, still trying to figure out their connection.