CHAPTER 4
^^ Hank's Family Home ~ Earlier That Day ^^
Connor stood starring out through the window while holding onto a picture, he was deep in thought that he failed to notice someone entering his room until she spoke.
"Isn't that Tessa?" Granny Susie asked from behind.
"When will you stop sneaking up on me?" Connor asked as he put the picture aside.
"Until you get married" Granny Susie replied.
"Not that again" he groaned out as he went back to his seat.
"Have been wondering why you've failed to bring home a bride but seeing that picture of Tessa then you must have a reason. You are in love with her right?" Granny Susie asked and though it took a while, Connor nodded in reply.
"Then why aren't you with her?" Granny Susie asked.
"Cause I messed up big time" Connor replied.
"I don't know what you did to hurt her and I don't intend to find out but if you keep starring at her picture in the shadows, you will never win her heart"
"I mean for the past two years, you've always had that picture with you" Granny Susie said which surprised Connor. " Surprised? Well, I often saw you starring at it and decided to give the picture a look when you weren't around"
"That's prying granny!" Connor let in exasperation.
"I know and am sorry but if you are only going to seat and stare at that picture instead of trying to win that girl's heart then you are a coward and cowards tend to regret things. Don't be one of them" Granny Susie said before leaving his room.
He had first saw Tessa during a party two years ago. Blair had been hosting it and Seven had attended bringing Tessa with him.
He had found her attractive but chose to stay away due to her being Seven's girlfriend and when he found out about Blair and Seven cheating and had coincidentally met Tessa on Love Island resort, he decided to make her his since Seven failed to notice the sweet gem he was throwing away for his sister.
His only mistake back then was that he lied to her about his identity since he never approached her to help Blair. He only approached her because he fell for her and it's time she knew that, Connor thought as he return her picture and thought of a plan to make her his again.
*****
^^ Present Moment ^^
"So tell us who this lucky girl is?" Fiona question rang out breaking Connor gaze away from Tessa.
"Sorry famz but that will still be kept a secret " Connor said which got them all grumbling except for Granny Susie who was grinning from ear to ear.
"Why tell us if you know you weren't going to reveal the girl's identity?" Nicole asked.
"Well that's because..."
"Look who's back? Your most prettiest sister!" Blair yelled in excitement as she join them in the sitting room.
"Hello Everyone " she added waving at them all until she saw Tessa.
"Hold on a sec, why the hell is she...."
"Come with me!" Connor intercepted as he pulled her into the study.
"You are hurting me!" Blair said as he let go of her wrist.
"Why the hell is she here? Is she here to get back at me for stealing her boyfriend in the past? "
"She is Nicole's nurse and let me warn you that I won't tolerate it if you mess with her again" Connor warned.
"Don't tell me you are still into her? It's been two years and..."
"Shut up Blair! You've always enjoyed having your way and I let you do whatever you want since am the eldest but not anymore. Mess with Tessa and face my wrath" Connor threatened which got her a bit scared.
"The least you can do is to block my credit card!" Blair said trying not to be intimidated.
"I will do that and a lot more if you don't do as I say. If you want to keep living a luxurious life then you will go out there and act like you are just meeting her for the first time, do I make myself clear?" Connor asked and slowly she shook her head.
They both left the study and putting on a smile on her face, Blair went to her siblings.
"Nice try Fifi but no matter what you do, you aren't going to be me" Blair said as she touch Fiona's silk hair.
"Am not trying to be you!" Fiona retorted but Blair didn't seem perturb as she went to Chris, giving him a kiss on the cheek.
"Shy but sexy!" She said as she ruffled his hair before moving towards Frederick.
"What can I say about you? You've grown more taller and handsome. You must have been breaking a lot of girls heart" Blair said which got Frederick nodding in acceptance.
"And here's my sweet granny" She said as she gave Granny Susie a long kiss on the forehead.
"Get off of me young lady" Granny Susie said which made her move.
"I know you didn't miss me" Blair said.
"If you had bothered to answer my calls then you would have known if I did or not" Granny Susie replied.
"I was just so busy, you know that Brazil has a lot of touring site and also, it has a lot of sexy guys and....Nicole, my lovely brother" she said as she went to give him a hug.
"I really wanted to visit you when you were in the hospital but then....I was just too busy. You aren't holding that at heart right?" Blair asked.
"Am not. Am just glad you are here and before I forget this is Tessa, my nurse" Nicole did the introduction.
Blair gave Tessa a knowing smirk which Tessa never returned. She would have like to toy with Tessa but remembering the things Connor said to her, she gave Tessa a handshake instead.
"Nice to meet you" Blair forced out while Tessa returned the compliment.
"Okay! What were you guys talking about before I showed up?" Blair asked.
"It's about Connor getting married" Nicole replied.
"Really? Who's the lucky girl?" Blair asked.
"Since have yet to woo my wife to be, I will save her identity until another time" Connor replied himself but Blair's knowing gaze drifted to Tessa.
"I am tired, I need to rest. See you all later" Blair said excusing her self.
She pulled out her phone as she ascended the stairs.
"Leave wherever you are and come back or you will lose Connor for good" Blair said into the reciever.
*****
^^ Diamond High School ^^
Tessa stood at the entrance waiting for Cynthia to show up when she heard her name being called.
"Fiona" she called in return as she watch the girl run towards her while Chris and Frederick follow.
"What are you doing here?" Fiona asked.
"A friend of mine is a teacher and am here to see her" Tessa replied.
"Seeing you outside, you look more...beautiful and trust me, if you had been my age. I would definitely be chasing you" Frederick said earning a smile from Tessa.
"Don't mind him, he's a born flirt!" Fiona mouth her way.
"What about Nicole? " Chris asked.
"He's at home with Granny Susie" Tessa replied.
"We are heading home ourselves " Fiona told her.
"But it's still school hour" Tessa stated.
"Privilege of being a Hank" Frederick replied just as a car halted a distance away.
The kids were heading to the car when Cynthia finally showed up.
"Am so sorry, Tessa" On hearing Cynthia's voice, Chris stopped to stare at her, a smile forming his lips.
"Aren't you going home?" Fiona asked which got him sitting at the back seat with her while Frederick sat at the front seat.
"What's with the change of seat?" Fiona asked Frederick who ignored her.
"Why aren't you sitting at the back with me?" Fiona asked again as she held onto Frederick chair.
"Why aren't you replying?" She asked once again but Frederick chose to put on his head set ignoring her. Feeling angry, she turn to Chris.
"Why aren't you saying anything! You've always love sitting at the front?"
"Sitting at the back is more better" Chris replied as he kept starring at Cynthia through the car wind screen.
"You both are annoying!" Fiona let out as she pondered about Frederick's sudden behaviour.
****
^^ Tate and Yate Restaurant ^^
"Start spilling it girl" Cynthia demanded as soon as the waiter left their table.
"Turns out Connor is Nicole's brother" Tessa began mildly.
"Woah....I didn't realise it back then but he seemed a bit familiar, I should have...that also means he's related to the kids I teach at school " Cynthia said which got Tessa nodding.
"Enough of my blabbering, tell me what he did. Has he been harassing you or..."
"No he hasn't but his action makes me think that he's up to some thing" Tessa return looking wistful.
"What's he up to?"
"Well he is....oh my God! What did you do to your hair, Melody!" Tessa yelled as a girl of sixteen who had dyed her hair into red joined their table.
"I had it dyed, pretty right?" Melody asked only to recieve a smack on the head from Tessa.
"That hurts!" Melody bellowed.
"I knew you were reckless and tend to act on impulse but I never knew you would go to this extent. For crying out out loud, you are sixteen!"
"And a sixteen year old isn't permitted to dye her hair?" Melody asked getting annoyed too.
"I left her in your care Cynthia! Why did you let her do this?"
"I talked her out of it but she wouldn't listen, she's just like you " Cynthia replied.
"If I had known that I would be berated by you, I would never have come here" Melody said as she stood up.
"Where on earth are you going?" Tessa yelled at her.
"To work! And get this right, you are my sister not my mom" Melody retorted before running off.
"Someday am gonna beat some sense into that girl and what did she mean by work? Her focus should be on her studies"
"I found out about her part time job some days ago and when I asked her about it, she said she's doing it to support you cause she hates seeing you work your butt off just to try to provide for her" Cynthia replied.
"It's my just to provide for her" Tessa let out softly her anger wearing off.
"Did you know that she has always wanted to study in Diamond High but due to the enormous fee, she never said a thing to you"
"I never knew, she didn't tell me"
"Well, she used half of her first pay cheque to enroll and the rest, she insisted on using it to buy groceries. So stop being mad at her, she's only trying to help out" Cynthia said.
"Melody has a way of getting me angry and then softening my heart later on" Tessa murmured.
"That's why you both are siblings " Cynthia said in reply.
*****
^^ Hank's Family Home ^^
Frederick left the bathroom, all set to leave when he saw Fiona seated on his bed.
"What are you doing here?"
"Am stuck with this math equation and I...."
"I don't have the time" he said as he walk towards the mirror to check out his attire while doing his best to keep his distance.
"Why? Is it because you are going out with Lola?" Fiona asked.
"Have you been going through my phone?"
"I couldn't help but to notice the message. You aren't going to ditch me for the school slut right?"
"I already made plans with Lola, so get off my back " Frederick yelled which hurt Fiona since he never yell at her.
"What's wrong Ricky? " She called him by his pet name and she didn't know how good it felt in Frederick's ear.
"If I did something wrong, you can tell me" Fiona urge.
" The problem isn't with you, it's me!" Frederick snap at her.
"Then tell me about it, we can both find a solution to it and..."
"We can't! Have tried, have really tried to stop it but I can't. No matter what I do, this terrible feeling keeps growing" he cut in looking downcast.
"Frederick, Confide in me" Fiona said as she held his face making him stare at her.
She had no idea what her nearness did to him, he had a crazy urge to pull her into his arms and kiss her senseless, to let his hands drift around her soft curves, to pull off her clothes and....
"I can't Fiona" Frederick said as he pulled away trying to fight the forbidden urge he felt.
"Frederick you..."
"Let's keep our distance, it's the best for the both of us" with that said, he left the room while Fiona cried her eyes out.
****
^^ Evening ^^
Tessa got back to the Hank mansion and was heading up stairs when Connor intercepted her move and pulled her into his study.
"Are you crazy? Someone might see us!" Tessa let out in anger.
"Let them, I don't care" Connor replied his back against the door.
"I told you to stay away"
"And like a fool, I agreed to it but I won't be doing that again" he said as he began walking towards her.
She kept backing until she came against the table and trapping her with both hands rested on either side of the table, he smiled down at her.
"How can you be doing this when you are going get married" she said.
"Who do you think am getting married to? Make a guess" he whispered this into her ear.
"I don't know and I don't care,now move away cause I...."
"Nicole is out with granny. It's just you and me" he said as his dark head swoop towards her, wanting to give her a kiss but the opening of the door got them pulling apart.
"Connor darling! Am back" A fiery red headed girl said as she walk towards Connor and right in front of Tessa, she kissed him.