Linda took her seat, and as she did, her father leaned forward, his brows furrowing in concern. "Linda, where were you last night? Why weren't you home?" he asked, his voice carrying a mix of worry and sternness.
Before Linda could respond, Michael cut in, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "She probably went to sleep at her new boyfriend's house," Michael said.
Linda shot Michael a glare and spoke up. "Actually, Michael is right. I did spend the night at my new boyfriend's place."
Linda's mother, who had been standing quietly to the side, suddenly stepped forward, her eyes blazing with anger. "Linda, is this true?" she demanded. "Why did you break up with Michael? Do you have any idea how embarrassing this is for our family?"
Linda took a deep breath, trying to remain calm despite the rising tension. "Mom, Dad, I broke up with Michael because it wasn't working out. I didn't feel the way I should feel in a relationship, and I wasn't happy. I met someone who makes me feel different, who makes me happy," she explained.
Her father's frown deepened. "And who is this boy? Do we know him? Is he from a respectable family?" He questioned.
Linda hesitated for a moment, thinking about Justin and how different his life was compared to theirs. "His name is Justin," she finally said. "He's a student, like me, and he's... different from what you're used to. But he's a good person."
Michael scoffed loudly. "Different? You mean poor. He's nothing but a nobody, and you're willing to throw away everything for him?" He asked with a frown.
Linda's mother crossed her arms, her anger unabated. "Linda, this is unacceptable," she said. "We have a reputation to uphold. You can't just go around dating whoever you please, especially not someone who doesn't match our status."
Linda felt a wave of frustration and sadness. "Mom, Dad, I understand your concerns, but this isn't about status or reputation," she said . "It's about my happiness. Justin makes me happy, and I deserve to be with someone who makes me feel that way."
Her father sighed heavily, and he was clearly conflicted. "Linda, we want what's best for you, but this is a serious matter. We need to discuss this further, and you need to think long and hard about what you're doing," he said.
Linda sighed loudly and she glanced at Kendrick, who had remained silent throughout the exchange, and then back at her parents. She knew that convincing them to accept Justin was going to be an uphill battle.
Michael's mother, a well-dressed woman with a calm demeanor, leaned forward, her voice smooth but firm. "Linda, Michael is a great guy. He cares deeply for you and would do anything to make you happy," she said.
Linda scoffed inwardly, recalling all the times Michael had been controlling and dismissive of her feelings. She kept her face composed as she replied, "Michael is indeed a good guy, Mrs. Wilson. But he's not the man for me."
Linda's mother, her face flushed with anger, exploded. "And you think this poor boyfriend of yours is the best man for you? Is he the right choice? A poor brat with nothing to offer?"
Linda's father, sensing the rising tension, placed a calming hand on his wife's shoulder. "Darling, please. Let's not escalate this. We need to approach this situation calmly."
Linda took a deep breath, appreciating her father's attempt to maintain peace. She looked around the room, feeling the weight of everyone's eyes on her. She knew she had to stand firm in her decision, despite the disapproval and hostility from those around her.
"Mom, Dad, I understand your concerns," Linda said, her voice steady. "But this is my life, and I need to make choices that are right for me. Justin may not have the wealth or status you're accustomed to, but he makes me happy. He respects me and values me for who I am, not for what I represent."
Michael's mother shook her head, and she was clearly frustrated. "Linda, you're making a mistake. You're young and naïve. You don't understand the consequences of your actions," she said with a frustrated tone.
Linda's father sighed deeply, then he said, "Let's all take a step back and give Linda some space to think. This is a big decision, and she needs time to consider everything."
Linda nodded, grateful for her father's intervention. "Thank you, Dad. I promise I'm not taking this lightly. I just need you all to trust me," she said.
The room fell into an uneasy silence, the air thick with tension. Michael leaned forward, his eyes narrowing as he spoke. "Linda, you really need to think about this wisely."
Linda shot him a hateful look, then she replied, "I have taken my time to think about it, Michael. And Justin is the right choice for me."
Michael's face twisted with anger. He stood up abruptly, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. "This is bullshit. I'll prove to you that Justin isn't the right person for you," he said in anger, then without another word, he stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind him.
"Michael, wait!" his mother called, rushing after him. "Michael!" She hurried out of the house, her heels clicking sharply against the floor.
Michael's father, Mr. Wilson, stood up, smoothing his tie as he looked at Linda's parents. "I apologize for Michael's attitude. He's very upset," he said with an apologetic tone.
Linda's father nodded, then replied, "We understand, Mr. Wilson. We'll sort it out. I apologize for the inconvenience this has caused."
Mr. Wilson gave a tight smile and said, "Have a nice day." He then walked out, following his wife and son.
Linda's mother hissed in frustration, glaring at Linda before marching upstairs. "This is ridiculous," she said under her breath as she went upstairs.
Linda's father turned to her, his expression weary. "I'll talk to her. Linda, please, think about everything again." With that, he left the living room, the weight of the situation heavy on his shoulders.
Michael leaned forward, his eyes narrowing as he spoke. "Linda, you really need to think about this wisely."
Linda shot him a hateful look. "I have taken my time to think about it, Michael. And Justin is the right choice for me."
Michael's face twisted with anger. He stood up abruptly, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. "This is bullshit. I'll prove to you that Justin isn't the right person for you." Without another word, he stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind him.
"Michael, wait!" his mother called, rushing after him. "Michael!" She hurried out of the house, her heels clicking sharply against the floor.
Michael's father, Mr. Wilson, stood up, smoothing his tie as he looked at Linda's parents. "I apologize for Michael's attitude. He's very upset."
Linda's father nodded. "We understand. We'll sort it out. I apologize for the inconvenience this has caused."
Mr. Wilson gave a tight smile. "Have a nice day." He walked out, following his wife and son.
Linda's mother hissed in frustration, glaring at Linda before marching upstairs. "This is ridiculous."
Linda's father turned to her, his expression weary. "I'll talk to your mother. But Linda, please, think about everything again. Think about your relationship with your new boyfriend and what it might cost us." With that, Mr. Washington went upstairs to meet his wife.
Now it was just Linda and her twin brother, Kendrick, left in the living room. Linda turned to him, her eyes questioning. "Why did you keep quiet throughout the conversation, Kendrick?" She asked him.
Kendrick sighed and leaned back in his chair. "Linda, I stayed quiet because I don't think Justin is the right choice for you either," Kendrick replied, and Linda's eyes widened in surprise and hurt.
"You too, Kendrick? I thought you of all people would understand," she said with a frown.
"Linda, it's not about understanding," Kendrick said calmly. "It's about what's best for you. Justin might be a good guy, but he's not right for you. You deserve someone who can match your lifestyle, who can give you everything you need without you having to sacrifice anything. You deserve someone who isn't Justin."
Linda shook her head as tears welled up in her eyes. "It's not about the money, Kendrick. I love Justin for who he is, not for what he can give me," she said, and Kendrick sighed.
"I know that, Linda," Kendrick replied softly. "But love isn't always enough. There's a practical side to life, and you have to consider that too. Justin can't give you the life you're used to. In fact, he can't give you anything expect love and love isn't always enough."
Linda stood up, her hands trembling. "I can't believe you're saying this. You sound just like Mom and Dad," Linda said in anger.
"Maybe because they're right," Kendrick said, his voice gentle but firm. "Just think about it, Linda. That's all I'm asking."
Linda stormed out of the living room, unable to listen to her brother anymore. She needed to be away from her family for a while, so she decided to go back to Justin's dormitory.
Meanwhile, back at Justin's dormitory, he found himself staring in disbelief at his ex-girlfriend, Stella, who stood at his doorstep. It was early morning, and her unexpected presence caught him off guard.
"Are you going to invite me in?" Stella asked, and her voice carried a hint of impatience.
Justin hesitated but then stepped aside, opening the door wider. "Come in," he said to her as he wondered why she came to see him.
Stella entered, and her eyes swept over the small room. The faint scent of a woman's perfume lingered in the air.
"Did a lady spend the night here?" she asked as she perceived the scent of a woman's perfume in the room.
"Yes, my girlfriend Linda spent the night," Justin replied calmly, still wondering why she suddenly paid him a visit.
Stella felt a sting of jealousy when Justin said Linda spent the night at his place, but she masked her jealousy with a neutral expression.
"Justin, I didn't expect you to move on so fast after our breakup," Linda said. "We only broke up yesterday morning."
Justin scoffed, folding his arms. "I also wasn't expecting you to break up with me after all these years," he replied.
Stella walked over to the bed and sat down, eyeing him carefully. "I love the bag you bought for Linda as a birthday gift," she said.
"Linda deserves the bag and that's why I bought it for her," Justin said with a firm tone.
"For how long have you known Linda?" Stella asked, her curiosity growing.
"I've known Linda since freshman year, but we didn't talk until yesterday morning when your boyfriend Kendrick bullied me," Justin replied.
Stella's expression softened slightly. "I'm sorry about that, Justin. But you haven't known Linda for long. You don't know what kind of person she is," she said, attempting to badmouth Linda.
"I know who Linda is, and she's far better than you," Justin replied coldly.
Stella scoffed, feeling the sting of his words. "How were you able to afford the bag you bought for Linda? You and I know how expensive the bag is, so how did you afford it?" She finally asked the question that had been bothering her since the party.
Justin chuckled, then he said, "I knew that's the reason you came to see me. You were surprised that I was able to get such an expensive bag for Linda."
Ignoring his mockery, Stella continued, "Carla and Megan said they were at the mall when you bought the bag and paid with a gold card. Is it true?" she asked.
Justin smirked, then he replied, "It is true. I paid for the bag with a gold card."
"How did you get the gold credit card?" Stella asked, her voice filled with curiosity.
"You have no right to know," Justin replied.
"Why don't I have the right to know?" Stella asked, her frustration growing.
"Because you aren't my girlfriend, so you have no right to know anything," Justin replied bluntly.
Stella stood up and walked closer to Justin, her eyes locking onto his. She stood close to him, her voice soft and seductive. "I'm sorry for all I've done to you, Justin. I'm sorry for humiliating you."
Justin swallowed hard at their closeness. He could smell the familiar scent of her body, and he missed it. Stella pinned him to the wall and pressed her body against his. Justin suddenly felt vulnerable under her touch and voice.
Stella noticed the effect she was having on him and smirked. "I still have feelings for you, Justin. My feelings for you haven't changed," she whispered in a seductive voice as she gazed deeply into his brown eyes.
Suddenly, the door opened, and they both turned to see Linda standing there with a shocked expression on her face. She was shocked to see Justin and Stella in a compromising position.