"to go away from you but confused and hurt"
Anniella's POV
Aaaarrrggh!" I yelled sitting up on bed.I took my phone which laid on my other pillow and checked the time it's 3am I've not been able to sleep from 8pm that I came to bed. I've been thinking about what Andre did on our last dinner, it always sets my mind on turmoil. What did he want to achieve by doing that ? I can't help but remember it, I liked it.
Andre is behaving weirdly today . He keeps staring at me like we just met and zoned out . I have to repeat myself before he replies .
This evening was great . Much better than all the other dinners we've been too , I love this most .
Both hands are on the wheel , eyes looking straight ahead but don't seem to be concentrated on the road . He appears lost in thoughts to me .
"Drey are you okay ?" I asked with concern. Is he in some sort of problem that he doesn't know if he should share . Whatever is going on in his mind is really important if Drey who is always attentive during our conversations , taking note of the slightest things is mentally lost.
He released one hand from the wheel and have my hand a gentle squeeze , "Yeah I'm fine, why ?"
"You're not here."
"I'm right beside you love." He flashed me one of his smiles that soothes me . I'm not convinced.
"I don't feel you're here, you keep zoning out. Is there a problem you wanna share ? You know you can always count on me right?"
"Yeah I am ." He ran his fingers through his hair, what he always does when he's frustrated.
"Drey."
"Drop it Anniella!" He shouted not at me but at his frustration or whatever is eating him up.
He parked the car in our drive way and got out as usual to open my door. I kept mute , I am going to give him space to sort himself out.
He held my hand , pulling me closer to him and held my chin so my whole face was facing him and his eyes looking into mine, "I'm so sorry back there love , I didn't mean to shout on you , please ."
"I'm not bothered, I feel you're dealing with your the wrong way ."
"I know , I know I just don't know what do. The solution is in my hands yet I can't do anything, I need liberation from this frustration Ann it's killing me." His eyes mirrored sincerity.
"Then liberate yourself if the solution is in your hands, you're only hurting your whole being."
"I wish it were that easy to do like saying."
He looked deeper into my eyes , searching for God knows what. Our faces inched closer and closer and before I knew it . Andre smashed his lips on mine, sharing saliva with me.
He broke away just when I was going to give in more . He ran his fingers through us hair again. Next time he does that imma chop of his fingers . He has fine hair and anytime he does that tiny bits pull out , he will soon be rendered bald.
He stumbled away from me fleeing to his car.
I was left stunned and confused trying to digest what just happened in.
Drey and I just shared saliva and instead flees away like I'm a contagious infection when he should be explaining what he did.
I unconsciously touched my lips, remembering the feel of his on mine. Too bad my first kiss didn't go the way I wanted. He's being shying away from me since that night.
I called him the next day, it didn't go to voicemail , it rang yet he didn't reply like he always does. I sent a text and it's been sitting in my inbox since not replied.
If he refuses to come to me, I'll go to him. I'll pass by his office tomorrow after lectures unannounced. He'll have no choice than to see me . Genius Naana!
I laid back in bed waiting for sleep to take over. I tossed and turned and when I couldn't take ig anymore , I searched for my phone and unlocked it, doing what Andre suggested I do, listen to music.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The sound of my phone ringing work me up from my deep sleep . I searched for my phone again and found it lying at the foot of the bed with ear phones in.
I picked up the call and yawned , "Hello please who's this ?"
"Anniella Naana Morrison ! Get your ass up to lectures right this minute." Carmen yelled from the other side .
"Thank you for waking me up Carmen, I'll be down in a sec."
"I know you'll be down in thirty minutes, who're you lying to." She laughed having caught my lie.
"You caught me now can I go ?" I laughed too . It's impossible for me to get angry at Carmen. She volunteered to be my alarm , waking me up when I'm twenty minutes late going downstairs in the morning rather than having my alarm clock screech in my ears waking not only me up but El too.
I hanged up the call and went into my bathroom muttering to my ears only. Crazy kiss! I'ld be on my way now if I didn't think about you .
Who're kidding Anniella , we all know you enjoyed it . My brain kept telling me like it was on repeat. I came back , putting on a bra and lacy pantie , I threw on the clothes I had chosen the previous day. A simple comfy high waist jeans and an oversized crop hoodie with black ankle boots cause winter is almost here.
I grabbed my bag and made for the door. El came out ready for school . "Good morning El."
"Good morning sis , what are those bags I see under your eyes ? Are you sick ? Or boyfriend problems ?"
"I didn't get enough sleep, I wish I can skip school and sleep."
"Not with Carmen in charge , what got you sleepless ? The Anniella I know treasures her sleep , Andre ?"
"Why Andre ? It could be anyone." I shrugged trying to make it less of a big deal.
"It's Andre because he is the only friend you've got aside Chloe and Izzy and I'm 100% sure those two won't keep you away all night except for me."
"How observant you are."
"So it's him , what did he do ?"
"He didn't do anything."
She shot me a wink , "I'll get more tea in the car ."
I had no energy to protest, she will get it out of me anyways. I took an apple from the fruit basket and poured myself hot coffee into a paper cup. "Let's start leaving , I'm late asf."
I walked to her car and waited for her . She appeared eating a bowl of ice cream. " Seriously El , it's too early in the morning to be eating that."
"Doctor Ann, it's my cravings ."
"Are you pregnant! ?" I laughed , I knew she isn't I only wanna pull her legs.
"I'm not , you're smarter than that."
"Whatever ."
She got into her seat , placing her bowl of ice cream on my laps, " feed me please ." She pouted.
I fed her the entire ice cream scoop by scoop, " why did you use a scoop? You know there's something called spoon ?"
"Like I said before it's my cravings, so what was that about Andre ?"
"He's been avoiding me."
"And what did you do ?"
"I didn't do anything, he kissed me." I said the last but one word faintly hoping El doesn't hear but boy I was wrong.
She shrieked , "what! You two did what ?"
"You heard me El he kissed me not us kiss."
"A kiss is not one sided puh lease , so is that why he's avoiding you ?"
"Yeah , he just left without a word and my calls and texts haven't been answered!"
She looked me over at me swooning , "aww look at you complaining like a real girlfriend."
"We're friends."
"Friends don't always go out like you do, friends don't behave like how you two do and friends don't kiss."
"That was once and yes we're friends don't think too deep into it." It's true it's only once and we've not been cool since.
El glanced at me, putting her hand on my shoulder after parking the car, "You two can deceive yourselves and everyone but not me , I see the way you two look at each other."
"And how do we look at each other ?"
"Like how Mum and dad look at each other, love and adoration , let's go."
We got out of the car , there weren't much people around from what I see , some students have started their own Christmas break today.
"Puh lease El , we look at each other like friends do." I rolled my eyes , the fact that Andre gives me intense stares as if reading my soul and heart doesn't mean he sees me as that.
"Like I said , you can't deceive me, I know what I'm talking about , I'll see you after lectures yeah ?"
"Errm no I'll be going somewhere."
"Where ?"
"Archambeau Inc."
El was grinning like an idiot, "aww so you're going to make up with him erh?"
"Whatever you mean by make up no, I'm going for explanations."
Her grin was still plastered on her face , "whatever you mean to, I wish you luck."
"Lmao I've heard you." I started towards the direction of our department , taking out my phone to see if he's finally replied.
It was till the same, it's gonna be over soon.
I walked to the hall and was stunned, no student I mean no single soul is present. They've decided to start their Christmas break a day earlier. I should have slept in bed and not wasted time in coming here.
I turned on my heels ready to leave and met Isabella at the door.
"Where's everyone ? Aren't we supposed to have a class ?" She asked looking round the empty hall.
"I came to meet it like this , it seems today is the start of Christmas break instead of tomorrow."
"Professor Marie Dubois should have told us the class was cancelled, look at me rushing here only to meet an empty class hmph!"
"Yeah you're right but hey look on the brighter side it's only in the morning you have the rest of the day for whatever you wanna do."
Izzy extended her hand to mine, "damn right ! Let's get the hell out of here, I have spa day today and I'm gonna take all day!" She exclaimed very excited about the change of events.
We left the hall and in hand and went towards the car park. "I'm sorry Izzy I can't join you today, I promise another time."
She pouted, "why can't you ."
"Errm How should I say this, I'm going to visit a friend." I took out my phone and ordered an Uber. My license is not ready yet so I still use it.
Izzy took out her car keys to unlock the door , her eyes narrowed at me, "which friend ? Andre ?"
"Yeah Andre, I'll tell you about it later , pinky promise." I locked her pinky finger with mine.
"Alright , do you need me to uh drop you off ?"
"Oh nope I'm cool, my Uber's here, talk to you later !" I waved her and dashed for the gate where an Uber was waiting for me.
I got inside and slammed the door, "good morning ."
"Good morning miss." The middle aged driver smiled kindly at me and started the car .
The ride wasn't a long one . It was a twenty seven minutes ride and soon I'm faced with the huge empire of the Archambeau's. All the buildings high and huge, I didn't know where to go from here.
I saw a guard patrolling the area and I went to him, "Erm hi , where can I go to see Mr Andre Archambeau ?"
He looked me over and hesitated for a minute before pointing to a huge building right beside us, "that's the administrative building you can ask about him from the receptionist."
"Thank you ." I rummaged through my purse and took out a twenty dollar bill and extended it to him, "my appreciation sir."
He shook his head but smiled, "thank you miss but no , it's my pleasure to be of help."
I thanked him once again and made for the building. The inside was huge and beautiful, no less. It mirrored class and wealth with men and ladies dressed in formal suits and the ladies wearing stiletto heels and pumps. Their appearance showed professionalism. The smiles on their faces are genuine not those fake ones employees have to give to create a nice impression.
I approached a pretty lady with a blonde pixie cut behind a desk with the receptionist sign embodied on . I smiled at her, "Hello Good morning."
She acknowledged me with a smile too , "Good morning miss, how may I help you ?"
"I would love to see Mr Andre Archambeau please."
"His office is on the 30th floor you can use the public elevator there." She pointed to the said elevator and went back to work.
"Thank you miss."
"You're welcome."
I made for the elevator and luckily for me it was empty. I pressed the 30th floor button and stayed put. The elevator stopped in two minutes , the door opened automatically and I exited it.
There was an office five steps away from the elevator, I knocked an entered a Hello came from the other side.
There was a lady was stationed behind an office desk looking at the laptop in front of her. She raised her head and looked at me , "You May take your seat please."
"Uh don't worry ,I'm here to see Andre Archambeau." I wasn't going to sit for long so I might as well politely decline the offer and as if I'm cue, the devil himself came into the office.
His eyes fell on me and stopped in his tracks , "Anniella?"
"The one and only."
He addressed the lady I met who I'm here is his secretary, "April what did Pierre say I have next ?"
"He said you have a meeting with Mr Achille your brother."
He tended up , jaws clenching and hands unclenching and clenching . He was about to run his fingers through his hair like he always does before I stopped him, "don't you dare."
"Anniella let's talk more in my office, April inform anyone who comes to look for me that I am unavailable."
I followed him into his office on the right side of her office. It was a cool office with everything. It was rather huge for one person. He took his seat and offered me the one directly in front of him, "You may please sit."
"Why are you avoiding me?" I shot him the question the moment my ass touched the seat.
"I'm not avoiding you , I've been busy." He simply stated.
"Busy enough not to see my texts or my calls ? Busy enough not to send a quick I'll call you back later in two weeks? Is that how busy you are ?"
He looked everywhere but me and chose to keep quiet. His silence was getting on my last nerves. "If you don't wanna talk then I'm sorry to bother you, have a good day."
I got up from my seat and grabbed my bag ready to leave when he got up for his and held my hand , "no don't go Ann, please ."He pleaded with his eyes.
I sat back down and refused to talk too. I'm mad as I can ever be. He refused to explain what he did and when I came here to talk too he chose to keep quiet.
He stared at me and gathered his thoughts before speaking , "I'm sorry Ann, I saw your texts and calls , I just- uh I was too ashamed to reply them."
"Why were you ashamed ?" Is he serious ?
"I was because of what I did that night."
Oh. So this is the reason for him avoiding me these two weeks. I nodded my head for him to continue.
He sighed , "it was a mistake Ann, I should never have done that ."
Double piercings in my heart when those words left his lips. We're not dating or anything but his words deeply hurt me.
He saw the hurt on my face and came close to be taking my hand in his, "I'm sorry love, I didn't mean it for it to sound that way, it was a mistake that can affect our friendship, I shouldn't have done that . It could make you catch some feelings I'm afraid I can't return. I don't wanna lead you on."
So he's back to call me love, that aside , what does he mean by he's afraid he can't return . "Why can't you return them ?"
"Don't tell me you've caught those feelings!"
"No." Yes , liar , lies.
There was hurt in his eyes and he slowly took his hand away from mine. He quickly covered it with a bland look , "it's good you've not because I can't reciprocate them."
Then why did I see hurt in your eyes ? I nearly screamed at him. I kept my cool, "why can't you return them, you're human you're capable of doing so unless you tell me you're an Android even then androids like Andrew do love." I remembered Andrew from I Am Frankie.
"I am a human just like you , I just can't ! , I will tell you why another time but not now."
"No now."
"Please love , I promise, please I hope I'm forgiven." He looked at me with puppy eyes .
Who I'm I not to forgive you. "Yeah yeah, just don't do this again, don't ever leave without explaining yourself."
He pulled me into a hug. "I promise love."
"Great , so what did I miss these two weeks?"
"Same old , work and then home nothing fancy. What about you ?"
Nothing fancy went on to except the insomnia I kinda developed because of him and that saliva sharing moment. "Nothing fancy too."
"Lemme take you to dinner and catch up , I'm not so convinced by your nothing fancy too."
"Going back to our routine are we ? So when ?" I'm hella excited to go out again. I did miss our outing together these weeks. He's a great listener and a great talker too, paying attention to the little things."
"Errm Friday night after Boxing Day, is it convenient for you ?"
"Yes please, I'm on Christmas break."
"So it's settled."
"Oui Monsieur!" Thats not the only French I know.
"That French coming from you is the cutest , come here gimme a hug , I missed you." He rested on his table and opened his arms for a hug.
No wonder El thinks we're more than friends.
Hope I made it up to you in this chapter ?
An interesting things happens in the next , any guesses ?"