Estelle has cautioned this new girl, times without a number to stay away from Joel but the scene in front of her said something else. Ignoring Nina, She walks straight to her, grabbing her by her hair harshly, and pulls her away from Joel. She was approximately five inches away from Joel with all smiles. But Estelle thought she was too close to her man.
"Don't ever get that close to him again,' She warned sternly.
"I was only asking for his autograph." She said apologetically, which made Estelle regret her action but she didn't want to admit she was wrong.
"Whatever," she scoffed
"Hey, why are you being all worked up again?" Joel laughed and pulled her into a hug. She knows he likes it when she acts all possessive. He feels bad to yell at girls or anything close to driving them away even when they behave flirtingly around him. He is too nice. So now, Estelle is the jealous and possessive girlfriend but don't be too quick to judge her. Joel is no angel either.
Last summer, a new guy Jacob joined their batch on transfer and was asking Estelle out on a date, not knowing she was already dating Joel. Joel beat the guy to a pup without hearing the details of the story. He showed no mercy. So you see, he is even worse than Estelle. They are just obsessed with each other and God has mercy on whoever tries to come between them. Their love knows no bounds.
"What were you saying to each other?" Estelle asked, tightening the hug and planting a kiss on his lips.
"She wanted my autograph but I didn't even have a pen and she didn't carry one too so she wanted to know where she could meet me when she gets a pen," He stammered, not expecting her to ask those questions in the first place.
"Sounds like a good excuse," she sighed, after pulling away from the hug.
"Is someone getting jealous?" Joel asked in a teasing tone.
"Who? Me? am not," She blushed.
"But you are blushing." He said further.
"Excuse me, I have a class," Estelle responded, trying to hide her embarrassment. She didn't always want to look desperate.
"Wait", He called pulling her into another hug and planting another kiss on her lips. Other students passing saw them and walked away instantly, being used to seeing them in that position most at times. Nina had already left, knowing Estelle could handle herself and it was past time for her lecture too. "Why did you want to leave without kissing me goodbye?" Joel smiled.
"Because you were annoying me." She frowned.
"Hahaha, you look like a little puppy when you frown," he pinched her cheek. "We will talk after class. We have important things to discuss". He said seriously.
" I know, bye", Estelle yelled running to her lecture, just in time before the lecturer walks in.
Estelle blends her lectures quite well with all her extra-curricular activities. Being a straight-A student, she plans on getting a job after graduation to begin making her own money but Joel and her parents, have other plans that will either make or unmake her.
Giving her full attention to the lecture, she doesn't notice her phone vibrating. She takes her notes and selects a topic for her project work before the lecture was over. She still didn't check her phone.
Joel settled for his lecture as well, giving his full concentration as if his life depended on it. He almost got a scholarship if not for a deal he made with the devil which took an inconsiderable amount of his time, pulling him away from his studies. He missed the scholarship with just 5marks.
He owes his gratitude to Estelle, who took it upon herself to be paying for his school fees. Not only that, she paid for his Dad's surgery too, and even though she made it anonymous, he knew she was the one.
It doesn't end there. When they were evicted from their house, Estelle bought him and his parents a beautiful 3 bedroom house in one of the most expensive regions. He never had the guts to tell his parents all that Estelle did for them. He told them it's from a philanthropist.
Every month, she transfers a substantial amount of money into his bank account for his upkeep and that of his parents.
Estelles's generosity makes him feel like a gold digger but he has sworn to himself, to make it up to her when the time is right.
Beingg in their final year in college, he has just one request from her but he doesn't know how to say it without sounding ungrateful. She's done so much already and he can't bring himself to ask but this is also the last memory he wants to take with him from college.
Irrespective of all these going on in his mind, he gave his full concentration to the lecture and never missed anything. As soon as it was over. He dashed out to meet Estelle, almost bumping into her.
"Ready to go home?" He asked her, knowing that it was, what it was.
"Where else? But not before the important discussion," she muttered.
"It's a relief to know that you haven't forgotten," he said genuinely. He always felt he overwhelmed her too much with his needs but she never complained.
"Let's grab something to eat at the cafeteria and talk," Estelle suggested.
"Sounds like a good plan but the bill is on me," Joel emphasized. Estelle shrugged her shoulders in acceptance.
At the cafeteria, they place their order and begin to talk. Joel hesitantly speaks up.
"Babe, am so sorry for overwhelming you all the time with my needs." Estelle cuts in before he continues.
"I love to help so am not in any way overwhelmed." She chuckled. Relief flashed over his face as he gathered the courage to go straight to the point.
"It's about my birthday. It's close and-"
"I know Joel, you don't have to remind me." Estelle cut in again before he completed his sentence.
"Yes, I know you might be planning another surprise party. But I just kind of wanted to have control over it this time because it's the last birthday I will ever celebrate on campus. I didn't get to bring most of my friends the last time because you didn't invite them. This time, I want to be able to get all of them involved," he said carefully, not wanting to annoy her.
Thankfully, their order arrived, breaking the awkward moment. He couldn't read her expression so he couldn't tell whether she was upset or okay with his request.
"Don't worry, it won't be a surprise this time. Choose your venue and let me know how you want it to be. I will transfer some money into your account and let me know if you need more," she said, biting into her salad.
"Thanks my fairy, you always grant all my wishes. I love you so much. Not because of all the help you give me, but genuinely." He said truthfully, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.
Estelle opened her mouth to say something but her phone vibrated anf this time, she heard it since it was just the two of them.
She looked at the caller ID and it was unknown so she answered it only to hear the voice of the only man who had the right to turn her life upside down.
"Mon Cherri," a deep and husky voice sounded in her ears.
"Dad?" Estelle howled when she listened to the voice from the other side of the line. Joel gaped at her with unreadable emotions. Her Dad is the only one who calls her Mon Cherri. But what she couldn't understand was why he was phoning her with an unidentified number."Why are you squealing astounded? Couldn't you divulge from my voice"? He implored disgruntled and wondering why she hasn't been responding to his phone calls." I partly did but why did you call with an unidentified number?" She asked bewildered, knowing that her dad only called her with his private number, which she had saved on her phone."Oui, Mon Cherri, if you hadn't ignored my calls, I wouldn't be forced to use this one". She remembered when the phone rang in the lecture hall and she didn't answer. But a few days ago, she had deliberately avoided her father's calls, fearing the worst." Sorry dad, it's been hectic these days due to project work and I'm barely close to the phone.
"Water?" Joel asked with concern, his head spinning with so many thoughts he couldn't voice out. He tried his best to look neutral but internally, he wasn't satisfied with Estelle's behavior and the answers she gave him but he trusted her so much and wished and couldn't suspect anything. He felt she just needed time like be needed to tell her about himself too. She wasn't the only one with secrets after all.Estelle's nods in the affirmative, as she felt fire in her nose. She coughed involuntarily, making the food divert it's way from her esophagus to her conchae. It was a short burning pain, slowly eased by the warm water Joel held to her mouth which she gulped down impatiently, easing her discomfort."Thank you" she whispers with glassy eyes. Joel waited till she finished eating, not wanting to say anything to make her choke as before."Babe, you are getting me worried. Ever since the interview, you've been acting all weird. Am not complaining. Just honestl
The next day, they didn't have much time to speak as they intended. Both of them were caught up in their preparation for the final match at noon. It was a competition between the two best universities in the world and other college students had begun making their way to their school. The cheerleaders were having a hard time choosing from the four new uniforms they ordered. They felt them all gorgeous but decided to vote and agreed on a blue and black turtle neck shell tank top with a mid-high pleated skirt won over spankies with matching white shoes. Black and blue were the school's official colors so it seemed like the best option from the rest.The football team waited in the lounges while their coach gave his final direction. It was a very competitive match with each team wanting to graduate as the winner, wanting to give the school it's glory. It was about five minutes to the end of the game before a ball entered the net in favor of Queens College. The roar from the crowd
"Nina, I don't like this. It's too short," Estelle whined, looking at herself in the mirror."But it's perfect. You will be the hottest at the party", she winks. Estelle moves to sit in her bed, turning to face Nina who has been grinning since she tried on that dress."I know, but I don't want to make him lose control. He has promised to wait till marriage and I don't want to tempt him to go against his words," she explains, moving her gaze from Nina, to Amanda. She hoped Amanda will defend her. She needed their help because she wanted to look her best, and at the same time not looking seductive."Well if he has waited this long, he can still wait a few months. This dress is not coming off your body, whether you like it or not." Nina insisted, In a firm but friendly tone.Estelle shifts her gaze through her vast closet, landing her eyes on a black, shiny, knee-length dress. "Okay, that is is fine"."No. I mean it looks good but not as good as what you a
Estelle sends a cold gaze towards Joel's direction when she beholds the brand new yellow Ferrari in front of her. Joel was just numb and she couldn't figure out if he was angry, excited, or sad. It seems to her that Britanny has succeeded in ruining their perfect party.Joel turned and with his hand still wrapped around her waist, begins to walk back to the party, throwing the gift box containing the keys on the floor in front of Britanny. Britanny looks on as her face drops in disappointment, as she quickly picks up the car key, leaving the box on the floor.This is the first time anyone has rejected an expensive gift like this from her. She was even more determined to make him accept the gift and kept running after him like a fool."Joel!" Britanny howled behind them, making them turn involuntarily to face her. "Look, it's your birthday and you are accepting gifts from everyone so why do you have to reject mine?" She asked with an innocent expression on her face.
Joel threw an angry look at Britanny, before following the direction Estelle exited but before he exited the door, he took another look at Britanny."What did I ever do to you? Just one memorable event of my life and you still had the brasses to ruin it. Are you even human?" He asked rhetorically, shaking his head in disappointment before following the and exit.From where Estelle had his new car parked, it took some time to get it out of the car park because she didn't want anyone to see it. As soon as he was out of the car park, he made his way to the police station and since it was about an hour to midnight, there was no traffic.Upon arrival at the police station, he realized he saw Estelle coming out, just as he was about to enter."Babe, did they hurt you?" He asked with concern, anger, and regret."No, they let me go," Estelle responds passively."Seriously? Just like that?""Hmmm," Estelle hummed, raising her brows.Whe
The week moved on fast and there were no major activities as everyone was preparing for the exams. Estelle and her friends spent most of their time in the library, but she did make time for Joel. Their discussions were short and brief. They were straight-A students and wanted to keep it that way. Soon it was time for Estelle to leave for Paris and Joel chaperoned her to the airport. Even though she promised to return in two days, Joel doubted it but didn't tell her, and kisses her goodbye.Before he drives out of the Airport, someone taps on his window and he winds down his window glass, thinking it might be security or something important. To his amazement, Brittany was standing there smiling innocently."Are you stalking me?" he asks furiously."Yes, to be honest," She says, directing her gaze to the floor. Joel was still angry with her for making the police arrest Estelle but gave her a listening ear regardless."May I know why?" He asks impatiently.
Just as Brittany promised, a driver was there to pick Joel from his house at exactly 4 am. They drove to the private jet where Britanny was waiting. Just as he got in, they were on their way to Paris. Few minutes to the arrival, Britanny handed over to him, a black, designer tuxedo with matching pairs of shoes. They sat in separate seats, even though Britanny was against it but it was Joel's way of keeping everything professional.She also went to change into an ocean blue backless gown, and styled her hair, applying the right make-up to compliment her appearance. As soon as Joel saw her, he couldn't hide his compliment. He knew she was very beautiful but her virtue was just the opposite so he wasn't in any way attracted to her. In her high heels, she was almost the same height as Joel."I must say, that the gown fits you perfectly," he complimented.Brittany blushed. "Thank you, We should be arriving in a few minutes."They arrived in Paris and there was a c