Chapter 3 - Mon Cherri

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.