CHAPTER FIVE

TESSA’S POV

“ Get your hands off her Drake “ A baritone voice that wasn't Kace's order with thunderous voice. We all turned in the direction in which the voice came and saw that it was Drakes dad that said it.

They worked to where we stood and began talking but I couldn't register what they were saying. I was too numb at the moment, the only thing I could say I heard was Drake telling them he loved me.

I had been waiting for this moment all my life when he would say these words to me but it came at the wrong time. He was too late and the thought alone broke me beyond measure.

All these that happened were too much for me to process. I know I came here ready to get married to Kace but hearing Drake tell me he loves me made me indecisive. So I ran as fast as my legs could carry while crying.

Before I knew it I was in front of our mansions gate, is there what heartbreak can't make someone do? Because on a normal day, I can never run from the Crawford manor to our mansion.

I ran inside and locked my door behind me when I got into my room which was on the second floor. I cried till tears I had no tears left to cry.

I just lay on my queen-sized bed facing upwards and staring into space until the comforting call of slumber called me to its depth and I succumbed.

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Knock!! Knock!! Knock!!!

Was the continuous sound that woke me up and I stirred on my bed using the pillow to cover my ears because the person knocking was persistent.

“ Stop knocking!! “ I yelled angrily at the person but still the person won't stop knocking.

Succeeding in waking me up fully, I angrily stormed to my door with my disheveled hair, swollen eyes, and drool that had dried at the side of my lips when I was sleeping.

I opened the door and was ready to give the person an ear full from me but was utterly shocked to see Kace standing in front of my door, I gasped looking at him handsome and hot as always in his three-piece suit.

Then it clicked in my head that I was in a bad state judging from my disheveled hair to the dried drool beside my lips.

I immediately pushed the door to close it but he was fast to block the door from closing with his hands and legs.

“ What do you want? “ I groaned as I gave up, leaving the door opened the door not caring if he came in or not and walked to sit on my bed. Thankfully, my room is always arranged.

“ Tsk Tsk Tsk!! Tess you are running late for school “ He said in his sweet voice, hearing him call me Tess sounded so sexy to my ears that it ignited a spark within me but I instantly shove the feeling off without thinking twice.

“ Ohhh!!! I'm I supposed to be grateful? Are you my daddy!! Oh thanks, Daddy but I don't feel like going to school today “ I replied him with a mockery voice that showed I was happy but I wasn't smiling at all while saying it.

I sat on my bed still putting on the clothes I had on yesterday when I went to their house. But who cares?

He rolled his eye at me before saying “ Young lady get your butt up and go into that bathroom to prepare for school or would you rather I help you bathe and dress you up myself? “ he asked with a smirk on his face.

“ I so much want to slap this man “ I mumbled with gritted teeth and glared at him.

“ Okay fine I'll be down in twenty minutes, “ I said not having the strength to argue with him anymore.

“ Fifteen minutes is all you have Tess and I'm not joking, “ He said and threw my school bag on the bed which I didn't even notice he was holding until now.

What the fuck!! He's even giving me time? Wow!! I clenched my fist trying to keep my anger at bay as he walked out.

“ Fifteen minutes Tess, “ He said before he closed the door. I checked if my phone was in my bag and it was. I had a series of missed calls from Triss and Drake.

Triss had been my female bestie since high school, she has been a caring friend. I dropped my phone on the bed and went into the bathroom. When my eyes looked into my bathroom mirror I almost collapsed in surprise, did a dude just see me in this state? Looking like this? I thought and facepalmed.

I got myself ready for school and went downstairs only to find my mom chatting with Kace.

“ What's going on here? Why are you even here this early? “ I asked Kace while placing the strap of my school bag properly on one of my shoulders.

“That's rude Tess, not even a greeting for me? “ my mom asked with a displeased look on her face.

“ Sorry mom, Good morning Mom hope you slept well “ I greeted. But she just glared at me instead of answering my greeting.

“ I was asked to be taking you to school and bringing you back from school till further notice, “ Kace said and had this kind of you don't have a choice look on his face.

“ Accept the kind gesture of the Crawfords, Kace is going to be your husband after all so it's natural if he's the one picking you up for school, “ my mom said smiling as she looked at Kace who nodded at her.

“ Fine but please tell him not to get on my nerves, “ I said to my mom and went outside.

A few seconds later I could feel his presence behind me as he walked to the driver's side and unlocked his Bugatti. We both got in without saying a word to each other and he drove heading to my school.

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We got to my school at the same time that students were alighting from the school bus. Argh! I know gossip would start if they see me coming down from Kace's car because I'm popular in school.

I tried to put on a nonchalant face and came down from Kace's car without thanking Kace for the ride.

As expected students outside the college building entrance began to whisper and I didn't care because it was bearable. However, I barely took three steps when the students began to whisper and point in my direction.

I turned and saw Kace walking beside me with dark shades on. He looked like a model.

“ What are you doing? “ I asked him while plastering a fake smile on my face for public sake.

“ Dropping you off at school “ he answered with a smile too which of course was fake too.

I saw Triss and Drake standing at the college entrance door. While Triss had a surprised look, Drake looked like he was about to devour someone as he saw Kace and I Walking toward them.

I stopped a few steps before them not wanting to create a scene by allowing Drake to stand close to his brother Kace.

“ Take care of yourself, “ Kace said as he caressed my shoulder for a split second and peeked me on the cheek. This single act made me begin to hear the sound of people gasping from every direction.

Argh!! Public display of affection, was this necessary? I wanted to ask but decided to save it for later.

“ I'll kill you for this Kace, “ I said through gritted teeth while still fake smiling.

“ I know Tess “ Kace answered chuckling and using his thumb to caress my cheeks lightly before walking away. If I said I didn't feel tingles within me when he caressed my cheek then I'll be the biggest liar in the universe but then I shoved the feeling aside.

I turned to look at Triss and Drake who was now crimson red with anger.

“ Here goes nothing “ I mumbled to myself and mustered the courage before I began walking toward them at the entrance door.

“ Hey guys, “ I said giving them a strained them and Triss gave me a sad smile wanting to say something but Drake bested her.

“ Just an interval of yesterday and today you are already playing lovey-dovey with him? You're so unbelievable “ Drake exclaimed and left.

“ I'm sorry about that Tess, he didn't… “ Triss wanted to continue talking but paused as she looked behind me and just then I felt someone tap me on my shoulder.