The first step into love

Raina walked away from the spot and the car did the same. It continued like that until the front seat automatically and dramatically opened, indicating for her to go in. She bent low to appreciate whoever it was until her eyes caught Jude. Her lips shut like they were tied and she angrily and hurriedly walked away to the station. 

Jude put on his big sunshades and alighted from the car. He was in a casual black outfit but even so, the other people at the station were stunned by his charismatic steps towards Raina. 

They didn't know he was Jude as he also made sure to back them.

Jude stood at Raina's front and carried her in his arms. She whimpered and wriggled her legs until he whispered "Don't make a fool out of yourself. People are watching" 

Raina curls in his arms and tries to hide her face in embarrassment. Jude slightly bowed and groaned out because of the odd stares from mostly the older men "She's my girlfriend, We fought " he mouthed to clear their confusion. 

It worked as their faces resolved in acknowledgement. 

Once he had settled Raina inside the car, he hurriedly turned around to gear the car to life. He drove into the cold evening with the two of them having no plan to start a discussion. 

"Where do you stay?" Jude finally asked but Raina lashed out in response "Who do you think you are exactly?!"

"I'm Jude. The country's heartthrob" he smiled widely and Raina could bet her heart skipped at how beautiful he looked. It was cute.

"Why do you think you can treat me the way you want? I'm an instructor in your school for God's sake. What if someone saw us?"

"Us, like you and me?" he pouts, making her groan in displeasure. She moves her head back to rest on and breaths "There is no point in conversing with you. You are too dumb" 

"Isn't that offensive? You once cautioned me with the f-word remember?" he eyes her with a frown and pulls off his dark sun shade.

Raina blinked her eyes and muttered softly"I don't like all this nonsense you are trying with me. At least try to respect me"

Her plea touched him and he couldn't help but melt in acceptance. For the first time, he was willing to do the right thing. Apology wasn't his thing but he wanted to try it stylishly. He didn't like the worry in her voice and eyes. He wanted to pull her into his arms. He didn't know what was going on but he believed he had been possessed. 

After a long silence, he parked at the side of the road. It was already dark and the weather was also cold. 

"I didn't mean it that way. Hmmm, I had wanted to make things right after the kiss but you don't show up except when it's time for your class practice. I had to sneakily request your movements from the gateman. It's pathetic" He groans.

"You wanted to apologize? Or you are piling up how to make fun of an assistant instructor for not having a car?" She exhales heavily, not wanting to sink into a bad mood. 

"You did it already. There is nothing to apologize for. Anyways, let bygones be bygones. Don't let us meet again and I will be going from here" she fakes her smile. 

"Can you open the door now?" She asks.

"No. I'm not letting you go" he snaps.

"Why not?" She grinds her teeth while still faking a smile. She was already getting riled up. 

"Because I'm taking you home and I have to tell you something" 

"Tell me now, Mr Bellingham" she grits out.

"I want you to assist me with my entrance exam" he proposed, taking Raina aback. It took a while to close her mouth. 

"What? You can't assist me?" Jude chuckled mockingly. 

"You once mentioned that I barely graduated from High school. Why do you need an assistant from someone of such education status?" she muttered almost angrily.

"I did some research and found out you were a straight-A student. Sorry about my insult" he apologized.

"I can tutor but at the same time, I can't," she murmured.

"You will be paid," Jude proposed.

Raina was eager but she quickly hid it even though Jude had caught her excitement.

Maybe if I do it and with my salary, I will be able to pay Gerold Bellingham his money. 

Raina thought.

You do like money uuh, Let's see then.

Jude smirked internally. 

"I will think about it," Raina said.

"Really? The exams will commence in a few months. I do not have time to waste Miss Raina" he muttered with his eyes focused on the road. 

"Ooh, what about next week?"

"It's during the weekends alone. We will talk about the pay when you've decided." He clarified and sped off to the road. 

"Where do you live? We can't just keep driving or do you want to come to my house?" he flirts.

"No way! I live at Apple estate"

"Apple estate?" Jude furrowed his eyebrows.

"What happened?" Raina asks. 

"That's a popular estate for the elite and it belongs to my uncle. You live there but you take a public bus?"

"Nosy un?" She scowls.

"It's quizzical" He argues.

"I didn't grow up there. I don't like the place either?" She groans in irritation. 

There was silence for some seconds before realization dawned on both of them at the same time. 

"Your sugar daddy got you a mansion in the estate?" he asks nervously. Jude puffs out and shakes his head at his self-made conclusion. "My uncle owns that estate. He is not the sugar daddy right?" he asks. His breath hitches in anticipation of her response. He was agitated.

"No," Raina answered simply.

He exhales slowly in relief and gulps before nodding his head "I believe you"

"Why should it be a big deal if he is the one?" Raina inquires feeling peccant for lying.

"He is not a good fellow. He is into illegal business and he could be violent at times" Jude reveals with a disgusted expression. 

"Ooh…" Raina replied. Her heart warms as she sees it as a bad personality about Gerold that she could use to convince her father about her unwanted suitor. 

"Yeah," he inserted. Jude felt guilty for describing his uncle who he knows as nothing but calm. 

"So…I will be expecting your response regarding my lessons. A positive one" Jude muttered and parked at the front of the enormous gate of the estate. 

"Are you good like this or I should drive in?" he asks. 

"No. My home isn't far from here. I will be fine. Thank you" she appreciates and hurriedly gets out of the car to avoid his forceful attempt. 

Raina shut the door and bade him goodbye. She constantly looked back to see that he was still waiting. It went on till she walked into the main environs of her home. 

Raina dust her frocks and pressed on the knob of the entrance. The beautiful mansion had been a place she looked forward to for relaxing when they first relocated, but all of a sudden, it didn't seem like a promising place for her presently or in the future. She walked in to meet her father who was sitting with a crossed leg and gently sipping on his favourite Apple flavour beer. She murmured a greeting and tried to rush to her room but he called her, making her halt her steps.

Raina stood on the spot and shut her eyes painfully wishing she could dare to walk away but she had no choice. She walked over and settled on the soft divan positioned opposite her father. 

"I wouldn't want to waste much of your time. I will just go straight to the point " he began in his usual raspy voice. 

"Your husband-to-be will be coming with his relatives tomorrow. You need to get prepared and also, sleep early. The Bellingham's are the most …"