In Between April

CHAPTER 1

"But grandpa, you're taking away my birthright!" Ryan screamed for the second time. No one was listening to him, especially his grandfather.

"I can take care of my father's company. I can do it. Why don't you trust me?"

"Ryan, I have told you my condition about becoming the CEO of the company. I built that company with my sweat, your father did everything he could for that company until he died, I want to hand the company over to someone I know is capable of handing it."

"But I am capable, I am. Please, believe me." Ryan pleaded with his grandfather. It has been both of them against the world since his parents died.

"How? You're not even married or sure of getting married, anytime soon. I haven't seen any woman in your life." Mr. Ray was insistent on getting married before the company was handed over to him.

"I'll get married…"

"Of course you will or I will hand the company over to Kenneth." Mr. Ray threatened and Ryan knew he meant every word he said.

"Why would you give that loser the company and not me?" Ryan was getting upset. All his life, all he had done was for that company. He won't watch his legacy as it's been given to an ingrate.

"Ryan, I need to rest. If you want the company, then accept my condition and get married." That was the last of it as Mr. Ray shoved his hand signalling that he didn't want to be disturbed anymore.

******

"I'm only doing this because I need the money." April said, turning to her friend who was asking for a favor.

"Why would you plan dinner dates, you don't plan on going? Who does that?"

Lily laughed. "Me." She laughed the more. "Anyway, my Mum plans the date and I'm currently not ready for a commitment, you know that."

"When will you be then?" April asked her friend.

"I don't know, it doesn't matter. I have to enjoy my life now, you know we only live once."

"It's not funny though. This is the third time I'm doing this and it's the last time." April replied. She worked some of the days in the week but her pay was never enough.

Lily had decided to help her but on a condition that she goes on every date, her mother had set up for her. Lily was from a well to do family and was the only child and so was pampered. She was a wayward child and never lived within her means. Well, she had parents who provided everything for her, giving her a good life.

Her mother, Rosa Jones wanted her to get married and so set her up with eligible bachelors in town, hoping that she would find one fit to marry her but Lily was not ready for a committed relationship.

"Okay, okay. Just do it for me, please." Lily started with that voice of hers. " Anyway, you aren't even doing anything. It will keep you busy." Lily said, not knowing the words she said was hurtful.

It was hurtful but it was true.

April was currently working as a tutor and had such a huge debt to repay. Her father was in debt and was currently in bad shape at the hospital. She needed to pay up in order not to lose their family house which was at the verge of being destroyed by the bank.

She was given two weeks to come up with the money or watch her family house, the only inheritance she has got destroyed.

"You know that going on dates isn't something I should be doing right now." April reminded Lily, in case she had forgotten.

"Well, you're currently not doing anything so please do this for me and anyway, you don't know you'll have some chemistry with the guy and you know.." Lily winked at me.

"Chemistry. Chemistry won't pay my bills." I smirked.

"Anyway, I will increase your pay for tonight." Lilly said and April was grateful. The money Lily paid her just for one date was more than her pay in a week. Most times, she secretly prayed that Lily would have dates every day but never said it.

Lily and April have been friends for years and were very close. Lily lives the extravagant rich life while April lives the quiet, average life. They were so different in so many ways that lots of people wonder how they have been friends for so long.

"I'm off to see Frank.. bye. Don't ruin the date though." She left in a hurry.

"I won't." April replied.

She had to do this. She believed that dating and going on dates were for people who were ready for marriage but she was doing this because she needed the money.

Lily was her friend and could be nice but she didn't know how to use words. She was never thought to survive. She only asked and it was given to her.

April took a deep breath. She would use the money she had saved so far for her father's hospital fees. He had been there for months now and the hospital bills was already piled up.

I picked up my laptop to check for vacancies and openings. I was tired already and tied down with everything that was happening. They were going to be evicted from their family house and April felt worthless because she couldn't do anything. Her siblings were about to be laid out of school and she couldn't do a thing.

She dialed her sister's number but Bella wasn't answering. She didn't understand the deal with her elder sister. Ever since Dad had an accident, Bella had totally withdrawn herself from her family.

Bella was my elder sister whom I grew up with. We were so close at that time and were always there for each other. Now, we were adults and everyone had their own commitment.

Bella wasn't happy though about the recent things that happened at home especially when her had an accident. She hardly visits him or even comes home at all. When they were little, April knew her sister to be someone that loved extravagant lifestyle, she told her stories of places she would like to go to and visit.

She was simply fed up with how poor we have become and was slowly detaching herself from us.

She was still in deep thought when I received a message. "Don't be late." It was Lily.

I got up to get prepared. I didn't know what to wear, I had exhausted my two favorite dresses on the last two dates I went to so I had to make do with what I have.

April was supposed to meet him at hearts Hotel to have dinner. She dressed up immediately and boarded a taxi on her way to meet her Prince charming