Chapter 20 — Secrets
1235 Words
“I give up.” I groaned, plopping on Lena's bed.
She stared at my test results with worry etched into her features.
“It seems better than before, but the four main subjects are worse than bad.”
I rolled my eyes cynically. “You don't say.”
She stood up from the floor and went to bed. “That reminds me, you've been missing all of Mr Gareth's class, why?”
I shrugged. “Nothing.”
“Nothing? Do you even hear yourself, Rosie? His subjects are a must pass.”
“I know, Lena.” I groaned, sitting up.
“What exactly is going on?” She asked, squinting at me suspiciously.
“I don't want to talk about it,” I mumbled, tracing invisible lines on the bed.
She stared at me for a moment, then sighed heavily. “You do know you can tell me anything, no matter how weird and morally grey it might sound.”
I snickered, and she scowled, throwing the book in my face.
“Seems like you also have some immorality going on in your life too,” I teased.
She rolled her eyes, blushing slightly.
“Who is it?” I pressed, leaning towards her.
She pushed my face back. “No one.”
“Come on…” I whined.
“I will if you tell me what's going on between you and Mr Gareth.”
I pursed my lips, moving away from her.
“Thought so…” she murmured.
“Girls!” Lena's mum called from downstairs.
I quickly ran to the door.
“I call dibs on the chicken.”
Lena rolled her eyes, “stop acting like you're poor and starved.”
I opened the door and ran towards the dining room. “Compared to you, I am.”
“Your mother is White House Deputy National Security Advisor.”
“And your father is White House Chief of Staff,” I retorted.
“Girls,” Lena's mum hissed, waving us over.
We both glanced at each other in question.
“What's wrong, Mum?” Lena asked.
She pulled us away from the door.
“There's a man out there, he says he's here for Rosie.” She whispered.
“What?” I frowned.
She turned the door camera towards us and I stared at the person at the door in surprise.
“Henry?”
“My Gareth?”
Lena and I said at the same time.
“You guys know him?” Lena's mum asked.
“Yeah… he's the new lecturer I was telling you about.”
“Oh my…” Lena's mum murmured, fanning herself dramatically. “You didn't tell me he was this hot.”
“Mum…” Lena admonished.
“Oh please… although he looks a bit familiar.” She hummed, tapping her chin softly.
“He was our professor at Eden's College back then.”
She gasped loudly. “Ohh… that man,”
She moved closer to the camera, staring at Henry as he ran his fingers through his hair.
“My God…” she murmured. “It doesn't look like he's aged at all.”
She squinted at the camera, leaning closer.
“Does he keep getting handsome or is it me?”
“Trust me, it isn't,” Lena said.
“I should ask him what he uses on his skin and what his routine is like.”
“Please don't do that.” Lena groaned.
“Dear me… I should invite him for lunch.”
“I don't think that's a good idea…” I trailed off, as she headed towards the door.
I glanced at Lena and she rolled her eyes.
“There’s nothing I can do about it, Rosie. You know my mum has a few loose screws.”
With that she headed to the dining room.
I followed soon after, as hunger won over.
Familiar voices drifted into my ears as I got closer.
“Please I insist, Mr Gareth,” Lena's mum said, clinging to his arm.
“Call me Henry.”
“Ohh… well then call me, Maggie.”
Lena rolled her eyes, already dishing out her food.
I strolled in, ignoring Henry as I took a seat at the dining table.
And all the while… I felt his eyes follow me.
“Oh, Rosie's here,” Maggie said, “Did you know he's Rosie's home tutor?”
Lena raised a brow, glancing at me.
“As a matter of fact, I didn't.”
“Please come, Henry. Have a seat,” Maggie urged, pulling out a seat for him.
“I'll take this one,” Henry said, taking the seat opposite mine. “Thank you, Maggie.”
Maggie blushed slightly as she took a seat close to me, opposite Lena.
“Time flies, Henry. For a moment there, I didn't know you were their professor at Eden,” Maggie said, passing a plate to Henry.
Henry smiled politely. “Time really does fly, but I never forgot your cinnamon rolls, Maggie. It was the best I ever tasted.”
Maggie touched her chest, gasping in surprise. “I can't believe you remember that, Henry.”
“Who would easily forget your charming smile?” He said, chuckling softly.
I resisted the urge to throw my fork at his head.
Maggie looked like she was on the verge of crying. “That is so sweet of you, Henry. I promise you, I shall make those rolls just for you and bring them to Everest every single day.”
“Please don't…” Lena groaned, but was ignored.
“I wouldn't appreciate you stressing yourself because of me—”
“Oh please…” Maggie chastised. “It is no hassle at all.”
“It takes a lot of time, Mum. Are you sure—” Lena began, but Maggie cut her off.
“That reminds me, you sure haven't aged at all, Henry. What's your secret?”
“Take me, Lord.” Lena grumbled, as she shoved a spoonful into her mouth.
“I don't have any secrets, Maggie,” Henry replied, chuckling.
I rolled my eyes while Lena blanched silently.
“I do not believe that, is it Botox or this new anti-aging face cream they've been advertising—”
The sound of a car pulling into the driveway stopped her.
Maggie clicked her tongue in annoyance.
“I think it's your dad.”
She stood up, walking towards the door.
I carried on eating my food quietly, even as Henry's gaze pierced me intently.
Low murmurs drifted from the door followed by approaching footsteps.
Lena's dad walked past, pulling at his tie.
“I don't have the energy for this, Maggie.”
He groaned.
“Dad?” Lena called.
He paused and turned back, staring at us.
“Hey baby, how was school today?”
“Today's Saturday, Dad,” Lena mumbled.
“Oh right…” he trailed off.
“Good day, Mr Duncan,” I said, waving at him.
“Rosie… What a pleasant surprise, how's Denise?”
“Don't you guys work together?” Lena asked, unamused.
“Ah… you're right.” He replied, scratching his neck softly. “Well… it's good to have you around Rosie, how about you all enjoy your meal—” he paused, his gaze falling on none other than…
Henry.
He blinked. “Who's this, Maggie?”
- Writer
