BEFORE YOU

THE NEXT DAY

Robert sat in the middle of the long dining table and said, "Ever since I met your mother, I've been more inclined to eat healthy food, of course because she cooks it. So eat well, you two." Though Robert was in the center, my mother and I felt comfortable seated at the end. To Robert's right sat my mother, and I was beside her. Meanwhile, Robert's two sons, Jefferson and Alfred, sat across from us.

"This is the first time we've eaten breakfast with two lovely ladies at the table," Alfred remarked. Jefferson smiled at me.

Robert suddenly asked, "Anyway, where is Reid?" His two sons did not answer him. Instead, they just looked at each other.

One of the three assistants standing at the side came a little closer to the table and spoke.

"Excuse me, Sir. Boss Reid gave a message that he is not going to eat his breakfast today. He left home early this morning."

I notice a sad look on Robert's face, though I don't sense any unpleasantness around us.

"It's okay, darling," my mom said with a wink to him. "I will cook his favorite food for dinner tonight. I'm sure he will like it."

"Thank you...so guys, enjoy your day," Robert announced.

The next thing that happened was when I was in our classroom. My gossipy classmates were busy discussing their latest topic - one of our teachers who was in a relationship with a female student from another class. Of course I paid them no mind. But when our professor came in, we greeted him as if nothing had happened.

"Students, we will be planting trees next Monday as part of an extracurricular school activity. Please prepare any necessary personal belongings you may need for the event. We will meet up at the time specified." One of my classmates asked, "What will be the exact time to meet up, Sir?"

"We will meet at 7 AM at the school gate entrance," our professor added. "Our class is the third group attending the event. We'll take a van from there to the venue."

"I'm sure it will be fun," another girl said.

"Fit for summer break. So Sir, can we stay there overnight?" one of the boys asked another question.

"Of course, there's a cabin there actually. We will rent that house exclusively for one night. But there are only two rooms - one for the girls and one for the boys," our professor said.

"That's nice...Babe, you know what to bring, huh?" I heard one girl say. She was sitting in front of me with her boyfriend beside her.

Hearing this news was a good thing for me, as I could take advantage of the time away from the mansion. I'm sure mom had nothing to do with it, since this was part of our school activities.

One of my trusted friends leaned in and whispered, "Jen, what about Jacob - do you want to bring him there?" She was aware of my relationship with Jacob and my situation living in a new house.

"Shhh... He's busy with his class right now," I replied softly. "I don't have any plans to bring him along this time." I notify her.

I cared for my boyfriend, but we both respected our need for personal space when it came to studies and school activities. As his girlfriend, I knew my boundaries, and I trusted him completely.

"Okay, my lips are sealed," she said with a smile, turning her focus back to the professor's lecture.