When Love Crosses Class

Episode4FIRSTENCOUNTER

FIRST ENCOUNTER

It is Monday again, It was early Monday morning in Westminster, and the sun was just starting to rise over the city, casting a soft, silvery glow over the skyline. I stood in front of my vanity, glancing at my reflection as I finished getting ready.

Today was the first day I’d be meeting Tony, the new driver my Dad had employed, as he assumes that Tony is more disciplined. I had more than my fair share of drivers with my Dad’s high standards, and let’s just say, not all of them had lived up to the reputation.

As I smoothed the sleeves of my blazer, I couldn’t help but feel a bit anxious. First impressions mattered, especially in my world, where every detail seemed to define who you were. So since I haven't had any encounters with him I just can't help but wonder, Would Tony be one of those stiff, overly formal types, silent and watchful like a bodyguard? Or perhaps the overly chatty kind who assumed he could ask me about everything from school to my family’s business.

I took a deep breath and grabbed my bag, giving myself a last, reassuring look before heading downstairs to the lobby of my building. The air was cool, crisp, with a hint of the autumn morning chill, and I couldn’t help but feel a tiny thrill of nerves as I spotted the sleek black Mercedes idling by the curb. Through the tinted glass, I could barely make out the driver in the front seat, sitting straight, hands on the wheel like he was in some sort of military drill.

He stepped out as soon as he saw me approaching, impeccably dressed in a dark suit and polished shoes, his movements crisp and professional. “Good morning, Miss Emiley,” he said, holding the door open with a respectful nod.

“Morning, Tony,” I replied, sliding into the back seat. The interior was spotless, not a single smudge on the windows or mark on the seats. I settled in, trying to relax as he closed the door gently behind me and made his way to the driver’s seat.

As we pulled away from the curb, he remained perfectly silent, eyes fixed on the road, posture straight. His driving was smooth and controlled, nothing abrupt or uncertain. I watched him in the mirror, catching brief glimpses of his face calm, focused, and utterly unbothered. Perhaps, I thought, this could actually work.

The city started to pass by in a blur, the steady hum of the car filling the silence. For now, I decided to just sit back and let him do his job. It was only Monday morning, after all and kept on reminding myself that I should be careful with my dealings with him. Hoping he doesn't know the conditions given to me by my Dad and he would not use it to his advantage.

We got to school and Susan was already standing at the entrance of the school waiting for me, he stopped and I came down, then through the Passenger window I said to him,

“ You can leave, when I am done with school I will call you to come get me”

He looked at me and nodded positively, I went to meet Susan and greeted her as usual, she said “ Is that the African driver? What is he like? How was the drive? Any drama?”

“Susan please… his name is Tony, and not the African driver, and from the little I have noticed he would not be much to handle, and beside if he does his work appropriately I don't think there would be issues, from the little I can tell his driving is sound so can we just move on with our lives and forget this ever exist”

I told her as we walked in together. After 4 hours of lectures, I and Susan came out complaining about how mean the guest lecture was to the class only to find out that Tony was right where I left him. I purposely paused and asked Susan,

“Was it not the spot he dropped me off this morning?? And I told him to go when I am done I will call him to come pick me up, can it be he didn't go anywhere and stayed here in the cold all hours? No it can't be” I said with a little uncertainty.

Susan said “ Looks like he hadn't moved, why don't we go ask him” So I walked straight to him and knocked on the tinted glass window. He wind down the glass and gaze at me like I was disturbing him.

“I haven't called you to come pick me, have I?”

“No Miss” he said with a straight voice.

“Then what are you doing here?” I said with a direct look

“Waiting for you, Miss” he replied.

“Did I ask you to wait? And does it mean you were here all hours waiting for me??” I exclaimed.

“No Miss, you didn't ask me to wait, and yes I was here along waiting for you” he said with a voice that shows no fear.

With furious heart I wailed “This is what I don't like, I gave you a simple and stress free instruction and you refused to take it, you rather do what you feel you should do right?”

“I am sorry Miss, but that wasn't the instruction given to me by Your father who employed me, he said I should be with you in all areas and I can't drive home without you when clearly I drove out with you, I am sorry” he said, sounding like a military instructor.

I exhaled “ Oh really!! Ok you can go home I will not be joining you home then, I will join Susan to lunch then when I am done she will drop me off at the home, thank you” I said sternly,

“I can only drive behind Susan Miss, so we can go home together, I can not go home without you Miss, I am sorry” he said, this time not looking at me.

I eased and walked away to meet Susan who eavesdropped on our conversation.

“Can you imagine the nonsense” I yelled as I was about to explain to Susan. “Look at the jeopardy my Dad has got me into, so I can't have freedom anymore? Well come let's go into your car, let's see how he keeps up” I said as I pulled Susan from her arm walking faster to her car.

We got into Susan’s car and drove off heading to a reserved restaurant where we had planned to have lunch, Tony stubbornly followed us behind with his car and parked outside the restaurant, looking at every direction I turned to. He looks like a stalker that is paid to monitor all my movement and give feedback in order to plan my kidnap.

As I looked at his car through the restaurant glass, I had my Dad to blame for all these. I glanced around the restaurant, watching people chat and laugh, perfectly at ease, while outside, Tony stood there like a silent shadow, sticking out on the elegant street like a misplaced statue. He was so intent on following my father’s instructions that he couldn’t even see how uncomfortable it made me.

Frustrated, I dug through my bag, pulling out my phone to send him a text. “Go home”, I typed, pressing send and hoping he’d finally take the hint. But as I looked back up, he only shifted slightly, checking his watch with that same expressionless look, ignoring my message entirely.

Finally, we came out and Susan had to drop me off at home, he followed us home behind carefully, parked in the compound and left for his staff quarters.

I went in and went straight to my room and thought to myself a way of ending this enclosure for my sanity to be maintained.