Chapter 5

THE MISCHIEF Clifford helped his mum to bed and bid his farewell with a kiss on the forehead. "See you tomorrow mum." He said while turning off the lamp beside the bed. "Okay, son." She replied with a smile. Clifford smiled back and sauntered out of the room, gently closing the door behind him. Getting to the hall, he met face on with Nicole. She instinctively simpered, seductively approaching him. 'Hi, handsome–" She uttered, slightly biting on her lip. 'Nichole," Clifford snapped in, feeling uncomfortable with her actions. 'What's the meaning of what you are doing?" He queried but Nichole wasn't ready to give up. She advanced more strongly towards Clifford, caressing his face and trying to kiss him. 'Hey...," Clifford held her back by the shoulders with his face contorted in fury. 'What are you doing?" He asked but Nichole wasn't bothered. She tried to force her way with him but he instantly held her by the hand and strongly pushed her away. Anybody would have worn a frown on the face with such treatment but Nichole was too strong headed to be put away by something petty as such. Clifford threw a stern look at her. 'What the hell are you even trying to do?" Nicole smirked at his question while she drew a bit more closer. 'Trying to take back what's mine." She whispered into his ears. Nicole was Clifford's colleague in high school and she had always had a crush on him but Clifford didn't love her. She did everything to get Clifford's attention but he never noticed her. She had hope that he will some day notice her but the Rosita came Intl the picture, sabotaging all her chances. Clifford not understanding what she meant, stared at her quiet confused. "What are you even saying?" He asked, already boiling up with anger. He was so furious that he didn't want to hear anymore from her. He glared at her, slightly pushing her aside and left. Nicole looked on as Clifford's back fades away to the car park and smirked. "This is just the beginning Cliff." she said to herself as she turned towards her room and left. AT THE HOSPITAL Rosita laid on the bed, tossing and turning as she wondered what might be going on between Clifford and his mum when she felt a hand touch her. She instinctively turned to see Clifford beside her bed. 'Sweetheart." She said, shrugging to sit up and hugged him. 'So, how did it go?" She asked, drawing back from the hug. "It went well dear." He uttered while settling beside her. 'Mum was very happy to hear the news and also felt bad for what she did. She had even wanted to follow me here." He hinted. Rosita was on cloud nine hearing his piece of news which made Clifford smiled at the joy on her face but his smile suddenly faded away. Rosita noticing it, felt worried. "Sweetheart, what's wrong with you?" She asked. "Nothing dear." He replied but his tonation was enough to betray him. "You know you can share your problems with me dear." Rosita said, trying to get him open up. "Yes, but I assure you that it's nothing." He replied, not ready to make her more worried. Rosita smiled with a nod, persisting no further. Clifford glanced at her and drew her into his bosom, cuddling her. He sat quietly with the words of Nicole echoing in his head. They both slowly drifted off to sleep. THE HOLLANDS' MANSION It was a bright and sunny morning. The clock that hanged in Nichole's indicated that it was 6:30 am. She stood glancing out the window and enjoying the warm and serene atmosphere when she heard a knock on her door. "Yes– I'm coming." She said while shuffling over to the door to check who it was. She pulled the door opened, revealing a blonde hair young lady in her twenties at the entrance. "Ma'am, please Mad. Flora wants you to join her for breakfast." She said. "Okay, I will be there soon." Nichole replied. "Okay, ma'am." The house help replied and left. In about 20mins time, Nichole was done getting ready. She sauntered out of her room to the hall and soon joined Mad. Flora at the table. 'Good morning mum–" She said, giving Mad.Flora a peek on the cheeks before settling in the chair beside her. 'Good morning, sweetheart." Mad Flora answered with smiles dancing merrily on her lips. 'How are you doing dear?" She questioned. "I'm good mum." Nichole replied. 'Your mum called me this morning. She wants you to stay here for a while." Mad Flora went on. "This is so great." Nichole grumbled mentally to herself. 'Just what I wanted." She smirked, hiding it from Mad Flora. Glancing back at her, she smiled. "Okay mum." She replied but that was not just the news Mad. Flora wanted to tell Nichole. She sat quietly for a while wondering on how to break the news to Nichole. "Nichole," She finally spoke up.' I have something to tell you. I don't know how to go about it but I still have to do it." Immediately, Nichole knew what it was all about but pretended to have no idea. "Sure mum, go ahead." she replied. Mad. Flora told Nichole about Rosita's situation, ignorant of her awareness and tried to make her understand that things were not going to work between Clifford and her. "Sweetheart, I'm sorry for everything but hope you understand." She said. Nichole knowing that it was not over yet instinctively smirked to herself. "I perfectly understand." She muttered to herself before smiling at Mad Flora. 'That's okay mum." She said with faked a reassuring grin on. They were still on their conversation when a voice interrupted from behind. "Good morning, mum." The voice echoed, drawing their attention to it. They turned and it was Clifford. "Son," Mad Flora said as her lips curved into a smile. 'Come and join us." She beckoned him over. Clifford nodded, sauntering over to them. He pulled a chair as he neared the table and joined them. He looked sternly at Nichole and then turned to his mum. " Mum, I'm here to pick you up as promised." He said. Mad Flora was about to reply when Nichole snapped in. 'Mum, are you going somewhere?" She queried. 'Yes dear," Mad. Flora glanced at her. ' I'm going to visit Rosita at the hospital." She went on. 'I heard from Clifford that she will be discharge today." 'Oh really?" Nichole muttered, sounding a bit skeptical. 'Can I tag along?" She queried, throwing a scheming gaze Clifford's way. "Sure dear, you can." Mad. Flora replied. At that moment, Mad Flora excused herself to get changed for them to leave. Nichole moved from her chair to where Clifford sat. She caressed his shoulders and whispered to his ears, " If I can't have you, then no one will." Clifford stared at her stunned. Just then, Mad. Flora joined them. "Can we leave now?" she asked. 'Sure." Clifford muttered as he cleared his throat. with everything done and said, they staggered out of the house to the yard where Clifford had his car packed. They settled in and set off to the hospital. AT THE HOSPITAL They arrived at the hospital to meet the rest of the family. They were all happy that their mum was able to come along and Rosita was not an exception. "Mum, you came?" She said. "Yes dear, I did." She answered curbing her face. 'I'm so sorry for what I did to you. Please, forgive me dear." She apologized. "No mum," Rosita hastily muttered. 'It's alright. I understand how you felt." She replied. Mad. Flora hugged her at that instant and congratulated her. Clifford excused himself and left to the doctors office to sign the discharge papers. Soon, they were ready to leave. CLIFFORD'S APARTMENT Few hours later, the car pulled up in front of Clifford's apartment. Everybody got off , Lian and Clifford packed the stuffs into the house. They were all happy to have Rosita back home again. They all chatted and laughed heartedly. It was at that moment that Rosita felt thirsty so left off to the kitchen to get some water. Nichole saw leave and tailed after her without anybody's notice.