Chapter 54 Chapter 54

Chapter 54 Chapter 54


Tessa

After eating dinner with the family, I lay down on the couch, my heart racing fast. It had been days since I last saw my mum, and I wouldn't lie that I missed her so much. I wished to see her. I glanced around the sitting room,  it was empty, with only me inside. Leah and Alex had just stepped out, while Liam went to work, leaving only me with my thoughts.

I contemplated whether to go home or not, considering the boredom taking space in my heart and the fact that I missed my mum. 

I stood up, concluding that I would go visit my house. I wanted to see her face, even though we wouldn't talk, just seeing her face would suppress my longing for her.

I went to my room, picked up my purse and slippers, before storming out of the house and grabbing a taxi. I entered the taxi, told the cab driver my destination, and he started driving. 

My mind was occupied with the awkwardness that would be between me and my mum.

I didn't know if what I did was a bit off, but I guessed it was just the right decision since my mum wouldn't let go of me like I was a kindergarten student.

The taxi pulled over in front of our house, and I paid the cab driver before heading inside. The door wasn't locked, signifying that either Mum or Mr. Carter was around, or probably both of them were at home.

I pushed the door open, silence overwhelmed my ears, and I doubted if anyone was even at home. But I knew it wasn't possible for them to leave the door open without anyone being inside.

I inhaled loudly, planning to go upstairs when I heard footsteps walking forward. I raised my gaze, and it met with Mr. Carter's. His eyes blinked with fire, I wondered what was happening.

He descended the stairs without saying a word, his eyes mainly on me. I wondered what was wrong, his face wasn't smiling, and it wasn't like Mr. Carter I knew.

If it was the Mr. Carter I knew, he would have been happy to see me, probably rushing to hug me for just being at home. But the Mr. Carter in front of me looked nothing like the one I had known.

He finally stopped in front of me, his eyes searching for mine. I felt shy just seeing him staring at me like that.

"What...what's wrong?" I was forced to ask, my voice shaking, and my hands and legs trembling with sweat forming inside my palm.

"You..." his voice trailed off, he rubbed his hair annoyingly, turning his back to me. Something must be wrong. It was unlike Mr. Carter to act like this.

I wanted to touch him, maybe soothe him, but I didn't remember being in a good condition with him the last time we saw each other.

"Is something wrong?" I asked again, and instead of answering, he walked to sit down while I followed him behind.

I sat beside him, his eyes met mine for a minute before looking away.

"There's a problem," he finally pronounced. My brows frowned in confusion.

"Problem?" I recalled, and he nodded.

"What's that? What's happening?" I asked worriedly, curiosity getting the better of me.

"I got a call from the school not quite long," he paused, and I swallowed hard, my fingers fighting against each other.

"The school management asked if I was having an affair with any of the students in the school," he finally revealed what was wrong with him, and my shoulders fell, my eyes staring at a space.

"What did I just hear?" I muttered under my breath, my heart racing repeatedly.

"That wasn't the problem," his voice roared, and I wondered what could be worse than what he had just said.

"My job is now at stake. They are digging for information. I wonder who shared such rumors," he explained. 

My eyes shifted to his side slowly, he looked serious as if what he had just said was truly rumors. Is it not true that we are having an affair, it's not rumors, and now we have to do our best to end the rumors.

"What about Mum?" I asked, scared that Mum would be listening to our conversation.

"She stepped outside. She got a call from the office," he replied, and I bit my lip hurtfully. I had just come home because of her.

"What do you think we should do?" I asked, my voice coming out like a whisper.

"I think we should lay low for now, we can only see each other at home, and that's why I asked you to move back home," he uttered, getting me by surprise.

"Wow!" was the only word my throat could voice out.

"And who did you think told the school management? Do you have a boyfriend?" His statement got caught in my throat, and I nearly poked out my eyes in embarrassment.

"Are you for real?" I directed my eyes at him, but he looked so serious. My heart hit differently when I remembered Liam. It can't be him, right? I have been giving him everything he wants, so definitely it's not him. Or? Could he be?

"Did you have anyone in mind?" Mr. Carter's hands touched me gently, bringing me back to my thoughts. I was startled, looking around in surprise.

"Is there anyone, let me know," his eyes pierced into my soul like he had seen through me. I swallowed hard, my eyes darting around the room nervously.

"There's actually one," my voice sounded forced. Mr. Carter stared at me in anticipation.

"Someone, a guy, but he wasn't a student at our school," I swallowed hard, but Mr. Carter's eyes looked unglued. He wanted to hear the full story.

"He caught us making out in the hospital, and he has been threatening me since then," I revealed. Mr. Carter's eyes became wide in threefold.

"Tessa!" He called sharply, my heart racing faster.

"He reported us," he concluded.