Chapter 32: Chapter 32

Triffany woke up early the next day, she brushed her teeth and took her bath, changing into comfortable wear. She looked at Carlos who was still asleep on the bed, the words she had heard him say last night came to her memory.

She turned around and left the room, she went outside and saw Gabby in the pool, swimming. “Good morning Triffany.” Gabby greeted as Triffany came closer.

“Morning Gabby.” She flashed a smile.

Gabby came out of the pool, Triffany hands her a towel. “How was your night?” She asked as she gently wrapped herself with the towel.

“Awesome. Yours?”

“Nice.” Gabby looked at her. “Are you heading out to learn today?”

Triffany shakes her head. “No, today is considered a resting day for me.” Triffany smiled and sat down on the pool chair.

Gabby joined her. “Then that’s nice.” She was all smiles as Triffany looked at her, waiting for her to continue. “Since I’m swimming, do you care to join?”

Triffany waved her hands. “No, you know I can’t swim.”

Gabby exhaled softly. “Don’t worry, I’m going to teach you.”

“Gabby, no.” Triffany tries to protest.

Gabby smiled, this time she was not ready to give up. “Don’t worry, it’s just a pool. It’s not an ocean and you can stand in it.” Gabby dropped her towel and went into the pool to show her.

“See you can stand in it, over there.” Gabby pointed to another side of the pool. “That side is deep, so come on in. “ She waved Triffany over.

“Gabby..”

“Trust me this is okay,” Gabby assured her as Triffany walked towards the pool.

She took off her dress and reluctantly stepped in as the cold water touch her skin. “Ouch, Gabby.” She looked at Gabby who was grinning. Damn the lady was so excited.

Gabby held her hands to steady her. “Stand. You can stand.” They both chuckle. “See you can stand in it.” Gabby gave her a swim float. “This will help you float. “ Triffany hugged it and smiled when she was floating with it. “Okay now, this will be better.” Gabby smiled.

“Yeah, it is.”

“It’s fun being in here with someone. Now let’s try flapping your legs.”

Triffany hugged the float and shakes her head with a terrifying smile on her lips. “I’m not sure I’m in for that.”

Gabby looked at her and smiled, knowing she was not ready for a swimming class. “Alright then, enjoy the pool with me.” Gabby swim while Triffany just deep her body inside the pool.

Carlos came out to the poolside and was surprised to see Triffany there and at home, he had thought she has already left for that man’s house. “Hey, little mermaid.” He called out to his sister as he approaches them.

Gabby looked up at her brother. “Can you please stop calling me that?” They both smiled.

“But that’s what you are.” Carlos squat and peck her cheek.

Gabby looked at him who was wearing his shorts and a white t-shirt. “Aren’t you going to work today?”

“No, I don’t have any schedule today.” His eyes met Tiffany's, they stared at each other for a second before they look away.

“Join us then, you could also help teach Triffany, she can’t swim,” Gabby told him.

“I know she can’t.” He took off his shirt and shorts, revealing his briefs as he entered the pool.

Looking at Carlos made Triffany recall what she heard him say last night, she ruined his life. “I better leave you two.” She turned to leave the pool.

“You can stay,” Carlos told her and she halts, she looked at him as he deep himself into the pool and started swimming with Gabby.

“I’m more good at swimming than you brother,” Gabby said proudly.

Carlos scoffed. “I don’t want to drag it, you know I’m a genius in everything.” They both laugh, Gabby knew she can’t win against her brother when it comes to this, he was naturally blessed with everything.

Gabby splashed water on Triffany who was only watching them. “Hey, let’s have fun.” She knew she had to involve her in the game.

“Gabby, I’m scared. “Triffany grip the float closer to herself.

In the process, she lost her step and was about to go into the water but Carlos held her as they looked at each other awkwardly. “I’m okay now.” She gently pulls her hands from his and held the float.

“You’re so clumsy, even in water.” He entered the water and started swimming again.

Gabby came close to her. “Don’t mind him.” Gabby held her hands. “Let me help you, one, two, ready go, deep your head into the water, hold your breath and stay as long as you can, are you ready?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, 1..2..3.” They both deep their body and face into the water, Carlos watched them. Triffany raised her head out in five seconds and started coughing to catch her breath. “Wow, five seconds, you tried, now longer.”

“Gabby I’m not sure I can last that long.” Triffany looked at her.

“Give it a try Triffany, I, 2, 3.” They deep their head into the pool again, Carlos was still watching them. Few seconds Triffany pull her head up first.

“I give up.” She inhales sharply. She looked at Carlos who was staring at her. “You dare not laugh.” Gabby raised her head out of the pool.

“I won’t. You’re doing your best.” He came out of the pool to pick his ringing phone. “Hello.”

“Come on Triffany, let’s go in again,” Gabby said with a smile.

Triffany looked at Gabby’s happy face, she knew she was enjoying this, Gabby had told her about swimming and how she loves it. “Okay, last time, I will try.”

They deepen their head into the pool again, Carlos finished making the call and wrap himself with a towel and sat down on the pool chair.

Gabby brought her head out surprise Triffany was still in. “Triffany, Triffany, Triffany.” She called out, Carlos looked at the pool alarmed, he jumped into the pool and dragged Triffany out, Gabby came close to them. “Triffany.”

“Hey, are you okay?” Carlos asked, looking at her face.

Triffany coughed. “Yes.” She looked at Gabby and Carlos. “I lost thirty seconds right?” She asked smiling.

“More than that, you made me scared. Are you okay?”

Carlos runs his hands through his hair. “Are you stupid!” He shouted as he looked at Triffany.

Triffany was surprised. “What is your problem?” Triffany could not understand why he was angry.

“Why did you give us a scare? How would you stay down there for that long, what if you drown?” Gaby and Triffany looked at him.

“But I’m fine,” Triffany said softly.

Carlos scoffed. “Sure you are.” He climbed out of the pool, picked his towel up and walked out of the poolside.

“Why is he angry?” Triffany watched him disappear and turned to Gabby.

“I don’t know.” Gabby shrugged.

Carlos got dressed after taking his bath, while Triffany sat in front of the dresser mirror combing her hair by the mirror when her phone rang. “Hello, Tommy.” Carlos looked at her.

“How are you?”

“I’m good.” Carlos sat on the sofa with a book.

“I called to check on you, have you tried it out.”

“I was about to start now.”

“Okay, all the best tomorrow.”

Triffany smiled. “Thanks for calling.”

“You’re welcome, alright enjoy the rest of your day.”

“You too.” They ended the call.

Gabby knocked on the door and peered in. “Carlos your friends are here.” She informed him and went back downstairs.

Carlos came downstairs to see them all, he sat with them as the maid brought a drink and left. “No schedule today, so we decided to come over.”

“Good thinking, I was bored.” He sipped his wine.

“Me too, what’s for fun today?” Gabby looked at them.

Blake exhaled softly. “Gabby you have a pool, go and swim.”

Gabby frowned. “I’m tired of the pool and Carlos was suddenly angry cause of that..” They all turned their eyes to look at Carlos.

“Gabby let’s not talk about that now please.” He knitted his brow.

Garrett looked around. “Where is the damsel?”

“Triffany.” Gabby knew that must be who Garrett was talking about. “Let Carlos go get his wife.”

Carlos looked at Gabby and his friends that were staring at him. “What?”

“Let’s officially chat with her if she’s at home,” Garrett spoke for the rest.

“I’m I holding your legs or hands?” Carlos asked with a frown.

“Carlos go get her, it’s your room, we have no access to it and I can’t wait to see her face.” Eric smiled.

“Carlos go on,” Blake added.

Carlos looked at all of them and scoffed, sure enough, they are so happy and want to meet that crazy lady. “Seriously?” They all nod. “What a pain.” He muttered.

He went upstairs to his room to see Triffany on the couch going through her notes. “Hey.” He called out as he put his hand into his pocket.

Triffany lifts her eyes to meet his gaze. “My name is Triffany.”

Carlos scoffed. “Come downstairs.”

“For what reason?”

“My friends want to have an audience with you.”

“I’m busy.” Triffany looked down at her notes again. Carlos face darkened, no one dares ignore him. He walked close to her and took notes from her. “Give it back to me.” Triffany got up from the couch and stretched out her hands in anger.

“Come with me.” His eyes were cold and his brows were knitted.

“Deal with your friends, I’m going through this right now and it’s important.” She pointed at her note that he was still holding. Carlos dropped the book and grab her hands. “Let go!” She shouted and struggled to free herself.

Carlos gripped it firmly. “Just say hi to them then you can come back to whatever you’re doing.”

Triffany struggled until she pulled her hands away from his grip and glared at him. “If you don’t mind please leave.” She pointed at the door.

‘What?”

“I don’t want to get in your way, so don’t get in mine, I’m solving a hard puzzle here, please leave. “ She picked her notes and sat down to continue studying.

Carlos runs his hands through his hair. “Why are you such a pain? Why are you so difficult? Huh!” He shouts in anger. “Why don’t you give in? Who exactly do you think you are?”

“I’m trying to help myself by staying away from you, I don’t want to ruin your life, so let me be.” Triffany closed her eyes gently.

Carlos halt and looked at her. “Did you eavesdrop on my conversation with Gabby last night?” He raised his eyebrow slightly.

Triffany bite down her lower lips, she wasn’t going to say it but now she has to come out clean. “I happened to overhear it, I don’t want to ruin your life anymore, so please.” She lifts her eyes to see him.

“Fine.” Carlos turned around and left the room back to where his friends were, they all looked behind him but didn’t see Triffany. “Where is she?” Gabby asked as Carlos sat down and gulp his wine.

“Gabby check on her yourself, you’re free to go in,” Carlos said coldly, Gabby left for upstairs.

“Carlos, what’s wrong?” Eric asked curiously.

“I’m good.” Carlos filled his glass and gulp the wine again.

Garrett studied his mood for a while. “You went in there and fought.”

“Please, let’s discuss something else.” Carlos looked at them.

“You should start loving your wife,” Blake told him without any fear.

“Blake can you stop,” Carlos said coldly.

They heard footsteps and turned their head to see Gabby coming down with Triffany behind. Eric grinned. “The real tongue twister, Miss Gabby.” Eric waved them over. “Hello, pretty damsel.” He flashed a smile to Triffany.

“Welcome.” Triffany greeted all of them and sat down. Carlos looked at her and removed his gaze.

Gabby poured Triffany a glass of wine and hands it over to her. “Hey dude, we have something for fun.” They all turned their eyes to Gabby who was smiling. “And everyone will participate.”

“And what Is this fun?” Garrett asked.

Gabby flashed them all a smile and they all realized it at once. “Oh no! Gabby not again.” They all said at the same time and Gabby grinned, Triffany just looked at all of them, puzzled.

…

“He did not go to work today?” Abbey asked Kelsey as they arrange the goods that were shipped in, not knowing that Carlos came over without their notice in other to surprise Kelsey overheard their conversation and halt.

“Yes, he is at home.”

“Triffany could also be at home.”

Kelsey paused to look at her friend who was worrying over nothing. “She’s not there, she Is out with someone else, I won’t let Carlos stay at home if she was around.”

Abbey breathes a sigh of relief. “I thought you had given up on your plans.” Carlos blinks and looked at Kelsey from where he stood.

Kelsey shakes her head gently. “I don’t go back on my words Abbey like I told you, I’m going to make sure she becomes lonely and depressed, she would be miserable, I’m never going to give her an alone time with Carlos, whenever she is with him I will call him out to distract him, I will make sure he doesn’t fall for her and then after she divorces him, I will leave Carlos.”

From where Carlos was his eyes widen, he couldn’t believe this was Kelsey’s plans all along.

“What?” Abbey looked at her friend. “Leave him? after all the efforts you will make in separating them?” Abbey looked at her sceptically.

Kelsey chuckled. “I’m using Carlos. Abbey, I’m just passing time with him, I’m going to America and there is someone there for me already.”

Kelsey turned to continue what she was arranging. “I will just cause them to be in pain in their marriage, then I will leave.” She smiled.

“That’s so cruel Kelsey.” Abbey looked at her friend like she was the devil herself.

“I don’t care,” Kelsey said nonchalantly. Carlos who had heard enough walked close to them with a pained expression as Kelsey who saw him first dropped the thing she was holding, her eyes wide in shock.

“Carlos.” She muttered, Abbey turned to see him and covered her mouth with her hands in shock. “How long have you been here?”

“Long enough to hear everything you said.” Carlos looked at her with his eyes filled with tears.

“Carlos..” She looked at him, she didn’t expect him here and she didn’t expect him will hear what they were saying, he had told her to call him when she was done so that he will drive her home.

“Did you ever love me?” His eyes were staring right at her face.

“How can you even ask that?” Kelsey tries to reach out for him but she stepped back.

“Just tell me the truth!”

“About what!”

“Did you ever love me?” He shouted as he held her shoulder with his two hands.

“I don’t know!” The words came out so fast before she could stop it, she covered her mouth and looked at Carlos as tears filled her eyes.

Carlos gently left her shoulders. “Thank you for finally telling me.” He turned around and slowly walked out in pain, like his whole would have been shattered.

Abbey hugged Kelsey who was in tears. “It’s okay Kelsey.”

Kelsey broke down in tears. “Abbey, he found out the wrong way.” She sobs.

Carlos drove his car increasing the speed as tears kept falling from his eyes. He drove to the beach as he stopped and cried his heart out, thinking of all the happy times he had spent with Kelsey.