Chapter 38

Renard's POV
My phone rang. Laurence teacher was calling. "Hello, Mrs. Young." I glanced at Laurence and walked out of the kitchen to continue the call.
"Mr. Renard,sorry to bother you this morning. It's about your son, Laurence. It's a serious matter. I would like it if you would come to school today."
"Yes,Mrs. Young. How serious?" I swallowed hard.
"It's serious. We are considering transferring him to a special school."
"Thank you. I'll be there."
Call conversation ended
I was steaming with anger as I walked into the Kitchen.
Laurence face looked pale. I held a fist. I wasn't going to react now.
"Eat your breakfast. You have to be at the School's Weekend Classes ."
Everyone's mouth dropped. My actions had shock them.
"Dad?are you OK?" Kennedy asked
I just nodded and smiled.
Laurence POV
My face became pale. I wanted to cry but I couldn't. I knew very well that if I did,it will make matter worse.
"Eat your breakfast. You have to be at the School's Weekend Classes,"my father said.
What?! This was surprising.
I noticed everyone's mouth drop. Dad's actions shocked them. It was on like him.
"Dad?are you ok?"Kennedy asked. Dad just nodded and smiled.
I wasn't one who like surprise attack. I felt it in my bones that he had plans for me. It didn't seem nice.
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Jennifer's House
Jennifer's pov
The house has been quiet since yesterday and it has also been divided into two. Mother and Alan shared a room. Dad had the guest room and I was stuck with mine which is a pretty good thing.
My dad...sorry...Mr. Stone entered my bedroom. He carried a frown on his face.
No body needed to tell me what he was doing in my room. He came to confirm the rumours or start to act like a real father.
" I know why you are here."I said not bothered about the look he gave me.
"Leave Dave alone. You are too young to date. You're just sixteen."
"If that's why you came,you don't have to worry. I broke up with him long ago" My tone was obviously cold.
"You have changed so much,Jennye."
He was playing the emotional blackmail game with me. Nice try.
I hung my school bag. It was clear that our conversation ended and I wanted to leave for the G -Park.
He tapped on my left shoulder and exited the room.
I made sure to lock the room. No one was trust worthy anymore.
I went downstairs. Mother and Alan were having breakfast. Everything in the house sickened me.
Mother eyed me and I rolled my eyes unknowingly. She banged the table. The next minute,there was a slap on my face. My right cheek burned.
She wasn't going to ruin my Saturday morning. I simply smiled and rushed out. I missed the old her. Caring and sweet.
Memories of Beny,Peter,Eric and I going to the park together most mornings flooded my head.
I missed them too. Something in me wished they would be at the park. It would make me so happy.
I boarded a taxi.
The park as usual was filled up with people. Families gathered in one place to either eat or drink. Boys at the other end played basketball. Some played football. It was truly busy.
Nothing changed about the park. Everyone was having fun accept me.
There was no sign of my friends. I guess they couldn't come.
"Jennifer? Hi"
I turned to look at the figure. I wasn't too happy to see him. Dave Power.
"What do you want? I said it's over"
I walked away. I wasn't ready to argue with him.
Dave POV
I saw her. She still looked absolutely beautiful. Her hair was still the same. It was weaved all the way to the back.
She seemed to be loodave for someone. I was pretty sure it wasn't me. It has to be those three slowpokes. Beny,Eric and Peter.
I wanted to talk to her. Yes, disobey my mum and brothers. I couldn't resist the urge to say something.
"Jennifer? Hi"
She looked at me like she wasn't surprised. Her face didn't look happy at all. Maybe she knew that I came to the park to see her.
"What do you want? I said it was over." Her words hit me like bullets as she walked away.
Yes...she really didn't want to see me ever again.
No,I wasn't going to back down
"Why did you break up with me?" I yelled but she kept going.
"I love you Jennifer!"
She didn't turn. I kept repeating it but all I got from Jennifer was silence.
My eyes opened wide. This feeling. It's love. That's when it became clear to me. I had fallen for Jennifer Stone. I was in love.
I was going to win her back.
Jennifer POV
I got home early since I had nothing to do at the park. My life was becoming hard.
Voices in my head yelled out the only solution. Suicide! Jennifer Stone is not known to quit. I wasn't going to do that and it wasn't part of my plans.
I was going to fight. This was one of the bad times in ones life. It shall pass. I'll overcome it. It would take time.
I walked towards the front porch of the house. Someone was there to see me. She was crying. Destiny Kendrick.
She wasn't a true friend. She betrayed me. What was I expecting from a girl like her?
We just kept staring at each other. Waiting for one person to talk. I wasn't prepared to be the first one. Even if she was dying and my voice could cure her;I won't say one word.
She decided to break the silence,"I want to talk to you. Can I come in?" She wiped her tears.
I wanted to slap her and yell bitch! Stop pretending. I controlled my anger. I wanted to know why she was there.
"Sure. Come in," I said trying to smile.
She hugged me tightly. Was she trying to choke me? I didn't know. I pulled away from the hug. I ushered her into the house.
Destiny POV
The things I do for Claire. Couldn't she have sent someone else? Why me? Claire will be the death of me. She owed me.
I asked my driver to dropped me few blocks away from Jennifer's house. I wanted to make it believable.
I walked towards her house. The ugly? house. I prayed no one who knew me, saw me near the house. It would ruin my reputation.
I knocked on the rusted door. I'll make sure to wash my hands after I leave,I assured myself.
A woman came out. I knew right away she was Jennifer's mother. There was no difference. Everything was the same. Eyes, mouth and face.
"I'm Destiny. Jennifer's friend," I introduced myself. " We attend the same school."
She twisted her lips and hissed loudly.
"Jennifer is not home. Come back another time." And the door banged against my face.
It seemed I was not welcomed. Like mother, like daughter.
Her little drama was not going to piss me off. I needed the knife. The knife would end all the nonsense.
I inhaled patience. Ohh...yes I was willing to wait for a long time.
Thirty minutes passed. No sight of Jennifer. The more I was eager to have her killed.
A taxi drove by and stopped across the road. Jennifer stepped out and crossed over to the house.
I put on my acting face and I began to cry. Many people have complement me for my acting skills and I was displaying it in front of Jennifer.
Jennifer's face held no emotions as we stared at each other waiting for the first person to speak. Jennifer looked like she wasn't going to say a word. Me too, I didn't want to start the conversation. If not for the plan, we would still be staring at each other.
I decided I had to drop the pride. I spoke,"I want to talk to you? Can I come in?" I wiped the tears from my eyes.
I could feel Jennifer's face boiling red with anger. I commend her ability to control it.
"Sure. Come in," she said fadave a smile.
I hugged her tightly. As much I would have loved to choke her, I didn't want to. Claire's plan was better. Jennifer pulled away and ushered me in.
The sitting was not exactly well designed to my taste. Everything looked and smelled cheap. A clean bath was needed after this visit. ��Eww'
Jennifer's mother frowned at my presence. She complained to her daughter who seemed not bothered about it.
The mother- daughter feud was displayed in front of me. I was more surprised by Jennifer who just kept quiet and looked at her mother.
Mrs. Stone was offset with Jennifer's attitude. She gave up the argument and? climbed upstairs.
"Destiny, I'll be back. I need to change. Feel free." Jennifer went in the same direction as her mother.
I immediately rushed to the kitchen. I wore a glove in my hands and picked the sharpest knife available. Placed it in a green bag . I made sure to inspect my surrounding. Avoid being caught was the number one rule in this plan.
I ran back to my sit. My job was much easier than I anticipated. I so badly wanted to leave but it would feel strange. So I stayed.
Jennifer returned dressed causally. She wore a yellow tee shirt and white shorts. Something I'll never wear.
"Jennifer? I have been feeling guilty about everything. I was a bad friend. Forgive me. I'm sorry Jennifer." I shaded move tears.
"Stop. It's okay. I forgive you. Let's not talk about it. Wipe your tears."
I stood indicating I was leaving. Jennifer walked me outside. Once I saw her disappear behind the door, I rolled my eyes.
Now, I had to deliver the knife to Claire.
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Mr. Ben's House
Claire's POV
We all arrived at Mr. Ben's house. Destiny wasn't there. We waited for her patiently. Hours passed, no sign of her. I tried calling her but she wasn't picdave her calls.
"We need to check up on her. Let's go to Jennifer's house," Fate suggested.
"No,it's too risky," Mr. Ben cautioned. I agreed with him. We would just have to wait.
The door bell rang. I ran to opened it. Destiny stood there smiling. "What took you so long? Come in." I closed the door.
"Chill. I'll tell you. I have the knife," she handed over the knife in a green bag to me. "Waiting for Jennifer took hours of patience. Her mother was not friendly at all. But the process of getting the knife was easy." She narrated her adventure in Jennifer's house.
"Fate? What did you find out?"
"Mrs. Stone will be at work on Tuesday and I won't be back until 4 o'clock. Mr. Stone same. There's a man in the house. I have no idea who he is. Tomorrow,I'll have the necessary details." I smiled.
I turned to Beauty. "How about you?"
"All the material needed will be ready tomorrow. Don't worry," she assured me.
Everything was going as planned. Just one more day. One more day and Jennifer will be gone.
"What's the plan,Claire?" Beauty asked.
Yes...the plan.
"Mr. Ben will drop me off at Jennifer's place by 11 o'clock. He will also pick me up when I'm done. Fate will keep watch for any intruders. The rest is up to me."
"Are you sure you can do it? It's not easy. Let me do it,"Mr. Ben said.
I knew that killing Jennifer was not going to be easy but the satisfaction I'll get was greater. I couldn't let anyone take that away.
" I'll do it myself. Jennifer is mine."
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Laurence POV
It was unusual for a family meeting to be called at night. My Father's silence on the matter made me shiver in fear.
I arrived at the sitting room first. Followed by Kennedy and my sister. Mum came in last. We were all seated.
Father cleared his throat,"Mrs. Young called me this morning. The school board wanted to meet me. Can anyone guess why?"
He wasn't pljennyng on madave this easy. He wanted to torture me.
"Since Mrs. Young called. It has to be about Lawrence," Kennedy spoke loodave at me.
The asshole will never stop. He grinned at me. There was something evil about. He must be involve in this.
"What do you think,Laurence?" Father's voice carried anger in it. Why was he doing this to me? I wondered.
"Ken has a point."I eyed my brother. Point my ass,I murmured a curse.
" Really? I'm guessing you know the reason!"He tone changed. My little sister already held tears in her eyes. Kennedy wasn't bothered. Mother was worried. She tried rubbing my Father's back but he slowly pulled her hand away. As for me,you can imagine.
Renard POV
Laurence teacher called me earlier this morning. I went to the school to meet with her. To my greatest surprise, the school board wanted to meet me too.
I met with them. We sat in a hall. We discussed Laurence,his bad scores and his behaviour. I was advised that he sees a therapist. I agreed. It was high time.
They board said, they had no choice but to transfer Laurence to a special school. That he could ruin their academic name.
Their words angered me. They were treating him like dirt. I tried convincing them that all he needed was therapy and he'll be fine.
No convincing? could change their minds. Ohhh heavens Lawrence was going to get it from me.
I called for a family meeting. I couldn't wait till morning. It was a serious matter.
Laurence came in first, Kennedy, Bright and my wife. When they were all seated, I cleared my throat. I wanted to torture Laurence. I wanted the truth out of his mouth.
One thing he was good at was lying. He prepared himself for every attack. This time was different. I tried not to be predictable.
"Mrs Young called. The school board wanted to meet me. Can anyone guess why?"
I wasn't pljennyng on madave it easy for him. The ball was in my court. He was playing by my rules.
To my surprise, Kennedy spoke,"Since Mrs Young called. It has to be about Laurence." I followed his eyes. They were loodave at Laurence. Something was going on. Kennedy gave him an evil grin. Even if, it helped in my attack.
"What do you think,Laurence." My voice carried a little bit of anger in it. The look on his face stated that he was confused about my actions.
I really wanted to push his button.
"Ken has a point," Laurence eyed his brother. Those two have something against each other.
"Really...I'm guessing you know the reason!" My tone changed completely. My daughter held tears in her eyes. I scared her. Kennedy wasn't bothered. My wife was worried. She tried to calm me down by rubbing my back. I wasn't ready to calm down. I slowly pulled her hand away,trying as much as possible not to seem rude. I understood she cared. As for Laurence,he was in big trouble.
"Laurence, the school board wants you to be transferred to a special school. You will need therapy."Kennedy chuckled and I frowned. He thought this was funny.
"Kennedy Renard,does this amuse you?" He kept his face down."I thought so."
Laurence face turned pale."Laurence! Do you know what this means?! Why can't you just be normal?!"
My little girl started to cry. I looked at my wife and she understood. She carried her out of the sitting room.
"No internet,no calls,no phone,no nothing. You are grounded for a month!" It felt good saying that. Laurence was in shock.
"I'm so disappointed in you. Go to bed!"
Kennedy left first and Laurence stood to look at me. I saw pains in his eyes. I hurt my son. It was for his own good.
"I'm sorry Dad," he muttered.
"I said,go to your room!" I yelled with so much anger.
Laurence ran up to his room. I heard the door of his room lock. Was I wrong in how I handled the matter?
I walked to my room. My wife was sitting on the bed. She wasn't with Bright. She put her to sleep.
Victoria gave me her uncomfortable look. "Come on...not now. I don't want to argue with you." She smiled. Thank God... She wasn't going to argue with me concerning Laurence. She kissed me.
"Do you want to drink water? After all that, you must be thirsty," she mocked and I smiled a little.
"You are not going to let me go on this one" I laid on the bed. She joined and cuddled me."Honey? Talk to me. Advice me,"I said.
She placed a kiss on my neck and whispered something in my ear. This was the fourth reason I married her. She is my everything.
DAY FOUR***
7th April 2019
Sundays were also special to Jennifer. It was a day her father will cook Coconut rice. She missed the Sundays. Before he quit his job,he was the best father to her. Absolutely perfect.
Those Sundays were long gone. There was no use missing it. Alan prepared breakfast as usual. Mr. Stone made his own in his room. #Divided Family
Alan POV
Since I was little, coodave had been my hobby. I made sure my family ate three square meal on time. I aspired to be a Chef. The best in the world. Life threw me ups and downs;and my direction in life changed.
I made wrong choices. Messed up everything in my life. I became a total stranger to myself.
Then,I? met a beautiful woman. A woman who gave my life a new meaning. She made it easy to ride through the ups and downs.? She might be years older than me but age is just a number. I didn't care.
The whole society thinks I'm crazy for being with her but where was that society when my life began to suck? Let me answer. Everyone minded their business. No one gave advice at that time. They claim to have problems of their own.
You can't please the society all the time. Society has broken lives,crush courage,etc. Just live your life the way you want it. Even if you do the right thing,society will still find fault.
"Hey...baby,Good morning. Hmm...it smells lovely."