Chapter 40

Dave's POV
Heading for the Principal's Office. I saw Eric stormed out of the building. He was indeed very angry. He stopped in front of me and spat. I smiled and gave him way to pass. He left.
Back to why I was heading to the Principal's office. I know wasn't suppose to be there. My punishment was to leave Jennifer be. Forget her and move on.
To me that was no punishment at all. It was torture. I was no selfish person. Jennifer could not go through all that alone. I wanted to have word with the Principal. Two weeks without seeing her would be bad.
My affection to Jennifer was becoming an obsession. I knew it would but I let it. I wanted it to. I promised myself that I was going to fight for our love. I wasn't going to give up yet.
I walked into the building. I saw her. My Jennifer. She still looked beautiful as always. Mara Moses smiled at me as she left Jennifer's side. I returned the smile.
Jennifer turned around. I smiled at her when our eyes met. I started the conversation. I wanted to say things to her like before. Before we broke up.
"You are pretty early today,my love"
She didn't say anything. She ignored me and walked away. I was sure that she was going to be doing that all day. Avoiding me as much as possible.
Jennifer's POV
Literature class. It was not going to be the same. Mr. Ben was one of the best teachers. Even though I felt hurt by his action,some part of me missed him.
I missed his seriousness, his jokes,his frown and his laughter. He made Literature class worth it.
I noticed Eric moved to back. Warren took his place beside me. He threw his face away when I turned to look at him.
"Hello Class"
I turned to face to a woman in her twenties. I guessed. She looked young and beautiful.
"My name is Miss Nora."
You can call me Jennifer. Nice to meet thee. Literature was going to be interesting with her. The whole class would agree with me. Especially the boys.
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After the class and me spending the whole hour avoiding Dave. I head to the Principal's office.
I had a word with the Secretary before knocdave on her door. I went in. The Principal lifted her face from her computer. She pointed at a chair beside her desk. I sat on it.
"Miss Jennifer,I'm sorry for keeping you waiting. Something came up."
"It's okay. I'm not offended," I smiled.
"Well you can go. You have no punishment."
"What?! How?" I tried not to sound loud.
Confusion covered her face. Her expression changed to laughter. "I know why you look shock. Mr. Dave didn't tell you. He asked me not to punish you. He begged and you know I can't refuse him."
The name rang in my ear. Dave. He was trying to act like my saviour. He thinks I'm helpless,weak. I never accept help from people like him.
He was so stubborn. He will not stop. Something had to be done.
"I'm sorry but I don't agree. I broke a rule and I need to be punished. I am not a Power. I am Jennifer Stone. You will have to punish me."
The Principal looked at me for a while and shook her head."OK "
I rushed out of her office with my suspension letter. I needed to set things straight with Dave.
I found Dave chit chatting with his friends. I dragged him from their midst and he followed willingly.
We stood under the tree. He smiled and winked at me. I wouldn't deny he looked handsome. Maybe I did had a crush on him. Don't blow it out of proportion. I said "maybe".
" What can I do for you,Princess?" His tone was sexy and it sent shiver down my spine.
I swallowed hard. Trying to act like his voice didn't have an effect on me. "Who gave you the right to decide for me?" Giving an angry voice vibe. I tried but he was just too cute.
"I don't know what you are taldave about," he chuckled.
He was playing dumb. It was beginning to piss me off. I wished so much to punch his cute face. Fuck!
"Are you kidding me right now?"
He smiled,grabbing me by the waist. He drew me closer to him. We were so close that I could feel his breathe on my face.
His eyes landed on my lips, then to my eyes. He licked his lips. No... I'm wasn't going to stand there and let him kiss me. I struggled in his arms and he let me go.
I slapped his face. Yes...that was a mistake. I immediately regretted it. His face was steaming with anger. The facial expression scared me but I wasn't going to let him think so.
"That's what you get for acting like an idiot. I said it's over. I'm done. Don't ever think that I need your help. You are the reason for this mess in the first place," I screamed my lungs out.
His friends formed a circle with I and Dave in it. Jennifer,you have landed in the devil's blacklist. I began to shake out of fear but I controlled myself. I was no weakly. Especially not in front of Dave.
"Do you know, Jennifer? It's a sin to raise your hand to a Power. I'll forgive you since you are my girlfriend," he smiled.
Then and there,his smile portrayed his evil side. Every Power was said to possess one. He was psycho.
"I do everything I do for you. I'll only stop when I get tired of you or find someone new."
I wondered how Claire coped with him. Oh I forgot, she's psycho too! I rolled my eyes that it hurt.
"Jennifer,I'm tired of begging you" He sounded frustrated. Did he beg me? He acted like a pervert all the time.
May be he was tired of me, which is a good thing. Now, I can finally get rid of him. His next statement got me thindave otherwise.
"I love you. I want you. I don't need your permission to be in your life. You are my girlfriend and that's ends the matter."
"What?!" Oh hell yeah I was angry.
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Few hours later...I found myself feeling stupid for accepting to go out with him on Saturday. I was sure I wasn't going to show up. He might be a Power but I'm Jennifer Stone. I'm stubborn too.
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POWER MANSION
Dave's POV
My family might have something against me being with Jennifer but it didn't bother me. I love her.
We were having a family game night. My family's love for chess game was disturbing. Once you bear the name Power, it was compulsory you place chess.
Father and Almighty played together. Mum and Majesty. Emperor and Prince At times, I played with Prince. I hate chess because of him. It was more like a competition to him.
That day Father played with Almighty's wife, Samantha. It was one of my Father's rule. Ten ways to become a Power. My mother and siblings had theirs. I had mine too.
Mine was not that serious like the rest. My rules were just five. I had to amend it yearly.
Father's rule number one is win in a chess game against him. With that,you win his heart.
If you didn't, I don't know. No one has lost before.
How was I going to say this to my family? I pondered. I would start by as a Power, I had the right to get what I wanted -- No. I love Jennifer and no one can change that -- No. I kept banging my brain with lots of nonsense.
I didn't seem to notice that everyone was loodave at me."KP? Are you Okay?"my mother asked. Suddenly moving from my trance, all eyes were on me. Their faces had questioning looks.
"I love Jennifer. I'm in love with Jennifer. I want to be with her," I said without breathing.
Emperor walks up to me,"breathe ,Dave breathe." I realized I had stopped breathing. I inhaled and exhaled slowly.
I would be lying if I said I wasn't afraid of their reaction. I was very much afraid. Father stood up loodave at my mother who turned her face away.
"What is he taldave about? I thought he was dating Claire."
Oh... my Father didn't know about Jennifer. It meant no one told him about her. He had no knowledge. I looked at my mother with a confused face. "Mrs. Power,can you enlighten me?" Father asked mother.
Mother told him the story. He wasn't happy after hearing it. "This is your problem. Handle it before it gets out of hand. I warned you," he pointed his index finger at her and exit the room. This was when the final confusion set in. What were they taldave about? Was there a connection between my family and Jennifer?
"KP!"
I trembled from the sound of her voice. She was real mad. Never have I heard her shout my name with so much anger.
"If you know what is good for Jennifer. Leave her alone or I'll make her leave you. --and you know what I mean."
There was no denial that I knew what she meant. She was going to have Jennifer killed. My heart stopped beating.
"Mum!" my siblings chorused. Her words had scared them too.
"Make him understand !"
After the five days...
Claire's House
Claire's POV
"Hey Princess, wakie ,wakie."
Nanny May woke me up to have breakfast on bed. The morning was wonderful. The birds sang one song.
~Jennifer's death
~kill Jennifer
~kill her
Sweet music to my ears
I are breakfast in such a hurry. I couldn't wait to plunge the knife into Jennifer's body. I had practiced and my skills gave me satisfaction. There was going to be no problem. It was going to be clean and slit.
The clock on the wall said,'8:30am'. My parents would be leaving for their...whatever.
I rushed to the balcony. Mother was helping father with his tie. She appeared unprepared to go out. Father placed a kiss on her cheek. My parents were so cute together. Father entered the car and within seconds he was gone.
There was one problem. Mother. Why was she not going out? Something had to be done about her. The phone rang. Fate.
"Yes! What is it?!" I sounded frustrated.
"There is a problem. Big one. I just found out now."
What could go wrong now? Jennifer must have had too much luck. I hate that girl.
"Spit it out Fate!"
She hesitated for a moment before she spoke,"Dave intervened for Jennifer. Jennifer is no longer on suspension. Dave helped her."
I was angry. How could he still be with that girl? There was something off with his behaviour. It was unlike him to be nice to a girl he did not like. Unless, he was falling for Jennifer.
I hated the thought of Jennifer and Dave together. Dave was still mine. Once Jennifer was out of the way. My next plan was to win Dave back. My dream was to be become a Power.
Being a Power was like being a god. You could determine people's fate. With a snap of your finger,lives would be destroyed. I wanted to be one and Jennifer was the only obstacle in my way.
There was another thing. If Jennifer disliked Dave,why would she accept his help?
"Get more information on the matter. I know Jennifer too well."
The phone conversation ended.
I dropped my phone and head for the sitting room. Mum was reading the newspaper. I sat beside her and gave her a warm smile. Prayed she wouldn't end up as an obstacle in my plan. I would get rid of her with no hesitation. I couldn't care less.
"You must be wondering why I haven't left." I nodded and she continued. "I'll leave by 11. Don't worry you'll soon get rid of me." We both laughed.
I placed a kiss on her forehead and left to my room. My happiness knew no bounds. I laid on the bed smiling. pi-ni. I got a text from Fate.
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Fate
I guess you know Jennifer. She refused Dave's help. We meet by 10. See you soon.
_______________________________________
Claire
Time has changed. Mum's leaving the house by 11. We meet by 11. Tell the others.
_______________________________________
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Jennifer's House
Jennifer's POV
I opened my eyes to see Mr. Stone sitting beside my bed. The first thing you had to see in the morning. His face. I rolled my eyes when he smiled. I was done with people whom I knew were going to hurt me someday or somehow.
"I heard you refused Dave's help. I'm glad you did."
I almost forgot. News flies fast in this part of the world. No one minds their business. I looked at my father before getting off the bed. I was in no mood to have a father -- daughter talk.
Mr. Stone' POV
The night before. I couldn't sleep. In this town, news spread like wild fire. Especially when it involved rich families like the Powers.
Jennifer's action had me questioning her intention. I was not offset. I was happy she did it. I wanted her far away from the Powers. She might not understand my intentions but later in life;she'll thank me.
Early in the morning, I rushed to her room. I couldn't wait to speak with her. I found her fast asleep. No worries, no pain. It reminded me of the good old days. I was her role model. A Father figure. We shared a wonderful relationship. ---but now,I was a disappointment to her. I wiped the tears that fell down my cheeks.
I cherished the moments I had with her. I understood her hatred for me. I blamed myself for her mother's new self. My family fell apart due to my stubbornness. I gave a deaf ear to the warnings. I was being selfish.
Jennifer's bedroom door opened. Someone came in. I could not see the person in the dark. I hoped it would be Alan, so that I could finally expose him to Lillian. She needed to see his true colours.
"Stone? What are you doing here?" She sounded surprised.
"I should be asdave you that. This is my daughter's room. I have a right to be here."
"So do I" she stormed out of the room.
I shook my head. Jennifer moved and sat beside her bed. Her eyes opened. She looked at me and rolled her eyes. Her face showed no happiness.
"I heard you refused Dave's help. I'm glad you did."
My words did not change the expressionless face of hers. I lost words to say to her. All that came out was,"have a nice day."
I decided it was best i left. I was about leaving when I heard Jennifer's voice. "Don't think I did it for you. Don't care about you at all." I watched her disappear into the bathroom. My heart sank even more.
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Renard's POV
Something felt wrong about the day. I was a little nervous. A voice in my head warned me not to go to Brooks street. I didn't have a choice. I had to see my Aunt. Even if I hated the idea, I just had to. She had been in and out of jail four times in a week for either fighting or abusing someone.
The Police department were becoming tired of her frequent visits. They sent me to talk sense into her. She wasn't someone I wanted to associate with. I sighed deeply.
"Babe? Come on. See this as a chance to reconcile with your aunt."
If my mother was still alive, she would have said,"let her rot in jail." I chuckled. I missed her so much. That reminded me of my old man. It had been seven months since I last saw him. We would pay him a visit. I kept it in the back of my mind.
The school bus arrived on time. My children got in smiling at their mother and I. Still felt uneasy.
My wife gave me assurance before she left for work. It was getting late. I got into the car and drove away. I prayed for a good day.
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Claire's POV
I sneaked out of the house five minutes after my mother left. Boarded a taxi to Mr. Ben's house. I arrived first. Soon after, Beauty arrived. Destiny and Fate followed after. Everything was set for the execution of the plan.
We wore the masks and gloves. I held the Knife in my hands. Yes, I was nervous. I wasn't expecting to be.
Mr. Ben noticed and stood in front of me." I can do this,you know. You don't need to." I shook my head, refusing his offer. I needed to do it. Jennifer needed to die in my hands.
??
We arrived at Jennifer's house by 11:30am. Dropped Fate blocks away to keep watch. While Destiny and Beauty stayed in the car as back up; in case anything went wrong. Ben made sure no one was watching before I moved into the house.
I saw her on the couch watching television and peeling an orange with a knife. Our eyes mate. I smiled at her. I was going to make it quick.
I rushed out in fear. Mr. Ben opened the door of the car for me from the inside. We drove to where Fate stood. She quickly entered the car. Ben drove far from Brooks street.
I had relaxed by that time. Everyone had questions. I knew they were wondering why I still had the knife and why it wasn't used.
"I know you have lots of questions. Just know that any moment from now, Jennifer will die. There was no use of the knife. Everything went perfect," I laughed aloud. "Perfect. It was smooth."
Their faces began to lit and I immediately frowned.
"I never want to talk about this ever. Let's forget it happened or else," I glared at them.
Of course they did. They assured me that they were never going to talk about it. I laughed harder. Jennifer was gone.
All that was left was to celebrate my victory. One last good sex with Mr. Ben. One last time and Dave was next
Hahahahaha......
Lillian's POV
I felt slight pains in my heart. I placed my hand on it.?Why was I getting a bad feeling? I ignored the pain and returned to the paper work on my desk.
I had to be done with it before 4. Alan and I were going on a date. I was excited about it but I felt like he shouldn't be spending so much money.? What could I do? It's not like you can change his mind. He loves me unconditionally.
The memories of how we met flashed in my mind. I smiled. We met at the bar. I saw how quiet and sad he was. We drank a lot that night. Talked about so many unimportant things until he asked a question,'can I ever be truly happy? '
His words got to me.? It confirmed he was sad. I don't know want came over me but I the urge to kiss him was strong. We kissed for awhile and the rest of the night ��I can't remember. I found myself naked in a strange room with him. You can guess the rest.
My heart started to beat fast, very fast, faster. I couldn't breathe. I managed to reach for bottle of water. I drank the whole water in the bottle. Something was really wrong with me.
The only time I felt this way was when Jennifer was either injured or sick. We might not see eye to eye anymore didn't make me less her mother. I just stopped caring. I wanted to teach her the hardships of life. I wanted to retire from behind her mother. I wanted ��forget it. I just wanted to forget Stone. I wanted to stop loving him. I wanted to burn our memories. Jennifer reminded me of them. I wanted so much.
The pain continued. I was sure Jennifer was at home. These days her whereabouts were unpredictable. I wanted to be sure she was OK. I needed someone to check up on her.
Janet? J came to my mind. She is the mother of Beny and Eric. I wished I had not spoken to her in such a bad manner when she tried to comfort me. I brought back her old pains when she compared her situation to mine. I couldn't call her after that confrontation.
Another person came to my mind.? Stone. No, he'll think the old Lillian was back. Besides, I didn't want to talk to him. I wondered where he had been going lately. He doesn't work. Maybe he found a woman better than me. I hissed angrily. Bastard!
Alan? No. He will be at work . I didn't want to be the cause of his downfall. I didn't want him to transform to my so called lazy husband. He needed the job.
I thought of so many people but nothing came through. I couldn't leave all the paper work for tomorrow. If only the neighbours were trust worthy.
"Lady Calvary! "
I almost forgot about the sweet, kind old lady. I? searched for her number on my phone. Praying I would find it. I did. I called her thrice. Old women. I'm very certain the phone was in front of her. Finally, she answered the phone.
"I said stop calling me. I don't want to buy a coffin. Aren't you tired of this prank calls? Grow up! "
I couldn't help but laugh. The neighbour's kids must be playing a prank on her all the time. I used to do that when I was little. We pranked mostly old ladies.
"You think it's funny? Wait till you're old,then you'll know how it feels."
"Lady Calvary? It's Mrs. Stone." I disliked the fact that I used the name. But that was what she knew me as.
"Ohhh dear" she laughed. "I'm so sorry.? I thought it was one of those little demons. How are you? "
"It is OK. I'm fine. Can I ask for a favour?"
"Hmm... Sure. What is it dear?"
"Can you check up on Jennifer for me? I'm worried. Thank you. "
"Of course. I'll go right away. "
I felt relieved. I heard the door opened from the phone. I knew she was going to my house. She was such an angel.
"I'm at the front door. I have knocked but no one is answering."
I was starting to panic." Check if the door is opened. "
"Sure. It's opened."
I heaved a sigh of relief.
"Ahhh! Ahhh!Ahhh!"