08/01/2025
I'M SO IN LOVE WITH MY COUSIN'S FIANCEE [Episode 22]
[Continued]...the off shoulder top she wore on the short mini skirt did little to hide her smooth thighs-- I would say she dressed, if not to impress, but to seduce! And how was I sure Andrew wasn't already falling for her looks?
"Babe" Rebecca smiled at Andrew, sounding cheerful as she stopped in front of us before bending forward to give him an unexpected kiss on the lip with her left hand underneath his chin to lift his head. And when she stood back straight, she leveled her gaze at me and smiled. "Stephanie"
To my utmost shock, she acknowledged my presence with even a friendly nod of her head.
What had gotten over her? I mean, wasn't this the same Rebecca that swore to deal with me and even got me hospitalized? Now she was all friendly and smiley like nothing ever happened between us. The only thing I knew for sure was that she had something planned, but I don't know what that is!
'Ahem! Ahem' George cleared his throat out loud to get Rebecca's attention as he felt unnoticed.
"Oh!" Rebecca chuckled when she noticed him. And in a courteous tone, she apologized. "Excuse my manners, The name is Rebecca and you're?"
"Oh!, you must be the bride" George exclaimed heartily, and with a seductive smile on his face, he extended his right hand forward which Rebecca spared no seconds to hold. "I'm Andrew's younger brother" He revealed, still holding onto her hand.
"Really?!" Rebecca sounded surprised, her eyebrows raised in pleasant shock while still holding onto his hand. And when she realized how long their hands remained in holding, she immediately pulled hers away and faced Andrew with a chuckle. "Babe, why am I just hearing that you have a brother?"
"I was going to tell you" Andrew answered calmly.
George scoffed at his brother's response. "Don't take him on his word... He never talks about me to anyone" saying jokingly to Rebecca who laughed before saying again to Andrew. "Urm babe, can we be left alone, I need to speak with you privately"
Still standing next to him, I lowered my gaze at Andrew who turned his head to the side and looked up at me. His eyes bore a message even without him speaking. He wanted me away, but at the same time wasn't too pleased by it.
I gave him a faint nod before turning around to walk away.
"Alright, so I'll leave you two love birds to do your thing" I heard George say to them behind me as I kept walking; heading straight for the garden as it was the only place I wanted to be--
"Stephanie... Hey! Wait up" George called out to me from behind. But I didn't stop for his call, instead, I kept walking. If he wanted speaking with me, then he'll just gave to catch up; which he did in a matter of minutes.
"Hey, so what are you up to now?" George asked, strolling beside me.
Without turning my head to look at him, I answered. "Nothing... I just want to have a view of the garden" My eyes staring straight ahead. I was fast approaching the enterance to the garden.
"Cool!" George sounded ecstatic. "You don't mind I keep you company?" He asked with a wide grin.
I wanted screaming to his face. 'No George, let me be... I need to be alone' but instead, I found myself agreeing to him. "I wouldn't mind if you keep me company"
When we entered the garden, we walked over and sat on the swing; my favorite spot in the garden.
The first couple of minutes was spent in silence, I said nothing to George, and he found nothing to say to me; even if he did have something to say to me-- he knew quite well that I was in any mood to talk. So we sat, just staring at the workers who were busy with their garden scissors; clipping off overly grown branches.
I had just one thought filling my head right now-- and that was Andrew! What were they discussing and why was Rebecca's attitude so different today? I was still trying to process these thoughts when George's voice broke out. "So, ever been in love?" He asked in a low voice.
I turned my head sideways to face him immediately. To be honest, I wondered that of all the questions in the world to ask, it had to be about love-- in a time I was feeling emotional. And why does he want to know if I've ever been in love?
"I barely have time to fall in love" I answered and, before he could even utter a word, I immediately returned the question. "How about you, ever been in love?"
George sagged his head from left to right, the suspended swing chair rocking gently forward and back from his body movement. "I would say a couple of times..." He started with a cheeky smile.
"A couple of times?!..." I retorted almost instantly with a look of shock. "That's not love... You were simply playing around" I added somewhat bluntly.
"So you saying am a pl***oy?" George cocked his head back to give me a look; one that expressed his surprise.
"Trust me, you have to be" I laughed, returning my gaze back at the busy workers.
"Maybe a little" George admitted with a chuckle before sighing. "Or maybe I haven't found that special girl, like the way my brother has"
"I guess" My voice faltered as this words came out my lips. My eyes flickered with emotion as my gaze leveled at my feet. I don't know if it was because George mentioned Andrew's name, or that his response reminded me about his brother's coming wedding. But I just felt a sudden wave of emotion that immediately ki*led the smile on my face, then silence followed...
"You love him" George's low voice filtered into my ears.
'What is he talking about?' I questioned in my mind as I raised my head to give him a confused stare before asking. "I don't understand, Love who?"
"My brother" George revealed, his look serious without a smile on his face.
My palms grew sweaty holding onto the chain that suspended the swing seat. His revelation left me somewhat speechless I could hardly utter a word for a couple of seconds. How could he have known that I have feelings for his brother? I wondered, feeling a bit troubled. And what if he decides to break it to Andrew, or worse, my cousin?!
"Am not in love with him" I lied, but my voice still held the feelings I had for Andrew.
A soft smile broke out George's lip. "There's no point hiding it Stephanie, it's written all over you" he said softly to me and, inhaling deeply, he removed his eyes from mine and stared into the distance at the workers before continuing. "I noticed the chemistry between you two the minute I walked into the dining room, it's why I first mistook you for the bride"
I blinked hard as my lips parted from my nervous breaths. If George could tell that I was in love with Andrew, how much more his parents or even Mr Richard?
"I've just gotten used to his company as a friend since I assist him a lot, that's all" I said, trying to convince him that I had no feelings whatsoever for his brother.
George scoffed lightly. Somehow, he didn't believe any word I'd just said. And almost cunningly, he turned his head to face me before saying. "If you say you have no feelings for my brother, then go out with me?"
"Okay, yes-- I will" I blurted with an agreeing nod. And If going out with him was going to keep me on a neutral ground, then so be it.
George gave me a look as though my words were a lie. "You're not just saying this so I'll let you be, are you?" He sounded suspicious.
"No!..." My response was sudden and sharp. "I meant it, I'll go out with you." I reassured.
My response seemed to have broken a satisfied grin on George's face.
"So, when will you like us to go out, pick a day?" He grinned even more.
Since Andrew was with Rebecca and I had nothing more planned today, I said to him. "Now will be fine" sounding desperate.
The look on George's face was that of shock. He was still finding it very hard to process my response. Even I was a little shocked at myself for giving in-- And was I acting out of jealousy for cousin being with Andrew or was I just being sincere?
"I'll go get the car around" George cleared his throat in excitement and raised himself to stand.
I followed after him and stood up, slowly turning around with my eyes trailing after him as he jogged out of the garden to get his car. Then I drew in a deep breath and exhaled.
Going out with George wasn't what I wanted, but it's what I need to do to change the perception he has about me of his brother.
And just when I was about taking a step to leave the garden, I heard Mr Richard's sudden voice calling out to me.
"Stephanie"
I paused my steps and turned to my side. "Mr Richard" I wore a flickering smile as he stopped few paces in front of me.
"I wanted asking if you'd be joining us in planning the wedding?" Mr Richard asked, his voice a little breathless from his fast walking.
"Sorry to ask, Mr Richard..." I began politely with a nervous chuckle before asking. "When is the actual date of the wedding?" Looking him squarely in the eye.
"It's actually five days from today" Mr Richard answered curtly.
"Five days from now?!" I gasped to his face before I even had time to think or hold myself.
But Mr Richard who thought I was only exclaiming in concern for the wedding going well, went on to say. "I know right?.. I almost screamed too when I realized we barely have few days to plan the wedding. That is why we need more hands and persons in the planning so we get things done quickly."
'Few days... wedding... Quickly..' these were the only words I heard fully of Mr Richard's response as my mind was so boggled with disturbing thoughts-- I had only few day before I loose the love of my life for good!
"Stephanie, so can we go now?" Mr Richard's voice snapped me back to consciousness.
"Now!?" I retorted, still trying to wrap my head around what he'd just said.
"Yes, now... Will you join us inside so we make plans." He repeated in a voice that hinted his anxiousness.
I shook my head at him. "Not now Mr Richard, I am about heading out with Andrews brother... That will be when I return sir."
"I hope you don't take too long?" He inquired desperately.
I nodded at him and, my lips parted. But instead of saying something, I screamed out. "Ooww!" Suddenly beating the back of my shoulder with my left hand. An insect had just stung at my back; the pain was sharp but I don't know what it was.
"Are you okay?" Mr Richard inquired immediately and came forward. With his hand on my shoulder, he spun me around to see if I had any insect on my back.
"I felt something sting me" I informed him in clenched teeth, still trying to rub at my back with him behind. "Is there any swelling sir?" I asked. But Mr Richard was silent.
I wondered what was rendering him speechless. Or was he playing up s*xual scenes of me in his head by just staring at the skin of my bare shoulder? I mean, what will make him so quiet all of a sudden?
Annoyed at the thought, I moved away from his hands. "I was asking if there's a swelling sir?" I repeated, turning sharply around to look at Mr Richard who seemed completely lost in thought; or should I say, 'lust' in thought.
"No.. no swelling" He managed to say, clearing his throat as he leveled his gaze on mine.
I studied his face and body language. 'He must've been making up naughty thoughts about me in his head' I hissed in my mind. The thought of even having anything to do with a man his age disgusted me.
I wanted to be out of his sight before I give him the pleasure of creating more fantasies in his head, because clearly, he still seemed lost.
"I should get going Mr Richard" I said, not minding if he paid attention. And when I was about turning to leave, his voice broke out to halt my steps.
"How did you get that cut?" He inquired, his voice somewhat croaky and breathless.
I was wrong then, he wasn't thinking anything naughty of me. It was surely the cut on my shoulder that caught his attention-- but why?
"What cut sir?" I faced him fully, giving him a searching stare. He seemed very uneasy and disturbed.
"The one on your left shoulder" He revealed, his voice shallow.
"Oh that?.." I smiled, trying to relief the worrisome look on his face. "It nothing. My mom said it's a wound I got after child birth... So, it's sort of my birthmark" I revealed, still holding the smile on my face.
Mr Richard's eyes bore into mine, with his eyebrows narrowing. "Your mom..." these words filtered out of his lips almost in a whisper. I didn't know if to give him a response or just remain quiet. Even the smile on my face faded now. There was something about this moment, something very strange and...
'Honk! ... Honk!.. Honk!' the sudden horning of George's car broke the silence between me and Mr Richard.
I blinked hard, clearing my throat and began taking slow steps back. "Sir, I should get going so I can be back on time to join in the planning" with a forced smile on my face. And without waiting to hear his response, I turned around to walk away.
I could somehow feel his eyes trailing after me as I left the garden...[To Be Continued]
![I'M SO IN LOVE WITH MY COUSIN'S FIANCEE [Episode 22][Continued]...the off shoulder top she wore on the short mini skirt ...](https://img3.yasteq.com/457/711/122130245564577111.jpg)
![I'M SO IN LOVE WITH MY COUSIN'S FIANCEE [Episode 21][Continued]...Our blissful moment was soon shortlived when we heard ...](https://img3.yasteq.com/457/711/122130114344577111.jpg)
