The new year was finally over and school resumption date was fast approaching. Bethel and Precious had been good, getting to know each other and more and enjoying their time together.
Bethel walked from behind wrapping his arms around precious as she stood by his balcony. He kissed her cheek sending shivers down her spine.
Precious blushed, she always found warmth in his embrace. Slowly he turned her to look at him. "So you will be leaving the mansion soon," Bethel sighed.
Precious's mother has introduced Precious to her younger brother and arrangements for her to begin living with him were made.
"Yes, but don't worry, I will stay here for the night." She hummed playing with his lips.
"You don't have to play with my lips with your hand, play with it with your lips," he smirked
She tapped his shoulder, "Naughty jerk!"
"Your naughty Jerk!" He deadpanned.
He leaned down and pecked her lips, "You will be the death of me." He muttered wrapping his arms around her.
School resumed and students resumed school. Precious entered the school building as she heaved a sigh. It has been long and the atmosphere of school was always different.
She had left earlier because she didn't want to come with Bethel who insisted she left with him.
She walked down the hallway towards the restroom because she was pressed. As soon as she came out of the restroom, she spotted the BBD chatting and laughing, so as not to get seen by them, she hid by the locker and involuntarily listened to their conversation.
"So you and Bethel engagement date has been fixed?!" Dorathy asked.
"Yes, our families and us met yesterday." Beauty explained.
"I'm still not in support of this teenage wedding stuff, you need to explore Bee," Blessing reasoned.
"Don't start with me Bee," Beauty warned with a stern voice.
Precious heart sank, was that why Bethel was out yesterday? She thought.
Her heart ached when she thought of it.
"With time you will be called Beauty Kingsley, like I don't like that boy, so rude!" Dorathy deadpanned.
"Dora shut up!" Beauty warned. She wasn't going to let anyone insult Bethel.
"He doesn't like you, you know that?" Dora kept speaking.
"Last warning Dora, or imma smack you!" Beauty deadpanned.
Soon, the BBD walked away giving Precious time to walk off to her class. When Bethel came to school, he was angry she left without him but all he said didn't go into her ear as she was deep in her thoughts.
She thought of the differences between Bethel and her and how it was so impossible for the both of them to be together. She needed to let him go before they got too deep.
She successfully avoided him all through as she made turns for different parts when she saw him coming.
This week was her last week in Bethel's house and she decided to let him go today. She made her way to his room after dinner. She knocked on the door and as soon as she did, she didn't wait for a reply before she went in.
She was met with his million dollar smile instead which made her heart skip.
"Why did you go without me today and why did you avoid me?" He asked to walk to meet her.
Precious said nothing as she played with her fingers gathering the courage to start.
"Where were you today?" He asked her.
A look at his face and her heart skipped, where would I start from? She thought. She took in a deep breath before speaking.
"I want whatever we have to end!" She blurted out.
"What?!" He asked, confused.
"What we," she pointed to the two of them, "have is wrong!" She spoke, still not looking into his eyes.
He was confused, he held onto her finger, "What do you mean?" He asked, wanting to confirm it was what he thought.
"Whatever we have, has to end. You are engaged!" She spoke.
"I'm sorry." Bethel blurted out.
"What?" Precious asked, confused.
"I'm sorry okay. I'm sorry if you feel what we have is wrong. The truth is I don't feel anything for Beauty and I told you I like you and I meant everything I said was precious, I do." He whispered the last part. His hands were shaky and he couldn't look her in the eyes.
"We are not getting engaged and i don't have any intention to marry her, i really like you and i'm promising you this, nothing will ever happen between Beauty and i." He spoke, lacing his fingers with hers.
Precious couldn't help but believe what he was saying, she sucked on her bottom lips, both staring at each other for seconds they took no note of.
Soon his lips met hers, it started off as a lingering kiss but with time, tongues got involved. It was as if time stopped and it was only them alone in their world as she felt tingles when his hands came in contact with her bare waist. He pulled her shirt up and he rubbed her waist up and down sending shivers down her spine.
**********
Grace was worried about Precious, Precious didn't tell her she'd be spending the night in Bethels room, like she didn't like it whenever Precious spent the night at his room.
She wasn't comfortable and her inquisitive mind wouldn't let her rest and she made her way to his room without knocking, she opened the door and below what she saw aggravated her.
"What the hell is happening here?" She yelled, clearly pissed off and hurt seeing Bethel's arms wrapped around her daughter's waist.
Slowly, Precious eyes opened and is met with her mother, her heart skipped and she began to panic.
"Mom!" Precious called out with shaky hands and a raging heart. She quickly pushed Bethel arms from around her standing up to her mother.
Bethel's eyes widened when he realised they've been caught, he knew Precious was in trouble.
"Follow me now!" Grace said with a full commanding tone.
All through their way back to their quarters, Precious heart was beating fast, she knew she was in trouble.
"Take a look at yourself, how long has this been going on?!" She shouted as soon as they entered their room.
Grace rarely shouts at Precious and when she does, it frightened Precious.
"Take a look at what you are wearing! Look at yourself Precious!"
Precious looked at herself only to realise she was in a blue cotton short and a white cotton shirt. She suddenly felt exposed.
"How long has this been going on?" Grace asked but Precious couldn't answer.
"What's going on between the both of you and how far have the both of you gone?" Grace asked, trying to comprehend the situation.
"Mom, there is nothing going on between us." Precious managed to say.
"Nothing?!" Grace scoffed. "When you say nothing you mean nothing at all!" Grace yelled.
"We... we've...kissed!" Precious stuttered, tears already rolling down her cheek.
"Just kiss? What else?" Grace asked.
"We..." Grace cuts her off.
"Do you know what this could lead to?" Grace asked. "First of all I don't want you making the same mistake I made. Why did I tell you to stay far away from boys but no you refused and even went as far as going into bed with him when you are not insane?!" She yelled.
"No. This won't do, you will have to stop being his maid and move out of this house soon, I can't afford you making the same mistake I made." Grace deadpanned getting her phone from the table.
"Mom.. Mom...we didn't do anything other than kiss, I swear!" Precious said trying to explain to her mother but Grace was not getting any of it.
" I've been in that position precious and this situation could lead to another and i don't want you facing that." She said dialing a number on her phone.
"Mom, it won't. Trust me, I'm not foolish." Precious spoke.
"Keep quiet, precious! You don't know anything. You are just seventeen for crying out loud and besides he is engaged and way out of your league!"
Precious knew her situation with Bethel wasn't what fueled her mother's anger, there were other things involved and mostly her past too but her mother has changed over the past months.