Chapter 6 Soon
#EVENING#
VANESSA’S POINT OF VIEW
The call went straight to voicemail again. I stared at my phone, fingers tightening slightly around it as the silence stretched longer than it should have.
“…Why is he not picking up?” That made it… the seventh time? I pressed the call button again before I could stop myself, bringing the phone back to my ear, heart already beating faster.
Ring…
Ring…
Ring…
Nothing. My jaw tightened.
“Andy…” I whispered, pulling the phone away slowly as the call ended again. Something wasn’t right. He always picked up, even if it was just to say he was busy. He never ignored me like this. Never.
I stood from the edge of my bed, pacing slowly across my room, my grip on the phone tightening with every step.
“I didn’t even see him after the cafeteria…” I thought back. He was there… with Carl and Diego. But then… he just disappeared. And I knew exactly where he went… the private lounge. That stupid place,I clenched my jaw.He even told his bodyguard not to let me in,My voice dropped slightly. That part still didn’t sit right. Why would he do that? Why would he keep me out? Unless… My chest tightened.
“No…” I shook my head quickly.
“No, no, no… he wouldn’t do that. Right?” He wouldn’t. He couldn’t. I immediately unlocked my phone again and opened his chat… online. My breath hitched.
“He’s online…” I said, voice rising slightly.
“So why isn’t he picking up?!” Before I could stop myself, I called again. Still nothing. This time, I didn’t wait for it to end… I cut the call myself, frustration bubbling over.
“What is wrong with him?!” A soft knock came at the door before it opened slightly.
“Vanessa?” I turned quickly. Mom stepped in, holding a tray in her hands, expression calm but concerned.
“Honey, you haven’t eaten anything since you got back,” she said gently, walking further into the room.
“I made your favorite…”
“I’m not hungry,” I said, turning away. She paused.
“Vanessa…”
“I said I’m not hungry!” Silence… then softer.
“…Andy isn’t picking my calls.” My voice dropped. Not angry anymore, just uneasy. Mom sighed quietly, placing the tray on the table.
“Maybe he’s resting, honey,” she said calmly. I let out a short laugh.
“Andy doesn’t sleep at this time,” I said, lifting my phone slightly. “He’s online.”
“Well… maybe he’s busy…”
“With what?” I cut in quickly.
“With ignoring me?” My chest tightened. Something was wrong. I could feel it. I’ve been with Andy long enough to know when something shifts… when something changes. And this? This felt like the beginning of something I didn’t like.
“…He wouldn’t just ignore me,” I whispered to myself. Fingers tightening around my phone again. Unless… My thoughts stopped. No.
“He’s not trying to get rid of me, right?” I said quietly and shook my head.
“No.” Because if he was… a small, cold smile touched my lips.
“He won’t succeed.” Mom frowned slightly.
“Vanessa…” But I wasn’t listening anymore. My mind was already running—fast, sharp, focused. One thing was certain… I wasn’t losing him. Not to anyone. Not to some random girl. My grip on my phone tightened as my eyes darkened slightly.
“He can’t get rid of me that easily,” I said softly, almost like a promise.
“I won’t sit back and watch him move on to another girl.” My lips curved slightly. Dangerously.
“Honey, calm down. Don’t just jump to conclusions,” she said. I huffed loudly.
“I know what I'm saying, Mom… Any girl he tries to get close to…” I paused, then smiled.
“I’ll make her life a living hell.” I concluded with a menacing grin.
NEXT DAY
ZOE’S POINT OF VIEW
The classroom felt… too quiet. Not peaceful—the kind of quiet that meant something was about to happen. I sat in my seat, pen moving slowly across my notebook as Mr. Daniels continued his explanation at the front of the class.
“…and that is why velocity and acceleration are not the same…” Pop. The sound was small but loud enough.
My eyes flicked up. Someone at the back was chewing gum. Not just chewing… blowing bubbles. Pop again. A few students snickered quietly.
“Geez, who in God's name is doing that?” Maya whispered. I sighed.
“Of course, it's obviously Vanessa or Cindy,” I muttered. Just then Mr. Daniels paused mid-sentence, expression tightening slightly as his eyes scanned the room.
“…Is something amusing?” he asked. Silence. No one spoke. Pop. This time louder. A few heads turned, and I lowered my gaze quickly, pretending to focus on my notes. Please, don’t let this turn into something.
“That’s enough,” Mr. Daniels said sharply, stepping forward.
“Whoever is doing that…”
“Wasn’t me,” someone said immediately.
“Same here.”
“It’s not me, sir.” Voices started overlapping. My fingers tightened slightly around my pen as the tension in the room rose a little more. Then finally…
“Forget it,” he said, clearly irritated.
“Open your textbooks to page…” He was saying when a knock interrupted him. Everyone turned. The door opened slightly and a student stepped in.
“Sorry, sir,” she said.
“Mrs. Carter said she needs Zoe in her office now.” My heart skipped. Me? I blinked, sitting up slightly.
“…Me?”
“Yes,” she nodded. “She said now.” A few murmurs spread across the room. I swallowed lightly, pushing my chair back slowly as I stood.
“Go ahead,” Mr. Daniels said. I nodded once.
“Thank you, sir,” I muttered, avoiding eye contact as I walked out of the classroom.
The moment the door closed behind me, I exhaled. What does she want? Did something happen? Did someone report something? My steps slowed slightly as I reached her office. I knocked and heard her say, come in before I pushed the door open gently.
“Good afternoon, ma’am,” I said softly. Mrs. Carter looked up and smiled.
“Zoe, come in.” I stepped inside, closing the door behind me.
“You wanted to see me?”
“Yes,” she said, adjusting her glasses slightly.
“Have a seat.” I hesitated for a second, then sat. Hands rested on my lap, fingers slightly intertwined… waiting. She studied me for a moment. Then…
“I have an opportunity for you,” she said, going straight to the point. I blinked.
“…An opportunity?” I asked. She nodded.
“Yes. Something that could be beneficial for you.” My brows pulled together slightly.
“I’m listening, ma’am.”
“You’re one of the best students in this class,” she said. “Consistent. Focused. Reliable.” I swallowed lightly.
“Thank you, ma’am.”
“And because of that,” she continued, “I recommended you.” My heart skipped again.
“Recommended… me?”
“For a tutoring position.” I blinked.
“A… tutor?” I asked. She nodded.
“Yes. You’ll be helping another student improve academically.” My mind raced slightly. Tutoring? That meant… money?
“…Will I be paid?” I asked carefully. She smiled slightly.
“Yes.” That alone made my chest tighten slightly. This could help… a lot. I could help mom with some of the bills.
“…Who is it?” I asked. She paused just for a second.
“Andy Charles.” Everything in me stilled.
“…What?” My voice came out quieter than I expected.
“I spoke with his father,” she continued calmly. “He agreed, and arrangements have already been made.” I stared at her. Andy Charles… the same Andy. My thoughts stopped. This was a bad idea… a very bad idea.
“I… ma’am, I don’t think....”
“It’s already decided, dear,” she said gently but firmly. My chest tightened.
“You’ll start soon, so get ready.” I gulped nervously. Soon? My grip tightened slightly on my skirt. Andy Charles. Of all people… why him? I swallowed slowly. Something told me this wasn’t going to be simple… not even close.
And for some reason… I felt like this was the beginning of something I wouldn’t be able to control.
