16 Love beyond frontier

Humming playfully to an unknown rhythm; returning from her walk unaware of the incident, Kalisa glided down the terrace, about to trod into the house when Tiara rushed passed her, crying.

"Tiara....?" called Kalisa, totally confused as she glanced back at Tiara whose back was fading in the distance still crying, and back at the entrance of the house, nervous.

"What's going on?" she mumbled to herself, turning to head into the house when she noticed her brother walking towards her with a worried look.

He was about to walk past her like she was a piece of log when she held his hand.

"What's going on Andy? I just saw Tiara running off in tears."

"Sorry Kalisa but I have to go now. Let's talk later."

"O..kay.." she murmured skeptically; letting go of her brother's hand as he hurried away, leaving her in astonishment.

She tilted her head quizzically as she tried to figure out what the problem may be but nothing seemed to come to mind. Shrugging at her incapability, she sauntered in.

"Where have you been Kalisa?" was the first question Mrs. Richardson asked her daughter on seeing her.

Kalisa glanced indifferently at her mother who was sitting beside Odette consoling her from whatever issue it was. By this time, Mr. Graham and Mr. Richardson have gone back to the study room to finalize their meeting.

She silently hissed at the sight before her eyes, knowing very well how good an actress Odette can be when it comes to faking just to print her bait black.

"Just went for a walk." She replied, slightly gesturing her hand towards the entrance. "What happened, mum..?"

"If you were here, this wouldn't have happened in the first place. Can you believe that low-class girl your brother brought here dared to raise a hand at Odette.?"

She slightly chuckled, totally not falling for such a cheap scandal. Isn't it the other way round..?" she said, shuffling over to have her seat on the sofa which sat on the right side of her mother.

"You shouldn't believe everything you hear mum..or if I should put it right, you shouldn't take sides when it comes to issues like this." She remarked, sending accusing glares at Odette.

"Kalisa...!" said her mother with a glare, making her zip up.

Andy rushed into the vast compound to meet Tiara already gone. Never had he thought things would turn out this way. Seeing Tiara hurrying out with tears made him hate himself for making her go through such treatment. He ruffled his hair with a hiss, throwing his hands dramatically in the air.

At that moment, he spotted his car not far from where he stood. Not wasting much time, he raced to it; pulling the door open as he unlocked it. The thought of finding Tiara was the only thing running through his mind as he settled behind the wheels.

He turned the keys and sped off without his parent's knowledge.

**************

Eugenia was still up, moving up and down the room, worried about her daughter's whereabouts. She kept trying her line but it doesn't go through and if it does, it gets cut off midway.

"What's wrong with her?" she mumbled, frustrated by the whole issue.

Just then, the thought of Fabulous came to mind.

"Why didn't I think about this earlier?"

She scrolled through the phone for her number. After a few seconds, she came across it.

Just at a ring, Fabulous answered.

"Good evening Auntie."

"Good evening dear," she replied anxiously, "Sorry to bother you this late but is Tiara with you?"

"No Auntie, is she still not back?"

"No dear, it's already past 9 and you know how dangerous the streets here can be at night. Haven't you heard from her at all? She said something about a new job before rushing out of the house."

"I received a call earlier from her around 7 pm there but she didn't say anything about her location. I tried finding out more from her but she was in a hurry to hang up. Let me try calling her again."

"I did dear but her line is not going through."

"Oh mine." she gasped, alarmed by the information. "I hope she is fine."

"I hope so too dear anyway, I will leave you now to what you're doing. Just let me know if you hear anything from her."

"Okay Auntie..." she mumbled as they both hung up.

On the other hand, Andy had been driving in his car for a while now, glancing around expectantly for any sign of Tiara but it was like he was running on a dead mission.

He hissed, thumping his hand on the stirring wheels. Just then, his eyes fell on a familiar figure a few distance away. Slowing down at the speed at which he was driving, he blew the horn as he neared her.

Tiara turned with teary eyes to the intruder driving slowly beside her and doubled her steps to see who it was.

"Tiara...?" he mumbled with a sigh, speeding up a little to catch up with her. "Get in Tiara, let me drive you home, it's dangerous walking alone," he added but she just ignored him, hurrying on with tears running down her cheeks.

Seeing her like that felt like someone drove a dagger into his heart. His heart junk in pain, hurt.

Andy instantly pulled up, hurrying out of the car as he rushed to her.

He instinctively held her hand, making her turn deftly to him, snatching her hand from him at the instant.

"Was this your plan all along?" she exclaimed amidst tears. "Thought you said you were just a worker in that company? So what was that about? Did you plan on insulting me with my social background?"

"No Tiara, listen I....." he murmured, deeply hurt to be misunderstood by her but she instantly cut him off.

"It's better we don't see each other again. And about the contract, I'm no longer interested," she stated, leaving him stunned.

Watching her walk away felt like a part of him was being taken away. Lots of thoughts rushed through his mind. Living without seeing her again in his life was unimaginable to him.

Suddenly being awakened from his thoughts, he hurried after her, pulling her into a back hug.

"I'm sorry Tiara, I didn't mean to hurt you. Please let me take you home."

"Please let me go."

"No Tiara, I'm not letting go until you decide to go with me," replied Andy.

They stayed in that position for a while. Seeing how strong head he was, she finally decided to go with him.

They strolled to the car and settled in. He glanced at Tiara who was by now calm before driving off. They ride in silence as they drive through the half-light streets to Tiara's house.

Hearing the car pull up outside the house, Mrs. Eugenia jolted up from her seat, taking a glance at the clock which showed 10:30 pm.

"That should be her," she said, strolling to the door. Just a few walks to the door, and Tiara slammed it open.

"Tiara you....." she started but stopped midway as her daughter hurried passed her to her room, looking all gloomy.

She glanced anxiously from her daughter as she rounded the corner to her room and the door only to see Andy there.

She stared at him, looking aghast as Andy stared back at her, speechless. The look on her face alone was enough to tell her what was going on.

"I will talk to her, you should hear home now." he nodded and strolled off, slowly closing the door behind him.