Chapter 17: The present
Fred was devastated and he was standing rigid on the same spot. Anita came outside and spotted his brother, hanging head low and she drew nearer immediately to asked what the problem was
"Hey bro, why are you standing on the same spot since?" asked Anita puzzled. Fred didn't reply him and she was surprised at his expression.
"Are you okay, did anyone upset you?" asked Anita concerned. She noticed the present, Fred was holding on his hands ever since "What're you holding in your hand, isn't that for Olivia?" asked Anita suspiciously
"She rejected my gift!" replied Fred suddenly
"She did what?" Anita was dumbfounded
"Olivia rejected my present!" shouted Fred furiously
"What! Why would she refused your gift." Anita looked at his brother confusedly "Did you guys fought?" asked Anita concerned
Anita thought to herself inwardly "Probably Olivia might have heard something bad about his brother past lifestyle. Or she had noticed some flaws in him finally." Anita thought inwardly and sighed
"Not at all, she didn't believe I'd bought her the gift with myself." replied Fred
"Really? Give me the present I'll make sure she collect it from my hand!" said Anita reassuring. Fred handed the present back to her sister.
"Okay, I hope she'd take it from your hand." said Fred annoyed and he walked into the house.
"She will, trust me!" shouted Anita as his brother walked away inside the house. Anita checked the present and she was amazed "Wow, iphone!" she exclaimed out loud "But why did Olivia refused an iphone, this is expensive though and..."
A thought crossed her mind and she said to herself "Olivia's a girl of principle, she is someone that has dignity and self respect." Anita nodded her head "I think she thought Fred didn't got the phone with his money. Uhmn, now I see!" said Anita out loud and wrapped the gift back gently.
On getting inside, Olivia had quickly entered her grandma's room to explain the new phone Fred gave to her.
"So you mean he got you a big phone?" asked grandma bewildered, and Olivia nodded right "And you aren't sure if he bought it on his own right?" asked her grandma again and she nodded her head again "I thought you know him better than I do." said grandma.
Grandma was aware Fred like her granddaughter affectionately.
The way he asked about Olivia all the time. She noticed Fred like his daughter.
"Alright Olly! I'll ask his mother about the present. Go to bed now dear, I understand how you feel." said grandma affectionately
"Okay granny, good night!" Olivia hugged her grandma tenderly and quickly went to Anita's room.
Inside the room, Olivia saw Anita already asleep. She was lying down on her bed sleeping soundly. Olivia gently tiptoe to the corner of the bed and she carefully drew the bedsheets.
"Olivia!" shouted Anita suddenly.
"What! You startled me." said Olivia terrified
"Really?" asked Anita and she quickly sat up immediately
"Yes! I thought you already asleep." replied Olivia quietly
"Oh am sorry. What happened earlier?" asked Anita gently
"What's that?" said Olivia looking at her bewildered
"Don't pretend. I heard you rejected the gift, my brother gave to you!" said Anita looking intently at her
"Yes I did." said Olivia abruptly
"You don't like it?" asked Anita softly
"I do but I can't accept it. Before you asked me why. I can't just accept it." replied Olivia adamantly
"Uhmn...I know." said Anita smiled
"What?" Olivia was surprised with her sudden reaction
"I know you're different from other girls. You're not after his money or popularity and you don't want to put my brother into trouble that's why you refuse the gift. You thought he stole it or something isn't it?" asked Anita frankly.
Olivia knew Anita had already said what's in her mind out finally
Olivia quickly rushed in "I didn't say that, what I meant is that..." Olivia was looking for suitable word to say to her before Anita cut in immediately
"I know you might be thinking Fred didn't get that with his money right?" added Anita again "I know my brother, he might be a bad boy in character but not in stealing. It's his hard earned money he used to get that phone for you Olivia!" shouted Anita, she spilled the truth out to Olivia.
Olivia was shocked to finally know the truth from Anita.
"Really... but why would he bought me that expensive phone?" asked Olivia innocently
"Maybe because he likes you!" replied Anita softly.
"I didn't ask him to get me a phone moreover an iphone!" said Olivia pointedly.
"I know, but to him it's nothing. He just care about you Olivia." said Anita tenderly
"Uhmn." Olivia was lost of words and didn't know what to say at the moment.
"If I were you I'd just show my gratitude and accept the gift." said Anita gently before she slept off.
Olivia was lost in deep thought and couldn't sleep well. She was rolling on the bed countless times
"Fred likes me! Really?" she thought to herself and blushed inwardly.
After some hours Olivia dozed off too.
The following morning, the kids were already sitting on the dinning table, while Olivia was inside the room, she was too embarrassed to come out to face Fred on the dinning table.
"Where's Olivia?" asked Mrs Smith surprised
"I left her inside." replied Anita softly
"I have a present for her. You know I came home last night and couldn't hand her the present." said Mrs Smith cheerfully, she broke the news to them
"Oh that's true Mom." said Ben thoughtfully "But why is it taking her long to come out this morning to eat her breakfast?" asked Ben softly
"I don't know!" replied Anita gently and she looked over to Fred. Hewas eating absentmindedly.
"Go and call her for me Annie." said Mrs Smith
"Okay mom." replied Anita, she quickly got up from her seat
After some seconds Olivia finally came out with Anita and she was too embarrassed to look at Fred face. "Good morning ma'am." said Olivia bowed
"How're you doing dear, aren't you going to eat this morning?" asked Mrs Smith kindly
"I will ma'am." replied Olivia softly, she was looking over Fred's directly, and there eyes met suddenly. Olivia quickly drew her gaze from him while he was stunned.