Chapter Three
They reached Allison's two bedroom apartment by midnight. Instead of unlocking it with a key, Allison rang the doorbell impatiently. Did she live with someone? Rosalie felt guilty for disrupting her privacy.
The door opened and a tall, muscular man came out, wearing only a pair of sweatpants and grinning like a cheshire cat. Allison rolled her eyes," Rosalie, meet Stuart Taylor. He's living with me since he doesn't want to leave and get a place of his own," she said.
Rosalie grinned at him. He was really funny. He placed a towel on his shoulders to cover himself as Allison glared at him. "Stu, this is my best friend, Rosalie, " she introduced. Stuart grimaced at the nickname she gave him.
"Don't mind her. Hi, I'm her boyfriend, actually, " he said and Rosalie's eyes grew round. Allison never mentioned a boyfriend ever? She turned to look at Allison who was choking and spluttering the water that she was drinking.
"Holy cow, when did that happen? Last when we talked, you were still an annoying house guest," she said, glaring at Stuart.
"But you love me and lovingly cook for me day and night, like a perfect wifey, " he said, grinning as Allison ran after him to smack the daylights out of him.
"Let me catch you, I'll beat the shit out of you," she said, yelling as Rosalie went inside with her luggage, closing the door behind her. How would she stay with these two?
"I don't mind as long as you do the cleaning, " he said, laughing out loud and running away.
"Cleaning? What cleaning?" Asked Allison, stopping and glaring at him.
"Cleaning my shit, silly girlfriend, " he said as he started to run knowing Allison would follow him.
"You're impossible. I give up," she said, falling on the sofa.
"So you and I can sleep together in my room and leave your bedroom for Rosalie?" He suggested as Allison's jaw dropped.
"How can you even think I'd do that?" She asked incredulously.
"A guy can always try. Can't you see I'm soo needy?" He said, with a mock pout.
"Get lost. Rosalie let's go to bed in my room, " she said, dragging one of her suitcases.
"Are you sure you two are straight?" Stuart asked and Allison turned around to glare at him. "I'm just asking. You won't kiss me and here you are ready to sleep with her," he said as Allison picked up a TV remote control to throw at him. "Ok chill, I'm going to bed," he said, grinning and running to his room.
The girls went to Allison's room. "Is he really your boyfriend Ally? You never mentioned him to me," she asked as they changed for bed.
"Nooo way. I met him six months back at a bar. I was too drunk and we did it in the backseat of his car. He's been pursuing me since then. He has a huge mansion but he's stuck in my apartment. He won't leave at all. I've tried everything but he just won't go. I've given up and tolerate him everyday," said Allison.
"But you like him," said Rosalie and Allison blushed. Rosalie smiled, she got her answer. They soon went to sleep out of sheer exhaustion.
The next morning, Allison made breakfast for all. Rosalie felt awkward amongst them. She didn't want to stay with Allison in her bedroom and disrupt her privacy.
"Ally, I think I'll look for a small apartment for myself today," she said hesitantly.
"Why? You don't like staying with me?" Allison said, looking hurt.
"It's not that, I can't share your bedroom forever. Please understand Ally, " she pleaded.
"There's a vacant apartment in the building where a friend of mine lives. The neighbourhood is good. The building is decent. The rent is affordable. You can check it out," said Stuart, staring at his sandwich with greedy eyes.
"Ok. I'll take it. There's no need to check. Can you arrange it for me? I'll shift into it tonight after returning from work," she said and Stuart nodded.
"Sure, anything for my girlfriend's best friend," he said with a wink. Allison rolled her eyes.
Rosalie and Allison left for work in Allison's car. They were too busy the whole day to catch up. When it was time for her to go home, her father came to visit her at her office. She was agitated that he would insult her for leaving home.
He simply stood beside his car, waiting for her. Reluctantly she left office with Allison and went up to him.
"Dad, this is Allison, my friend and colleague. I stayed at her apartment last night," she said and her dad nodded.
"Come I'll drop you," he said quietly.
"Thanks dad, I'll go with Allison," she told him. She had been travelling in public transport for ever. She didn't need dropping.
"I need to talk to you," he said.
"I'm not going back. I'm tired of being insulted all the time for no reason at all," she said, refusing to give in.
"I'm not asking you to come back," he said.
"I can't talk tonight dad. I'm shifting to my apartment tonight, right now," she told him.
"I can help you shift," he said, in earnest.
"I don't need any help. I've been doing everything on my own for the past 7 years, dad," she reminded him.
"I know I haven't been the best dad to you but at least let me help you now," he insisted.
"Ok, let's follow Allison's car to her apartment. I'll get my stuff and the address and we can leave," she said, climbing into his car. She didn't know whether it was all an act that her dad was putting up, for maybe some bigger gain, but she didn't care.
They reached Allison's apartment and she went upstairs to get her stuff while her dad waited in the car. She got the address from Stuart and thanking both of them, she went to her dad's car reluctantly. She would have been happier to do it all alone. She didn't want her parents to be at her new apartment all the time to eat her brains or insult her.
Her dad checked the address and drove her to a five storeyed building in a good, clean neighbourhood. Her dad parked the car in the basement parking and helped her with the luggage. Her apartment was on the third floor. She opened it with the keys that Stuart gave her.
It was a small two bedroomed apartment with a fully equipped modular kitchen and a small verandah overlooking the community park. She loved the apartment immensely. Her dad closed the door, placing all her stuff inside.
"It looks decent enough," he said looking around,"You must be tired, I'll order dinner," he said, taking out his mobile and placing an order.
"Thanks dad," she said, going to the kitchen. The refrigerator was empty. She started it and cleaned it. She needed to go grocery shopping tomorrow.
"You don't need to give money at home," he said and she turned around to face him.
"It's ok, dad. I'll give whatever I can," she said, thinking that maybe he was feeling guilty taking her money.
"We don't need it. I earn a lot. Your mother uses the money to splurge on herself. I insist that you save the money for yourself," he said, in earnest.
"Ok thanks dad," she said and he came and kissed her forehead.
"I'm glad that you at least had the courage to come out of that house, to stand up for yourself, " he said dejectedly.
"What do you mean?" She asked him with concern.
"I am living in hell. I loved your mom, but I couldn't be with her. I was married when I met her," he said, sitting on the sofa with his head in his hands.
"I didn't get you dad. My mom is back at home, isn't it? She asked him, bewildered.
"No, Jennifer isn't your biological mother, Rose," he said and Rosalie sat down on a nearby chair, shocked at the news.
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Featured picture:Alexandria Deberry as Allison Green
