Lies, Lies And More Lies✔️

12: Angry In Peace

"Speedy?" I slapped my palms over my lips to stop myself from laughing out loud but the guys didn't notice. Tosin, however, cracked a smile and I frowned at her. She had never told me she was dating freaking Alex Iwobi.

"How's it going, mate?" Derrek asked as Alex stepped back to stand beside Tosin whom I narrowed my eyes at once more, shaking my head in disappointment. How could she not tell me that she was dating the Nigerian and Everton professional footballer Alexander Iwobi?

"You're dead." I mouthed to her and she pursed her lips to hide her smile. She obviously found my reaction funny. I was going to show her.

"I'm all good, man." Alex shrugged as he wrapped his arm around Tosin's shoulders. "Life's always good when I get to see the love of my life." He planted a kiss on Tosin's forehead and she smiled, wrapping her arms around him. They'd looked so happy together and I would've been a liar if I said I wasn't jealous in that moment.

"That's great, Lex." Derrek wrapped his arm around my shoulder in a motion that felt almost consoling. I glanced up at him to see him smiling down at me and for a moment, I felt my heart stop.

"I'm so happy for you, man." Alex said, pulling our attention to him. "Tosin told me you're engaged to her childhood best friend, Tiara, is it?" He turned to me and stretched out his hand.

"Yes, Tiara." I nodded with a smile as I gave his hand a shake. "It's nice to meet you. I'm a huge fan."

"It's a pleasure to meet you as well. I'm honoured." He smiled at me before turning back to Derrek. "I'm glad you're finally over Jessica. That girl was a nightmare."

"Yeah." Was all Derrek said and I noticed he'd looked somewhat uncomfortable. I couldn't help but wonder who this Jessica girl was and why Derrek acted this way when her name was brought up. "It has been almost a year, Lex. We've got a lot of catching up to do."

"That's right!" Tosin responded. "Why don't you boys go along so we girls can chat?" She unwrapped her arms from around Alex and gave him a nudge.

"Why not?" Alex shrugged before giving Tosin a kiss on the lips. "When you start to miss me, call." He winked before letting go of her.

Derrek and I let go of each other and he gave me an awkward smile before walking toward Alex. Together, they walked off and I watched Derrek's retreating form with so many questions running through my mind. So many questions I was desperate to ask him.

"Would you stop gawking over your fiancé and pay attention to me?" Tosin gave me a light pinch and I winced, turning back to her. "It's girl talk time."

*

The entire ride home, Derrek had been extremely quiet. I could tell there was something on his mind but I didn't want to pry. However, I had wanted to make sure he was okay.

"Derrek?" I called as soon as we stopped by a traffic light and Derrek glanced at me with raised eyebrows. "Are you sure you're okay? Cause you've seemed off ever since you got that call at the party."

"Don't worry about it." Derrek said, glancing away from me and I let out a sigh. He didn't deny that something was bothering him, so, I'd been right.

"Look." I angled my body, so, I could look straight at him. "I know we're practically strangers but if you need someone to talk to—"

"I said to drop it, Tiara! Just bloody drop it!" Derrek yelled, taking me aback. I stared at him with wide eyes, both shocked and enraged. He had no right to yell at me. I hadn't done anything wrong.

"Forget I said anything." I grumbled, crossing my arms as my shock had worn off. All that was left was annoyance and regret. It was my fault for trying to help him but I couldn't help it. Ever since Timi, I could never stay silent when someone looked like they'd needed help. I couldn't sit back and say nothing when speaking up could've made a difference.

I closed my eyes tightly as tears welled up in them. I got so sad each time I remembered Timi.

"I'm sorry, Tiara." Derrek spoke and I turned my head away from him. I didn't want to hear him speak at all, not after he had yelled at me. "I didn't mean to yell. I just—I really don't want to talk about it."

I ignored him, humming a song in my head to distract myself and it was only after I felt his hand on my shoulder, I opened my eyes and turned to him.

"I'm sorry. Please, don't be mad." Derrek continued to apologize. His eyes flickering from the road to my face and back to the road.

"Whatever." I replied before staring out my window. His apology was meaningless. I hadn't done anything to deserve being yelled at.

"Tiara, please." He placed his hand on my shoulder again and I shrugged it off. "Alright then. Be that way!" He said in frustration and I glanced at him to see a frown on his face.

"I will." Was my reply before closing my eyes to catch some sleep before I was home. I was really tired from all the socializing and my feet hurt from standing too long.

I'd fallen asleep immediately my eyes closed and I had slept so heavily that I hadn't noticed we'd arrived at my house until the sound of Derrek slamming the car door woke me up.

Rubbing my sleepy eyes, I glanced out of the window to see an unfamiliar but large house to the right of me. Derrek had walked up to a shorter, darker and plump man who had been waiting for him on the side walk.

Curious, I sat up in my seat and watched the exchange between the men. I couldn't hear what they'd been saying as the rolled up windows and the sound of the car air conditioning had blocked out all the outside sounds but from what I could piece together, it hadn't been a pleasant exchange. Derrek had been shouting at the man who looked to be helpless, just listening and nodding to everything Derrek had said.

Even more curious, I made an amebo move and wind down the car glass enough to listen but not enough to be found out.

"....how did they find out?" I heard Derrek yell. "It's on every news outlet in London, Desmond! I pay you to make sure these things don't happen, dammit!"

"I don't know how the photos got out but I'm going to fix it. I promise." The older looking man, Desmond answered and Derrek scoffed, shaking his head.

"You better fix it or you're fired!" Derrek threatened before storming over to the car and I wound up the window quickly and pretended to be asleep.

My first instinct was to ask what had happened to make him so angry but I advised against it immediately. I wasn't going to be the target of his misplaced aggression.

I heard the car door open and shut, then, the car shook slightly as Derrek got in. He sighed and I opened my eyes slightly to peek at him. He had rested his head and arms on the steering wheel and I couldn't help but feel sorry for him. Whatever had happened had really shaken him up.

As he begun to raise himself off the steering wheel, I shut my eyes once again and stayed as still as I could, holding my breath even. Why? I had no idea.

"I know you're awake, Tiara." Derrek said and I drew in a breath immediately. I was about to suffocate. "It's not polite to eavesdrop, you know."

"I wasn't eavesdropping. I wanted to breathe in some fresh air." I fibbed and Derrek didn't look impressed with my response but he didn't say anything as he started up the car. "You were supposed to take me straight home." I spoke up shortly after.

"Sorry. I had to make a quick stop." He said as he turned into the left street. "And don't ask why." He added immediately after and I rolled my eyes.

"I wasn't going to." I answered, taking my sleeping position once again. "You can stay angry in peace."

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

Glossary:

Amebo - This is a word used to describe a nosy person.

Uh oh! Sounds like trouble's coming!

What could it be that made Derrek so upset? What did the reporters in London find out that has him all riled up?

Stay tuned to find out ;)

Thanks for reading

❤️