A Deal With The Billionaire

EPISODE FIFTY FOUR

THEME: Diamond ring

CONNECTICUT, UNITED STATE OF AMERICA

CRAWFORD MANSION

“I am so going to murder, Tiana!” She grumbled, Tiana’s name coming out in a muffled tone.

“Isn’t that too soon?” Christopher muttered as he stood in front of her with his hands in his pocket and his eyes throwing daggers at her.

Raven’s eyes rounded like saucers seeing Christopher in front of her with the malicious look in his eyes. She had almost jumped out of her skin with the low growl of his voice.

‘Does he always take delight in bullying others?’ She thought to herself.

“What?” She yelled in a whisper, looking frantically at the environment.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

“Didn’t you just threaten to murder me?” Christopher barked in a low tone.

Raven shut her eyes and inhaled deeply. “You really must think so highly of yourself. I wasn’t even thinking about you.”

“Then who is it you intend to choke to death?”

“How is that any of your business?” She queried in frustration.

Christopher clicked his tongue. “Well it is my business if such thoughts are being stringed in my family home. I don’t want the homicide team rummaging my home likes it’s their field of study.”

“You really have such a generous mind of humor.” Raven spat in sarcasm. “I am waiting on my friend Tiana who should have gotten here before now.”

“Oh…” Christopher mouthed.

“Talk of the devil and she slides in.” Raven said as she raised up her head.

Tiana walked into the space looking glam in her knee length aqua green jumpsuit that fitted her so perfectly. She had been winking towards Raven, until she got countered by an excited Rowan. She had no choice but to say a proper hello to him and Eva who introduced her to James and Hope.

“That’s her?” Christopher questioned.

Raven arched her eyebrows at his question. “You know what forget I asked.” He waved her off before she could respond.

Sitting up with her mouth agape, she scoffed incessantly. His attitude was really getting on her nerves.

“Do you mind locking up, before flies perform a juicy ritual in your mouth.” Tiana said in her face. Stretching her arms out excitedly. “Did you miss me boo? Happy married life baby.”

Moving a bit away from her. “Don’t you dare come close to me.”

Tiana looked confused. “What did I do?”

“Really Tiana?”

“What?”

“I have sent you about tons of messages and you couldn’t reply any of it.”

Tiana pulled out her phone. “Hooofff, I am sorry boo. It’s dead. I got out of work late and didn’t bother to check my phone as I got dressed hurriedly. Thankfully your driver was insistent on getting me here and had waited for me.”

Raven rolled her eyes, knowing how Tiana could be she had thought it right to ask Ava for a favor if Nelson could go pick her up from home at a particular time. She had told Tiana about it before she closed for the day’s work. Her nonchalant attitude towards things; which include not paying mind to one’s phone battery was one of the reasons why she had asked for her to be picked up.

“If this was the real deal I swear I wouldn’t find any place in my heart to forgive you.” Raven told her.

“Awwwn, does that mean I am forgiven?”

Raven shot her a glare. “No… not exactly.”

Tiana didn’t pay attention to her response as she sat next to her friend eagerly. “So, tell me what did I miss?”

“That!” Raven gestured with her head towards Ashley who sat rigidly giving Raven an ugly side eye all through.

“Yuck! That’s the elder sister?” Tiana asked.

“You guessed right!”

“Seems like she lives to hate on you.”

“Wouldn’t bet any other way.”

“I don’t feel sorry for you.”

“Tiana!”

Tiana chuckled lightly. “Oh please don’t mind me.” She said looking towards her again and just then Ashley stood up to go fill her plate up at the food stand. “Do you mind giving me a minute Raven? I am starving.”

“Alright.”

“Have you had anything to eat?” Tiana asked.

“Yeah. I had salad.”

“And how is that any edible?”

“Some desserts would do then.” Raven replied.

“Ok, I am right on it.” Tiana offered as she walked towards the table with a long stride.

Tiana kept her eyes on Ashley. She was determined to speak to the lady and nothing was going to stop her.

“Seems like you are the only one who isn’t enjoying this beautiful scene.” Tiana taunted next to her.

Ashley stared at the intruder with a distant look. “And you are?”

“Oh, pardon my manners.” Tiana grinned, putting out her hand. “I am Tiana Rowling, Raven’s best friend. I mean the bride.” She added intentionally just to stir Ashley up.

Darting her eyes elsewhere, Ashley scoffed. “I don’t have anything to say to you or her.”

Tiana nodded her head. “Of course I do know you have nothing to say. But I also have something for you to hear.”

This caught Ashley’s attention as she looked up at Tiana eagerly. “Would it be enough to send her out of my brother’s life?”

A deep frown grazed Tiana’s face. “Are you kidding? Wait… do you hate her that much? You don’t even know her!” She exclaimed.

“I don’t need to know someone like her to know just exactly what she is capable of doing.” She spat. “And if you have nothing else to say please excuse me I need to eat.” She said and made an attempt to walk away.

Tiana stepped briskly in front of her. “I am not done yet mama.”

Ashley looked around. “Are you trying to waylay me?”

Tiana exhaled. “I am not trying to do anything. I just need you to listen and understand the kind of person Raven is. Ever since she knew that you despised her, she has had issues concentrating and she questions herself so bad. I see her cry wondering if she should back out before being embarrassed for doing nothing. You judge her because she is average in class and you judge her because she is a single mother. What if she was your sister? She didn’t get pregnant, dumped and left to raise a child on her own because she wanted to. But because the man she had given her heart, mind and body to was an asshole who took advantage of her innocence. You are also a woman and I know you wouldn’t wish for such to happen to you. I have heard of your past and I know you are only hurting. All I am asking for is to give her a chance to breath and get to know her. Raven has a whole lot to deal with on her plate already. And your brother is no fool for choosing her. He knew what he was doing.” Releasing a breath, Tiana looked straight into her eyes. “Just put yourself in her shoes. What if it was you? Thanks.” Turning towards the food table, she picked up a plate and hoarded it with chicken, some fries and sauce. Then another plate for cupcakes and muffins.

Not wanting to get called back, Tiana walked straight ahead in determination. She knew it must seem like she was making a fuss out of nothing but no matter how fake it might seem Raven would have to spend six months with these strangers and she would be damned if those six months become horrifying moments in her life. She was already dealing with too much.

“Here you go.” She handed the pastry plate to her friend.

Raven took the plate from her. “Tiana, what were you talking to Ashley about?” She asked, biting on a muffin.

“Nothing, just the sort of discussion we should have had before now.”

“What discussion?” Raven was confused.

“Food, food. That’s it.” She muttered in response, munching on her fries.

“Why fries of all foods? They had been made for the children.” Raven told her.

Tiana shrugged. “I just felt like it and it taste awesome.” She added rolling her eyes in delight. Before her eyes caught the stud sitting pretty on Raven’s finger. “Holy shit!” She exclaimed. “Is that diamond or my eyes are deceiving me?!”

Raven huffed. “Do you always have to throw tantrums? Or be so dramatic?” She groaned. “Of course it is diamond, I am Raven Crawford now.” She scoffed.

“Tell me something I don’t already know!” Tiana exclaimed, chewing on a fries violently.

Raven facepalmed herself, judging by Tiana’s reaction if she knew what was good for her she had better not adorn the ring beyond the Crawford’s premises.