Chapter 50 - Is Stanley to be trusted?

Is Stanley to be trusted? "Rentrer chez soi, allez à la Maison". Jessica said in her french phrases as she glanced at her wristwatch. She was done with her work and Stanley had called to inform her that he would pick her up from work that day. Dean was still busy with his work as he sat at the front of a system to input some details. Dean was quite unhappy that day, his sister, Dorothy was sick again and needed a huge amount of money for her operation. He had been worried about where they would find such a huge amount for her operation. He had been speechless and brooding the whole morning and Jessica did notice it but she never cared to speak to him let alone ask him what exactly was wrong. She clutched her bag and got a text message from Stanley. It says. 'How is work?I hope it wasn't stressful today?I'll be there in a jiffy to pick you up okay'. Jessica smiled and texted back to him. She waited for a few minutes, but still hadn't shown up. "Common Stanley!Hurry!" She growled and placed her head on the wall beside her, probably tired of spending more boring minutes with a speechless Dean. As she placed her head on the wall, she found herself dozing. She had stayed up all midnight to watch one of her favorite series and hardly slept. Dean turned to her direction and saw her dozing. He couldn't help but stared at her, her beautiful face, her glossy brown hair and her soft supple white skin. She was indeed beautiful, As she dozed off, she was deep In the sleep that her head tilted slightly away from the wall where she had placed it. It tilted and Dean knew she would not be comfortable In that position as she slept that way. Her head kept tilting sleepily on her neck and Dean had no choice but to help her. He sat beside her and gently placed her head back to the wall and just then, Stanley entered and was shocked to see Dean with a sleepy Jessica. 'what was he doing to her?', 'Were they friends now?' He thought In his mind. Jessica opened her eyes as soon as she noticed someone entered. She saw it was Stanley and turned to see Dean sitting beside her. "What the hell are you doing right beside me?" She asked as she gave Dean a glare. "I thought you guys were friends now and probably getting along". Stanley said with a smile as he looked at Jessica and Dean who was trying to stand up from the seat because he knew if he remained seated for a minute with Jessica, she would probably get furious and what would happen next would not be funny. "Friends?Get along?That can never happen". Jessica scoffed and replied to Stanley as she gave Dean a look of disgust. "Don't get me wrong Jessie," Dean started as he turned to her while he stood up. " you were having your nap and drooling, and your head tilted from the wall where you placed it. I thought it would be of some help if I tried placing it back on the wall so that, you know, you wouldn't have or complain of pains In your neck and besides I knew you weren't gonna sleep comfortably in that posture". Dean explained. Oh! How Jessica hated him more for mentioning that she drools. She? Drool?. She drools sometimes in her sleep and yes, she had drooled while taking her nap but she would never agree that she drools. She gave Dean a look of disdain and Stanley could see the amount of hatred Jessica has for Dean. Stanley believed what Dean had said and he felt pity for the poor dude. He was just trying to help, yet, all she does was tongue lash with insultive words. "How dare you touch me?," Jessica snapped at Dean. "But…but I was trying to help" . Dean said to her with a gape. "I told you, because you are my teammate, that doesn't give you the right or chance to speak to me, talk to me or touch me. Do you understand?" . She snapped at him again. "Easy Jessica, he was only trying to help" Stanley said to her. "Let him keep his help to himself" she said to Stanley and turned to Dean. "Don't you ever touch me again". She said lastly to him and walked up to Stanley to place her two arms on his shoulders. "Why were you late Stanley?You told me you would be here in a giffy". "I'm sorry" Stanley replied as he looked into her eyeball with dreamy eyes. "Always be true with your words, okay, if you had come here earlier to pick me up, I wouldn't have dozed off and probably that idiot wouldn't have had the chance to touch me". She said to Stanley and gave Dean as we all know, A look of disgust. Dean ignored her and continued with his work. He felt there was no point trying to explain anything to her because she wouldn't listen and would get upset the more. Dean was sick and of her behavior but he would have to keep enduring it. He was quite tolerative and cool, so he never mind after all. "It's okay, it's okay" Stanley said as he gave her a hug and Jessica turned the hug to a kiss. She stood on her toes, placed her hand around his neck and gave him a French kiss right in front of Dean. Dean saw them but ignored them to continue with his work. Jessica left the building after the kiss with Stanley, leaving Dean behind to finish up all the work. Just then, Dean's phone rang, it was his sister calling. "Hello Dorothy!". He said with a smile as he saw her in his video call but she wasn't smiling this time around, she was also moody. She had a musical competition to attend that day in school. She was the main contestant and representative of the school but turns out her sickness denied her of going. She looked pale as she laid on the hospital bed with her mom talking to a nurse. "I'm sorry Dorothy" Dean said. "Be strong, okay, I will soon be there once I'm done with my work and I will make sure I visit you today at the hospital". Dean said reassuringly to her. "Why aren't you done?Did Jessica leave all the work for you again?" Dorothy asked this time around with pouty lips. Whenever she pouted her lips, then it meant she was starting to get angry. "No ..no she's done with hers, I'm just doing mine" Dean lied to cover up for Jessie. "Are you sure?" Dorothy asked because she doesn't seem to believe him in that aspect. "Sure!" "What of mom?" Dean asked. "She's right here but she's talking to a nurse" Dorothy said and ended with a cough. "Sorry Dorothy, have you used your medicines?" "Yes" she said and coughed again. Dean watched her closely and saw her eyes were teary. "Have you been crying?" "no.no..mo" she lied when obviously he could see it. "No, tell me Dorothy, I know you're lying, you have been crying, your eyes are teary". "Are they?" She asked as she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. This time around, more tears ran down her soft cheeks. She couldn't control it. "Are you okay Dorothy? Please tell me" Dean pleaded because she was the type that hardly let someone know whenever she was having a hard time. "The contest" She finally said. "What contest?" Dean asked with a confused face. He had completely Forgotten about it. "The singing contest. It's today, I told you remember". "Oh! Yeah! That's true". Dean exclaimed as he recalled. She had gone for the first stage which was the audition and was chosen immediately to be among the contestants because she was good. Dean had encouraged her to go for the contest since she was good and he believed in her. What the judges loved most about her was her voice, her composure, her signing style, her boldness and lastly, her sense of humor. Too bad she wasn't able to make it to the final stage. Her health is more important than some contest. "I have bad news and good news". She said to Dean who was now sad and filled with pity for his sister. "Which one should I say first?" She asked Dean who only shrugged sadly. "Okay, I will say the bad one first". She said and continued. "I will not be going for the contest just as you know, I'm sick at the moment. And I will have to spend a week or two at the hospital". "So sorry Dorothy, I wish there was something I could do" Dean said sadly from the other line. His eyes were becoming teary too. "And the good news is, my school has paid for my operation bills". She broke the news to a happy Dean. "I want to get some rest now, make sure you come over, okay". "I will Dorothy, I will get you flowers, cards, your favorite food and anything you want okay". "Okay, bye!" "Bye!". Dean said lastly and hung up. He buried his head on the table. He couldn't believe it, tears ran down his cheeks. He was not happy, all he wanted was for his sister to get better. She was gifted musically and she needed to be up there. She has dreams of releasing an album of her own songs and be famous, which her father wasn't able to accomplish before his death. After her father's death, she had been getting sick often. She was so close to her father even though he died when she was still quite young but his absence made her sick. She wanted to give up on singing but Dean had supported and encouraged her to continue. As Dean sobbed quietly in the office, June opened the door. She had watch Jessica accompanied by a blonde haired dude and was so happy that she would spend some time with Dean alone. As she walked in, Dean quickly cleaned his tears with a handkerchief and raised his head up. She didn't notice anything and she assisted and helped him with his work while they both chatted. June was quite helpful and fun to be with. She was nicer and more caring than Jessica. But Jessica was way more beautiful than her. Dean only sees her as a friend but she was interested in him. ************************************** Jessica clutched on to Stanley as he drove and had a rough U-turn across the street. "You are a rough driver, Stanley" Jessica said as she placed her head on his chest. "And also a rough rider, I've seen you ride on your motorcycle before". Jessica added. Stanley smiled and whispered to Jessica in her ear. "I'm also rough when I ride on you". "You're silly" she said with a smile and hit him playfully on the head. Just then, Jessica's phone rang, it was Vicky calling. "Hello Vicky, what's up?" "I'm good" She said on the other line. "Okay, is there anything you wanna say to me?" Jessica said and Stanley listened to them with full attention. "Well", Vicky began, "Ruth's wedding is next week Saturday, have you gotten the invite". "Nope, how come I never heard anything about it". Jessica said and Vicky laughed. "Probably because you were busy.". "So, I just want to inform you and…wait a second, you are coming aren't you?" Vicky asked from the other line. "Urmmmm..of course I should, why won't I?" "Okay, good, just wanted to let you know, you're coming alone, aren't you?" "No!, Of course I'm coming with Stanley and my friends". Jessica said and gave Stanley a peck while he only smiled mischievously and as usual she wouldn't notice it. "Okay, bye, Jessie, I've got some work to do here" Vicky said because she called Jessica while at work in her workplace. "Bye sis" Jessica said and hung up. "You said I was coming over with you, to where?" Stanley asked Jessica while driving. "Next Saturday is Ruth's wedding, one of my sister's friends. I don't want to miss it cause she's like a friend to me too". "And I'm going with you, you coming aren't you?" "Of course I will, anywhere you go, I'll go". Stanley smiled as he looked at the rear mirror and held her hand with his left hand which he wasn't using to steer the steering wheel. He and Jessica went to a cafeteria to eat and afterwards, they went to the cinema to watch some movies. He dropped her off at her house and she watched him speed off as he drove out of their courtyard and into the street. As soon as he dropped her at her house, he called Babara and she drove to his apartment. They both had plans on going out that night. But where? ********************* Dean had visited his sister at the hospital and had gone that night to a pub to see his best friend, Wayne. Wayne was a tall guy in his early twenties. He had brown hair and freckles. Most girls don't like him because of his freckles and he admired Dean a lot for his good looks and tolerance. He was Dean's best friend and they knew each other since they were in high school. "Hiya Wayne!!" Dean called as he entered the pub. "Oh! Hi Dean long time no see" He stood from his seat and they both embraced each other. "It's been long I saw you in New York" Dean said as he looked at his friend from head to toe. "Yeah! I spent most of my time working in the radio station In Chicago but good news". "What?". Dean asked curiously with a grin. "I got a job to work In the most famous publishing company in New York" . "The New York times!". Wayne broke the news to a happy Dean. "Wow! I mean that's great news". "Yeah!, Better than working at some radio stations in Chicago". "Wow! I'm really happy for you, but how did they get to, you know, accept you?The interview, I mean how was everything?" Dean asked his friend. "Well, I would say, it was through connection". "Oh!" Dean exclaimed. His rich friend had some pretty rich friends in top positions and why not?, Connections would speak for him. "Finally we'll get to see each other often since I'm back in New York. And once more, I'm a New Yorker" Wayne said and they both chuckled. Wayne was quite comical and funny. He was a little taller than Dean and one year older than him. Dean met Wayne in highschool back then. He and his family had just relocated to New York and he was a newcomer both in the city and In the school. Wayne was the first person to greet him when he entered the class of unfamiliar faces. He showed him around the school and they both became best of friends from there. Dean was an intelligent fella. He always helped Wayne with school works, projects and assignments since he was, should we say dull, Let's just say he was an average kid. Wayne was a rich spoilt kid. He was the only child of his parents and was so lazy, especially with school work. He paid Dean most times to help him with his project and school work. He often changes his grades In his report card. They both went to the same college too, Whayne was sponsored by his rich parents while Dean worked to sponsor himself in college. Dean studied international relations while Whayne studied mass communication. They both go visiting each other's houses and Wayne was like Dorothy's older brother too. "So, what of your girlfriend, Imogen?" Dean asked him. Wayne's smile turned into a frown with puckered face and pouted lips as he remembered Imogen. "What is it?Don't tell me you two broke up?". "Yes, we did" Wayne admitted. "When was that?" "Last week". "Wow! Really?" "Yeah! She left me for some middle aged man, named Roger". "A middle aged man?" Dean asked as he furrowed his brows. "Yeah! Could you believe what she told me when I asked her the reason for not wanting to be with me anymore" Wayne said and puckered his face like he wanted to cry. "What was the reason?" Dean asked eagerly. "She…she…she…" Wayne only mouthed the word 'she', he doesn't really know how to tell him. "Common tell me buddy, it's me Dean, your best friend". Dean felt pity for his poor friend. His friend had gone through a series of breakups and heart breaks from girls. Some would pretend like they loved him just because he was rich. "Tell me buddy". "She said she never liked me because I was ugly and I ….I.." "I what?" "I have a small dick". "Oh! no" Dean said and hugged his friend with sympathy. "You will definitely see someone that loves you okay". "Okay!" He said as he cried like a baby on Dean's shoulders. Just then, Whayne's phone beeped and he saw it was a message from his cousin. He had told his cousin that he was back in New York and his cousin had decided to see him at the pub. "So how is it going between you and Amanda?" Whayne asked Dean as he raised his head from Dean's shoulder. "I told you we broke up. Didn't i?" "Really?". "Yes I did, maybe you've forgotten". "Girls are just so silly, I mean why did she break up with you?You did nothing wrong and you never cheated on her, did you?". "No," Dean answered. "You were nice, caring, loving, tolerable and yet she still left you, I noticed she never even appreciated your efforts. She's so mean". Whayne said with so much anger probably tired of the way girls behave. Not all, but some actually. "Yeah! Even my sister noticed it. Amanda has never been grateful and satisfied". Dean said . "Oh! Yeah, that reminds me of my little friend, Dorothy?" Whayne asked. "She's fine but she's, you know, sick right now and in the hospital". "Oh! no, I need to see her that'll probably be tomorrow". Just then, Whayne's cousin entered the pub and walked up to their direction. "Oh! You're here" Whayne said as he saw his cousin. "Hi whayne" he greeted. "Urrmmm…Dean, meet my cousin I've always told you about," Whayne said to Dean. "Oh hi!" Dean greeted as he faced the cousin whose name was…. "Randolph Wendy, my name is Randolph Wendy" Rwendy said as he brought his hand forward to shake Dean. "My name is Dean Mullins, nice meeting you". "Same here". Rwendy said with a smile and took a seat beside Dean. Yes, you heard that, his name was Randolph Wendy popularly called Rwendy. He was Rwendy, remember, babara's friend and he was also Whayne's cousin and whayne is Dean's best friend. Rwendy sat and they ordered bottles of whiskey from a waiter. Yes, Whayne was Rwendy's cousin but was one year older than Rwendy. They both lived and grew up in the same neighborhood but went to different schools. "So, how is it going with your girlfriends?, I think they are, Chloe, Guinevere and erm…Vanessa". Whayne asked. "It's not Vanessa it's Valerie". Rwendy corrected him. "Okay..okay fine. Are you guys still dating?" "No. We broke up". "Broke up?" Whayne said with shock as he furrowed his brows. "Yes". Rwendy repeated as he gulped down his bottle of whiskey. "Since when?" "Since the last two weeks". "Wow! But why? I was finally happy you found someone you really love". "No, whayne I don't love her I never loved any of them". Rwendy said again and gulped down another glass of whiskey. "Really?". "Yes, there is someone I really love, her name is Barbara. She has been my friend since high school". "So why didn't you tell her how you feel?" "I …I was so stupid. I wasn't able to tell her because I don't know how she would feel. I told her at the wrong time". Rwendy said sadly. "What do you mean by 'told her at the wrong time' ?" "She is in love with her best friend's boyfriend and now, they are both dating". "That doesn't mean" Whayne disagreed. "You could still tell her how you feel". "I did…I did but..but she was speechless. She never saw me that way and she even compared me with the man she loved. She said I was not as strong and brave as him". Just then, Stanley and Babara walked into the pub and ordered a drink and some snacks. They sat and chatted at the centre of the pub and Rwendy saw them. Yes, he did see them. "Speaking of the devil, here she is". Rwendy said to his cousin and Dean as he turned to Babara and Stanley's direction. "That's Babara over there" Whayne asked as he pointed to the blonde haired lady chatting and chuckling to a blond haired dude. "Yes". Rwendy replied to him. "Wow!She's beautiful". Whayne admitted. Dean took a good look at the blond haired dude she was talking to. The face looked familiar. He looked again and when he saw his face clearly. He knew it was Jessica's boyfriend, Stanley. The one who had come to pick her up at work today. "You said Babara was in love with her best friend's boyfriend. Isn't it?" Dean asked Rwendy. "Yeah!" He nodded. "Can I know her best friend's name?" "Jessica. Her name is Jessica Daves" Rwendy replied to him and turned to face them. "Babara had told me to act like her boyfriend because she was trying to make Stanley jealous and see if he truly loved her. And yes, I played along because she was my best friend and I truly love her" Rwendy explained further and Continued "I played along and yes, Stanley got jealous. He expressed his feelings to Babara and they dated secretly. I am fully aware of this". "I don't seem to trust that blond dude, Stanley". Rwendy said as he gave Stanley a glare. Stanley and Babara were deep in their discussion that they didn't notice three friends staring and talking about them. "Why don't you trust him?" Whayne and Dean asked. "Because I feel he's up to something". Rwendy said and Continued. "I told him how I feel towards Barbara and he encouraged me to go on and tell her. When I stood and was about to go, I looked at the mirror and I saw him smirk. Yes, he smirked. And when I expressed my feelings to Babara, some black thugs attacked and harassed her. I was able to do nothing because they beat me to a pop. And just then, superhero Stanley came to save the day. He saved her and she regretted coming to see me that night. I feel Stanley has a hand in it". "What do you mean by setting everything up?" Dean asked him. "Everything was a plan from Stanley. The fight, the thugs, I mean I ..I saw him winked at one of the thugs before they left and also, I saw him smirk at me when he was leaving with Barbara". " Yeah! You're right, he's not to be trusted but anyway since you've expressed how you feel about her and she didn't accept you." "Just move on bro" Whayne said and patted his cousin on the shoulder. "I know it's hard. Trust me, someday she will come running back to you". Dean said to him and looked at Stanley again who was now kissing Babara. "How do you see Jessica?" Stanley asked Rwendy. Rwendy looked at Dean and had the 'Do you know her?' expression on his face. Dean noticed it and asked another question to cover that up. "I mean is she aware or does she suspect anything about Barbara and Stanley?" "No, I don't think she does." Rwendy answered and continued. "Poor Jessie, little did she know she is betrayed and cheated on by her best friend and boyfriend". Dean never mentioned anything about knowing Jessica or working with her to them.