Kristine took turned in hugging Chloe, Jenny and Brenda as Ronald waited for her by the car.

''I'm going to miss you, Kris'' Jenny said.

''Go and knock off Lucy, okay?'' Chloe added.

''Call us when you arrive. Ronald, I am leaving my darling in your hands'' Brenda said.

''Sure, I will take care of her. Don't worry'' Ronald assured them.

''Bye, girls'' Kristine smiled and went inside the car. Ronald joined her and she waved at the others as he drove away.

''Do you think Kris will fall for him during this journey? I can't wait to hear their story later on'' Jenny was excited.

''Says the one who has been single all her life'' Brenda said and turned to go in.

''Let's make a bet, Brenda'' Jenny said and Chloe shook her head.

''Again the childish bet. What do you want to bet on this time?'' Brenda cocked her brows at her.

''The one to fall in love first. I happen to meet my fated one this month, you will give me $500 dollars''

''Aye'' Chloe sighed.

''And if you don't, which I know you won't?'' Brenda asked.

''I will also give you $500 dollars''

''Chloe is out witness. You better not go and a gigolo here and ask him to pretend to be your boyfriend. You know how smart I am, right?''

'I am not going to bring any gigolo here''

###

Ronald pulled over at a gas station to get some fuel for the road. He turned and saw that Kristine was dozing off and he chuckled, waking her up in the process.

Kristine scanned her environment and turned to him, ''Sorry, I almost slept''

''It's alright. the road is still a long way, so it's better to catch some sleep while we are at it'' Ronald said to her before handing over some money to the man at the fuel station. He opened the tank and told the man to fill it up.

''I will drive us when you are tired'' Kristine suggested. T-Town was a little over four hours from D-City. driving for such long hours could be stressful hence she wanted to help him.

''No need. I can handle it. I have a blanket behind you, at the backseat. You can use it to cover yourself since the weather is a little cold''

''En, thanks'' Kristine turned and saw the blanket. It was a green one and she picked it up and smelt it. ''It smells nice''

''I washed it a few days ago and kept it here. Glad I did, came in handy''

''Right'' Kristine smiled and tried to cover herself with it.

''Let me help you'' Ronald unbuckled his seatbelt and leaned closer to her. He spread the blanket over her body before going back to his seat.

Kristine blushed and smiled. She turned to him and asked, ''I don't understand''

Ronald started driving out of the gas station, ''what don't you understand?'' he peeked at her before looking at the road.

''I don't get it, why you are doing this? You're not doing this for free, are you?'' Kristine looked at him. She wondered if he was really luring her in as her friends said. If he liked her, why didn't he just say it at once instead of doing all this for her?

''You are right. it's indeed not free, but let's talk about it when we return'' he smiled.

''Huh? Then, do you..?'' she squeezed the blanket under her nervously.

''I just want to take care of you, that's all. You are allowed to interpret it anyhow you want''

Kristine looked at him as he drove away. She thought about what he just said and her face turned red. Was she that obvious for him to know she was indeed trying to interpret his actions?

''Sleep, I will wake you up when we get there. Your mother already gave me the direction to your villa. She said you always fall asleep when you are travelling for a long distance''

''She really sold me out'' Kristine murmured and closed her eyes.

...

T-TOWN.

AMANFO ESTATES.

The compound was a lively one at the estates of the Amanfo. The family that consisted of a rather large number were out on the yard chatting, drinking and having fun. There was also a slow music playing on the background. Since it was until the following day that the Patriate of the house was going to celebrate his birthday.

The people present at that moment were Mrs. Kate, Nelson who is the elder brother of Kristine, Vera, his pregnant wife, Max Amanfo also known as Uncle Max, the uncle of Kristine, John Amanfo, the second brother and last after Kristine's father. He was also the father of Lucy Amanfo, whom Kristine didn't have a good relationship with and lastly Aunt Meg, Lucy's mother.

Mrs. Kate was chatting with Vera and Nelson when a black Bentley drove inside the villa and pulled over. Lucy and her fiancé George got down from the car and her mother rushed forward to hug her. this was the first time Lucy was coming back to the town. She had been abroad furthering her studies and hasn't returned in the last 5 or so years.

''Mom, dad'' Lucy hugged her parents, ''I missed you so much''

''We missed you too sweetheart. Look at you.. so beautiful'' Aunt Meg said and looked at George.

''Mom, dad, this is George Andy. You spoke with him on phone before, my fiancé'' Lucy did the introduction.

''Yes, we did. You are welcome to the family George'' Aunt Meg said and shook his hand before pulling him towards Mrs. Kate to brag.

''Dad, how are you doing?'' Lucy asked her father. She shared a striking resemblance to the man and was very beautiful and slender. She inherited her father's good genes and also took her mother's height making her look curvy and perfect.

''We are all doing well. How was the trip back?''

''Dad, don't even mention it. It was stressful. We had to go to George's family before coming here. I feel so drain. Where is Grandpa? How is he doing?'' Lucy asked after looking around and not seeing the old man.

''He is fine. He went inside with his secretary. Who knows what kind of surprises that old man had in store for us''

''What about Kristine? Has she arrived?''

''No. Your grandfather is especially angry with her this time. The old man heard she suddenly broke up and cancelled the wedding she was going to have with that actor. The old man almost died from anger. It is going to get messier when she arrives''

''Kristine. She is really out to anger grandpa. First she refused to help in the family business and left to work as a waiter and now the only thing that made grandpa willing to look at her again is no longer there? She really goes all out. That means she will be coming alone? I can't wait to watch she and grandpa tonight. It's going to be interesting'' Lucy said before plastering a smile on her face and walked towards Mrs. Kate and Nelson.

''He is my son in law'' Aunt Meg said, holding unto George's hand as she introduced him to Uncle Max and Mrs. Kate.

''I see'' Mrs. Kate nodded her head.

''Aunt, hello, I am George'' George said politely.

''Hello, you are welcome to the family, George'' Mrs. Kate said with a smile.

''Aunt, uncle Max. Elder cousin and cousin in law, hello'' Lucy went forth to greet them.

'Hi, Lucy, welcome back'' Nelson said but his wife and mother were quiet. They simply smiled and nodded at Lucy.

''Kate, look at my son in law. He is a lawyer for a prestigious firm in Atlanta'' Aunt Meg spoke proudly as she stood next to Lucy and George. At about the same time, the main door opened and the secretary of Old Mr. Amanfo walked out and held the door for the old man to come out.

As soon as she saw him, Lucy rushed forth excitedly, ''grandpa'' she went and hugged the old man.

''Oh, Lucy is here. How are you?'' the old man asked as he casted his glance at George.

''I'm fine, grandpa. I missed you a lot. Grandpa, how are you doing?''

''I'm also fine. Who is the guest?''

''Grandpa, this is George Ntiamoah, my fiancé. He is a lawyer at Atlanta'' Lucy said feeling proud. What their grandfather valued most was integrity and prestige.

''Really?'' the old man looked at George.

''Grandpa, hi''

''How are you doing?''

''I'm fine, grandpa''

''So, you are a lawyer? That's not bad'' the old man was satisfied with him. He looked at everyone and turned his gaze towards Mrs. Kate and her family, ''where is that daughter of yours? Does she plan not to come at all?'' he asked clearly with disdain.

''Grandpa, I just called Kris. They will be here soon'' Nelson answered.

''That girl. If only she could be half as responsible as you, Nelson''

''Grandpa, don't be angry with cousin. I heard she just broke up. She must be heartbroken over her cancelled wedding'' Lucy spoke as if she was defending Kristine but, she wasn't. She was simply making the old man angrier by doing so.

''Why would I be heartbroken? I don't remember telling you about my feelings?''

Everyone turned and saw Kristine and Ronald. They stood next to each other beside their car.