"Guys, I don't know what I was thinking. I just recalled I didn't offer you both anything to eat or drink," Joanna said. She stood up and tried to walk away but Raymond held her hand.
"It's fine," He replied.
"Yeah, it's fine. Although you didn't offer us anything I think your presence made up for that," Derrick answered while beaming at her.
Joanna sat back on the couch afterwards. "Since you are the one who said it then I will believe you then," Joanna replied.
None of them talked for two minutes following Joanna's last sentence.
"Guy's, can I ask for a favour from you?" Joanna asked politely. Her gaze moved from Raymond's face to Derrick's.
"Say it and as long as it's within our power we will do it," Raymond responded as he stared at her face.
"There is an important lecture I must attend but I am forbidden from leaving the house alone…,"
"You were forbidden from leaving the house?" Derrick asked with a bewildered expression.
"You are not a kid so who would order you around…," Raymond's dry cough forced Derrick to shallow back whatever he wanted to say.
"So what do you want us to help you with?" Raymond quizzed softly.
"I was hoping you guys could follow me to campus," Joanna informed without beating around the bush.
[I ask sure he won't be upset if his men told him that I left the house when I am in their company]
Joanna anxiously waited for their response.
"You want Ray to accompany you to campus? Are you sure of this?" Derrick asked sceptically. The manner he questioned her made Joanna wonder whether there was something wrong with her request.
"Of course I am," Joanna replied sternly.
"Whoa… you are the only woman I know who is willing to make the entire ladies in the Kingdom your enemies. I respect you for this," Derrick said as he gave Joanna a thumbs up.
"What does Raymond following me to campus have to do with making all the ladies in the Kingdom my enemies…,"
"Because he is their heartthrobs, their prince charming, aren't you aware of this?" Derrick asked. He stood up from where he sat and walked to where the butterfly portrait hung.
"I can still recall what those means ladies did to a lady whom they saw talking friendly to Ray…,"
"I am not afraid of anyone," Joanna declared as she stood up from the couch.
"Besides, I have been hated all my life. I don't think there is any difference by adding a few more to the list," Joanna said with her shoulders held high.
"That is the spirit," Derrick clapped as he turned and stared at her.
"This is exactly what makes me believe that we will get along very well. Even Ray will get jealous of our closeness," Derrick giggled.
Joanna couldn't resist smiling along with him.
Soon she was seen changing outfits in the bedroom. While she got ready Raymond and Derrick were seen walking around the room talking in hushed tones.
Thirty minutes later, on campus, two tall handsome guys were seen walking side by side with an equally tall lady wearing a white cropped top and black trousers.
With the celebrity in their midst, they became the centre of attention.
Students left wherever they were and whatever they were doing just to get a glimpse of them.
Within five minutes of appearing on campus the news that Joanna has found herself another big shot was over the campus.
The news wasn't well received by the ladies on the campus.
As they strolled around campus the ladies threw flirtatious glances hoping to be noticed by their idol but Raymond and Derrick were too busy chatting with the pretty lady to notice them.
Or maybe they noticed them but decided to play ignorant about it.
Among the crowds, three ladies stood with their murderous glares glued on the smiling lady's face walking in the middle of the guys.
"I swear choking her to death with my bare hands won't be enough to ease my hatred for her," Sophie muttered. She dug her long nails into her fine palms.
"Now that she has openly made all the ladies her enemies even though we don't kill her I am sure there is someone among them who wouldn't hesitate to kill her a hundred times so let's just wait and see the end of stinky Joanna," Nora spoke with gritted teeth.
Despite their boiling anger, none dared to speak aloud or confront Joanna in the presence of Raymond.
They would rather swallow the bitterness than anger Raymond.
Though Joanna acted as if she was too engrossed in her chit-chat with the guys she secretly stole glances at the faces of those watching them.
The bitterness on their faces didn't escape her notice.
[The last time I saw ladies so bitter was when Kayden held my hands in public. Seeing their faces it feels like I am reliving that moment. I wonder why I feel so happy to see them so furious]
A sweet smile lingered on her face as she returned her attention to what they were discussing.
Meanwhile, as Joanna was making her way to the lecture hall with her two handsome angels by her side, at a corner, a guy was gazing at her with his full attention.
"What is it, Chris?" There was finally a response on the other side of the line. But the person didn't sound pleased at all.
"Is something wrong with her?" The guy asked. He jumped to his feet when Chris didn't reply immediately.
"Don't tell me you failed to carry out the simple tasks I gave you?" Amos' angry voice attracted the attention of those with him.
The men speaking in low tones stopped talking, hearing the King's angry voice.
"Miss Joanna is safe. In fact, she is very delighted right now," Chris replied calmly. He kept on following the three figures whose distance from him was widening every second.
"What do you mean?" Amos asked, sounding a bit relaxed. "And why is it so noisy there? Aren't you supposed to be watching over her or don't tell me you are neglecting your duties just because I am not around?".