Arranged marriage : I hate you

Chapter 34

Jennie felt out of place. She was frustrated and couldn't quite concentrate but was too afraid to say out the name of the woman who was causing her to struggle to pay attention in class. She had been called out twice in two classes already for zoning out and wanted nothing to do but to go home.

At lunch, she decided to go to the school library to study for her upcoming tests. Also because she didn't want to have to face Jimmy on such a draining day. She also didn't want to have to face Mia's interrogations about her clearly bad mood.

After her last class, she waited outside for the driver to come, her mind drifting off to a place far away. She couldn't focus on anything at the moment, a particular woman occupying her mind. It was not until someone took a hold of her hand that she was brought back to Earth. Her heart skipped a beat and a warm sensation poured onto her body at the sight of Riley taking her hand. She froze, unable to move or say anything.

"Are you alright?" Riley asked, her face showing great concern and worry. There were less students at the school, which was a relief for Jennie because she didn't want to face any gossips about being seeing with Riley again. Especially since it had caused problems between her Jimmy. She wasn't even sure where they stood in terms of their relationship, especially with the upcoming engagement announcement.

She blinked a few times, still flustered by the sudden appearance of Riley and the contact.

"I'm okay?" She said, the statement coming out more as a question than an answer. Riley gave her a questioning look but chose to not say anything. She let go of Jennie's hand and stepped away from her, averting her gaze from the girl to the few students still scattered around the school.

"I thought I should come get you," she said, turning to face the girl again, the latter nervously meeting her gaze with great intensity. "You know, to make up for not driving you here myself," she continued, her eyes not moving from the younger woman.

Jennie looked down, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion before looking back at a patient looking Riley. How could such few words make her whole body feel so warm whenever this woman spoke? And how can the mere glance at the woman's unwavering stare make her nervous?

"It's no problem," she said even though she felt like the older woman had pushed her so far away from herself, that she now feared getting too close.

"No, it is. I told you Nini, I take care of you. It's what I have to do," Riley said, her facial expression serious. Jennie didn't know what to say, what to do or how to react. Riley didn't want to waste more time talking to her wife-to-be outside her school building. She also just didn't have time, period.

"Come on, let's get you home," she said then took the younger woman's hand and school bag, leading her to her car parked not so far from them. There were no guards today per Riley's request. She hated being around them, the whole escort and being guarded thing made her feel like a prisoner who's every activity is monitored.

She opened the car door for Jennie at the passenger seat and buckled her seatbelt, tossing the school bag on the back seats before jogging to her side. Once they were both buckled up and safely in the car, she drove them home.

"So, how was school?" Riley asked as she looked at the younger woman briefly before focusing on the road. Jennie shifted in her seat as she tried to get comfortable, unsure of what the latter expected from her. Riley watched her movements before looking away.

"It was fine," Jennie replied, trying to smile in order to sound more convincing, her attempt a failure.

"Relax," Riley told her, her voice low and calm. Jennie was confused. "Huh?" She asked, looking at the older woman in confusion. Riley let out a breath.