In the Shadow of Love

Chapter 2

"Maybe you should try a different approach for that kid" Vivien asked as she sat down with Casper. "Would you buy some raffle tickets? I'm raising money to buy those children a new computer for the school" she kept looking at him, but Casper seemed to not pay attention about what she said. "Your acting—" "Is this your idea of having a small talk with me? You must learn more" "Actually not, I'm just helping" she said and left to transfer back to her seat in front while Casper continued to listen to his headphone's loud music.

When they got back from the school Casper's friend Alistair was nowhere to be found and surprisingly, he approached Vivien that have a car parked in front of him. He then went to her and asked if he could get a lift home. "Give me the address" she said, and she drove her home. As they were traveling, she spotted the garden where she and her dad would spend time to, she smiled as they pass by. "What? Are you happy you're with me?" Casper said jokingly "No, I just remembered someone" she said and drove in her uncle's house which was the house in front of Caspers house. "What are you doing here, do you have an appointment with the Pastor today?" he asked her. "No, he's my uncle I'm staying here until tomorrow morning." She said and asked him to get out of the car.

"Viv? What's that boy doing in your car?" her uncle asked. "Oh, he needed a lift and somehow he lives near" she said. "I don't want you hanging out with kids like that" he said "I'm not, I just did him a favor" she said, and they walk in together. "Honey, how's school?" her aunt asked and hugged her. "School is great auntie kids are also good to me" she said, she heard someone running down the stairs and turned to look at Noah, her cousin. "Noah!" she said and came to hug him. "I just got home from medical school" he said, and they started talking about their lives.

The day went by so fast, and Vivien was tired, so she fell asleep on the veranda on Noah's room. Casper somehow saw she fell asleep "She fell asleep outside" he said and laughed while smiling. Noah then checks up on Vivien and wake her so she can come inside, Noah noticed that Casper Scott was looking from his window, so he closed the window and curtains. "Viv, is Scott your friend?" "No, don't worry uncle warned me about him."

The next morning Noah went to church with his cousin and family, Vivien was playing the piano again and there was Casper again having a bored face listening to music and the preaching of the Pastor. He then turns to his friends from their seats and started looking at each other as if they can read their minds. After the service Vivien went home and Noah help her carry her stuff inside the car before leaving the house. "I'll be gone by Friday again Viv. I'll make sure to visit you in school, so you won't miss me so much" he said to his cousin. "I'll be waiting for you then" she smiled and hugged her cousin. "I have a present for you, he said and showed Vivien a new phone. I saw your phone and how old it was" he said. "Yes, but it was my mother's" she said and took her present anyway. "I'll use it, thank you for the present" she said and drove her car.

When she arrived from the school Casper was there. "Hmm still cleaning I see" she said as she passed by him. "This is the last day" he said annoyingly. She shrugged her shoulders and carried her things in her room and went out after taking only a bouquet of flower and her favorite jacket. "Where are you going? To court that guy?" Casper said and laughed. "Actually not, and for the record, he's my childhood bestfriend not my suitor." Then where are you going with that flower?" he asked "Come see" she said, and he followed her in the car. "Where are we going?" he asked "Somewhere" she said and drove the car. She stopped when they arrived at the hospital where her father was. She went inside his room together with Casper. "Hi Dad, I missed you" she said and gave him the flowers, "it's been so long since you were here, I wish I could still play with you like when I was younger. I wish I could say what I have in my mind. I wish you're with my dad." She said and cried, Casper on the other hand comforted her and hugged her. They stayed there for a few moments and left because it's getting dark outside. They drove back to school and Casper asked about what happened to her father. "Your dad, what happened to him." "He was in a car accident when I was in 5th grade, he was in coma since then." She smiled and went inside the dormitory, but he stopped her. "Hey, I was wondering if you could uh..." he can't say it. "What?" she asked "If you could help me in the play" she nodded and went inside.