Crossing Boundaries [COMPLETE]

The Confrontation

For the first time in weeks, Tiffany's phone beeped. She was about to ignore it but the beeping started to annoy her. She reached for it on the bedside drawer and just as she was about to click the power off button, a name from one of the messages caused her to take a second glance.

CHRIS EVANS DROPPED BY THE SCHOOL.

NOT LOOKING FOR PRINCIPAL MCCARTHY.

TOOK MELISSA TO LUNCH, I HEARD ABOUT SOMETHING URGENT.

That's why he wasn't home today? Tiffany read the messages again. What urgent matter would he talk about with Melissa? Her heart beat in leaps and bounds. She ran down to the living area, pacing. Her bare feet lightly thudded at the hardwood floors. Would he?

She checked the wall clock hanging above the fireplace. If he went for lunch, then he might take a while. It was only half past twelve. The anxiety made her open a bottle of beer. She gulped down half of it before putting the bottle down on the coffee table.

Every so often, Tiffany stared at the time. It couldn't move fast enough. He couldn't come home fast enough. The more the clock dragged on, the more her bursting heartbeat ate her sanity.

*

Tiffany was finishing her second bottle of booze when she heard the car decelerating down the driveway. She tried to compose herself. Thought about what she was going to say. But what the hell! Why should she think about what she was to say?

Just as she was trying to pacify the war ensuing in her brain, the door to the house opened. Immediately, Chris's sea eyes darted to the bottles on the coffee table. He grimaced. "Back to the old ways, I see," he commented while shutting the oak wood.

Tiffany, on the other hand, wasn't up for any sarcastic banter. She was neurotic about the news she got from a former colleague. She left the comfortable couch to face him, making sure there was ample space between them for good measure. "Why did you meet Mel?" the question was straightforward.

Chris walked towards the fridge and got himself a beer. "Is it forbidden to have lunch with an old friend?" For all the years of being an actor, he couldn't sell a simple alibi to Tiffany. Heck, he couldn't even look her straight in the eyes.

She was getting irritable by the second. "BULLSHIT, Chris!"

Mrs. Evans was about to knock on the door when she heard Tiffany yelling profanity. Her tone made the hair at the back of Lisa's neck stand. Her hand froze, midair. Her son's reply, much less audible.

"What did you just say?" His eyes were now piercing through hers.

Though his stare was baneful, Tiffany held her own. Her browns just as stabbing. "You heard me the first time. That's bull and you know it." Her voice still loud. "What's your plan? Ask for what happened? Dabble in my affairs and then what?"

His voice intensified. "Yes and yes to your questions."

Outside, Carly whispered to her mom. "Should we ..." Lisa simply shook her head. "Before they kill each other?"

"They won't," Mrs. Evans whispered back. They would not meddle but they lingered long enough to hear everything.

"Is it so difficult for you to accept my help?" He positioned himself nearer to her.

Still not backing down, Tiffany, exasperated, let out a chilling laugh, "Have you even thought about the consequences of you trying to barge in this mess? Have you ever thought about what may happen to Mel?"

"I would've let Mel be, but she agreed. She knows what she's doing," His voice firm but with a hint of worry.

Tiffany pulled back a few steps, but still staring into Chris's eyes. "How about you? Have you thought about what might happen to you if people find out about your friend who happened to allegedly hit on a student from her school, lost her job for it and you trying to be her knight in shining armor?" Her words heavy as if carrying the weight of the consequences. "Not all people here are trustworthy. Take my word for it. I learned the hard way."