Tiana's POV

Zaria led me into a room while I dragged my suitcase behind me. I marvelled at the sight of the room. I know my parents are rich but Zaria's parents are loaded. The room was way bigger than mine. It was painted white and lilac with lilac and pink flowers on the white part. The cottons were also lilac and white and so was the queen sized bed. The tiles were white. In all, the room was beautiful.

"This is where you'd be staying till exams are over and hopefully all the drama would have dies down," Zaria's voice broke into my thoughts and I looked at her.

"Thank you very much for having me here," I told her genuinely. She gave me a small smile.

"It's the least I could do. Get yourself settled in, bathroom is just right there,"she pointed to the small door by the corner of my room. "...so you can freshen up. My room is right down the hall. We have gotta talk. My elder sister would be available too, just in case you need a grown up's advice." She said and I widened my eyes.

Her sister knows?

Zaria must have noticed my expression because she said, "Don't worry, she doesn't mind. She's a practicing lawyer, she deals with this kind of situation. She might be of huge help," she replied, trying to calm me down. That was actually a relief.

"Okay, I would like that. Thank you." I smiled at her and turned around to open my suitcase.

"Tiana?" she called and I turned around. "...everything would be fine. Tyler won't let anything happen to you. We all won't let anything happen to you," she smiled and I smiled back, nodding. She turned around and left the room.

At least I'm safe...

For now.

☆☆☆☆

It was already 9:00pm. We had already had dinner with Zaria's parents. Thankfully, I wasn't bombarded from all sides with questions. Zaria already made up a very convincing story and made sure they believed it, and they did.

In the middle of the dinner I noticed the closeness they had in their family and I was quite sad. I can't remember the last time we had dinner in my house as a family. I can't even remember the last time my parents were home. The closeness between Zaria and Aisha made me wish everything was different in my family.

Now I was in Zaria's room, talking about random stuffs; boys, which universe is better between DC and Marvel. I kept saying Marvel but she seemed to prefer DC. I got to know the kind of hair products she use that makes her hair so straight, silk and long. Her natural hair didn't look natural at all, but it was.

"What am I missing?" Aisha's head popped in, with a goofy smile playing on her lips.

"Nothing much. Come on in." Zaria said and Aisha skipped in. No one would know she's 21 years of age. She acts so babyish when she wants to, also serious when she need to be.

She plopped down on the bed in between the both of us and silence immediately engulfed the room. She looked from me to Zaria and back to me.

"Tiana, how are you," she asked.

"I'm good, I guess..." I started but she stopped me.

"That's not what I meant. I mean, are you okay? Is there anything going on in your mind," she asked. I sighed and shook my head.

"I'm obviously not okay. I'm not even safe in my own house I have to come and stay here. I can't predict my sisters move so I'm not even sire I'm safe anywhere." I replied, my voice hushed.

"That is expected. Trust me I feel your pain." Aisha said and Zaria nodded, agreeing with her. I snorted out a laugh and shook my head again.

"You guys can't feel my pain, I doubt if you have ever been in this situation. I bet everything has been rosy all your life. I mean, I could see it during the dinner, you are close to your parents. I can't even remember the last time I saw mine. My sister is out there, trying to cause more chaos and damage to my life. Zaria, you and your sister are inseparable; in a good way. Practically, your family is the direct opposite of mine and I can't help but feel jealous. You guys are just so...perfect." I concluded, looking down and feeling ashamed of myself and my family.

Suddenly I heard they laugh. I looked up and frowned at them as they continued to laugh.

"I really don't see what funny guys." I told them. Aisha looked at Zaria and Zaria came beside me, pushing me to the middle.

"Look Tiana, if you were here this time last year, you wouldn't have seen the family you are seeing right now. We couldn't have a proper dinner without biting our heads off." Zaria chuckled at the memory and Aisha chuckled along aide with her. I widened my eyes.

"Really?" I asked.

"Really. I was practically the black sheep of the family. The only thing my parents used to recognize me as their daughter was the fact that I was bringing home good grades. Apart from that, I was someone that wanted to destroy the family," she said and I looked confused.

"Why would you want to destroy your own family?" I asked.

"Let me let you in on a little secret, Tiana. I was raped by my own uncle." Zaria replied and my eyes bulged out of its sockets.

"What?!" I exclaimed.

"Actually, I was almost thirteen when it first happened. It started with him tricking me to give him an hand job, yes I was naive then I had no idea what I was doing. Then when I found out what he was trying to do, I decided to call him out and he didn't take it so well, so he kinda molested me, fingered me. He couldn't have his way then because he was interrupted," she revealed.

"Did you tell your parents?" I asked.

"I did, but they didn't believe me. I can remember dad slapping me that day and calling me all sort of despicable names. He told me to shut up and not say a word to anyone. Sam threatened me and I couldn't even tell Aisha. I couldn't also tell Lyla, Ada, Charles and the others," Zaria replied.

"So you kept it all in for how long?" I asked.

"Till Joel came and saw through the whole miss perfect facade. But that didn't stop Sam from having his way. He raped me and though I called Joel before he could have his way, they all got there late. That was when my parents realized I wasn't lying." Zaria concluded.

"I can never forgive my parents if I'm the one. It would be so hard. It's practically their fault." I said.

"Trust me, it was so hard. It didn't happen to me but I hated my parents at that moment." It was Aisha that spoke.

"Wow." That was all I could say.

"Now you know it wasn't all rosy for us." Aisha said.

"It's not exactly the same as yours but that doesn't mean we can't relate with you, Tiana and that's why I volunteered to have you in my house for this period of time because I've been there and I know it's scary but you are a fighter. You will scale through." Zaria said and I sniffed, tears pouring from my eyes.

"It's going to be so hard. I want to try getting across to my parents, maybe for once they would listen to me but it's up to no avail. I really don't have any more choices." I said.

"Can I have your parents phone numbers? I would try my possible best to rich them, though I have a lot of cases for one and a half months but I'll squeeze this in. Also, I think I'd hire a detective to follow Ciara, just to get what's going on." Aisha said.

"You would do that for me?" I asked.

"Of course. We won't let the same thing that happened to me or worse happen to you. We have gotta scale through on this one. Ciara and King must be apprehended before something bad happens." Zaria said. I smiled and hugged her. Aisha joined us.

"Thank you."

☆☆☆☆

Exams had already ended which meant going back home. Tyler was walking me home, dragging my suit case behind him, my hand in his free hand. We got to the front of my gate and I sighed.

"This is my stop." I said facing him.

"Did you really have to come back to this hell hole?" He asked me.

"My time in Zaria's house has already expired. I have to come back. Where else can I go." I replied.

"Come stay with me. I'll keep saying it..."he started but I cut him short.

"You and I know that's not possible. I really don't want to drag you into this more than you have already been dragged." I told him. He sighed and shook his head.

"I don't have a good feeling about this." He looked at the house.

"Neither do I, Tyler. Ciara are not in at the moment so I'm not worried. I can enter freely. And hey..." I moved closer to him and wrapped my hands around his neck. "...if it makes you fee any better, Aisha has promised to get a detective that would help to find out everything that is going on. She is going to take the case up when we get the right evidence." I told him and his lips twitched up in a smile.

"I just want you to be safe," he said.

"I promised, at every sign of danger I will call you immediately." I told him. It had become a mantra.

"Please do." Tyler leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on my forehead. I smiled and pulled back.

"Be safe." Tyler said.

"You too. See you tomorrow." I waved at him and he waved back. I turned around and enters the compound. Trumpet came out, backing.

"Hey boy, I've missed you too." I smiled and pulled my suitcase inside. The door was left ajar and I shrugged. Trumpet must have left the door opened.

I opened the door completely and entered the living room which was unusually dark. I tried to get to the switch but suddenly my mouth was covered and I pulled back, my back hitting the door violently. I screamed but it was muffled with the hand placed over my mouth. The light was switched on and my eyes met King's menacing gaze and evil smirk. I looked at the side and saw Ciara by the switch, a sinister smile on her lips.

"Welcome back sister." She said. I glared at her. A shiny object caught my gaze and I looked. King was holding a very sharp knife close to my throat. I widened my eyes and became really scared.

"I'd remove my hand and I don't expect a scream. If I hear one, I'll slice your throat. You and I know I don't bluff." He said through gritted teeth.

"Hey King, we didn't talk about knives..." Ciara started.

"Sit your fücking behind down and shut the hell up." He growled at her and she shut up. He looked back at me.

"Do you understand?" He asked me and I nodded frantically. He removed his hand but the knife didn't leave my neck and his body was still pinning me to the door.

"What do you want King." I asked, my voice trembling.

"Now we are talking. Now listen to me and listen good. You are going to do exactly what I say or your boyfriend is gone..." He said and I felt a drop of tears on my cheek, and more.

"I'll do anything you ask, please don't hurt Tyler." I pleaded. There was no other way, I knew it. Even after everything, it all came down to me begging for mercy.

"Now that's the spirit. You won't go contrary to my instructions. Is that clear,"

"Crystal."

☆☆☆☆

Tyler's POV

I haven't seen Tiana all day but Zaria assured me that she was in school which have me relief. I just hope she's okay. She hasn't answered my calls or text since last night. It was only me, Joel, Charles and Kelvin that were seated. Taju had gone home to write his SAT exam. Unlike us, he was traveling to Spain for his college after graduation.

"Tyler, are you okay?" Joel asked me, bringing me back to reality.

"Yeah, just concerned and worried about Tiana." I replied him.

"Don't worry, I'm sure she's fine." Charles said and I smiled.

"Speak of the devil." Kelvin said and I turned and saw Tiana approaching us. I smiled. She came closer and greeted the guys.

"Tyler, can we talk...in private?" she asked and I looked at the guys. They nodded.

"Sure. Come on." I pulled her to an empty classroom. Exams had ended but some people would be taking NECO. I wasn't going to so I was free till Graduation which was slated for early July. I turned to face Tiana. She didn't look well and I got more concerned.

"Tiana, are you okay?" I moved close to her but she held her hand out to stop me. She looked up and I saw tears on her eyes.

Oh no...

"Tyler, I'm sorry but we have to break up." She deadpanned. It seemed like an alarm went off in my head. I was dumbfounded.

"Sorry, what?!" I exclaimed.

"I'm sorry." She turned and made to go but I quickly stopped her, getting to her front.

"Tiana, this is insane. It's coming out from no where. We saw yesterday and everything seemed fine. Why the sudden change? What's going on?" I searched her eyes for answers. She took my hand in hers, clasping it tight.

"Look, I'm trying to protect you. Everything I'm doing right now is for your own good. I can't keeping pulling you into my mess. It's my cross to carry. Please understand that I have no choice here." She pleaded but I wasn't having it. We can't just end this way and I had a good idea who was behind all of this. I cupped her face in my hand.

"Yes you have a choice. You don't need to protect me, I need to protect you. I can't let you go, not like this, Tiana. Please, tell me what's going..."

She pulled my face down and pressed her lips against mine, cutting my sentence mid way, kissing me like she was in the desert, dying of thirst and I was the only source of water. I cupped her face in my hands and kissed her back the same way, pouring all my emotions into the kiss, silently pleading for her not to let go. The kiss became slow, sensual, passionate, like she was savouring the feel of my lips against hers like it was for the last time.

After a while she pulled back and rested her forehead against mine, our chest rising and falling.

"Tiana please..." I trailed off.

"I can't bear the thought of loosing you but this is the best way. I don't want you getting hurt, Tyler. All I am doing right now is for your own good. I'm sorry..." She trailed off too. I couldn't bring myself to reply. Tears slowly made it out of my eyes.

She pulled my face in one last time and kissed me. Slowly, tenderly, passionately, Transforming her unsaid emotions into it. I kissed her back, a bittersweet feeling engulfing me as she pulled back. She looked at me in the eye.

"I love you so much, Ty." She whispered, pulled back and walked away, leaving me awestruck, her last words ringing in my head.

I love you, Tyler... so much.

A/N

The last update before my exam starts. I just hope it would be worth all the future waits. I decided to be spontaneous and spice stuffs up so it would leave you guys eager for the remaining chapters. I hope it's as catchy as I think.

Building Bridges is gradually coming to an end!! I bet y'all are excited. Though I have a new book in mind but I haven't gotten a title so I won't be introducing it and also I'll take a long break to properly plan that one before I begin to write it. You guys can actually guess what the new book will be all about.

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Wish me luck in my exams tho, they are starting on Monday the 15th and ending on the 29th. Pray for me oo.

I would be sending a link on my profile. I won the first round of the competition thanks to you guys and the second and last round is up so I would love you guys to help me vote. The voting is daily so you can vote for "Beneath the Surface" every day. It's ending on the 23rd. Let's bring it home peeps. Check my profile (conversations specifically) for link. God bless.

I love you guys. Thanks for your patience.