***************************************
"That night is one of my best memories," Desmond said, reminiscing about their past.
"Really? How? I remember you saying it was just a kiss," Rosie responded.
Desmond noticed Rosie's air-quote gesture around "just a kiss."
"At that time, it was just a kiss," Desmond clarified.
"How about now? Would you mind if I asked you..." Rosie began before Desmond interrupted her.
"That's a discussion for another day. It's getting late, and you should head in now," Desmond advised.
"In?" Rosie looked around and realized they were back on her street.
"I didn't realize we had already arrived. We just circled around this street and the one behind," Rosie laughed.
Desmond kissed her left cheek and let go of her hand.
"Good night," he said.
"You too, good night."
"Oh, one last thing," Desmond stopped her.
"What?"
"If you find your mom upset or crying when you walk in, comfort her but don't ask her what happened. If she's crying in her room, don't interrupt her. Don't try to comfort her. If she doesn't tell you what's wrong tomorrow, don't push her. Don't act awkward around her, okay? Give her some time to process," Desmond advised her.
"Why do you sound like my brother?" Rosie teased, poking his tummy.
"Just do what I say, okay? She'll be fine."
"Sure. Bye," Rosie waved before entering her house.
As expected, the lights were off, and if her mom were truly upset or crying, she wouldn't have left the lights on. Rosie tiptoed to her room and collapsed on her bed.
"Phew! What a day!"
As she changed into her nightwear, she couldn't help but think about her mom.
"I wonder what happened?"
******************
Mirabel rested her head on Raymond's chest, running her fingers through his chest and playing with his nipple.
"I have a question for you, babe," Mirabel queried.
"Okay, what is it?" Raymond asked her.
"How long do we have to keep our relationship a secret?" Mirabel asked.
"Babe, I explained it to you already. We have to keep it a secret because of my parents' reputation," Raymond reminded her.
"But no one knows you're their child," Mirabel protested.
"Yet. They'll find out soon. Nothing can be hidden forever," Raymond replied, ending the conversation.
"I'm tired of meeting you in secret. I want to tell everyone that I'm dating you. I want to brag about it to my friends. I hate it when other girls flirt with you... especially in my presence. It makes my heart ache so much. I want to take you on dates, I want to kiss you in public, I want to hold hands with you in public, I want you to touch me in public," Mirabel complained.
"I'm sorry, baby. There's nothing I can do right now," He said and planted a kiss on her hair.
"It's late already. Dress up so I can drive you home."
She got up from the bed hesitantly to dress up.
Raymond stared in amazement as Mirabel dressed up.
"That's my girl," he thought.
"Ray, can I use your mom's makeup? My makeup is messy. I can't go home looking like this."
"Sure, I'll get it for you," he said, as he rose from the bed to wear his clothes.
"What do you know about makeup?" she mocked him.
"Let's go together," she suggested.
"No, just tell me what you need and I'll bring it to you."
"Why?"
"You are half naked. I don't want your nudes captured in my parents' room. There are cameras there."
"Oh, I had no idea. Do you have CCTV cameras in your room?"
As she examined the room, she said, "I don't see any CCTV here."
"What makeup do you need?" Raymond asked her, changing the topic intentionally.
"A pancake will do. Matte powder."
"Tch! I know what it is," he said and left.
"Don't forget the brush or sponge!" she shouted at him.
Raymond dropped Mirabel at her house and waited for her to enter before leaving.
"Mira, who was that?" Her mom asked when she entered the kitchen.
"Who?"
"The person that dropped you in the driveway."
"Driveway? Oh! He is my friend. My boyfriend actually. We went on a date."
"Boyfriend? Do you guys attend the same school?"
"Yes, we do."
"Hmm...in two weeks. That was fast. You moved on fast."
"I told you I'd get over him. I'm not a crybaby anymore."
Her mom sighed.
"Are you sure you are okay? Don't force yourself, Mira," Mirabel's mom asked, moving closer to her and giving her a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
"Mom, I'm okay. I really like my new boyfriend, and I think it's going to work out. I'll make sure it does," Mirabel replied confidently.
"That's good to hear."
"I need to shower now," Mirabel said, changing the subject.
"Good night. I'm off to bed. Your dad is visiting next weekend, so clear your schedule - or plans - for next weekend," her mom informed her.
"Ugh! Another boring family weekend! Don't you think it's time to let go of that tradition? We're all adults now, and hanging out with the family feels weird. Let's just eat together," Mirabel complained.
"Ha! Classic teenager!" Her mom laughed at her.
"What do you mean?"
"Right now, you're in a 'phase' of teenage life where family is no longer significant. I bet you can't wait to move out, right?"
"Yes, yes, yes! I need my own space and privacy," Mirabel agreed.
"We'll discuss that later, when you graduate from high school with good grades."
"I'll bring up the topic of this 'family weekend' at the next gathering. Once every three months is too much," Mirabel stated.
"But it's only four times a year. That's just eight days out of three hundred and sixty-five days in a year. No one has complained before," her mom reasoned.
"Yeah, they don't complain about it. They just ignore it. Michelle even skipped the last two family weekends," Mirabel rebutted.
"She had a valid reason not to attend."
"Well...that's true, but come on, we need to schedule it once or twice a year, like Christmas and New Year's dinners. It's an excellent idea."
"Girl, bye!" Her mom ended the conversation and left the kitchen.
"Once I'm in college, I'm definitely ditching family weekends for good," Mirabel declared to herself.