Ava walked out of her friend's house with a large dustbin nylon in her hand. She wanted to place it into the bin bucket, but the bucket was too tall and the bin was too heavy for her.
"Careful, pretty girl," a familiar voice warned, causing her to turn around. She smiled when she saw the person who spoke.
"Hey. Funny we met here at an unpleasant situation," Ava laughed. "It's nice to meet you. Do you still remember my name?" the guy asked.
"Of course, Philip," Ava smiled when he took the bag from her and threw it into the bin bucket in one swift movement.
"Wow! That's so nice," Ava complimented him with a smile.
"That's normal," he replied with a gentle laugh. "You think so? I was literally battling with the nylon, and you just came out of nowhere to help me with it," Ava praised him.
Philip laughed and said, "You deserted me the last time we met, so I won't let you go till we spend some time together."
"I have a boyfriend," Ava replied.
"I know, pretty," he rolled his eyes. "You told me he's more handsome than me, but I don't believe you. Could you be out for ten minutes or more for lunch?"
Ava looked at him and stylishly checked him out. She bit her lips and decided to agree after some time.
"It's not a date. It's just lunch," she warned him.
"Yes, my lady. You're already well-dressed," Philip retorted and told her to wait for some minutes. Ava quickly fixed her gown and black leather jacket when he walked away. She didn't know what he went to do, but she decided to wait.
She had gone to visit her friend to chill and Netflix and wanted to go home after throwing out the bin. She ran into him, and he had offered to take her out, so why not? She's not busy, and lately, her boyfriend hasn't been making her happy like before.
Ava jerked out of her subconsciousness after hearing three honks. She let out a small smile when she saw that it was Philip calling for her attention. She saw him get out of his car and walk to the other side to open the door.
"Sit," he told her.
"Thank you. I feel like a princess," Ava blushed.
"No, you're a queen and more," he replied.
Ava blushed more and dragged the hems of her gown a little bit lower to cover her skin. Ava found herself admiring his driving skills. He was so swift in handling the steering wheel.
"Do you drive?" Philip asked her after some minutes of deafening silence.
"Yes, but no one should know that in my family. It's a secret," Ava giggled.
"Why is that?" Philip asked with interest.
Ava looked at him and pouted. "I know that look in your eyes. You want me to tell you so you can show up at my house the next day to blurt it out."
"Of course not. My house is right down from where I met you today. My house is so far from yours," he replied.
"But you told me your house wasn't far the last time we met," Ava raised her brow.
"Guys do that to impress, so I just said so because I really wanted to take you home myself. Besides, I had a full tank, so I could be on the road all day because of you," Philip answered.
Ava blushed again and had a thought: 'He's so good with his words, but I want Michael to tell me these words sometimes.'
"You're really good with your words," Ava complimented him.
"Of course. A guy needs to be a sweet talker to get any girl he likes," he replied shamelessly.
"So, you like me?" Ava asked to be sure.
"Yes. Isn't it obvious?" Philip asked.
"It is. And you want to get me?" Ava further asked.
"Yeah. So, I have to impress you so much that you end up breaking up with your ugly boyfriend," Philip hissed.
"I'm your dream," Ava replied and queried, "Are you in college?"
"Yeah. I'm in my fourth year. You?" he looked at her and made a sharp bend to the right.
"Guess," Ava laughed.
"Second?" he asked her while looking at her.
"Wrong!" Ava pouted.
"Third?" he guessed again.
"Wrong!" she laughed.
"Okay. You dropped out?" he guessed, and she smacked his head.
"Oh my gosh! Do you want us to get into an accident?" he asked with a laugh.
"I'm in my first year. How old do you think I am? I'm just twenty!!" Ava laughed.
"That's weird," Philip replied.
"What is?" Ava asked with interest.
"You look dumb," Philip blurted out without thinking.
Ava got annoyed and began to sulk. "Stop driving and drop me off here. I'll walk home from here," she said.
"You'd what?" Philip asked with a laugh.
"You're really dumb because we're on a freaking bridge!" It was then that Ava realized he was right.
One, she can never walk home from where they're. Two, she's on a bridge, so he can't stop driving for her to get down there. Three, she would faint if she starts walking home from where they are.
Philip looked at her when she decided not to say anything to him after some long minutes. "Tell me the secret. Why don't you want anyone to know you drive?" he asked again.
"Because I learned it from a friend who doesn't have a license," Ava laughed.
"Oh! Is it your boyfriend?" Philip asked her.
"Of course not," Ava hissed. "We're not that close like we used to be. It seems like I've done something to annoy him lately, but I won't have. I'm a freaking girl, so what would happen to my steeze if I do?"
"Are you okay?" Philip asked her softly.
Ava narrowed her eyes at him and hissed, "Just shut up and drive, dummy. Your eyes are meant for the road. I don't want to die yet, even though you're ready to."
Philip's laughter re-echoed in the car as the car sped on the highway.
"Oh my Jesus!! Slow down, Philip! I'm the only one my sister and mother has in the world! I can't die yet!!!!" Ava yelled from the car as the acceleration became faster.
***
Riley embraced her mother tightly immediately she walked into her parents' house after a long time. She inhaled the fragrance of the house and had a warm smile on her face. Her eyes narrowed when she saw her father descending from the stairs.
"Won't you greet your father, brat?!" her father roared as he walked.
"No," Riley replied stubbornly.
Her father laughed and threatened, "Then work with Rhyte Taste for three more years till I approve of your-"
"Good morning, dear father. The sun rays radiate on your handsome face this morning, and the moon adds more grace to your beautiful skin last night. The birds tell of your grace, and the grasses speak of your charm. I'm honored to be here to see you this morning!" Riley began to sing.
Her father laughed and looked pleased to know that his daughter was praising him.
"You can stop working at that restaurant. Stay here for a week to learn about the company from Charles," her father told her.
"Brother is here?!" Riley shrieked.
"Ah! You make too much noise that the tortoise runs to get away from you when they see you coming," a young man said as he walked downstairs with a woman behind him.
"Oh my God! I missed you so much, Helena!!" Riley cried and ran into the arms of the woman.
"Get away. She's pregnant," Riley's brother frowned and dragged his sister away from his wife.
"Oh my God! Congratulations, sister," Riley hugged her again while her brother let out a frown.
"Thank you so much, Riley," Helena smiled and looked at her husband proudly.
"So, you're going to be here till when?" Riley asked with a smile.
"Till I deliver. I'm in my sixth month," Helena replied.
"Sixth what? That's not possible because I can't see anything," Riley frowned.
"Then don't believe," Charles rolled his eyes and walked towards the dining room with his wife's hand in his.
"Mom!" Riley yelled, but no one paid attention to her.
She walked to the dining room with a smile on her face. Everyone was home, and the house was full again, but wait!
"Silas?!" Riley shrieked out as the smile fell off her face immediately.
"Hey love," Silas waved at her.
Anger was all over Riley's face as she looked at him. She was speechless, and at the same time, she knew what she wanted to say to him, but the words weren't coming out of her mouth.
"You have a boyfriend again, sis?" Charles asked with a loud laugh.
"No, I don't!" Riley stomped her foot to the ground and sat down farthest away from Silas.
Her father raised his head to look at her, but Riley didn't care.
"You're too cocky," Riley blurted.
Her mother gave her a side eye, but Riley ignored it and continued.
"You didn't put my feelings into consideration before you set me up with Silas. He visits my workplace just to see me, not to eat! He does anything he wants without asking me first!" Riley yelled.
"What do you mean?" her mother asked.
"Men do that because they are the head-"
"Stop this preaching, Dad. I don't know how Mom fell for you with such bad words like that. They can't even pass as a mere pickup line, but I bless the name of the Lord for your reunion," Riley smiled and got up.
"Come and sit beside him, Riley," her father said with a stern voice.
"I don't want to do that, Dad. I told you not to set me up on blind dates because I want to be independent," Riley frowned.
"Then show me your independence this way too," her father smiled.
"You're too cocky," Riley blurted.
Her mother gave her a side eye, but Riley ignored it.
"Men do that because they are the head-" her father started again.
"Stop, Dad!" Riley interrupted. "You didn't consider my feelings. Silas shows up at my workplace uninvited!"
Silas cleared his throat and added, "You failed to show up at my grandmother's birthday party."
Riley ignored him at first, but then raised her middle finger in the air and walked out in annoyance.
"She'll be back to apologize, and I'll forgive her, of course. She's been in a foul mood lately. You should give her some space," Riley's father said to Silas.
Silas nodded and continued eating like the rest of the family.
***
Spain
Sapphire was very pleased with her father for making it to her event after a long while. As they walked home together, she was smiling so much that Darcy feared her mouth would tear.
"If I had known that such little things could make her smile, I would have started doing it a long time ago," Darcy thought.
"My teacher was very happy to see you, Daddy," Sapphire said, smiling at him.
"Was she?" Darcy hissed, remembering their encounter.
"Yes. She said you should come to see me more because she knew I was happy to see you. I won't have to eat the onions too," Sapphire smiled.
Darcy remembered their deal and added, "I won't eat pineapples too."
"Yes, Daddy," Sapphire paused and stretched out her arms. Darcy knew what she wanted but pretended not to.
"Carry me, Daddy!" Sapphire pouted.
"Your arms hurt?" Darcy asked.
"Yes!" Sapphire replied.
Darcy scooped her up, and Sapphire pointed to her cheeks. Darcy chuckled and placed a small peck on each cheek.
"Don't hate Miss Stephanie, Daddy," Sapphire frowned.
"Are you sure she's really your teacher?" Darcy raised his brows.
"Yes," Sapphire replied. "Miss Stephanie told us that she has a daughter like us, but she went really far away... like heaven," Sapphire laughed.
Darcy understood what Sapphire's teacher meant. It meant Miss Stephanie's daughter had passed away.
Darcy was interested in his daughter's teacher again. She was young, rude at first sight, and now had a secret she'd stylishly revealed.
"Hurry, Daddy," Sapphire kicked her feet in mid-air.
"Why?" Darcy asked.
"I need to be ready so Abuela can take me to Miss Stephanie's house this evening. I asked her if I could sleep over, and she said 'yes'," Sapphire smiled.
Darcy wondered about his daughter's close relationship with her teacher.
"Say that in Spanish, and I'll be faster to the car," Darcy smirked.
"Okay, Daddy! I'm really good at Spanish," Sapphire laughed.
"Here I go, Daddy," Sapphire took a deep breath. "Tengo que estar listo para que Abuela pueda llevarme a la casa de Stephanie por la noche. Le pregunté si podía dormir y me dijo que sí."
Darcy looked at his daughter with pride and rubbed her hair.
"How do I do?" Sapphire asked.
"That's so nice. Your mom literally taught me Spanish when we were together," Darcy laughed.
His daughter didn't laugh; she just smiled.
Darcy realized his mistake and corrected it. "She told me to learn the rest from you while she's away."
"How long will she be away?" Sapphire pouted.
"Maybe she doesn't like me anymore because I'm now too fat. You called me a fat girl earlier," Sapphire said.
Darcy knew he'd made another mistake. "No, sweetie, I didn't call you fat. You're perfect just the way you are."
Sapphire's face lit up with a bright smile, seeming to accept his apology.
"Okay, Daddy," Sapphire said.
Darcy hugged her tightly, feeling relieved.
"I love you, Sapphire," Darcy said.
"I love you too, Daddy," Sapphire replied, snuggling into his chest.
As they reached the car, Sapphire chattered excitedly about her sleepover with Miss Stephanie.
"Abuela is going to drop me off, and we're going to watch movies, play games, and have a picnic in Miss Stephanie's backyard!" Sapphire exclaimed.
Darcy chuckled.
"Sounds like you've got a whole schedule planned," Darcy said.
Sapphire giggled.
"Miss Stephanie said we can stay up late and have a midnight feast," Sapphire added.
Darcy raised an eyebrow.
"Midnight feast, huh? You're going to be exhausted tomorrow," Darcy said.
Sapphire shrugged.
"I'll sleep in class, Daddy," Sapphire said.
Darcy laughed.
"I don't think so, young lady," Darcy replied.
"C'mon, Daddy," Sapphire rolled her eyes. Her father was no fun.
"As long as you have good grades," Darcy gave up.
"Don't forget to take Mr. Whiskers with you when Granny helps you pack," Darcy reminded.
"Mr. Whiskers is always with me, Daddy. Look!" Sapphire pulled out a white stuffed cat from her clothes.
"Oh my! Did you just take that from-?" Darcy started.
"Relax, Daddy. They didn't want me to have him, so I put him in my pants," Sapphire began to laugh.
"Give me that," Darcy grabbed the stuffed cat and frowned at his daughter.
'Is this the work of Alice?' Darcy wondered, looking up at the sky.
I