The boys ran up to me.
“Hi lady, what’s your name?”Kneeling in front of them. “My name is Amore,” I said with a soft smile. “And what are your names?” I ruffled the older one’s hair.“I’m Liam.” The oldest one said. “His Lucas.” He points to his younger brother.“Oh my, what beautiful names.”“Thank you.” He said in the cutest voice.“Where’s your mother, cutie?” He points towards the car.Looking at where his finger’s pointing, I spotted Charlene help load the car. I headed towards her.“Anything I can help you with?”“Hey!” She looked me up and down. “You look so much better.”“Yes, thank you I do. Thanks for the clothes by the way.” She gives a dismissive wave of her hand.“Don’t mention it. It’s only clothes.”“Lady’s I’m done.” Knocking the top of the car two times with his knuckles. “Let’s hit the road!”“Come on kids, Let’s go.” The kids came running, climbing in the back.We all got in and started our journey. Closing my eyes, I rested my head back against the headrest.“Amore… Amore… Quickly look on you right.”Opening my eyes, I looked to my right. “WOW, that’s breathtaking.”The clear blue sky shows off the sunlight streaks on the water leaving its glitter behind. Waves hit the sand rolling backward, while white foam stays behind before the next wave comes crashing down.Awestruck, I rolled down the window taking deep breaths, filling my lungs with sea air while admiring the view.Driving through a middle-class area, I watch children playing in the streets. The houses passing by were beautiful in their own way. The car drove into a driveway. A light brown double-story house, a white double car garage door with small windows on the top, a small porch in the front, closed with a white short wooden fence, stared back at me. On the porch sat an old man staring back at us.Rudolf is the first one out of the car. “Hey, pops.” He waived, running up to the porch. Embracing each other with a big hug.“Hi, Dad,” Charlene called, before she could hug the old man, the kids quickly jumped up.“Hello, Granddad!!” They both yelled. Clinging onto both of his legs.“Now lads let your mom also come and greet your Pop’s.”With the kids on his legs, the old man walks up to Charlene embracing her in a hug.“How’s my favorite daughter? I hope Rudolf hasn’t given you a hard time.” Giving Rudolf a stern look over his glasses.“I’m doing good, dad.” She said with a big smile.“That’s good, now let’s go inside it's cold out here.” Rubbing his arms with his hands.“Dad, this is Amore.”The old man looks behind Charlene and spotted me. Tilting his head to the left, he scratched his chin.“Hello, Amore it’s nice to meet you, have we met before? You look familiar.”“How’s that possible dad, this is her first time here and she’s not from around here.” Rudolf quickly replied while leaning against the wall.With a frown on his face, he moved toward me extending his hand. “Hello Amore, I’m Joe.”I extended my hand toward him. His wrinkled warm hand covered mine. “Hi, Joe.”He clapped my hand with his free hand and gave me a warm smile.“Come, let’s quickly get you inside.” “Rudolf, you go and unpack the car and take the bags up to your room.”We followed Joe inside. The house gave off a cozy environment, furnished with mostly dark wood and decorated with pastel colors, with a small fireplace hidden in the corner of the living room. The smell of wood shavings in the air.Joe went straight to the kitchen, he switched on the gas stove taking the kettle, filled it with water, and placed it on the flames, he then took his seat at the kitchen table, pulling a bowl to him that is filled with peanuts that are still in their shells, he started crushing the peanut shells with his hand and begin munching on the peanuts.Charlene ran after the kids to get them settled in the family entertainment room. It was only Joe and me in the kitchen.“Take a seat, let’s talk.” Joe pointed with his eyes to the chair on the other side of the table.I slowly walked towards the table taking a seat.“Now tell me, do you need a place to stay, Amore?” Joe asked with a calm facial expression, concentrating on crushing the peanuts.“Uhm, Charlene said I could stay with them until I get my stuff sorted out.” I looked down at my hands, not knowing what to do with the situation.“Uh” He, said while nodding his head.Charlene came in looking tired. “I’m exhausted I love those two to death, but they are sometimes a handful.” She said while slumping in the chair.The kettle started to whistle. Charlene stood up. “Who wants coffee?”“Me please,” Joe said.Charlene looked over at me. “I would also like coffee, three sugars,1 coffee, and milk please.”“Coming right up.” Giving me a big smile.Joe looked up at Charlene. “When and how did you two meet?”Charlene and I looked at each other. Charlene finished our coffee and placed our cups in front of us, also taking her seat.“We met today. Amore, asked Rudolf for a map at the Gas station, he suggested she can catch a ride to Myrtle Beach with us, we had a quick talk at home, and now she’s going to stay with us until she gets settled down.” Charlene looked at me with a smile
My university years went passed so fast and before I knew it, my four years of theoretical studies were done.Being back feels good. I really have missed this place and Joe. I took an earlier flight to surprise him.The taxi stopped in front of the house, getting out I paid the driver through his window and took my luggage out of the trunk.“Thanks,” I told the driver. He gave a nod and then drives off.Walking up to the house I spotted a black Conor McGregor's BMW 730 M sports car in the driveway.Stopping I first needed to admire this beauty “WOW, what a fine car.”Walking inside I dropped my bags at the door wanting to greet Joe before I go unpack. Hearing conversation in the living room I went in that direction. Seeing Joe sitting on his chair.“Surprise!” I said while opening my arms for a big hug. O the look on his face. A big smile spread across his face. He looked surprised to see me.“Amore! What are you doing here, I thought your plane only lands tomorrow?” He quickly got up,
Blinking my eyes, I give him a tight smile. He looked straight into my eyes like he was challenging me. Oh, game on! I’m not the same Mia you met back then. If he wants to play, I’ll play. Raising one eyebrow I looked at his hand, telling him with my eyes, you can let go now. He smirked back at me. Slowly releasing his hold. I turned around with a quick twirl. My ponytail hit him straight in the face. Walking away with spring in my step.If you want to wait. I will let you wait. Slowly I went and picked up my bags, walking up the stairs to my room. Having a long warm shower, I dressed in blue jeans and a black and pink floral shirt.Lying down on my bed, thinking to myself. I shouldn’t have to feel bad for letting him wait right? I didn’t invite him. Well, he should be gone when I wake up, right? I slowly closed my eyes drifting to sleep.Waking up, the room has started to get dark. Stretching out my arms yawning, and throwing the covers off I dragged my body out of bed looking through
The next morning, Nathan gave me his phone to call Carolyne.“Hello, Nathan.” Carolyne’s voice came through the phone.“…. Nathan, you there?”With a soft voice, I answered. “Hi, Carolyne it’s me, …. Mia.”“Mia? O MY WORD MIA!!” I could hear her start crying.“I…I…I thought you were dead! Where are you? I want to come to you right now?”“I’m in Myrtle Beach.”“Really!!! Give me your address, I will come to you now.”Once I gave her my address, she immediately dropped the call.Walking to the porch, I took a seat on the swing chair waiting for Carolyne, having mixed emotions. I am happy to see her again but, I’m feeling guilty for not reaching out to her. I wanted to leave my old life behind so much that I also left behind the people who once were there for me, giving me love and support.Looking up to the clear blue sky, white clouds moving at a slow pace making all different kinds of shapes.“Can I join you?”“Yes…” I scooted over making space for Nathan.He looked up “What are we loo
“Well, now what?”“Well now, I need to stay here until I do. I already said I will, I never go back on my word… Amore.”“Wwwwhat? Then we will go this afternoon…”“Nope, can’t do. Dr. Martin is busy today. Joe said we can maybe go tomorrow.”“Maybe??”Carolyne started to laugh behind me. I turned to her confused. “Why are you laughing?”“Hahaha, you two.” She pointed at Nathan and then at me. Trying to control her laughter. She continued “I have never seen Nathan interact in such a way with anyone…” Giving us a silly look.“What’s going on with your face?” I pointed to her face. “Why are you looking at us funny?”“Whatever, I don’t even want to know.” Throwing my hands up in the air. Looking at Nathan. “I will deal with you later.”“Oh, I can’t wait.” He said with a wide grin.Rubbing my forehead, I started walking to Joe’s study. Looking behind I see Carolyne saying something to Nathan and then running to catch up to me.The study room door was closed. Giving two knocks, Joe shouted.
He didn’t even bother to look up at her, giving her a cold attitude, she ignored me and Carolyne, continuing with her all-out flirting, waiting for Nathan to reply, she twirled her pony with her finger, her eyes shining with anticipation.Nathan turned to me. “My Amore what do you want to eat?”Hmmm, I know what he’s doing… I leaned against him looking with him at his menu. “I don’t know darling, you order for me.” Giving him a soft smile.The corner of his mouth lifts into a smile. Still ignoring the waitress, he gives her our order, his eyes not leaving the menu, when done, he looked at Carolyne. She stared at us with her mouth open.“Carolyne, what do you want to eat?” He waved his hand in front of her.She snapped out of it and gives the waitress her order. The waitress did not look happy at all to be ignored by Nathan. She quickly writes our order down, and took one last look at Nathan, she quickly turned on her heels and stomped away.“Okay, what was that?” Carolyne asked“What w
We walked up to the porch.“So, you plan on staying here forever?” I asked him.“Yip, if that keeps me near you.”Every time… every time he gets me speechless. What do I say back to that? I stood there with my mouth open gapping like a fish…“What’s wrong Amore, the cat caught your tongue?”“You…!” I pointed him on the chest with my finger.“Me?” He said, tilting his head while chuckling.“You are always so smart with that mouth of yours! I will see you tomorrow, good night.” I turned and headed inside.“Meet me here tomorrow morning at five, good night love…” He shouted from behind.“Shaking my head, I kept walking ignoring him.”Oh, I hate mornings, I hit my alarm clock off the bedside table that was screaming at me to wake up. Rolling out of bed I walked like a zombie to my closet. Heading to the bathroom to freshen up, I got dressed in my purple sports bra, black sports tights, and running shoes, putting my hair up in a high ponytail, I grab my bag with fresh clothes in and I skipp
He pressed his finger on my bottom lip… moving his lips towards mine…I stopped breathing, holding my breath in, my heart beating at 1000 seconds per minute, closing my eyes I waited for THE kiss… feeling his breath moving towards my ears.He whispered… “To be continued.”He turned around greeting some other guy looking to be a few years older than him.‘Wait… what?’It felt like he poured a bucket of cold water over my head.“Hey, James.”“Nathan you are late!”I’m standing at the back of Nathan still recovering, or more like hiding from shame.James peeked around Nathan looking curiously at me. “Who is this beautiful lady?”Nathan took me by the hand and tucked me into his side… “This is Amore, Amore this is my coach, James.”James has short black hair roughly styled, brown eyes, also very muscular built but not as much as Nathan. He is quite good looking but standing next to Nathan he looks ordinary.“It’s good to finally meet a woman …” He moved toward me, whispering behind his han