LOGINâ NEW YORKâ Everyone's head turned towards the elegant woman walking with so much grace towards themâShe looks familiarâ Derek mummured, Brianna turned to him, âyou knowâŚââMom!â Riley screamed and ran to meet her. They hugged each other.âOh!â Brianna's eyes lit up.She was worried about Riley breaking down later if her mom didn't show up.âThat's her mom?â Derek whispered into Brianna's ears and she nodded.âThough this is my first time seeing her,ââReally?â Brianna nodded. âOh my God, she's a goddess! I see where Riley took all her features from,â Brianna gushed.âOh my! Did you see her smile? I might pass out, damn! She's indeed gorgeous. I used to think it's the edit doing so much to her on TV but no, the camera doesn't even do justice to her beauty! I'm soâŚâDerek tapped on her thigh to distract her.âWhat?â She asked.âYou're wetâ he said and she blushed. âDon't let my parents hear that,â she joke-threatened. Derek chuckled.âI've seen her a couple of times though, she once m
â NEW YORKâ Brianna and Riley sat close to each other at the ceremony, talking about and giggling over almost everything.Derek mounted the podium to give his valedictory speech and all the girls started blushing and smiling helplessly. Brianna rolled her eyes at their disgusting character.It was evident that they all weren't paying attention to what he was saying. Every attention was channeled to checking him out and wondering how good he would be in bed.âDo you think he would last a lifetime in bed? Looking at him makes me wet,â a female student said, eyes fixed on Derek who looked everywhere but her.Brianna's eyes widened at such shamelessness. She adjusted in her seat feeling uncomfortable.âI bet his mouth could do one thousand better things than talking. Ugh! That tongue!â another said and Brianna couldn't help but groan angrily.She thought it was ridiculous to think such things of a man you barely knew, except on paper.âThe interesting part is, he has no girlfriend. I'm tot
â NEW YORKâ The graduation ceremony was about to begin, and parents were trooping in and taking their seats.âWe're so proud of you, Briaâ Brianna's mother said, holding her hands with almost teary eyes.âI've always known that, Mom, and I appreciate you,â she turned to her father and said âboth of you,â then opened her arms for a hug.âMe tooâ her father said and they all had a family hug.âYou've done well too, Riley. I'm sure your parents are proud,â Andaline said to Riley. Brianna was about to stop her mother from saying more when Riley waved it off and smiled sweetly at Andaline âThank you so much,â she replied Brianna had earlier told her parents to try not to dwell too much on Riley's parents or ask her things about them, or act too clingy towards her around Riley, but clearly, her mother doesn't listen.âRiley, I'm proud of you. Finishing college isn't for the faint of heart. Come hereâ Cooper said thoughtfully, surprising Brianna.He gave Riley a big hug and whispered, âThan
â NEW YORKâ âI didn't know the suites in Leister Home were so cheap,â Brianna's mother said, knowingly as they settled in their hotel room. Brianna didn't say a word.Both parents just arrived in New York for her graduation.Leister Home was the name of Frostborneâs hotels, worldwide. Derek had booked the suite for them but Andaline insisted they pay, so Derek ran them a discount though they had no idea but Brianna. It was one of New Yorkâs most exquisite hotels and Andaline thought it wouldn't be right to spend some days there and not pay for the services.âI thought it would be super expensive and outâŚâ Brianna rolled her eyes, she knew what her mother was about to say. âJust spill itâ Brianna urgedâMr Leister is so rich, don't you think?â She asked Brianna who almost rolled her eyes again. Of course, he's so rich.âI don't think, Mom. I knowâ Brianna said confidently and her mother gasped âI think he's a great guy,â her father said and nudged his daughter playfully. Brianna turned
â NEW YORKâ âSoon-to-be graduate,â Derek smiled as he called Brianna immediately as she entered the office. Brianna blushed.It was two days to Brianna's graduation. Derek signaled the previous weekend and hasn't seen her until now.He signaled her with his index finger to come closer, she walked to his table and sat down.âCome over hereâ he pointed to the space in front of him. âDon't be naughtyâ Brianna said with a smile when she realized what Derek was about to do to her.âOf course!â he smirked. Brianna smiled knowing that face, then went over anyway and stood before him, looking down at him. He wrapped his hands around her waist and she smiled at him. She loves it when he does that.âYou promised not to be naughty,â she said with a smile. Derek kissed her waistline, âI did,â he mumbled almost inaudibly.He lifted his face to look at her, âHow ready are you?â He asked. Brianna did some thinking, not sure what exactly he was asking then replied, âI think I'm fully ready,â she laugh
â NEW YORKâŚâDo you love her?â Rowan asked. Something shifted in Derek. He wasn't expecting that question. He was expecting Rowan to ask about something but not that.He turned to Rowan who had his eyes fixed on him.Truthfully, he didn't know if what he felt for Brianna could be classified as love. Of course, he cares about her and enjoys her company, that couldn't be love, but is that what love is about? He wondered He cared for Lisa too, though not as much as he does for Brianna, but he did. He gave her a lot of gifts, made sure she was comfortable, never lacked anything, took her out a few times and also enjoyed her company and it didn't feel like love. What could be so different about Brianna's case?Why would Rowan ask him that? What appeared different? He doesn't know how to love or rather what it means to love someone. He doesn't know how to feel when he's loving someone or what to do that he hasn't done for Lisa.Could it be that he loved Lisa too? No way! Derek knew whateve
â MINNESOTA…Brianna was surprised by her father's question to her.She wasn't so sure what exactly he was referring to, so she felt he knew something about Derek, but how?Did anyone go through my phone?
â MINNESOTA...âI've been out with friendsâ she repliedâWho?â Her mother askedâJust friendsâ she said and walked to the fridge to get waterâIâll go to my room now. Goodnightâ she said and left them.âShe's changedâ Andaline whispered to her husband after Brianna leftâShe's just growing, no need
â MINNESOTA…“Mom, dad, I have something to tell you two” Brianna said, looking at her parents faces.“What's that sweetie?” Her father asked, worry creased on his face. Brianna cleared her throat,
â NEW YORK…“Tell me every fucking thing that happened. Leave no detail out!” Riley warned. Brianna laughed.“Nothing much happened” she lied. Riley knew she was lying.She shook her head so







