"I hope you haven't been waiting for too long. " I joined Ria and Kim at the table reserved for us. They asked that we have dinner together that night and I was pretty late."Not long enough."Ria said. She called on the waiter to serve us a meal."Champagne? Or beer?"Ria teased."You should get those for yourself. We aren't here to get high, are we?" Kim attacked."Cappuccinos would do. I love them at night." I said."Okay then." She asked the waiter to get us just that."You know, I crack jokes a lot but Kim, she's always serious...""I'm not."Kim chipped."You are,"Ria said. "I've prayed a lot that God, send another partner or I might die under your fierce eyes."That was an exaggeration. I glanced at Kim, she wasn't that much of a "frown" person, or maybe she just hated jokes."You girl, must be high on something. What are you even saying?!"Kim said."Well, I think Kim is not fierce at all."They both glared at me, Kim, with a smile, and Ria, with a "you just met her" look."I have
{ I bought you a semi-detached house on Cross estate. Three bedrooms and two living rooms. That should be enough for you, my love.The details have been attached below.I miss you.Jude.}When I got his mail, I placed a voice message to Ria and sent her the home address. I finally made up my mind that I wouldn't be alone in that big house. Since she's also into music, we would be better together.*Ria and I, exhausted and sweaty, dropped the last of thepacking boxes on the dining room carpet. I can alreadyfeel her muscles starting to cramp up and I knew she was goingto be in serious pain tomorrow. I had a lot in Jude's house to move, a lot. And Ria's boxes, just too much.I looked over at Ria, she had this unending grin on her face.We were probably thinking the same thing. This is so good. Her cotton blouse was drenched in sweat but I didn't care when she came over and wrapped me in a bear hug. " It is beautiful. I could share in the rent if you want me.""No no, you don't need
"Hey Kim," I said. She was at the door at seven in the morning for the housewarming. Her knock had woken us up. "Oh my, let me guess."She walked in, with her usual sense of euphoria. "You guys are just waking up.""Exactly."I laughed. "Damn, you're too early, Ria rushed into the bathroom just now.""Beautiful house!" She exclaimed as she slumped onto the couch. "Hope you have something in your kitchen? I'll make breakfast. It's my off day at work.""A little, yes. Can you make a meal? I don't know."She followed me to the kitchen and searched each cupboard."Go freshen up. I'll make a meal."She smiled while I left. Best girlfriends!*"This is good!" Ria exclaimed after taking a bit of her food. Kim made noodles and egg sauce. I was especially marvelled at how she was able to manage the resources in the kitchen to do that. I loved the food immediately."Majored in culinary after high school."She blushed. "I'm glad you like it.""I do too. You should teach me how to cook one of these d
"Happy Birthday Paige!"I took a short glance at Ria, she winked at me, then Kim, she smiled. The food, a four-course meal, was exposed on the dining table.They all had smiles, Kim, Henry, the other three guys, expecting me to say something. I was just too shocked to say a word.I inspected the dishes, each of them, Classic Caesar Salad, Chef-made dressing, imported aged parmesan, garlic croutons, Alligator Stuffed Mushroom, shrimp served with toasted french bread and jalapeno-cheddar grits, White Chocolate Bread Pudding with Brandy Sauce. Wow! I remembered immediately that I'd told Ria once how much I'd like to eat all of those.Such a darling!"This is..."I gasped."I don't know what to say. I didn't expect this... Thank you so much guys. You really made my day.""Time to pop champagne then!"Henry said. The others cheered, after the pop sound. Kim embraced me, Ria slapped me on my back. We sat at the table to eat. I wasn't gonna stare at him. I told myself.And I didn't."You guys
When they were all gone that day, Kim and Ria sat at the table to listen to me. Ria was pissed that I didn't say Hi to Henry, despite all her sermons and Kim, she was completely lost."Start talking! You guys have hidden enough. What's with that guy and your awkwardness? You two!" Kim yelled.Ria smiled. It wasn't funny to me though."Who should start first then?"Ria asked."You. You planned this whole awkward arrangement. And the tension between your boss and Paige should be explainable."She nodded playfully. "You know, I was also surprised that he stared at her throughout breakfast and after, until our baby girl ran up to her room to cry."She laughed. I threw a pillow at her. "I invited them over fine! But I can't explain that "awkwardness". ""Let's start with the five-star four-course meal you asked us to cook." Kim seemed impatient. Who wouldn't be? Ria was giving a lot of clues and saying nothing at the same time."Once we went to a party."I decided to explain that myself. "She
Ria came dancing into my room. It wasn't strange, she danced a lot whenever she was happy. I only knew something was up and I could not wait for her to spill it."Aww...so what is it this time?"I yawned, stressed from school work. She packed up the books in front of me and sat on the desk."I have good news and bad news."She said smiling, she didn't look like she carried bad news at all. "Which one should I spill out first?""Good news for sure"She giggled playfully. "I have a date tonight!"Oh finally! "Wow, good for you babe..." She embraced me before I was able to complete my sentence.Too excited. Hmm..."You like the guy this much?""Actually, I've been crushing on him since forever. He's part of my band. The school band. Just as young and vibrant as Henry..."Why did she bring that up?!"He wasn't here that on your birthday. I was too shy to invite him."Shy?! Ria has never been shy!"You were shy. Oh, I'm surprised.""You never know with love, baby."She placed her middle fing
"How did it go? You weren't home last night." Ria said the next morning. I was at the kitchen table, brooding on coffee."I decided to spend the night and get some other stuff done,"I said. She smiled. "How was the interview?""I got your interview. It's over there."I pointed toward a cabinet in a corner of the living room."Thank you sis."She blew me a kiss."So, how was your date?"She grabbed a chair and sat with me."Splendid. I think he's different. From other guys. He's wise.""And I don't know his name yet."She never mentioned it."Samuel."She blushed. "I can't believe I never mentioned his name. He's Sam. I'm getting older, Paige.""You're twenty-two now, yes you are old." I snapped."So it wouldn't be weird if I said, I'd love to get married to this guy?""Too Weird!"I exclaimed. "You only had one date yesterday!""Doesn't matter..."She pouted her lips. "I want to be with Sam forever. Lord, he's the best!""Well, good luck with that."I stood up. "I need to be somewhere today
"Henry!"I yelled."Master Henry just went out through the back door. He asked that, I keep an eye on you." The robot said. "Have your seat, Miss Kam, he'll be back soon."What is all this? Why is he keeping me in his house?!"Have your seat, Miss Kam," she repeated."Shut up!"I shrieked. "I'm not sitting. I have a place to go. Get the door open now!""Only Master Henry can open the door."I snorted. "And why did he fucking leave me here?!"The robot was quiet.I dropped my bag on the couch.Checked the time, it was still very early, 10:12am.I took a walk round the hall. All the other doors were locked."How do I get to the studio?!""Move three meters forward, to the door on your left."The robot answered as if expecting the question.The door to the studio was wide open, it was in a mess. He broke his guitar!Bad moment. I muttered, remembering how I had broken mine."Seems like our instrument is the first thing we place our aggressions on as musicians," I said aloud, picking up the