"Tye, I'm gonna lock up, ok? Don't answer the door. Dinner's in the microwave. I already preset it, so you just have to push the button I showed you, ok?""Alright, mom.""Now, how do I look?" "Stunning," he replied.She curtsied. "Why, thank you, good sir."Sofia checked herself out in the mirror. Tanya had been doing her shopping for a while now, and she had to say, the choices were beautiful.Tonight she was in a backless long-sleeved blouse. It looked like deep space, its tiny sequins twinkled slightly, mimicking the stars. She complemented it with dark form-fitting pants and a pair of heels. A string of pearls wrapped her neck, and its matching bracelet, her right wrist."Alright," she came and sat on the bed, next to him. "You don't need to stay up. And call if you need anything.""Come on, Mom, are you getting cold feet?""What?" She dragged it. "Of course not." She got to her feet as if to prove her point, but didn't take any step further."I'll be fine, mom. Now, go." "Ah,
"Ted, this is the something billionth voice mail I'm leaving you. You're not taking my calls, you're not responding to my messages. Now I know I yelled all sorts of things and said all what-nots in some of them. And I know I have also said this is the last one a couple of times, but can you say something? Anything... Please?"She hung up and dropped her head on the table with a loud groan."The things we do for love," she said.Tanya gasped, jerking her head off the table. She glanced around. The light had gone out, but she could tell where she was. This was the dining/kitchen area of her apartment. She grabbed her phone hurriedly and went through it."Thank God," she sighed in relief. "It was just a bloody dream."***"She finally admitted it, Rico. Sofia is going out with James."Jessi had called Rico to come pick her up from Sofia's place, and he did.He, with Harry driving, was now taking her home."What's on your mind now?" Rico asked, exhaling deeply. He was unsure what this mean
Sofia knocked on the door. She knew she was very close to the top of the unwanted visitor list, but she came anyway, because she needed her best friend."Who's there?""It's me, Jess. Can I come in?"Jessi hesitated, the seconds stretched for hours, and then she opened the door."Hey."Her voice was flatter than Earth.Sofia slipped in, and Jessi shut the door, while she stood there in the sitting room, unsure how to act.Jessi came in and dropped onto the sofa farthest from her. It was only then that Sofia sat. She looked and felt nervous.The atmosphere seemed like it would burst at a needler's touch."Jessi, I know I'm not the most welcome person right now, but I had nowhere else to go. I have a huge problem.""What?""I felt the spark with James."Jessi sat up. "I'm sorry, what?""I'm so so confused, right now." Sofia shook her head, and let it drop into her hands.Jessi finally broke free of her shock. "Wait... Isn't that impossible?" "My thoughts exactly. But I felt it." Sofia s
Someone pounded at the door.Sofia and Jessi glanced at each other and rushed out to the balcony.They could see Tanya approaching the building."Jessi!" Trish's voice pleaded from the other side. "You've got to help me or Tanya will kill me."Jessi and Sofia glanced at each other. Their earlier squabble suddenly seemed irrelevant.Jessi opened up hurriedly."Oh my God," Sofia let out.Trish was not alone.***"Tanya!" Jessi yelled from her balcony. "What's this about?""Why don't you ask Trish? Or any of them? I heard them run up to your apartment. And when she's done, ask her to come down here, so we can settle this once, and for all. Nothing else matters to me, coming from you.""Let me try," Sofia said to Jessi, smiling slightly. "Tanya," she called. "Please, there's no need for this.""Oh, you're here as well, Sofia. That's good. You, be the judge! Listen to what she has done, and then tell me, why I should not send them all to hell!"Sofia turned to the girls. They were genuinel
A few weeks later..."Are you ready, Tye?" Sofia called, stepping into the doorway. Her hands were busy fixing her left earring. She looked dolled up, in an ox blood evening gown."Almost," he replied.Tye was sitting on the sofa at the foot of his bed. He was doubled over, putting on his shoes. Sofia came, and knelt next to him, giving him a hand with slipping them on."Don't you look dapper," she smiled, getting to her feet.He was in an oxblood suit over a black dress shirt, and pants. His dark brown hair was styled in a curly undercut. He smiled at Sofia, and she gave him a forehead kiss."James is almost here." She adjusted his collar, as she spoke.Just then, the car horn beeped twice.Tyler rushed out of the room, and Sofia followed close behind, shaking her head at him.She grabbed her bag, coat, and locked up behind her.James was standing next to his Range Rover Velar, talking with Tyler.The look on his face as she approached said it all."What?" Sofia smiled as she approac
James pulled to a stop in Sofia’s driveway and turned off the engine.“Hope you had a great time, Tye,” he smiled in the rearview mirror.“It was nice,” he nodded. “Although, I’m probably the only one who watched the movie, so…”James chuckled and reached to the back to ruffle his hair.“Why don’t you go ahead so I can talk with Mom.”“Sure, but don’t stay up too late, you two,” he said, getting out.Sofia smiled at him as she handed him the keys. “Yessir,” she said.Tyler smiled slightly and left for the house.Sofia sighed deeply and relaxed, turning her head to face James.“What’s up?”He smiled at her and moved some strands from her face. “Thank you.”“For?”“Standing up for me back there.”“It’s nothing,” she smiled weakly.She was still very much disturbed by the implications of her words. “You would do the same for me.”“Also, for what you said-”“-James,” Sofia cut in. “You know we’re not sure yet. I don’t want you to get your hopes up or anything.”“Hey, hey.” He took her han
“You what?!” “I kissed James. Now lower your voice, Tanya,” Sofia said, glancing about the room like they weren’t alone in the apartment. When she arrived, Alicia hadn’t left for the Taco Place, so she pleaded to take Tye along with her, Sofia agreed so they left her and Tanya at home. Tanya was well, stuffing her face with junk. She currently had a bucket of ice cream in between her sweatpants-clad legs, and socks, with an oversize hoodie, and disheveled hair. A stark contrast to the Tanya that Sofia used to live alongside—she barely ever had clothes on. “Give me the full details,” she said, pointing her spoon at Sofia. “How was it?” She asked, shoveling the ice cream. “Was it his idea? Or yours?” She asked, dumping the ice cream in her mouth. “Definitely his,” she said, but with her face stuffed with ice cream, it sounded like a toddler babbling. “Can the ice cream just wait, let’s talk like two adults,” Sofia said, slightly irritated. “Sorry, sorry,” Tanya said, covering her
“No,” Alicia replied firmly, downing their spirits. She was standing outside Paco’s Tacos—which had a fresh new look, with the girls from the apartment, and they had just presented their idea to get Ted and Tanya back together. “Didn’t last time teach you not to meddle?” Alicia asked scathingly. “I’m sorry, but I think you girls have done enough damage. Excuse me.” With that, she turned and went through the cafe’s swinging doors. “We tried,” Charlotte sighed. “Wait,” Trish replied, spotting Fred arriving with some bags. He turned into the alley leading to the Employees Only door, but the girls surrounded him before he made it to the steps. &