Thirty six

💛Andy💚

I brushed my hair and decided to wear my earring. I picked the diamond one and put it in. My door opened and I looked sideways to my door

Me: you should know how to knock Loretta

Loretta: whatever.

I chuckled and wore my bracelets

She looked me over and smirked

Loretta: all these add ups for the girl?

Me: who else?

I faced her

Me: how do I look?

Loretta: well I like the All Star shoes. It's simple. I love the bracelets. I really like the red jeans. And I like your white long sleeves

Me: so I'm all good...

Loretta: yeah

Me: I better call us to meet us at the mall with her brother

Loretta: she's here

Me: what? You brought her here?

Loretta: yeah

Me: mom doesn't like black people

Loretta: oops

We left the room and I took the lead down the stairs. She trailed behind me. I began to hear loud voices. I looked to the living room and it was mom, at Ugwa

Me: mom what's going on here?

Mom: go back upstairs! both of you

She yelled at Loretta and I

Ugwa looked at me and at my mom then walked away.

Me: Ugwa! Ugwa!

She went out nonetheless

I hurried down the stairs and took off

Mom: get back here idiot!

I raced out and watched as her car trailed out. I ran into my car and followed her, hoping I could stop her and let me explain things. I'm sure my mom might have ran her mouth

As I followed them, I saw Daniel's father from afar. I didn't put my mind to it though. We passed him and I overtook her car and stayed in his front. He slowed down and I stopped my car and came out. I stood in front of the car and looked at Ugwa. She looked to the driver and muttered something. He started the car, passed by me and drove off. I stood akimbo and watched the car

What the heck did my mother tell her?

💛Unugwa 💚

I stepped out of the car and hurried inside the house. I went straight upstairs and locked my door then removed my shoes and laid on the bed. I brought out my phone and texted Anibe not to go to the mall anymore because we cancelled

I laid on my tummy and dug my head into my pillow. I didn't want to cry. I just stayed there. My phone vibrated and I thought it would be Anibe but no, it was Andy

I read the text that simply said 'I Love You'

I found myself smiling despite the bitterness I felt

Then another of his text came in

✉ meet me tomorrow. At Fairies by 4pm

I sighed and shoved the phone under my pillow then closed my eyes to look for sleep

***

After church, I wore a blue dress that was a little bit flared but sleeveless. I combed my hair and tied it up in a burn. I decided to take my car without my driver. Even though I was angry with Andy because of his mom, I still wanted to see him

I took permission from my mom and drove to Fairies.

It was a garden. A huge garden with lots of ornamental plants and flowers. I loved the scent of the place. So fresh and clean. I smiled to myself as I walked into the outdoor restaurants. I looked around but no Andy

A young boy walked up to me and gave me a paper. He smiled and walked away. I looked into the paper and it was written 'come to the back'

I looked around and walked to one of the guards

Me: hello. Please can you show me where the back is?

He smiled and beckoned on me to follow him. I guess he's a no English fella

I followed him and he showed me the place. It was quite different from the rest. They were butterflies flying around the flowers

There was a pool and some pretty birds were playing around it.

I smiled when I saw Andy leaning against a tall bench. He was looking at me

Me: thanks

I nodded at the guard and he smiled and walked away. I looked at him and sighed then moved towards him and he even began to walk towards me too. We reached each other and stopped.

He took my hand and looked at it then smoothed it

Andy: I'm sorry about yesterday

He looked at me and I looked away

Andy: I'm really sorry about my mom Ugwa. She's just...

Me: why didn't you tell me about it?

Andy: I didn't want you to feel insecure about me

Me: you should have told me that your mom doesn't like me. Andy how can we be together when your mom hates me?

Andy: babe don't say that. My mom doesn't hate you. She just has a problem with black people

Me: what?

I took my hand from him

Andy: babe

He placed his hands on my shoulders

Andy: I promise you I'll get things right. I'll get her off her insecurity about blacks. Please stop being angry. You don't know what you're doing to me

I looked at his face. He looked pathetic and pitiable.

Me: it's okay. I'm not angry anymore. I just don't want your mom to tear us apart.

Andy: I promise you she won't. Loretta's mom told me she's this way because she fell in love with a black guy who broke her heart and went out to marry another person. That's why she thinks you'd break my heart too

Me: what? That's stereotype. Not all blacks are heart breakers. But if you were a girl and I was Anibe, well....

I laughed and he chuckled and took my hand again. He squeezed it and stared into my eyes

Me: promise me you'd get things right

Andy: I promise you babe, I'll get it right

Me: okay

Andy: we're good?

Me: yeah

He smiled and pulled me closer, he placed his hand on my lower back

Andy: can I kiss you?

Me: you're asking?

Andy : you're right. I shouldn't ask

He kissed me and rubbed my back. I noticed something. He's getting taller

I broke the kiss

Me: Andy you're getting taller

He chuckled

Andy: I know. I noticed

I smiled. He held my right hand

Andy: let's go somewhere

We walked behind a tall bush fence and got to the back

Me: Wow...

It was a beautiful place. With trees and flowers and a natural pond. There was a fountain with colorful fishes in it and under a tree was a red big blanket spread out on the ground. Baskets were on it and I suppose that's where we're having our date

Andy: do you like it?

Me: I love it

Andy: I'm glad you do. This place actually belongs to my dad. One of his properties

Me: it's beautiful

He pulled me along and took me to the fountain to look at the vibrant fishes swimming and jumping in and out of the water. He stood behind me and held my waist round then placed his chin on my shoulder and inhaled my scent

Me: I like this one

I pointed to a slightly orange fish that was swimming in and out of the water

Andy: I like this one

He pointed to a bluish one. I smiled and placed my hands on his arms which were clasped together in front of my tummy

We later went to the flowers. We plucked some and tended the others. It wasn't too much of a sunny day so it was enjoyable

Andy: I'm hungry

Me: I was supposed to take care of the food

Andy: but I took care of it. Don't worry, it's not bad. I got one of our chefs to do it. And he's really good

Me: okay. Let's have a taste

We went to the blanket and it felt just as it looked, thick and smooth.

💛Daniel💚

I stared blankly at the teacher who was just blabbing out words I care nothing about. Lindsey won't stop glancing at me and giving me those flirty eyes and smiles. She's the class's beauty. Blonde beauty with the model-like body.

She's been trying to make me her boyfriend but I don't have time for her

I now attend a high school here in Los Angeles and I'm like the most popular boy. Roque attends this school too and he told me they like me for two reasons, my money and my body.

All these girls won't let me be, each throwing themselves at me and performing duties I didn't ask any of them to.

I've also been working on my anger. I get pissed off over little things these Americans do but I just can't react. I just can't break their necks. Like when some baseball kids were practicing and their played their baseball into my car's window, shattering the glass.

The two months I've spent here just gives me time to think about my family. About my mother in particular. I feel there's more to what I know. She doesn't look like she's guilty of any crime and that she was blackmailed and thrown into jail.

What eats me up is the fact that I am in the dark. If my mom is truly responsible for what she was accused of then why can't dad prove it to me. He only told me the story. Didn't show me any pictures of mom, or of my childhood, or about life before mom was jailed.

I wish I knew the real truth behind everything and I know dad doesn't want me to know something. Cause he wanted me to leave The Philippines fast and ever since I left, the man hasn't called me once

💛Unugwa 💚

I opened my locker and saw a paper folded and kept neatly on my text books. I took it and it read 'Happy Two Months Anniversary'

I smiled. So he remembered. I kept the paper in my bag and dropped the books I brought in the locker. I closed it and tried to walk away when two adorable grade eight students ran to me

Girl: hi senior. This is for you

She handed me a box of chocolates

Me: wow who is it from?

2girl: he said you know who it is

1girl: bye

They waved and ran off

I chuckled and walked to the classroom with my box of chocolates. I sat down and opened it. The scent filled the class

Peter: whoah, someone got a present

Maya: let me guess who that's from?

Lucia : of course it's Andy. I heard today is their anniversary

They wowed

Lucia: well, Happy Anniversary to the cutest couple ever

Maya: do you have a brother? I know you do, that cute boy that usually takes you home. Tell him about me

We laughed

Me: thank God he doesn't have a girlfriend

We laughed again

Agnes: would you guys just shut it? Shut up!

Everyone looked at her

Claire who has been watching a video in her phone spoke up

Claire: you know Agnes, no one's gonna listen to you anymore. You're no longer the queen of this class. You lost that position months ago and you're still yelling at an entire class to shut up so just one person can wallow in her depression, come on Agnes! Grow up!

Me: ouch

Lucia: that hurts

Manuel: even I agree that's painful

She growled, grabbed her bag and left the class. We laughed. I tasted the chocolate and it's really good. I think it's mixed with a little cream and there's apple flavor in it. Andy and apples...

Me: who wants a taste?

Of course they all want a taste

💛Andy💚

I looked at her smile as she read the note. I was standing afar and looking at her. When the junior students gave her the chocolates, I was glad she looked thrilled.

After checking all the comments on our post on Facebook, I decided to head on to class.

Well, we have a Facebook page, Afri-Asian Love. Ugwa handles it. Loretta handles the one on TikTok and I the YouTube channel. It was all Loretta's idea and it's actually trending worldwide

As I headed to class, an angry Agnes bumped into me

Me: hey be careful

Agnes: why don't you tell your girlfriend to be careful

Me: what? Did you fight her again?

She hissed and walked away. It's funny Agnes kinda likes me still. And she hates Ugwa more. What if Daniel comes back, I wonder who's likeness would victor over the other

I entered the class and saw everyone eating the chocolate. I chuckled and walked to the table

Me: any left for me?

Ugwa: of course.

She opened the box and brought out a bar

Ugwa: open up

I opened my mouth and took a bite

Ugwa: good boy

I chuckled and held her hand and squeezed it

Me: Happy Anniversary baby

Ugwa: give me a kiss

I bent down and kissed her lips and I heard clicks from cameras and shouts

Claire: that was so cute

Maya: you guys are the cutest

I smirked at Ugwa and fiddled with her fingers

I have finally made mom feel secure about her. Actually, dad helped with that. He must have told her about her real identity. Dad even wanted me to invite her over for lunch some time. But I don't want him bugging her with questions about her dad cause I know dad is still trying to get into business with her father

💛Unugwa💚

I came out of my car and closed the door. I locked it and dipped my hands into my pockets. It's really cold today but I really need to help Claire with her assignment.

For the past one month I've been driving myself around and I'm now quite acquainted with the environs of Cebu

I turned around and walked towards their house in the estate. I remembered the first time I was here. Anibe brought me to talk with Demi. It's quite funny that same Anibe hasn't been seen with a girl ever since that incident with the maid. My family forgave them after a DNA test that brought out the truth. Dad also gave them money and told them to go and start a new life

I covered my head with my hood and rubbed my palms against each other. It's so cold.

I heard something like my name behind me. I looked back and froze in surprise

Daniel