Brown Sugar

Chapter Three.

"This Lorenzo kid, I like him," Mathew smiled at Lorenzo, who was still laughing. "He may have a funny name, but you're alright with me," he said, shaking the young man's hand.

Beyoncé concluded that this was not a reality and that she must be dreaming. Her father was so protective of her that he would only let her go on dates with guys he had known for a long time in advance. But even after that, he was still suspicious. Mathew often reminded the young men who showed interest that he had a double-barrel shotgun in his closet and wasn't afraid to use it if necessary. "Lorenzo, why are you here?" she asked as Benjamin stood beside her.

"I came to ask your father's permission to see if I could spend the day with you," he replied. Beyoncé could feel her light cheeks turn red as she blushed at his words. No one had ever asked her father's permission to spend time with her. She looked at her father, unsure what to say.

"It's alright with me, Bey! We already went over the rules. Right, Lorenzo?" Mathew turned to him.

"Yes, sir! You have my word," he assured him.

"Okay, let me get my purse," Beyoncé smiled.

"You won't need it," Lorenzo smirked. Beyoncé raised her eyebrows. She had no idea what he was doing nor what to say next.

"Goodbye, Mr. Knowles," Lorenzo politely shook his hand.

"Have fun, Bey!" Benjamin piped up.

"I'll bring her back by curfew," Lorenzo added to Mathew.

"Damn right you will," Mathew said as his smile transformed into seriousness.

Lorenzo couldn't stop smiling as he led Beyoncé out of her home. "Surprise!" he said as they both stopped in the front.

"Lorenzo, I'm happy to see you, but why are you here? And how on earth did you get past Daddy without any bullet holes," she questioned.

"Well, honestly... my uncle Hector has fallen ill back in Chile. He's got seven children, and my aunt Maria can't take care of all the children and him. So we're going down there for a couple of months to help," he frowned.

"Oh no! Will your uncle be alright?" she asked concerned.

"We think so, but Aunt Maria needs us, and that's what family is for, right? So I came to spend my last day here —with you," he smiled nervously. Beyoncé didn't know how to respond to his last statement. He would be away in South America for a few months, yet he wanted to spend his last day with her. She thought they were just friends, but they could spend the day together, right?

"I'm flattered, Lorenzo. When are you leaving?" she questioned.

"Tomorrow! We need to get there immediately," he replied.

"Okay," she smiled even though he would be leaving so soon. She enjoyed his company but told herself that it wouldn't be forever. It wasn't their last day together. "So—where are we going?" she asked excitedly.

Lorenzo had borrowed his father's car to take Beyoncé all over town. First, they went to the movies. After that, they stopped by the diner next to the theatre, where they had an inexpensive dinner. She asked him everything she could think of about Chile during the meal. She was so fascinated with the country. He should consider himself lucky to be able to explore South America while she was stuck in plain old America.

Beyoncé had excused herself to the bathroom towards the end of their dinner. She was conflicted. She considered Lorenzo a good friend, but there was no denying it now. They were on a date, and what scared her the most was that she was enjoying herself. He made her feel so at ease, like she had known him for years instead of weeks. He was so kind and tender to her. She knew that he had feelings for her —and it was reciprocated. A wave of sadness washed over her as she realized he was leaving tomorrow.