"Zuriel" Louis called impatiently. For a while now he had been outside their room waiting for her to get dressed so they could go out together but the young woman seems to be taking more time than needed.
On the other hand Zuriel was in a hurry to put on her baby pink flat with a dark pink bow on top. For a while she fidgeted with the second shoe due to her uneasiness and only succeeded in putting it right when she held on a couch for support. After writing and apology on her pad she quickly slung her bag over her shoulder after putting all her pills in in case they stayed out late With that she quickly hurried out of the room.
"I thought you know..." Louis began but hesitated before adding.
"All painted that's why you wasted so much time in dressing up"
"Am sorry I was uncertain of what to wear" Were the words Zuriel had written on her pad. Louis had to give a once over when he had read those words.
With a plain black flare skirt below a baby pink turtle neck blouse and a makeup free face Zuriel seems not to have put a lot of effort in getting ready and even with that she still look more pretty than an average woman. Louis smiled impressed by her choice of clothes.
"Decent and beautiful" he complemented and Zuriel couldn't help but smile in response feeling pleases with herself.
Louis linked his fingers with hers and they walked out hand in hand with each other.
"Why a bike am scared of it" Zuriel wrote down and presented it to Louis when she saw him putting the keys in the keyhole as they stood beside it in the garage.
"Trust me Adi they are as save as any vehicle" Louis assured.
"It seems damaged,I mean only the skeleton and seat are left and I just buy the idea that a two legged vehicle is capable of providing save transport for a human" she wrote voicing out her fear.
"It's nothing to be scared of Adi" Louis said getting of the bike.
"Come on check it out it's as good as new" he added as he turned of the ignition engine and begin to twist the hand clutch continuous which caused her facial to soften.
"But still it just looks like it's not capable of bearing our weight" she penned down and he chuckled.
"It did the other day and moreover it's metallic so don't be scared it won't break" he responded whispering the last three words as he hopped on the bike and waited for him to do the same but instead she took a step back and observed the machine.
"We could take a cab,it's more safer" She insisted.
"There is no better way to explore the street of Paris if not on a bike Zuriel, you will miss the fun of it" he said giving her a wide smile and she conceited to his words and hopped unto the machine and he zoomed off immediately she did.
He took through streets of Paris showing her some of the iconic monuments in the city. She couldn't help but be excited by the things her eyes were seeing. Finally they came to avenue Victor Hugo the second longest avenue in Paris that begins from arc de triomph,she was also opportune to see the startue of Hugo at the intersection with avenue Henri-martin,there were a lot of architectural works on display that were so eye catching that she couldn't keep her eyes off them. The designs seems to increase in beautiful from workshop to workshop. Finally they came to halt at a small building formed with red bricks which had different paintings and inscription of various colors around it.
She dismounted in daze her eyes going around the vicinity in fascination.
"Here we are" Louis said (he parked his bike beside two MBW one white and the other black) his voice bringing back Zuriel who had her eyes all over the place in surveillance.
"You like?" He demanded getting off his bike and Zuriel nodded.
"I and my crew did the paintings, they are based on inner inspiration" Louis said his signature smile plastered on his face as he walked towards Zuriel.
"I kind of painted that elephant and that lion beside it,I really love Africans and their culture some day when am finally a man of my own, you know what I mean, free from parental clutches, I did love to go there and explore the Tanzanian forest,it always please my heart when I watch the documentation on tv" he added running his finger on the portraits.
Zuriel also follow suite, the portraits was so real that she wished she could pill it out of the wall and keep it for herself.
"The lion in the jungle" she thought observing the painting of the animal amidst the fresh green pasture of the wilderness.
"Such great talent" her subconscious commented.
She took out her phone and handed it over to Louis and he took it looking confused at the same time wandering why she had given it to him.
She made the form of camera on her hands placing it on her right eye.
He grinned in understanding. She hung her bag on his neck causing him to grin all the more. Zuriel positioned herself in front of the portrait and he took the first clip.
"Adira am not snapping you a passport photograph so make a better post, you know like a model in a shoot" Louis suggested winking at her.
Zuriel smiled shyly covering her face with her palms.
She nodded slightly and after trying so many distort position she finally Concord to his suggested posture and stood by the side of the portrait. her head raised in the air with her hands holding the locks of her hair.
"Zuriel come see" Louis beckoned after taking the shots. He held the phones in his hands admiring greatly the perfect photo.
"It's looks really pretty, you can easily be passed for a model with such height and body, it seems my sister now has a competitor in family"
Zuriel stared at the photo in her phone she couldn't believe she was as pretty as this. The background had really enhanced her beauty and the early morning golden sun had attributed greatly to it.
"I have a digital camera in my little studio inside the building, will you hold on for a............." Louis was saying when a shrill voice from behind hauled his name cutting him off.
"Louis" the person called and the duo simultaneously transfer their gaze toward it's direction.
"Hi"a black haired girl let out walking towards them her hands holding tight the strings of her backpack.
She peered closely at Adira and Louis in and oddly way.
" hi Janna" Louis greeted girl and she nodded in acknowledgment.
"They seem quite close" she thought while observing how closely they were standing beside each other.
"She looks rich too" Janna thought again as she stared down at her slightly faded jeans and black and white high top sneakers.
"Louis guys have been out there for quite some time now, you should come in already" a girl from inside the building who had her only her head hanging from the window said and quickly retrieve her head.
"Coming" Janna said running towards the door.
",hold this" Louis said handing over the stuff in his hands to Zuriel before going to pack his bike beside the building.
"Come on" he said as he placed an arm over his shoulders.
Louis pushed open the door that leads to the inside of the building.
"Allez madame" he said bowing down with with one hand on his chest and the other behind his back.
Zuriel smiled bashfully stepping in only to met by seven pairs staring curiously at her causing her to bring down her head.
"Hi everyone, meet my friend Zuriel Adira" Louis introduced as he stood beside her.
"You mean girlfriend" a blue eyed blond sitting behind a set of drums said with her hands folded on her chest and a drum stick in both hands.
"I wish that was the case Tin, but it isn't" Louis stated as he started walking towards the centre on the room.
"Adi, this is Aaron but we call him big daddy Aaron as you can see he's kind of huge" Louis said pointing to a fat guy close to the fridge with snacks in either side and Zuriel had to lift her head and look.
"Milly and Hugo" he pointed to a boy and a girl sitting on one of the two maroon leather couch.
"Gina" he said pointing to a blond girl who had a lipstick on her hands and unlike others seems to still be in a state of daze.
"Janna you've met and Tina" he said pointing to another girl who had her phone in her hand and ear piece plucked to her ears.
Zuriel stared with wide at everyone before waving mechanically like a robot.
"Hi" they all chorused and she nodded with a smile before her eyes began to shuffle from Tina to Gina continuously awed by the resemblance between the two.
"Yes before you asked they are identical twins and the best way to differentiate them is to observe which is always having the heaviest make up which is Gina and who seems to always wear colourful bangles, Tina,other than that I know no way to differentiate the two" Louis blurted and Zuriel nodded in understanding.
"Tina has whiter hair than Gina" Hugo chipped in.
"Yes that too" Louis confirmed.
"Bitch what part of the jungle are you from?" Milly demanded causing Adi to cringe at her words.
"Bad manners Milly, offer our new friend a seat before you begin playing detective and suspect with her" Louis said graping two bottle of coke from the fridge.
"You will get over weight big daddy" he whispered to Aaron as he walked passed him towards Zuriel who had now been offered the second couch to seat.
"What jungle are you from bitch?" Milly demanded again While Zuriel liked alarmed Louis only shrug as he took a seat beside her.
"Don't call her that Milly and she came from England" Louis answered.
"Let her speak for herself" Gina said as she placed her lipstick into her purse and turned towards the group with lips as red as blood.
"Unfortunately she can't" Louis responded.
"Is she dumb or something" Milly spat rudely causing Zuriel heart to jump at her words.
"You don't have to be rude" Tina interjected leaving her seat to stand beside Zuriel.
"I didn't mean it, the words just came out wrong am really sorry" Milly apologised.
She smiled and nodded in response.
"Think before you speak, we aren't playing games here si don't just say whatever comes to your mind" Tina chastised.
"But is it really true that she can't speak?" Gina asked and all eyes turned towards Ziriel.
Louis nodded with a little "yes" causing everyone to look at her with sympathy.
Zuriel internally cringed, she hated to be pitied because it belittle and weakens her and always reminds her she has a deficiency.
For awhile the environment was qy
quiet, everyone had their eyes fixed on Zuriel except for Louis who was silently sipping his drink.
Tina cleared her voice awkwardly break g the silence before saying.
"Common guys you' re making her uncomfortable with your stares"
Zuriel was grateful that finally Tina had distracted them and now everyone was hiding and bowing their head in a form of embarrassment as the murmur "sorry".
Zuriel could swear she saw big daddy Aaron wiping water off his eyes.
" London girls seems to have inherited all the beauty in the world" Aaron said and disapproving whispers rose from the girls except Tina.
"Could contest with Zuriel, did I get the name right?" Milly began and continued when she had received a positive response to her question.
"In any modeling completion and have the same chance of winning as she does"
"Never, for once it obvious she has slender and longer legs than you do, secondly she's well mannered" Hugo declared with a shrug.
"With less fats too" he added.
"You son of......, whatsoever? I send you to your ancestors today" Milly said and vegan running after Hugo who was now on his feet and trying to run away.
Zuriel and the others laughed at the bizarre situation. It looks like a giant running after a dwarf fit Hugo was quite shorter and smallest of the group while Milly was of tall and a bit plumb.
"Hugo do not let the bad witch catch you or she would sung her clutches into you" Gina screamed and they all burst out laughing.
Milly returned to her seat panting when she refused to succeed in catching up with Hugo.
"Am out of breathe" she started taking a big swig from the water bottle that Aaron had handed her.
"Someday this two will get married, believe me" Louis said and Milly frowned her face and blew her gum.
"That's even when other men are extinct" she spat.
"Hugo is a fine guy" Tina said observing his Hugo's cute figure.
"Thanks" Hugo said grinning from ear to ear.
"Janna,I know you're the quiet one but you're extremely quiet today" Tina said and the others turned their heads towards Janna who had been standing at one corner of the room quietly listening and observing the situation.
"I agree with you Tina,what's the matter Janna?" Gina said in support of her twin sister.
"Am fine" Janna responded giving them a tight smile.
"If you say so" Tina said after much examination.
"I just feel like pulling the string, am kind of down at the moment"
Janna said and her words swept the group off their feet. Everyone took their position in front of their instrument joyfully while Louis began connections.
"Salut mon peuple, we will be playing our special tonight, title: the lion sleeps tonight written by Solomon Linda but had it English version written by George David Weiss" Louis announced with a bow when he had finished making the right connections and then the drumming commenced.
The music was so pleasing to the ears that Zuriel didn't know when she had been swept off her feet and was clapping for the group.
How much she loved Tina the lead singer's deep voice and Hugo's soprano all merge together in perfect unison, Zuriel felt herself swinging from side to side in unison with the music.
While Aaron played the drums, Louis and Janna played the guitar, Milly the piano and Gina the flute, Tina accompanied with singing also plays the tambourine and Milly and Louis were the supporting singers.
The song sounded so melodious to Zuriel's that she couldn't help but think that if this group work a little harder they did one day get the opportunity to in front of a large audience.
Zuriel kept on taking shots of them until finally the music ended.
"Zuriel how did we do?" Tina said through the microphone and the others also stared at her waiting in anticipation.
Zuriel gave them a double thumbs up and the echoes of cheering and shouting ran through the groups.
Zuriel smiled in satisfaction it felt so good to be among youngsters her who didn't make feel left out.
"Do you feel better Janna?" Tina asked and Janna nodded with a genuine smile.
"You like our song right?" Louis demanded as he fell onto the couch Zuriel was now seated upon and wrap his hand around her shoulders.
Zuriel nodded handing his left over drink.
"Guys don't you think we should take a shot for memory sake, who knows we might never get a chance to be friends with a London babe" Janna suggested and the others nod in approval.
"What then are we waiting for come in sirs and Madames" Louis said after taking a big swig of his drink. He rose to his feet and literally ran to a golden door with numerous paintings all over it.
With one tug he pulled the door ajar and went it with the others on toe.
Zuriel eyes scanned through the room. It had a lot of paper paintings hung on the walls and one was of Louis and two women one short and the other tall and dressed like a model and at one corner of the room were canvas and other drawing materials.
And a small computer with other digital appliances on the other end.
"It's so unfortunate that you have to share a room as small as this with us" Tina said and Zuriel smiled giving her a reassuring smile.
They all positioned themselves in the room while Louis switch on the light and needed appliances.
"Seriously Aaron you need to consider weight lifting for a career, come look at you, you're full fats and a bag of potatoes" Milly complained feeling uncomfortable in the stuffy environment.
"Look who is talking,I did suggest exact process for you" Hugo said.
"You are taking up space yourself is you could just step out the air in this room will be mobile again mon garcon" Milly said.
"Compare to you two am just a sack of feather" Hugo announced and they all burst into fist of laughter.
"Ready mes amies?" Louis demanded.
"Ready....." The group screamed and Louis took a shot and gave the camera to Hugo to take a shot with him inside.
They then moved to the living room for more shots. They took some behind the music instrument, close to the fridge and on the couches and lastly moved out of the building.
For the last photo Louis positioned the camera on a tripod and on your down. He quickly positioned his in front of the camera with the others and they all screamed in unison taking different posture as the camera lenses shut with a click sound.
Zuriel was laughing at something funny Hugo had said when Tina came to her.
"May I?" She demanded pointing to the empty seat close to Zuriel and Zuriel nodded.
"I like the sound of your giggling" Tina commented when she was seated, her words caused Zuriel to freeze.
"And your laugh too, you laugh and snort like a pig,don't take me wrong but it kind of sound nice and sweet,i mean everything about you is sweet" Tina added and Zuriel on the other hand though felt flattered but tryed to hide her smile and her red cheeks with her palms.
"You are permitted to smile" Tina said when she got a hint of what Zuriel was doing.
"And blush too,because you look extra pretty when you do" she added and Zuriel could kept it in no more, she lifted her hands and gave her a full blown smile.
"That's more like it" Tina said.
"Get off,it's my turn now" Milly said pulling Tina by the arm and she had no choice but to leave the seat for her.
"Hi bitch" Milly greeted and Zuriel gave her a tight smile.
"it was better that doubt nothing and looking rude" she thought.
"She only calls friends that, she's kind of super unfriendly, so it's good that she calls you that it mean sh had accepted you" Tina explained leaning on the couch.
Zuriel smile, and she had even thought that the girl disliked her.
"Shoo, mother hen" Milly said.
"You shouldn't blame me,it's not my fault that am surrounded by babies I need to look out for" Tina said pushing her blond her back in a dramatic way.
"She's the mother figure here" Gina chipped in and Zuriel nodded in understanding.
"Hey London" Milly said Zuriel had to turn her focus towards her.
"Do you think,I might get a boyfriend from London?, it's a place I've always loved visit but never got a chance too"
"Hhhhggggg" Hugo huffed.
"London is a home for handsome and good bodied models,I can't picture a kilo of butter fitting in" he spat and Milly glared at him.
"Neither can I see someone as invincible as you are in the picture" Milly spat back.
And so the exchange went on until Zuriel got tired of listening and laughing and turned her attention towards someone else.
"Janna, she was far off from the group and was robbing her hands together in uneasiness. She froze when her eyes merge with Zuriel's before she finally gave her a tight smile after being rid of daze.
" I just wanted to ask" Janna began in a croaked and uncertain voice.
All discussion and laughing were put off as everyone fixed their eyes on her waiting for her question.
"What's your relationship with Louis?" She asked after clearing her throat and her face averted to the other side while the others turned their eyes towards Zuriel waiting for her response.
Zuriel pulled her pad from her bag and after so much contemplation she finally wrote something down and presented it to them.
"Am related to his cousin brother"
They all read out.
Of course she wasn't going to tell them she was his sister in law,she didn't wasn't ready to go through another phase of being questioned on what made her marry so early.
"Ooh" Janna explained.
"What were you scared she was his girlfriend and your crush stand no chance?" Milly blurted out and Tina quickly her a smacked her on the back immediately immediately the words came out.
"What for,it's not that we don't know of her pending crush for Louis" Milly stated and everyone stared at Janna who had her face facing the ground in embarrassment.
"Is your mouth leaking Milly, be careful or Louis might hear, he doesn't know remember" Aaron said in a hush pointing a finger towards the studio door where Louis was trying to print out their photographs.
"Am sorry Janna" Milly apologised.
"It's okay am fine" Janna responded with her face still facing the earth but no one missed the part of her wiping a tear from her left eye and the other that fell on the tiled floor.
"You've just made our baby girl cry" Tina said as she proceeded to envelope Janna in a comforting hug.
Zuriel felt pity for her but all she could do was watch the situation.
"Am really ok" Janna said as she lifted to her head up only to show the group a pair of red eyes.
"Janna you know we can't be friends if we don't hurt each other, it means we are lying and pretending to each other " Tina said in a motherly and comforting tone and the others nodded in agreement and smiled back when she face them a grin.
"Gina..." Tina called her twin with the wiggling of her brows.
"What?" Her sister asked pissed off for being distracted while she was busy typing into her phone.
"I need to say something but forgive me in advance,in case I hurt you" Tina said and her sister glared at her.
"Don't say something stupid Tina I know that look" her sister said.
"Am the most responsible of all remember" Tina said with a hand placed on her chest as she surveyed everyone's expression.
"Having itching ears, are we?"
"Well let me feed them" Tina said and waited for awhile. The group were growing inpatient and she could see the yearning in their facial expressions.
"Well..." She began and stopped to pull their legs before she continued.
"When we were twelve, Gina against my approval insisted on making a twerk video and after much nagging I finally concede to video for her" Tina began smiling knowing what she was getting at.
"And finally she began and I was expecting to come in full package, your know superb and worth it, but when she vegan her behind was a stiff as rock, immovable and unshakable" Tina blurted abs everyone busted out laughing, even Gina couldn't help but smile.
"You know, the situation was like playing a song and placing a stone to dance and the poor girl had put so much effort that she was sweating, geez what a pity" Tina said amidst laughter.
Everyone ones face was distorted they laugh out their hear. Hugo had even fallen on the ground in the process while Zuriel had to hold unto the side of belly because it was hurting as a result of the laughter.
"Really guys, am pissed of right now and Tina do not over exaggerate you know exaggeration is a sin even the scripture says so" Gina said.
"Come on guys, play us some music" Milly screamed at the top of her voice and the other yelled "yes" in agreement.
In no time Aaron had inserted a disc into the CD player and the sound was streaming everywhere around the room. The friends all stood the middle of room swaying their body and hips to the beat of the sing socially. Hugo was the best dancer in the group his moves were good and surprising.
Even Janna who was the timid of them all had joined the group and was surprising good too while Zuriel sat back and watch in awe.
"Zuriel do not mind my crazy friends" Louis mumbled into Zuriel's ear from behind her and she shivered in fright.
"Sorry,give me your phone so I could print out that photo from your phone" Louis added and she quickly handed it over to him and he quickly returned to studio.
"Zuriel joined us"Milly said pulling Zuriel arm and though she protested Milly insisted and she had no choice but to stand and watch.
" Enough guys" Louis screamed and someone quickly off the music and they all stood still panting like people who just ran a marathon.
"Here,the photos" Louis said handing the stalk over to them. Each person watched and passed the photo to the other.
"Wow Zuriel, you look pretty" Hugo said showing off the photo from the morning.
"It's good" the twins chorused abd giggled.
"Here" Louis said and handed each person a photo.
"Why one?" Gina demanded.
"If you need more you have to pay, Zuriel is the only one having all fifteen copies because she's only here on visit but you all will always be present" Louis explained and most member of the group started whining.
"Come on guys I don't do charity,I also need some notes to fuel me" Louis added hanging his jacket over his body.
"What a shame,I was expecting to upload a lot of photos on my Facebook account today,my fans are going to be disappointed" Gina said staring at the only I'm her hand.
"You lend ours and take their photo and get the hard copy from Louis later" Janna suggested.
"Right nice idea,I will do that later" Gina said.
"Guys am famished,let's go grab lunch at the cafe near the opera" Louis suggested.
"Yeah" the group screamed in unison and in no time after locking up the place they were ready to go.
Hugo, Milly and Janna had joined Aaron in his car while Zuriel in fear of Louis bike joined the twins leaving him all to himself.
Tina against the wish of her sister Gina who is to drive the car had sat on the back seat with Zuriel.
" am not your driver girls, someone Should come seat in the front with me" Gina complained.
"Shut up and drive" Tina yelled and engine came into life before they zoomed off.
All through the drive Zuriel and Tina we're having a discussion and got to know more about each other.
******
"Zuriel you need to try this,it's superb"
"Choucroute garnie, yuck do you intend on fattening her up before she return to her country?" Gina said as she stared disgustingly at the food Milly had offered to Zuriel before putting a spoon full of her salad into her mouth.
"I rather eat well cooked meal with a lot of meat than feed on green leaves like a cow" Milly fired.
"Really,that's the voice of jealousy I hear speaking" Gina said.
"You wish" Milly retorted.
"Come on try any of the food that look good to you and don't mind the quarrelling that's what keeps us together" Tina urged Zuriel who had been staring at the strange food from the table.
"Here" she added as she began piling Zuriels plate with different food item with an award winning smile on her lips.
"Here you should try this as well" Hugo said as he place some of his raspberry macaroons on Zuriel's plate and the other members of the group following suite, everyone wanted her to try out their snacks and all she did was smile and nod as the mountain grew in front of her.
To Zuriel this group was the perfect example of friends, she wished she belong to one herself, homely and friendly, she felt awful that she did have to leave them someday, every good thing in her life seems yo end quicker before she realised she had it. Never in her life had she been part of something this beautiful, they all were good but her favourite was Tina who was attentive and constantly looking out for them and making sure no one hurt the other and she got to no more about her during the drive.
Zuriel stared at the people around her who had their eyes fixed on her waiting for her to have a bite of every snack and announce whose was the best.
She felt liquid behind her eyes and her eyes glitter and slowly like a storm a winter a small tear rolled down her cheek and fell on the table drenching the white table clothes.
The group froze and everyone in their mind was asking why she was crying but no one voiced it out. A few turned their eyes towards Louis expecting a response from him but he shrugged he himself not knowing the reason behind the tears.
All at once tried to comfort but the more they tried to soothe the more tears left her eyes, she tried to suppress the tears and the emotion rolling inside of get but to no avail.
"Why the tears Adi?" Louis voiced out and the other members of the group nodded in agreement.
"Do you need water?" Tina demanded in a concern tone but she said, instead her tears only increase the velocity of their flow.
"Come on calm down" Tina said rubbing her back and finally she stopped crying but was still sniffing.
"Here" Aaron said passing her a handkerchief but Tina quickly reached it before she could and started wiping off Zuriel's face.
"A mother hen,she's truly one" Zuriel thought finally feeling comforted.
Silence clouded the place but no one dared to break it and though to the group it was an uncomfortable one to Zuriel it gave her space to get her with together.
"You all are strangers to me yet you've been so nice to me that's why I cried, because this strangers are being nice to me, why" she wrote on her pad and showed to the group.
"Am going to be hurt if you refer to us as strangers" Tina said with a game frown on her face.
"Am sorry" Zuriel wrote.
"No need to be and we are siblings from another different mothers, and Janna don't you dare spill those tears" Milly warned when she saw Janna's teary eyes.
"This moment is so emotion,I think am gonna cry" Gina said faking a sob.
"Not once will that be in a million year,a kart from a stiff butt you also have a rock heart" Hugo said to lighten the mood and everyone burst out laughing before returning to their food.
"Zuriel will you be able to eat all those at once, am scared you might have a running stomach?" Tina asked.
"Exactly and it did be worse with those croissant" Hugo added to tease Milly. Zuriel smiled and deep into her food.
"This two will one day end up as man and wide" Louis said pointing at Hugo and Milly.
"Never and Louis I think you need to cured of whatever illness feeding your mind with such assumption" Milly yelled and they all burst out laughing except for Hugo.
"Like I did give her a second glance" Hugo said with gritted teeth.
"What did you say....?" Milly asked.
"Nothing" he retorted and she nodded.
"I thought as much" she replied.
"So Louis have you been able to convince your min to allow you attend the carnival?" Aaron asked.
"Hhmm, not really, she think the is an avenue for the utmost display of youthful immoral exuberance, yes I agree that a lot of youths make bad friends and indulge in all form of immorality on such occasions but she doesn't trust me enough to let me go" Louis replied in a solemn tone while he played with his food.
"That's bad,we don't have much time left" Gina commented.
"I only have two options is either I disobey her and attend or I obey her and miss out this one opportunity to perform before mon Paris people"
"Let's be positive, stay and think positive, she might give in before the day" Tina said as she part Louis who was seated next to her on the arm.
Another round of silence fell on the table as everyone busied themselves with their food.
"Who is paying?" Janna demanded as she gulped down a glass of water after finishing her meal.
"Milly it's your turn to make the payment" Aaron said and Milly sigh as she lifted herself from thee seat and made her at to the counter with her credit hand in hand.
"Hugo do you have an extra ticket for Zuriel?" Louis asked.
"Of course,I always purchase more than enough" Hugo said as he began distributing the ticket for the show they were about to attend.
They all piled out of the restaurant and walked to the theater few blocks away from the restaurant to watch a show.
The first was a puppet show in English and French all together. Zuriel could only debut what was happening from the action and little English they spoke and she really enjoyed it and at the end it left her laughing like crazy.
The second show was a drama in French and almost every word had to be translated to her in English since she only understand a little French.
She felt pity for Tina who had to do the translation and she couldn't help but wonder if the lady herself really enjoyed the show since she was talking through out but Tina seems not to be bothered because she looks happy doing it.
The show finally ended with a band that played one of France vest country song leaving the audience on their feet singing and clapping to together.
The girls won't stop gushing and sharing which part of the show was their favourite while the boys on the other hand just walk beside them silently.
"How was the show Adira?" Tina requested and Zuriel gave her a double thumbs up in reply.
"Do you like our country, can the music here be compared to yours?" Milly asked at of curiosity and Zuriel nodded.
"Did you like it?" It was Gina's turn to ask.
Muriel nodded once again.
"Well Zuriel this is where we say good by for today, we hope to see you some other time" Tina said as they stood outside the entrance to the theater.
She gave Zuriel a hug and did her sister and Milly.
"We are really serious make sure to pay us one last visit before you leave, understand?" Milly said in a stern voice.
"Where are girls really off to?" Hugo asked.
"Girls secret" Milly said sticking out her tongue at him.
"You mean going to the store beside the theater to grab a few girly stuff?" Hugo said in counter attack and Milly twirl silently causing her hair to fly in the air in the process.
"Be careful Milly, you might find your behind on the ground in the process" Hugo teased.
"Unlike you am quite heavy, it did be hard for me to fall" Milly said back without giving them a second glance.
"Ok then bye guys" the twins chorus before running after Milly.
The left behind five walked back to where the vehicles were packed.
"We also will be leaving" Louis said as he grab Zuriel wrist.
"Okay then bye,what about you Janna we're are you off to?" Aaron demanded.
"Home" she answered nonchalantly.
They said their goodbyes and everyone left.
*****
Louis took Zuriel to Beaver ponds park and after giving her a ride round the environment and enjoying the fresh clean air provided by the trees before they finally settled down on a bench. For minutes they sat in silence enjoying the peace and laughter from the other occupant of the park who were having fun.
Zuriel couldn't keep her eyes off the various couples who walked passed them hands link, talking laughing and cuddling in the open. The mere sight of that caused her shoulders to slump when she remembered the kind of husband she had at home.
But what was making her have this negative thoughts now, when all day she had succeeded in keeping every thought of him away, why did it have to come now when she wanted so much to enjoy this peace,she wondered.
"You know some day when Miles began to value you, you could always come back to this city of love and remake your memories" Louis said in a form of encouragement when he saw he slumped shoulders.
Zuriel turned her eyes toward him and started at him skeptically.
"Their affection is only shown to the eyes, you might not know the turmoil they are in at the moment, so don't envy them, only God knows what you will see when you open up their heart" Louis added and she gave him a smile.
She really like his friendly and understanding manner, to her he was the best friend she ever hard,that's if those friendship she once had counts.
For a while hour they chatted and are a lot of snacks, she got to know more about his family and he about hers at that moment she felt even if she dies that minute she will be satisfied.
They finally went back home after having a light dinner.
None of the family members was home though it was quarter past eight in the evening. Chef said they had gone out to visit a friend.
Zuriel after a shower sat down on her bed the couch reminiscing over the activities of the day and comparing the people she had met.
Tina her favourite person was the hero of the day and Gina though different from her twin in manners was also nice and will be a good model.
Milly and Hugo the cat and mouse of the group but still funny in their own way and though Milly speaks rashly she was also good at heart and Hugo with a good voice seems to have great things ahead bigger than his small body size.
Janna she only hard little to say about her since she's the most quiet and seems to have an ocean of secrets in her heart but yet calm and preserve.
And big daddy Aaron, who seems to have more in his brain than only food.
She was grateful to Louis for providing her such opportunity. After having her quiet time and saying her prayers she lated back in the couch her heart overwhelmed with peace and joy and a full blown smile on her lips.