By the time they returned home, it was nearing afternoon, and everyone was awake. Even the guys had dropped by, making the house livelier with their presence. At that point, Amina was convinced the only thing they didn’t do there is sleep, but they practically lived there.
Amma and the others considered them a part of the family as well, so no one seemed to mind. Not that Amina did either. It was nice being around the company of people after living a life of solitude for a while.
Besides, it felt good to be part of a big group, even if reality would soon come knocking on her door again.
Before that happened, she tasked herself with enjoying the moment. From the good moments to the bad ones, and the casual ones with no labels.
An excited voice soon interrupted her train of thought, its enthusiasm hard to miss. “Hola chica! Oh, sorry, we’re in Korea. Annyeonghaseyo, noona. I can call you that, right? Benazir said you’re older than you look,” greeted Hunter, always the most jovial of them all.
They exchanged quick greetings with Amma, and she left to rest for a while, giving them space. She seemed to derive more joy from doing her own thing than prying into their lives.
She would when there was a need for it, but not then. They were adults, after all. The guys could be reckless, but they were adults nonetheless.
So with her gone, they directed their attention to Amina. Naturally so. There was a teasing notion in the air upon seeing the two women bonding, and Amina didn’t miss it, though she chose not to address it.
Amina offered him a warm smile. He just happened to be her favorite of them all, after Dean, that is. “Hey, Hunter.” She didn’t make any remark about her age.
Judging from how young Hunter looked, she could be older. She was actually older than Benazir as well, and most of her mates back in secondary school. The reason being, she joined school late, so she wasn’t on par with her peers.
She didn’t care though. Why should she? There was no reason for that. It’s just the way life is.
She’s not perfect. Her life has never been. She’s simply normal. A tad bit weird and odd, but normal still.
Hunter, being inquisitive as ever, wasn’t willing to drop the topic though. He then pressed on, “So, I can call you noona, huh? For formality’s sake. And to pay respect to the country’s culture as well.”
She shrugged. “Whatever floats your boat.” He didn’t sound like he’d listen if she asked him to stop anyway, so why bother? “It wouldn’t be for long anyway.”
After this, she’s not sure she’ll ever see him again, or the others as well. They happen to live in separate worlds, as she reminded herself after her conversation with Dean the day before.
He nodded to himself, as if making a mental note to keep addressing her as such. “Well, with you being our potential sister-in-law, I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of each other soon.” He added cheekily, drawing his lower lip between his teeth to hide his grin, knowing he’d crossed a line.
And if he hadn’t made a remark that had her stomach in knots, she would’ve admitted Hunter is quite good-looking. He possesses striking green eyes that shimmer with depth and intrigue. His chestnut hair, which appears to have been touched by the sun’s warm rays, gives off a hint of red undertones, creating a captivating contrast against his fair skin.
His boyish charm Is undeniable, with soft features that exude innocence and playfulness. A natural smile graces his lips, highlighting his approachable demeanor. His overall appearance is that of a heartthrob, effortlessly combining youthfulness and undeniable cuteness.
Honestly, he seemed more like a K-pop idol than an athlete. Because admittedly, Amina still couldn’t wrap her head around that fact.
Before she could comment, he was reprimanded by Chris, who, bless his soul, came to her rescue. “Stop saying nonsense. See the way you’ve made her blush.” He held up a serious demeanor, and because she didn’t know better, she didn’t expect what he added afterward. “Let them announce when she’ll become Mrs. Tafida first, then she’ll officially be our sister-in-law.”
Did she say something about God blessing his soul? She takes it back. He deserves none of that. Because the two went on to chuckle at her expense, while Bae Hyun, who had been silent since she arrived, maneuvered his way out, not sparing her a glance.
She wouldn’t lie; she couldn’t help but wonder if she had upset him in some way to deserve that, but she pushed it away, her gaze settling on the two men with flushed cheeks, as Chris had indeed stated.
It seemed she had judged him too quickly upon seeing him laugh like that. She had thought he was too serious, too gloomy.
He boasts a head of tousled, dirty blonde hair that frames his forehead in a casually messy manner. The strands fall effortlessly across his brow, hinting at a carefree attitude and a reluctance to be confined by convention. His deep brown eyes hold an air of mystery, revealing a complex inner world that beckons to be explored.
Though his gaze appears somewhat aloof, there’s an underlying warmth that invites interaction, making him approachable to those who seek to know him better. His appearance strikes a balance between nonchalant coolness and a magnetic pull.
While thinking of ways to get them to stop making fun of her, destiny seems to be against her, as the Tafida brothers made an appearance then, casually strolling into the well-lit space with profound curiosity.
“What’s going on here?” Dean asked, his lips slightly set into a frown upon seeing the look on her face and his friends laughing. He narrowed his eyes at them. “Which one of you upset her?” Knowing them, he knew they must’ve done something.
Hunter tried to hold back his laughter, only to break into fits that earned him a glare from Dean, upon knowing what they were capable of.
Choosing to ignore the man, he set his gaze on Amina, his brows drawn in worry, as he leaned down to meet her eye level. “Are you okay? I’m sorry about them; don’t take anything they say to heart, okay?”
Amina slanted her annoyed gaze from the two men to the one standing in front of her, her glare instantly disappearing. Her breath nearly hitched upon seeing how close he was to her, even if technically there was a reasonable distance between them.
However, he had his gaze fixed on her, those dark mesmerizing orbs luring hers into them. Not to mention, she’d had a crush on him since they met, even if she did well to hide it the day before.
Upon realizing she’d been mute longer than necessary, she swallowed thickly and then nodded, not trusting her vocal cords to let out the right words.
It seemed that was good enough for him, because his lips slanted into a warm smile that instantly had her stomach in flips. He nodded to himself, muttering something along the lines of “that’s my girl” under his breath.
That, of course, didn’t escape the jokers as they were quick to pick up on it and start a fresh teasing session. Luckily, this time around, it was halted by a grumpy voice.
“Tone it down. I can’t deal with this noise this early in the morning.” Amina knew whose voice belonged to without turning. She hadn’t paid attention to his presence in the room earlier, but she couldn’t ignore it any longer.
So, she slanted her gaze away from Dean, who had straightened his spine to address the older Tafida brother, who casually strolled further into the kitchen to turn on the kettle.
Aahil Tafida effortlessly rocked an ensemble that captured the essence of laid-back chic. His baggy black pants draped loosely around his legs, giving a relaxed and carefree vibe as he moved. The white top he’d chosen was a crisp canvas, contrasting beautifully against his dusky complexion, and its relaxed fit further emphasized his nonchalant demeanor.
The pièce de résistance was the black button-up shirt worn casually over the white top, its buttons casually undone, hinting at a sense of ease and confidence. The fabric draped lightly over his frame, hinting at his physique without flaunting it.
A pair of sleek, black-framed glasses perched on his nose, adding an intellectual edge to his appearance. They caught the light just right, making his eyes seem all the more captivating behind the lenses. His tousled hair fell effortlessly into place, as if he’d barely given it a second thought.
And much to her exasperation, all curled up in his arms was the fuzzy animal she had grown a personal dislike towards. Aahil’s cat purred as it leaned further into him, as if they would become one and the same.
Stupid fuzzy animal.
Amina’s face scrunched up upon setting her gaze on it, her eyes narrowed.
She could hear in the background as the guys went on to speak to Aahil, who went on about his day as if he hadn’t seen her. He didn’t bother to even say a simple hi, not that Amina was expecting that much from him.
“Have you had breakfast? Is there anything you want?” Thankfully, Dean, as always, was there to save the day and clean up after his brother’s rude attitude.
Amina shifted her gaze from Aahil to Dean, her lips slanting into a warm smile that matched his. “No, thank you. I had tea earlier and snacks from the market as well.” She and Amma pretty much had their breakfast when they went out.
She found herself nervous upon seeing how attentive Dean was to her. He had basically tuned out the guys in the background and had focused his sole attention on her, ready to help in any way he could.
Amina wanted to add something, but there was something about him looking at her like that, it made her mind all jumbled and all rational sense flew out of her mind.
So, she darted her tongue out and swept it across her lower lip, her fingers fidgeting behind her back. What was it that she wanted to tell him again?
Oh, right.
Blinking as she remembered, she parted her lips to speak, deep down hoping she wouldn’t say something stupid and give herself away. “—we brought takeout as well if you want.” She nudged her head in the direction of the kitchen island where various boxes of pastries were. “It’s…good.” She chuckled nervously.
Dean wasn’t stupid. Though they had a date last night and she was pretty collected while he was the one acting like a nervous teenager, he could tell at the moment that the roles were reversed.
He didn’t bother to hide his amused grin as he nodded, then voiced out a low, “I’ll do that. Thank you.” As he unfolded to his original height.
“You’re welcome.” Thankfully, she managed to get through the conversation without saying something stupid. Not that they had a chance to say more, because another person graced them with her sudden appearance, following her voice which signified her arrival.
“Oh, good. You’re here.”
Amina was starting to lose count of how many times she had to turn around to acknowledge those that entered the room, and she hadn’t minded before. But upon seeing the face of a woman she’d never seen before casually stroll in, her mind could only go back to the name Amma said earlier.
Kimura, was it?
Amina wasn’t sure who the woman was, but whoever she was, she knew the influence she had and sure as hell carried herself around with elegance that couldn’t be measured.
She wore a sophisticated brown pencil skirt that fell elegantly around her knees. Her loose top had long sleeves, draping gracefully over her frame, creating a balanced contrast with the fitted skirt. Her hair was expertly pulled back into a neat bun, showcasing her refined taste. Her makeup was flawlessly natural, enhancing her features without being overpowering.
To complete her ensemble, she wore a pair of sophisticated black stiletto heels that seamlessly matched her elegant black earrings and a designer wristwatch. The stilettos exuded a timeless charm, their sleek black shade mirroring the refined palette of her outfit. The matching earrings and wristwatch added a touch of cohesiveness to her look.
As someone in the fashion field, Amina would admit, the woman knew her way around the fashion industry well enough. Or perhaps, even perfectly.
She spared them all a single, unbothered glance, it lingering a few seconds longer on Amina before fixing it on Aahil, casually closing the distance between them and going to stand beside him.
For the first time since Amina met the guy, she watched in wonder as his lips slanted into a warm smile directed towards the woman. “When did you get here?" He inquired, passing her the feline which she extended her arms to get.
The fuzzy demon, as Amina liked to call it, seamlessly hopped into the arms of the stunning woman who caressed its fur, earning a purr sound from it. Amina couldn’t see her face clearly, as she only had a side view of her, but she thought for a second she saw her smile.
All because of a cat? Amina wondered. Ah, wonders.
“Just now.” The woman, who Amina assumed to be Kimura if she’s not mistaken, responded, lifting her head from the pet to the owner. “Though I met Mrs. Tafida first. Figured you could wait that much.” She voiced out, her voice soft like waves. It flowed past her lips in a soft, harmonious blend—Amina thought she could’ve used that voice to sing.
Or maybe she does sing. Is she a K-pop idol or something? Because she looks Asian.
Aahil only chuckled, the coffee machine stopping then to signify it completing its task. “Coffee? Or tea?”
“Coffee, please. Thank you.”
“Coffee it is.” Is the guy Amina was seeing the same one she knows? Because he’s been all smiles and kind attitude since this lady arrived.
Seeing the way he’s treating her nicely, Amina could only guess she’s the one he’s treating rudely. Stupid man. What has she done to deserve that?
The
Thought had her rolling her eyes and shifting her gaze away from the two lovebirds. They sure seemed like one. She had no idea who this woman was and her relation to the others, but is it hard to say hi to the others there?
Rude much? Well, she and Aahil seem to be cut from the same cloth after all.
It seemed she wasn’t the only one with that thought, because Hunter’s voice came, putting a halt to Amina’s train of thoughts. “Hello to you too, Mia Kimura. Nice to see you too. I’m good, thanks for asking.”
Amina folded her lips in to hold back her smile, noting the man’s thick sarcasm. He isn’t so useless after all.
Mia slanted her gaze in his direction, her orbs swirling with unparalleled unbothered attitude. “Hunter.” She acknowledged. “I see you’re the same as ever.”
He offered her a wide, cheeky grin. “So are you. Staying with Aahil is bad for you. He’s rubbed his attitude all over you.”
“Can’t say it’s a bad thing, though.” Her gaze met the devil in the equation. “I don’t mind.”
And what did he do? Aahil simply chuckled, and handed her a cup of coffee while the feline dropped out of her arms and strolled away. He didn’t say a thing further, simply picked up his coffee as well and pulled out a stool to settle on it.
Hunter, seeing the exchange, raised his hand up in a surrender motion and simply strolled out, followed by Chris who offered her a small wave that was reciprocated, and then set out to meet Bae Hyun outside.
“Dean,” Kimura acknowledged, now with the others gone.
“Glad to have you here with us, Mia.” Dean, being nice as always, offered her a warm smile, which he got back in return. “He was starting to get on our nerves; we needed someone to keep him grounded.” He gestured to his brother, who ignored him.
“Well, it’s good I’m here now. I’ll keep an eye on him, promise.”
“I’ll take you up on that.” He and the woman seemed to have a good relationship as well. Finally, he was the one who turned around to acknowledge Amina’s presence there, as he carried on introducing her to Kimura. “This is Amina. Amina, Mia Kimura.” He introduced the two women.
For the first time, Kimura slanted her gaze in Amina’s direction. With one hand firmly holding onto her cup of coffee, she closed the distance between them and extended her hand out for a handshake, her lips slanted into a small smile. “Nice to meet you, I’m Mia Kimura. Aahil’s coworker and friend.”
Amina took her hand, though she couldn’t shake off an unsettling feeling that accompanied it, and simply plastered a small smile as well. “And I’m Amina, the girl he hates.” Her smile widened, as the statement flew out before she could think it over.
Upon hearing this, the man lifted his head up, and their gazes clashed. He glared at her. And she glared right back.
If he thinks he can keep on bullying her, then he’s wrong. Two can play the game.
***
Whyyyy is Aminu Saira making life hard for us like this, whyyyy???
Sha, I'm taking notes on how to be a wicked writer from him. This book is meant to have little drama and just something soft and kdramaish, but I'm going to be wicked in my next book.
I'll save all the wickedness for then, rest assured.
Whatever happens, I'm team Abba Galadima. Presido Ment, can't be convinced otherwise.
Moving onnnn, I finally wrote a chapter for this book last night, thank God. We're closer to ending on phase and entering the Finale phase so fingers crossed, I'll be able to finish the book in October in shaa Allah.
Till then, let's continue like this.
My eyes are surprisingly aching so goodnight. I can't type a long vn. Stay safe.
Love, Jannah Mia ❤️