I know what he is doing; he is trying to distract me from the unpleasant event earlier. I must say it is working.
Steadily, I lift my head, and at that moment, I regret my actions. Before I could understand how I was able to openly flirt with Anthony despite all his guards surrounding us, his lip was pressed against mine.
I wrap my arms around his neck and accept his embracement. Whenever Anthony kisses me, the cruel world seemingly doesn't matter. His kisses are always slow and soft, comforting in ways that words can never be. His hand rests on my jaw, his thumb caressing my cheek, our breaths mingled. I ran my fingers down his spine, pulling him closer until there was no space left between us.
Soon, our kiss took a turn into a passionate one as he pressed me down the car. A moan of pleasure left my throat as he ran his tongue up my neck. I love it when he does that. "Oh...Anthooony."
Anthony grasps his hands beneath my thighs and lifts me. He throws me into the back of the car. I groan slightly before prompting myself up with my elbows. Anthony stands outside as his eyes examine every inch of my body. Even in a dress, I could feel myself fully exposed to him. He smiles widely, like the devil he is before entering the car.
I can tell, the driver wasn't comfortable with the ride.
I'm sorry, driver. I'll ask Anthony to give you a raise.
Resting my head against the couch, I stare out at the massive glass window wondering how mom would feel if she found out that man married the other woman. I curl myself into a ball with the blanket wrapped around me as I turn on my phone. I scroll down until I see a video. Hitting on the screen with my finger, I watched as the video began playing. It's the first video made ever since Dad entered our lives.
***
"Pumpkin, put that phone down!" Mom screamed while fixing her hair in the side mirror.
"But, this is your first date in a very long time. I need to record this just in case my children don't believe old people like you d-" she threw a pillow at me, causing me to burst out laughing.
Mom walked towards me and spun around once in her beautiful blue dress. "How do I look?"
"Like you're trying way too hard."
She threw another pillow at me.
I laugh again, "Gorgeous! My mother is the most beautiful woman in the world!" I started buttering her up.
She pretended to be angry but smiled. Mom walked back and forth. "Pumpkin, do you think I'm doing the right thing? If you're uncomfortable, I can cancel the date."
"Mom, Jordan is nice, and if he is willing to see you in the morning without your makeup. He's a keep-" another pillow on the face.
The bell rang, and Mom dashed back inside the bedroom. I rolled off the floor and walked towards the front door. I opened the door; it revealed a sweaty look Jordan who was wearing a three-piece suit.
"Please, don't tell me you've been in front of our place for the last hour."
His eyes widen. "How did you know?"
"I was joking."
After a long pause, I fake laugh to break the tension, and Jordan follows along.
***
"What are you watching?" I glance up to see Anthony bending over without a shirt. I swallow, seeing the light droplets of water rolling down his scarred body layer with tattoos. Anthony noticed me checking him out, but he didn't comment.
"A video of my parents. Want to watch?"
He taps my shoulder. "Sure," I didn't expect him to agree. I got up and plugged my phone into the TV, before going back. Anthony grabs the remote and resumes the video. I rest beside him with his arm, motioning around my shoulder and pulling me inward. I could smell the fresh scent of lemon and musk, a pleasant smell.
The video resume.
***
"Come in," I said.
Dad was holding an overly expensive bouquet, which suggested he purchase the prettiest-looking one at the store. According to him, Mom always deserves the best.
He turned around. "How do I look?"
"Desperate."
"I meant, physically."
"Extremely desperate."
His face scrunched up. "Kiddo, help me. I don't want to look desperate in front of your mom. This is our first date together; what if I mess up?"
"Then, you're in luck."
"Why?"
"Because my mom happened to also be desperate looking."
"Really?" his voice was filled with hope.
"Oh yeah, she is probably putting on more deodorant because she had been swe-" another pillow thrown at my face.
"Are we going to turn this into a thing, Mom?"
Mom gave me a stern look, with her infamous finger-pointing before walking towards Dad. She smiled, and he returned it. They start staring at each other like two love-struck teenagers. After a long awkward pause, I cleared my throat.
"Oh, this is for you," Dad said, giving her the bouquet.
She giggled and grabbed it. "Thank you...again," she said, disappearing towards the kitchen, which held four other bouquets Dad got for her.
He looked at me. "I'm not sweating too much, right?"
"No...you're producing the right amount of sweat."
He nodded and cracked his head. "Okay...I can do this," he began laughing to himself and started stretching. Dad does that whenever he is too nervous.
Mom re-entered the room, and I walked them towards the front door. "Jordan," I deepen my voice, causing both of them to eye the screen with confusion. "Make sure to bring her home on time, or I may have to hunt you down. I got a BB gun, and I'm not afraid to use it."
Mom scowled while Dad laughed. He placed his hand on his head like he was in the army, and with a severe look, he said: "Sir, yes sir!"
"It's ma'am to you!" I shouted.
"Yes, ma'am!"
"You may proceed in taking my mother out for the best night of her life."
He nodded before taking Mom away. "Behave," Mom spoke in a stern tone and walked out.
Once they were halfway down the hall, I yelled: "Use protection! I don't want my precious mother to be pregnant before marr-" She took off her heel and threw it at me, but fortunately, I was fast enough to close the door.
***
Anthony laughed, a beautiful sound. "You were quite a savage when you were younger, weren't you?"
I smile, "A little saucy, yes."
He tucks a strand of hair back. "I would love to see that side of you."
My smile only dims as I return to the screen with a few words written on it - Mom and Dad First Date. "I would love to see that side again too."
Anthony grabbed the remote from my hand and began playing the next video. It was dark all around, but Lily's red face came onto the screen.
***
"Lils, I think this isn't a good idea."
She grabbed her hood and threw it over her head, then began shaking the can of paint. "What? You were the one who suggested it." She threw the other can at me.
"I was drunk, but now I'm sober." We were drinking with Lily's parent's secret alcohol stash earlier. The walk washed all the alcohol out of my system.
Lily scanned the area. "It's an abandoned train station. We will be fine," she smiled deviously before leaping over the tracks. "Come on, you scaredy cat!"
I ran, "Fuck! How did you ever convince me to drink with you?"
She looked back. "Excuse you? You're the one who wanted to drink this time. I may be a bad influence, but you're no saint Miss Chisai."
"Oh God, you know I hate my last name," I snicker, "Miss Minnie."
Lily burst out laughing. "Our ridiculous last names are probably why we don't have friends."
I shook my bottle. "No, it's because you always beat up the ones who tease you about having a mini winnie."
Lily sprayed on the wall. "Bitch, please, don't act innocent when you're the one who holds them down for me to beat them up."
It's unbelievable, but despite our so-called innocent-looking faces, we were both troublemakers, labeled as the bad girls of our town.
I placed the phone down, and my small body entered the screen. I spray on the way. The volume of our laughter only increases with each passing second.
"What the fuck is that little thing?"
"Your future husband's dick, Miss Minnie," I crack into a burst of uproar laughter.
"You-"
"Who's there?" a man screamed.
"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!" Lily and I chanted. She dashed off, and I grabbed the phone and then ran after her.
"Thanks for always having my back!" I shouted.
"Stop!" one of the police officers screamed, but seriously who stops when a cop tells them to stop?
***
The shuffling of branches and crunching of leaves seem to blend with the sound of heavy breathing. After some time, the screen turns black, but a roar of joyous laughter enters the room.
"You sure are full of surprises mio cuore."
I look at Anthony and smirk. "I have many faces, so you should watch yourself, husband."
"Watch myself? For what?"
I shrug, "I may take over your seat if you're not careful," I said jokingly, knowing I can't handle getting my finger cut by a small kitchen knife, so forget about getting shot by a gun.
He smirks, "My wife; I would like to see you try."
We spent the whole night watching videos of my past while cuddling on the couch. I'm not quite sure when I fell asleep, but during the small moments I woke up; I caught Anthony still watching the videos with a smile on his face.