I whistle as I got into my room from the bathroom. I woke up this morning feeling very happy within my soul. I'm a bustling bubble of contagious happiness. I sang during my bath and kept smiling at myself in my bathroom mirror when I brushed my teeth.
Today sure is my lucky day or maybe something good will happen today who knows? Only God up in Heaven does.
I search through my closet for the perfect outfit for my mood. I settle on a mid thigh off shoulder dashiki dress and a pair of white sneakers and wore them.
Going to my study desk, I take the books I'll be needing for the day and stuffed them into my black Gucci doctor bag. I take a look at myself in the mirror, Glasses please! I looked for my all black glasses and wore them. Now my outfit is perfect, just the way I like it.
I need a hot cup of my favorite expresso to complete my day. I happily run down the stairs bumping into El who decided to skip school today. She's on that time of the month so I quickly apologize and bribe her "Will get you a pack of your Ferraro Rocher, on my way home."
She immediately flung her hands around me squealing, "You're the best sis ever!"
"Just because you're on your thing." I laugh at her reaction. They're her favorite especially when she's on her period , she can eat more than a pack and a big double mac. "Don't you like a big double mac?"
"I will love you even more." She gives me puppy eyes.
"You already love me more." I chuckle, "but don't worry imma get you some , I love you bye!" I wave her, dashing quickly for the door. I'm happy yeah but I don't want to be late and missing the first part of lectures.
I hail a cab, directing the driver to the coffee shop when I sat inside. I took my phone out texting Nessa.
Me
Welcome to Europe baby girl👏🏻🤩 !
Bezz🔐❤️✨
Chill girl I've not even landed 😂
Me
You're in European air duuh🤣
Bezz🔐❤️✨
Aye you're right😂
Me
😂😂
Bezz
So what's up?
Me
On my way for lectures, I'm gonna grab a☕️of expresso before 😌💖
Bezz🔐❤️✨
You finally ditched tea for coffee😂 cheat
Me
How we go do am😂?
Bezz🔐❤️✨
E b so👏🏻😂
"We're here miss." The driver looked at me with a frown in his mirror, clearly pissed I'm texting though we've arrived. It's not my fault my head attention was on my phone.
"Okay here's the fee, you can keep the change." I flash him a smile and got out, his frown isn't gonna spoil my mood hell no!
My phone buzzed with a text from Nessa.
Bezz🔐❤️✨
We're bouta land hun, imma text you later ai?
Me
Okay babes❤️ ..... WELCOME TO EUROPE🤩
Bezz🔐❤️✨
Thanks b, but you're far away in America😕
Me
We gonn meet up real soon.
The shop is fully crowded today with high schoolers, corporate workers and others. Fortunately most have their coffees in front of them on tables so I'm able to join a queue with less than ten people at my usual counter.
The two girls who're high schoolers from their dressing are in front of me chattering. I couldn't help but listen to it, they're loud enough for me to hear.
"Can you believe this Kaitlyn, I saw that sexy Greek god of a model right in front of this shop!" The petite red head told her blondie friend who had a bored look on her face but now looked interested, her eyes widening then seemed confused.
"Which of them?"
"Andre ! The French model who used to grace every bill board and magazine in New York!" Andre? Is it the Andre I know ? It's New York, there's sure to be more than one Andre here, but he's French. He works in their family company so it's not him.
"Whaaaaat! When did you see him?" Blondie asked red head who was very much proud to fill her in having seen her ultimate favorite sexy celebrity.
"Like twenty minutes ago before you arrived."
"Do you think he's still around?"
"I don't think so, he's left the limelight, I don't get to see those sweaty abs anymore." Red head said with a sad face.
"Will you two girls order your coffee and stop chattering, some of us have useful things doing here." Someone from behind me huffs, scolding them.
They roll their eyes and order their coffee. It got to my turn when they were done.
"Expresso with a smiley face art please."
"Sure Miss." A different waitress who's not Maddie tells me, " Here's your expresso, enjoy!" She smiles at me before saying next.
I took the cup of coffee, blew air into it, took a sip and got out walking a little down the street. Someone crashed into me at the very spot I crashed into Andre. I looked up at the person and I did a double take. It's him, Andre standing in front of me wearing work clothes looking handsome and sexy. Andre here?
I was tongue tied. He stared at me with those eyes, a smile playing on his lips. He cleared his throat and spoke, his voice was deep, "Uhm good morning Ann."
Is he for real? Did he come here to greet? Relax Ann think about what El told you. "Good morning, why are you here?" I didn't mean to snap but I just did.
"To apologize for my behavior that morning." He wasn't bothered I snapped, he said cooly.
"I don't bear grudges, my anger is long forgotten."
"It didn't look like that last Thursday." He crosses his arms over his chest staring at me in the face.
"It's Monday isn't it? Meaning it's four days today, I've completely forgotten about it." It's a lie, I still remember it.
He looked at me clearly not convinced but doesn't say, "I'm sorry, it wasn't the least nice on my part doing that even when you apologized, I'm truly sorry."
Oh so you knew it was an apology huh? I wanted to ask but kept quiet he's trying to correct his mistakes here. "Why did you do that? Did the coffee burn you that much for you to do that?"
Hurt flickered in his eyes before he quickly looked away, "To be honest, I was angry and I took it out on you, I'm so sorry about that."
Ann just forgive him , everyone needs forgiveness, we're all imperfect. "Okay apology accepted."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah I am, we all deserve forgiveness ."
He breathed out relieved. "Thank you very much, Ann."
"No need if you're done here can I get going ? I have lectures to attend." I forgot to wear a watch so I looked on my phone screen it's only 8 :22 am. Lectures starts at 9 so there's more time.
"Sure, Can we start off as friends if we're cool?" He asked unsure of my answer.
Do I want to be friends with him? Or keep things just the way they are.
I haven't made a male friend just yet, it won't be bad being friends with him, a friend of El's. "Okay sure." I give him a smile.
He took a step closer to me and hugged me tightly. My head was under his chin so I laid my head on his chest listening to his heartbeat, it was beating fast like he's so excited. "You won't regret being friends with me." He whispered into my ears. His deep voice sent shivers down my spine.
We broke away from the hug. I was ready to walk away before his next words stopped me, "how about I drive you to school, I've wasted your time, let me compensate you."
"Okay." I reply without thinking. It's not like he's a serial killer or something might happen. It's just a ride.
He shot me a beautiful smile which reached his eyes and walked with me to his car, a sleek Mercedes Benz. He opened the passengers door in the front for me and waited till I was seated before he gently closed it. He's being a gentleman.
He got in the car and started the car . He didn't ask for the direction to my university. Did he ask El that too? "Do you know my university?"
"Yeah, your aunt told my mom on thanksgiving, Montclair State University is it not?"
"It is." I wanted to ask how he found me , if he knew from El I would be here this morning and ask if he is a model.
His hand brushed mine lightly making my stomach do a flip. His eyes were focused on the road, his hand that brushed mine was on his lap. The car ride was silent, both of us occupied with our thoughts or maybe too shy to start a conversation.
He soon reached the gates of the university and parked. He turned his body towards me, "I hope you don't mind taking you out to lunch after lectures, if only you are not busy."
I remember the chocolates and burger I promised El and there's the meeting for our assignment. "I'll be busy after lectures, another time , if you'll still be interested."
"I'll still be , Can I get your number so I can text you when I'm free and ready?"
"Yeah sure." I took his phone and dialed my number without saving, "you can save it yourself."
"How do you want me to save it ?" He asked amused.
"Surprise me." Really of all the things I could say, I blurted our surprise me?
"I'll do when we next meet, please take care." He got out from his side of the car and rushed to mine opening the door from the outside.
"You too, there's no need Andre." I was shy at this gentleness he was exhibiting.
"I'm a gentleman." He hold onto my arm .
I blushed looking down. I can't let him see it, it'll inflate his ego. "Look at me love." He blurted the last part out unconsciously, "Uh I mean Anniella."
I looked into his eyes, he also looked into mine daring me if I could stand it. I fail, I look down and right now my heart is beating like I just ran an Olympics marathon. I've known him for less than a month and I can't even stand his gaze, his touches sends shivers and make my stomach do a flip. Really Anniella? He suddenly has these effects on you now?
"I'll text you alright?"
"Okay." I turned and left. I cover a distance before looking back to see if he was gone. He wasn't, he was standing at the exact spot I left him staring at me. I turn and walk straight ahead without looking back.
I got into my first lecture hall on time. Some students were already seated, going through their phones or sat in groups discussing their assignment. This is not high school where students make noise or lazy around when their tutors are not around.
I feel a presence beside me, on the next to mine minutes after I sat down.
"Heyy girl." The Italian accent indicates it's Isabella.
"Hey you!" I greeted her cheeringly smiling exaggeratedly. My mood still not gone and I like it just like that.
"You are so happy today, why?" She looked at me wondering what was up with me with the smiles and cheerfulness.
"I don't need a reason to be happy, I woke up like this."
"Haha okay, who was that man with the car I saw you talking to?"
Huh so she saw it, how come I didn't see her car pass by? "Just a friend why?"
She looked at me disbelievingly, "Anniella, we all know you don't have a male friend and the last time I checked, it's Chloe and I who're your friends aside El who's your blood."
There's nothing to tell , Andre and I just become friends. It's not like we're dating or anything. "He's just a friend Izzy who came to apologize to me and we became friends."
"He apologized and then you became friends with him all in one day?"
"Yeah He was sincere so, it's the coffee guy I told you about remember?"
Izzy never forgets things. It's not in her nature, "The cute rude one?"
"The very same I called I jerk, I judged him too quickly, he's far from that according to what El told me and what I've seen today. "I recalled the times he opened my car door and the honesty with which he spoke.
Izzy clapped her hands dramatically, raised my hands for a high five, "See I told you you'll soon be singing his praises in my ears, now look at you."
"I've not said anything good about him aside he's now my friend."
"You said he was sincere and said a minute ago he's far from a jerk, it counts as a praise."
"Whatever girl." I tried dismissing the top . Izzy opened her mouth to speak but kept it closed when the lecturer walked inside, already pissed.
She scribbled something on a piece of paper and passed it to me. This sound so like high school.
We' ain't done, girl I'm gonna spill all the tea out of you.
I quickly wrote a reply back in fear of being seen my Professor Alonso.
There's no tea to spill.
I placed the paper back to Izzy but wasn't discreet enough.
"Miss Morison this isn't high school for you to be passing papers around, you're matured for God's sake!" He yelled causing all the students present to look at me. They didn't laugh, they were sorry, I was the first to taste his wrath this morning.
"Sorry Sir." Apology might cool him down who knows. I won't try to be sassy, that so ain't me.
"Sorry for yourself, pay attention now or get out of here!"
I didn't reply, I wasn't going to ruin my good mood and give him the satisfaction of getting to me. I sat down and paid more attention to whatever thing he was lecturing.
"I'll see you on our next meeting and further this more, the assignment is postponed to the next week of our meeting." Prof Alonso addressed us picking up his briefcase his face looking like before.
I took my bag, ready to leave for the next lecture, when Izzy cornered me. "So What next?"
"I don't understand Izzy." I pretended I didn't know what she meant.
"You're smarter than this , so are you just friends like you claim?"
Izzy and her pestering, "Yes just friends, since this morning."
"Can I predict the future?"
"You always do, so go ahead."
"You two are gonna be more than friends very soon from the way things are going, I can't wait to tell you I told you so!" She squealed like a little girl. She's a big girl but when it gets to times like these , I feel like I'm friends with a seven yet old.
"Keep waiting, Can I get you a big bucket of pop corn and coke to help you enjoy the wait?" I innocently smiled at her.
"Yess pleaaasssseee!" She said chuckling, "I'll soon be buying us lunch to celebrate my correct prediction."
We entered our next lecture hall and sat down .
My phone buzzed with a new message from an unknown number.
9093982577
Hello
Me
Hi, please who's this?
9093982577
Your newest friend
Me
Oh hey Andre🤗
Andre😊
I wanted you to get my number, since I have yours🙂.
Me
Oh okay ....
Andre😊
I'll leave you to study, talk you later.
Me
Alright, have a nice day.
Andre😊
Thanks you too, you look pretty today❤️
Me
Thank you Andre 🙃, you didn't look bad yourself.
Andre😊
So you were checking me out huh😌
Me
Lmao so you were also checking me out😅?
Andre😊
I can't keep my eyes off something pretty you know.
Me
Cheesy much huh?
Andre😊
No love, it's the complete truth.
Me
Lemme text you later okay, my lecturer is in.
Andre😊
Okay❤️.
He called me love for the second time today. There's no lecturer here, it's the love that's created butterflies in my stomach. I can't concentrate and type something sensible without embarrassing myself.
"Love huh?" Isabella cocked her brows at me. Her eyes had been on my phone this whole time and I wasn't even aware . "So which lecturer is in now?" She asked and squinted her eyes, looking around the hall.
"Stop it Izzy!" I playfully hit her hand away from mine laughing , "There's no lecturer around."
"Why then did you tell him that ?" , "were you shy because he called you love?" Detective Izzy mode is back on.
"Nooooo!" I said quickly for her to know it was a lie.
"You know a girl's no is yes right?, so I'm gonna take your answer as yes."
"It's a no Izzy." It's a total lie Izzy! I wanted to tell her, but kept mute, it's only gonna boost her ego saying her prediction is coming true.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Thank you for the ride Izzy I'll see you tomorrow!" I got out of the car and took the shopping bag I had in hand after Izzy drove me from school to the mall, Mc Ds and home.
"More rides from Mr friend." She sent me a wink and drove away.
I shook my head crazy girl. I shouldn't have told her, she's gonna tease me with it forever . It's not like I hate being teased though, Izzy goes overboard and I don't want her teases to get me to be catching some feelings . You know how your friends tease you with a very cute guy and in the long run you both fall in love? I don't want what's between Andre and I go beyond friendship.
I saw Aunt Bertha's Range Rover in the drive way and wondered why she's home. She was supposed to be in Italy checking out a ceramic tile manufacturing company they've decided to conduct business with.
"El what's wrong?" I asked panic stricken as I see El lying on the tiled floor clutching her abdomen tightly and groaning.
I got closer to her and helped her from the floor. She didn't budge , "It's fine Ann, I read somewhere cold floors help menstrual cramps to subside."
"Yeah I've read that too, here's your chocolate and burger." She took the shopping bag from my hand and opened it. She took out the big double mac and took a big bite.
"Thanks Ann!"
"Don't you dare touch that box of chocolate!" Came the stern voice of Aunt Bertha, "Ann sweeties, how was your day?"
She took the pack of chocolates from El.
"It was fine, how come you're home?" I dumped my body on a tuxedo.
"I had to send my assistant in my place when I got to Italy, I forgot I had a meeting with some Indian interior designers here tomorrow." She opened the box of chocolate and took a piece, unwrapping it and ate it.
Elisa whined, "Mom that's not yours! It's mine!" She eyed the remaining on her mothers laps.
"Sweetie you're on your thing, no sugar for you, thank you Ann for these delicious chocolates!" She stood up to leave, "I need to take a little rest, I'll see you two during dinner."
Ann was pissed off, rolling her eyes she tried getting up from the floor to snatch the chocolates from her mothers hand. "Gimme my chocolates mom!"
"When you're done."
"But-"
"El it's okay, listen to your mama." I gave her a sign to look into the shopping bag well.
She waited till her mother left before she squealed hugging me , "You're the best sis ever, I love you more!"
"You love someone who's giving you sugar on your thing?"
"C'mon Ann not you too , that's what I crave on my period, you know it."
"Yeah yeah I do."
She sat on the floor and opened the pack of chocolate and took two pieces, unwrapping them and stuffing them in her mouth before hiding the rest. "So how was your day?"
"It was fine, Izzy teased me all day."
"About?"
"Andre, I took your advice." I took the remote control and changed the channel to Zee world. The heir was was being shown.
"Did you two meet again?"
"Coincidentally, at our coffee shop."
"Did he apologize?"
"Yes, we're now friends." There's no point in holding back, Andre will tell her.
"How do you feel about that?"
"Normal, why?" Memories from today came flooding in, his smiles, he calling me love, the shiver when his hand brushed mine and ah yes the eyes.
"Normal isn't what your face is telling me." She wiggled her brows at me, "You looking like brown and red mixed together with a little touch of pink!"
I released a chuckle , "Just say I'm blushing and stop these freaky colour description."
"Why are you blushing if you're feeling normal?"
I sighed, I don't want another Izzy in my home dealing with her the whole of today was enough. "Gosh, you're just like Isabella!"
"We tell the truth just as it is." Her mouth was stuffed with two other pieces of chocolate .
It's better to change the subject now. "Are you going to eat all that before diner?"
"No and don't change the topic."
I groan, "I'm not having this discussion anymore."
"Later then?"
"Baby girl, never" I got up to leave for my room to take a bath.
"We'll see about that."
"Yeah yeah, we'll see." I waved a dismissive hand at her.
How true is what Ann said about the teasing thing ?