Brandon

Tamina's message has been playing in the back of my mind all day. I'd do anything just to reply and explain everything to her, but life is a bitch and if it doesn't want you happy, then you won't be. Maybe it's time for me to face the fact people like me are born to remain above others, and we should just take whatever we can before our time's up.

But there will never be another like her.

On the other hand, maybe this is what she needs. This can give her the reason to leave, and it will give me the shock that I shouldn't have taken her for granted. And then Lucius will be able to have his chance at her, and I won't have a right to stop him.

My phone vibrates, and Florentina's name appears on the screen. Gritting my teeth, I swipe to answer. "What now?"

"Have you been keeping your end of the deal?"

Her voice is full of humour, and it makes my stomach twist in disgust. Never has there been a woman I've crossed so vindictive and viperous as her, and now it's got Tamina involved, and it's down to me to get her out.

"Yes. Are you?"

I can practically feel the conniving grin through the phone. "I haven't sent her any notes if that's what you're asking. And Byron has been called off for the time being, so don't worry your pretty little head about it." There's a pause before her tone turns venomous. "And I hope you didn't try to put that tacky ring on her finger."

Holding back the threat I want; I make a grunt sound to play this out casually. "Is that all you've called for? If so, I'm not interested anymore."

I'm about to hang up when her voice echoes through in a sing song matter. "I'll be coming over tonight to round off our deal, so make sure we don't have any interruptions. Am I clear?"

Swallowing back the string of curses I have in mind for her, I compose myself before retorting, "Crystal."

"Good, I knew I could count on you, sweetheart. Ciao!"

With that, the line goes dead. Sighing heavily, I turn back to Tamina's text with that strange feeling I've come to understand is love. I'm happy she's the woman who brought it out in me, and it will be something I'll never forget, and neither will she be forgotten. But now I've got to fizzle it out.

To Tamina: Not now, we'll talk later.

Tamina

The day flew by surprisingly quick considering I'd been spying on my phone for a text that will either shut me down or lead me to the chance to set things straight. Nothing had come, and now I'm standing outside my parent's house with Lucius after my mum had caught us. Not taking no for an answer, I then excused myself and Lucius so we could have the behaviour talk.

"So, no touching?"

My hands sit on my hips. "Not of any kind, and if she lets you snoop upstairs, my old bedroom is off limits."

I don't miss the small twitch of his lip, and I'm certain I'll have to watch him for that one. He's going to do whatever he can to see every little bit of me possible, and it scares me because no one has ever been in there other than my parents.

"OK, I'll try to be on my best behaviour."

Taking his word for it, I say that it's OK for him to enter, and he holds the door open for me to head in first. I'd never thought the night would go like this, but Lucius had offered to drive me and got caught. Now we're going to have to suffer the scrutiny of my parents the whole night, especially from mum since she's more than likely going to meddle with us.

"Luckily, Lucius, we accidentally ordered more than enough for the three of us. I hope you like chicken balls," dad announces, eyes narrowed on Lucius.

Lucius offers a polite smile whilst lingering behind me. "I'm fine with that. Would you have happened to order some of the chilli beef? I like dipping them in the sauce."

Dad's face cracks into a wide grin. "I like you already, my boy."

My heart skips a beat at the pride on Lucius' face and how my dad has practically fallen in love because they now share the same food habit. In a way it's a funny thing to see, but it's still on shaky ground.

"Lucius, honey, would you mind helping me in the kitchen?" mum hollers, and without any fuss, he rises from the sofa and heads through to the kitchen.

Dad eyes me before coming over and pecking my forehead. "He's not a bad lad."

My lips lift slightly at the sound of Lucius commenting kindly on the house, and I nod. "No, he's not."

The sound of rustling has my dad sitting back on the sofa. Lucius has two plates in hand, and mum casually stretches out on the sofa to eat up any space that could be taken by myself or Lucius. With a cheeky smile, she says, "Oh, my old bones, they need to stretch out once in a while. I hope you kids don't mind?"

Knowing exactly what she's up to, I narrow my eyes and she grins wider, leaving me to make some space for Lucius in the wide armchair. Carefully handing me the cutlery and my own plate, Lucius waits for me to dig in before starting his own. Dad puts on the television and keeps it on for a game of catchphrase, and mum beams over at him with love.

Smiling, I dip my chip in the curry sauce and spy on the TV in hopes to snag some points against dad who is the catchphrase champion.

"Don't sob over wasted dairy!"

"No, it's over salt!"

"Don't cry over spilt milk!"

We're all cheering and belting out random answers, and it doesn't help with the contestants battling over it on the screen either. After a few more seconds, the answer is revealed and I was right, causing me to cheer in victory.

Since the game started, it began to get competitive between dad, Lucius, and myself. Mum had chosen to watch us with humorous eyes and only call out the answer before it was revealed unlike us, but we all enjoyed it. Somewhere during the chaos, Lucius had wrapped his arm around my waist, and I'd been close to snuggling against him. It's strange how he emits off a calming energy, but I'm shamefully starting to enjoy it.

Hopping up for an excuse, I take our plates and scurry toward the kitchen before he can do anything, and I'm grateful mum comes in instead.

"He's had his eye on you all night."

A sigh comes from me. "Has he really?"

Mum nods with a smile. "My darling girl, that man has it hard for you. I've never seen a man other than your father keep an arm around someone for so long. If you don't mind me saying, but I think he's the type of man you deserve, and he needs someone like you in his life too. But the decision is yours, Tamina, and don't let anyone try to take it from you."

Smiling over at her, we share a quick embrace before washing up in record time as a team, and we head back to see dad and Lucius laughing.

"What do you have there?" mum queries, leaning over dad's shoulder while I do the same to Lucius'.

Dad chuckles and reveals a picture of me when I was who knows how old, and I'd lost my two front baby teeth after eating an apple. I'm in the picture with a proud smile revealing the two gaps while holding out the apple with my teeth poking out.

My cheeks burn with embarrassment.

"She was so proud," mum gushes.

Lucius leans back against me, and his head tilts up to look at me. "That's cute."

Burn turns to an overwhelming scorch, and I use the bathroom as an excuse. On the way up, the sight of my old room pulls me closer, and before I know it, I've been sucked in. It's exactly how I left it. Everything is tidy, the single bed is tucked against the wall, and my old notebooks are stacked under my desk just like I remember.

A smile touches my lips, and I'm sitting on the edge of my bed and soaking in the tranquillity. It feels like forever since I was last here, and it feels nice—

"Can I come in?"

Startling, my eyes flick to the door to find Lucius standing patiently in its archway. Hesitating, I let out a deep breath and offer a smile before accepting his request. With slow strides, he enters and makes an equally slow glance around the room before facing me with a gentle smile.

"I like it."

My smile manages to grow, and he settles on the bed beside me. "Thank you. . . I was just thinking it's been a while since I've been up here. It brings back memories."

"All good, I hope?"

I laugh and shake my head. "Ninety-nine-point nine percent."

"Can I hear the naught point one percent?"

His tone is inquisitive but it's also soft. If this were someone else, or perhaps Brandon, I'm wondering if it would have been more demanding if I say no. But this is Lucius, and I've come to see that he's different with me.

"I was cheated on, and it really hurt because I thought I was in love. Maybe it was a crush or where he was my first boyfriend it felt real. Who knows. . . maybe with Brandon it's the same."

Lucius shakes his head and takes my hand. "I don't think so, my little tiger. If you love someone, you wouldn't give up, and the choices that are hard to make can hurt. . . does the one you're about to make hurt?"

Regret fills me. "I guess it does. I don't want to leave him, but at the same time. . . I can't wait for someone who doesn't want me."

The look in Lucius' eyes when I meet them say the rest. I'm here, and I want you.

Tears come to my eyes, and he's quick to wipe them away before they have the chance to trickle down my cheek.

"Hush, it's OK. There's no need to cry."

I shake my head this time. "Lucius, you—"

"I told you I will wait for you, no matter how long it takes. What matters to me most is that you're happy and you can get yourself where you want to go. . . I'll be right behind you the whole time."

My heart skips a beat, and it feels like forever while we stare into each other's eyes, and before I know it, we're in a small, tender kiss. And I should feel ashamed, but a part of me is celebrating and yearning for more of his touch, to see what his love could feel like.

The sudden knock at the door has us springing apart, and mum walks in.

"Hello, sorry if I'm interrupting. . . I thought you might need your phone; I think a message came through."