Millie was sited with her mother Teresa having their dinner. Conversations between the two were strained because, naturally, Millie was shy and an introvert. Their small family of two caused suspicion among their neighbors because neither mother nor daughter ever spoke a word to anyone.
''I need to get to bed, mom. Thanks for supper, 'Millie said, getting up. She had barely touched her food, but she didn't feel hungry anymore. Her social life was a wreck, and she couldn't help but resent her mother for it.
‘’I wish she had taught me the value of having other people in my life. I have to admit that I do envy some of the girls from my class. They seem to have everything figured out. ’Millie thought to herself.
Her mother had not responded to Millie's comment, and knowing she wouldn't, Millie picked up her plate and went to the kitchen. She loaded the dishwasher, dried the utensils, and thereafter went to bed.
‘’ You are welcome
''Am so happy for you,'’ Selina said and went on telling Millie how she ought to be careful because she was meeting someone she had not met before. ''You can ask some friend to go with you. Though they should stay far but from where they can see you,''''I have heard so much about how things can go wrong on these online dates. The problem is that other than you, I do not have any other friends. Will you be free tomorrow? You could accompany me because it seems you are an expert at these. 'Millie responded.''I wish I could, but unfortunately, it won't be possible. I have to be at home to babysit my youngest brother. My parents will be out of town for the weekend, and my eldest brother isn't at home, which makes me the babysitter for the weekend. 'Selina replied.''I understand. I will just insist that we meet up in some restaurant near home. at least there, people will know me even if we have rarely communicated. 'Millie responded.They both ate the
''Tell me where we are heading to, 'Bobby tells Millie. Millie and Jake's date had been at seven o'clock, and because Millie was disappointed and left early, it was still early enough. The two decided to walk home instead of taking an Uber because Booby just wanted Millie's company.''I live on Hathawaystreet, house no 143,'' Millie replied, looking at her phone. Just then, she realized that she had given her home address to someone who was basically a stranger to her. Having met him at the restaurant and walking with him home didn't mean he was close. She really couldn't tell why it had happened.‘’I saw how terrible your date was,” Bobby said after some minutes.“What do you mean you saw? Why didn't you just mind your business? 'Millie asked, puzzled, “Do you sit in the bar staring at people who are on dates instead of doing what you get paid for?”''Hahaha. Don't get ahead of yourself, Millie. Even a fool or a blind
''It was. I had to walk out. I just regret that I was kind enough to pay my share of the bill. I should have let him pay for it,'' Millie replied.''Well, it happens at times. Some of these guys are total jerks. You will wonder where they were raised. Am just happy you are fine. You will get someone better next time. 'Selina responded.''I will. When I was walking out of the restaurant, I had a small collision with some guy there. He works there, and he was very kind. He told me he had seen how terrible my date was and offered to take me home to make me feel better. I accepted, and we went home together. I loved his kindness and empathy. He is just the kind of a guy I would love for a boyfriend. ''Millie said.‘’What is his name? Did you get his number?’’''I didn't get his number. In fact, I just realized how handsome he was when I went into the house." Millie responded.Just then, the bell rang, and both girls ran to their
In the kitchen making supper with her mother, Millie received a call from Bobby asking that they meet the following day.''Mom, I have a date on Friday with my friend Selina and the brother. ''Millie said, and she saw her mom drop the pan because of shock.Teresa appeared to be thinking for some time before she said it was okay and that Millie should take care. Millie felt sorry for having to lie to her mom and bringing up Selina's name. Still, she couldn't tell her the truth. Yet, she knew her mother would put unreasonable pressure on her concerning the friendship between her and Bobby, and she was not ready for that.They made supper quietly and ate silently, the awkward silence between them very visible. Teresa seemed to know Millie was lying but didn't have it in her to push her beyond the boundaries they had drawn without really drawing. It was because of her withdrawal post her divorce from Millie's dad.Nick and Teresa had been only 21 when they go
''I didn't know the cheese here is so delicious. It really must be the chef's special dish to a lucky girl, 'Bobby said, and Millie blushed at the compliment.She had been receiving many such comments lately, and if she were to count, she would say the comments she had received over the last month alone were much more than any she had received in her life. Millie couldn't even remember if she had ever received any compliment other than being praised for performing well.''Mmmh. Are you jealous about it? Your food is also delicious, but…I can never go for it any day' 'Millie replied, and Bobby laughed out loud, attracting a number of stares from others in the restaurant.‘’ What do you love most in a relationship? ’Bobby asked.'Well, answering that question is tough because I have never been in a relationship before. 'Millie answered.Bobby started laughing and was almost choked on his food. 'Nice comedy there. Have you eve
“Beep. Beep.” Your phone must be ringing’ ’Bobby tells Millie as they walk home. He had insisted on walking her home instead of having her take an Uber home because he still wanted to spend time with her.''Yes. It must be my mom or Selina. I don't have many people in my life who can call me, so it is easier to know who is calling,' 'Millie said.‘’Why didn’t you mention me?’’''Don't joke. Are you not beside me? Why would you call me if I am walking next to you? 'Millie answered before realizing that bobby was joking with her mind.She received the call and talked to Teresa, assuring her that she was on her way home. Millie could sense from her voice that something was bothering her and surely hoped it was something minor. She knew from experience how her mom shuts down people when she is under stress, and she didn't want that at a time when her life was beginning to bloom.‘’We hav
''Why don't we go to my house then? My mum will be out at work, and we will have the whole place to ourselves.''They walked towards the back of the school and left after giving the security guy an excuse that Millie needed to get her medicine from home.''I will make us some tea. Make yourself comfortable,'' Millie said.As they drank their two, Millie could tell that Selina was getting impatient and really needed to know what the problem was.‘’My dad came here, ’Millie said and kept quiet.Selina was silent, waiting for her to continue talking. All the time they had known each other, Millie had never talked about her father, who made Selina assume that anything about him must have been sour. She also knew that if she wanted Millie to open up, she had to let her talk without any interruptions.‘’He came with his wife and son. I didn’t even remember him. He left when I was just three years old, I suppose.
''Which game do you play at school' 'Selina asks Millie. ''I have never seen you play any games.''''Why do I need to exercise? Look at me, am I not fit? 'Millie responds, standing up and stretches her arms for Selina to size her up.''Haha. You might be slim, but that doesn't mean you are fit. Exercising keeps one fit and….''‘’I know all you want to say. The problem is I haven’t found a sport that I like. Plus, because of the fact that I was always avoiding people, I didn’t consider sports as something I could do, ’Millie cuts her short.''Am asking because I know you don't have plans, and Felix invited me to the hockey games at Sage high school. I thought you might want to come. 'Selina says.Millie pulls out her phone and tells Selina that she will try her best despite the fact that they should start testing her for the transplant.''If I don't go to the hospital, count me in. However, if plans do not
She knew she was. She made heads turn, and her presence alone could make even the strongest man weak to his knees. Single men, dating, married, poor or rich all wanted her, but she went for Paul thinking he was the saint he portrayed himself to be.She could have said no, but she was confused. He might change, she thought, but now he wasn’t going to.He proved that over and over again. Dorothy got tired but didn’t know how to break up with him, and she was grateful he was finally gone, although she didn’t like the circumstances surrounding that fact.“Here is your tea,” she said as she placed the cup of tea on the table before Aston in his studio. She took a few sips of hers before placing her cup on the table too. “The weather outside is beautiful today.”“Yes. Yes, it is,” Aston confirmed, although his eyes never left Dorothy. “How about we go somewhere else while this dries?” he suggested.“Sure.”Together with their teas in their hands, they walked out of the studio. Instinctively
Stella observed the interaction between the two, and once again, she knew she had lost Aston to Dorothy because he never looked at her the way he was looking at Dorothy, and that spoke volumes.Stella stood up and straightened out her dress.“I’ll check on you later, Aston, and nice to meet you, Dorothy,” she said with a smile and walked towards Steve.They bid each other farewell, and she left the room.Steve sat down in the chair Stella had just left vacant, crossing his arms over his chest again. He said with a strange emotion in his voice, “You mentioned something about you thinking Paul would change. Has he done something like this before?”Dorothy let out a heavy sigh before replying, “Yes. Yes, he has. Many times.”“Will you be able to testify against him in court?” Aston asked as calmly as he could.“Yes, I will. I think I’ve had enough of him,” she finalized.“Well, I admire your courage, my lady,” Steve commended, further encouraging Dorothy. “By the way, did you meet the pa
‘’We caught this young woman trying to force her way into the ward, and we suspect she might be part of the paparazzi,” the first police officer answered.Steve observed Dorothy noting that she looked familiar then he remembered her. ‘It’s fine, boys. Let her through.The police officers released her arms, and Dorothy threw them a disdainful look, then sent a grateful one Steve’s way.He opened the door for her, and she walked in, thanking Steve with a smile.Steve closed the door with a gentle click and faced Dorothy. “He’s right this way. I’m not supposed to say this, Dorothy, but he’s been expecting you.”Expecting her? Did he want to see her? Did this have something to do with her, or did he just want to see her? She wished it was the latter.Wait, this is Steve, Aston’s best friend and the owner of ‘From Our Hearts’ gallery, but how did he know her?Steve seemed to sense her conflicting thoughts. He sighed and then said, “I can assure you that there’s nothing to fret about, and w
She opened her eyes and brought her fingers up to see them coated with her juices— and Aston hair she had been supposedly pulling happened to be her shower curtain.She just fantasized about Aston pleasuring, but it was better than anything she had ever had with Paul, and the best part —she didn’t regret it.She wanted more of it. She wanted to make it real, so much that she was started to became inpatient and frustrated.The reality of her situation dawned on her when she got out of the shower. She stared at the ring on her finger, and for the first time, she felt trapped.The ring became heavy on her finger, and it began to feel like a heavy burden on her. She slipped the ring off her finger and placed it on the drawer bedside of the bed.Suddenly, she wasn’t sure she wanted to spend the rest of her life with Paul. She closed her eyes to picture Paul in her life as she had always done, but this time, Paul was replaced with Aston.And that moment, it became apparent to her that she w
Dorothy turned around to see Paul standing there, arms folded across his chest and his eyes shooting daggers at Aston, who ignored him, by the way.“So I’ll call you and let you know how it goes, okay?” Aston asked while looking at Dorothy, who nodded excitedly like a kid.Aston smiled and then replied, “Bye Dorothy, and take care of yourself.”“Okay!. Bye Aston, and thanks for visiting. It really means a lot,” Dorothy said, as she walked him to the door.He stopped for a moment and took a look at Paul, who was still standing in the doorway.“And you too, Paul. It was nice to meet you,” she added, and with that, he walked out of their flat without waiting to hear Paul’s grunt of a response.Not wanting Paul to ruin her mood, Dorothy hopped past the grumpy Paul happily to their bedroom, humming a song.The only thing in her head was that her art was going to be at an exhibition– something she never expected to happen.For the rest of the day, Dorothy was in high spirits humming a favor
Dorothy turned around with a smile. “Hello Mr and Mrs Harris. Wonderful weather we have today, yeah?”“Absolutely,” Mrs. Harris chirped while Mr. Harris only nodded.“Let’s go in,” she said to Aston leading the way. “How do you like your tea?” Dorothy asked as they entered her flat, locking the door behind them.“Anything is fine, thank you,” he replied with a smileDorothy walked to the kitchen, and moments later, the sound of a kettle whistling was heard, followed by cabinets opening and closing.Aston took this time to observe the interior decor of the flat. It was an average-sized flat with clean white walls decorated with prints of beautiful paintings.Different artifacts, frames, flower vases, and books sat well arranged on the shelf.Wine-colored drapes framed the windows, and the inner lace curtains remained drawn, allowing the sun rays to enter, casting a golden sheen into the living room. The decor was simple yet beautiful and welcoming.This reminded Aston of the typical co
“Oh, thank you so much. You have no idea how much this means to me. And believe me, when I say coming from you means so much more,” she said.“I thought I was doing horribly, so I stopped painting for a while. I only began painting again when I came across your works in a gallery. I was in awe of hyperrealism. It was magnificent, and I knew I wanted to know how to paint like you,” she explained excitedly. “Meeting you here might be the best thing that has happened to me this year.”It was Aston’s turn to feel flattered, and he did ever so much. He had received a lot of compliments, but in a weird way, Dorothy appreciating his art made him feel he did something for someone, and it made him feel good.“I’m sure you’ll learn a lot from this class, and I can give you pointers if you want.”“You know I didn’t exactly enroll for this class. Mrs. Michael is my aunt, and she just allows me to join in and last week was my second time here.”“That makes sense. I didn’t think you paint. I though
For heaven’s sake, he wasn’t some teenager going through hormonal changes, so why couldn’t he stop thinking about Dorothy’s body and, even worse, smiling and blushing at the memory.‘’I guess we can now deduce my idea wasn’t laced with foolishness after all,’ Steve said with the smug look still on his faceAston scoffed, rolling his eyes at him, and said, “Don’t get ahead of yourself. I am still not convinced the class will do me any good.”“We’ll see about that, mate. We’ll see.”The whole weekend felt like torture to Aston. He longed to see Dorothy again, and it seemed the weekend was taking too long to end.Everything was confusing to him; what he was feeling about Dorothy and why he was feeling that way didn’t make any sense to him, but he just wanted to see her again.When Monday finally came, Aston could hardly wait till 3 pm when classes started, and by 12 pm, he was already at the building waiting for Dorothy to show up, but she didn’t.Class started, and she was still nowhere
In one swift moment, a bang was heard, and the whole dining table came crashing down, sending a wave of shock throw Dorothy.She had seen this happen so many times, but she could never get used to it. He promised to change.He said he was going to be better, but after two years and nothing had changed.The last time, it was the TV that suffered it, which took a while to replace, and now, the dining table had also felt the impact of Paul’s fist.The table was ruined; dinner was ruined too.“You love being a whore, eh? You love letting different men run their hands all over your body under the guise of art, right?” He barked the vile words pacing the dining room.The words made her feel she had just been prickled with over a hundred pins.“I am not a whore, Paul!. I am not! I love art, and you know it!” She yelled at him.He scoffed before he said, “Oh c’mon. You’re just using art as a cover-up. You enjoy the way these so-called artists of yours touch you.”He then grabbed her shoulder