"Coming!" Alicia called out, padding out to the sitting room. She was barefoot, and clad in a nightshirt over her underwear. "Who's there?" She asked."It's -uh Ted." He puffed, out of breath. "Is this-"She quickly opened the door. He stood there, with a strained smile, and Tanya, who was sound asleep on his back.She froze, her mouth dropped, and her eyebrows hung mid air."So... Can I come in?" His voice was strained too."Yeah, of course," she gushed, getting a hold of herself. "Let me give you a hand," she offered as he came in."I got it," he huffed. Alicia nodded, and followed close behind, directing him to Tanya's room.He shuffled into the room, and his feet caught in one of Tanya's thongs lying about. He fell—face first onto the bed and passed out immediately.Tanya muttered inaudibly, rolled off him, and snuggled against her pillow.Alicia sighed tiredly, resting both arms on her waist. She didn't even know where to start. She took the thong off Ted's feet, and took his shoe
"Hey," Alicia smiled, walking into the kitchen. She was wearing a beige off-shoulder corset top over a tank top and dark pants.Fred looked up at her, "It's a surprise to see you without Josh around, nowadays," he spoke drily, returning his attention to the nachos."It's not like that, Fred. You know it." She neared him as she spoke, but he flinched from her."But I don't, Alicia. I don't. You're always together. I understand that you're in college, but if you're beginning to rethink this, then tell me. So I know what to expect.""I told you, Fred." She took his face in her hands, coming in for a kiss. *I choose you, alwa-"The cafe door slamming shut cut her short."Alicia!"They glanced at each other, and she led the way out.There was a blonde girl in a pink halter crop top over white shorts the size of a postcard. She scowled immediately Alicia came into view.She walked over and sized her up."What's up, Casey?" Alicia crossed her arms.Casey glanced at Fred, "And what? You're her
"You've got Mr. Richards on on line 2, sir." Pam announced from the doorway."Thanks, Pam. Grab me a cup of coffee. Two cubes. Be generous with the cream," he took the telephone from its cradle, and reclined. "Close the door," he said to her retreating figure."Miss DelaCruz is back. Have you seen?" David Richards asked quickly.James knitted his eyebrows, "No, when?""Today," Richards replied. "And she didn't come back alone," he added, chuckling drily.James sat up suddenly, his eyes widened; he was gripping the phone so much, his knuckles looked white. "The boy from the orphanage?" He asked slowly, trying to keep calm. It could not be. Of all the... No, he did not want to imagine that scenario."I see you're well informed," David Richards smiled, on the other end, serving him the disappointment with utter unawareness of his partner's thoughts.James slammed the phone in its receiver, and rushed to his feet, grabbing his jacket on his way out. He opened the door, and Pam was standin
*What will you do, when you find her?* James thought within himself, manoeuvring his steering wheel as he turned past the curve. The streetlights illuminated the road in a soft amber sheen.And James was just now realizing that he didn't think this through. He was so lost in thought he almost didn't see the familiar Aventador parked along the curb. *Wasn't that Ryan?* He looked at the house on the other side of the road, and noticed there was a party going on.It had to be Sofia's.He parked along the curb, careful to avoid double parking, and got down, buttoning his jacket.As he approached the house, the driver's door on the Aventador swung open, and Ryan jumped out.Meanwhile, the housewarming party was in full swing as Sofia celebrated her new home with friends and loved ones. Laughter and chatter filled the air, and the excitement was through the roof as they engaged in some in-house games. Unbeknownst to Sofia, tensions were simmering just outside her new home.Their gazes locke
"Does it still hurt?" Sofia asked, returning the disinfectant to its place. "A bit," James said, wincing slightly. "What's up, champ?" He nodded at Tyler."Were you two fighting over my mom?" He suddenly asked.Sofia, and James exchanged glances, and she came to get her son, "You don't have to answer that, Mr. Danson, I apologize, Tye can be very inquisitive at times.""No, no, it's okay," he assured her, then smiled, and immediately regretted it, the injury had begun bleeding again. "Let me get that for you," Sofia offered, leaving Tyler. She grabbed a box of tissues from the counter on the other side, and pulled out a few, then came back to dab at the injury again."What's your name?" James asked."Tyler DelaCruz."*TD,* Sofia thought to herself, chuckling. Then she noticed both of them were watching her, trying to understand her reaction."Oh, it's nothing, forgive me," she blushed, retrieving the cotton wipes and the disinfectant from a shelf."You're a smart kid," James acknowle
Sofia awoke around 4 AM and used the bathroom. She could hear low sounds like the TV was on downstairs. She slipped her robe on, over her nightgown, and left the room, careful not to wake Jessi. She went down quietly and peeped into the living room from the staircase. Tyler and James were on the sofa, playing a video game. "What's going on?" She asked, frowning at both of them as she approached. "Uh-oh, busted," Tyler muttered, dropping his pad. "He should be in bed, James, you know that," Sofia sighed disappointedly. "You too," she added. "Mom, please don't be mad with him, I woke him up while fiddling with the system, and then he helped me set it up, and taught me how to play." "You woke him to help you, right?" Sofia asked, knowing her son. "Yes, Mom," he conceded with a sigh. "Ted wasn't budging, and I couldn't really sleep well because it was my first night away from the orphanage. Plus Ted snores loudly." Sofia didn't even know that she was smiling at him. "I'll leave la
A couple of weeks later..."What are your plans, Friday night?" Alicia asked, perched next to Fred as he sprinkled the scones."Nothing really," he replied, turning his attention to her. "Got any plans?"She nodded cheerfully and dug two movie tickets out of her apron's pocket."It's a movie adaptation of a work by only the greatest author of all time!" Alicia gushed."Shakespeare?" Fred asked, arching an eyebrow."No!" She looked horrified. "Paris Hills, dummy," she joked, play-punching him."Then why haven't I heard of him?""Because you have been busy making only the best tacos of all time," she chuckled sneakily, pulling him in between her legs."Don't let Paco hear that babe," he muttered, accepting her invite for a light kiss."So what, that's like our billionth secret now," she muttered, wrapping her arms around him. They kissed again."I already lost count," Fred replied, looking slightly thoughtful about it. "What are your plans for tonight?" He asked, and kissed her again bef
Sofia met James at the entrance to the studio, and they greeted each other with a light hug, and a peck."And Tye?""He insisted on a tour of the studio over the both of us," she chuckled, as he led her down the short set of steps.James paused, glancing up at her, "You told him I was here?"Sofia chuckled, nodding, "He didn't hesitate." James clutched his chest with his free hand, and shook his head, "It's always the closest ones," he said, and she laughed at him, shielding her mouth from view."Oh, it's funny to you huh." He shook his head at her, but she placed her free arm on his, apologizing.Then the cameras flashing drew her attention, and she immediately shielded her face from view. James held her behind him, parting the crowd with slight difficulty. He left her arm, and held her across her shoulders, bringing her closer to himself."Don't say a word. I'm right here," he whispered reassuringly.Sofia nodded slowly. She could never get used to getting hedged in. She kept her he