Chuks Design

Chuks Design

I could completely relate to Cynthia. When we moved to a new place and my mom had to be jobless for a while, I noticed she was much more caring as a stay-at-home mom than when she was working. But that didn’t mean I liked her staying at home.

That evening, I was at home, dressed and waiting, hoping to see Cynthia walk into our house looking radiant and beautiful. I had asked Mom several times if she really discussed the dinner with Aunty Paula and her husband. But every time I asked, she kept saying she did and that they had agreed to let Cynthia go with us.

So where was she?

Mom would soon be done getting ready, and I was growing impatient. After staring out the window for what felt like forever, I got tired and sat down in the living room to wait. I was already fully dressed.

I wore my oxblood suit with a black floral design—one that Mom had gotten for me when we had a parent-student dinner at my boarding school in the East. The suit was tailored by one Mr. Chuks, a well-known designer in town. His shop, Chuks Design, was huge, and he was basically a family friend. I remember him asking my mom out multiple times, though every time she went, she took me along.

The suit was my favorite—oxblood with black floral patterns, paired with black trousers. I always wore it with a black turtleneck, which made me feel mature and manly.

By the time the clock hit 7:00 p.m., I was all set when I heard a knock at the door.

"Who’s there?" I asked, staring at the door with curiosity.

"It’s me, joor."

I knew that voice anywhere. Cynthia. It was like music to my ears. I quickly rushed to the door, eager to see her.

When I opened it, I froze.

Wow.

She looked breathtaking in her black dinner gown, her beauty so stunning that I could feel my jaw drop. I had always known Cynthia was pretty, but tonight? She looked... different.

She wasn’t alone. Her mom, Aunty Paula, was with her.

Thank God she wasn’t dressed up—meaning she wasn’t going with us. That would have been a disaster.

"Damian, fine boy! Look at you, all dressed up and handsome," Aunty Paula said, flashing me a big smile. "Where’s your mom, dear?"

Cynthia just stood there, smiling at me.

"She’s inside, ma. Please, come in," I replied, stepping aside for them.

I so badly wanted to tell Cynthia how beautiful she looked, but for some reason, I just couldn’t. My mind was blank, and my mouth refused to form the words. And why did Aunty Paula have to come along?

Since I couldn’t say it, I tried my best to express it through body language. I smirked, winked—just little gestures to let her know. She seemed to understand, at least partly, because she kept smiling.

Before they could even sit down, Mom walked out of her room, fully ready.

She looked breathtaking.

Her red gown flowed all the way to the floor, hugging her figure perfectly. Her lipstick was a subtle red that made her lips pop. Looking at her now, I wondered why she was still single after all these years.

"God! You’re too beautiful, baby girl!" Aunty Paula gasped. "You haven’t lost your touch at all. Look at you! You still look twenty. Time has got nothing on you. In fact, I think time forgot you."

Mom blushed, laughing. "And you still haven’t lost your ways with flirtatious words. This is why people thought we were lesbians back in school."

They both laughed, but then Mom turned to Cynthia.

"And just look at this beautiful young lady," she said, shaking her head. "I see why my dear son kept insisting on her joining us. Oh God, look at her! She looks like my future daughter-in-law."

My heart stopped.

Why would she say that?!

Had I been leaving trails? Could she tell?

Before I could react, Aunty Paula joined in. "You and your son are a fine pair, you know. Damian looks like a proper young man. And you should’ve seen his face when he saw me at the door—he was obviously not expecting me. Probably thought I was tagging along. Hahaha!"

I forced a laugh, but inside, I was screaming. What had Mom told Aunty Paula? Did they know something?

"Just look at my girl," Aunty Paula continued, turning to Cynthia. "She’s all grown up, going out on her first date. My goodness, how time flies! It feels like just yesterday that I held her in my arms, and now she’s—"

"Mom!" Cynthia groaned, clearly embarrassed. "I’m seventeen, not a kid anymore. Stop embarrassing me!"

That only made Mom and Aunty Paula laugh harder.

I stole a glance at Cynthia. She was blushing, her cheeks slightly pink. The way she pouted and crossed her arms made her look even cuter.

She caught me looking, and I quickly looked away.

I needed to get through this night without making a fool of myself.