2

As Patrick went inside to get them some drinks, he first headed to his bedroom to put on a singlet top, hoping that was why Tina hadn’t wanted to look at him or speak. 

He wore the singlet and then stepped out of his bedroom to go to the kitchen fridge. Once he returned to the parlor with the drinks, he noticed that Tina was no longer there; only Prisca remained on the blue couch, stretching her long, slender legs seductively as she stared at him. 

Patrick frowned as he approached Prisca, who smiled and lowered her legs. She stood up and walked over to collect the two cans of drinks from his hands. Immediately, Patrick asked, "Where's your friend Tina? Has she gone home?"

 "No, I don't think so. Tina went outside to wait for me because she wasn't comfortable sitting in here with me," Prisca replied, taking the two cold cans from Patrick. "I've told you to forget about my friend Tina. She doesn’t like associating with guys, yet you're still eyeing her over me. I’ve told you how much I love you, and yet you keep picking Tina over me. What does Tina have that I don’t? Just look at me; I’m cute." 

Prisca swirled around for Patrick to properly examine her figure and beauty. She was a brown-skinned lady, and Patrick sighed as he said, "Look, Prisca, I do not love you, and that's the truth. I love Tina, and I have always been looking for a way to meet her. Remember that I asked you to bring Tina here because I genuinely appreciate our friendship? I know you've been dating several of my friends behind my back, but I kept quiet about it because I just wanted to meet Tina. Please try to understand me." 

Prisca frowned and said, "Tina won’t accept you, Patrick, and that’s not why I asked her to follow me here. I truly love you, Patrick, please." She attempted to persuade Patrick again, reaching out to touch his hand, but Patrick pulled back. 

"Fine. I’ll think about it later, but right now, I need to check on Tina outside before she gets lost or wanders off into the street. She won’t know how to get back home to your village."

 With a sigh, Prisca moved aside for Patrick to pass. As she sat back on the couch, she still held the two cans of drinks she had taken from him. Prisca popped open one of the cans and took a sip while waiting for Sharon to arrive, as they had something important to discuss. 

Just as Patrick approached the parlor exit to open the door, Sharon arrived from her outing with two friends. She smiled sweetly at Patrick as she stepped into the living room, but before she could greet him, Patrick dashed out of the house, leaving Sharon and her friends speechless. 

He quickly spotted Tina, who was standing beside his house's exit gate, speaking with the security guard stationed there. Calmly, Patrick walked over to Tina and asked, "Why are you standing out here all alone?" 

Tina glanced back at Patrick but ignored him, crossing her arms over her chest and looking away toward the slightly opened gate after Sharon and her friends had arrived. 

Patrick's irritation grew at Tina's attitude, but he approached her, gently touching her folded arms. This startled Tina, who looked at him in shock and glared at him for touching her. She released her arms and stared at the open gate, wanting to run away, but Patrick caught her wrist and pulled her back against his muscular body. 

He quickly realized she intended to escape. "Let go of me!" Tina screamed, clearly irritated with Patrick's touch, feeling shivers run down her spine as he pulled her closer. 

Patrick noticed Tina's beauty and stubbornness as she struggled to free herself from his grip. "Prisca!" she shouted, but Prisca was still inside and couldn't hear her. 

The security guard did not intervene and returned to his gatehouse after locking the gate. Patrick continued holding Tina, inhaling her sweet floral scent, feeling the urge to kiss her natural pink lips but managing to restrain himself. 

"I know you’re not happy about being here with your friend, but that doesn’t justify your rudeness or disrespect toward me just because I admire you," he said softly. 

Tina gulped as Patrick spoke into her ear, his warm breath sending goosebumps down her neck. "Let me go," she insisted. 

Losing all sense of control, Patrick inhaled her scent deeply and felt a strong desire to kiss her, but he held back, aware of his growing arousal. "Fine, I'll let you go, but only if you calm down and give me a moment of your time. Why are you acting so immature? Aren't you a grown woman? Honestly, I really like you, and I want us to be friends." 

"Friends?" Tina asked, looking up to meet Patrick's dark, handsome gaze. She realized he was indeed attractive and blushed, looking away shyly. 

"Well, I’m sorry, but I can’t be your friend. Besides, aren’t you and Prisca friends? Just leave me alone and let go of me." Tina's anger grew as she cursed herself for following Prisca to his house, knowing the type of friend Prisca was.

 Finally, Patrick released her arms and apologized, "I'm sorry." "Sorry for what?" Tina shot back, meeting his eyes again. 

Patrick merely smiled and moved away from her, saying, "Fine, but why not wait inside for Prisca to finish up? Sharon has already arrived, and it’s too hot for you to be standing out here alone." Patrick turned to walk back into his house, and Tina contemplated his response. Ultimately, she followed him inside, her gaze lingering on his masculine physique.

 Just then, the sun dipped below the horizon, and the clouds began to gather ominously, signaling that heavy rain was approaching. A brisk wind blew a chill through the air. 

Concerned about the sudden change in weather, Tina stepped into the parlor and said to Prisca, "We should start heading home."

 Prisca, feeling jealous of Patrick’s attention towards Tina, ignored her friend’s suggestion and remained silent as Patrick retreated to the kitchen while Sharon and her friends engaged in conversation. 

Tina grew frustrated, knowing her mother would soon be home and that her brothers might be looking for her, so she yelled at Prisca, 

"What’s wrong with you, Prisca? Let’s go home now!" With a sigh, Prisca finally stood up from the blue couch. "I’m not ready to go home yet."

 "Why?" Tina asked, surprised. When Prisca didn’t respond and adjusted her black dress, Tina added, "If you’re not going home, at least help me with the transport fare or give me directions to get back to my house." 

Prisca hissed and walked away, ignoring Tina as she headed toward the restroom. Frustrated, Tina pulled Prisca back by her arm, demanding, "What’s wrong with you, Prisca? You brought me here, and now you’re not saying anything about how we should get back home?"

 "Just stop it, Tina! Stop it already! Yes, I brought you here as a friend, not for you to act up or try to break my friendship with Sharon and her brother. If you want to leave, then go! And don’t talk to me again." Tina was taken aback as Prisca pushed her aside and walked away to use the restroom, leaving Tina speechless in the corridor.