Arriving home with the groceries and a bouquet in her hands, Andrew, Nora's older brother looked at her. Andrew could notice the broad smile on his sister's face. "Who did this to you?" Andrew teased. Nora took a seat next to her brother as she showed him the things she got from the grocery store.

"So, I am thinking of preparing pasta tonight. Have you had anything to eat while I was gone?" asked Nora.

"Sitting in a wheelchair doesn't mean I can't do things with my hands."

Nora smiled. She gave a big sigh as she looked at her brother. She wished she could turn back the hand of time and change so many things like stopping her brother and parents from coming to her school party. If only they had stayed back, her parents would still be alive and her brother won't be sitting in that wheelchair.

If only I could go back in time. Andrew pulled his wheelchair closer to his sister. "I know that look."

Nora faked a smile. "What look?" asked Nora as she kept a straight face.

"That look that says you blame yourself for everything and if possible, you would like to go back in time and change things." Andrew knew his baby sister too well. When they were growing up, he was the only one who understood her.

"But it's all my fault. If you guys hadn't left home to come to my school party, this wouldn't have happened."

"Things happen for a reason." Andrew was going to start giving her pep talks but none of that helps.

Nora shook her head in disagreement. "I don't see any reason for the things that happened. We lost our parents and now you're here in that chair, what sort of reason could there possibly be?"

"Enough of that. Whose flower is that?" Andrew asked to change the subject.

Nora looked at the flower. She grabbed them and put them in a vase. "Michael gave them to me." Nora looked at Andrew because she knows how much Andrew detests him.

"I see." He rolled his chair back to the sitting room where he was enjoying his movie.

Nora prepared everything she needed to make the pasta. "I still don't understand why you don't like him. He has done so much for me, for us. Why don't you like him?" Nora asked her brother who was changing the channels pretending not to hear her. After a moment of silence, he spoke up, turning the wheelchair to face his sister.

"I just have this feeling he's going to hurt you, Nory. I know you love him and he's been kind to us but think about it, why would a celebrity choose a girl like you to be his girlfriend? You are not his type. I just feel like there's something more to his kindness." Andrew knew his sister would feel bad but he just wanted her to know that life isn't what we make of it. "I am just looking out for my baby sister."

After a few minutes, the pasta was ready. Nora served the food and they both ate in silence. She didn't want her night to be ruined, she wanted to keep that moment of tonight with her boyfriend Evergreen and she wasn't going to let her brother ruin it with his philosophy of what life is about and what it isn't.

"I am going to be in my room if you need me." with that Nora took her food and excused herself.

Andrew saw this coming so he didn't let it bother him too much. He continued with his meal and made sure he ate to his satisfaction.

Nora got into her room, with her food in her hand she sat down on her bed placing the food gently on the bed. She went to her mirror and stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her black eyeballs, her curly black hair packed up in a ponytail, her olive skin tone, her oblong face with few pimples here and there, her patched orange lips. She glanced at the clothes she was putting on, a baggy top with baggy trousers. If not for her two breasts and her round butt, she would have been mistaken for a guy because of the clothes she wears. But these are clothes that made her feel like herself, wearing skirts or gowns is something she does on special occasions.

What's there not to like? she asked herself. "As long as Michael loves me like this and he ain't complaining about my looks, I ain't going to change," she reassured herself. She ate her food reminiscing about the kiss Michael gave her. "I wish my brother would see you are not as bad as he pictures you to be."

She was still reminiscing about the kiss when her phone rang. She grabbed her phone and saw that the caller was Sara. "Right! I forgot to talk to her." She face-palmed herself as she cleared her throat before picking up the call.

"You know what, I don't know if you saw me in your dreams chasing you with a gun or perhaps it's that time of the month when you get all cranky and stuff but saying all those words to me doesn't seem right and the fact you didn't bother calling to check if I was OK is a prove that you meant everything you said and you don't give two shits that you hurt my feelings but you know what, it's fine. And you are right, I will stop poking my nose in your affairs anymore. I would have said I would get a love life but the truth is I am not ready for the 19th heartbreak thanks for reminding me what a failure I am in this whole love aspect thing and congratulations for finding your Mr. Right. Goodnight!". Before Nora could say a word, Sara had already hung up.

If I had to choose between Michael and my best friend Sara, who would I choose? Nora thought.

The day is too sunny. Michael thought as he grabbed a bottle of whisky pouring it into his tumbler. A young lady walked behind him, placing her hands on his chest and rubbing his chest playfully. "Sweetheart, why did you get off the bed? I was looking for you."

Michael turned to face her, kissing her on her lips. "You need to get going." He told her bluntly before walking away.

"What's all this? You call me up anytime you need me to warm your bed and when you are done with me, you push me away like I am some kind of trash."

"Gina, do not start," Michael told her, glaring at her. "Go back to your boyfriend."

"It's because of her, isn't it?" She asked him as she folded her arms across her chest.

Michael moved closer to her pulling her by the neck. "What do you know?"

Regina started coughing. "You are hurting me." She told him. Michael left her neck and waited for her to spill the beans. "I followed you last night and I saw you kissing her, you even got her a bouquet. Is she your girlfriend?"

"She's not. She is just like you. I use her for fun just like I use you. Don't go around spreading rumors and pray to the heavens I don't catch you stalking me." Michael turned back and left her.

~~~~~

Nora arrived at work and she was glad Sara was in the baking room. She dropped her bag and went to join her best friend in the room. Sara looked up at her but later ignored her existence. Nora went closer to her standing beside her like someone who was caught stealing candy and is awaiting punishment. "Don't give me that look. Start talking." Sara said as she stopped what she was doing.

"Sara, I am sorry. I shouldn't have reacted that way."

"But you did."

"I know and I'm very sorry."

Sara sighed. "What happened?"

"It's a long story." She explained.

"Well, I've got thirty minutes to listen to it."

"I'll tell you after we're done baking," Nora said as they both chuckled knowing fully well they'd be in trouble if they chat instead of bake.

"Just know I still haven't forgiven you yet," Sara said.

Nora nodded. The two of them started working on the confectionaries.

~~~~~

"Kelvin Netherland, where do you think you are going?". A man in his mid-sixties asked.

"Give me a break Dad," replied Kelvin as he made his way to the door.

Kelvin's father- Mr. Alfred Netherland owns a business firm that deals with the importation and exportation of quality clothes, shoes, and, other brands of items, and he has been convincing his only son to take over his position as the Director of the company but Kelvin has no interest in it. All Kelvin is after is getting all the ladies, sleeping with them, and of course, breaking their hearts before dumping them.

"Why don't you just come with me one day and see how I run things at the company."

Kelvin shook his head. "No can't do Dad. Just hire someone to do it."

"You want me to hire an imposter when I have a son?" Alfred asked.

"Exactly! Now with that settled, I will see you when I get back." Without taking another glance at his dad, Kelvin opened the door and left the house.

He brought out his phone and he gave a call to his best friend. "Yo! What's up?" He asked. They both chatted for a while. "Where?" he asked. "Franklin Guesthouse?". "See you there."

Kelvin ended the call and took a walk downtown where he spotted a nice place to grab something to eat 'Oak and Honey." He opened the door and went in. He took a seat as he gestured to someone to come attend to him.

"Hey, good morning. Welcome to Oak and Honey." The girl greeted me with a smile plastered on her face.

"Yeah. I saw the signboard outside on my way in so you don't need to tell me."

The girl cleared her throat. "What would you like to have?" she asked him.

"Some cakes that I can eat now and some I can take home with a glass of fruit juice." He stated his orders as the girl looked at him. "Well, what are you waiting for?" He asked wondering why the girl was still there staring at him.

"Right away sir." The girl said as she left to get his orders.

Entering the baking room the girl gave the list to Nora. "Table 13; Some cakes to eat and to take home." Nora reads as her eyes stumbled on some words she read. "And his lips to take home?" Nora looked at the girl who quickly snatched the paper from her and left.

Sara burst into laughter as she arranged the orders. "He must be really cute for her to put that in a sheet"

Nora shook her head as she collected the orders from Sara. She went out of the baking room and went to table 13 to give the person the orders. "Here's your cake and this is the takeaway." She handed the guy his orders.

"What about the drink?" Kelvin asked, looking up at her.

"Drink?" Nora couldn't believe this. Seriously! She muttered to herself while searching for Amanda, the girl that gave her the order. "Um, we are so sorry about that. What drink?"

I just knew that girl wasn't taking my orders with the way she was staring at me. "Forget that. How much is everything?" He asked bringing out his wallet.

"10 bucks," Nora told him.

Kelvin gave her the ten bucks, took his cakes, and left.

Nora went to meet Amanda. "What did he order?" she asked her.

"Some cakes to eat and some cakes to take home," Amanda answered.

"Really?" Nora asked. "He didn't order a drink?"

Amanda thought about it for a while. "Oh Yes! He ordered fruit juice."

"Now check the orders you gave to me," Nora instructed. Amanda opened the paper and she saw she didn't write fruit juice. She looked up at Nora who was already giving her a warning look.

"If you do not want to lose your job, I'd advise you to concentrate and stop focusing on their lips," Nora warned.

"It's not my fault. I mean, did you see how hot he looks? I wish I could be that cake he was taking home." Amanda said. Nora looked at her with disbelief. She can't believe this was coming from a girl who had just finished high school. She ignored her and left her to daydream.

Author's Notes

Ever admire someone?? was it awkward or nice??

It was 8 pm Sara and Nora decided to go somewhere to talk. "What about the Franklin Guesthouse? I heard his guesthouse is quite lovable," said Sara with her arms around Nora's arms. Nora wasn't interested and Sara could tell from the way her face squeezed up in a frown. "Come on Nory, It's going to be fun besides I won't leave your side for a second. What do you say?" She asked. Nora was feeling very reluctant but with a friend like Sara, it won't be very easy to tell her no.

"I don't know Sara. Can't we just go somewhere not fancy and just look for a quiet place to talk?". Nora whined, poking her best friend in the cheek. Nora was trying her best to make sure her best friend said yes to her request.

"Not this time, Eleanora Bell. We are having things my way and that's final. We ain't debating on this issue at all." Sara said with all seriousness and Nora could tell she wasn't going to have her way this time.

Anytime it involves going out and stuff, Nora always tells her no or she would come up with one excuse so she could avoid any shit things.

"But don't you think it's late for a day out or a night out? Do you know how scary the world has become?"

"None of that works on me, Nora. You are coming with me and that's final."

"Fine! But if things get way out of hand, I'm leaving with or without you...deal?"

"Yeah, sure! whatever!"

"I'm very serious. I waited and waited and I didn't see you, trust me, Sara, I'm leaving."

"Do whatever you want. All I know is that you're coming with me."

They both walked to the guest house.

~~~~~

Kelvin sat down in front of the bartender asking him to pour him a glass of vodka. "You want it chilled or hot?" asked the bartender.

"Any temperature will do right now," replied Kelvin.

The bartender smiled as he mixed the drink for him and passed it over to him. Kelvin was drinking his vodka when someone came to him. "Yo Kev." He turned to look at who the person was and right there was Michael.

"Mike, It's so good to see you." He greeted them as they hugged each other. Michael grabbed a seat next to Kelvin as he ordered the same drink. "So what's going on?" asked Michael, sipping his drink.

"Nothing much. How about you? What about your girlfriend? the one you've failed to introduce me to all these years." asked Kelvin.

Michael sipped his drink as he gave Kelvin a look. "I want to break up with her but I don't know how."

Kelvin put his drink aside as he folded his arms looking at his friend. "What do you mean by you don't know how? Is there a special method to break up with someone? just walk up to her and tell her you ain't interested anymore, I mean how hard can that be?"

"You don't understand man. This girl is different although she isn't all sexy and stuff she has a very beautiful heart and damns she's everything any guy would ever want."

"So why do you want to break up with her?"

Michael whispered to Kelvin. "She doesn't let me touch her...like we've kissed but anytime we romance she stops at the moment I am so horny that all I would want to do is have sweet sex with her and that would leave me feeling bad because then I would have to look for other ways to satisfy myself because my girlfriend is too scared to give it to me."

"Have you talked about it with her?"

Michael shook his head. "I don't know how to tell her and that's how sweet she is."

Kelvin looked at his friend. "I've never really seen you so worried about hurting a girl's feelings and now you are confused?" teased Kelvin before bursting into laughter. "This is interesting."

"This isn't funny," said Michael with a frown as he gulped down his glass of vodka.

"Just take it easy. You are smart, I am sure you will think of something."

"I hope so."

"Just relax man," Kelvin said as he patted his friend's shoulder. "I'll be right back," said Kelvin as he left.

~~~~~

Nora and Sara entered the guesthouse. Nora looked around and she could tell the place looked very nice. "Let's grab some seats over there." Sara pointed to two vacant seats as she pulled Nora along. "Come on! you are going to love it here."

"It's beautiful," admitted Nora with a smile on her face. "But I don't think I want to be in here for that long."

"Of course scaredy-cat. Let me get something for us to chill with first. Make sure you don't go anywhere." Sara said as she stood up and left Nora alone.

"'I won't leave you for a second my foot," said Nora thinking of Sara's words. Why did she believe her in the first place? she thought.

Someone passed by offering her a glass of drink. She took it and gulped it all at once. The drink tasted so sweet that she requested more glasses. After few a drinks, she was feeling tipsy. She was drunk and she knew it. She got up, almost tripping things over. "Sara." She called drunkenly but there was no response from Sara. Good thing there were not many people where she and Sara chose to sit. She made her way upstairs to the room where she met a guy sitting on the bed with a lady on his lap.

"What the hell!" The lady said as she slapped the guy. "You have someone else and you called out to me? Damn, you!" The lady said as she left eyeing Nora from head to toe but Nora wasn't bothered. She looked at the guy and she could tell she had seen him before but where? The guy looked at her and he could also tell he had seen her before.

She's the girl that attended to me in that shop. What's she doing here looking so drunk? Kelvin thought as he watched her coming to him on the bed.

Nora walked up to the bed and lay down completely ignoring the guy's presence as she slept off. Kelvin couldn't believe his eyes like where does she think she is that she can just sleep anywhere especially here? He glanced at her and he could tell she was very beautiful even though she was wearing a blue shirt and black baggy trousers, she was still beautiful, a kind of natural beauty you would hardly see anywhere. He decided to stay a bit till she woke up to keep her safe.

A few minutes later, Kelvin had the urge to use the bathroom so he went to the bathroom in the room. Immediately after he left he could hear some voices in the room.

"Give a call to Michael. Tell him we've found his girl." He heard someone say as he stayed put in the bathroom.

Which Michael are they talking about? And which girl? Kelvin asked himself as he waited patiently to see what was going to happen.