Chapter 3 A new chapter
Arabella whimpered as she sat up, cleaning the beads of sweat that formed on her head. She exhaled deeply. “Not this nightmare again.” She muttered.
Bella poured herself a cup of water that was next to her by the bed. She gulped loudly. She checked the time it was past seven in the morning. She woke up late yet again. Putting on her slippers, she slipped into her robe, headed out of the room and she walked down the stairs.
“Finally sleeping beauty has decided to grace us with her presence.” Arabella’s eighteen year old daughter, Mia teased on seeing her come down the stairs.
“Shut your mouth child, that’s not a proper way to greet your mother.” Her aunt Harriett rebuked the child, even though her eyes twinkled and it was obvious she was trying all she can to not laugh.
Arabella waved them off as she took a stool and sat down. They were both seated in the kitchen round the island and sipping coffee. It was a regular routine that became a tradition for the three of them.
“May I ask why you are up late this morning?” Harriet said.
“I’ll like to know too although it’s more like you.” Mia added.
“You both should back off my tail this morning. I am in no mood.” Bella replied.
Mia repeated after her mother silently while nodding her head. It was her mother’s daily mantra whenever she woke up late. “Yeah mom. You are always not in the mood. That’s all the excuse you could come up with every morning you wake up late. Really mom? Try make your excuse classy.”
Harriett let out the laughter she has been holding in all along as she hit the table. She loved to watch Mia diss her mother. It was always a thing of joy to experience.
“Really Aunt? Seems you both enjoy seeing my misery.” Bella whined as she shot her daughter a glare. Mia smiled sheepishly.
“Forget all of that, you do know we have a long day ahead of us as it is.” Harriett told her.
Arabella nodded her head, she knew for sure. This morning, they have a huge order to deliver to Bradford. When Mia was eight, she had been working as a library attendant in the community but aside that she loved baking. At first on Sundays, she made all sort of pastries for everybody at the church including her neighbors and feeding all of them to their heart contents. Until she was advised to expand her shores by the pastor, telling her how much people loved what she did and it would help her take care of the home.
So Arabella left her librarian job. She and her aunt brought together their resources and opened up a pastry and coffee shop opposite the house. It had thrived well, making them the talk of the town all over Titusville. The sweetness of their pastries pull people to make orders consistently.
Mia finished her coffee and placed the cup on the table with a grunt. “I would be leaving you old ladies to your chitchat while I get ready for school.” She announced, walking towards the stairs to her room.
“She is so sassy.” Bella muttered.
“She is just like you.” Harriett interjected.
“Well I wish she wouldn’t especially when it comes to love. She is head over heels in love with that boy from high school.”
“Stop acting like you do not know his name. And what’s wrong with her loving him if she is happy around him?”
“You know what I mean aunt. I just feel like she might get hurt and I don't want my baby to be heartbroken.”
“There is nothing to worry about. Remember he had stayed back because of her, they are both fine and happy. Go get ready for the day’s work. It’s a Monday morning and we can’t laze out too much.”
Arabella did a mock salute after she stood up. “As you wish ma’am.”
Harriett smiled, shaking her head. “Like mother, like daughter.” She murmured.
Mia sang to her heart content in the bathroom. She was so excited. It was her one year anniversary with Collins. It was also their first day of resumption in college. Mia couldn’t believe she would ever get lucky with the hottest guy in high school then in her final year not to talk of their relationship waxing strong till now that they both got into college. They had both decided to study in Titusville despite the fact that they could have enrolled in New York University with their performance but staying back to be together was a better option for them as they thought. Although the idea of staying back wasn’t all hers but her mother’s who didn't want her far away from home. Collins had also declined his admission and stayed back with her instead. She couldn't deny the fact that he was deeply in love with her.
Mia reminisced on when they had first met in person. Collins played basketball in the town’s high school and was their captain. She had been heading to the basketball court to meet with her friend Cheryl whose boyfriend was on the team. Cheryl had asked for them to meet there because the team were practicing and she wanted to watch her boyfriend and make videos of him. On entering, she got hit by the ball, one of them had thrown it unintentionally her way. She groaned in pain after her butt landed on the hard floor. ‘Are you okay?’ The nice voice had ask her.
‘Ahmmm…I…am fine…I guess.’ She couldn’t conjure any words together seeing the hunk bending down to her. He looked so handsome. She could have sworn no one rocked a green eye better than he did.
He pulled her up and she bumped into him, making her catch a wisp of his scent. He smelled delicious and she wanted to forget herself in his arms. Pulling her self together she walked away from him on seeing her friend.
That moment marked a new chapter in her life as they began bumping into each other coincidentally until it became intentional and they started dating. Collins was the sweetest guy she had ever known, always putting her first and attending to every of her needs. He was a kind and caring person at heart.
Mia got dressed in a flowery gown that flowed to her knee with a pair of nice looking heels. She pulled her hair freely around her just as he always preferred it. She smiled at her look in the mirror after touching up her face a little with powder and lip gloss. She looked good and knew he would be impressed. As she was heading out of the room, she checked her notification to see a message from Cheryl waiting in front of the house. Shouting her byes to her mother and aunt, she ran out of the house.
“Careful there missy, you might trip and I do not think your superhero is anywhere near to save you cause I am not moving a muscle from here." Cheryl told her with a wide grin plastered on her face.
Mia snorted. “You are just jealous. I would tell him to be weary of you just in case I go missing."
"Say what you like. Have you gotten him a gift?" Cheryl asked.
"Yeah I did." Mia jumped in excitement, rummaging through her bag she brought out two tickets and showed it to her friend. “They are tickets to the college basketball game tonight."
"Not bad."
"Why do you sound off?"
"I would prefer you let him fuck you in place of these tickets as a gift or should I say make love." Cheryl emphasized on the make love dramatically, making Mia shove her aside.
"He said he would wait."
"And he has waited enough, girlfriend."
"Why are you so keen on it, when the man isn't?"
"Cause I hate that I can't tell you all of my escapades with Bryan without you getting hot all over." Cheryl responded. Mia blushed profusely while Cheryl rolled her eyes. "There you go, I just said it."
"Shut up! Are you driving or we would keep standing here all day?”
“Yeah…whatever. We should head to school.” Cheryl moved away from the door frame and got into the driver’s seat. "Mia, just listen to me and you would thank me later. The tickets aren't—"
"I can't hear you, Cheryl!" Mia yelled as she blocked her ears with her fingers. It made both of them laugh as they drove off to school.
Chapter 4 The BetCollins shifted on his feet uncomfortably, he hated being in the position he found himself at the moment. Of all person to get in an argument with, his father wasn't one he would want to have to deal with.“You amaze me every time, Collins. I can't believe you would be this stupid. What the hell has gotten into you!" His father yelled.Holding on to his ear like it would fall off, he moved further away from his father. He should have been smart enough to not let his father get a hold of his plan. All he needed was a little more time to get his mission completed and after that he would leave. But his father wouldn't hear of it and Collins knew he only got to know through his sister Catty.“The bitch!” Collins muttered as he glared at her.Catherine stood at the door of his room jesting him with her eyes. If he knew she would go that far he would have pleaded with her more. Now all of his plans were in ruins because of her."Now listen to me young man." His father's vo
Chapter 5 The Duckstein"Would you hold still, Asher. Do you ever sit?" Amanda questioned her nineteen year old son who seemed in a hurry to leave her presence."What do you want ma? I am eating already." He replied her, stuffing scrambled eggs in his mouth.The Mayor of Titusville, Fred Duckstein chuckled to himself at his son’s attitude. Asher had always been a handful and being the only child it only made his mother dot more on him. However, he wasn't one to be camped and wouldn't let anyone control him. He is so free spirited. Everyone says Asher looks like his father when he was his exact age. Fred Duckstein’s mother, Eunice also affirmed it.Asher had gotten into the college in Titusville rejecting his admission into Harvard, saying he wants to live within the community and understand the grassroots that would enable him help the people with whatever he can when he understands them. He had been away since his father got the post of a Mayor when he was about seven. To protect As
Chapter 6 He played meThe perks of schooling next to home is one being able to run to the arms of one’s family when troubled. Such was the case of Mia, she couldn't wait to get home to see her grandaunt and mother cause they knew just the right thing to do to console her.Mia stared at Cheryl's hand in hers as she drove. What would she have done if Cheryl wasn't there? She might have lost it and might be forced to commit suicide due to the embarrassment. She had known Cheryl all her life, although wild and very outspoken she was a good company for Mia. She was glad for the first time since they applied for college that Cheryl had decided to stay back and not left for other college.Cheryl stopped the car in front of her mother's pastry shop, M&A pastries and coffee. The shop name had been gotten from the first letters of her name and her mother’s name. The shop was filled up to the brim, it was lunch hour obviously and people needed to have a refill. Mia didn't think her mother would
Chapter 7 Coincidence or Fate?“Try throwing the ball high and watch me catch it...oomph." Asher had been calling out to Adam to pass him the ball in his hand with his back turned to where he was headed until had bumped into someone unknowingly."What idiot plays games on the walkway?” The lady he had bumped into murmured angrily.Asher turned to look down at the person he had bumped into. Her books had dropped to the ground which she was bending over to pick up. "I am really sorry miss…it wasn't intentional." He pleaded. She slapped his hands when he tried to help her pick up the books. “I am so sorry.”She stood up, glared at him and realization dawned on both of them. They both yelled. "You?!”Mia scoffed. “I can't believe this! Mr oh bow down at my feet! You school here?""I could say the same for you Miss Snooty. Yes I school here. And you do owe me an apology." Asher responded.Mia snickered before walking away. "Like I ever will! Go to hell Mister Oh bow at my feet!”"This is o
Chapter 8 Dinner with the WaltersFred Duckstein took a swift glance at the window facing the car park of his office. He clanked his tongue after seeing the person who highlighted from the car. It was his long time but not so close friend George Walter and the man got on his nerves every time. Staying clear of him had been the best option, since Fred noticed how pushy he can be and his greediness to earn too much was very glaring.George owned the classiest hotel in Titusville and had branches every corner of Pennsylvania, still he was never satisfied, he eyed so many landed properties in the area wanting to claim it as his and at a very unattractive price. It had gotten worse when he became Mayor. George Walter visited almost every week trying to seek for contracts and it annoyed Fred to the extreme. But being the Mayor he had to be polite to avoid being tagged as unconcerned of the people's welfare.Fred heard a knock on the door and without bothering to ask who it was he told him t
Chapter 9 An old blockThe noise from the hammer had Arabella’s head spinning. Her daughter was at it again, if only Arabella knew Mia would keep doing this whenever she was upset then she wouldn't have opened the workshop for her."Is it morning yet?” Arabella asked Harriett who sipped gently at the juice in her hand and she rubbed her head slightly. "And isn't it too late for such merriment?" She rebuked her.Harriett shook her head in disagreement. "As long as that noise keeps coming in, I don't think it's too late for even a glass of whiskey." Standing up from the stool in the kitchen, she moved to the living room and settled on the couch as she put the TV on. "I don't think sleep would come in easy for me tonight, I would just rather do this. Thank God it's Friday anyways."Arabella snorted. “How old do you think you are aunt?""Young enough to know Fridays are for Netflix and chill. Also please go talk to her, she needs you more than she needs that hammer right now. And do that
Chapter 10 M&A Pastries and Coffee‘I can't believe you would do this to me Adam. This is the moment I need you the most in my life and you can't even come through.’ Asher glared at the phone, wishing he could get hold of Adam.‘You do know there would still be many times I would have to come through for you, so do not suck over this.’ Adam commented on the other line.‘What the hell is keeping you from hanging out on a bloody Saturday Adam?’ He sounded frustrated.‘Well, at this point I would try to be sincere. I am getting some free booty and I am not missing it for anything.’ Adam laughed.‘Not even when your dad slumps down due to heart attack?’‘The hospital should hold on to him till I am done.’ Adam retorted with a tone of finality.Asher barked out a laugh. ‘You, my man is a crazy human. Get off my phone! I know how to get back at you.’‘Do that when my dick isn't thinking for me. My cue is here, bye bro and don't miss me too much. Muah!’‘Fuck off man.’ Asher disconnected the
Chapter 11 An interesting profileMia had woken up late to discover she was the only one left in the house, her mother had left a note informing her, aunt Harriett was out with a friend something like a spa treatment and she was at the shop as usual.Breakfast had been made and kept for her. Mia got dressed and tried working on a design she drew out at the workshop but she didn't really feel like it. Watching a movie or pressing her phone wasn't an option either cause they all seemed to add to her moody state. Instead she dialed the one person she could think of, Cheryl.‘To what do I owe this early morning call on a Saturday, Mon Cheri?’ Cheryl bellowed on the line.‘Cut your tone down young lady. You are making my ear ache and I can feel pus drooling out of it.’ Mia replied with an eye roll.Cheryl smacked her lips. ‘Yeah right, what do you want?’‘Why are you in so much hurry to get rid of me?’‘Cause I have got plans and your call tells me you need company.’‘And what makes you th