"You dont see too happy about marrying Mr Rickelle." I say out of observance .

"I'm doing what I can for my poppa." She says. And I nod.

"But he has a wife already. Does she know about you" I ask suddenly remembering that little detail.

"Actually he has three wives. And yes they know about me." She says.

"Three?" I ask.

"Three. The first one, Margo Rickelle was the woman he fell inlove with back in high school. Those two have been married for almost thirty years now.

She is the front. You know,  the one the whole world knows. The one he takes to galas.

Then there's his second wife. I dont know her name but we call her sister. That's what we call each other.

They got married eighteen years ago. From what I picked up, sister was married before and left her marriage for Richard.

The third wife, Lisa Rickelle is a beautiful lady. Just above her thirties. They have  been married for ten years now. Lisa was an actress before the marriage but once you're married to Richard. You to keep a small circle.

Them there's me. At twenty four I'm getting married to a man I doubt I love for the sake of saving my father's life. " she says.

I nod.

"You are beautiful Soraya. There's more to you than what meets the eye." I say.

"Say, would you like to come to my wedding?" She asks.

"I'd love to. When is it?" I ask.

"Tomorrow." She smiles.

"Oh. Of course I'd love to. Ill be there." I reassure.

"You know. There is a man that's been staring at you our entire conversation. I've been watching his being snapped back into a conversation then dosing out just by the sight of you." She says.

I start to feel self conscious.

"Who is that?" I ask.

"There. With Richard." She points.

I turn to meet mesmerizing hazel eyes.

He waves. I wave back.

"Oh, you should go and talk to him. Who knows you two might hit it off." She says.

"Um, he's my date here." I say blushing.

"Really? Then this is so cute. Wait Nathan is your date? He hasn't brought a woman to any ball since..." she begins but doesnt finish her sentence.

"Elizabeth. I know." I say.

We nod and we head back to the boys.

Nathan's arm is around my waist protectively in seconds.

Soraya is also in Richard's arms.

"Oh Meyer, this is my fiance. Her name is Soraya. Pumpkin meet my godson." He says.

Soraya smiles.

And she shakes Nathan's hand.

"Let's leave these two love birds Raya. We've got a wedding to prepare." He tells her.

"We're not–" I begin but she cuts me off.

"Its only love if you dont question how you feel." She says then leaves.

She's answered something. Something I never realised that I had been questioning.

My love for Jeremy was always questionable. But it's not love if you question it right? Because when you love someone, you know you do. It'll never be question.

I nod.

"Do you want to leave?" He asks.

"I haven't seen Arraine, I cant leave." I tell him.

He smiles.

"Travis, Arraine's husband flew in to surprise her for their anniversary. She left an hour ago." He says smiling.

"Okay. Let's go." I say.

"Theres this really good place we could go and grab a bite. And a real bite, not food for people on diets.  I'll send Larson my donation." He says.

"Are you asking me out?" The words fall out of my mouth without me knowing it.

A blush creeps up his neck and to his cheeks. He turns bright pink.

"I guess I am." He says.

And just like that we are driving out of the mansion.

I don't love Jeremy. I'm just afraid of him, that's why I stay. I just feel bad that I broke him, that's why I stay.

The drive there is relaxing.

An antique looking closet sided store comes to view as his car slows down.

We walk in and a short middle aged woman comes to view.

Her skin is brown like chocolate, her hair is nappy and afro like. Her eyes are sunken is and her smile is crooked.

"Miss Emelda. It's nice to see you again." He greet her.

"Nathan? Mi hijo (my child) it's been a long time since I've seen you. Look how big you've gotten." She says to him embracing him.

"Its good to see you mama. This is my friend Gemima. Call her Gemma." He says gesturing to me.

"I was about to ask who it was. Oh she is gorgeous mi hijo. How are you doing mi hija"  she greets me.

"I'm doing well miss." I reply. Smiling brightly at her.

"I like this one." She says.

"What can I get you?" She asks.

"Two bowls of chilaquiles, machacas and huevos rancheros." He says in one breath.

Emelda nods and head to the kitchen.

"You really seem to like Mexican food." I say out of observation.

"I love it. My mom loved it as well." He said.

"She must've been a really smart woman. " I say.

I dont really knowing she does or is still alive.

"She is. She didnt die , she just left and word is that she got married. " he says so calmly.

"Oh. Well I wouldnt imagine the pain you and your father went through." I saym

"Yea, the pain hit my father the most. That's when we met Mr Rickelle. He was so nice to us and he helped us get out of the depressive stage we had been in. You know.

That's why he says he's my God father. He practically raised me after my dad passed away. Him and Usher." He says .

Emelda drops the delicious smelling food on the table. My stomach had been growling for a long time before this.

I dig in and I moan out of pleasure. The food is absolutely amazing.

"Who is Usher?" I suddenly remember.

"He was my best friend. " he says simply then coughs a little bit.

"Oh, the one who got with Elizabeth?" I ask. He nods.

As soon as we're done eating, we walk outside.

He drives us home. We relax while listening to music.

Occasionally he tells me little things.

I smile when I open the compartment box and I find a pack of skittles.

It makes me happy that he is that close to my son.

We arrive at the house.

"Oh you have something in your hair." He tells me.

He leans in and pulls out a little leave.

I smile.

"Thank you." I say smiling.

He is so close that I can count his eyelashes.

His hot breath fans my lips.

Something takes over me and I push myself forward and I kiss him.

He responds immediately to the kiss. Our lips move in sync and boy must I say this feels good.

My stomach churns as he does it.

He tugs a little at my bottom lip.

His hands cup my cheek. And he kisses me deeper. I feel myself molding into his touch.

I pull away first. He smiles. Then he kisses my forehead.