POV Akhyra

"I've seen the interview," Dad informs me as he picks up his glass of wine.

Earlier this evening we had decided to meet at my place for dinner. During our small talk, I sensed that there was something he wanted to talk about. Dad always had a horrible poker face when it came to me, a trait that I always found hilarious considering the fact that all his players are terrified of him.

As we dived into our meal Dad asked me a lot about what I did in Haiti, while throwing not-so-subtle questions about whether Lucian had been a great chauffeur and if I spent a good time in his company. Was he difficult? Polite? Overbearingly charming?

I answered all of his questions, and yet he still didn't seem satisfied. Now, finally, he's decided to attack the topic that he's been curious to ask about. The interview that I did with Lucian in Arcahaie.

This morning, Patrick Juste sent an email to my team to notify them that it aired on TV and was also uploaded on his YouTube channel. 

"What did you think?" I ask while cutting some of my broccoli in bite size. 

"He was looking at you. A lot."

I don't need to ask for clarification to know who my father is talking about. I pick a slice of chicken with my fork and add a portion of mashed potatoes. Before bringing it to my mouth, I throw a playful glance at Dad, whose inquisitive stare is already on me.

"I'm sure it's no surprise to you that I tend to have that effect."

The corner of his lips twitch, but he doesn't let his amusement take over. 

"You're deflecting. You never do that."

"I can't answer a question that hasn't been asked. Can I?"

"Very well," he puts down his fork and knife to cross his arms. "Is there something I don't know?"

I can't resist the urge to tease him a little.

"There are plenty of things you don't know. For instance, I'm certain you weren't aware that it's the male seahorse who carries the baby eggs instead of the female."

Maëlla's favorite hobby is to blow up my phone with an alarming amount of "fun facts" on a daily basis. Never thought I'd find a way to use one of them.

This time, my father doesn't try to contain the little laugh that escapes him. He shakes his head as if to say, "Nice try, but you're not getting out of this one."

"Let me rephrase that. Is there something going on between you and Lucian?"

There it is. The big question. Though the answer is quite simple, it's one thing to know it and another to admit it out loud. 

I play with my food for a while before looking up at Dad again.

"We're dating."

He nods as if he'd figure out that much already.

"It started in Haiti?"

"No. We went on our first date two days ago."

"Where did he take you?"

"A museum."

"Classy."

I recognize his "Dad Approval" tone, and my heart does a pirouette at the idea that Lucian is earning points with him already. 

I launch myself into a narration of this wonderful night that I spent in Lucian's company. The only thing I don't mention is dancing with him because Dad doesn't know yet that I can touch him. 

"So that's where he went," my father says at the end of my recapitulation of our date. "I caught him sneaking back inside and decided to let it go only because he endured all exercises without complaining once. I'm assuming you will be coming to the semi-finals?"

"I'm also gonna wear his jersey."

His eyebrows raise in stupefaction. "Wow. Supportive girlfriend. Must be serious."

The word "serious" lands like in the atmosphere like a ticking bomb, making my pulse accelerate. 

I've been out of the dating scene for so long that I don't know what qualifies as being a serious relationship nowadays. Maybe I should've had that talk with Lucian. 

What if it's too soon, though? This thing between us has just started, I don't want to freak him out already. 

"Hey, Starlight," my father calls out gently as if he can sense my axious thoughts. "No one's in a hurry. It's okay to take this relationship as it comes whether it's serious or not."

This time, it's my turn to put down my fork to lean back against my chair. 

Dad deserves to know. I can't keep such a huge event from him.

"There's something that happened in Haiti," I begin. "One night, I had a nightmare about my birth mother. You know the one where she tries to strangle me in my sleep."

I take a pause. Talking about that woman always stirs up dangerous emotions inside of me. As if triggered by the mention of my birth mother, some memories from my childhood that I've buried deep in my subconscious begin to crawl to the surface.

Remembering Dr. Noreen's advice I find an element to ground myself in the present. I focus my attention on the deep green of my broccoli that gradually becomes a lighter shade toward the root. Once I'm sure that I'm not going to be trapped in my memories, I continue speaking.

"Lucian was with me that night, and he kind of talked me out of the edge after I woke up gasping for air. He even made me laugh. But more importantly, he made me feel like I could defeat this trauma. I started to believe it would be possible. And then shortly after, we touched for the first time."

My father listens in silence when I talk about the circumstances that led to my first contact with Lucian. I mention every detail, including the war that waged in my mind as I stood in the middle of the flooded road hesitant to take Lucian's hand. I conclude with our dance at the museum. I describe to him my impression of floating above ground as Lucian twirled me around the room. Being in his presence made me unaware of gravity, as if nothing else mattered except the steady grip of his hands on my body.

By the time I finish speaking, my father is silently crying. I can tell that these are tears of joy streaming down his face.

"I've prayed so long for that day to come," Dad mutters in a trembling voice. "I've always known that your trust in people would be restored again. Lucian might be the first person you're able to get close to, but he won't be the last. I know it."

"I was afraid that you'd be sad about not being the first person I can touch," I admit.

Dad shakes his head upon hearing my irrational fear.

"Your happiness is the only thing that matters to me. Whoever is able to bring that to you is more than welcomed in your life."

***

On the day of Haiti's semi-final match, the time I spend on my skin care routine is twice as long as usual. I'm a woman on a mission: scrub, exfoliate, moisturize, steam. When my pampering session is over, the melanin of my skin is glowing. I'm feeling as refreshed as if I had taken a bath in the fountain of youth.

Now I'm ready to put on my recently acquired Victoria's Secret lingerie that awaits me on my bed. Just as Lucian instructed, I picked a red bra with straps and embroidered designs. Open cup, of course. The matching thong seems to wink at me from the bed as if asking, "Who's the poor guy that we're about to drive crazy?"

After getting dressed, I make a video call to Maëlla and tell her to close her eyes while I'm getting my hair done. 

"Can I open my eyes now?" she asks impatiently. 

"One second!"

"What's taking you so long? I'm dying over here."

The idea of announcing my relationship with her brother by doing an outfit reveal came to me this morning. I know that she's going to lose her shit once she sees what I'm wearing.

When I'm done styling my locs, I stand up from my vanity and place myself in front of the phone to make sure that Maëlla will be able to see my outfit.

"Okay, you're good now."

When she opens her eyes, I notice that she doesn't immediately get it.

"You're wearing the team's jersey nice." All of a sudden understanding seems to strike her as she realizes that it's not just a regular dark blue jersey. "Hold on... That's a seven on your chest!" She exclaims before asking me to show her my back.

I take my sweet time turning around to show her the back of the jersey where the number seven is marked under Lucian's patronyme: MORENO.

"Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh!" Maëlla jumps up and down, letting out a scream loud enough to break the phone speaker. "The ship has sailed. I repeat, the ship has sailed! My work here is done."

I roll my eyes at her antics even though I'm pleased at her excitement.

"I feel like you're giving yourself too much credit. After all, your brother did most of the work."

"Girl, WHAT? This idiot has been in denial for so long that I almost lost my mind. If it weren't for me, he'd probably still be convinced that you have zero feelings for him."

"Okay, fair enough. You deserve a standing ovation."

"Please go ahead."

"Lucemaëlla Moreno, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you for your hard work and dedication, which resulted in getting me and your brother together."

"You're welcome," she answers smugly. "I do what I can."

We continue talking as I start doing my makeup. Maëlla expresses her regret at not being able to be here to support her brother. I have to fight the urge to tell her that when Lucian's team makes it to the finals, I will fly her to the U.S.A. so she can attend the final match.

"I've gotta go now, love," I tell her when I'm ready to leave. "Talk to you later."

"No problem. I'm going to quickly annoy my brother before he leaves for the stadium. I have a mission for him."

"What mission?"

"Can't tell you. Bye!"

"Maëlla..." she hangs up before I'm able to finish my sentence, but I had the chance to spot her mischievous smile.

What is this little Cupid planning now?