"What did I do to you that you would leave me parched the moment Regina reached her?"
"I'm sorry," she replied, handing over the water.
"Met your persistent admirer?" she asked, taking it and drinking.
"Yes, I did," came the answer.
"I thought as much," she said with a knowing glance.
As usual, after class, they made their way to the gate to wait for their driver. Fortunately, this time he arrived early.
At home, everyone was already seated at the dining table except Amira.
"Good afternoon, everyone," they greeted as they walked in.
"Afternoon, my angels," Mirabel replied warmly. "How was school?"
"It was fine," they both answered.
"Hey Dad, hey Bro! How was your trip?"
"It was amazing," he said, smiling.
"So, what did you bring for us?" they asked in unison.
"In your rooms," he replied, and they hurried upstairs. When they reached Richard's door,
"Hey bro, you're not escaping this—where are our goodies?"
He gave them a mischievous grin.
"Wait a minute… you didn't get anything for us?" Amira whined.
"Not fair," Regina echoed.
"Hey, my treasures, can I really travel without bringing something for you two?" he asked, and they smiled.
"In my room," he said. "Mira, yours is on the right, and Amira, yours is on the left." They ran to their rooms, excitedly retrieved their gifts, and returned to their own spaces.
Amira didn't open hers, placing it neatly in her wardrobe before taking a bath. Regina did the same.
After bathing, Amira was dressing when her phone rang. Seeing an unknown number, she ignored it and went downstairs for lunch, where Regina was already seated.
"Ahm! Is she still in her room?" Amira asked.
"Yes," Richard replied.
"Did you try talking to her?"
"I did, but she wouldn't even let me in, let alone listen," he said.
"That's strange," Amira murmured. "I suppose she's been the same with Mom and Dad as well."
"Indeed," Richard replied.
"She usually gets over things within a week. She should be fine by now," Regina said reassuringly.
"I hope so," everyone agreed—except Amira, who had a lingering feeling this time would be different. She pushed it aside and began eating, only for her phone to ring again. She declined the call.
"Why isn't she answering?" Henry muttered. "Why is she so difficult?"
Reina entered. "Hi, Henry," she greeted with a smile.
"Hi," he replied, redialing Amira's number.
"You seem troubled. What's wrong?" she asked.
"Nothing serious," he said.
"Okay," she said, tilting her head. "Where's my baby?"
"He stepped out. He should be here soon," Henry answered.
"So… anything for me?" Reina said, moving closer to Henry and touching him provocatively.
"Are you serious?" he asked, clearly shocked.
"No, I'm not. You've driven me insane," she said, her voice low.
"What on earth are you doing?" he asked, gripping her hands.
"I want you," she said boldly.
"What did you just say?" Henry asked, stunned.
"What's there to be surprised about? You're handsome; every girl fancies you. And my brother isn't enough for me?"
"He is, but I want you," she replied firmly.
"You're my brother's fiancée! I can never—" Henry began, only for Frederick to walk in.
"Hey, babe," Reina said, embracing him with a smile.
"How long have you been waiting?" Frederick asked.
"Not long," she replied lightly.
"Bro, has she answered?" he asked.
"Nope," Henry replied.
"We'll be upstairs," Frederick said, leaving the room.
Henry redialed Amira's number once again.
"I am done," Amira said, standing as her phone rang once more. She declined it.
"Why aren't you answering?" Mirabel asked.
"Because I don't know who it is," Amira replied.
"Then pick up and find out," Richard said.
"I'm not interested," Amira snapped.
"I'm done here," Regina said, leaving for her room. Amira followed silently.
"She's still not answering," Henry said, frustrated. "Fine, I'll send a text."
"Seriously, it's no longer calls but texts too," Amira muttered, eyeing the message.
"Hi, pretty!" the text read.
"Pretty indeed," Amira smiled as she entered Regina's room.
"Did you give my number to anyone?" Amira asked sharply.
"What if I did?" Regina replied coolly.
"That's not an answer! Did you or didn't you?" Amira demanded.
"I'm sorry, but I did. I didn't have a choice. He wouldn't leave me alone, and when I asked why he needed it, his answer frustrated me. So, I gave him your number," Regina admitted.
"You're joking," Amira said incredulously.
"I'm not," Regina replied.
"You actually gave that jerk my number? Seriously? I never give my number without permission, no matter how persistent someone is, and you did!" Amira said, furious.
"Calm down. I know it was wrong, but he wouldn't let it go," Regina said.
"If you knew this would happen, why didn't you tell me?!" Amira snapped.
"You call me sister, yet you couldn't respect my decision. Regina, have you lost it?"
"Amira, come sit and explain what's bothering you," Regina said calmly.
"I'm fine, but I'm angry that you gave my number out," Amira said.
"That's not what I'm talking about," Regina replied.
"Then what is?"
"Nothing… just worried about Zoe. Today's Wednesday, and she still isn't herself. I'm concerned," Amira admitted.
"She'll be fine," Regina assured her.
Amira's phone rang again. "Not again," she groaned and declined it.
"You should've answered and cleared things up," Regina said.
"I don't want to talk to him," Amira said.
"You really don't have a choice, do you?" Regina asked.
"I've heard you," Amira replied, setting her phone aside before dozing off.
"Some girl you are," Regina said, smiling before putting on her headset to continue watching her movie without waking Amira.
"Seriously… why is she so frustrating?" Henry muttered. "Just pick up the call!"
Reina and Frederick came downstairs.
"Bro, we're going out. See you later," Frederick said.
"Yeah, go ahead," Henry replied.
"Babe, wait for me in the car. I'll join you shortly," Frederick said to Reina.
"Okay, baby," she replied, giving Henry a knowing look before leaving.
"She's picking up, is she?" Frederick asked.
"No. She's really difficult," Henry replied, sighing.
"Bro, calm down. You need to talk to her in person," Frederick advised.
"Fine. I'll try," Henry said.
"Okay. I'll go join my princess," Frederick said, heading out.
"Bro… I don't think marrying that girl is a good idea. She's not worth it," Henry muttered.
"The last time I checked, you encouraged me to propose to her and even gave me the idea. Now you don't like her? Seriously?" Frederick asked, incredulous.
"That was before I knew her true nature… I love her too much. I can't live without her, and I know she loves me too. I'm sorry, bro. I can't leave her," Henry said and walked away.
"Gosh! How do I convince him she isn't worth it?" Frederick muttered to himself.
A week later, Henry had still not given up. Amira had ignored his calls and texts, only heightening his frustration. He resolved to speak with her in person.
Amira and Regina were at the cafeteria when Henry and Frederick approached.
"Sis… it's been a week. She hasn't eaten properly for days," Henry said.
"I thought as much. I—"
"Hi, Amira and Regina," they greeted.
"Hi, Regina," Amira said coolly.
"Hi," she added coldly to Henry.
"Can I talk to you?" Henry asked calmly.
"Then start. I'm listening," she said tersely.
"In private," he began.
"I don't have time for private conversations. Start talking," she snapped.
"Ahm, Fred? I think we should excuse them," Regina said, standing and giving Frederick a knowing look. They left.
"Now… can you talk?" Amira asked rudely.
"Yes," Henry said, sitting.
"I've been calling and texting for a week, and you've ignored me. Why? I didn't wrong you," he said.
"Henry, I ignored you because I'm not interested in talking to anyone unless it's academic," Amira said bluntly.
"But at least listen to me," he said.
"I am now. So start," she said.
"I like you and want us to be friends… maybe more than friends," he said.
"Why?" she asked.
"Because I love everything about you," he said earnestly.
"What exactly?" she pressed.
"Your calmness, your composure. You're caring, loving, kind. You're stubborn and cold sometimes, but your soul is pure. You hate betrayal and only connect with people who match your vibes. You're friends with Inaya because she respects you. I love that about you. Please… give me a chance," he pleaded.
"Wow," Amira said, smiling. "You know me better than I know myself. But I'm not interested," she said firmly.
"Please… just one chance. I swear I won't fail you," he said, pleading.
Amira studied him for a long moment before saying, "Okay. I'll give you a chance."
"Are you serious?" he asked, elated.
"Yes," she replied.
He hugged her and gently kissed her forehead, drawing stunned looks from the cafeteria. Students began taking pictures, but he paid no mind.
"I promise I won't fail you," he said, locking eyes with her.
"I hope so," she replied.
"Done with eating?" he asked.
"You don't expect me to eat here after that? I lost my appetite," she said.
"Alright, I'll get you snacks," he said and left without waiting for her reply.
"Hey, sis!" Regina said knowingly.
"We're just friends," Amira said.
"I never said anything, did I?" Regina asked, smiling.
"So… how do you see him regina asked.