Chapter 8.1

"Hello," she answered bashfully.

The moment she saw her phone light up with the caller name BOYFRIEND, her heart could not keep calm. They had only just made their relationship official earlier in the day. It still seemed unreal hours later.

She wasn't one to take a huge leap, but for some unknown reason, she was able to do that when Jeff was involved. There was something magical about him.

"How are you?" the voice over the phone asked.

"I'm doing alright," she said as the smile on her face widened.

Then silence took over for a brief moment.

"My full name is Jefferson. I'm the only son. Although I'm a CEO, my mom is the bigger boss. My birthday is January 29. I don't really have a favorite color. I just go with whatever feels good at that moment. I'm a homebody just like you. I do enjoy swimming and cycling. I don't eat raw tomatoes, cherry or grape or whole. I don't like pickles. I don't like mayonnaise."

There was another moment of silence.

"I don't know what else there is to know about me. The more time we spend together, I guess you'll discover my habits then."

"Yeah, there is still a lot of time in the future to learn more about each other," she nodded her head, then realized he couldn't see her.

'She was so silly,' she thought.

"So, tell me. Would I need to pass through a sister barrier?"

She was a bit confused about what he meant.

"What's a sister barrier?"

"You know. The protective younger sister making sure her future brother-in-law is good enough."

She giggled, "well, Lina is protective, but she won't give you a hard time."

"Since she likes taking things apart, she wouldn't separate us, would she?"

This time her laughter was a bit loud, so she cleared her throat in a hurry.

"As long as you behave, we'll be fine."

"What are you doing this weekend?" Jeff asked in anticipation.

"Whatever you want us to do."

Jeff couldn't believe the Tina he knew just flirted with him. Tina also couldn't believe what she just said to Jeff. That was totally different from her usual behavior.

"I'll bring you home. My grandmother is dying to meet you. I will do the cooking and we can watch a movie together at home."

When she heard where he was bringing her to, she was a bit hesitant.

"Isn't it too fast to take me home? I mean, we just started dating and have known each other only a week."

"Tina?"

"Yeah," she sounded a bit sullen.

"If you're not ready to meet my granny, it's okay. She'll understand and hangout with her friends that day. My parents aren't around this week, so you don't have to worry about meeting anyone, hmmn?" he reassured her softly.

"Okay," and as she said that she froze.

"You mean we'll be alone?"

"Yeah. Since granny nor my parents would be home, it'd just be you and me." You could just tell that he was smiling when he made that statement.

"I'd love to meet your grandma," she said hurriedly.

"What are you so worried about? I am an absolute gentle man. We are just having homemade meals and a movie night. Don't let your mind run astray."

Although he did have ulterior motives, it wasn't at all what she was thinking. He just wanted to spend time with her where they would not get interrupted.

"I'll believe you for now," she relaxed a bit when he said that.

"And I'll pick you up before lunch, so we could have lunch and dinner together."

"Okay, that sounds good."

"Alright, sleep early. See you soon."

"Good night," she said before waiting for him to end the call.

As soon as the call ended, the door to her room was left open wide.

The culprit, Lina Lawrence.

The sisters looked very alike. If not for the height difference, one would think they were identical twins. While Tina let her hair grow out, Lina liked her bob cut. Sometimes she would wear a dress, sometimes she would wear khakis. Her style was fluid, but her loyalty was solid.

"Whoa whoa, big sis, I see you got yourself a man," she teased as she took off her jacket and lay with her sister.

Tina was quick to slap her hand over Lina's mouth so that the news won't spread like wildfire.

"Better watch your mouth!" she scolded.

Both sisters laughed for a while. Lina lay in her sister's embrace as she listened to everything she had to say about Jeff.

"Wow, you're dating a big boss. Remember me in your expensive villa," Lina jested.

"I will, my faithful disciple."

Their relationship was just like this with both sisters looking after each other. They were each other's best friend, and that kept them grounded.