CHAPTER FOURTEEN PRIMROSE

I looked outside the window. Anxiously waiting to see if I'd see my knight in shinning armour passing by. I told him to come at three and it was ten minutes before. He was late. Well....somehow. He usually came fifteen or twenty minutes before time and it made me happy that way. I went to the bathroom and fixed my hair. I carefully placed it back into the ribbon after removing it for a comb. I looked at the hairpin once more. I still couldn't believe Omar bought such an expensive thing for me. Just couldn't. Did he love me that much that he'd spend so much for something so little?

Adorable right? And yet someone hated him. Someone didn't want him near me. Someone didn't want him around me. She didn't know that Omar is my motor. The one that's driving the life inside me. She didn't know that. How could she say that? He killed his parents? Why would she accuse him of such? Worst of all.....with no evidence.

"Urgh!!!", I screamed. The memory was just too bitter for me. I decided to move away from the window. Looking through the glass was like peeping into my past and bringing back the long locked away heaps of sorrow, pain and distress. I walked into the restaurant and there were no customers. Lucky me! I looked at my wrist watch and it showed me only five minutes left until he comes. He was not here yet. Omar were are you?? I asked myself while pacing up and down in the place trying to think of possible circumstances that would have prevented him from coming on time. He ran outta fuel? No,not an option. Traffic jam? No,not even close. Late lunch? Not sure,could be. Perhaps he had a meeting with his boss and had lunch at his place and then he was told not to leave. Oh God! I let out a little sigh and sat down on one of the chairs when a man came in.

"Miss Primrose Gerardia? ",he asked.

"Um...that's me",I replied while getting up. I was a bit disturbed as I've never seen this man before. Never seen his breed before. He had a round face and flat nose. His eyes were a bit stretched and sunken. His hair was well combed and it shone. No doubt a pinch of jealousy grabbed my hand and made me think I wasn't doing my best. He was wearing a flat hat,white shirt,red small scarf and a black waistcoat. Beneath,he wore black shots white stockings and a black moccasin. Definitely not my type but anyway...let's just get this over with.

"Please....", he bowed to me as he pointed my way outside the restaurant. I gently followed his direction and saw him end up pointing at something that rather made me feel like Cinderella. I stepped out to get a clear shot. A golden carriage was right there resting in it's golden railway. It had a chain of roses around the carriage that were a different colour. The door was made of tiny daffodils all over shaping up the whole door. At the centre of each rose, a pebble planted and that which kept sparkling every second.I waved my hand on it's surface and found golden dust settled in my hand when I looked at it. I opened the door and slowly got in. I stook a step further in and was left mouth agape after the glory I saw. A well built couch at the centre and emeralds pasted on it's sides bringing out the heart shape. Right next to it was a beautiful golden stool with a bow of chocolate on top of it. On the other side,another stood but a bit bigger was placed and on top of it lay the most amazing make up kit I've ever seen. It even had a designers book right there incase you would prefer a certain or particular design in it. Juxtaposed was a mirror that did it's work just perfectly. It was even able to expose the two pimples that lay beneath my forehead and I felt embarrassed about it.

"Who's this for...?",I asked one of the men among the whole squad who kept looking at me like I was some villager who didn't know anything about modern romance.

"It's for you,Mr Green asked us to come and pick you up", he replied.

Gosh!! Omar sent this for me? It was designed and decorated as though destined to carry a princess. I screamed and alarmed everyone who had gathered around to see what royalty was doing here making them really believe I was some lunatic who's never seen a carriage before. Well that was true. I had never seen a carriage before until now. This will totally change my record. The very first carriage I saw was the very one I rode in. Even my enemies came out to look at me walk right past them with my nose held up high. Amazing huh? I felt the door behind me close but I didn't even bother look. I know for sure these guys wouldn't murder me or kidnap me. If anything,let them kidnap me right into Omar's heart I would never hesitate. From my shoulder,I could see a self serving machine pouring juice in a glass tumbler and placing it on a table that I never knew was there to begin with. I took a sit and it happened that the one driving this thing was also bringing it to a stop bringing us directly into an emergency break and pouring all the orange juice on my white skirt. Imagine!! Urgghhh! I felt cheap and whacky! No signal that am gonna step on the break or something? I got mad as I was disgusted by the sight of my skirt. It was all orange and yet white on the back. I'll look like an unhygienic woman now! Oh God. I rolled out some tissue and tried to wipe it off but it didn't work. I still stuck to my skirt and refused to come off.

"Fine! If that's what you wanna do!! Stay!", I scolded at the stain. It was being stubborn and so..I'll let it be. I crossed my arms across my chest and focused my face unto the window. Maybe I'll see something that'll bring my vibe back. Apparently that which the coachman killed when he didn't give me a warning that he will step on the break and ended up spilling juice all over me.

" Ma'am....", the weird man summoned me as he opened the carriage door for me. I stepped out and OhMyGod.....A palace! Am at a palace. A highly sophisticated building as I'd like to put it was right in front of me. Elegance and refinement all put together to bring out this masterpiece. It was covered in white paint. It was pure white like the robe of an angel! It was sparkling as it was dipped in an essence of minute droplets of sapphire mixed with ruby crumbs. Neal diamonds made a very pretty design of daisies and dandelions all over the wall. It was really beautiful. I could see sphalerite but faintly. Only a little of it was used but to decorate all window bars and window panes. Every other colour was gold. What's with these royalnesses and gold? The window panes,the curtains,the door,the flower buckets,they were all gold. The several men around who seemed to be security guards were wearing white and gold too. Just by being in this place I believed heaven is real. If this is earth, what Glory then will lie right there around the king of kings himself? I turned around in circles to let the breeze blow over me and remove the funky orange juice smell away. I didn't know if it worked but I hoped it did. I loosened my hair and let it flow all the way down my back. It also needed freedom after all am in royalty's presence and all I can think of is freedom. I walked toward the courtyard and the flower arrangement really got to me. Each and every type of flower I could ever think of I found. They were all planted and concentrated in one area and around then a golden bar was set. Two actually. One on top of the other and in between them,tiny golden spike like stuff were placed. I bent over and sniffed the flower that stood out and managed to summon my heart...the California poppy. Its leaves swayed in the tiny breeze and blew my mind off. Its petals drew me closer to it until I was so close that I landed my nose on it. Of course I ended up sneezing and then I stopped whatever I was doing and got back up. I realised I was behaving maniacally and most importantly like a hooligan so I stood up,dusted myself and walked toward the door. I smiled and waved as I saw my reflection on the floor. This place was pretty. Utmost pretty that which I've never seen but am glad I saw it now right before I die.

The door opened right before I even attempted to. I wanted to scream but well...they probably saw me through the security cameras that someone is coming so I chilled a bit. I got in and whoa!!! My eyes couldn't see anything anymore other than the heavenly furniture in this building. I was about to begin analysing everything one by one but No! I don't even know where I am. We'll have a tour after,let me figure out what this place is first and we can go and have fun later on. I looked around for someone I could summon but I didn't find any. I span like a number of times but I still didn't find anyone. I went up the stairs to nowhere since I didn't really know this place but I still didn't find anyone. I got mad and angry! Omar just brought me here and dumped me. Where on earth is he?! I took out my phone and decided to call him.

CAN NOT BE REACHED!!

Great! Way to play romantic! How am I supposed to find him now? Does he even know am here? Of course he does. This place must be one hundred percent covered in security cameras and I can't really begin to think they can't tell when someone gets in. It's so hard to get in unnoticed. I scratched my head hard as I was running out of ideas on what to do next. Worst of all,I was getting hungry. I just had pizza at my tea break with Omar in the morning and zero. Up to now I haven't eaten anything. Am starving!!! I shoved my hands in my pockets and threw myself on the floor. If I can't go around this building looking for him,he'll definitely start looking for me.

And Yes! I was correct. I felt a tap on my shoulder and a quick gaze exposed the handsome face of Liam. I got up and first slapped his shoulder.

"Are you mad?", I began "You just left me unattended to! What was I supposed to eat?". I asked a bit angry and the next second I threw my hands around him thanking him for coming to my rescue. I apologized for how badly I just behaved but then I said it was all due to the hunger that was in me.

" Am sorry...am really hungry. And hey...",I beckoned him to come closer so that I whisper it into his ear. What if the cameras around here had speakers like all other cameras and whoever it was was actually hearing all this? It'd be totally wicked.

"Do you know where the changing room is? I spilled a little juice on my skirt and I really need to change..", I explained looking left and right making sure no one was eavesdropping.

" Oh Prim...",he laughed and then held my hand to wherever we were going. I just prayed it was a happily every after unlike this sad forever more I had just experienced hours later.

He took me to what seemed like a conference room at first but I changed that after I saw the setting and the decoration. It was well decorated as though an event was going to take place here. I looked around and felt embarrassed after a number of eyes looked at me. I didn't notice them until now and they noticed me because I was the one on the spotlight. The room was a bit dim and right above me seemed to be a huge light that which I didn't even need evidence to prove it was there. The eyes around here were enough proof. They seemed to be in a party or something.... I looked around for Liam but he was nowhere to be seen and I swore to kill him next time I see him again. I prayed for the ground to swallow me as this embarrassed was just too much. I closed my eyes shut and began playing with the tips on my hair on the left and the corner of my skirt on the right. That's when it hit me! My skirt was stained in orange juice meaning everyone would see it. OhMyGod....I extended my hands to my lap to make sure they cover it but it didn't seem to be working.

"....and now..the moment we've all been waiting for....", someone said on the microphone and wow he was loud. Too loud.

"Our queen is here...!!!",he shouted in this dramatic way and everyone clapped and cheered....while looking at ME! I've never been in a modeling contest or a parade before...why are they crowning me? I looked around for a blue but I couldn't see any. No sight of Liam or Omar! Nothing!! I honestly felt like crying. Honestly... The tears were at the edge of my eyes and would come out any moment.

"Go get your crown...", I got a slight push from someone behind me. I was out in range with a golden carpet and I started following it to wherever it was going. I literally started crying. I couldn't help it. I was mad and angry and sad. I felt lost. What was this place? Who are these people and ...urgh! I hate it all. I kept looking back and in my sides in case someone surprises me with a blow or a weapon and that I should get ready for it. I wiped my tears and calmed down. I decided to cheer myself up. I followed the carpet to the end only to meet the face I've longed to see all day. Omarion Green.

However,he wasn't as I expected him to be. He was kneeling down and was wearing a crown of which I found funny. He was in his cool cloths as usual unlike me with stains everywhere. His hair was sparkling in the dim lights and wow even his skin tone looked delicious. I completely forgot that I was angry minutes ago. Just a look at him was enough to make me feel better again. Now I know am safe. No one can really hurt me when am with Omar. Not a single one. And...what is that he's holding? I looked in his hand a saw something sparkling. I walked further toward him to see for myself only to find a beautiful quartzite ring. Nxaw Omar....I blinked and a river of tears went down my cheeks. I was so excited and couldn't sing it. I couldn't speak it either so I just had to resort to the available way and that was to cry.

"Primrose Gerardia.... I won't ask you to make me the happiest man because I've already experienced a whole world of happiness just by being around you. I won't ask you to grow old with me as I already have you in my heart. Whether you are near me or far...I'll always be assured that we are growing much younger each passing second..",

OhMyGod....who taught him these sweet words? I didn't k ow the great engineer can also engineer two hearts. I just didn't know. I always though their big brains are full of how to hold a spanner and work the nuts...drawing and all. I've been proven wrong. Totally wrong...Oh. He planned this whole thing and now he is reciting these love vows to me...what is going on ...think Prim think!

" I'll only ask you one thing,let me hold your hand for the rest of my life and make you the queen of my empire... As it all starts with a step,may we take the first step together as boyfriend and girlfriend....",he smiled as he asked for my hand. With the ring in one hand,he opened and extended the other hoping I'd place mine on it. Everything was so perfect. Omar planned it out perfectly. Superb! I just didn't know what to say. I like him. I really love him. I just wasn't sure. What about my aunt? What will she say? She hates Omar already and if I go on with this she might dislike me....but it's my life right? I can do whatever I want with it. I know she is my guardian but that doesn't mean I should be a baby to her. She's going to resent him for a little while and later on accept him. I was completely trapped in a quagmire. A pure predicament. On one side my family. My very own blood. My very own aunt Vanessa. My mother figure. I never want to disappoint her ever. But sometimes she just really gets to me. And on the other side is Omar...Omarion Green. The guy who thought I was a ghost when he first saw me and ran away. I always laugh at that memory. And later when I visited his house for the first time.. He tool me to the balcony and we had one of the tremendously trending talks that night. I won't every forget. The way he loves my coffee...just really lights me up. And then the misunderstandings, the hurtings ,the hatred,oh God. I've come a long way with Omar. I just can't leave now. He has finally confessed his true feeling for me and in front of multitudes of people who I have no idea of. I've waited for this for so long. I've longed for this like badly. I've desired it way too much. Ive had insomnia, depressions,moments of highly uncategorized thinking which surpassed the category over thinking....all a moment as this. Now that it's here...will I just let it slip my grip after having it on a silver platter...

"Prim....", Liam poked me from behind bringing me out of my daydream.

"mmmm",I looked at him and he motioned to Omar. Oh Right!

"YES...I'd really love that..",I replied.

"Y'know it's fine if you think this was quick and all...I can wait...",Omar to the rescue. He really is concerned about my feelings. He must have noticed I was off for a moment. I wonder what he was thinking about. I bet it didn't show a good impression that I got lost as he was proposing.

"No no. I mean it. I love you Omar",I said pulling him into a hug. He was still kneeling down so he had his face pressing against my skirt.

"Why does your skirt smell like orange juice?", he raised his eyes up to look at me. I bent my head to look at him too. He looked cute from this angle. His pretty eyes sparkled from were I was looking at him. He looked right at mine and I tried to control myself. This time I couldn't escape it. At least it he were standing,he'd be at a height higher than mine so I could easily escape his eyes and look away when am feeling shy. I always felt shy when looking at Omar and most especially when he was looking back at me. His eyes felt like the neon gas laser used in eye surgery that was being aimed at my eyes. I always got frightened and a bit nervous but with time,I kinda got used to it. Kinda.

"Um...the coachman didn't give me a clue that he was going to bring us to an emergency break",I explained. He laughed. He extended his hand again and I out mine on his. He slid the ring on the middle finger and everyone cheered and clapped. I forgot we've got company. I felt a bit shy and unease but hey...it's okay. An ocean of heart shaped balloons were released and they filled the whole place. Glitters and tiny cut out pieces of flowers filled the whole atmosphere and I was like wow...no princess has been born here.

"Thanks Prim...am so happy and proud of you..". It was Liam. This brother of mine. What was there to thank me for? I didn't do anyone a favour. I just did what was right and if anything I should be thanking myself because I just did myself a huge favour here.

"Where's Cass?",I asked. I really didn't see her.

"Oh..she said she'd be here. She had work to do at work...",he explained. I nodded sarcastically. Something told me she was up to no good. Cass is Omar's other best friend and she couldn't manage to attend this big moment for him? Couldn't she manage to cancel all her plans for later? Until Omar finally got what he wanted and then she could leave? First she burnt me with coffee,and now she didn't want to attend my proposal? That's strange. Am pretty sure she even knew all about it. If Liam knew then she must have known too. Why couldn't she come? Why? An excuse wasn't enough to fool me. Something was going on and I just needed to find out what it was.

"Hey.....are you okay?",Liam snapped his fingers in front of me and brought me back. I blinked several times and scratched my hair.

"Someone's a bit off today....what do you keep thinking about?", he asked me. I got restless and began breathing heavily. I waved my hand in front of my face to create my own wind and brush off all the ugly thoughts in me. Then within a flash,I looked at Liam with a grin on my face.

" Where's the kitchen? Trust me I am supes hungry..",I leaned my shoulder on his and he looked at me totally confused like 'what are you saying?'

"Prim....come I'll show you the changing room", Omar came and dragged me away. I smiled and waved at Liam. He still had that look on his face. I just turned around and leaned my head on Omar's shoulder. Maybe being with him will let the hunger fly away and make me full of love. We walked up the stairs to this beautiful gigantic bedroom. I didn't know whose it was but all I knew was I loved it.

" So...you take a bath...if you'd like...",he added the last part and I didn't know why. Wasn't it obvious that I had to take a bath. I smelled like citric acid yoh! I need to bath!

"...the wardrobe has everything you need too. But in case you still want something else...you can call me", he said shutting the door.

Glory to glory indeed. This is one of the rooms I've always wanted to have. Those rooms you see in a magazine and admire yet right now I was standing in one. It was blue. Finally something that wasn't golden and white. It looked like an ocean. Of course I've never really seen the ocean before but this is just so amazing. Everything was blue, turquoise and, or green. The white ceiling stood for the white clouds and completed the whole picture. I tried not to touch anything as this wasn't my room and me being here was already invading someone's privacy. I opened the wardrobe and wow...beauty at its peak. The upper section had cloths:dresses to be precise and the lower had shoes. The wardrobe was very long and to my awe it was completely full. Different types of dresses were kept in this thing. Talk of ball gowns, so stylish and classic making me feel like I was in Britain. Long dresses arranged from one corner to another of all sorts of colours and designs. Both peplum and pencil shaped. Some were armless and others with a single strap. Some had both straps and long sleeves. Some had one strap short and the other long which actually brought out the mansion of love in a person's heart. I pushed the hangers as I still couldn't find what I wanted. I moved through the second roll of short dresses. Peplum and pencil dresses as well. Red peplum dresses dominated this section. Some armless again and with a vast infiltration of jewelry right on front. Another one was exactly like this one but it was blue. Then I got hold of another red dress with a single strap. It was short and am sure it'd go half way my legs. I loved it as it seemed more accustomed than the others. I still let that one go and continued with my search. I passed through a number of them until I started looking at the pencil dresses. I passed them by as I didn't really want a pencil dress. They weren't as fun. I finally got to the end of the journey and found these dresses I categorize as miscellaneous. Their design was rather different from the others. These dresses weren't a lot in number like the others but were enough for someone like me. Two of them had one side longer than the other. One was long at the back and short in front while the other was long on the right side and short in the left. Another was completely short but had a sash attached to it at the back that covered the whole of the behind making it look long when seen from behind. Clever!! The others were pencil dresses but had a peplum element right on the waist. They had pebbles arranged in a specific pattern for each around the shoulders and around the hem. This girl is lucky. Totally!! I'd open a shop if I had a wardrobe this big. I bent and looked for the shoes now and yet I didn't find a dress.

Design after design and shape after shape continued to fill me with amazement. Another thing I loved about this girl was that she was organised. She had heels on a specific area,wedges on another, stilettos, block heels on another section as well and you go on. The shoes were laid up on the part of the wardrobe that was designed as benches and specifically for shoes. The first row had heels. She arranged them from short to long. The longest was a fifteen centimeter heel. I imitated the act of removing my hat and paid my respect. I definitely wouldn't walk in that. I just had to admire and move along. The wedges were not as long as the heels were just as the stilettos. Most of these were about twelve centimeters and below.

Satisfied, I went into the bathroom and alas! A bubble bath was waiting for me. Omar sure knew how to spoil me. Yikes! This guy just knew how to get to me. He totally knew. I quickly removed my dirty cloths and slowly immersed myself in the water and let it do it's job perfectly. After a sizzling bath I slipped myself into a bathrobe and went back to the wardrobe. I picked out a short peplum red dress which I loved the most. It was armless and had gems around the chest right from armpit to armpit. They were designed as tiny lilies and it was just flawless. I applied the lotion on my skin and then squeezed myself into the tiny thing. Her size was like two steps down my size but hey,we can do this. I stood on the mirror to see if it was fitting me properly and I was mind blown. I pulled my hair into this fancy barbie princess hairstyle and didn't forget to pin in my good luck love charm. The special hairpin. I quickly went back to the wardrobe and looked for the shoe that would definitely make me Cinderella; if the shoe fits. So....Which one will fit? I perused through the first row and decided I wasn't wearing a heel. Am not good with those guys,a block one or wedge would do. Stilettos don't also go well with me. The thin heel is what freaks me out. What if it breaks in the middle of my parade as tonight's queen when a walking down the isle? Pretty embarrassing right? I skipped them and went to where the wedges were. These guys are who I am. I looked for a shoe that would go well with my dress; that would make me walk like a princess; that would bring out the confidence in me,that would spread my glamour like a dandelions petals on a windy day. It has to be a shoe that when all other ladies look at it, they have to fall at my feet begging to try it on for a picture. It had to be a shoe that motivates me to show my face to the crowd and make me fee like aliferous Gabriel.

I closed my eyes and decided to touch the shoes one by one. Which ever one my hand stopped on was the chosen one. I slowly hummed my favorite song and when I came to the last line,I opened my eyes to see which the lucky pair was. My eyes glistened and my lips curved exposing my white teeth. This would definitely be a perfect shot for a girl who's finally found happiness. I smiled as I took it off the shelf. They were black shoes. Black wedge heels that looked stunning the moment I put my feet in them. Each one of them had a feather made of rubies that ran around the back of the foot. From the ankle to the medial epicondyle of each foot. I ran to the mirror and gasped in delight that I could ran in them right before I even looked at my reflection. I pinched myself as I was behaving like a lunatic. They're just shoes....

I opened the door and pepped left or right to see if the coast was clear:and it was! I slowly walked out and tried to remember which way I used to come to this room. I slowly walked the stairs and found just what I was looking for. The crowd was still in the ball room and there I was walking right down the stairs. Their gaze was now on me and I boosted my confidence and of course wore my smile and walked down like I was getting off a plane. I walked right to the carpet and took each step pompously like it was my mother's.

"Her shoes are stunning....", someone flashed from the crowd and am like that's the spirit.

"They even go well with her dress", went another. I smiled and continue walking to where I didn't know I was supposed to go. I walked recklessly to were I saw Omar. When I got there,he was waiting for me, fortunately. He took my hand and led me to this place I assumed was was the altar of this whole function. We stood under the spotlight and all I could hear from the crowd were cheers, chants and applauses. I couldn't lie I was amazed and this place was just so amazing.

"You look beautiful", he tangled my hair around his finger to get my attention. I slowly and weakly turned around with a smile on my face. I felt shy to be getting romantic in public but we are a couple now right? Meaning we were given the license. Drawn by his lead,I turned around and faced him. I could feel his breath inches away as his exhaled air bounced against my cheek. I smiled and lowered my eyes not because I was shy but just because I wanted him to see my mascara and my eye shadow. He didn't say anything about them. He leaned in and sweetly pecked my nose. I rested my cheek against his. I could feel his soft and smooth skin rubbing against mine. I felt the heat from beneath his skin that slowly cleared the conservative nature of mine. I felt like a newborn baby in the arms of it's mother for the very first time. I was filled with so much joy that I was almost jumping off of his arms but then his grip got tighter. I slowly slid my cheek from his so that I'd examine his face. That was my favorite part. Looking at his pretty brown eyes,his well shaped eye brows and his lovely lips.

"Omar....when do we get to the food?", I whispered as soon as I got the chance. I didn't know what would happen if we kept looking at each other like strangers in love.

" Primrose...",he laughed and that really pierced my heart. He's never called me by my full name before except when he was reading it from my budge in the restaurant. He left me and I saw him walk to the man who I had assumed was the master of ceremony. Minutes later after he also asked and confided with his personnel, he announced that we had to report to the dinning for dinner. My stomach began rumbling in an act of secreting more acid instantly as it knew it was about to get to work. The assembly got dismissed and we all dispersed to the part I've been waiting for.

My mouth watered after each and every type of food I saw. I've never been to a palace and never tasted royal food before but it seemed my record was about to change. I looked at the food and read the tag attached to let us know what we are eating. The first inline was chicken tikka masala. The British national dish. Looks beautiful but doesn't seem delicious to me. Then, the famous Sunday roast, roast beef,roasted potatoes and vegetables and Yorkshire pudding. Steak and kidney pies, shepherds pie, bangers and mash, Cumberland sausage, Arbroath smokie, Welsh cakes. With my mouth still watering,I turned my neck to shift my gaze to the other side and OhMyGod. Sirloin steak, served with sauteed onions,fries,broccoli,carrots and snow peas;garnished with chives. I fainted. I couldn't take in more of these. These foods were incredible. I quickly looked for a plate and started filling it up with whatever my heart desired,also keeping it in mind that I was wearing a tight dress and I didn't need too much work load on my plate. I decided to just smile and wave at every other dish I found attractive until I finally got what I wanted and filled my plate. I left to find my perfect seat. I looked around for Omar but I couldn't see him. Instead I saw Liam so I made my way to where he was. As I got closer,I saw him sitting with Cass and I wondered if it'd be okay for me to tag along. They're friends right? I bet they're also comfortable with it as much as I am. I walked right to were they sat and..

"Hey! Look who's here! The lady of the night", Cass smiled. I didn't know how to react to that because it totally put me off. What was she trying to mean? I knew she was cooking up malice so I stayed in my limits. No mischief tonight...not in this dress and shoes. At least when am wearing something else not these.

"Do you mind if I sit with you? I can't find Omar anywhere so..."

"So what? You thought you'd tag along? Sorry,this train's full. Find something else to ride while waiting for your Prince Charming....", she fired at me and not forgetting to roll her eyes at me. Cass?? Was this really Cass? But....why.....why was she being so mean?? Anyway,I expected it. It was totally expected. Not a surprise at all. For her,I knew we might be smiling like sugar mamas in public but in the heart we were crashing souls. As for Liam,I didn't expect that. I thought he would fight for my place on the table but hey,when the queen gives an order sometimes,not even the king can reverse it. I turned around to leave when I heard a shout.

"Just kidding!!!". It was in Cass's voice. She stood up and quickly put her arms around my shoulders. "I was only joking..."

I was totally confused and so instead,I peeped behind me through my shoulder and looked at Liam. He had his hand on his mouth and was laughing. So it was a prank. They pranked me! I was going to give myself away to rage and smash both their heads but today is my special day so am all sweet cotton candy. I also began laughing and slowly Cass turned me around and helped me place my plate on the table.

"I totally got you!", she shouted, clapped her hands pointed at me and burst into another fierce laughter. Liam followed her lead and all I did was to giggle. It totally wasn't funny. I took her seriously. I tasted a bit of truth in what she said. She was just hiding behind the 'just kidding' mask. I know one thing and my soul will definitely witness,I will take that mask off one day. Just one day. Some of these things that Cass says aren't just jokes. They are truth and I know she was telling the truth. She must be the kind that spill the beans when they are joking or drunk if at all she gets drunk. I've known her to be the kind that doesn't really joke around and when she jokes, something's definitely up.

"Hey!",Liam snapped his fingers in my face. "What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing...",I quickly replied. I didn't want any distractions and disturbances. I was in the middle of a criminal case. Cass is a diseased evil criminal mind and that's why her thoughts are sick. And so to get to the bottom of it, I also had to think like a diseased evil criminal mind. As the saying says, send a thief to catch a thief. So I'll think like her, to beat her at her own game.

"Doesn't seem like 'nothing'...",Cass shrugged her shoulders and blew a bubble from the gum she had been chewing. She looked at me and we ended up locking eyes. Her cat eyes were like swords that pierced through my mind and penetrated all the way to my brain. She was staring at me like she would see right through me. She crossed her fingers and made her chin rest on it getting a clear posture to gnash me to pieces. Her sight,like rays in chemotherapy, went into my body and killed all the cells. My heart began beating faster as I couldn't maintain this. She still gave me the look and I quickly took my eyes away. From the corner of my eye, I could see a small curve at the edge of her lips. She was smiling. Smiling that she had finally planted fear in me. She was smiling thinking she finally defeated me. If only she knew. She didn't know one thing about me and it's that I never give up. I don't know why she doesn't like me. She pretended to but I knew she wasn't. I absolutely don't know why but I will soon find out. Maybe I can make amends.

"Prim.... Why are you a bit off today? Is something wrong?",Liam asked a bit concerned. "We're sorry for the little prank we pulled on you...."

"We?? Geez! Am not sorry", Cass jumped in. "I want Prim to stop taking me seriously... She always makes me feel like the villain!"

Because you are!

I just wished I'd shouted that out but No. Not yet Princess,the inner me calmed me. Not now. I felt my head being lifted by the chin and it was all being worked on by Cass's hand. She looked at me and smiled.

"Don't always take me seriously okay? I also joke sometimes. I know we haven't had time to bond as the two girls in the mighty squad to know each other better but we will. And then you can know when am joking and when am not..",

" I understand Cass..",I returned the smile. "And apology accepted Liam" I smiled at him too. I dipped my finger in his sauce and stuck it to his cheek staining it a bit. He frowned and was about to return the trick when Cass quickly grabbed his hand.

"No staining the princess....", she winked at him and he ended up staining her instead. I laughed my ribs out as I knew she had been basted. She wasn't expecting it too but anyway. After their little petty fight,we both had our meals and sat down waiting for what's next. I still couldn't find Omar and I was getting a bit sad.

" Ladies and gentlemen, may I get your attention please....the ballroom has been prepared for a waltz. We are all being asked to make our presence there while waiting for the peak of the event. Thank you..",

"Looks like it's finally time to flex my legs...", Liam said getting up. "My lady...may I have this dance please?"

"Sure....", Cass replied "Ready when you are". I watched him offer his hand and how amazingly she placed hers in his.

"Aren't you coming?",Cass asked.

"No...not now,I'll just stick around and look for Omar...in case he appears...", I tried to make an excuse. A sensible one although the last part seemed a bit dull. I didn't want to tag along anymore. Hanging out with them was making me think of things I didn't even know whether it was authentic or thoughtful of me to associate with such.

"You look on point",Cass whispered into my ear as she passed by me to the ballroom.

"Thanks ", I waved and then got up.

I will certainly strangle this man called Omarion Green when I meet him. I walked through, past the people in the dinning room and all through the while I had to maintain a smile and at least great someone to help keep a good first impression. I walked down to the back door and with no hesitation I was outside and it was freezing. The darkness had fallen and the cold was making most of the night. I took a few steps down and away from the door toward the ground. I saw a few men and they seemed busy doing what I couldn't understand. They stuck candles to sticks and were sinking them into the ground. I was about to go close to them when I felt a grip on my left arm. I knew it was Omar. His touch is electric and sends sparks all over my body in less than a heartbeat.

" Prim....",

"Omar, where have you been?",I asked him. " I've been alone for like the whole night. What's up?"

"Nothing...I was just busy fixing something", he scratched his eyebrows and then shoved his hand in his pocket. Typical of him.

"....fixing something?",I asked a bit mad. What something? He couldn't even mention it? Of course. He knew it was useless and obviously not more important than me. That's why he was just brushing it off and saying nothing. Oh God. My blood began boiling and making me angrier. I turned around and quickly sharpened my mouth in a well to show how angry I was. I felt him walk toward me and stood behind me. He put his arms around me and planted a peck on my cheek.

"Am sorry my love....", he began in this tone that slowly pulled down my blood pressure. He walked around me so that he would face me. When he stood in front of me,be raised my head and put his hands in my cheeks.

"Am really sorry....I was really planning something. It was a bit of too much work so I needed to help them out. I planned to save it for later but I'll show you just a glimpse of it", he smiled and I faked one. I felt bad that I was hasting his plans but I also couldn't contain this grief. I got so determined to see what he had been planning and that took him long and ditched me. What was it that was so important than me? I wanted to see that. Just that....

"Come...",he let me to the ground and of course it was a bit chilly. He took of his jacket and put it on me. The old trick that men use nowadays to trap girls. We walked to were he wanted us to stand and we stopped.

"Once upon a time there was a boy who loved a girl and her laughter was a question he wanted to spend his life answering....", he whispered into my ear, grabbing my hand. I couldn't help but blush because I understood everything. I knew what he was talking about. My heart totally understood. For he was the boy...and I was the girl...

When he said that, everything seemed to freeze. It was as if time had stopped and I was brought to a standstill. Then,fireworks went of. Not only the ones you see on forth of July but more like a fire. The iridescent fire. It ignited me more and brought joy to my heart;melting it to its core and unfreezing all happiness. Our connected hands were burning in a flame of red,shaped in a heart. A well shaped heart made of a bond between two souls.

*********

" Did you enjoy the night?",he asked as he dropped me off at home.

"Sure love....I enjoyed every single bit of it,every second was a heavenly encounter to me...we should totally do this again...", I snapped as I played with my hair. I had removed the hairstyle because my head became heavy and I wanted to free my hair. Omar didn't like it but when I said it made me feel comfortable to wear my hair down,he agreed.

"So.....", he said scratching the back of his head and I knew he was out of ideas. He had come to drop me off and we stood for like thirty minutes outside my doorstep. Story after story we talked and talked and talked without even noticing that time was elapsing. When in love....

"So?",I asked with a bit of laughter escaping my lips. I walked to were he was. Tip toed and carefully placed a peck on his forehead. I smiled at him and walked toward the stairs into my apartment.

"Goodnight Omar...", I waved at him and he returned the words and drove off as I slammed the door behind me only to budge into another fire. It wasn't as prismatic as the previous one though,this one was frightening and alarming.

"Welcome home Primrose....where are you coming from?", she asked as though she had been waiting for me for a lifetime. She was sitting in her normal position on her favorite chair and at her favorite angle.

"Oh auntie....thanks", I said looking right at her.

"When did your uniform change?",she asked raising her head and looking at me from head to toe. I couldn't understand what she meant at first but I followed her gaze with my mind and remembered I wasn't in my working uniform.

"Oh....I went to dinner with a friend.... Omar in fact...",

"Again with that boy!!",she hissed and got up from her chair. She looked at me as though I was a thief and was caught red handed. I backed away from her and leaned on the door by my back. I was scared and so nervous. I didn't know what she was thinking of. This woman would do anything at times. It's like her whole mind would get blown off like in a suicide bombing attempt and yet her body would still be functional and even slap you hard. Unfortunate for her,I just had a big day and I wasn't ready to get slapped. Forget slapped, I was wearing expensive make-up and didn't want any other hand let alone mine to touch and mess it. It's not everyday you get to apply such beautiful colours on your face. It's not everyday....

"He's my boyfriend now...actually he proposed tonight and I said Yes..", I explained. I didn't want to hide anything from her. I didn't want to. I didn't want to. I so didn't want to. If it's anger am poking, let it come out. No one gets the honey without facing the bees first.

"What? Despite me warning you about him? Despite you knowing how dangerous he was? Despite you-",

"YES!!Despite anything. I never found fault in him. He was flawless to me and each night I can't help but wonder why you hate such perfection. What is wrong with him!? What is there not to like about him? Just because he's sick? Don't forget my mother was sick too! Yet you loved her more than yourself"

"This is different!!",

" No it is not different. You are choosing to make it seem different just to find an excuse for your ill mind. Don't fool me! I wasn't born yesterday! Don't you dare lie to me...",I was so mad as a cut snake. How could she do that? Why did she find Joy in tormenting Omar? Now that he is a apart of me,officially, every single word against him was also a word against me and I would not tolerate that. Whoever sneaks into the lions den,will be prey to either the lion or the lioness. They are all equally vicious. Didn't she know that? She called herself older than me and yet I was the one thinking maturely. Egoistic loops of rage written all over my face conveying the feeling I was feeling in my heart. When she saw how aggressive I was,she dared not to take a step further,she knew I would just eat her then. She took small steps away from me and calmed herself as if nothing happened.

"Don't make me mad okay...you will go to sleep,and we'll both wake up fresh tomorrow like this never happened!",she made her dramatic exit and left.

As if nothing ever happened? Did that even come from her? I guess she didn't know me better as she thought she did. All she saw was just a glimpse or a blurred sight of me. She never really saw me for who I was. But no matter,am not dead am I? Am still here...and as long as I'll be here,they'll be plenty of time to show her who I really am. I don't go to sleep and wake up as if nothing happened. That's so totally not me. Why act like nothing happened? Why? What are we afraid of? Why can't we express our anger and anxiety? Why bury it? Why???

"Well ,my dearest aunt Vanessa...am sorry but am just not that type that brush things off and act like it never happened... I am NOT!",I breathed heavily and bent down to remove my shoes. With them in my hands, I walked all the way to my room. To sleep and wake up tomorrow like nothing ever happened...as instructed.

======🌺======

"Good morning Primrose.....", she knocked on my door which I found unusual. She called my name a number of times and she stopped when I told her I was awake. I got up and went into my bathroom to wash my face. As I brushed my teeth,I thought of how my yesterday was soul enlightening and beautiful. I felt like I was with my mom once again and Daisy too. Omar brought them back to me. He reminded me of them once more. I could feel their spirits looking at me and rejoicing, smiling and happy that their girl had finally found true love. I don't know about my dad but I believe he was happy too. I believed he was smiling at his little princess. She had grown up and was now falling in love and living her life. I wonder what he would say though. I don't really know how fathers are when it comes to these things. I just hear of their protective nature and defensive mechanisms they use against it but I never got to really experience it.

Anyhow, life still goes on. I rinsed my face ,and took a quick bath. I decided to wear my favorite purple dress. It had long laced sleeves, with flower prints on them. It had a veil over the thick fabric that was inside. It went as far as slightly above my knees. I rushed to the mirror to see how it was looking. On point! I smiled and quickly fetched my black boots and put them on. I didn't plan on wearing a ponytail today. He doesn't like my hair in a ponytail so I guess I'll lay it down for him. Yesterday, he didn't want me to wear it down though. Totally contradictive of his real self. Maybe it's a boy thing. Today they like this ,tomorrow they like that. Ha!

We agreed that he was going to come this morning to pick me up. He said he planned a surprise gig for this morning. I had a feeling it was going to be a wonderful Saturday. I sure had that feeling. After I was done,I went down stairs to the kitchen and took a glass of water. I didn't want to fill myself because I wouldn't have fun wherever we were going. I decided to go hungry and come back full of delicious food;of course under digestion. I wonder what we are going to eat today... Yesterday was a blast! Royalty was all over me like it was in my blood. And today...I just didn't know what was the plan. I heard the hooter hooting and I quickly made final touches on my looks and raced down to the door. I quickly opened the door with a smile on my face. My heart was joyous and full of bliss. The feeling that I was looking gorgeous plus fantastic and the fact that I was going out with my prince charming just brought out the best curve on my lips. However,it all faded in a second when I saw the man in the driver's seat. Gavin Adams.