Chapter 5: She’s Back

"You 5 are the hottest boys in New York,... I must say I'm impressed." Regina said. "Where would you like an autograph?" Ricky asked. "Why would I want an autograph?" Gina asked. "Because you're a die hard fan." Ricky said. "And who said I was a fan of yours?" Ricky "..." "I'll be back with your order." Regina said before leaving.

"What a weird girl. She didn't even smile once let alone blush." commented Ricky. Within minutes, Regina returned with their orders and bill. "Thanks." Ricky said after she dropped the food and she immediately left. "Don't worry Andy. I know girls like her, she's just playing hard to get." "I don't think she's faking Ricky." Luke said taking a bite out of his sandwich. "She's just some stupid girl." Andre remarked.

"When table 16 is done with their meal, you attend to them." Gina said to Rea. Treasure looked in the direction of table 16, where six boys were seated. "Okay?" Rea said. The rest of the day went by slowly and finally, it was time to close up. "May I clear your table now?" Rea asked the boys. "Sure Reg-" Ricardo's words stopped in mid air as he's eyes stared at the attractive blonde girl before him.

"Sure." Luke replied. "What's your name?" Ricky asked her as she stacked the plates. "Why do you want to know?" she asked. Ricky ignored her words and searched her name tag. "Are you the only one not wearing a name tag?" he asked. "We don't wear name tags here." said Rea lifting the stacked plates. "The restaurant's closed. You may leave now." "We won't leave until I know your name." Ricky said. "Don't mind him, he's an idiot. We were just leaving." Andre said.

One by one, they started to leave the restaurant. Ricky picked up the notepad and pen hanging on her waist, then scribbled something. "Here. Call me when you're free." He handed the notepad back to her. Seeing her hands were full, he placed it back in the small pouch on her waist. "Bye Blondie." he said before leaving. "Ricky,... are you okay?" Mark asked.

"More than okay. Why do you ask?" "Oh nothing, it's just that you were flirting with a girl without using foul language. That's totally normal." Mark said sarcastically. Ricky wasn't even listening as his eyes were fixed on the waitress who was talking to Gina. "Hello! Earth to Ricky! Earth to Ricky! Can you hear me?" Mark asked. Marian, who was flipping the 'Closed' sign noticed the boys standing outside the restaurant. "May I know what you boys are doing here." "Nothing Miss, we were just leaving." Mark said dragging Andy and Ricky who were staring at the two young girls.

As if sensing someone staring at them, Gina and Rea looked at the glass doors of the restaurant and saw two boys staring in their direction. "What are they looking at?" Gina asked. "Maybe something behind us?" Rea said, then both girls checked behind them to see a white wall. "What's so interesting about the wall that has them so spellbound?" Regina asked. "They probably have mental issues." Treasure said.

"Andrew stop wasting my time and lets go home. The driver has waited long enough." Andre said. "I don't know what's so fascinating about that girl." mumbled Andre to himself. After a few failed attempts, the band finally managed to get the boys out of their trance. "Why did you fools destroy my day dreams?" Ricky asked angrily while entering the car. "Andrew, you're in so much trouble." Andre said as his brother shut the car door. Ignoring his brother, Andy's mind drifted back to the beautiful memory that was Regina.

"I think you girls have got yourselves more admirers." teased Marian as she served food on the plates. "Which girls?" asked Rea hurriedly rushing her dinner. "You and Gina of course! You guys put those boys in a trance." The excitement in Marian's voice vanished immediately after Regina's cold eyes met hers. "Gina." Abby said in a warning tone and the iciness in Gina's eyes dissolved. "She's your aunt. She can tease you as much as she wants." Abby added. "I really love this family and all but we have to go." Rea said picking her purse as Tia stuffed the food remnants into her mouth. "See you tomorrow then." Abby said before both girls left.

"Finally you're back. What took so long?" Douglas asked as both his sons entered the living room. It was already 7:45 and they were just coming back. "Father, it was all Andrew's fault. All through today he disobeyed, disrespected and embarrassed me!" Andre accused. Without hearing Andrew's side of the story, Douglas ordered, "Erik, Leo, give him 50!" "No! I won't let you do this to him. Andre must be lying. Hear Andy out first!" Yvette cried standing in front of Andrew with her hands spread out. "If she won't move, give her too." Douglas deadpanned.

Andrew was dragged out to the backyard with his mother and both of them were forced on their knees. "I'm sorry Madam." Erik said before removing the woman's blouse. "Andrew,... what was your sin to deserve this?" Leo mumbled to himself as he collected Andrew's T-shirt." Few seconds later, the loud cracking of whips were heard as well as Yvette's muffled groans. "30." Erik shouted as he landed the whip on the woman's back. "Ahhh!" Yvette screamed falling to the ground.

"STOP! I'll take the rest for her." Andrew said through gritted teeth. "If that's so,... Erik give your whip to Leo." "Sir he might die." Erik argued. "He asked for 70, give it to him." said Douglas. "It's ok, Erik." Andrew said. Reluctantly, Erik handed Leo the whip. "You don't have to hold back." Andy said to Leo. "I don't have to but I will." Leo said. Andrew made no sound all through.

"I don't know what exactly makes you do these crazy things, whether foolishness or bravery." Andrew said as he cleaned the wounds on his mother's back. "You should have just let them beat me to death. You shouldn't have taken the rest of my punishment." Yvette said as he squeezed the cloth after dipping it in the cool water. "It doesn't really hurt anymore." replied Andy. "Give me that." Yvette collected the cloth from him then went into the bathroom.

Coming out with a bowl of clean water, she started to clean his back. "Does it hurt?" she asked. Andrew didn't reply, his aura turned cold and the air in the room became heavy. "Okay,... How was your first day at school?" A small smile appeared on his lips as a picture of Regina popped up in his head. Her distant blue eyes, her rosy pink lips, her nonchalant and melodic voice all came into his memory like a flood of water. "How was it?" asked Yvette noticing the change in her son's mood.

"It was good." replied Andrew, the smile on his face widening a little. He continued, "Today I met a girl,... she's breathtaking. She has incredibly long black hair, rosy lips, beautiful blue eyes and a carefree attitude. She calls teachers by their own names and even the VP respects her. And I was lucky enough to become her project partner." There was pure admiration in his voice, something that isn't usually there whenever he talks about girls. "Really? What's her name?" asked Yvette curiously. He replied, "Regina,... Regina Montez." Yvette froze upon hearing a name she hadn't heard in a while. Yvette murmured, "She's back."