NORMANI

Have you ever felt like you are at the end of the tunnel and there is no light waiting there for you? There I was, sitting at a bar, just lost my job. Not because of my work ethics, definitely not that, but because they needed to lay off some staffs and I was among the unfortunate. I knew I had cash as savings in my bank account but how long will that last especially when I was feeding three mouths. I’d been trying my best to not be desperate, not to be mad because my boss was also my friend. A very close friend at that.

"You know I can always give you money when you need it, right?" Emily supplied with a sad smile.

“It’s cool, Em. I'll survive. Stop feeling so guilty because it's not your fault. The order came from above. I understand. I just need to find another job soon." I sighed.

“So why don't you do what you've always wanted? Huh? Why don't you follow your dreams? Teaching has never been your dream." Larissa, my best friend quipped in. Yes, teaching has never been my dream but my mother taught me to never follow my dreams because dreams don't put food on the table, rather, technicality does.

“You know why I can't open my bakery. Don't worry about me guys. I will survive. I always do. “I told them. Opening my own bakery involved money, a whole lot of money. I also once thought about home baking but I also needed a lot of equipment and that also inviolved money. If emptied my account to start my baking business, how then woud I feed my children?

“You always do, baby. You always do."

Emily slammed her palms on the table. "You know what? Since it's my fault your life is fucked right now, you can have Dominic and I’s ticket. We got tickets to Puerto Rico to celebrate our three years anniversary but he's stuck in Europe so we can't go. You can have it. And I'll purchase another one to make it three. Consider it my apology."

That was one big ass apology babe!

My eyes widened. "What? Why? What would I do there? I've never ever left the borders of California."

“Vacation, baby. Get to explore. Live an adventurous life. Take your mind off things. It'll do you good. All expenses has been paid for so you need not worry. It's for a week. Just go and enjoy yourself. Maybe you'd finally meet a guy. Hmm?"

I was shocked, surprised, yet excited. A week of not worrying, just bathing in the beach and in the sun. Eating Italian meal, meeting new people. Definitely a dream come true. "I'm so grateful, Em. I don't think I can thank you enough. Dillan and Delanie would be so excited to go since they never go anywhere. Thank you."

She dabbed at her eyes. "Don't mention, babes."

“Now I'm jealous. I wish i had gotten fired too.” Larissa joked.

“Alright then. Drinks on me." I ordered six shots of bloody Mary. If I was going on a vacation, I better get in the mood before I chickened out. As the taste of the alcohol hit my tongue, it took me back to the first time I ever had it.

Seven years ago.

Byron.

I was at a bar, Triple 7 sports bar and grill, waiting for damn Larissa. It was her birthday and I waited for two whole hours, she was a no show. I was rounding up my first shot of bloody Mary when I heard an awful voice singing way off-key. It was open mic night. My ears were burning up. It was clear he was drunk to his ass. A few minutes later, I heard the most amazing voice ever. Immediately I looked up, our eyes met and never left. It was as though he sang the words of Elvis Presley can't help falling in love to me. I felt the lyrics of the song and the intensity of his gaze all over my skin, making me feel alive, hot.

He walked off the stage, straight to me, gifting me with the most perfect boyish grin I had ever seen. He asked if he could kiss me and I nodded in my dazed state. He grabbed my neck and gave me the hottest kiss of my life. He didn't ask for my name, I didn't ask for his. We didn't do small talks. Just fucked. We fucked in the bathroom, in his car, and in his apartment few blocks away from the bar. He asked me to stay with him for a week and I agreed. That was the start of something beautiful. Something divine. Or so I thought. Biggest mistake of my life.

After the girls and I finished drinking, I drove back home a little tipsy. Come tomorrow, I would be on a beautiful island. I couldn't wait. I slowly opened the door, not wanting to make any noise but the little minions were smarter than me.

"Sneaking in, mom?" asked Dillan. I jumped out of fright and the key fell from my hand.

"Why are you up? Where's Claire?” I asked. Claire was the nanny I paid on occasion whenever I needed to get out.

"She's sleeping. We couldn't sleep without you, mommy." my five year old Princess said, rubbing beautiful big her eyes.

"I'm sorry baby. Mommy went to see Aunt Larissa and Aunt Emily. And guess what?"

"What?" Dillan asked.

"We're going on a trip. Tomorrow we will go to a different country where there is plenty sand, water, friendly people and good food. You would love it."

"Yay! Will we have pasta?" Delanie asked.

"Different types of pasta, Princess. You can have whatever you want."

"When is tomorrow, mommy?"

"When you go to bed and wake up. That's tomorrow."

Her eyes widened in excitement. "Come Dillan, let's go to sleep so it can be tomorrow." I watched them run up the stairs to their room in excitement. I couldn't deny, I was beyond excited myself.

The kids were the first to wake up in the morning. I could hear them talking and playing with Claire in the kitchen. I'd never seen my babies that excited. It actually hurt me to think I hadn’t really given them the good things of life because I'd been so invested in trying to keep them healthy and alive by making ends meet. I decided then to make it a point to always spoil them every now and then. They deserved it. I made my way to the kitchen where they were already having toast with scrambled eggs and orange juice.

"Good morning, Miss Normani. You got in late last night. Hope you slept fine." Nosy Claire said.

"I'm fine, Claire. I got fired yesterday but it's all good. The twins and I would be taking a short trip. We leave today. I would have loved you to come with us but I just want it to be me and the kids."

"Does it mean I'm going to lose my job since you've lost yours?"

"No, Claire. I know you need the money for tuition and the rest. You'd still work for me. Don't worry, I'd get a new job."

"Okay. You know I'm having issues with my boyfriend so I was wondering if I could stay here for a while."

I smiled at her. "You don't have to ask. This is also your home." She thanked me and served me my breakfast. After breakfast, she helped me get the kids ready while I packed our Suitcase. We took a cab to the airport and the look in my kids’ eyes was one I would never forget.