MONALISA
“Give me a minute, Cupcake” Lucius said to me as the car pulled to a stop just right outside the estate gates. It was afternoon already. We had returned home today and now we were on our way out to see Mrs. Smith, mum’s friend.
“Alright” I smiled at him and watched as he stepped out of the car and walked back to a few men who were standing by the estate gate.
He had been carrying me around all day even when I insisted that I could walk a little on my own. Lucius had said that he was going nowhere today and would just be around as my personal ‘wheelchair’.
I waited patiently in the car and after some time, I decided to call Irene once more. I had called her at least thrice this morning but her line wasn’t going through.
I tried it again and I got the same response. Her line was switched off. My face pulled into a worried look as I wondered what exactly could have happened to Irene but I forced a smile out on my lips, assuring myself that nothing could be wrong with her.
Perhaps she had forgotten to keep her phone charged or perhaps she was busy with something this morning and had turned her phone off herself.
Whatever the case was, I decided not to worry too much about it for now. If I called again an hour later and still couldn’t reach her, then I would be worried.
As I dropped my phone to my laps, I peered out of the car window, wondering why Lucius was starting to take so much time?
I pushed open the car door.
“Lucius” I called his name in a voice that was barely above a whisper but he heard anyways and turned to face me.
“A second” he said to me, turned to face the guy he was talking to, said a few more words and began walking towards me.
“Miss me so much that you can’t stay away even for a few minutes, Cupcake?” He asked with a small smile on the corner on his lips as he pulled at my cheek lightly.
“You only asked for a minute. Not a few minutes” I argued and he chuckled before leaning in and kissing me softly on the lips.
My heart raced and skipped several beats. We were outside! Anyone could see us! But then, the estate gates weren’t frequented by many so yes, who could see us?
“Let’s get going” he mumbled against my lips and I nodded.
He got back into the car and the drive resumed.
“Your mum will be back soon, right?” He asked and I nodded.
“And then you will have to move back to your home”
“I guess so” I whispered.
Fuck! I didn’t want that. I didn’t want to move out of his home and have to be away from him, away from the world he were sharing but then, we could still be meeting, right?
“Let’s go on a vacation whenever you are free”
“A vacation? Together?” I turned to face him.
“Yes. I doubt your mum would protest against it”
“She won’t. In fact, she would want to join us but then she won’t want to take a break from work again so she won’t leave” I replied.
“Perfect. When would you be free then?”
“We are having exams soon and we will be having a break after that, we can go during the break, right?”
“Sure. We can go whenever you are free and don’t forget to let me know if you need anything. Anything at all, Cupcake”
“What more do I need? You have provided everything already and I am feeling spoilt already”
“You are far from being spoilt, Cupcake” his hand reached for mine and he held my hand in his.
Even that little and tiny body contact made my heart skip beats. It was that feeling again. Sweet, tingly and warm.
*
After a quite long drive, we finally arrived at the house of mum’s friend, Mrs. Smith.
I watched as Lucius stepped out of the car and then scooped me up into his arms.
“Uhm… I think it would be really awkward if we show up in front of her like this. She might misunderstand things and my mum might hear about it too”
“Fine” he groaned and gently dropped me but kept an arm around my waist.
His grip around my waist was tight and firm and with his firm grip, I could walk to the door along with him. It was much more comfortable to be in his arms but this would do too.
Mrs. Smith’s home was a beautiful small house that has that cozy and warm feel. Gently, I knocked on the door and a second later, the door was flung open by Mrs. Smith.
“Oh my! Welcome” she paved way and let us in immediately.
“Thank you, Mrs. Smith” I thanked her.
She was much more older than my mum. Mrs. Smith was in her middle sixties but she was a very jovial woman.
“Oh my, Lisa. You are all grown up. The last time I saw you was three years ago, right?” She smiled.
“Yes, Mrs. Smith” I replied with a polite smile.
“And who is this man holding you? Your husband or lover?” She asked, her gaze shifting to Lucius.
“No, not at all. He is my late dad’s friend. I have a little problem with my legs so he is helping me stand firm, not really holding my waist” I replied, almost stuttering.
“Oh, I see. Good day to you” Mrs. Smith greeted Lucius.
“Good day” was his response.
I looked at Lucius and noticed that he had a crossed look on his face. Was he uncomfortable here?
“You both look good together though. I almost thought you were couples but then I always think everyone looks good together” She laughed.
“Oh” I laughed awkwardly.
“Maybe in the future, you both can still eventually get together and be couples who…”
“No, Mrs. Smith. We will never be couples. He is just my dad’s friend and he is a father figure to me so nothing of that such will happen. Stop talking about it, please. It’s making the situation awkward and making him uncomfortable too” I looked at him and he didn’t just look uncomfortable.
He looked mad. His grip on my waist tightened and turned even firmer.
“Alright, I will stop. I was just joking but I guess that wasn’t so funny”
“It definitely wasn’t” I affirmed.
“My bad. I am sorry, do you want to stay over for tea and some…”
“We would love to but I really can’t do that right now, Mrs. Smith. We would be taking our leave soon”
“Alright then. Let me give you the documents your mum asked for”
She walked in and I looked at Lucius who still had that hard look on his face. His brows were arched and he looked really furious.
“Are you okay?” I asked him, poking him with a finger.
“I am fine” his words were harsh and sounded like he was trying hard to hold something in.
“It doesn’t seem so to me. Did I say something wrong? Or was it Mrs. Smith’s words? Don’t mind her and her matchmaking. Like she said, it was just a joke and…”
“I am not mad at Mrs. Smith’s words, Cupcake” he gritted those words out.
“Then… Then what is it? Why are you suddenly mad?” I asked.
“Your words were more infuriating” he muttered.
My words?? I had just cleared things you for Mrs. Smith. I hadn’t said anything wrong, had I?
I was about to ask him what exactly I said wrong but just then Mrs. Smith returned to the living room.
“Here you go” she handed the document to me.
“Thank you so much ma” I thanked her.
“You are welcome, darling. Have a nice day” she said and we walked out but as soon as we were out the door, I stopped moving and stiffened.
“What did you mean by my words? What exactly did I say that made you mad?” I asked, meaning to find out my mistake and apologize to him about it.
I could have mistakenly said something wrong or something that he misunderstood.
“It’s nothing, Cupcake. It’s fine” he suddenly said.
“But…”
“Oh, I said it’s fine, Cupcake. It is really fine, trust me. Let’s just go, alright?”
With hesitation and reluctance, I slowly nodded.
“Alright, daddy.”