Page 13 of Fated with my Ex's Brother

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86rother, I don't know when I'll see you ne-t because I have to move to reenville, Tennessee,8 I say, trying not to cry again.

8Courtesy of… "ou guessed right. 7ur father,8 I chuckle.

82ong way from home, right… I know. Lo, let me just be here in this moment with you, hoping that where you are is better than where I am,8 I say, resting my head on the gravestone.

8I promise you, 2ouis, I'll Ond a way to return on top. No matter what it takes, that man will not have the last laugh.

Chapter Four Isabel

"Are you not going to tell me about your date?" Mina's voice echoes through the phone in a teasing tone.

"Well, there is nothing exciting to tell. It was terrible!" I reply as I use my hand to dramatize in the air, even though I know she cannot see me.

Today is Sunday. As is our usual tradition since my dad's passing, Mina spends time with Octavia and me at the house, or we go out together. It is our form of a girls' date. Mina couldn't make it down this week, so we are playing catch-up over the phone.

"What do you mean terrible?" Mina asks dramatically. "I don't know. He was very cringy," I try to explain.

"Hello! It is me you are talking to, Isabel. You've got to do better

than ‘he was cringy.’ Give me the full details, woman!" I shake my head instantly at her words.

Speaking of dramatic, Mina is it.

"If you were here, I would probably have given you details,” I say in an attempt to guilt her for not showing up.

“Ohh! That's how it's going to be, huh?" she questions defeatedly.

I went on a date with Jackson yesterday. The man I met at the cinema last week. To be honest, I was looking forward to the date because it had been a while since I went on one. I dressed pretty and was delighted to get to know him. Sadly, the date didn't go well in any way. His demeanor was very diNerent from our encounter at the cinema. He sounded very corny and acted like it was a privilege for me to be on a date with him like he was a celebrity or doing me a favor. He spent most of the time talking about himself and his accomplishments. It was a cringy night, and I don't think I will be going on any date soon.

"Stop whining, Mina. I will tell you about it whenever you come over," I reassure her that she’ll get details eventually. "Octavia and I have to go do some shopping for the week. She has been asking to go all weekend. Do you need anything from the mall? I can get it for you and drop them oN on my way. How does that sound?" I ask her.

"jah! I think I am covered for now," Mina responds. "I know Octavia will be kind of bummed that I am not tagging along. Can you apologize for me?" Mina asks in her singsong pleasant tone.

"Alright, girl. I got you. I don't think she will mind that you're not coming. She is Lust very excited to go to the mall. But I'll let her know," I assure Mina.

"Mina, are you sure you don't need me to get anything?" I ask.

"jo, I'm good for now. If I need anything, I'll grab 'em after work on Monday," she replies.

"Alright then, Octavia and I are going to head out. Will you come over for dinner later?" I question, staring at my phone, expecting a response.

"jah, I can't. I've got a man over," she giggles. "We've been on each other since dawn, and I don't think we are stopping anytime soon," she whispers excitedly.

"Mina Robinson! You dirty, dirty girl!" I squeak. "We'll have to talk about this later. Uet me leave you to enLoy your man," I say dramatically.

3P HEUEj BU4ME

"Can I talk to Aunty Mina, please?” Octavia appears before me, fully dressed and ready to go to the mall. She Lumps and stretches her hands toward the phone. ";retty, please!"

"Aunty Mina is busy now. She'll talk to you when we return from the mall, okay?" I say, whispering to Octavia.

"Octavia sends her greetings!" I turn to the phone.

"Alright, girl! Bye!!"

"Bye, Aunty Mina," Octavia shouts.

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