Page 8 of Fated with my Ex's Brother

"So, what is the occasion? You have a date?" Mina asks curiously, wiggling her brows.

I chuckle.

"Do I have to have a date to look good?; I Fuestion. Not waiting for her reply, I continue, JI want to look at least presentable when I return to work. You know my leave ended yesterday. Monday’s my Grst day back," I eXplain. "I haven't had my hair styled in a while. I Ggured I was due."

"I get you, girl. You go get that hair done so the men can start trooping in," she says as she moves about in her poor attempt at the salsa.

1* HELEN BLUME

I shake my head, laughing at her pitiful dance moves.

"Stop doing that! You look stupid," I giggle.

"Bad word, mommy. You said a bad word," Octavia cautions me. "Yes! Mommy, bad word," Mina teases as she continues her awful

salsa.

"Okay, I'm out of here." I go over to Octavia and kiss her on her

forehead. "Be good to Aunty Mina, okay?"

"Okay, Mommy!" Octavia smiles.

"That's my baby girl. Rive mommy some sugar," I say. Octavia grabs my face with her tiny hands and kisses my cheeks. "Thanks, honey! Bye!" I say, standing back up.

Mina follows me to the front door. "When are you returning?" she

asks.

"As soon as I'm done at the salon," I reply immediately. "Why the rush? I can have Octavia the whole day. Why don't you

take a breather, do your hair, get a manicure and a pedicure? Enjoy the

outside life, and breathe," she says.

"I've been wanting to go to that new movie theater beside the

Commons," I say, staring into the distance, thinking of what to do. "There you go! See a movie. Don't worry9 Octavia and I will have

plenty to do. Pust have a good time today, baby girl!" she eXclaims. "Alright. I'll take you up on your oxer," I smile. "See you later in the

evening then." I wave at her and head to my car.

:::

The hairstylist Gnishes my hair in under an hour. My wavy brown hair has been redeGned, with some parts cut ox to increase the volume of the loose curls. I love the new conGdent, center-parted hair. It brings my forehead to view, and it is beautiful. I move to the nail section to get my nails and cuticles treated. The nail technician Gnishes by painting my Gngernails in a bright nude color. I am in love with how they look. I pay for my hair and nails at the counter and thank everyone before I eXit the salon.

7eeling conGdent, I walk down the street with my new hairstyle bouncing left and right. I notice a few stares in my direction. It feels good to look good. I walk into a cafe and place my order for an iced coxee to go. I grab my coxee when it’s ready and head further down the street into the park. There is not much of a crowd here. About three families, at most, are sitting in dixerent areas of the park. I sit on one of the park benches, punch the straw into my iced coxee, and sip. Nostalgic memories of 2aris come 8ooding in, and I see his face again.

Louis.

How can someone whom I spent just a day with still have such an exect on me, even after so long? I was sure that night that I had found the one for me. He looked at me like he loved me. Even when we made love, it was magical. I can still remember the taste on his lips and how he held my hands as he thrust into me. It was such a beautiful moment that I will always cherish. Because that moment created my beautiful baby, Octavia, that's what I'll never forget.

The days following that night were the most awful days of my life.

The following day, Louis woke early and made me breakfast in my kitchen0 some noodles and poached eggs. I had thought he was a keeper and he was there to stay. I counted myself lucky to have found a man who truly cared. After breakfast, he told me he had to leave for business. He was reluctant to leave but promised to call me before noon and said he would be back by my side that night. I loved the idea9 it was eXciting. The rush, the passion, the seXz everything made sense then. I couldn't see the red 8ags right in front of me. I was so blinded. I K3 HELEN BLUME

waited by my phone all day, awaiting his call, but I got nothing. I gave him the beneGt of the doubt that he would arrive at my apartment, but he didn't come. 7or about a week, I waited9 I didn't want to accept that I was a one-night stand for him. I hoped my prince charming would return to me, but he never did.

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