One Cold Moment

Chapter 2

Yankee knew better than to go to a fancy patisserie at the edge of town. The place was always cool, especially with the overhead bridge nearby and the water gently hitting the shore.

It was a nice view for a sunless late morning. At least this side is fancy, he thought as he turned into the parking lot of a patisserie with a neon banner above it flashing the blue words. ANNIS BAKES.

Having lived in London, Yankee preferred eating at the outdoor tables. Slumping down on a two-seater, he flashed a smile at the attendant and made his order.

A few minutes later, while scrolling through his phone, he was served an éclair and a slice of French bread with Lipton tea.

Meanwhile, it seemed he had caught the attention of a lady sitting far away with a friend.

"What do you think.. should I go say hi to that sexy god?"
She whispered to her friend, who chuckled in response. She fixed her black sunglasses and rose, adjusting her slim black thigh-length gown. She walked confidently toward Yankee, who was completely unaware of her approach.

"Hey there," she said, flashing a seductive smile.

Yankee looked up, almost spilling his tea from the surprise, but quickly tried to regain composure.

"Oh please," she chuckled, clearly amused by his reaction. "Did I have that effect on you?"

He gave her a tight look.
"They just don't make it how I like it," he said, pointing to his cup of tea.

She tried to sit on the empty chair, hiding her hurt. "I could make it how you like, handsome."

Yankee chuckled softly, not wanting to hurt her feelings or bruise her confidence.
"So you can actually make tea?" he teased.

"Sure. I can make anything."

"Well, I don't think so," he replied, looking her over in an unpleasant way.

"What do you mean by that?" she asked, still trying to keep her cool.

"What I mean is..." He leaned across the table. "If you could make anything, then you could've made yourself look presentable and your lips look less like a sprue of blood."

Insulted, she remained quiet for a moment. Picking up her courage, she replied,"Well, it's just lipstick on my lips."

"Yeah, a little too much. Your girlfriend should've told you that," he said, gesturing toward her friend, who was busy on her phone.
"Or are you just friends with benefits?" Yankee smirked wickedly.

The oversized glasses may have hidden the hurt in her eyes, but her molded red lips betrayed her anger.

"So... where were we, gorgeous?" Yankee asked, deciding to change the topic for the sake of his respect for women. Women who looked and acted responsibly, of course.

"Well," she said with a sly smirk, "do you come here often?"

"Nope. I'm always new around here."

"Well then, I'm Poppy." She extended her well manicured hand.

Yankee glanced at her hand, then at her face. "Are you flirting with me?"

She shrugged. "However you want to put it." She laughed, as if she wasn't being weird.

"Okay. I'm Yankee," he said, shaking her hand.

"Yankee. Nice meeting you. We could be friends, if you don't mind."

"Yeah. I could use some friends around here."

"Oh cool! Where do you stay?"

Damn lady, leave me alone, he thought.

"Three blocks away," he replied vaguely.

"I live in Hyo's Block Estate. You know it?"

"Yeah. Of course."

"Great!" she said, flinging a piece of paper at him. "You can give me a call anytime."

"Okay."

She stood up, gave him a final smile, and clicked her heels away.

Yankee knew he had just found a new reason to hate Mexico. cheap, cheap girls.He had traveled the world because of his job and had met many women. But if there was one thing he'd grown to despise, it was women without pride or dignity those who shamelessly threw themselves at any man.

He loved the hard-to-get ones.

************

""Cheese!!!"

They all screamed with joy voices full, grins wide, caps flying in the air, papers rolled in palms.

For Marina, graduation was a major milestone. Finally, she had achieved something big her longest dream. After all the struggles and setbacks, she made it.

The moment the graduates screamed "cheese" and tossed their caps, the photographer captured it. A group photo Marina knew she'd frame that picture.

After the big picture came the chattering.

ENSIFIAGO University's front hall buzzed with graduating students, parents, and lecturers. Conversations echoed from every corner. Students took photos with their families, friends hugged one another, and lecturers looked proudly on.

"Marina!!" a brunette called out.

"Sarafina!" Marina shouted, rushing to hug her.

"You look good!" she complimented Sarah's plain red gown.

Grandma Joana watched from the spectator seats as her granddaughter rejoiced with her friends. She had hoped to give her the best graduation, and it brought her a different kind of joy to see Marina enjoying it.

Beside her stood Marina's cousin, Reina.

Reina had been diagnosed with Chiari Malformation at the age of eight. Still, Joana loved her deeply not out of pity, but because she had inherited the exact traits of Joana's late daughter, who had died giving birth to her. In many ways, Joana believed God had given her a second chance to be with her daughter through Reina.

Watching her two girls grow up together was, to Joana, the greatest blessing God had given her.

Though Reina was a year older, Marina had always assumed the role of the big sister both because of Reina's condition and the need to support their family of three.

"Grandma!!" Marina cried as she ran into her arms. "I made it, Grandma!!" The happiness in her voice was unmistakable.

"I'm happy for you, Marina."

"Yes! Thank you, Grandma!" She squeezed her in another bone-crushing hug before pulling Reina into one too.

"Thanks, Reina. I know you're happy for me."She pulled back, and Reina nodded, smiling brightly.

"I'm so happy, guys," she said gleefully. "I'm going to make you proud. I'm going to make sure of so many things, Reina." She hugged her again.

"Why don't we all go eat?" Marina announced, trying to lift the mood.

"Are you sure, dear?" Joana asked cautiously.

"Yes!" she picked up her bag and pulled Reina along. "Let's go come on!"

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