One Cold Moment

chapter 2

Yankee knew better to go to a fancy patisserie at the edge of the town. The place was always cool, especially with
an overhead bridge close by and it's water hitting ashore.
 

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 shop that had a Neon banner above it flashing
the blue words 'ANNIS BAKES'.
 

Having lived in London, Yankee preferred to eat on the table outside, slopping down on a seat for two, he flashed the attendant and made his order.
 

Few minutes later while on his phone, he was served his éclairs cake and a slice of French bread with Lipton tea.
 

Meanwhile he seemed to have caught the attention of the lady sitting far away with a friend of her's.
 

"What do you think I go say hi to that sexy God?"

She whispers to her friend who chuckled in return. She fixes her
black sun glasses and rises up, fixing her black thigh-length slim gown. She walks over to Yankee who was totally
unaware of her presence.
 

"Hey there" she spokes, showing off her seductive smiles.

Yankee looks up, almost splitting his tea, due to the surprise but tried to regain his balance immediately.
 

"Oh please, “she chuckled, having enjoyed Yankee's 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 points to his cup of tea. Tries to sit on the empty chair, hiding her hurt"
I could make it how you like handsome."
 

Yankee chuckled, but not loud enough for the fear of not hurting her feelings or her low self-esteem.

"So you can actually make a tea "he teased"
 

"Sure. I can make anything"
 

"Well I don't think so," Yankee replied, making it obvious that he was checking her out rather in an unpleasant manner.
 

"What do you mean by that?" She inquired, still keeping her
cool.
 

"What I mean is," he leans across the table.
 

"lf you could make anything. Then you could've made yourself look presentable and your lips more normal than a sprue of blood."
 

Feeling insulted, she remains silent for a while picking up her courage, she replied.
 

"Well it’s just lipstick on my lips"
 

"Yeah, it's a little too much, your girlfriend should've told you that." he gestures towards her friend who was busy on her phone from across.

"Or are you just friends for benefits" Yankee smirk wickedly.

 
The big glasses could've hidden the hurt in her eyes but her moulded red lips gave her anger away.
 

"So......where were we, gorgeous?"
 

Yankee decided to change the rather interesting topic for the sake of his respect for women. Women who looked and acted responsible of course.
 

"Well" she smirks whirly “Do you come here often?"
 

"Nope! Am always new around here"
 

"Well then, I’m poppy." she extends her well manicured hand. Taking a glance at her extended hand, then at her face, he replied.
 

"Are you flirting with me?"
 

"Shrugged" however you put it" she laughed heartily like she wasn't being weird.
 

"Okay, am Yankee" he shakes her palm.

 
"Yankee, it’s 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 anyway, not being specific about his residence.

"I live in Hyo's block estate. You know there, right?"

 
"Yeah. Of course."

 
"Great, flinging a piece of paper at him, she adds.

 
"You can give me a call anytime."
 
"Okay."
 
She rises up, gave a final smile before clicking her heels away.

 
Yankee knew he just found a new reason to hate Mexico. Cheap cheap girls. He had been all over the world
owning to his job and he had been with different ladies.

If there’s one thing he had come to hate, it’s girls without pride and dignity.
 
Girls that threw themselves at any men. Girls that took no shame in making first moves.

He loved the hard-to-gets.

************
 
"Cheese!!!"

They all screamed with joy. Voice in its fullest, grins on faces, caps in air, papers rolled in palms.

For Marina, graduation was a check for her. Finally, she knew she had accomplished something big. Her longest dream. After all the troubles an struggles, she made it.
 

The moment the graduating students screamed’ cheese ' and threw up their caps, the photographer captured them. A group photo, Marina knew she was going to frame that.
After the big picture came the chattering.

ENSIFIAGO University's front hall was filled with the graduating students and parents and lecturers. Chatters
was heard from every angle. The students taking photographs with parents, friends hugging each other and the lecturers feeling contented with themselves.
 

"Marina!!" The brunette calls aloud.
 
"Sarafina!" Marina screamed, hugging the former.
 
"You look good!" She compliments Sarah's plain red gown.

 
Grandma Joana watched from the spectators seats as her grand daughter, Marina, rejoice with her friends. She had hoped to give her the best graduation and gave her a different kind of joy to see her enjoying it.
 

Beside her stood her second granddaughter whom was
Marina's cousin, Reina.
 

Reina got occipital problem when she was eight years old and she'd been dumb ever since. Even still Joana loved her very much.

It wasn't out of pity but because she inherited exactly the traits of her late daughter who died giving birth to her. And for some reasons, she believed God had given her a second chance to be with her daughter again through
Reina.
 

Watching her two girls grow up together, to Joana, was the biggest gift God had ever blessed her with.
 

While Reina was a year older than Marina, Marina is forced to assume the position of the big sister  due to Reina's condition not just that, but also to Stand up and help their
family of three.

"Grandma !!" Marina rushes over to her, embracing her affectionately. I made it grandma!!" The happiness was an evidence in her voice.
 

"Am happy for you Marina."
 

"Yes ! thank you Grandma!" She squeezes her in another bone cracking hug before pulling Reina for a hug.
 

"Thanks too Reina’ I know you're happy for me" she pulls away and Reina nods to her last statement, smiling broadly.
 

"Am so happy guys." she said happily. am going to make you proud. Am going to make sure of many things, Reina." she pulls her in for a hug.

"Why don't we all go eat?" Marina announced, trying to lift the mood.
 
"Are you sure dear?" Joana asked cautiously.
 
"Yes!" she picks her bag from her and pulls Reina.
"Let's go come on!"
 
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