six hours

1:Roses are red

Standing in my room, searching for what to wear to college today, I hear, "Hey, can I borrow your pink top?" Ash asked in her usual, not-so-cute voice. It's been six years, and Ash is still as girly and demanding as she was in the early years. "You know I don't wear pink tops. Anyways, where's the printed blue top I gave you last time?" I replied, tying a bandana around my head and admiring Tante's hourglass figure in the mirror. "You girls are still the same, so childish, but it's cute," she said, moving toward Ash and placing two tiny boxes in her hands.

"Mom, you still tear up every time you see us together. And anyway, what are the boxes for?" Ash asked, turning her attention to me.

I knew Tante got emotional at everything. After she lost her sister—my mom—she vowed to raise me as a lady my late mom would be proud of. She never treated me any differently than her own daughter. After my mom passed, Tante adopted me, giving me her name, but I kept my mom's name as part of my own. To everyone, Tante was my mom, and I was her daughter. As I heard Ash shouting with joy, I snapped out of my thoughts and focused on the tiny gift boxes she was holding. As she opened them, she let out another loud shout. Inside were two platinum cards. "Girls, you earned them. You've worked so hard, and I can't let that go unnoticed," Tante said as she gave each of us a huge hug.

Tante had made us work in one of her fast-food restaurants. She claims it keeps us from becoming lazy and teaches us the value of money. Honestly, I preferred her as Tante than as a manager. "Tante, you didn't have to... you've already done so much for me... this is too much," I said, holding the card in my hand and letting a tear roll down my cheek like a rockslide.

It was touching.

"Yes, Mom," Ash said, but her expression still told me she didn't mean it. "Yes, I had to, girls. I'm leaving for France tonight to expand my restaurants there. You're old enough to take care of yourselves," she said, applying lipstick to her plump lips.

"What? Mom, how can you leave us alone?" Ash replied, jumping to her feet. What? She couldn't leave. I mean, leaving Ash and me alone wasn't a good idea.

"I know, I know. Girls, listen, I've told Miss Renee Romano to check on you. Besides, you both have boyfriends who are responsible and will keep me updated," she said, hugging us both.

Later that day...

Ed: R u at the campus now?

 Me: Yeah, why?

 Ed: I'm here, come out. Me: What? Me: Are you still there?!! 

Me: Ed?!! Edward?!! Romano, are you still there?!!!

This guy really gets on my nerves. How can he call me out during my lecture? As I walked past the library, I realized something: Tante had left for France, and it had been months since that incident. The hunk of my heart was doing everything. Is it still the guy I used to stutter around, and now we even share a bed or room sometimes?

I snapped back to reality when I heard noises coming from the college garden. A crowd of students surrounded something—or someone—and suddenly, everyone turned to me. I realized what was happening. In the middle of the garden, standing with a bouquet of red roses and a huge poster that read HAPPY SIXTH ANNIVERSARY MY LUV, my heart skipped a beat. Oh my God, I forgot about today! How is that even possible?

With a huge smile plastered on my face, I walked over to Ed and hugged him. "Happy anniversary to you too, Ed," I said, wrapping my arm around his tall, broad shoulders.

It was a magical way of showing how much he cared. I went back to my lecture, and my phone buzzed with messages from everyone, even people on social media. Compliments, both good and bad, flooded in.

Ash: Omg!! Girl, that was so cute! I saw everything! tu as de la chance ma chérie 🤩🎈🎉🎊 Me: I know, I think even the lecturer knew why I left. Things are pretty weird here, help please 😖 Ash: Sorry girl, can't do. Bye. Me: Wait!!

Just when I thought Ed wouldn't do something crazy, I got the surprise of my life. I know, being known as Cinderella on campus wasn't enough—my social media was flooded with crazy girls claiming to be Ed's exes, and sometimes random guys trying to mess around with me or Ash's privacy. Yep, this is what happens when you date into the Romano family. Let's just say money isn't a currency to them anymore—status and self-respect are more valuable than money, as Mrs. Jasmine Romano would say: "Common people want money, while elites want status." Her name doesn't scream her character, though.

Since I've been in a relationship with one of the Romano boys, my privacy hasn't been mine anymore. Sometimes I even had bodyguards, and my medical records were checked regularly—it was normal to the grown-ups. It wasn't just me; Ash was in the same boat, and so was Abigail. Three Romano boys and three middle-class girls. There's a saying: IF YOU FIND YOURSELF IN THE ROMANO FAMILY, THERE'S NO WAY OUT. I guess it's true, and I had to learn the hard way.
========================

Any thoughts on how Nora learned her lesson?
Any thoughts on the surprise Ed has for her?
What do you think about the Romano family?

Please let me know, I'd love to hear your thoughts! 😉

Anyway, good souls, stay safe 💋

And just to add, I'm writing to keep you guys entertained, not to judge any social class.