Maybe This Time

CHAPTER FORTY ONE: MONIQUE

CHAPTER FORTY ONE: MONIQUE

"Are you fighting?" Monique asked concerned as we made it to Harold's house, Harold just hugged my side clumsily making me laugh a little, Monique looked puzzled,

"This cute monster tried to tickle me making us almost hit another car." I giggle but stop myself immediately,

"You guys are weird." Monique says as she smiles with relief and walks with us inside the house, there's that inviting aroma of barbecue coming from the kitchen that's why all of us went there, but to my great surprise,

"Hey everyone," Nina greets motherly, Victor was the first to envelope her to a bear hug, she just chuckles as Vic sways her from side to side, Ashley is there too, she gave Victor a toothy grin while the latter kissed her head. I run and hugged Nina, this is history.

"I am so thrilled that you talked!" I say low while still embracing Nina,

"I actually cried when he invited me to have a walk when he showed up earlier."

"Seriously? Where did you go?"

"Just around the park, we talked casually, nothing heavy. I still can't believe it. Then he came up with the idea of having barbecue party here at his house, and asked me if I can help. Of course I grab the opportunity. I missed cooking for him." I held Nina's hand and can't fight the gladness that evaporates inside me. But Harold showed beside me, Nina just gave her son her motherly glance and the latter nod curtly, they look cute...It's actually melting my heart.

We all flock at the table when the barbecues are cooked, nobody cared about the smell of the food on our clothes, and we just want to have a fun and easy night.

I watch the overwhelming happiness in Nina as she watches her son and daughter teasing each other. Harold keeps on putting barbecue sauce on Ashley's cheeks and nose while the latter keeps on pinching him; he just shrugs his little sister's offenses while he keeps on messing her face.

Everybody's enjoying the sumptuous food Nina cooked. Ashley ran towards Vic and he sit her at his lap, speaking of which, I found Monique sitting beside Matt and Gail, they are exchanging stories with each other but it didn't skip me when I catch her stealing glances towards Victor who's teaming up with Ashley as they piss Harold, Nina sits beside Victor and Harold, Ashley roars in giggles every time Victor whispers something to her ears, I don't know if it tickles her or maybe whatever Vic's saying is funny.

Harold tosses a grilled asparagus on the two, but Vic just picked it up from his plate and pokes his tongue out to Harold before biting the veggie. My eyes went back to Monique; she's carelessly staring at Victor, but there's something different on her, admiration and longing, sensing that someone caught her, her gaze darted to me and just gave me a shy smile.

After devouring the food, we all settled at Harold's playroom, they set up the karaoke and started playing and singing songs. Jean and Dean are searching through the song list while Matt is rummaging on the collection of online games cd's on the rack, Gail is braiding Ashley's hair, Victor sits beside them watching Gail's craft, then lastly, again, caught Monique looking at Victor but this time there's blank expression in her eyes.

"Hey." I lean on the wooden banister, Monique just gave me a shy smile, "What's up?" I added, this is officially getting awkward,

"Uhm, yeah. Thanks for letting me join, I never thought you guys are great company." She states but her eyes are still on Vic and Gail,