Woman Of Color ( on hold)

6: A Christmas gift causes rivalry.

As Simone stood outside her house, the echoes of Nashiru's confession reverberated in her mind. "I love you, Simone." Those words had a profound impact on her. No one had ever expressed such feelings for her before.

Simone watched as Nashiru walked away, disappearing into the distance. A whirlwind of emotions overwhelmed her. She felt a strange mixture of surprise, confusion, and a glimmer of hope.

Inside her home, Susan was still locked in her room, consumed by jealousy and frustration. Her thoughts raced as she tried to make sense of the evening's events. "Am I not beautiful enough? Why did Alhaji choose Simone over me?" She muttered to herself, her tears staining her pillow.

Outside, Simone clutched the car key that Nashiru had handed her. Her heart was in turmoil. She had forgiven Nashiru for the past, but his confession of love had caught her off guard. She had never expected such words from him.

Simone unlocked the door to her house and entered. The room was dimly lit, and she could hear Susan's muffled sobs from behind the locked door. She felt torn between her newfound opportunity and her loyalty to her cousin.

Simone decided to give Susan some space and quietly made her way to her own room. She closed the door behind her and sat on the edge of her bed, still clutching the car key. Her mind raced, replaying the events of the evening.

Nashiru's words kept echoing in her ears, and she couldn't deny the flutter of emotions they had stirred within her. She had known Nashiru for a long time, and despite their troubled history, she couldn't ignore the fact that he had changed. He seemed genuinely remorseful for his past actions.

As Simone sat there in thought, her phone buzzed on the bedside table. It was a message from Alhaji, thanking her once again for attending the party and accepting the gift. Simone replied with a polite message, expressing her gratitude.

She placed her phone back on the table and stared at the car key in her hand. The sight of it filled her with conflicting emotions. On one hand, it was a symbol of newfound prosperity, a chance for her to escape the struggles of her past. On the other hand, it was a reminder of Nashiru's unexpected confession of love.

Simone knew she needed to have a conversation with Susan. They had always been there for each other, and Simone couldn't simply leave her cousin behind. She wanted to understand Susan's feelings and find a way to mend their strained relationship.

With a sigh, Simone placed the car key on the table and lay back on her bed. Her thoughts were a whirlwind of emotions and uncertainty. The future seemed both exciting and daunting, and she couldn't help but wonder how her life would change with the new opportunities that lay ahead. But one thing was certain: Nashiru's confession had opened a door to a world of possibilities she had never imagined.