2067
Bree Stanley Daniels was finally in school and Mom came right there with her. They were looking for Bree's new apartment that was on the street 5 of the campus' residential area. Bree had been unable to meet her roommate the last time she'd done all the needfuls for enrollment and residence. But she was so excited thinking about what drama could unfold today. What would her roommate be like in person? She knew she was a very madly beautiful black girl with sharp eyes and aura when she'd gotten a picture of her. But how would they perceive each other physically?
Mrs Sara Pia Daniels was a widow and was sad she had to walk along with her excited daughter for the last time in months to come. She could only keep her soft smile on and heave up the box in her arms while she listened to Bree exclaimed and talked about a new life in happiness.
Bree was her only child and she loved her dearly. Sara would always do anything to keep her safe, contented, deeply loved and happy. And now that her little babygirl was finally in the New York University, she had to accept the truth. She couldn't dare to express her feelings and not sound selfish in the process. She couldn't dare to say that she would be lonely with the cats at home. That she'd cried last night because her sweet and only child would be living a life far away from her.
If she was asked, she'd genuinely say she didn't want her daughter to leave. But, what could she do? Stop her? No. That was wicked and selfish. Would break Bree's heart. Infact, it was impossible.
"Oh Mom, I'm so happy...."
Sara smiled at Bree's words. The younger lady was looking around and tumbling forward with her luggage bouncing along from behind her. Her backpack was also bobbing as she hurried forward in search of house 12.
"We're almost there!" Bree exclaimed and was even beginning to run but paused to come hold Mom on the small of her back.
"Don't be shy, Mom. Let's jog along. It's the third house."
Sara obeyed her daughter.
Soon, they were climbing up the three steps in front of the house, half panting. Sara quickly put her daughter's box down. In front of the wooden door, Bree was beginning to knock when Sara grabbed her arm.
"Hold on, sweetheart." She said. "Bree, can you believe how much I'll miss you?"
Bree smiled.
She would miss Mom, too but her excitement was already brewing too much and she had momentarily forgotten her mother's feelings.
"Oh Mom. Me, too. I'll really miss you. Especially your pizza and muffins. I can't emphasize it enough. I'll miss you so much, Mom."
"I understand, sweetheart.... I just want to wish you the best in all your endeavors down here. I'll always pray for you from home."
"Oh, thanks, Mom. Sure."
"And please. Always be my little good girl. Don't get involved in some bad things people do these days. No bad friends. At all."
"Yes.... I promise you that...."
There was an awkward silence and Bree swallowed before speaking.
"Uhm.... Can I ring the doorbell now?"
"Sure thing."
And Bree did. She instantly got overwhelmed by happiness once again. She was ringing her new doorbell! Her new apartment's doorbell! She was going to enjoy her life in this prominent university. Oh, the joys of being her own guardian.
"Hello?" Bree called and ringed the doorbell harder. "Anyone in here?"
There was no reply.
She rang again but still there was no reply. So, she tried to push the door open but it stayed locked. It actually was locked. So, Bree quickly started fishing for her own pair of the door keys she'd gotten. She finally saw it and tried to open the door but she realized the door was actually not locked.
Mother and daughter exchanged puzzled glances and looked back at the mysterious door. WHAT DID THAT MEAN?
"Maybe it's locked by a bolt from inside." Sara offered.
"Meaning someone's inside?"
"Yes. Or maybe she has activated the security pass without telling the authorities."
"I don't think so. It doesn't look activated yet."
There was a short silence that Sara soon broke because she was beginning to panic.
"That means there's someone in there...."
"Come on, Mom. No...." Bree tried to reduce her mother's paranoia.
"Bree, Jesus, that's how bad things happen. Why won't she answer us then?" Sara panicked and hurried closer to knock harder. Bree started ringing the doorbell too. So busy with it that they didn't seem to notice anything till the door came open suddenly.
They both staggered backwards, startled at the sudden interruption.
But then, each woman's face suddenly transformed into that of speechlessness. Bree seemed to scoot closer to her mom for safety because who they saw caused all reactions other than disbelief to disappear.
There was silence. The two women had to look up till Sara found her voice.
"Sorry. Uhm.... Hello.... Is this House 12 on street.... 5?"
It was a large guy. He stood there, tall and big, angry and finally woken from a deep sleep. He was annoyed. But, Oh, was he so so handsome. He had the whole appearance an angel needed to have and that got the women lost. It looked impossible but clearly he was real.
Now, he looked at Bree's Mom who had just spoken and his countenance seemed to relax. His strangely colored eyes flickered.
He replied in a normal tone as his countenance slightly normalized.
"Yes, Ma'am. This is Street 5, House 12. Come in."
Both mother and daughter stood still, completely confused.
Bree had to clear her throat and that instantly brought the big bodied stranger's attention back to her. His brows wrinkled in disapproval and Bree refused to hold his gaze.
"I thought this houses are strictly for girls. What are you doing here?"
"Do you really want to know?" He snapped, coldly. His voice had gone thick and low. "Or do you want to keep your ass outside instead."
Bree quickly turned to look at her lioness-mom for support but instead Bree was shocked to find Sara smiling in amusement.
"Oh God, do not be pissed, young man. We're just confused...."
Eyes wide, Bree quickly turned to look at the strange handsome guy at the door as Mom spoke. Did he place her mother under a spell....?
".... Who are you?" Mom was already asking, her smile extra wide.
"I'm Alejandro. I'm Ashley's...." He paused.".... relative...."
"Liar!" Bree snapped instantly, breaking from her trance. " Ashley is a black girl! Infact that's not enough reason for being here. Who are you? Where's she?"
"I don't see why you should be bothered by an innocent visit between relatives." Alejandro, the stranger replied in a low and dangerous voice. He seemed to be warning her to shut her mouth or something.
"Liar...." Bree was about to begin to scold him but Alejandro suddenly brushed her words aside with his louder voice that she had to stop talking.
"Welcome, ma'am. Do come in. Ashley's hurried to the mall for some groceries. She asked me to wait all day...." He was beginning to shift aside so the women could get in but he grabbed Bree by the arm before she could think of moving in. Sara was busy picking up the box she left on the floor. Bree was shocked and speechless at his actions. She didn't know how to react because her heart was beginning to ache and beat heavily.
Bree was beginning to sweat. He was holding her arm.
"Ma'am, I'll get that. Come right in."
That was when Bree realized he was holding her back from going in before her mother.
Embarrassed at how awkward her small form would be looking as she stood in place like a caged rabbit, Bree strongly but slowly tried to pull her arm away but his grip was mightily firm. This was so embarrassing for Bree that she started jerking her arm off, irritated.
"Leave me alone!"
Sara had gone in after saying a THANK YOU, hardly noticing the tension between her daughter and the stranger. Instead, she looked at the interiors, amazed at it's light and beauty.
Alejandro then semi-pushed Bree right behind her mother and went to grab the box where Sara kept it.
"My God, Alejandro. Who did this whole interior design? I love it!"
"It's my relative's. She loves all that serious designing...."
Meanwhile, Bree watched Alejandro. He was looking inhumanly handsome with perfect physiques and everything. She didn't know what to think. Mom was beginning to act like a little lovestruck girl around him. He was nice to Mom but he was being rude to Bree herself. Yet, Mom wasn't noticing anything which was scary and unusual. The woman wasn't questioning his breaking the law. She wasn't THREATENING to expose him. Instead, they were locked in a friendly conversation and Mom was laughing too much.
"Mom, what's going on?!" Bree suddenly cried out and caused everyone to be silent.
"Honey?"
"Who the fuck is my roommate, Mom? Where the fuck is she....?"
"Shut up!" Alejandro suddenly snapped in his low voice.
Bree was shocked.
"You're talking to your mother here. Quit yelling and cussing."