Chapter-6

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Amara Knight

Sleeping Saturday had converted into a standing Saturday.

I had woken up way too early than I normally did. I freshened up, showered, dressed up for the day, and went straight to the kitchen. Not to my surprise, my mother was already there along with Mrs. Pine, preparing for the meal distribution to the homeless.

I waited at the side for a while, praying to god for my mamma to forget about the punishment, however, before my prayer could end, mamma, with her hand, gestured me to start with the sandwich preparation.

I obeyed her and proceeded with making ham and cheese sandwiches. My hands were sore after slicing god knows how many onions and tomatoes. Once I was done slicing the veggies, I assembled everything between two slices of thick bread and wrapped it in aluminum foils. Mrs. Pine had offered to help me, but I had to sweetly decline with a heavy heart since mamma had her eyes fixed on my moves.

I was almost done making sandwiches when dad entered the kitchen. My mother had left to take a shower. Mrs. Pine had gone to put the cupcake carton that Aunt Eloise, mamma's friend had sent as her contribution, in the car.

Dad, with his eyes wide, looked at me in utter shock. "Am I dreaming or did you really wake up early to make sandwiches?"

I did not pay mind to his teasing and continued with my work. However, he came up to me and ruffled my hair, making me whine.

"I thought Ariana would ease the punishment but guess she didn't. Anyway, need any help?" He asked.

"Nope. I am almost done." I sighed as I placed another wrapped sandwich in the carton. "You woke up just now, didn't you?" I inquired.

He yawned. "Yeah, wanted to grab some extra sleep on an off day. Anyway, since you don't need my help, I'll go brew my coffee."

He slipped to the back counter to start the coffee machine, just then mamma came back into the kitchen.

"You done, sweetheart?" She asked. I looked at her, to see her dressed in casuals that are loose jeans and a t-shirt which she loved to wear a lot. It had always been her comfort outfit for a day out. I had worn loose blue, white striped pants and had paired them with a white t-shirt and sneakers.

I was lost admiring the natural beauty of my mother when someone snapped fingers in my face. I jerked and blinked to get back to reality.

"Yeah, I'm done," I replied quickly and placed the last sandwich in the carton, closed its flaps, and sealed the box with the tape I found in the bottom drawer of the kitchen counter.

"Alright. Do you want me to quickly arrange something to eat before we leave?" She asked as she walked to the fridge, took out apples, and placed them on the island.

"Uh, no, I'll quickly assemble a sandwich for myself. You want one?" I asked her, taking out two slices of bread from the packet.

She sweetly smiled at me. "That'd be lovely. However, could you make it veg?" She asked politely, one of her best habits she wanted to pass on. Being polite.

"Sure." I smiled and began making sandwiches.

Mamma told dad that his and Xyler's breakfast will be prepared by Mrs. Pine once they had showered. Dad exited the kitchen with a mug of coffee in his hand.

Once I was done preparing sandwiches for us, I plated them and placed them on the island, and sat on the island stool. Mamma sliced the apples, poured us two glasses of milk, and sat beside me.

Upon seeing the glass of milk she placed in front of me, I frowned when something struck my mind. "Mamma, I think you forgot to pack drinks for distribution."

She laughed. "No, Amara, I haven't. Lauren offered to help with the drinks."

"Oh, alright. So, she's sending someone to bring the drinks from her home?" I asked as I took a bite of the sandwich I made. I mentally moaned at the deliciousness of it. How amazing it is when you eat the food prepared by yourself. The taste enhances ten times, even if it is merely layered with pre-made dressing.

I lifted the glass of milk and had just brought it near my mouth when she answered. "Again, no. We are going to her place to pick her up. She too is joining us for the good cause."

"Oh," I mumbled and sipped the milk from the glass absentmindedly, wondering if that annoying Ryan was joining us as well.

Clicking the glass with my nails while it was still near my mouth, I asked, emotionless. "Will Ryan be joining us, too?"

She faced me. "Lauren didn't mention. Why?"

"Because I don't want to take the sin on me by punching someone early in the morning," I muttered to myself, sticking the glass to my lips so that mamma couldn't hear.

"What, what did you say? I couldn't hear you." She frowned, tilting her head.

"Ahem, uh, nothing. It's just...he always spoils my mood." I mumbled honestly. I didn't have any reason to lie, she knew about my off-and-off relationship with Ryan.

I heard her huff. "Goodness, Amara. He's such a sweet guy. Give him a break."

"Sweet?" I screeched. "Ryan and sweet don't fit in a single frame."

She let out a small laugh. "Don't be overdramatic, Amara. Now, finish your breakfast. We're running behind time. We have to visit old age home too."

That effing Peterson! Just what magic did he cast on everybody that they think so highly of him?

I always had mixed feelings at the mention of his name, however, what he did the day before only boosted the fury inside me for him.

I finished my breakfast and helped Mrs. Pine to put the box in the car. I then accompanied her back to the kitchen.

"Uh, Mrs. Pine," I called for her when she resumed her work. She turned to face me
me.

"When I was making sandwiches for mamma and myself, I made one for you as well." I offered her the sandwich.

"Oh, dear, you shouldn't have." She stared at me with kindness.

I smiled sheepishly. "Umm, you know that I barely step foot in the kitchen to cook, but when I do I treat everybody."

Laughing, she patted my shoulder. "Such a sweet girl you are. Thank you, dear." She accepted the sandwich.

See, I was sweet too. It wasn't only Ryan.

Bidding her goodbye, I went back to my room, picked up my sling bag, and ran back outside where I found my parents waiting for me.

Mamma wanted dad to join us but dad had a video conference meeting with some international clients, so she didn't insist much.

I sat in the car, leaving my parents to enjoy the mushy morning moments before we left.

On the driver's seat was my parents' trusted bodyguard and Zoe's father, Finn.

"Good morning, Mr. Finn." I greeted him with a smile. Since childhood, I had been calling him Mr. Finn because that's what he asked me to call him when I failed to pronounce his last name after several attempts.

He greeted me back with a huge smile, like always.

"You should have brought Zoe as well. You know I'd have gotten a fun company." Even though I had a slight doubtful feeling about Zoe after yesterday's event, I did not dislike her. I never had because we had our childhood playing together. I still considered her my friend, no matter what.

"Oh, I did ask her but she dismissed me by saying she had to study. This girl. She barely comes out of her books." He laughed.

I laughed. "Your daughter is one studious girl."

Soon, my mother sat in the car, and then we hit the road.

I hoped for that beautiful blue-eyed monster not to come face to face with me or I would surely make him suffer.

____________________________________________

Ryan Peterson

I had woken up early, at my usual timing. I freshened up and prepared my pre-workout meal, which included an apple and oats smoothie. That was pretty much about it because I never did heavy or complex workouts; just cardio, dumbbells, and bench press. That too at home itself, in my room.

I was doing pushups when mom knocked on the door. "Ryan, open the door."

I pushed myself up from the floor, hurriedly wiped myself with a towel, slipped my muscle tee, and opened the door.

She greeted me with a whistle. "Who do you want to impress with these muscles of yours?" She poked my upper arm.

"Myself. It's not always about impressing others." I sweetly replied to her teasing remark, making her pout.

"You're so boring." She huffed. "Anyway, go take a shower and get dressed quickly. You are to join me today for meal distribution to the homeless and old age home visit."

I crossed my arms and leaned against the door frame. "Last I heard you were going alone with Aunt Ariana."

"I am but I want you to join me as well."

I denied. "Sorry, can't join you. I promised Zoe to help her with her studies. She's coming over today."

"Then call her in the evening or tomorrow. If you can't, I'll talk to her but I want you to join me. That's it." She stated sternly.

I whined. "But mom-" Before I could complete my whining, she took out her phone from her pocket.

"I'm calling Zoe."

However, before she could do so, I placed my hand over the screen of her phone. "No, don't. I'll do it myself and I'll come with you."

I had to give in to her request or rather order since I knew she wouldn't stop anyway until she had made me agree to her.

"Ah, I knew you wouldn't say no. Anyway, I'm waiting for you downstairs. Be quick." With that, she tried to scurry away but I stopped her.

"Umm, is Amara joining us too?" I questioned.

"I don't know. Why the long face, Ryan?" She frowned.

I tilted my head. "As if you are not aware of my record with her. She and I can't stay together without getting involved in an argument."

Smiling at my distress, she patted my cheek. "You'll live. Don't forget I'll be with you today."

"This doesn't mean she'll be any less annoying," I muttered.

"That is if she's coming. Now, don't make faces and go shower." With that, she hurriedly walked away.

I huffed and saw dad ascending the stairs while his eyes trained on my bouncing mother. Laughing, he approached me. "She got you trapped, didn't she?"

I simply shrugged my shoulders. Dad patted my shoulder while still laughing. "Poor boy. Though you are going for a good cause, I'll pray for you to make it alive between the ladies."

"You are enjoying this, aren't you?" I raised my eyebrows.

He ginned. "Hell yes, I'm on the safer side because of the meeting I have to attend. I'm going to enjoy my day off after the short meeting."

"Well, good luck with your meeting." Saying that I went back inside and shut the door.

I quickly grabbed my phone from my bed and dialed Zoe's number. "Hey, mornin' Zoe."

"Hey, good morning, Ryan. Hope you're all set to spend the day with me, obviously for studying." Her chirpy tone surged a guilty feeling inside me. She had made the plan a week ago and had been constantly reminding me of it, but now, when it was the day, I had to say no to her.

"Uh, about that, Zoe." I bit the inside of my cheek as I walked into the balcony, thinking about how to word it out.

"What happened, Ryan? You sound so low. Is everything alright?" She asked through the other end.

"I, umm, Zoe we'll have to cancel today's plan," I muttered, running my hands through my sweaty hair.

"What, why? You told me you had nothing to do today." She complained.

"I know but mom wants me to join her for meal distribution to the homeless today and I can't say when I'll be back because Aunt Ariana is joining us too and we'll be visiting the old age home as well." I reasoned out, hoping for her not to get upset.

I heard her soft sigh. "Well, how can I stop you when you're going for a good cause? We'll make the plan some other day."

A satisfactory smile broke on my lips. "Thank you for understanding, Zoe. I'll make sure the next time our plan does not get canceled. On the second note, how about you join us today?" I asked hopefully. I thought of making her happy by spending time together after ruining her mood.

"Ah, I'm sorry I can't. I have assignments to finish since I am not as smart as you who must have completed the assignment overnight, haven't you?" She asked in amusement.

I laughed as I rubbed the back of my neck. "Yeah, I have. I have one assignment left though."

"One? I have all incomplete." She laughed. "Anyway, will Amara be joining you?"

"I don't know yet. Why do you ask?"

She chuckled. "Oh, nothing. Was just asking because you two don't go well."

I huffed. "Yeah, we don't but I do not have any other choice, do I?"

"No, you don't." Her voice suddenly went low as if she was bothered by something.

However, before I could ask about her change in tone, she spoke, "Alright, I won't keep you from going. Uh, well, goodbye."

"Yeah, goodbye." Frowning, I hung the call.

I walked back inside my room and placed the dumbbells back in their position while hoping not to see Amara. I did not want to tolerate her presence all day.

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I apologize for the short and delayed update. I hadn't written anything for a week and wrote this chapter just now in two hours.

No specific reason though. I just feel lost these days. I am unable to concentrate on anything. I need some time to get back on track.

Thank you for your patience. 🙏

Don't forget to vote.⭐


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