  &quot;Happy Birthday, Zaffi.&quot; Harris felt at once reaching for his gift.
      &quot;Wow! Thanks, Harris!&quot; I said smiling.
      &quot;It is always a great pleasure seeing your smiles. They are comely.&quot; Pretty slang he says.
      I looked at Yvonne who was constantly teasing me.
      &quot; What should I say?&quot; I really cannot say anything about his compliment.
      &quot;Nothing! I am just being real. You are becoming pretty each time I see you.&quot; Harris seems to be flattering me again.
      It is really nice to feel that someone admires you. That he says how beautiful you are. Things I never experienced with Apollo.
      Apollo again? When will I finally forget him? Why do I always remember him? It has been eleven years! I am 28 years old today. Apollo still?
      I cannot stop my mind from what he wants to think. Even though he has been hard on me, why c

  &quot;Friend, you just said you like that dress, didn't you?&quot; Yvonne whispered.
      I could not look at Yvonne because Sir Akhi and I had narrowed our eyes. He smiled. And it seems that even if I do not want to do it , I will accept the offer right away.
      &quot;Please, do it for me.&quot; Sir Akhi asked me again.
      &quot;I-I do not know if that is possible here at the company. One more thing, I am not a model.&quot; I cannot think of anything clear now.
      Sir Akhi signaled 'wait . Then he walked away and talked to someone on the phone.
      &quot;That is alright! Grab it or you will miss it for the rest of your life.&quot; Yvonne was still convincing me.
      I love to take selfies, yes, but I do not know if my posing will pass the professionals. I laughed softly in my mind. I could never have imagined that such an opportunity could come in my life.
      &quot;I 

  &quot;Thanks, Mom, Dad, Brother and Sister! I really like the food.&quot; I thank them.
      &quot;You always say thanks. You do not have to.&quot; Daddy scolded me.
      &quot;You are precious.&quot; Sister Vaness groan.
      &quot;Tomorrow I will visit Aunt Dyessa. She wanted to see this document.&quot; I glanced at Mommy.
      Aunt Dyessa is gone. She left us. She passed away happy and contented. I still miss her.
      A day at home ...
      &quot;What is your plan?&quot; Daddy asked as we were together in the garden and snacking.
      &quot;I really don't know, Dad!&quot; I answered him and I sniffed some more.
      &quot;Let us talk to your Sister Hillary. Maybe you want to try working in their company.&quot; Sister Hillary is the wife of Brother Vhil who works in a modeling agency.
      &quot;It is okay. I will talk to her when they visit us.&quot; I said smiling.
      I am a college graduate. Finally! I overcame the hard work here in the US. Fighting! Same course I continued here. It never changed. That is what I really want. Another one since I moved here seems like all I have in mind is to finish. I used to be full of dreams and courage, now I have changed.
      I don't even know what I really want to do with my life. The amount of time, time and events in my life has changed. Seems like I just want to relax!
      &quot;Hello there, Zaf.&quot; Greetings from my neighbor Silas.
      He is a Filipino-American. Almost as old as I am. He always greets me whenever he sees me.
      &quot;He likes you! Even though we'l are in America, I want men to court you before you have a boyfriend. And here at home, please!&quot; Daddy's face was serious.
      &quot;Dad, you are over-reacting. He just greeted me as usual. I don't want to have a boyfriend.&quot; I turned again to look away from Silas.
      &quot;You still remember your first love?&quot; He asked.
      My lips were touched by what he said.
      &quot;What?&quot; I immediately questioned.
      &quot;Your Mom told me. That Apollo! You still love him?&quot; Daddy continued with his curiosity.
      THEIR POINT OF VIEW
      &quot;Different lady again, Dude?&quot; Cloyd asked Apollo.
      &quot;What can I do, they are the ones chasing me.&quot; Apollo answered.
      &quot;Apollo, have mercy on the ladies. How many of them cried over you, Dude!&quot; While shrugging his shoulder.
      &quot;It's not my fault, Cloyd. They are the ones who want to get hurt. From the beginning, I told them that they had nothing to expect from me but they did not want to hold back. &quot;Apollo laughed out loud.
      &quot;Share them with ne. Your ladies are all beautiful. You have been like that since Zaf disappeared. I wonder how she has been? &quot;Cloyd suddenly remembered Zaf.
      &quot;She is never out of my mind. And here in my heart. Whenever I am with a ladies, it is Zaphia I always see. And when I wake up to the truth, I leave them. &quot;Apollo s expression saddened.
      &quot;Move on! You have not seen each other for a long time. Maybe she already have a boyfriend. Or maybe she is already married.&quot; While Cloyd was busy babbling.
      They are currently working out in a gym this afternoon.
      &quot;I am still hoping we will meet again.&quot; And Apollo stopped what he was doing.
      Even though he had not seen Zaphia in a long time he still remembers her appearance. Her long hair that is always colorful because of what kind of winged it is. Her cheek is always red. Her lips almost every day vary the shade of lipstick applied. Her smiles make Apollo's heart flatter. Her non -stop speaking every time they were together.
      Her being frank that she likes Apollo. And her scar on her cheek that no one almost notices because of her make-up. Apollo misses all of that. And as time went on, the smell of Zaphia was still fresh to him. Zaphia's appearance. He smiles.
      &quot;How does she looks like now?&quot; Cloyd asked out of curiosity.
      &quot;Even if she changes her appearance, I can still recognize her when I see her.&quot; The scar on Zaf's left cheek was probably only noticed by Apollo.
      In Austin, Texas ....
      &quot;I was really nervous, Sister Hillary.&quot; When my interview with their company ended.
      &quot;It is done! Cheer up! Rupert seems to like you. Just wait for the position he is giving you.&quot; As we walk out of the company.
      &quot;Dad and Mom will be glad that I am hired. Thanks, Sister!&quot; I hugged her.
      I am hired but I will still be looking for a position. For the mean time, I will work as a production assisstant. I will help with their models. It is also fine because I do not have a job. The offer is good. Once there is an opening in another position I will be transferred immediately.
      &quot;Take care! Drive safely. Your brother is already waiting for me.&quot; When I was in the car and we were saying goodbye.
      &quot;See you tomorrow, Sister.&quot; When I said that I waved and started my car.
      Mommy and Daddy were thrilled when I announced that I had a job. I suddenly became interested in working. I want to show my ability. Push! Zaphia Thompson! You can do it. You have to face your future with a smile.
      I will do my best! I will forget the past. The bitterness of the past. I will go on dates. I will become enthusiastic about life. Unexpectedly, I came back to life! I want to forget Apollo forever! And I need someone else to help me do it. I am enjoying my job.
      It is better to work than to stay home the whole day and think of what to do. I did not even notice the passage of time because I was happy with what I was doing. I am earning my own money now.
      Campaign Producer has been my position at work. I have also become a regular employee. I also have new friends at work.
      Time flies too fast.
      &quot;Happy Birthday, Friend.&quot; Yvonne greeted me with a kiss and handed me a box.
      &quot;Thanks, Friend.&quot; I said again.
      As soon as I went to work, she immediately opened up to me.
      &quot;Working on your special day? Why don't you take a break and go with Harris on a date.&quot; She asked and even presented the shivel chair to me.
      &quot;Harris? He is just a friend.&quot; Harris is our wormate and an American.
      &quot;A friend? You must be very numb. He likes you.&quot; She still laughed.
      &quot;I am still a Filipina. I cannott assume that people like me unless he flirts with me.&quot; And I sat down in my own shivel chair.
      &quot;You are crazy, Frienda We are here in Texas. Friend, Harris is an American! Obviously, you are special to him. There it is Harris! Carrying a gift. &quot;I also looked in the direction Yvonne was looking.

&quot;Happy Birthday, Zaffi.&quot; Harris felt at once reaching for his gift.
      &quot;Wow! Thanks, Harris!&quot; I said smiling.
      &quot;It is always a great pleasure seeing your smiles. They are comely.&quot; Pretty slang he says.
      I looked at Yvonne who was constantly teasing me.
      &quot; What should I say?&quot; I really cannot say anything about his compliment.
      &quot;Nothing! I am just being real. You are becoming pretty each time I see you.&quot; Harris seems to be flattering me again.
      It is really nice to feel that someone admires you. That he says how beautiful you are. Things I never experienced with Apollo.
      Apollo again? When will I finally forget him? Why do I always remember him? It has been eleven years! I am 28 years old today. Apollo still?
      I cannot stop my mind from what he wants to think. Even though he has been hard on me, why can't I be angry with him?
      Hopefully I can also turn my gaze to others. Hopefully I will

Chapter 10 Meeting Akhi