  I stare at the image. It is my mother on her wedding day. Her lips are curved in the most beautiful smile. Sophie is standing beside her, as a maid of honour.
      &quot;You look so much alike.&quot; Sophie speaks.
      I can't bring myself to tear my eyes away from the photo. A million emotions are boiling Inside me.
      &quot;Do you know her?&quot; My voice breaks as I ask.
      &quot;She was my best friend since college.&quot; She puts her tea aside.
      It comes as a shock because my mother never told me about Sophie. I knew Andre's mother as her best friend.
      &quot;Do you know her?&quot; Sophie repeats my question.
      Am tempted to lie but I nod instead, &quot;She was my mother.&quot;
      I just feel this strong motherly connection with Sophie. I can trust her.
      &quot;Figured that at the Gala, that's why I asked Ryan to invite you over.&quot;
      I get agit

  &quot;I feel like am in those Global TV shows.&quot; Andre says looking through his binoculars.
      &quot;As a detective or a criminal?&quot; I ask and stare outside.
      &quot;Both.&quot; He turns to face me.
      &quot;What dirt did you find on Mr. Marcelo?&quot; I ask.
      &quot;None, just imagine. He is a clean Slate, no criminal record not even for drunk driving or a parking ticket.&quot;
      &quot;Too good to be true.&quot; I turn again to stare outside.
      I can feel his stare as I gaze the Emerson Hotel. A large banner is suspended above it written; Varsity Congress and workshop. It is going to be a one week workshop and I wonder if this is one of the reasons Mr. Marcelo wanted we meet here.
      &quot;What do you think he's going to ask me to steal?&quot; I ask Andre.
      &quot;I don't know but money is what I would bid on.&quot;
      I look down at my attire, 

  Ryan's Mercedes Benz slows down and he enters a code at the gate. I recall what transpired after Nimo realized I remembered her. The raw shock and shame on her face. And the innocent look of smitten Oliver. He had no idea. Poor guy! As I left I told her to end it with Oliver or I will.
      &quot;Here we are.&quot; Ryan says joyous.
      His house bleed opulence. It is humongous like the term itself. A castle to call it. Well-trimmed garden. A grand driveway and a statue of Mary, mother of Jesus. A religious family, I may say.
      He takes my hand in his. A familiar wave of electricity travels down to my spine. I tug my Prada bag closer to me. I look down at my simple white dress that goes beyond my knees, and my brown doll shoes. It looks the part.
      He pulls me with him towards the porch. A man meets us by the door. &quot;Welcome master Ryan.&quot; He says taking my coat and bag.
      Ryan flashes him a significant smile, &quot;Thank you, Will.&quot;
      His mother appears wearing a bright smile. &quot;Welcome dear.&quot; She gives me a motherly hug.
      Ryan hugs and gives her a kiss on her cheek. He must be close with his mother.
      &quot;You have a lovely home.&quot; I compliment, my eyes feasting on the interior decor.
      &quot;Thank you, and call me Sophie.&quot;
      She leads us to the living room. A spacious big room with a fireplace that gives it a smell of forest, white classy couches, a big flat screen mounted on a wall.  The walls are bare of any decorations.
      There are albums on the coffee table. After am seated and have relaxed she hands me one, &quot;Dinner will be served in a few, meanwhile just relax. Water or juice?&quot;
      &quot;Water is fine.&quot; I nod.
      &quot;Am happy you came.&quot; Ryan says seated beside me.
      &quot;Me too.&quot;
      He shifts uncomfortably, his eyes blink severally. &quot;Mmh...&quot; He clears his throat. &quot;— I wanted to ask you this earlier at the Cafe.&quot; He hesitates momentarily, &quot;Cara, will you be my girlfriend?&quot;
      Quinn hinted it at the Cafe but hearing it from Ryan, it still stupefies me.
      &quot;I don't know what to say.&quot;
      &quot;Yes, is the perfect answer.&quot;
      Ryan is good looking, he has that boyish charm. His silent nature is the most attractive and mysterious aspect in him. I can't say I don't like him.
      &quot;Can I at least think about it?&quot; I ask.
      &quot;Okay, maybe this will make you think faster.&quot;
      Before I can comprehend, I feel his soft lips against mine. The act paralyses me on the spot. His sweet lips move against mine, his tongue coercing its way, &quot;Please baby... &quot; he whispers. That is enough to make me give in and forget we are at his parents house. He pushes his tongue inside. I melt in his arms, his tongue tango with me like an expert. His hands feasting my hair. My body feels alive like a spark has been ignited, he pushes me close until our bodies are flushed together, I can't get enough until someone clears their throat.
      We both jump away from each other. I feel my body heating up in shame. I know it his mother, until Ryan speaks.
      &quot;What are you doing here, Quinn!&quot; He barks in anger. &quot;I thought you were having dinner with Courtney's parents.&quot;
      I look up and am meet with Quinn cold stare. He doesn't blink as his eyes glare back at me and for once I can read his emotion, anger; murderous anger. What is wrong with him?
      He stays silent, his eyes never breaking away from mine.
      &quot;What are you doing here?&quot; Ryan repeats again.
      Quinn neither responds nor keep his eyes from me. Am happy when Ryan's mother walk in and rescues the moment.
      &quot;Dinner is ready...&quot; She stops when she sees Quinn, &quot;I didn't know we had more company, I will ask Maria to add more plate. Ryan show your guests to the table.&quot; She instructs.
      Ryan begrudgingly nods at Quinn, His mother tugs at my arm when I attempt to follow them. &quot;You are now my son's girlfriend, huh?&quot; She asks when the boys are out of earshot.
      &quot;Aah...&quot; I get confused on how to answer that.
      &quot;I walked on you two kissing. Just don't hurt him. He's fragile than he looks.&quot;
      The table is all set, candles all lit. It is a long one made of dark wood with benches on the sides. A feast is laid on the table. Everyone is seated except me and Ryan's mother. His father is seated at the far end like a king watching his subjects. He is all clean, dressed in a killer Armani suit and a napkin on his neck. I look where to sit, there's an empty seat between Ryan and Quinn. I choose otherwise and decide to Side the other side which is unoccupied.
      &quot;Dear, why don't you sit between Ryan and Quinn. You will be all lonely there.&quot;
      She walks to sit beside her husband who gives her a smile and before she sits she gives him a quick warm kiss.
      I sit between the two boys. Ryan smiles at me. However, Quinn scowls at me.
      Sophie, Ryan's mom, commences the dinner with a prayer.
      &quot;Cara, Ryan tells me you school together. What are you studying?&quot; His father intimidating voice echo in the large room.
      I swallow and wipe my mouth before speaking, &quot;Am a finance student.&quot;
      &quot;A numbers girl.&quot; He says.
      &quot;Numbers never lie.&quot; I add.
      &quot;They sure don't and you can take that to the bank.&quot; He jokes.
      There's another pregnant silence as the cutlery produce a chatter sound. &quot;I love the chicken, can taste all the spices in it, Sophie.&quot; I turn to his mother.
      Her eyes light up, &quot;Some of this days I will show you how it is made.&quot; She can't hide her enthusiasm.
      I feel Ryan's hand cover mine under the table. I turn and he gives me a grateful smile. I then feel another hand on my thigh under the table, It is Quinn. I turn to look at him but his eyes are on his food, he's busy eating with his other free hand. Ryan's finger circle mine absentmindedly while Quinn's hand travel further to a dangerous place. Their touch both arouse different things in me. Ryan's touch arouses my heart, while Quinn's touch arouse my body.
      Quinn's hand keep on moving close to my sex, all this time he is talking to Ryan's father about business, pretend or not acknowledging he's torturing me.  He stroke me, and I shudder by his touch.
      Ryan feels my shiver and turns to me, &quot;Are you cold?&quot; He asks.
      Quinn turns to us and smirks at me. His finger brush me again before pushing my panty to the side and softly pinches my clit.
      &quot;Are you okay, Cara? You look flushed.&quot; Quinn asks in a mock tone, and continues his game of torture. My body is hyperventilating and pray no one can tell the sensual look on my face.
      Son of a butcher! He's enjoying this and I can't take this anymore. I push my seat, his hand falls to his side and excuse myself.
      The house is too big, I keep getting to where am not supposed to be. Will, the Butler, guides me to what he calls the guests powder room. Once in my company I take a deep breath and stare at myself. I wash my face, dry it and walk out.
      I text my brother:  You okay?
      At the dinning room, I find people have dispersed. &quot;Cara, join me in the kitchen.&quot; Sophie call me.
      At the kitchen the maids and cooks are busy cleaning and cooking. Sophie hands me a cup of tea and a slice of red velvet cake.
      Later, I follow her to her garden. It has cantilevered seats, coming out from a wall, creating the illusion of a bigger outdoor area. We sit on the one under the arbor,it is filled with scented climbing plant.
      &quot;Are you in love with my son?&quot; She asks after a sip of her tea.
      &quot;He's a lovely boy.&quot; I dodge the bullet.
      &quot;He's, but that doesn't answer my question.&quot;
      &quot;We are just in the process of getting to know each other.&quot; I manage to answer.
      &quot;Don't take too long. We dated only three months with my husband before getting hitched. And we have been happily married ever.&quot; Her eyes glitter under the moonlight as she speaks.
      My heart swells and I momentarily imagine myself in her shoes. Married to the love of my life. I wouldn't know what to feel cause I have never been in love.
      It is like she reads my mind, &quot;Don't worry dear, someday you will find love. It is beautiful.&quot;
      At that point, the only person that comes into mind is Quinn.
      She opens one of the albums, she carried. I move closer to get a glance. Most photos are when Ryan was a baby, a chubby one. Then I come across one that freezes me on the spot. My mom's.

I stare at the image. It is my mother on her wedding day. Her lips are curved in the most beautiful smile. Sophie is standing beside her, as a maid of honour.
      &quot;You look so much alike.&quot; Sophie speaks.
      I can't bring myself to tear my eyes away from the photo. A million emotions are boiling Inside me.
      &quot;Do you know her?&quot; My voice breaks as I ask.
      &quot;She was my best friend since college.&quot; She puts her tea aside.
      It comes as a shock because my mother never told me about Sophie. I knew Andre's mother as her best friend.
      &quot;Do you know her?&quot; Sophie repeats my question.
      Am tempted to lie but I nod instead, &quot;She was my mother.&quot;
      I just feel this strong motherly connection with Sophie. I can trust her.
      &quot;Figured that at the Gala, that's why I asked Ryan to invite you over.&quot;
      I get agitated. &quot;This wasn't a get to know you dinner but a manipulation to interrogate me!&quot;

Chapter 20