154 time to love.

March 16

-At last, you're here, - said Melissa to her sister, Alice, who looked completely enchanted. Today, she had her hair down just the way Billy liked it. She wore makeup with a soft touch and her favorite lotion.

-So that's why you came here, for Billy. Your beau is coming to visit us. We haven't seen him in two years -" said Alice's sister, Melissa Davis, a law graduate who recently started working.

Alice blushed. -I don't think it matters, - said the girl, somewhat offended by the undeserved hatred her family had for Billy.

-It does matter. Your boyfriend is quite popular. In his first year, half the university knew him. He has that vibe of 'I don't care about anyone else but what I have to do, - said Melissa.

-Well, that's my boy. I have to go, - said Alice, walking towards the exit, not wanting to spend more time talking with her sister.

-Oh, this cold war can't last any longer, Alice. I think it's time to end this struggle with Dad, Mom, and me, - said Melissa.

-Well, when they stop criticizing Billy for who he is, they have to stop acting like persecutors. Everything bothers them. He's just intense and dominant, but that doesn't make him a bad person, - said Alice, walking towards the exit. Her mother was in the living room reading a book, but she wasn't reading it—just listening to Alice's words, closing the book as soon as her daughter left.

Alice walked to Jessica's house, who, after a year of modeling, decided to start dental school. With some quick details, she got herself a boyfriend with a lot of money, the son of a politician who had recently entered the political arena.

-Ali, darling, it's been a long time since you came to greet me. I thought you were working as an intern at the hospital, - said Jessica.

-I have today off and the morning. I'm glad to see you too, Jess, - said Alice.

-Although I feel sad that you use me for camping, - said Jessica.

-Well, Billy is coming to pick me up. I could have mentioned I'd be here to avoid zero contact with my parents. You know about the last fiasco, and that's why I adore you. I can always count on you, - said Alice, twirling her fingers.

-How exciting to be told lies. Come on, I was about to take a nap by the pool. It's cool, - said Jessica.

-You're wicked. You didn't finish telling me about that time he took you to the Swiss Alps to visit his maternal family, said Alice.

**********************************************************

-Thanks for picking me up, Raimon, - said Billy.

-No problem, but my dear boy, we have to stop at T-box Burgers to celebrate that you're finally here. How long has it been? Almost a month. You know, I thought of making Craig my best friend. He's not a chick magnet, - said Raimon.

-How's your crush, the powerful Ukrainian? - asked Billy.

-I said hi to her two days ago, - said Raimon, deadly serious.

-Hahahaha. -

-Don't laugh, you bastard. I had to prepare for quite some time, - said Raimon, attempting to punch Billy but failing as he was driving on the highway, almost skidding.

-Eyes on the road. You almost killed us, - said Billy.

-Well, if you stop laughing, I would, - said Raimon, focusing his gaze on Billy instead of the road.

Billy could only look at the road and ignore the reckless behavior.

-How's everything at the company? - asked Billy, glancing at the stack of comics in the back seat of Raimon's car. There were titles of Star Wars, Lux Comics, and some strange ones from Meteor.

Same as always, the days are long, Anne leaves a lot of work, but there's much to do, and you have too many employees. Every day, unexpected things come up.

Raimon turned the car, two quick streets to get to the restaurant. About twenty steps away, they arrived at T-box Burger. Memories of the first time they came to the restaurant flashed back—a quick opening in the rush to create multiple businesses.

-The best burgers in San Jose. We have the approval of a large part of the population, - said Raimon.

They entered the place, skipping the line to greet the doorman, and headed to the office where Jack Common, the twenty-seven-year-old, more experienced now, with a hint of a strong beard, and a denim fashion style, was seated.

-Raimon, here are the reports, - said Jack.

He looked up. - Billy Carson, the big boss has come to visit us, - said Jack, getting up from his seat to shake hands.

-Come, we have all kinds of burgers. Walter and Samuel have improved the menu. Now we have better sides, and the pink sauce is made for those who can't drink milk. It has gained us some extra customers, - said Jack.

-Sounds good, Jack. The place is impressive,- said Billy.

-Well, I have a very demanding reviewer, - said Jack, winking at Billy. "Do you want your usual, Raimon?"

-I do. Make it a double portion, - asked Raimon.

-I see, I'll order a double portion for the boss," said Jack.

-See, I claim the quarterly accounting, and I get delicious burgers without waiting in line. Hey, do you have $15? I forgot, extra cash, and I had to spend it at the gas station," said Raimon.

-Here, take $20. But, first things first, I want you to take me to buy a gift for Alice. You can stop at San Jose Center, - said Billy.

-Sure, we can, if you know what to buy, - said Raimon.

-Don't worry, a plush toy. You know, she could have mentioned that she likes a little yellow Winnie the Pooh bear, - said Billy.

-Let's go to the Disney store; there's one nearby. We'll buy maybe some chocolates and flowers to complete the cliché. You can't lose your charm, Carson, - said Raimon.

-Your tongue has grown in my absence, - said Billy. The powerful look he gave made Raimon swallow hard. He had only seen such intensity in his father, a businessman.

-Let me play tough. I've watched the entire 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' series without screaming, - said Raimon, stopping at the bench in front of San Jose University.

-Just let's have lunch, - said Billy, opening their burgers.

-You brought the BBQ, - said Raimon.

-I ordered extra packages, - said Billy.

-Ahhh, this is life, - said Raimon, devouring his bacon-chopped burger with pink sauce.

Both fell silent, in a state of mutuality as they calmly ate. -Can you pass me those fries? - asked Raimon.

Billy just handed them over.

The sound of a beep. The phone.

**********************************************

-Billy's here, - said Jessica from the pool chair.

-He took a bit longer than expected. My God, I have to check, - said Alice.

-Now you're talking nonsense. Don't get nervous; he's your boyfriend. You have to stop acting like a schoolgirl, - said Jessica, smiling at her friend's blushes.

-Leave me alone, - said Alice, with a smile on her face. She fixed her hair in front of the mirror. Everything was in detail, from her eyebrows to her long dress. Everything was as she arranged it, just a stray hair, a cheerful curl.

-You look beautiful, dear, -- said Jessica, hugging her friend. --I expect a long chat; you've been apart for a month, and it seems like you've been separated for a long time. Luckily, he didn't go to war, -- the other blonde joked.

-Goodbye, - said Alice, bidding farewell to Jessica.

There was her handsome boyfriend, not wearing a suit, which was strange, but casual clothes made him look more his age. That serious trait she loved was replaced by a playful attribute. Alice walked up to Billy and buried her head in his chest.

-Did you miss me? - said Billy, embracing her tightly with his arms.

-Yes, - said Alice.

-Come, we'll spend the whole afternoon together. Tomorrow, I have a lot of work to do, but today, I have something planned, - said Billy.

-I like that, - said Alice.

-Come on, get in, - said Billy, opening the passenger door. Alice entered and saw a large Winnie the Pooh plush toy. Her heart melted, as if thousands of stars were coming back together. Her handsome young man always gave her details. She hugged the plush with affection and sat down; there was a note saying 'open me' in the glove compartment.

Inside, there was a small package of chocolates, her favorites, and she melted for the second time that night. Billy entered with a smile. He approached to kiss his little girlfriend on the lips.

-A few days ago, I didn't know how much I would miss you, but now, ten minutes before seeing you, I knew that the distance between us is regrettable, - said Billy.

Anne's eyes shone like stars, like big stars. She could only look straight ahead, but her heartbeats pounded through her entire body as if the vibration of a stopwatch were the case, and her ears were ringing. Like red stars, they kissed in the car for a while.

-Where are you taking me? - said Alice.

The Sainte Claire loomed into view, and as soon as they arrived, they were warmly welcomed.

-Bring me a special wine, Merlot, from '81 to '85 at the latest. For me, bring a main course of 'Suckling Lamb with Rosemary and Lavender Honey Sauce,' and for the lady, a Greek salad without dressing. I want two special house appetizers and some crackers with pate, - said Billy.

-Perfect, sir, - replied the waiter.

-I want lamb, - - said Alice, with a pout. -- Because your dish sounds better than mine. -

-I'll give you some lamb, my dear, but the salad is delicious; that's why I ordered it, darling. Although I wouldn't mind feeding you, only if you promise to keep the secret between you and me, - said Billy.

-I'll keep it, only if you promise to give me kisses every day to reinforce the secret, - said Alice.

-I condemn myself, I condemn myself to be the guardian of your secrets, - said Billy, giving her a gentle kiss.

The enjoyment of a cherished evening is an uncommon detail.

-This lamb is exquisite, - said Alice.

Billy plated another dish and fed another bite of lamb to Alice.

-Tonight is perfect, - said Alice.

-I'm glad it is. Come, we have to finish the meal. You'll come home with me, and we'll sleep embraced, - said Billy.

Wiping Alice's lips with a napkin.

-It sounds like a lovely plan, but I can only stay until midnight. My father set a curfew for me, and it's been that way since we started dating, - said Alice.

-We have plenty of time. We can use the projector and watch one of those movies we like, - said Billy.

The next few hours were romantic moments for the couple. They arrived at the entrance laughing, exchanging long and short kisses. It felt like an eternity before they reached the house, and the couple entered together.

-Son, how are you? - said Thomas, from the living room, reading.

-Father, - said Billy, approaching to hug his father. The reserved style of the Carsons only surfaces in specific moments, very special moments.

-I see you came with your girlfriend; however, I have something to discuss first, and the issues we might face could generate some friction between us, - said Thomas.

A cold shower hit Billy, who decided to sit at the table. His father is not a man of games, not someone who says, -We need to act. - He sat across from his father, and Alice excused herself and decided to go upstairs.

Unfortunately, she would encounter someone who was not to her liking.

-Well, son, I think you should know that some time ago, I started seeing a woman, and I may have proposed to her. I've decided to get married. You can accept or reject it, - said Thomas.

-Who is she? - asked Billy.

In a few minutes, they descended—Alice and Claudia!? The uncomfortable look from Alice, along with Claudia's innocent gaze seemed to ignore the evident discomfort.

-Now, I think we'll be calling each other siblings, - said Claudia, with a mocking look. She had changed, and grown, and her body looked more slender, but she still had that tough girl posture, that independent girl.

-I think we need to talk. But not today, tomorrow morning, - said Billy, taking Alice's hand and going up to their room.

...