I guess my little sisters are home then

"Let's talk" Nat says dragging me along as he turns to the opposite direction, I sigh in relief seeing that he wasn't dragging me to Ric's'. We settle down on a bench at a park behind the building. And I wait for him to say something but he doesn't for a while.

"Don't punish him for this Bee." he begins to say then stops as if to decide what to say next. "If he could am sure he would kill the feelings he has for you" he says slowly "but he can't." He adds and I just look ahead. At the people sitting in the park like us but maybe their worries are different from ours. I look at two girls who seem to be having a picnic of sort and envy them.That's life I conclude.

"Bee. Bee can you hear me?" Nat waves a hand in front of me and that brings my attention back to him.

"Mmmmm. What were you saying?" I ask deliberately not that I didn't hear what he said but because I didn't know how to respond to him.

"I know you heard me Bee. You don't have to pretend you didn't." He says seriously. ( Talk about smart people ).

"I don't know how to respond to that." I say truthfully

"To what exactly?" He asks

"To everything you said" I respond and he just sighs looking down at his feet.

"I'm not sure about what to say in this situation." He says "I know what Ric feels for you is wrong and unacceptable but he'll get over it. I know he will. He's just having a hard time controlling those feelings. What he needs is time and support, especially from you. Don't avoid him. It'll only worsen the situation." He continues as if he had everything planned before saying it but then Nat has always been like this. Plans to the last detail, sophisticated and extremely careful about his words and actions. A typical old money behavior (lol). I guess my thoughts have drifted away again since Nat is currently standing above me, now looking at me like I developed a new head. I look away guiltily.

"I'll just leave you to your thoughts then." He says "but please think about what I said. He hates himself for everything going on. You talking to him will make him feel better." he adds then places his hands on my shoulder in a form of support.

"Just try please" he adds and then he walks away. I lean back on the bench looking up at the sky, my mind wonders to different places but especially to his he's doing right now. I haven't seen him since that night when I left his place.I know he'

has probably been burying himself in work. It's what he does when he's troubled. I know altot about him just as he does about me but then why don't I feel thesame way about him? ( Don't even go there). I quickly shakemy head in an attempt to clear my mind. I can't have such thoughts. I tell myself that everything will be alright. All we need is time.

I was lucky I could still take Friday off after missing work on Monday. I guess I got to do that because of how well the branches I went to access performed. The meeting on wednesday ended cheerfully. Couldn't have asked for a better week at the office, everything went smoothly.

Lay and I head home on Friday morning. It was a three hour journey from the city where we live to the smaller town where my parents live and where we all grew up, together with Ric and all of our friends. Our families have always been close and have lived in thesame neighborhood that's why we all practically grew up together. Lay and I take turns driving since we only took one car. There was no need driving separately when we are both heading to thesame place. We stop at a diner on our way to get something to eat since we did miss breakfast before we continued on our journey. It was a smooth one with our conversations flowing, mostly of memories of our time at home before we moved to the city. Those days where really lovely. Going to school as a group, the joint weekly dinners and lots of hanging out. Although we weren't really in thesame circle as Lay and Ben, we still hung out alot with them and their friends. We had amazing memories growing up I'll say.

The big metal gate of our parents house stands as majestic as i can remember and I just can't help but grin at the sight. I missed this place. The gate opens to reveal the impressive lawns that spread from the entrance to the main house. Mum's own handwork. I immediately see mum standing by the front door with a wide smile on her face. She called five minutes ago so she knows we're already here. Even from afar she looks as stunning as always. Mum is one of those classy and confident women in town. I've always liked that about her. She has successfully managed the house and raised the three of us well despite her demanding career as a broadcaster. She retired five years ago though, and has been living her life to the fullest alongside her group of friends. They are always throwing tea parties, going on spa dates, shopping and traveling. Dad doesn't seem to mind at all. I think it's because she doesn't get to nag him much (Lol). But then she deserves to have all the fun she can have after all these years.I step out of the car first, running straight into my mother's arms. I've missed her alot.

"Oo dear. I've missed you girls so much" Mum said hugging me back.

"Am definitely not joining that" Lay says pointing at us and shaking her head.

"Nobody told you to" I say grinning "I'd hug mum for the both of us" I add refusing to let mom go.

"You know you girls can visit us frequently right. You don't stay that far from us but you hardly come to check on us old people" she says and I giggle at that.

"You don't look a day older than me mum" I say

"Oo, the sweet mouth." she says laughing.

"Let's go inside okay" she says and I release her as she leads us inside. The inside as familiar as the outside. Though I notice a few changes here and there but overall the place looks thesame; a combination of traditional and elegant woodwork paired with sleek modern decor. From the chandeliers to the classic artworks, everything just screams sophistication giving a unique but luxurious atmosphere. Just what mum likes.

"And my girls are finally here" dad's voice sounds from a corner in the room. We turn towards the direction of the voice and there he is, seated comfortably, his back plopped up against soft cushions with one leg stretched out and the other bent at the knee. He has a book in his hand, I guess he was reading before we came in. He's sitting at a corner that's not so visible when you enter the living room.That place has always been his favorite place in the entire house. It's a secluded alcove with ample natural light. It gives him a quiet and serene atmosphere to escape into his books. ( That is if none of us are here to disturb him, haha). He has a warm smile on his face, clearly happy to see us. I practically run straight to him, right into his arms. He wraps his arms around me while chuckling.

"And that's my favorite girl" he says and I just grin at him.

"Clearly. Lastborn and all." Lay says appearing beside us.

"You're just jealous Lay" I say and that makes dad laugh.

"You wish." She responds immediately.

"She's clearly jealous" dad whispers to my ears and we both burst out laughing.

"I heard that" she says and we just laugh the more.

"No one's stopping you from joining" he says to her and she just shrugs.

"She's no fun at all" he whispers again.

"Yh right" is all I say giving her a wide grin.

"Happy to see you dad" she says taking the seat opposite dad's.

"Happy to see you girls too" dad says. "It's always nice seeing all of you" he adds.

"But they don't really know that do they. They hardly come home" mum says suddenly appearing before us.( Ughhh, she's at it again).I even forgot she was with us.

"We are busy you know." Lay responds

"You of all people can work anywhere Layney. Don't give me that excuse. You can even work from here." She says and I can't help but laugh at that. Lay gives me an 'i'll kill you' kind of look.

"They just got here. Let them rest first." He says to mum and Lay turns to him, a grateful look on her face. I'd say nobody is a fan of mum's complaints. They never end. But then we're all used to it and sometimes even miss her for that.

"I guess my little sisters are home then" says a voice from behind us and we all turn to see the one person we haven't seen in a long time. The 'old man' himself, Ben.