Chapter 2
As Patrick went inside to get drinks, he first headed to his bedroom to put on a sleeveless shirt, hoping that this would encourage Tina to look at him and speak.
After putting on the shirt, he walked to the kitchen fridge. When he returned to the parlor with the drinks, he noticed that Tina had left; only Prisca remained on the blue couch, stretching her long, slender legs as she watched him.
Patrick frowned as he approached Prisca. She smiled and lowered her legs, then stood up to take the two cans from his hands. Immediately, Patrick asked, "Where's your friend Tina? Did she go home?"
"I don’t think so. Tina went outside to wait for me because she felt uncomfortable sitting here with me," Prisca replied, taking the cold cans from Patrick. "I've told you to forget about Tina! She doesn’t like hanging out with guys, yet you're still eyeing her over me. I’ve expressed my love for you, but you keep choosing Tina. What does she have that I don’t? Just look at me—I’m cute."
Prisca twirled around, inviting Patrick to admire her figure. Patrick sighed and said, "Look, Prisca, I do not love you, and that's the truth. I love Tina, and I’ve always wanted to meet her. Remember that I asked you to bring Tina here because I genuinely value our friendship? I know you’ve been dating several of my friends behind my back, but I kept quiet because I just wanted to meet Tina. Please try to understand."
Prisca frowned. "Tina won’t accept you, Patrick, and that’s not why I asked her to come here. I truly love you, Patrick, please." She reached for his hand to persuade him again, but Patrick pulled back.
"Okay, I’ll think about it later, but right now, I need to check on Tina outside before she gets lost or wanders off into the street. She won’t know how to find her way back to your village."
With a sigh, Prisca stepped aside to let Patrick pass. As she settled back onto the couch, she held the two cans she had taken from him. She popped open one and took a sip while waiting for Sharon to arrive so they could discuss something important.
Just as Patrick reached the parlor exit to open the door, Sharon walked in with two friends. She smiled sweetly at Patrick as she entered the living room, but before she could greet him, Patrick dashed out of the house, leaving Sharon and her friends speechless.
Patrick quickly spotted Tina standing beside the exit gate, talking to the security guard. He walked up to her and asked, "Why are you standing out here all alone?"
Tina glanced back at Patrick but ignored him, crossing her arms over her chest and turning away towards the slightly opened gate, where Sharon and her friends had arrived.
Patrick's irritation grew at Tina's response, yet he approached her and gently touched her folded arms. This startled Tina, who looked at him in shock and glared at him for touching her. She released her arms and stared at the open gate, wanting to flee, but Patrick caught her wrist and pulled her back against his muscular frame.
He quickly realized she intended to escape. "Let go of me!" Tina screamed, clearly annoyed by Patrick's touch, feeling shivers run down her spine as he held her closer.
Patrick noticed Tina's beauty and stubbornness as she struggled to free herself from his grip. "Prisca!" she shouted, but Prisca remained inside and couldn't hear her.
The security guard did not intervene and returned to his gatehouse after locking the gate. Patrick continued to hold Tina, inhaling her sweet floral scent, feeling the urge to kiss her natural pink lips, but he managed to restrain himself.
"I know you’re not happy about being here with your friend, but that doesn’t justify your rudeness or disrespect towards me just because I admire you," he said softly.
Tina gulped as Patrick spoke into her ear, his warm breath sending goosebumps down her neck. "Let me go," she insisted.
Losing control, Patrick inhaled her scent deeply and felt a strong desire to kiss her, but he held back, aware of his growing arousal. "Fine, I'll let you go, but only if you calm down and give me a moment of your time. Why are you acting so immature? Aren't you a grown woman? Honestly, I really like you, and I want us to be friends."
"Friends?" Tina asked, looking up to meet Patrick's dark, handsome gaze. She realized he was indeed attractive and blushed, looking away shyly.
"Well, I'm sorry, but I can’t be your friend. Besides, aren’t you and Prisca friends? Just leave me alone and let go of me." Tina's anger flared as she cursed herself for following Prisca to his house, knowing the type of friend Prisca was.
Finally, Patrick released her arms and apologized, "I'm sorry."
"Sorry for what?" Tina shot back, meeting his eyes again.
Patrick merely smiled and moved away from her, saying, "Fine, but why not wait inside for Prisca to finish? Sharon has already arrived, and it’s too hot for you to be standing out here alone." Patrick turned to walk back into his house while Tina contemplated his response. Ultimately, she followed him inside, her gaze lingering on his masculine physique.
Just then, the sun dipped below the horizon, and ominous clouds gathered, signaling heavy rain was approaching. A brisk wind blew through the air.
Worried about the sudden change in weather, Tina stepped into the parlor and told Prisca, "We should start heading home."
Feeling jealous of Patrick’s attention towards Tina, Prisca ignored her friend's suggestion and remained silent as Patrick retreated to the kitchen while Sharon and her friends chatted.
Tina grew frustrated, knowing her mother would soon be home and her brothers might be looking for her, so she shouted at Prisca, "What’s wrong with you, Prisca? Let’s go home now!" With a sigh, Prisca finally stood up from the blue couch. "I’m not ready to go home yet."
"Why?" Tina asked, surprised. When Prisca didn’t respond and adjusted her black dress, Tina added, "If you’re not going home, at least help me with the transport fare or give me directions to get back to my house."
Prisca hissed and walked away, ignoring Tina as she headed toward the restroom. Frustrated, Tina grabbed Prisca by her arm, demanding, "What’s wrong with you, Prisca? You brought me here, and now you’re silent about how we should get back home?"
"Just stop, Tina! Stop already! Yes, I brought you here as a friend, but not for you to act up or try to undermine my friendship with Sharon and her brother. If you want to leave, then go! And don’t talk to me again."
Tina stood speechless as Prisca pushed her aside and walked away to use the restroom, leaving her in shock in the corridor.