“What is it Eric? You name it?” She is so thrilled that she is back in the game.

“I want you to distract Miguel for a couple of days.”

Kay smiled. “You want to me distract him? How long is a couple of days?” She slightly frowned.

“Only two, if I’ve said it was four then it would be obvious.”

He concentrated on the road.

“True. I really want to have Miguel to myself, Eric. I love him so much!”

Eric kind of chuckled at Kay’s desperation to have Miguel. “You’ll get him. But Kay you got to play it safe. You can’t let him know so soon. Let him notice you.” He instructed her.

“How am I going to do that?” She smacked her lips.

“What do you mean how are you going to do that? It’s simple Kay give him that innocent look.” He grinned.

“Anything else you have for me, Dr. Freud?” She retaliated.

“Kay. I’m serious. Try not to be seductive. Better yet ignore him the way he has ignored you.”

Kay wanted to slap him for making such a ludicrous statement. “What?! But then he’ll think about Charity.” She frowned.

“Not really.”

“Why is that, Eric?”

“You’ll see what I mean.” He replied, confidently.

“You’re the boss.” She snickered.

“I see you’ve been taking my notes.” He sneered.

“Yes. Where are we going?”

“You’ll see, Kay.”

“I don’t wanna see. I wanna know, now!” She whined.

“It’s gonna have to wait. Behave!” He joked.

“Fine. I don’t see why you have to keep me in suspense. It’s nonsense.” She shudders.

“Patience is a virtue, Kay. Besides, you always supposed to save the best for last.” He said, calmly.

“I don’t think I can wait too long.” She griped, impatiently.

“Kay, chill. It’s not going to hurt you. Ok?” He touched her hand gently.

“Fine. Great, why are we here?” She shivered when she looked at the park. She remembered the agonizing conversation her and Miguel had a couple days back.

“Kay, let’s go.” Eric opened the door for her.

“Ok Eric.” She sighed heavily.

“Cheer up Kay, it’s not the end of the world yet.” He took her hand.

“Thank you Eric. I feel so loved.” “

Why are you so bitter today?” She cut her eyes at him.

“If I were you, I wouldn’t ask that right now!”

Eric didn’t like her attitude. “Well, whatever is bugging you. I don’t think you should take it out on me.”

Kay deeply inhaled and stared at the grass.

“You’re right Eric. I shouldn’t take it out on you. Can you forgive me ok?” Then she glared at him.

“Yeah. I can forgive you. So whenever you need to talk to me. Give me a holler. I’m right here for you.” He gave her a wry smile.

“Thanks Eric.” Kay started thinking to herself and she finally gave in. “Eric. It’s about Miguel. Seems like no matter what I do. He’ll never love me or see me as a woman.” She didn’t want to shed a tear cause she felt it would make her look vulnerable.

“Kay. I don’t know what’s going on inside your friend’s head. But anyone can see you’re a pretty girl. And any guy would be lucky to have you.”

She tsked at his comment. “Ha! The only girl he see as beautiful is ‘Miss I’m Too Good For Anybody’ Charity. I don’t know what he sees in her anyway!”

Eric kind of grimaced at Kay’s cruel remark. “Sorry.” She sighed, apologetically. “I think you like her Eric more than you’re willing to admit. Is that why you’re asking me to be with Miguel for two days? So you can win Charity’s heart?” He nodded at her. “I don’t mean to burst your bubble, Eric, but Charity is only in love with Miguel like me!”

“Kay. I have enough confidence in me to win Charity. I know I’m getting to her. I can see it through her eyes.” His voice tightened with a burning passion.

“Well, the day you get Charity to love you. That’ll be the day when I believe Miguel will be in love with me.” Kay smirked.

“You think this is funny, don’t you?” Eric scolded her. “Kay. So what if I want to be with Charity? Is it a crime to fall in love with the girl?! Charity is sweet and loving. I see why Miguel loves her.” Eric’s mind floats away.

“Shut up Eric!! I don’t wanna hear it!” Kay barked at him.

“Kay one-day your envy for Charity is going to hurt you.” Eric replied, sympathetically.

“That would be for me to worry about then, now wouldn’t it?” She answered.

“Fine, if we can’t agree then let’s talk about Miguel.” Eric changed the subject.

“Ok. How will I get Miguel?”

An idea came across Eric’s mind. “I think I got it this is what I want you to do.” Eric pulled Kay close to him as he whispered in her ear.

“Miguel. Can we take a five minute break?” She asked while rubbing her neck.

“Sure Charity. I’ll go order us something to drink, ok?” He touched her easily.

“Thanks Miguel. I’ll go to ladies room.” He got up and went over to Chad.

“What’s up Miguel?” Chad outstretched his hand to Miguel.

“Nothing much, what’s up with you?” He grinned.

“Trying to make it, man. What’s up with you and the little lady?” He asked while wiping the counter.

“Charity is doing pretty good. Sometimes, I worry about her.”

Chad stopped at what he was doing. “Like how?”

“Charity was late today. It’s not like her for not to leave a message. Maybe she’d forgotten.” He shrugged.

"Hey, it’s a possibility man. You know, I’ve been meaning to talk to you today. It’s about Whitney.”

Miguel started to grin. “What about Whitney?”

Chad could see the twinkle in Miguel’s eyes. “I wanna know why is she so hell bent on me? She makes it seem like I’ve committed sin. Would you tell her I need to talk to her?”

Miguel glanced at him. “Sure Chad. I’ll see what I can do.”

Chad lets out a sigh of relief. “Thanks man. I owe you one. If there is anything I can do. Let me know ok?”

Miguel smiled. “Thanks Chad.” he turned around to see Charity. “There you are, beautiful.”

Charity hugged him as he greeted her with his ardent kiss. “Miguel. I’m glad we’re spending this moment together.” She lays her head on his chest.

“Me too, Charity. You know I think we should go. It’s getting kind of late. And I want us to finish studying in my room. If that’s alright with you?”

She glanced at him. “Sure Miguel. You know I want to study with you. I want to be alone with you anyway.” She touched his face.

“I’m feeling the same way.” They went to the table and had to take their things with them. Before they head out of the Book Café they told Chad goodbye as they head on over to his house.

“I hope this will work, Eric.” Kay tried to be optimistic. Eric placed his arm around her.

“Kay, honey it will work. You just got to believe it will happen.” He assured her.

“I guess.” She didn’t want to smile. “I really don’t want to go back home, Eric. Where can I go?”

Eric seemed to be stunned by Kay’s reaction. “Do you want me to take you to Simone’s place?” He offered.

“Yes I would like that. Would you do that for me, please?” She didn’t bother to look at him all her mind was on winning Miguel.

“Sure.” Kay and Eric walked back to his car. He closed the door after her helped her in.

“Tomorrow Charity. I will want to see you again.” He said to himself. “Ready?” He smiled.

“Ready.” She said flatly.

“Thank you, Eric. I don’t know how to repay you.” She replied quietly.

“You don’t have to Kay. It’s my pleasure.” He replied, confidently.

“Thanks for dropping me off.” Kay got out of the car and ready to go inside Simone’s house.

“You’re welcome, Kay. I’ll tell you everything that will happen tomorrow, ok?” He shot his mysterious eyes at her.

“Ok Eric. Wish me luck.” She gave a wry grin.

“Wish me luck as well beautiful.” He smirked.

“Alright Eric. Good luck.” She kissed him on the cheek. “Good luck to you too, Kay.” He kissed her on the cheek back.

“Hey Kay. Are you and Eric going together?” Simone’s eyes glowed with curiosity.

“Simone no! I might be back in the game after all.” Kay’s demonic smile appeared.

“Kay! You’re not thinking about seducing Miguel are you?!” Simone slightly shouted.

“Shhh . . . Keep your voice down Simone, we don’t want to make your parents suspicious.” She whispered.

“Sorry Kay. But I can’t believe you’re going to seduce Miguel after all.”

She plopped on her bed. “Yeah well. Miguel will be mine even if it kills me!”

“Kay, you’re really planning to go through this aren’t you?!” Simone demanded.

“Yes Simone! I love him! No one can stop me from loving Miguel?! I’ve felt he is rightfully mine!” She yelled.

“Yeah at this moment, so to speak, he rightfully belongs with Charity.” She pointed out.

“Like Hell?! I loved him first, Simone! Not bratty bimbo, Charity?!!! What does he see in my wacko cousin of mine anyway?! All she do is hurt people. Remembered how me and Miguel were trapped in the shed?! She planted those snakes in there! I know she did!” Kay begins to fluster.

“But you don’t know that!” She reminded Kay.

“Oh like a jackass, I don’t?! I know she is BEHIND it!!!!” Kay stomped her foot.

“Kay, calm down. I just can’t imagine Charity would do-“

Kay interrupted her. “Don’t defend for her, Simone?! Charity knew damn well what she was doing?! I still say she is up to something. I bet she is having the luxury of washing it in my face religiously that she has Miguel and not me!” Kay tried not to shed a tear.

“Kay. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say it. It’s just I can’t fathom of how you’re going to get Miguel.” She frowned in concentration.

“In due time, Simone.” Kay clasped her hands together. “In due time.” She giggled. “Enough about me, I just want to get ready for this plan for tomorrow.”

Simone sighed heavily and rolled her eyes. “I’m almost afraid to ask of what it is.” She retorted.

“Simone . . . I KNOW I can get Miguel, permanently.” She jeered.