Chapter 11: I am different!

"Wow, I'm sure it was interesting to see", Jessie said feigning excitement. On the other hand, it felt good that Luciana had seen what transpired with Oswald and the girl he made out with, so she could have something to hold him on to. Just at the party, he painted her as the person that was so attracted to Charles even at the expense of his feelings. Certainly, her instincts were not wrong when she felt he gave her "Jason vibes", her ex who had hurt her two years back.
"You see, that's why I always say you can never trust guys", Charles said trying to act like a wise old man.
"You did?", Luciana scoffed
"Alas! I did not, but I am now", Charles said with his lips twitched in amusement, "you really should not trust guys because only a few are good", he added. "The good news is I am the few, and the few is me", Charles grinned.
"You are just not wise", Luciana giggled.
"Y'all are just the same", Jessie joked, "I am thinking of staying single forever", she said in a matter of fact tone. Really, the thoughts had crossed her mind even as she jokingly chimed it in. There was no need going through all the hurt again, for a thing that as Charles termed it, were baseless emotions.
"C'mon you have not tried me yet", Charles stated amusingly.
"Oh really, you think you are different. I can only imagine", Jessie ridiculed.
Excitement was all over their faces, having Charles as a friend wasn't a bad idea afterall. They only got that close from the party and the next day he was entertaining them so much already.
"Okay, okay.... on a very serious note now, you girls should really be careful the way you let guys control your emotions. I am one, so I know what I'm saying. We really can be terrible whenever we have absolute control of your emotions", Charles said, "well you girls do it also", he added.
"Please loud it, because I think someone needs to know", Luciana stated staring at Jessie unblinkingly.
"What are you saying now?", Jessie queried.
Charles had indeed talked on that area because he wanted to pass the message to Jessie. If he was sure, one of the things that made her say "the hurt keeps coming back", was caused by some emotions and he knew a relationship hurt might be included.
He just wanted her to feel strong emotionally because he really did not trust himself also, he feared he was going to hurt her too if she eventually gives him a chance in love.
"Now did I call names?", Luciana gasped.
"But you stared at.....", Jessie's conversation was cut short when they heard a ring from Luciana's phone.
"It's mum", Luciana said signalling them, Charles precisely to hush it down.
"Hello, my sweet rose", Luciana beamed.
Mrs. Ranez who was used to her daughter calling her sweet names, could not still keep herself from smiling. "How are you doing dear?", She asked Luciana.
"I'm fine, I've just missed you so much", Luciana pouted.
"I missed you too dear, how about Jessie? I hope you girls are good"
"Yes, we are. I'm with her right now"
"Ain't you guys at home?", Mrs. Ranez asked with surprise. She knew they had a party to attend but she felt they would be back already as it was late in the afternoon.
Luciana who thought her mom was home already, unknowingly disclosed that they were still out. When she realized she sold herself out, she raised her hand to her forehead in regret, but it was fine anyway as her Mother was easy to appease, or manipulate to put it that way.
"We're not, we decided to stay with a friend, so we don't miss you much", Luciana said, "how about you? You were given extra shift hours?"
"Yes dear, I even had to work for extra four hours. I'm tired already", Mrs. Ranez divulged, "I'll be home in less than an hour, I have to prepare for a dinner with some colleagues and I will be going back to work after that".
"Again?", Luciana said like a child denied her mom's warmth.
"I'm sorry dear, you should come home so I can see you girls before leaving", Mrs. Ranez stated.
"Okay mom, take care, we'll be on our way and we love you", Luciana said in between air kisses then hung up.
"Pheww....", Luciana exhaled.
"That was a long call", Charles said, "I guess you will be going soon".
"Yeah, I think we should", it was Jessie this time.
"I don't want to go yet. I'm tired", Luciana protested.
She quickly laid on the bed and covered herself, so she doesn't get forced to leave. If only she knew her actions didn't really matter as Jessie pulled her up immediately.
"C'mon we should go", Jessie said, as if on cue, Charles went to his mirror, took a comb and brushed his hair to fall backwards. He took out his deodorant and applied a little on his body, then picked up his keys.
"I should drop you guys", he said.
Jessie was short of words at his kindness and could only mutter a "thank you". Luciana who accepted her fate that she had to leave, just packed her hair in a ponytail and used her hair pins to hold the edges of her hair.
Holding their boots in one hand as they had decided to work barefooted, with their purses across their shoulder, they made their way to the car with Charles behind as he had to lock up his house.
Luciana got into the backseat in a hurry as she needed space to rest. Jessie who stood outside the door of the front passenger seat, was about opening the door, before Charles came close to her, almost leaning on her shoulder, he whispered, "don't forget the dare".
Stepping back, he made his way to the driver's seat with a grin formed on his face all through. Stepping on the accelerator, he drove off in speed.