Means to love

The introduction

AUTHOR’S POV

Fernanda stared at Jeromino pas-sionately as they both got lost in each other’s eyes.

“I’m loving this. The look in your eyes right now, is what we’re looking for. You’re finally getting the emotions for this shoot” The director complimented and Fernanda st©pped staring.

“Let’s get over with this quic-kly” Fernanda whispered and Jeromino smiled.

“You’re running away alre-ady when we haven’t even gone to our d@t£. I’m hoping that didn’t skip your mind” Jeromino reminded and Fernanda swallowed ha-rd .

Fernanda why do you suddenly feel nervous? You shouldn’t have feelings like that… This is a job you nee-d to do and get over with, there shouldn’t be any strings attached. Fernanda uttered in her mind and they changed their pose to several poses.

“Ok let’s single sh0ts for each now” The director announced and Fernanda went to the restroom.

After tonight’s d@t£ then one’s left and I will be back to my normal life. Fernanda uttered in her head staring at herself on the mirror in the restroom and an anonymous text popped up on her phone.

“Is this some kind of spam message” Fernanda uttered ignoring the text then she went back to the studio.

“Right on time Fernanda” The director said with a smile as he lead her to the setting.

The ph0toshoots was over so Fernanda head back home without saying goodbye to anyone.

“Fernanda you look exhausted. Come have dinner with us” Abuela said smiling and Fernanda ignored everyone as she went straight into her room.

“What’s wrong? Why’s Fernanda carrying a long face?” Abuela asked worriedly.

“Come on Mum, Fernanda is an adult now so it’s only natural she gets mood swings sometimes” Benicio said sarcastically and Damian laughed.

“I don’t think that’s the issue here. This is a relationsh!pmood, it’s obvious Fernanda nee-d a man in her life” Damian cut in and Abuela puts some thoughts into it.

“So Damian what do you suggest we do?” Abuela asked curiously.

“Abuela I think you should start s£nding Fernanda to places so she mingles with people like s£nding her to her grandma’s place once in a while” Damian suggested and Florencia glared at him.

“Why would we s£nd our lovely Fernanda out there to the harsh world? She’s fine with us here so there’s no nee-d to s£nd her to Isabel’s” Florencia objected.

“But mum I thought you set a blind d@t£ for Fernanda? We didn’t get your feedback” Benicio inquired.

“Fernanda said blind d@t£s su-cks but she will have to go to few more d@t£s” Abuela said slowly.

°°°°°°

Fernanda’s phone began to ring and she took the call sluggishly without even checking on the caller.

“I’m outside your house, I’ve come to pick you up for our d@t£” Jeromino said at the other end and Fernanda’s eyes went wi-de open as she looked at what she was putting on.

“But I’m not re-ady yet?”

“I’m okay with whatever you’re putting on. It’s not like I have no idea what you’re wearing right now although you sneaked back home without saying a word” Jeromino uttered over the phone and Fernanda placed her hand on her w@!st.

“I will be out now” Fernanda said and she ruffled her hair.

“Don’t keep me waiting for too long, I run out of patience easily” He said smiling.

“I will be out in a minute” Fernanda as-sured then hung up. She swiftly ran to the mirror and combe-d her hair a bit.

“I’m all clean” Fernanda uttered then out of room leaving her phone behind.

” What are you all looking at?” Fernanda asked as the whole family gathered at the window as they peeped at Jeromino who was standing in front of their house with his car behind him.

“Wow I had no idea Fernanda is popular with the boys. He’s so good looking” Florencia complimented and Abuela frowned.

“It’s not right to let a young lady leave home at this hour. Fernanda shouldn’t be leaving home at this hour of the day” Abuela protested.

“Abuela I thought you wanted her to mingle with others so why are you against her going out” Damian asked and Abuela walked to the door blocking Fernanda from leaving.

“What’s wrong Abuela?” Fernanda asked a bit confused and Abuela frowned.

“This isn’t the way I raised you up to be. A young man is here to take you out this late at night, the least he can do is prove that he’s responsible so we would approve of your relationsh!p” Abuela said seriously and Fernanda bite herl-ips frustratedly.

“Abuela you’re embarras-sing me… My d@t£ is waiting outside” Fernanda said slowly looking at the window.

“This is the tradition of our family so do the right thing” Abuela said seriously and Jeromino rang the doorbell.

“He’s finally doing the right thing” Abuela smiled as she opened the door and Fernanda covered her face with her palm.

“Good evening ma” Jeromino greeted as Abuela opened the door.

“What’s your relationsh!pwith my granddaughter?” Abuela fired and Fernanda turned around giving them her back.

“I like your granddaughter so much and I’m trying to win her over, I’m sorry for my rudeness I c@m£ without introducing myself” Jeromino apologized and Abuela smiled.

“Such a sweet talker” Damian murmured from behind.

“My name’s Jeromino Guzman” Jeromino introduced politely and Abuela nodded.

“Abuela he has introduced himself so plea-se can we go now. You wouldn’t want me to stay out late right” Fernanda cut in as she ran to where Jeromino was standing then she held his hand.

“Abuela bye” Fernanda added then dragged Jeromino out with her.

“Fernanda don’t stay out late okay” Florencia reminded but Fernanda rushed into Jeromino’s car before Bruno gets home.

“Why are you in such a hurry? I couldn’t introduce myself properly” Jeromino complained and Fernanda rolled her eyes.

“Introducing yourself to my family wasn’t in our deal so let’s get going before my dad gets back” Fernanda uttered seriously and Jeromino started the car.

“Isn’t that Fernanda?” Bruno questioned as he c@m£ down from his car.

“Fernanda get back here” Bruno shouted but Jeromino drove off alre-ady.

Bruno rushed into the house angrily.

“Mum why would you allow a guy take Fernanda out? It’s getting late alre-ady” Bruno shouted and Luciano c@m£ out of his room.

“He introduced himself to us, he said his name is Jeromino Guzman. That seem like a popular name” Abuela said and Bruno ruffled his hair angrily.

“Benicio you were right here why didn’t you st©p that from happening? Mum just because he’s popular doesn’t give him the right to take my daughter out by this time of the day” Bruno quarreled and Abuela kept mute not knowing why he’s so pissed.

“Mum I agree with Bruno said. Why would you let Fernanda go out with someone we don’t know just because he told you guys his name. Yes Jeromino Guzman might be popular but Fernanda shouldn’t hangout with people like that. We have no idea if he has ulterior motives?” Luciano shouted and Florencia began to dial Fernanda’s number but the phone was ringing in her room.

“I think she left her cellphone at home” Damian said slowly as he opened her room door.

“She even has the nerve to leave her cellphone at home when she’s going out with a stranger” Bruno said seriously.

Luciano felt even more anxious knowing that Fernanda left her phone at home.

“Why did you let her out in the first place?” Luciano shouted and everyone shrinked.

“Why are you yelling so much? Fernanda is an adult now, she also have the right to make decisions in her life so why are you all overreacting like we threw her into the lion’s den” Abuela said slowly catching her breath.

“Yes mum, you threw her into the lion’s den” Luciano shouted and he sat down.

“Luciano I think you’re more pissed than I am, relax okay. I’m pretty sure she will be back home safe” Bruno comforted slowly.

“You have no idea what’s going on here” Luciano yelled then went back to his room angrily.

“Why’s he so pissed?” Benicio asked as everyone watched Luciano get into the room.

~~~~~~~

Fernanda and Jeromino got to the restaurant Jeromino booked for their d@t£.

“It’s beautiful here, did you prepare all this?” Fernanda asked with a smile feeling quite impressed.

“Of course, I have to make our first d@t£ quite an impressive one” Jeromino smiled and the waiters served the dishes.

“Fernanda what do you think about me?” Jeromino asked out of the blue and Fernanda stared at him.

“I think you’re mysterious and I find it difficult re-ading your mind” Fernanda uttered and he smiled.

Jeromino stood up from his seat then walked to Fernanda, he helped her up holding her palm in his.

“It’s growing dee-per than I expected” Jeromino muttered holding her hand.

“What’s growing?” Fernanda asked nervously.

“Fernanda be my girlfriend” Jeromino said pas-sionately and she blinked continuously.

She was about uttering her response but Jeromino gave her a ti-ght hvg with his heartbeat racing in her ears.

“You can’t say no to me Fernanda, I don’t take things slowly. You can hear my heartbeat racing for you”

“Don’t say no to me…”