Means to love

The blind date

AUTHOR’S POV

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Fernanda shouted as she pushed Jeromino away and he wiped hisl-ips with his palm like a real per-vert.

“What does it look like I’m doing, of course I’m convincing you otherwise. Yourl-ips are soft and sweet” Jeromino said flir-tatiously and Fernanda scoffed.

“Too bad, you met the wrong person. You shouldn’t f0rç£ yourself on people that’s called S-xual haras-sment. Excuse me” Fernanda said seriously then walked out of the restaurant but Jeromino ran after her.

“You can’t decline my request. Don’t make me f0rç£ you to do it” Jeromino forewarned.

“You’re a public figure so put your act together and st©p behaving like a psychopath. What a nuisance!” Fernanda cursed then entered her grandma’s car.

Fernanda got back home and lunch was served alre-ady. Everyone was seated at the dinning table.

“I’m back” Fernanda announced as she dropped the car keys on the shelf.

“Fernanda let’s have lunch” Florencia informed and she walked to the dinning table.

“Daddy why are you still here? I thought you went back to the office” Fernanda inquired as she took her seat.

“Mum said I should have my lunch before leaving. It would have been perfect if your brothers were here as well” Bruno exclaimed and Fernanda smiled.

“Come on Dad, you know they would have been here if they aren’t so occu-pied with so much work at the office and that’s why I love my job” Fernanda smiled as she di-pped her fork into the plate filled with burritos.

“Fernanda I think your job is the most hectic one here but you happen to always be at home. Don’t you want to grow your career?” Benicio asked and everyone stared at him.

“It’s obvious she’s using the advantage that her dad is the vice president. Uncle Bruno don’t let Fernanda get her way else she will be lacking behind in her career” Damian suggested and Fernanda rolled her eyes.

“You’re right Damian. Now that we’re on the t©pic, Fernanda dear you have to accept Mr Enzo’s offer so your name will be heard around the world. You should use Jeromino as a stepping stone and he’s re-ady to be used as a stepping stone. I heard Jeromino telling the CEO he wants you to shoot for the couple outfits with you. He’s going to cancel the contract with our company if you don’t agree” Bruno explained worriedly.

“Wow that kinda sounds like an amazing offer. Fernanda don’t lose such an opportunity” Florencia cut in.

That darn Jeromino… He even threatened the CEO but why’s he so obsessed with me when I have no idea who he is. Is this really a great opportunity or a tra-p. Fernanda thought chewing her food gently.

“Come on Fernanda, what do you say? Mum help me here” Bruno said slowly as he stared at Abuela.

“Fernanda dear, you really don’t nee-d to do much and the shoot wouldn’t take the whole week if that’s what you’re worried about. Go ahead and do it dear. Let’s save your dad’s face at the company” Abuela advised and Fernanda sighed tiredly.

“Dad can you give me some time to think about it because putting on feminine clothes kinda feels so uncomfortable. I nee-d to think it throu-gh” Fernanda said slowly and Bruno smiled.

“That’s a good start as long as you will think about it” Bruno smiled as he continued eating and Abuela cleared her throat grasping everyone’s attention.

“Mum do you nee-d some water?” Benicio asked concerned.

“I’m fine. Fernanda do you have any b©yfri£ndyet?” Abuela asked and an awkward silence swept the dinning table.

“What are you saying Mum? Fernanda is still too young to have a b©yfri£nd” Bruno rebuked.

“Daddy what do you mean? Of course I’m old enough to have a b©yfri£nd. I’ve graduated from college alre-ady” Fernanda reminded.

“Still that doesn’t mean you’re old enough to have a b©yfri£nd” Bruno protested.

“Bruno why are you sounding so old fashioned when kids of eight, ten years alre-ady have b©yfri£nds” Benicio laughed.

“Benicio everyone’s different and I’m against it. Fernanda isn’t allowed to have a b©yfri£ndtill she turns 25” Bruno announced seriously and argument broke out at the dinning table but Abuela hit the table, getting everyone’s attention.

“Bruno I’m against your rule”Abuela protested with a frown.

“Mum, Fernanda is my daughter so I decide what happens in her life” Bruno said seriously.

“That will only happen if you can cancel the blind d@t£ I set for her tomorrow” Abuela blurted.

“Blind d@t£?” Everyone chorused in shock.

“Mum why would you set a blind d@t£ for my daughter without letting me know first” Bruno whined.

“She’s my granddaughter. I also have the right to make decisions in her life so what do you think about the blind d@t£ Fernanda?” Abuela asked smiling.

I always end up getting tied up in the middle of every argument in this family of mine.

“Fernanda choose wisely, if you decline Abuela’s offer uncle Bruno would never allow you have a b©yfri£nd” Damian cut in with a silly smile and Bruno glared at him.

“St©p confusing her, let her decide on her own” Bruno shouted with a frown and Fernanda drank a glas-s cu-p of water as she hesitated.

It’s just a blind d@t£, if it doesn’t work out well. I can just leave. Fernanda g@sped in her head as she swallowed ha-rd before answering.

“Dad it’s just a blind d@t£, it’s not a big deal” Fernanda said slowly and Bruno stood up.

“I’m off to work, see you when I get back” Bruno said coldly then the dinning table.

“Benicio your brother can be quite childish sometimes” Florencia tea-sed as Bruno left the house.

“It’s only natural that he’s strict about his only daughter having a b©yfri£nd. Fernanda is our only princess and that’s why we’re quite protective sometimes” Benicio smiled.

Daddy looked a bit disappointed, I hope I didn’t make the wrong decision. Fernanda muttered in her head staring at the door.

“Fernanda dear don’t worry about Bruno, he will be fine after taking some cu-p of coffee. About your blind d@t£, it’s 4pm tomorrow. I will text you the address” Abuela said smiling wi-dely.

“Okay Abuela”

“But mother how did you come up with a blind d@t£ for Fernanda?” Benicio asked curiously.

“I got a notification on my blind d@t£ app and that’s how I set a d@t£ for Fernanda” Abuela said smiling.

“Mum you have a blind d@t£ app?” Florencia asked in surprise.

“Of course, I have so many grandchildren and it may be ha-rd for them getting a d@t£ because of their busy schedule and that’s why I downloaded the app” Abuela explained.

“Wow so thoughtful of you Abuela but too bad I have a girlfriend alre-ady” Damian announced with a silly smile.

“I didn’t intend on looking for a d@t£ for you to begin with” Abuela g@sped and everyone laughed.

NEXT DAY

FERNANDA

I woke up and I heard such a loud noise at the sitting room.

“It’s so early, what are they arguing about” I said sluggishly as I got out of my be-d, stretching my arms tiredly.

“Abuela, Fernanda have never d@t£d anyone before so why should we begin her d@t!nghistory with a blind d@t£” Fred argued and I smiled as I saw Fernand sitting at the other side watching TV.

Even uncle Luciano is home today. Franco is here as well.

Franco is my second cousin, he’s Damian’s junior brother.

“Wow, everyone’s home today” I shouted excitedly as I ran to give Fernand a hvg.

“Baby sis, how’re you doing?” He tea-sed ru-bbing my cheeks just then the door cracked open and uncle Alejandro with his family walked in.

“Bro let’s talk later” I said swiftly then ran back into my room.

Why do they have to come so early?

“Bruno I can’t find Fernanda around. On our way here I thought of something very important. Fernanda is of age now so when do you plan on marrying her off” Uncle Alejandro said slowly and an hvge argument broke out between the brothers in the sitting room.

“This isn’t ending anytime soon” I mumbled then on my be-d.

Hours later…

I opened my eyes slowly and it landed on my wall clock.

“Oh my gosh, how did I end up dozing off for so long. It’s almost time for the blind d@t£” I g@sped out in shock then ran into my bathroom.

Freshened up quic-kly, put on some nice jeans and t-shi-t then I head out to the sitting room.

“Fernanda are you not hungry? You haven’t had your breakfast and lunch yet?” Abuela reminded and I smiled.

“Don’t worry Abuela, I will gr-ab something outside. Hi uncle Alejandro” I greeted as I sneaked the car keys into my purse then I ran out of the house.

“They’re probably talking about how rude I am” I uttered out laughing then I drove off to the fancy restaurant.

I got seated at a table as I waited for my d@t£.

Shouldn’t it be the other way round anyways let’s get this over with. I muttered in my mind with my eyes on my wrist watch.

“Hello Miss Fernanda!” A voice echoed and it sounded familiar, I raised my face up but I was shocked to the bone when I saw Jeromino sitting in front of me.

“Are you stalking me?” I asked seriously and he smiled.

“Of course not… I’m your d@t£. Didn’t your informant tell you that”

“I told you, you can’t decline my request”