PRICELESS EXCHANGE

MAYOR CITY

We all packed our luggage excitedly that morning. I can't believe I'm going out of Queens and for the first time of my life, to a far away place. I have informed my parents the other night about going home with Tonia and Andrew and they didn't oppose

hope they're good people? mom had asked

yes mom, I'll be coming to mariossa with them too, I said excitedly

hope you're not bringing home your boyfriend? my dad had said from the phone

dad! I exclaimed

I smiled as I thought about everything. Tonia walked into the room dressed in a blue rugged jean and a black top. She wore a blue sneakers too and a black face cap.

Hey are you ready? she asked as I my laced my brown boot.

I'm perfect, I said as I stood in front of the mirror to admire myself. I wore a brown sweatshirt and a black skinny jean to match.

Hey are there cool guys In Mayor city? I asked with a smile

oh yes of course, cool guys with bulgy eyes, big teeth and grab pimples on their faces, she said and we both laughed

You ain't serious... I said laughing

come on you're taking too much time, she said dragging my luggage outside.

hey wait... I cried as I ran after her.

We got outside and found Andrew leaning on a Red Ferrari. He was dressed in a pair of denim jean trousers and a blue hoodie. He wore a black sneaker and a face cap too. I couldn't take my eyes off him as I continued to stare at him.

gosh he's looking so hot and unlike his usual nerdy dressings I said to myself

what are you staring at? Tonia asked

um.. nothing I replied

you guys took a whole lot of time, he said raising his face to look at us. I was carried away in his blue charming eyes and the strand of his blond hair on his face. Tonia looked at me and I smiled sheepishly.

Hey is this our ride? I asked in surprise as I stared at the Ferrari

yeah.. Tonia replied as she got into the Ferrari

oh no you guys can't be serious! I exclaimed

of course, come on we need to get to the city on time, Andrew said as he entered the Ferrari with Tonia. I couldn't stop staring at the car in front of me. I saw a man in the front of the car probably the driver.

gosh, how did this come about? I asked as I sat beside Tonia in the car.

oh, dad sent the car to pick us from school so stop sounding like we've made it, Tonia said and we all laughed as the car drove away.

can't believe I'm gonna be free from Queens, free from Molly and free from...

the love of your life, Tonia completed with a laughter

what love of my life? I asked turning to look at her

Jeffy... she said laughing

hmm, I said. I saw Andrew's eyes piercing through me. I turned to look at him and he looked away at once

So Andy, why are you looking so handsome today? I asked

what? me? he asked in surprise and Tonia laughed.

Yeah you of course, you're looking so handsome, I said ruffling his hairs. Hey, stop it, he giggled

don't tell me you're falling, Tonia said to me with a smirk on her face

me? oh no come on... I cried and we all laughed

I know you're missing Tony already, I said

what? hell no I'm not, she said feigning anger

big fat lie, I refuted and pushed her head

hey stop it, she said pushing me to Andrew. My body landed on his chest and gosh it was so comfortable and he smells good too.

hey ain't you gonna get off him? she asked

what's your business? I asked and we all laughed.

It was a funny ride and I imagined how life would be during the holidays at Mayor city. I couldn't help but compose a song

can't wait to see how life would be...

away from the shackles behind me....

can't wait to see how life would be to be free once again

Tonia: (Yeah... yeah..)

Chorus

I'm taking this journey with you....

just to be free from the hell...(we're once in...)

So pull me close and hold me close

As I take this journey with you....

( Oh...oh..oh..oh..oh..oh..)

Tonia and I sang so beautifully while Andrew smiled as he watched us.

***

We got to Mayor city at about 3:30pm.

This city looks so beautiful, I acknowledged as we drove along the well paved road. I looked at the magnificent buildings and the trees planted along the roads of each streets. Everywhere looked so neat and beautiful.

We drove into a house with a two storey building apartment. It has a small wooden gate and a lot of trees and flowers planted around it.

is this your home? I asked looking at the weary Tonia and she nodded

wow..this is great! I exclaimed.

The car came to a halt, and I couldn't help but snap a few pictures around the house and also with the car.

hey I'm not gonna bring in your luggage for you I'm I? Tonia asked walking into the house

Andrew laughed and pulled my luggage from the car.

Enough of the pictures Slay princess, Andrew said pulling my arms.

We all walked into the house with Andrew carrying my luggage. The living room downstairs was big and it has about four sofas, a small glass table and a dinning also. The walls were painted white with some interior decor. The floors were well tiled and there was a chandelier light hanging on the ceiling. There was a Big TV set and also some other electronics on a shelf.

Different picture frames were hung on the walls and I noticed a young lady in some of the pictures. I guess she was their mom cause she had a big resemblance with Tonia.

Everywhere smelled good and there were sounds coming out from the kitchen which was right beside the dining.

Dad, Andrew called as he looked around the house

son, I heard a man say behind us. I turned and saw a carbon copy of Andrew standing behind me. He was tall and blond with muscular arms and a small moustache. He wore a black T-shirt and black trousers with an apron tied around his waist.

Daddy! Tonia exclaimed as she jumped on him. Andrew did same and I couldn't help but miss my dad.

I've missed you guys so much, he said as he cuddled them in his arms

we've missed you too... Andrew said smiling

hey who's the lady behind? he asked and I blushed

um.. she's Sophie, the one we told you about, Tonia said

oh come here girl, he motioned to me and I walked to meet him. He hugged me too and I smiled.

Hi Sophie, how are you? he asked

I'm fine, it's nice meeting you I said

same here. I'm Mr Smith, you can feel free around the house ok? he said with an assuring smile. He smiles just like his son. And the dimples on his cheeks were same as Andrew's.

what's cooking dad? Tonia asked sniffing her nose

Your favorite Gravy, he said

really? I've missed your food.. she said smiling

your dad cooks? I asked in surprise

where do you think Andrew learnt it from? Tonia asked and we all laughed

come on guys, go freshen up, food would be ready soon, he said and we all nodded

We walked upstairs to our rooms. Tonia and I shared a room while Andrew's room was beside ours. We both freshened up together and changed our clothes before going downstairs to eat.

Tastes great, I said munching a chicken. Dad you cook so great I wish I can marry a man who cook so well, I said and everyone laughed

don't tell me you're having a thing for my dad already, Tonia whispered to me

what?!! well, he's handsome plus he cooks so well, I said and she hit me hard

Andrew is a good cook too isn't he? Mr smith asked

yes he is, he cooks so well like you, I remarked and Andrew blushed.

We all ate happily as we chatted and laughed at the dining. It seems like home to me, and I was so grateful for coming to this place.

Hey guys I have a surprise for you tomorrow, Andrew said as we sat at the balcony that night

what? I asked in curiosity

well, tomorrow you'll see, he said smiling

no, you know I hate surprises plus I can't kill my curiosity so you have to spill it out.. Tonia urged

ok guys, We're going to Methosa tomorrow to visit the old palace, he said

what! Tonia exclaimed

where's Methosa? I asked trying to recall where I've heard that name

It's the Queen's kingdom, Tonia explained

you mean Queen Serena originated from Methosa? I asked

yeah you're so dumb, I've told you a couple of times.. Tonia joked

There is an old palace in Methosa where the Queen and her sisters lived when they were young and that palace holds the first musical school in the kingdom before it was moved to the city and formed as Queens high school, Andrew explained

really? grandma gave me a book about the quadruplets of Methosa, I.. I.. can't really remember the story, I said

hey, I thought you said your grandma gave you a gift? Tonia asked

yes! the box! oh not again.. I've failed to check it out, I said

you should do , maybe it contains a lot you need to know, Andrew said

so that means Princess Tanya is also in Methosa?, I asked

yeah but not at the old palace. A new palace had been built where she resides with the royal household, Andrew said

can we go to see her too? I asked

no, cause no one's allowed to go near that palace unless you're a noble personality in the kingdom, Tonia said

Does she comes out of the palace? I asked

Not really, she's a peacock, she travels a lot too, Tonia replied

can't really wait to see the palace tomorrow, I said excitedly

me too, Tonia and we all smiled