Chapter 3

Brandon

"That suit really brings out your style, Bran. You look way more handsome in it."

Mom said with so much emotion, my heart swelled with pride. I loved her.

Throughout this week I have been trying hard not to have a mental breakdown.

I have called my landlord over and over again, every single time I have lowered my ego flat out of plead for an extension.

Each time he yelled with the same reply.

Your time is up, no more extensions.

I haven't even found the courage to break the news to mom, she has a lot on her plate so I didn't want her to worry about this one.

I promised myself to come up with the money by myself. Even though I had to quit college, chances of paying for the overdue rent was still hard.

I had signed up as a receptionist in a real estate agency office and used every penny I get in paying the five hundred dollars rent.

But I barely made enough as a receptionist there since we aren't paid high enough.

I hoped the landlord would see my payment as a sign of good faith but it seems he doesn't.

In thirty days I and mom would be kicked out in the streets. I felt depressed about the whole situation.

"You bought me the suit," I said, smiling fondly at her.

I didn't want her to see the trouble within me. The blue suit had been my birthday present last year April.

"You thought me how to cook,"

She traces the outline of my cheek with her thumb.

"Most boys don't know how to." she said.

"Mom, you are the realest person I've ever known."

She softly gathers my hair into a single bundle, fixing the loose strands in place.

When she was younger she worked as a chef and a tailor. She was really talented at so many things.

Ever since Dad died in that accident she had been my backbone. Single parenting wasn't that easy.

"Where are you going to tonight?" she asked warmly, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

I scrunched up my nose. "Andy wants me to go to a gala with him."

As crazy as it sounds Andy got invitations to the Della Rossi Blueprint and Designs spring bash, he was cooking up a protest at the appointed place.

Honestly I thought it was rude to throw insults at the host of a party and I didn't want to be part of the drama but Andy stubbornly insisted I must tag along with him.

"I wished I didn't have to pull up at the gala with or without Andy entirely."

"If you ask me, I don't like that boyfriend of yours." My mom eyes met mine in the mirror.

"Why do you say so mom?" I asked.

"Can't you see bran?. He just a pathetic User who would dump you once he got what he wanted."

I guess mom also noticed he was a narcissist.

"Andy is working hard to see that the Della Rossi skyscrapers are not built," I try to defend my ex boyfriend.

"All he thinks about is himself child, is he picking you up?"

Mom would be disappointed at my answer.

"No he isn't," I say with sadness.

"Please tell me you are taking a cad there."

I didn't want to raise any worries in her, cabs are expensive and we don't have money.

"Of course, yes," I lied.

"That's good," she said while adjusting the suit.

"What do you think."

"I think it is breathtaking."

I stood up and draw her into a hug.

"I love you mom." I say.

"Don't spend your life trying to please Andy, he isn't worth it."

"There are many responsible men out there that are ready to love you for who you are, promise me you won't waste it all on Andy."

As mom spoke those words, I could envision Leonardo Ferrari, he would be at the party tonight and my heart races faster whenever I see him.

He had a chiseled square jaw, covered in salt and pepper scruff, with a matching high and tight haircut.

And he had blue-gray eyes I couldn't forget, eyes that seemed to look into me. I wondered if he found anything but ugliness inside.

There was no ugliness to Leonardo. And as I thought about his rugged good looks, my body reacted to his memory.

Both his handsomeness and the way his eyes hovered around my body.