Chapter 93

***Kenya.***

***Present day, a week later***

Monday. A whole seven days since Levi got me the Coupe SUV. Still unbelievable!

When the salesmen had quoted the price and he had just silently given them a check, I had protested. Screaming inside at the outrageousness of buying me a car, when he had a fleet of cars. But he had kissed away my doubt.

Tonight as we sat, celebrating Amanda's 26th birthday, in their Beverly Hills home, I smiled. Happiness distracting me. Levi's fingers laced inside mine, while he listened to Alan's friend. We were all dressed casually. A simple out door LA party.

Dinner over and we had our drinks in hand, talking. Alfred, a friend to Amanda and Alan said a joke about Amanda's love for her husband, kids and jewelry, earning our laughter.

Mum watched us with such adoration as she equally sat. I could imagine her thoughts; her girls all grown up with their own families. I guess she did alright.

She came with a friend tonight. A Mr Copa. Former owner of a toy shop, before he retired; giving his sons the business.

"Kenya, so when are we hearing baby cries?" Amanda's friend, Cassidy teased.

I laughed nervously, catching Levi's eyes. He squeezed my fingers beneath the table.

When Alan invited us a few days ago to Amanda's birthday party, I had tried to escape the event, because Amanda's friends always made me nervous. Somehow tonight, I didn't want to feel intimidated by them.

"When Kenya is ready, we will have a baby." Levi saved me, holding my gaze.

The words caressed me. A promise. I saw a gleam in his eyes and my heart sang.

"So Ken, are we all invited to the reopening of your school?" Cassidy jumped to another question. I frowned, trying to gather my thoughts that had already strewn off to Levi. My delectable distraction.

"YeahI'd have my P.A send out invitations to you. I actually had no idea you'd be interested in stuff like that." I stared at Cassidy, smiling. She chuckled.

"It's a party Ken. My weakness. Right baby?" She turned to Carl, her husband. The man just kissed her in the neck, earning more giggles.

I looked at mum and Mr Copa, their heads lowered, sharing their own world of whispers. She had waited, sacrificed years of her life for us, until now.

Her little moment of joy right now, was a bliss to me. I turned and saw Amanda equally watching her. Perhaps we weren't as different after all.

Since we walked into the party, hours ago, Amanda was tensed. She masked it, but I could still see it.

As she rose to go into the house, I followed her, careful not to attract mum's eyes.

"Amanda." I called, halting her on the stairs to their rooms. She turned, smiling nervously.

"What you doing here? Shouldn't you be at the party?" She asked, her eyes shifting in the direction I came.

"I wanted to check up on you. I noticed you were off kilter. Are you tired?" I came closer, holding her. Her hands felt cold, clammy. She pulled them away. *Was she coming down with something.*

"Am fine Ken. I just need to rest. The kids are at Alan's mum's, so I should have had tonight to rest at least." She raked a hand through her long, wavy hair extension.

"Alright." I felt disappointed. *Didn't she want to see us around her?* But I didn't press. I held my tongue.

Hugging her, I chose not to detain her longer. Maybe it was time we called it a night and returned to our hotel. I knew when I wasn't welcomed.

"Good night Amanda. I'll be leaving with Levi." I informed her. She hitched her breath. Nodding tightly. I wondered at her reaction and quietly walked away.

Not wanting to disturb her further.

When I walked outside. I greeted Alan and the others. Alan followed and we talked. I finalized the paper work for production of the movie, earlier today, when we arrived.

Now he just gave me a reminder when I was expected to come to set. In September. It wasn't a mega role. I was just to act as this ballerina that catches the eye of an assassin. Just about four scenes for me.

We got to the car and I leaned against it, watching the stars. I managed to ask mum to bring my old stuff from her place, when she was coming. She brought a cardboard box filled with my old stuff.

"Are you alright?" Levi's comforting voice came. I turned. He already had the car door open for me.

"Am just worried about my sister. She looked off." I walked to him, opening the back door and sitting down. I dragged out my diary from the box.

I needed to hold on to past memories of Amanda and I.

Growing up into a woman, Amanda changed. I think before she became a woman. I think when she had to work hours for my school.

Levi came to silently stand in front of me. I held back my tears.

I unlocked the diary with its key and began thumbing the pages. It still smelled floral. Scents I used to spray on it.

"Is that your diary?" Levi asked, calmly. I nodded. The surrounding security lights, filtered in.

"Can I see it?" He asked me. I looked into his eyes. Tears, blurring my vision.

"Just one, for now." I informed him, pushing back the tears. But they just leaked. He didn't ask about the tears, he only nodded. I was grateful he let me cry. When I opened the page marked 'My Dear Future Husband,' I handed it over. He took it. His expression morphing to tenderness.

I was embarrassed. I didn't care.

After like an endless moment of Levi staring down at that one page, his voice came. Thick, hoarse with emotion.

"Wish granted."

*Two words,* and I crashed into his welcoming arms.