Mandy POVNow that we were back at studying together, I saw Mark almost everyday. Because on Mondays and Wednesdays he came to our house and Tuesdays and Thursdays, Steph and I watched the swim practice.I have to confess that by now I´m completely in love with him. I think he likes me too, by the way he looks at me, and how sweet he is. But then it is his nature. I was so surprised when he hugged my mom after the way she had treated him. He saw the good in her. And that is because he is good himself. I´m starting to know him better and I dive in every aspect of his personality. I discovered that when you start to love somebody, you still don´t know them completely. It´s their actions in the everyday basis that confirm your love. And make your love grow and strengthen.“Mandy, hurry up or we will be late.” Steph was going with me to talk to the teacher, because we were always together at school. So, I got my shinning package,

Back to nowadays MANDY POV Okay. So now I have a driver that takes me everywhere in a limo. When the two crazy persons in my life could agree on something it was that I should take the limo. Mr. Boss said that he felt better if Trevor, his driver, kept an eye on me. Just temporarily, he assured me. Because the doctor told us I should be in observation for a couple of days. My mother considered it a great idea. In fact, if she could, she would carry me in her arms everywhere, after this accident. The limo and the driver were the closest solutions she had for her wish. The kids at school think that I won the lottery or something. I just ignore the whispers. If I deny it, they´ll just extend the gossip. Steph is enjoying this so much. She made like a hundred photos of us in the limo for her I*******m account. And her followers increased by the thousands. It seems to be true that people love limousines. Trevor is so patien

MANDY I saw no reason to cancel my afternoon studies with Mark. I was feeling completely all right, but he showed such care for me. He closed the books and said that I should rest. I agreed but asked him to stay and chat. He accepted and asked me to tell him everything in detail. We were enjoying each other when my mom interrupted gently. “Mandy, just a quick question. Do you prefer candles or flowers for the centerpieces at your party?” “Flowers, mom.” “Ok. Later you´ll choose which ones. We have plenty of time. It is just that some suppliers ask for a deposit and I want to make sure that everything will be perfect. By the way Mark, you are already invited.” “Is there going to be a party?” “Her sweet sixteen. It will be at the 5 Comets Hotel. Their ballroom is beautiful.” Then mom leaves, texting on her phone. I´m a little embarrassed to be the center of attention. Again. “Do you want me to go, Mandy?" He senses I was

  MANDY POV Oh, the unrequited love. It truly hurts. I was unable to hide it. I cried in front of the driver, I cried in front of mom and I cried in front of the mirror. I felt doubly betrayed, by Mark and by Steph. Mom allowed me twenty minutes alone sobbing in the bathroom, then she came knocking. “Mandy, I´ll really give you space if that´s what you want. But I´m here with some mother´s arms ready to hug you.” I chose that. I opened the door and flew into her arms. She caressed my hair and I told her everything that happened. Surprisingly she didn´t enter her ninja operational mode, threatening to kill everybody. It felt good to open up with mom. Besides, enough secrets already. Maybe it would have eased the pain if Steph had prepared me for it. I knew that mom had to know because it would take me a while to collect myself. And most of all, I needed an ally. We were on the sofa now, drinking some chamomi

MANDY POV When I decided not to go to school for a week, my phone had an explosion of messages and unanswered calls, already in the first day. That´s why I thought it was better to send a message to the school friends’ group, telling them that I was off for the week and would see them next Monday. It is funny how this group included both, Steph and Mark. I added, that it was due to a strong headache and a need to rest more. And then I turned off the phone. If I just could turn off my mind. I kept remembering the bonds I had with Steph since childhood. Our so-called missions started at the age of nine when we first noticed boys. It was very innocent, but it gave us some challenges and fun. The first one was when Hiroshi, an interchange student, arrived from Japan. Steph was so into him, that she followed him everywhere. But it only scared him a lot, because he didn´t speak English and thought it was bullying. We decided to take some positive ac

MANDY POV I was so thrilled when I indeed made my first million dollars from investments in the Stock Market. And the money was mine. It was unbelievable. I checked with George because Mr. Boss had instructed him to help me with doubts and any other matters. “I didn´t have ten thousand dollars to start with, so I´m investing for the company, right?” “Not in this case. You are investing for yourself. See, thanks to Mr. Boss´ generosity, the ‘top-level projects’ staff receives this amount to invest for themselves. It´s a benefit and an encouragement. He says that if people don´t like and don´t know how to invest for themselves, how can they bring profits to the company?” “It´s the best place in the world to work, George.” “Not for everybody, Mandy. Some people hate offices. And they despise all kinds of numbers, except those that appear in dollar bills.” They laugh together now. George is a great guy. And that´s why he is the per

Morning Paper When Carol saw a picture of Arthur Boss on the first page of the Sunday Newspaper, she almost fell from her chair. She read eagerly as follows: ‘The Hollywood actress Elizabeth Lizabeth Beth, with her boyfriend the billionaire finance tycoon Arthur Boss, is glad to invite people all around the world to the launching of her new movie.” Now she was pale and Mandy asked her what was wrong. “These idiots from the newspaper. They played with words and for a moment I thought it was the announcement of Arthur´s engagement.” “I can´t believe it. Let me see.” Carol drinks some water while Mandy reads. “It´s just some silly movie, mom.” “I know now. But still, it says that she is his girlfriend.” “Oh, mom, I´m sorry.” “Don´t worry, Mandy. It is not like we were together or anything.” “Like mother like daughter, right?” “What do you mean?” “Well mom, we both assumed someone liked us more than they did

MANDY POV Since mother decided to go for a run before nightfall, I was organizing my things for school the next day. I feared that Monday, but it was arriving. With this unpleasant thought, I heard the bell ring, and then she was at my door, Steph herself. Well, maybe it was better to get it over with. “Come in, Steph.” “Oh, Mandy, sorry for dropping by, but I was so worried that I couldn´t wait until tomorrow. I´ve been trying to talk to you, but there´s something wrong with your phone. And I sent a ton of messages.” I noticed her nervousness because she was talking nonstop and almost out of breath. “How are you feeling, Mandy?” “I feel better, thanks. But I thought you didn´t want to talk to me.” “How come?” “You ran away from me at the shopping, Steph.” “Oh, so you saw us. I was afraid of that. Can I sit down for a moment?” She felt defeated. We both took seats. “You could just have told me, Steph. I would understand

MANDY Suddenly I was looking forward to Monday. I almost couldn´t sleep. I got up once to visit the row of vases of flowers that Mark had sent me. I arrived at school with Steph and Charlie, since I had insisted on returning the limo to Mr. Boss. Mark came to meet us halfway at the parking lot. He seemed relieved to see me well. Before any word, he just hugged me. In front of everybody. It made wonders to cure my insecurities. “Are you all right?” “Yes.” “I was so worried, Mandy. You have no idea.” (Now this was music for my ears. Ok, I didn´t want him to suffer or anything, but it showed that he cared for me.) Charlie and Steph had left us alone. Mark was holding my hand now. “My mom wanted me to take more tests. Just to be on the safe side.” (I felt a little guilty with this white lie, but there was no harm being done. And what else could I say?) “I think she was very wise. But my parents are doctors, you know

MARK POV I feel so lucky to be a part of Mandy´s life. I don´t know why she chose me, I mean, there is nothing special about me. And everything is alive and beautiful around her. And I don´t mean just limos and choppers. It´s more than material things. She can make you feel good even if you are riding an old bicycle. It is herself that adds to things, not the other way around. It became very clear to me when she invited me to go with her to the Don Bosco shelter. She happens to go there, every last Sunday of the month. Forty-six orphans live there and she interacts with them. Mandy does voluntary work, as I found out. “I mainly play yard games with them. So, we exercise and practice math.” She sweetly explained to me. “Math?” “Yes. I adjusted the games a little. In this way, we challenge the body and the brain.” And thus, it was. Children would be jumping rope and reciting the multiplication table. When anybody