Love Thy Neighbour by Annecia Ellies (fantasy books to read .txt) 📕

“This one, Morgan, I had brought for you in France when I decided to make the trip. Just a little souvenir. Hope you like it.”

Morgan took the other box and opened it. It was a beautiful charm bracelet, with seven colored charms resting in white gold backing. It represented all the colors of the rainbow.

“Wow Filipe, I don’t know what to say, this is beautiful, thank you.”

“You’re welcome, ma chérie you did mention you love charm bracelets” He said and kissed her on the forehead.

He placed his arms around both girls’ shoulders as they headed back towards the others. Filipe in the middle of two beautiful girls, definitely turned heads as they walked. A photographer, in passing, asked them if he can take their photo for a tourism story in the newspapers’ Sunday Edition. They all agreed and posed so that the photo could be taken.

“Are we still on for tomorrow Morgan?” he asked

Saurelle bent forward to look at Morgan, ignoring Filipe in the middle, and she asked, “What are you doing tomorrow?”

“We are going for a drive, I’m taking him down Chaguaramas.” Morgan replied

“Hmm, ok. Just the two of you? No Pancho?”

“Just the two of us, yes” Morgan replied, desperately hoping she got no reaction from her friend.

“Huh, wow, ok” She simply said.

She looked at them both and smiled, then she winked at Morgan and said, “Hope you two have a great time.”

Morgan gave her a friendly pinch. She was still rubbing the spot when she went into the water to join Kwassi. He swam up to her and kissed her. Morgan went towards Flynn, who grabbed her by the waist and raised her up in the air. The others were in the water bobbing and chatting away. Filipe looked at them all and decided to stay in the background a bit. He saw a frown on Flynn’s face as they approached and wondered if he was getting a bit jealous. Kwassi seemed not to mind the interaction between himself and Auri at all. He heard her telling him they were all friends. Maybe it will take a bit longer to settle with Flynn. He hoped he isn’t putting Morgan in a tough spot, having to explain the gifts. He walked a little way away from the group and dove into the water. He needed to swim to burn off some of the frustration that was beginning to eat into him.

Later on when they all had dried off and changed their clothes, they hung around on the beach chatting, eating and listening to some music playing from speakers on a truck. Dick was showing off some new reggae dance moves where the small crowd was gathered while encouraging them to try it out. The guys took turns telling Filipe about their view on Carnival and other events and tried to encourage him to come back for the festivities.

Chapter Eleven

The next day Morgan was waiting for Filipe at the kapok Hotel car park. She was actually anticipating the time they planned to spend together. After Flynn dropped her off last night, she was surprised to see quite a few alert messages flashing on her computer. Three of them was from Filipe. He asked her if she liked the presents, also told her if she did not he will get her something else. She just laughed and told him it was lovely and she appreciated the gesture. She laughed again when he told her he felt that if he did not get something for Saurelle she would have beaten him up. Auri does come across aggressive at times, she had told him. They joked around for quite a while then the conversation became serious when he asked her about her relationship with Flynn. She told him they were good as a couple. She was comfortable and Flynn was a likeable person once you got to know him. He came from a good family and had good intensions. He asked her if she really loved him and if she can see herself together with him forever and she said she did not think of forever.

He tried to press her a bit more but she skillfully changed the topic. She then told him if they were to spend time together today, Flynn should not be a topic. He agreed and wondered why she rather not talk about the relationship if it was secure, but intended to keep his promise. Why should they talk about Flynn when talking about them would be much more interesting? She choose out a khaki shorts which folded at the end, with a peach sleeveless cotton shirt to wear today. The tail of the shirt can be tied at the front but she left it hanging loose. A pair of wedged heeled, T strapped sandals in her favorite shoe color, beige looked gorgeous on her feet. She planned to head down to the Broad walk in Chaguaramas where they can converse, hang out and eat. The sun was shining so they had the promise of good weather. She saw Filipe approaching the car from the rear viewing mirror and her heart raced. He wore a stone washed grey jeans with a light blue t shirt saying Chantilly down the side.

“Good morning ma Cherie” he said smiling.

Morgan responded while gazing into those blue eyes she was getting used to, “Good morning Filipe. Will you always call me your cherry?”

Filipe let out a hearty laugh as he sat in the passenger seat, then said “It’s just an endearment like you will say darling in English”

“So all the time you calling me your darling and I knew nothing?”

He laughed again. “Well, remember we both will take that word in different context. Will you rather if I don’t?”

“I kind of like it.” She shrugged. “I also like your accent, the way you dress, your laughter and your confidence. You got real style man, you should be on the cover of a magazine or two... You’re a cool guy Filipe, I also like that you seem to know exactly what you want and you go after it.”

“Who said I haven’t been on the covers of many a magazine? Actually, you’re right in saying I go after what I want, nothing is allowed to keep me back as long as I set my mind to something. There are a lot of likes in your sentence Morgan, do you mean it all?”

“Yes I do. Have you really been on the covers of magazines?”

“Oui, I have. Remember I also own a few magazines.”

Morgan smiled, “Yes I know. You have a lot of businesses huh?”

“We’ll talk about those sometime, yes I do, are we ready though?”

Morgan momentarily forgot she is the one driving, she blushed and started the car.

“Since we are on compliments, may I?”

“Sure.” She said glancing his way, thinking maybe they should have had Pancho drive them to give her the freedom to gaze at him. Stop it Morgan! She chided herself.

“Morgan, meeting you is like a dream coming true, you are truly amazing. You are gorgeous inside out, I love your personality … your ready laughter and the way you say everything with your hands. You hold back a lot though and I understand because you don’t know me very well. I do wish that you will trust me and give me the opportunity to be there for you. I’m glad we are friends, it’s where all good relationships begin.”

She looked at him and grinned then said “thank you Filipe.”

They drove for two minutes in silence then he said. “Of course that’s not all I would like to say but it’s all for now.”

Morgan glanced at him and shook her head. “Do you have something on your mind Mr. Le Mar?”

“I always have something on my mind ma Cherie. As far as you’re concerned, I’m trying hard not to think too much.”

“Why is that?”

He took a deep breath then continued, “I’m sure it will get me into trouble with you.”

“Oh, what kind of trouble?”

“I won’t want you to be mad, or avoiding me so let’s leave it be. If you really want to know I will tell you, but I won’t if I think you will be mad at me for saying what I think.”

“Hmm,” she nodded and said “Ok”.

She pointed out some landmarks for him as she went along. Once they got to the Foreshore the traffic clustered a bit. They listened to music from Sweet one hundred FM as she wove in and out of the traffic, once she passed West Mall the traffic eased up and they were driving freely once more. They made it to the Broad walk and stopped under a shady tree where Morgan parked the car.
“Wow, this is beautiful.” Filipe exclaimed looking out towards the water.

“We have everything we may need here for a couple hours. Come let’s find a descent bench to sit on.” Morgan said as she led the way with Filipe following behind. She choose a bench close to the water’s edge and sat down. Filipe joined her and took out his tablet from the pouch he carried on his back.

“I have some photos I will love to show you.” He smiled at her and scooted closer so she can see.

He showed her photos of his Cafés, The Magazines, his home and other places in his town. Photos of his parents and his employees at work in the Cafes. Loire Valley where he recently visited with Caleth. Caleth and his horse, they spent the morning looking at the pictures and laughing as they exchanged stories about growing up in France and Tobago. Morgan showed him some photos she has stored in her phone. As they sat there the wind began to pick up and Morgan again tied up her hair with one of the colored rubber bands from her wrist. Filipe noticed a strand she left out and grabbed it from going into her eyes. As he did, his hand touched her cheek and she placed her hands over his. At that moment she looked at him and it was as if she was seeing him for the first time as those deep blue eyes stared back at her. Filipe caressed her cheek, then her lips with his thumb. He then looked down and took her hands into his but she smiled and pulled it away.

“Morgan,” he whispered, “You are so beautiful ma chérie”.

She looked up at him again, a lot of questions and emotions going through her mind. She placed her hands on her heart and took a deep breath.

“You felt it didn’t you?” Filipe asked.

“Felt what?”

“The chemistry, that thing between us,” He said.

She looked at him in surprise because it was as if he read her mind.

“I don’t want to scare you away Morgan,” he said softly, “but something is happening between us and I know you can feel it too.”

“I’m …” She began, but Filipe placed his fingers on her lips and told her ‘Shush”

She closed her eyes and did not see him coming closer, because her mind was so far away. She suddenly felt his soft lips gently brushing hers. Her breath caught and heart raced. She then placed her hands on his to stop it from resting on her lap. She dropped her chin after the light kiss but he picked it back up with his index finger.

“Talk to me Morgan.”

“I’m kinda hungry, let’s get something to eat.” She said breaking the moment. Morgan then stood up and walked off. When she realized Filipe wasn’t following her she stopped and turned around to see him sitting right where she left him, staring at her warily.

“Are you coming?” She smiled and said.

He slowly placed his tablet in the pouch, put the pouch on his back, then stood up and placed his hands in his pockets, then strolled even more slowly towards her, looking her in the eyes with an unreadable expression on his face.

“Hurry up snail, the Barbecue will