𝗚𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗿

𝗚𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗿:
Hot Chocolate

❅𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗿❅

The next day, I was back as Professor Chun—practically living a double life.

Luckily, I had unpacked the rest of my boxes and organized my apartment the night prior.

I also got ahead of my lesson plans.

Luckily, I'm only filling in until the end of this semester for the previous philosophy professor.

Then I get to decide if I want to continue teaching in the spring semester.

But something tells me I won't—given how fucking busy it is juggling two completely opposite lives.

And Omara sitting in the second row of my class only reminds me of the other life—already thinking about what needs to be done back at the hotel.

I had to force the thoughts away in order to truly focus on my lecture at hand.

I wanted to assign an assignment for tonight and prepare the end-of-semester exam.

I think I'll assign a paper for them to write instead of holding an actual exam.

It'll be easier for us all.

Minus the fact that I have to read all of the papers.

But otherwise, it's easier than creating an actual multiple-choice question exam.

"Omara," I said as she approached the podium I stood at, turning off the projector as the students filed out of the room.

"Professor Chun," Omara said, smiling at me as she stopped in front of me, "You have a watch on today I see."

I rolled my eyes, "Not you too," I said, shaking my head at her.

Tahir must have told her.

Who else did he tell?

I imagine the entire Moretti family is probably laughing at me right now.

"It was funny I swear," Omara laughed.

And then she laughed again.

Which easily made me roll my eyes again, "I assume T told everyone then," I mumbled distastefully.

But I also kind of wanted to know if he did tell everyone.

I mean, I'm sure she knows I'm back in Miami.

Not that I care if she knows.

She doesn't seem to care either—for whatever reason is un-fucking-known to me.

Like I'm the only one who is allowed to be mad.

"I feel like you're referring to a specific person when you say everyone," Omara said, raising a knowing brow at me.

I shrugged, "I'm not honestly," I said, even if I knew a part of me did ask to see if she had heard the embarrassing story.

"It seems like you didn't know she was there," Omara said, pursing her lips awkwardly when my brows unconsciously raised, "She was in the car."

I shook my head, "Of course she was," I sighed, now feeling my embarrassment triple.

I will admit that I do care about that.

Only because I want to look so fucking good and moved on—and not embarrassing myself when she got even the privilege of laying eyes on me again.

At least she didn't hear the actual conversation.

She most likely witnessed it.

Or maybe not.

I mean clearly, she sent Ronan on purpose and stayed in the car.

She didn't want to see me.

So she probably didn't even watch the altercation happen.

"So to casually change the topic... are you coming to the tree lighting tonight?" Omara curiously asked as I walked over to my desk, "It's downtown and really fun."

I pursed my lips, "I wasn't aware there was a tree lighting," I admitted, knowing Nelli would probably mention it to me later.

It's been so long since I attended a tree lighting in Miami.

"Well, there is and you should come," Omara said, almost insisting on me being there, "There's hot chocolate and the best sugar cookies."

I shook my head, "I see what you're doing," I said, glancing away from my desk covered in papers with a smile, "You know food is my weakness."

Omara only smiled, "Which means you won't regret showing up for a cup of hot chocolate and a cookie," she determined, staring at me almost in anticipation.

And I swear, Tahir could've said the same thing and I wouldn't go for it.

But Omara has these weird magical powers with her eyes.

She's really the only one who can give me puppy dog eyes and get away with it.

And right now it's fucking working.

Even if I know a certain Moretti will be there.

But everyone is right.

I have to see her eventually.

"Fine," I suddenly sighed, glancing away from her green eyes in defeat.

Omara clapped happily, "You won't regret it, I swear," she said, nearly grinning as she backed away from my desk, "I'll see you tonight."

I hummed distastefully, "See you tonight," I mumbled, still unsure of how Omara cornered me into this one.

❅

"Wow, little Moretti still has it," Nelli said as I finished curling my hair.

Tonight's outfit consisted of a soft grey sweater and a matching short pleated skirt.

I paired it with dark red stockings and matching stiletto heels—opting for a small red purse to match.

At least my outfit will help me get in the Christmas spirit.

"You have to avoid looking into her eyes—that's exactly how she gets you," I told Nelli as I sat my curling wand on the sink and unplugged it.

"I've learned that lesson too many times to count," Nelli said as I reapplied a layer of lip gloss to my lips.

I did more of a neutral makeup look since my outfit deserves more of the attention.

Nelli matched me in a way—wearing a dark red sweater dress and white stockings with matching white heels.

It wasn't that cold in Miami, but it was definitely more chilly at night.

"Ready?" Nelli asked me as she leaned away from my bathroom sink.

I nodded, slipping my lipgloss into my purse as I followed her out of my bathroom.

And I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction as we walked through my organized apartment.

It feels so good to be unpacked and comfortable.

It just sucks that I won't be spending my first night unpacked at home.

But it's fine, I'll have an hour or two after this tree lighting to relax—until I inevitably fall asleep.

One thing about me, I love to be in bed early.

And something tells me Miami is going to change that for me.

But I won't lie, the city feels better than ever—especially after being away so long.

As I sat in the Uber with Nelli, all I could do was stare at the palm trees wrapped in Christmas lights—noticing some of the different buildings were wrapped in lights as well.

It always felt magical here during this time of year.

"Oh no, I already see my mom," Nelli mumbled as the Uber came to a smooth halt a few blocks away given the roads were blocked off.

And lo and behold, Nelli's mom, Marie, already standing by the curb waving us over with an excited smile.

"She has my location and it shows," Nelli mumbled as she undid her seatbelt.

I laughed, "It's cute that she narrowed down where we would arrive," I said as Nelli opened the back door for us.

"You think it's cute, I think it's scary," Nelli joked as we slid out of the backseat.

Which made Marie immediately walk over to us, wearing dress pants and a blouse.

And given her excitement, I assumed she would hug Nelli.

But it was me instead?

"I'm so happy you're back, Vee," Marie said as I hugged her back.

"Happy to be back," I said as we briefly pulled away from the hug.

"Just forget about me then," Nelli mumbled under her breath.

Which earned an eye roll from Marie, "I just saw you at the office earlier," she pointed out, pulling Nelli into a brief hug, "Come on, your dad is with everyone getting the hot chocolate," she added, now grabbing Nelli's hand to pull her along.

And mine too. 

I swear it reminded me of so many years ago when me, Nelli, and Marie would go shopping.

I swear Marie would drag us along to so many stores.

"Nels," Vic immediately said as we approached everyone.

And I couldn't help my heart from stalling in my chest as I unconsciously eyed the blonde standing with Vic.

But luckily, it was Tazmin and Omara.

Who were both dressed in black.

Tazmin wore a turtleneck and dress pants with her blonde hair down—while Omara wore a matching athletic set with leg warmers and her hair in a high ponytail.

"You made it," Omara immediately said, stepping past her mom to hug me.

Which naturally made me smile, "I was kind of forced to," I joked as I hugged her back.

"Never look into her eyes," Tazmin said as she took a step towards us both—but only to pull me into a hug right after Omara.

And after all these years, she smelled the exact same—her familiar cologne reminded me so much of my childhood. 

I remember Lena always smelled like vanilla—almost like cookies and candy combined. 

As a child, I always wondered how she smelled so sweet. 

I still want to know even. 

"Taz acts like she doesn't give Omi her way regardless of looking into her eyes," Vic added, shaking his head as I briefly hugged Tazmin back.

"She got her mama's persuasion—that's not a me problem," Tazmin told Vic as she briefly pulled back from our hug.

Meanwhile, Omara smiled happily, "She taught me a few tricks too," she added discreetly, naturally making Tazmin shake her head.

"Remember when Mil made an entire picture book to teach them all," Tazmin said, which immediately made not just me laugh, but everyone else too.

I remember that picture book.

It was called 'How to Get Your Way—the Simple Way by Lena Moretti.'

"I personally still use those tricks," I said, clearly joking.

But a part of me was serious.

Lena passed on some good skills honestly.

"They all do," Tazmin said, grabbing her phone that suddenly buzzed in her pocket.

And I couldn't help but raise a brow, noticing her shaking her head in amusement as she read whatever text was on her screen.

"What is it?" Vic asked as he walked over to me and hugged me, saying a brief welcome back—which naturally made me smile slightly.

"T apparently wore an inflatable Santa costume and Mil is trying to get him out of it," Tazmin explained, laughing slightly as she turned her phone around to us all, "Mil doesn't want him in it for pictures but I think it's fucking hilarious."

I couldn't help but purse my lips into a smile, looking at the picture Tazmin showed us all.

You couldn't even see Tahir's face.

It was a legit inflatable Santa that he wore while Ronan stood beside him with a thumbs-up.

My god is Tahir funny for this one.

I just know Lena is mad.

"Good luck with that one," Marie snickered as she passed a hot chocolate to Nelli.

"I already know who I'm siding with," Tazmin determined as she locked her phone.

"Lena," they all managed to say in unison, which easily made a laugh slip from my lips.

I've missed this all more than I realized. 

"Yeah, I'm back on mom duty tonight," Tazmin said, shaking her head as she handed me one of the hot chocolates, "They never grow up."

Omara immediately scoffed, "Um I'm very mature, and I'm graduating early—"

"Not you Omi," Tazmin immediately cut her short with an amused smile, "You're very mature, qamari," she assured her, gently grabbing her hand to pull her along.

"I know," Omara said with a happy smile, following behind her mom as she quickly waved us all goodbye.

I shook my head as I watched the two of them walk off, wondering if they would actually succeed in getting Tahir out of that inflatable Santa.

"Vee," I heard a familiar voice call out, immediately making me glance away from Nelli and her parents.

To Dani.

Of course.

"Oh I just remembered that I needed to show Vee the lights over—"

"I didn't realize you were going to be here," Dani said as she walked closer to us, accidentally cutting Nelli short.

And I could see both Marie and Vic suddenly looking between me and Dani.

And even their daughter, noticing something was up.

"I got convinced to come," I said as Dani stopped in front of me, wearing baggy jeans and an ugly Christmas sweater that I knew Roxi probably forced her into.

"Well, it's cool that you could make it," Dani said, unconsciously glancing over to everyone I stood with, "Hey guys," she said, briefly waving at Marie, Vic, and Nelli.

Who all awkwardly waved back.

"You know we were just about to show Vee the lights over by the bay," Vic subtly mentioned, "I think Mav and Jada will be here soon too," he added, clearly picking up on our body language. 

And the fact that his daughter tried to previously pull me away.

Nelli looked visibly grateful for her dad's actions.

And so did I.

"Yeah, if you don't mind," I told Dani, furrowing my brows as I unconsciously turned my head.

Mostly because it felt like someone was staring at me and—

Someone was.

I physically felt my entire body freeze at her presence, feeling nothing but caught off guard.

Even if I somehow already knew she was going to be here. 

Fuck.