Little Lily's Love

Chapter 1: Please, Franco, Wait For Me!

Lily

They say true love comes when you least expect it. That's what happened to me.

One day, my mother's friend, who helped her through one of her worst moments, was standing in front of me, unaware of the emotion he was stirring in my heart.

I still can't understand what I'm feeling inside because it's all so new. I am like a little butterfly learning to spread its wings, just emerging from its cocoon.

All I know is that this feeling is so strong, and it pushes me to move forward.

"Lily, dear, come say hello to Franco," my mother calls me over. I see him up close and feel a sensation like lava boiling inside me. The so-called butterflies in my stomach start fluttering non-stop.

"Hello, Franco," I call him by his name. It's a delight for me to call his name and be rewarded with a smile.

"Hello, little Lily," he says. "I thought you wouldn't come over to greet me."

His words make my cheeks blush.

"I'm not that little anymore; I'm already fifteen." Franco lets out one of his trademark laughs. He's about the same age as my mother, so maybe I should see him through a daughter's eyes, rather than with a woman's desires.

"I still see you as a little baby. And since I don't have daughters, I'll spoil you like one." I try to smile, but if only he knew how much his words hurt me. I don't want him to see me that way. I want him to realize that soon I'll be a woman, and that I'll be as beautiful as my mother is.

"Mmm, alright. But don't forget, in a few years, I'll become an adult. Promise me that when that happens, you'll see me in a different light." I want to send him a message between the lines, but I can tell he doesn't get it.

The words that come out of my mouth make sense only to me, so neither my mother nor Franco understand them at that moment.

We spend the afternoon together. After eating, I stay in the living room watching TV, while mom invites Franco to walk in the garden. I try to look for signs that they are progressing, but I see nothing. It's always the same. They usually smile, well, my mother does, while her friend only gives a slight smirk resembling a smile.

I need to get moving, so I put on my sandals and head towards them. When they see me approaching, Franco gives me a warmer smile, one that's warmer than the ones he gives my mom. I don't get my hopes up, since he already told me he would treat me like a daughter.

How pathetic. Doesn't he see the beautiful young lady I've become?

My childish figure is long gone, and I'm sure I have a better figure than my mom.

"Hey, hope I'm not interrupting, but you looked comfortable out here, and I felt like going for a walk." My mom comes over and takes me by the arm. I don't think she was bothered.

"You're welcome, sweetheart, we didn't invite you because we thought you'd be bored with our adult conversation." I take the chance to grab Franco's arm with my free hand, and now I'm between them. I breathe in his cologne.

At some point, I take his hand as if we were a couple, but I see he becomes uncomfortable, so I let go.

"I'd better go. I'll come back another day so you can tell me what decision you made about the contracts," Franco says, and my mom guides me to the door, as her friend is leaving.

"I'll walk you out." I approach him and give him a soft kiss on the cheek. He just stands there, not moving.

"Alright. Take care, little Lily." I watch him walk towards the exit. I hope the day comes when he never leaves my side.

***

"So, what now? Will your mom and your impossible love start a relationship?" My best friend Caro asks. We've been friends since preschool, so she's the only one who knows almost everything about me. I could never share such personal things with my brother, Tony—I'd be embarrassed if he judged me.

"I don't know. I see him more often at home, but I haven't seen them in any compromising situations either. I don't know what's going on between them." I lean back on one of the school benches.

"Well, you see, I think there's a good chance he could become your stepfather. Your mom is a very successful, young, and beautiful woman. If I were him, I'd seriously consider winning her over and making her my wife. Your dad shows no signs of wanting to win her back."

What my friend says is true. My father is hoping she'll notice he's changed and that we're his only concern, but he hasn't made any moves. I'm thinking about how I can give him a little push to help him make up his mind, or he's going to lose her.

"I know, I know, you don't have to tell me." I sit down in frustration and put my head between my knees. "I want time to pass quickly and give me a chance. When I turn eighteen, I'll do everything I can to make him notice me." My friend starts laughing, and I nudge her.

"Your laughter tells me you're teasing me." She continues laughing despite my nudge.

"I'm sorry, but I just thought about how the lawyer has no clue you want to make him your sugar daddy and the heart attack your dad will have if he finds out."

I sigh, because she's right. My dad is going to hit the roof. He can't stand Franco, he thinks he wants to steal my mom away. Dad has been patient all these years, waiting for her. Even though Mom suspects her friend Betty, I know from spending time with them that they only see each other as siblings. Tony and I even call her 'aunt' sometimes.

"I'll see what happens. For now, I just wish time would fly, so I can become an adult. That'll be an advantage for me." My friend nods, and we gather our things to go to class.

Creativity has started flowing into me, so I help Mom with her collections. However, I'm considering another path for my life, and I think I know what I want to study in the future. A mischievous smile spread across my face.

I look up at the sky, waiting for a sign that I'm doing the right thing. And as if the heavens were listening, a rain drop falls on my face, followed by a gentle rain. I start jumping for joy.

Yes, yes! I've just gotten the green light to try convincing him that I can be the one to make him happy. If he's waited this long, I just ask heaven to let him wait a little longer.

Please, Franco, wait for me.