[center]*Secret Journal Files: Jennifer & Lydia Lobo*[/center]

Not sure how to go about this journal entry, to be honest….I am still rather shocked how this all played out, to be honest. I still remember the day when Adeola introduced me to Lydia on her first photoshoot with “Life in Pink”. Saying she made quite the impression is putting it mildly…when I remember Adeola describing her to be a fiery young Latina and a handful. However, she was excited about her new protégé and to introduce her to me. When meeting her I admit I was rather surprised seeing this amazon of a young woman.

Lydia is very affectionate on our first meeting and after the photoshoot got to learn more about her. Apparently, her interests in Archaeology…I was surprised by how well versed she was and rounded in other subjects as well. A cultural jetsetter would be a word to describe her and having her as an assistant was a great help for me. Highly intelligent young woman with a good head on her shoulders but can border on arrogance sometimes. Which I usually make sure to keep in check. This girl does have a brash side armed to the teeth with sarcasm and one-liners to the point that…she could keep up with Valerie. Regardless, saying she was happy to receive the assistant position…after the affectionate way she thank me….that smoldering kiss. Adeola did scold her or tried her best to not laugh at my facial expression.

She became rather popular with the faculty and students, working well with Neve on certain matters in research. They became very fast friends over multiple conversations. Still, I guess over time I didn’t expect how strong her feelings for me would get to a boiling point. Soon enough that she wanted to get romantically involved with me and was rather fast-paced. One would think she just jumped into this, but over the time working with her I understood she makes decisions very carefully. Going with by a certain rare instinct.

Now as time would past in the relationship with Lydia that soon enough, she would introduce me to her mother, Jennifer. Mama Lobo herself….was no joke at all. Our first meeting….man I can still remember how taciturn it was under her tough and stern look she gave me. Jen was very much an authority figure when I first met her, and a HIGHLY commanding presence. You know that feeling you get when someone makes you feel 2 inches tall…well Jen does that with very little effort. Mind you the pun was not intended by her being passed over 7 feet tall.

It was more psychological to be honest. She’s a definitely dominant personality, but in a different sense I would describe. She is very sharp, calculative intellect, highly persuasive, and usually about ten steps ahead of anyone around her because she plans for all kinds of eventualities. I know she did show interest in me at first but was really just taking her time and figuring me out. She is not one to rush into anything and likes to know that she is in control. Boy…she most definitely was….usually its fathers you should be worried about. She literally flipped the script and changed the game. Uh… let's just say I felt like a shamed/embarrassed school boy…..

Although, I could tell that despite how tough this woman is…there is a great love she has for her daughter. As we got to know each other over the next few meetings being a bit more friendly. We did have conversations on that while she may not always agree with Lydia’s decisions, she is proud of her. Making such choices for herself. I think over time I started to see more of Jennifer’s sweet spots in her personality, while at first not easy to get on with. I can still remember the times that she was usually very clipped and curt in early conversations because she's taking the measure of my will or tenacity. I think at first, she was trying to grind me down in conversation picking holes in education, theories, the practice of practical skills, etc. (I remember that she was part of her college’s national debate team).

I believe though over time she started to be more friendly with me. I saw she did have a teasing side to her. Teasing me mercilessly from one time might catch me looking at her a certain way and accuse me of being a pervert (playing on making myself feel small), but then tease me by saying something like "Not looking anymore? Hmmm, pity..." Soon when she started doing something more direct, she'll whisper something in my ear along the lines of. "If you don't stop looking depressed, I might just crawl under this table and give you something to smile about." I was shocked a little. The next thing I can remember was the friendly arguments that they have when she is teasing me switching from Lydia and Jennifer speaking Spanish, French, and English.

Lydia then decided why not go on a date with her mother…literally spitting my drink. I am sure that this was one of those things that Jennifer was unprepared for. Not to mention the hilarious argument between the two about this. However, I think Lydia did it because she saw the chemistry I was having with her and that she knew her mother was dealing with a wound-heart. Much better in the past…still loneliness can be an unbearable thing at times. Although, this was a decision that mother/daughter had told me never regretted one bit.

Especially, with the date they have in mind...with the dresses, they're wearing I can only assume they are about to cause some trouble for me...

~ Keenan Vale [END JOURNAL]

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Jennifer & Lydia Lobo (c)

Artwork done by didihell