The Life Changing Vacation

~Chapter 68~

A week later

Kristina's POV
We just arrived in Los Angeles. It's beautiful here! The sun, the palm trees and the ocean. I always wanted to go to LA, but my parents never wanted to take me. My dream is fulfilled. We went to the hotel, and Dory and I got a hotel room by ourselves. That's surprising. I thought they didn't trust us, so it goes without saying that they are going to do things in there alone. After we left our bags in the hotel room, we all went to Starbucks not far from the hotel room.

"This make me think of the first day we came to New York City", I said and giggled.

"Except that we won't let you stay here alone.. Jesus.. you were in a huge city with a lot of crazy people,  I don't understand how your family could let you stay there by yourself", Joanna said.

"At least they trusted us", I told her.

We ordered Frappuccino and some food. After that, we went to the beach where we stayed for about an hour. And then we went a little shopping and ended the day with going on a restaurant. After two weeks, we went back to New York.

When we got back to New York, Joanna asked how the trip has been.

"It was amazing, I experienced things I thought I would never get to experience", I answered.

"I loved it", Dory said.

"Kristina, can I talk to you alone?", Joanna asked.

"Yeah, sure", I said.

"Can we go to the place we always go?", she asked and smiled.

"Yes", I answered and went to get my jacket.

When we came to the beautiful place, we were just staring at the ocean for a second and then I broke the silence.

"What did you want to talk to me about?", I asked.

"I just recognized that you were very happy in LA, when you got to think of other things than you being stuck in the house with us.. I have seen that you've changed a lot lately.. and I have a feeling you've changed a lot after you lost your parents", she said.

"Why do you think that?", I asked. And then I realized what she meant.

"Oh.. you lost your parents in young age too.. you told me that after I lost my parents, and I think you're acting like you do after you lost yours", I said.

"What do you mean?", she asked.

"You're not evil, Joanna.. you're just hurt", I said.

"Hurt? Nooo, I'm not", she denied.

"Then why did you ask me if I changed because I was hurt?", I asked.

"Kristina, I'm not hurt", she said.

"It's okay to say it.. you're not a bad person, Joanna.. I understand it can be hard to lose your parents", I said.

She didn't answer. I could see a tear run down her face.

"No.. don't cry.. I didn't mean to make you sad or something", I said.

"Maybe you're right", she said.

"I'm so sorry", I said.

"And I am too.. there's something I need to tell you", she said.

"What is it?", I asked.

"It's about your parents' death.. Alex didn't shoot them in self defense like we told you", she started.

"Wait.. what? You didn't?", I asked.

"No.. we killed them to make you suffer after rejecting what I asked you to do", Joanna explained.

"No.. you didn't.. tell me you're joking", I said.

"I'm not.. and I'm so sorry", she said.

A tear ran down my face.. but I didn't do anything.. after getting a good relationship with them, I didn't want to ruin it.. and I could tell she was sorry.

"Honey.. I don't know what to say", she hugged me.

We went home, and I went to bed without saying anything to Dory and Alex.

Joanna's POV
When I came back in the house, Kristina went upstairs to get ready before bed.

"What's wrong with Kristina? Why is she crying?", Dory asked me.

"I guess I should tell you.. killing her parents wasn't self defense", I said.

"What?! Why did you kill them?", she asked.

"We wanted her to suffer", I said. I cried a little when I told her, and I tried to hide it but I couldn't. I thought Dory would hate me, but instead she hugged me.

"I know you're sorry.. don't try to hide it.. I love you, mom", she said when she hugged me.

"You called me mom.. awe, sweetie.. that's really sweet of you", I said and kissed her forehead.