Pain And Pleasure 18+✓

Eleven

Jake and Isla are getting ready to go to Sally's house for the weekend. Sally is my cousin—probably the only close family left on my dad's side. Her mom is our distant aunt who took us in for two years when our own mother left us for reasons only she understands.

Our Dad died a year after Isla was been, and things turned equally afterward.

The years spent with Sally's family weren't the best, to say the least. Sally's dad was never on board with the idea. After all, no one wants another man's family. We were like misplaced baggage. But despite the odds, our families managed to stay close until today and I'm forever grateful to them.

So even when I'm gushed by violent wind and swept by turbulent waves, I simply remember that I've come a long way to give up. I don't mind being called names—a hooker, a whore, slutty Ara—as long as I make sure Jake and Isla don't walk on the same path I do. I want them to succeed and live their dream.

Even if I've long forgotten what mine is. Do I even have one? I don't know.

"Okay, I think you're good to go, young lady." I zip up Isla's backpack after making sure all her essentials are well packed inside.  "You ready for some fun?" I enthuse.

Isla nods fast, happy for the weekend gateway she always looks forward to. She likes Sally's place better than here. It's a fancy mansion in Tule Springs: plenty of kids to play with in their exquisite garden and swimming pool, and the way everyone adores her adds much to it.

As for Jake... Well, I know it's that man cave. Sally's brother has an exorbitant lair installed with sophisticated computers and other tech stuff I don't know. He's a software engineer, and Jake is both a game player and a technology enthusiast. They get along perfectly.

"You are not coming with us?" Jake asks me. I'm surprised because it probably took him a lot of effort to offer.

"I, uh..." I stutter.

How do I refuse without raising suspicion?

Usually, I drop them there and return in the evening at the very least. But I have a major engagement this evening and I need to be mentally prepared for it.

"Forget it." Jake snatches Isla's backpack from my grip.

"I prefer to stay at home today and relax. You two have fun, and say hi to everyone," I tell him casually while fetching some cash from my wallet. "Here. I don't have much." I offer a few bills to Jake.

"No need. I still have some." He curtly brushes it off.

"Oh, okay." I shrug and smile when I look at Isla. "You can have this one, baby. But use it only—"

"Only when necessary," Isla finishes it for me. It's a common speech and Jake's rolling eyes say it all. "Thank you, Ara." She graces me with a toothy grin.

Even a single dollar can make her smile brighter than the night stars.

"Be good." I kiss the top of her head and fix her curls before they walk through the door.

Despite our problems, I always feel like a proud Mom when I watch them walk so confidently. Both dressed in jeans, T-shirts, and converse, I wouldn't exchange these two gorgeous creatures for anything in the world. I wonder how that woman managed to even think of it.

Well, to each their own.

I spend the afternoon glued to my brand new MacBook Pro, a professional courtesy from Mr. Strange. It's what I use in doing his office work that I constantly ask myself why he is giving them to me instead of his assistant. Maybe that family emergency has turned into a long sabbatical.