Spotlight

Chapter 22

I get out of the car and stretch my legs on the familiar driveway.

Up front, the driver says. "We've gotten confirmation from Intelligence. We can begin our journey back."

One of the four guards in the car walks out with a duffel bag.

"Princess, I will be in the house across the street with the other guards. Please let me know if you need anything."

"Thanks." I walk up the front steps and knock on the door.

I try it and it opens.

"Cassandra?" My mom runs out of the kitchen with an apron. "I thought it was you."

"Hey, mum." I drop my duffel bag on the floor and close the door.

She laughs. "Mum. You're starting to sound British."

I shake the smile off my face and give her a hug. "Where's Dad?"

"He's sorry he can't be here. The bowling alley is hosting a party this afternoon. He had to stay to help out." She pulls away and tucks a loose strand behind my ear. "You look very lovely. And very mature."

A polite word for depressed. "Thanks, mom."

"You can help me in the kitchen." We walk back in. "So, how's Tristan?" She wiggles her brows.

I bite my bottom lip. "He broke up with me. Last night."

She stops walking. "What? Why would he do it? Is he stupid or something?"

I manage a small smile. "We just...wanted different things. It's for the best."

"So that's why you're sad." She sighs. "Trust me, honey, first breakups are never easy."

I sigh as well. If only my sadness were that easy.

At 6 pm, dad walks in through the front door and tackles me with his hug.

"Look at you. You look so grown up." He pulls away and gives me an appraising look. "What's wrong?"

"She's sad over her breakup with Tristan." My mom says.

My dad scowls. "I knew there was something wrong with him. Remember how he just barged into dinner, half an hour late."

I sit at the kitchen island. My parents go back and forth saying mean things about Tristan.

"And his hair." My mom rolls her eyes. "It was so tacky."

"And that suit. Looked a bit ill-fitting, didn't it?" My dad nods.

"And his accent. He was all, pardon me, Mrs. Flores. And, that's a lovely watch, Mr. Flores." My mom exaggerates her British accent.

"Good riddance to trash, right?" My dad sits next to me.

I look away from both of them. I still like Tristan, a lot. And I feel like I'm betraying him by letting my family go off on him.

"I should go up to my room." I get up.

"Wait, honey. We have a surprise for you." My dad says. He and my mom share a look.

"We invited the rest of the family for Christmas." My mom reveals.

"All of them?" I ask.

"Just the ones in the state. They're all very excited to see you again."

"That's really great, mom. I can't wait for Christmas."

She frowns. "It's alright, honey. A day with your family and you'll be asking, Tristan who?"

I nod. "Yeah."