Leticia [The ADAMS Family]

04

DINNER has always been boring with awkward conversations about work and Mum asking how our day was. She never misses.

"So, Dean," she starts. "How was work?"

Dean and Vince are seated in front of Mum, Astrid and I while our father sat at the head of the table.

"It was okay. Boring as usual," he replies.

"What about you, Vince?"

"Busy. I had a trial today," he answers and I look up at him as I eat.

Vince is the one who resembles Dad the most when he was young  with a chiselled jaw, slender eyes and a straight nose.

"Oh, really?" Mum says. "What was the trial about?"

Vince shrugs. "Robbery. Quite boring,"

Mum then turns to me and smiles. "Leticia? How was yours?"

"I went to the hospital," I say, and everyone stops eating for a second before they resume. Mum gasps and touches my arm as her eyes scan me up and down to check for injuries.

"What happened? Are you hurt?" She worriedly asks.

"I've been having terrible headaches so, I went for a check up," I tell her and she sighs in relief.

"I'm so sorry, dear. For how long?" She asks.

"It's been a week now," I answer.

"A week?" Vince repeats and I nod. "Damn. I'm sorry, sis,"

"Thanks," I reply.

"Then you need to take some days off," Father suggests and I shake my head.

"I'm fine,"

"You're taking a leave and that's final," he repeats with a hard gaze and I sigh.

"Another fashion week is coming up and we need to start preparing the venue-

"Dean will sort it out," he interrupts me, and I feel like bursting into tears. I have been waiting for this moment and Dad just ripped it away from me. He then turns to Dean with a challenging look. "You will, won't you?"

Dean looks up at Dad then to me then back to Dad and nods, grimly. "Yes. Leave it to me,"

I inwardly scoff, suddenly losing my appetite. This is stupid. It's just a stupid headache. Nothing that will kill me and here he is, removing me from the one thing I have been working for for months.

"You can take this time to prepare for your wedding," he says, pouring oil on the fire.

"Oh, yes!" Mum agrees, clapping her hands and gives me a wide smile. "We can start by shopping for a dress,"

Astrid then changes the subject by saying that her mid-term exams are almost near and that she'll be coming home late because of evening classes.

"Dad," she says excitedly. "During midterm break, can I come and work at the company?"