A MAFIA STORY: MY FATHER'S DEBT

The Lord's Diner

Enora's POV

I gave her time to calm down and process the fact that she just confessed her love for my brother.

“Why didn't you tell me?” I mouthed the moment she raised her head to look at me.

“I'm sorry, I was scared. I know he wouldn't like me back,” She explained.

Well. I haven't thought of that. Nael barely talks to ME about how he feels or who he likes so I don't have a single clue if he would or likes Crystal. I tried to search my memories for any clues but no, there was nothing.

“Come in,” I responded to the knock on the door.

“Hey,” Nael came in and dropped a tray of different fruits.

“Hey,” Crystal answered.

“I know you hate watermelon so I brought you blueberries instead,” He said, looking at me in a way he has never. 

We have never really talked or been close or got to be twins in a very long time. Those times ended before high school, since high school, Nael and I have been very distant.

“I'm sure the only reason you know that I hate watermelon is because you hate it too,” I snapped. “ Tell me, what other things do I hate?” I asked.

“Me,” he mouthed.

“Great! You are right about something for once. Now get out,” I glared at him.

He quietly turned around and left.

“You must be really mad at him,” Crystal said, diving into her dragon fruit.

“Of course, I love my brother regardless of what he does to me but I want him to realize that I do have feelings and I can get hurt. Since we got into high school he has placed so many things above me, football, his stupid friends, playing games, and partying and it got worse after he got with Nadia. Nael never tells me stuff about himself anymore, he doesn't ask about me, he doesn't know anything about me, he doesn't care about me, and worse. He goes around causing trouble and I'm still always there for him.” Tears began welling up in my eyes again.

“It's okay,” Crystal rubbed my arm. “ I'm sure he doesn't realize all this, he thinks you are fine without him, I mean you are the smart, intelligent, beautiful straight-A student. He didn't know that the picture would hurt you so much.” She said,

“Nael’s girlfriend hates me so much, doesn't he see it? She has gone around messing with my life the past week. She dumped hot sauce on me and my brother was laughing. I used to think he's just being annoying like every other brother but it's like he hates me too.” 

“No, No, I don't hate you, I promise.” Nael barged into my room. He has been eavesdropping.

I wiped the tears off my face and looked away.

“Ok, I should excuse you,” Crystal bolted out of my room.

“I don't hate you…” Nael continued. “ I'm so stupid, I didn't realize all of these things, I'm sorry. I don't have any excuses but I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'm going to make it up to you I promise and I'll make sure Nadia stays away from you, I'm sorry about the picture and everything.” 

I looked at him, water swelled up in my eyes. He looked remorseful and guilt-ridden, I don't think I have seen him like this in forever.

“Come here,” he muttered, pulling me up to himself.

I wrapped my hands around his neck and we hugged. The last time we hugged I was probably twelve or thirteen.

“I love you,” he whispered into my ears.

Yeah, the last time he said that we were five.

                       ________

I had completely forgotten about the reunion at the Lord's Diner downtown. Nobody told me it was this evening, I was skeptical about going but then I do not want to miss out on whatever the outcome of this meeting will be.

I was dressed in a black jumpsuit, it was armless and had a rope around my waist. I had a little trouble deciding what shoe to wear but I just went with black ankle boots. I brushed my hair into a high ponytail and left two perfect curls in front.

I complimented the look with other accessories and cherry red lipstick. Nael has been extra sweet since we made it up. He is slouched in the back seat of our parents Maybach, his free hand nibbling with mine while texting away on his phone.

“Aren't we there yet?” I groaned tired of long road trips.

“Ohh, we are,” My dad smiled while driving into the driveway of a fancy Diner.

We walked into the Diner and they were all there. I mean it feels good to be late. The Diner looked like a wedding hall on the inside with all the fancy and expensive stuff.

There was a large table that had our names on the chairs, luckily I was sitting next to Crystal. While the parents talked about random happy memories from their past, the kids just did whatever they liked.

“Remember when we went to Dubai? We were fifteen and this random girl wanted Nael to stop being friends with us both so she could be with him,” Crystal reminded me.

We both laughed at the memory of the silly girl. She had no idea Nael was my twin.

“....And you said that anyone who would want to be with Nael must be okay with y'all's friendship…” I slowed down, taken back to the Dubai trip two years ago. 

Crystal was all over Nael, like literally all over. A few times they'd disappear and return together but I just didn't ever think that she liked him.

I smiled at her and pulled away from my trail of thoughts when Aria said something that caught my attention.

“Remember our mom was always like we shouldn't have sex until marriage,” she said to Ama and they both laughed.

“Our mom?” Crystal reiterated.

“Oh, you didn't tell her we are sisters?” Ama asked.

‘I didn't have the time to tell her yet,” Aria tried to ease the awareness.

“You didn't have the time to tell me that Anne is my cousin?!” Crystal was getting all worked up so I took her away from the table.