Bitter Sweet

24. Surprises

Stephanie stepped out her room feeling completely refreshed regardless of the three hours of sleep she got. Her new job was killing her slowly and she enjoyed every second of it. The rush of a restaurant made her body sore every single night, so different from a bakery. A bakery required cakes that were pre-ordered months in advance, which meant time to create a piece of art people could admire before gorging it down at the reception. Though she missed the act of baking cakes, being a pastry chef was just as fun.

It was her day off after a month of non-stop work at the restaurant, until Natasha found a decent cook that could do her job just as well as Stephanie, giving her a much needed day off. She stepped outside to her backyard, Loco greeted her, as he usually did and then returned to the side of the house. Stephanie blinked at his rapid loss of interest and followed him.

She took slow, measured steps, half fearing what she might find. Loco looked across the yard, past the gate. Curiosity got the best of her and took a peak to the side of her house, where the house next door stood vacant for the past six months.

"Oh, for fuck's sake," she practically yelled as she saw her sister making out with Sergio, hands going everywhere, so much tongue, it made her own tongue hurt. She thought that whole thing was over.

Sergio jumped back as if not expecting to be caught even though they were out in broad daylight.

"Stephanie, I'm sorry!" Ashley started but Stephanie walked away feeling completely useless, and angry. "Come on, you don't get it, I love him!"

This made her stop and let out a loud laugh. "Oh God."

"What?" she asked as she followed her back into the house, Sergio, Stephanie guessed, ran back to his house like he did before.

"Nothing."

"Come on, Stephanie, we can't help ourselves, you know how it is, don't you?"

Stephanie laughed again. "You can't help yourself? Because you're so in love? Do you know how stupid you sound?"

They stopped right before the sliding door. "Hey! You just don't get it!" Ashley scoffed offended.

"Oh, shut up," she replied tired of her sister's naiveté. Sure, she was seventeen but Stephanie wasn't this dumb and clueless about teenage boys like she was, was she? The doors slid open and Julio stepped out. As if sensing the tension, he took a step back but didn't leave.

Ashley looked down at the ground and walking around Julio, she went back inside. Stephanie looked after her and exhaled to release her frustration, but to no avail.

"What happened?" Julio asked breaking the silence.

Stephanie shrugged and walked towards the tree in the middle of the backyard. Julio followed her patiently waiting for a reply. She leaned against the tree, the shade from the tree was very welcoming as the day was starting to warm up.

"Your horny brother and my slut sister where at it again right over there." She pointed at the side of the house.

Julio chuckled. Stephanie frowned as that was not the reaction she was looking for. But Julio's chuckle made her chuckle and not knowing why, she joined him. "Is that funny?" she asked in between laughs.

"It's just that, god, I can't believe I'm saying this, but kids these days."

Stephanie laughed. "Oh no! You're much too young to be saying that!"

Julio laughed louder and leaned against the tree beside her. "I'm sorry," he said after a moment. "I did speak to him, trust me."

"Hey, it's fine. I now realize, you can't control teenagers. You simply can't. you just gotta let them do whatever stupid thing they want and suffer the consequences."

"You are right about that."

Stephanie squatted on the ground and petted Loco. "What are you fixing now?"

"The fence," he replied.

"Again? I think my mom is breaking stuff on purpose now, she might have a crush on you."

"Shut up," he replied fighting a smile.

Stephanie saw his cheeks turn red and she found it adorable. "I'm serious. You're here almost every day now."

"Maybe I'm the one breaking the stuff to come see you."

Now it was her turn to blush. She felt him sitting on the ground beside her and watched the old poodle enjoying her touch.

"It's your day off, let me take you out."

"Have you ever heard of asking?" she teased.

"May I take you out?"

"I don't know, I mean, I was planning to go back to bed."

"That makes my plans sound completely boring."

"Really? What kind of plans are we talking about?"

"It's a surprise."

"A surprise!" she replied genuinely excited.

"Yes. So?"

Stephanie pretended to be considering it. "Ok, I guess I can ditch my plans," she replied getting back up on her feet as her legs were starting to hurt.

Julio followed her as he said, "You won't regret it."

"You're really selling this supposed surprise you have for me. It better be great."

Julio laughed as he pulled her in his arms and kissed her forehead. "I really think you'll like it."

Stephanie pulled away from his embrace feeling as if she was being watched. "I'm looking forward to it. Now, go fix the fence."

"Can't," he replied. "You're too distracting."

"In that case, I better leave." She gave him a smile and started walking back to her house. About half way, she turned back to look at him. He looked after her with his arms crossed against his chest and a mischievous smile on his handsome face. She smiled back and gave him a little wave.

She went inside and looked out the window and watched as he went up to the fence and started checking the damage. Stephanie smiled as he knelt on the ground and took the time to pet Loco. With a giggle, she ran back to her room and started to pick out an outfit for her date.