Bitter Sweet

30. New Year's

"I got your stuff," Ashley told Stephanie once she opened the door.

Stephanie let her in and grabbed her duffel bag from her arm. "Wow, this is where Julio lives? It's actually quite nice."

"I know, right?"

She stood beside Stephanie as she went through the bag looking for her uniform. She was going to go back to work and she couldn't look more forward to it. "You don't have that much stuff, I was surprised," Ashley commented.

"I'm as minimalist as they come." Ashley watched her again and Stephanie knew she had something on her mind. "What is it?"

Ashley shrugged. "Mom said that you can come back once you apologize."

Stephanie let out a laugh. "I have nothing to apologize for."

"So, what? Just say the words."

"Sorry Ashley, but I can't."

"You mean you're not going to spend New Year's with us?"

She nodded. "One of Julio's friend invited us to his New Year's bash. It sounds like fun."

Ashley rolled her eyes and turned away from her. Stephanie ignored her, she was too young to understand anything.

"I don't get it," Ashley started angrily. "You told me to get away from Sergio, all the while you were sleeping with his brother? That is so hypocritical."

"Hey," Stephanie replied dropping her bag on the floor. "I told you that because you're still in high school. I'm an adult."

"Do you think I'm stupid? I know you came here because your boyfriend hit you. That doesn't sound like something a responsible adult would go through."

Stephanie watched her agog. If she only knew what she was talking about. "Ashley. I am not apologizing for spending the night with the man I love."

She kept quiet and looked down at the floor. "I heard you are going to marry him."

"I sure am."

"Are you going to invite us to your wedding?"

Stephanie's eyes softened. "Of course, I will."

"You better, because I'm definitely gonna go."

Stephanie laughed. "You better." She held her tongue as she considered telling her about Japan, she didn't want her to have more things to worry about.

"Hey! I can't believe you guys made it!" screamed a big man, with a glittery top hat on his head. "Come here, you." He pulled Julio into an embrace. "You must be Stephanie! I heard so much about you, I'm Robert."

Stephanie shook his hand. "Nice to meet you, Robert."

Robert watched her then smiled. "Hey, you're gonna marry my best friend, give me a hug."

Stephanie turned to Julio as he wrapped his big arms around her, Julio shrugged. "Come, meet my wife," He said as he grabbed both of them by the hand and dragged them towards the big kitchen. A blonde, stocky woman stood by the counter fixing some dinner plates. "Look, who just got here," Robert announced loudly.

The lady let out a shriek. "Julio! Long time no see!" she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek. "And you must be the lucky lady, hi, I'm Denisse, Robert's wife."

"I'm Stephanie, nice to meet you," she replied, extending her hand but Denisse didn't seem to have seen it and pulled her into a hug.

"You are so pretty. Julio, she is gorgeous!" she said once she pulled away and took a good look at her.