For Your Heart

Chapter 10

Looking at both Tristan and Taylor, who opened the door fully
dressed, I was speechless. "So you're the guy who slept in front of the
house" Taylor said, looking him up and down. "At least, they didn't go to a hotel" Tristan said, folding her arms over her chest. My entire face went
red and I pushed both of them, "Why don't you two finish getting ready-"
I they cut in in sync for once, "Ready". I glared at both of them as Leo
came into the house, he didn't seem surprised at the tiny size or how
much it shrunk just because he was inside of it. Leo had a pleasant
enough grin on his face, he looked amused more than anything, I wasn't.
"This is my boss, Mr. Abello" I said. "So who's the guy you slept with last night?" asked Taylor, "Cuz' you told me that you didn't like your
boss" He went on scratching his head, as if he was lost. "Well, I don't like
him like that-" "I'm Leo Abello, Your sister boyfriend" Leo said handing
out his hand, Both Taylor and Tristan just stared at him, before looking at
me, "You told me that you didn't like your boss? How is he your boss and
your boyfriend. If you don't like him?" Taylor asked. Leo dropped his
hand looking awkward for once. "She was a little confused" "Or your a
bully" Tristan said, cutting her sharp blade like eyes at him. "Which is it,
Tally. Do you like him or is he making you stand here?" Tristan went on,"But I guess like in the movies there is nothing money can't buy, must be
nice being rich" Tristan rolled her eyes. "My father told me, that being
rich is not about being able to buy everything" Leo said, smiling. Tristan turned so she could look fully at him, "So what is being rich mean?" Leo
looked at me, "When you have something that you can't afford, you could never buy, and would die before you sold". "That's cheesy" Tristan flipped her hair. "My price is fifty bucks" Taylor said holding at his hand.
"Taylor" I said , coming towards him. Leo pulled out his wallet as if it wasa natural reaction, and handed him a fifty dollar bill. I dropped my armlooking at him, "Name your price" He said as Taylor let the room. Tristan looked at me, "Hmph, I could never price my sister, like you said" Leo
pulled out a hundred dollar bill and grinned, "I'm buying your acceptance". Tristan's eyes widen all of a sudden nodding she fixed her
jaw, cleared her throat and undid her arms whipping them on her jeans,
"My acceptance, Mr. Abello isn't-" Leo whipped out another hundred and
Tristand ripped it out his hand before he could put the two bills together.
"This is a tolerance fee I'm accepting, I never said I accepted you "
she said, rolling her eyes she headed towards Taylor. I hadn't realized it,
but I was rocking on my heels. Breathing slowly, I wanted to hit them both with a car. "TRISTAN! TAYLOR" I growled, balling my fist at my side
as Taylor came out wearing his backpack, "Hey, you think this was easy on us we worried all night". "Besides, I'm going to the mall with Lexi today" Tristan said, spinning around."I can eat all the hamburgers I want" Taylor opened the front door looking at me, smiling. "Be careful, sis" and was gone. Tristan had stuffed the money in her bag, going to the door, "I laid you out something nice, wear your hair down, leave it wet" she said closing the door behind her.
Huffing, I went to, Uncle's room as expected they had managed to get him comfortable in bed and though he was sitting his chair now, I knew by the unmade bed, he was sitting in front of the open window in his room. Going into my room she had laid out a white button shirt that would be loose on my, with a pink heart on the
pocket, a black skirt that I had grown out off from highschool, It was tight
and short, shaking my head I dropped in on the bed.
"If you wear that to work, I promise neither of us are getting any
work done" He said, making me drop the skirt, Laughing I rubbed my
neck, "Y-you can take their money out my check". He looked fresh
leaning on the door frame looking at me with his ice blue eyes, that
seemed kind of like puddles that would never end if you jumped into it. "I rather have you pay me another way" he said, looking at the skirt. I
looked at him, "What?"
He pointed at the skirt, "Burn it" turning around he called out, "I'll
wait in the car take your time". I must be losing my mind, I thought
falling onto my lumpy mattress that somehow did not compare to his
leather seats, in his car. Shaking my head, I screamed into it, flailing my
my arms almost ready to beat my head on the wall.
I dressed in the white shirt and a pair of nice jeans and pulled my
hair up high on my head, before going down where he was leaning on the
car. He smiled when he saw me, He walked over opening my door, "You
look great". I smile sliding into the car, "Thank you". "Your welcome" he
said, closing the door. At work, I tried to ignore everything that wasn't work related, everything. I had to be very professional, I needed to keep my job, even after he was gone. That meant I was dodging odd glances from Hilary, Eve, Sky, and Ryan all who suddenly wondered what I was doing with our
boss? Tapping my pen I looked at the file in front of me, trying to stay
awake. It was only a little past eight and Leo needed this file for
tomorrow. Lowering my head, slightly I closed my eyes, it wasn't like I
had done much all day, but it had been draining just the same, I had just felt so loaded down today, this file had been dropped on my desk on a
stack of others. I was doomed it seemed, because this report just kept on going.
"That much work" came a deep voice, making me jump. Laughing,
he came to stand directly behind me, "Careful or I'll eat you" He growled
looking at my round big eyes. I waited till my heart calmed a little to
replied, "It's not much". He poked the stack on the other side of the desk,
"If it's too much-" I cut in, "It's fine. Do you need anything, Mr. Abello?" Iasked, turning back to the screen that seemed to blur slightly. "I just
wanted to see your face" he said, "Well if that's all" I said, trying to ignore the faint blush that spread across my face. "Call it a night, I'll take you and kids out for dinner" He said nudging me. "I have to have this ready for you by the morning, Mr. Abello" "I can wing it" He shrugged. I looked up at him and he gave one of those overly goofy grins, "My siblings already ate" I told him. "How do you know?' he asked, Lifting my
cellphone, he nodded in acknowledgement.
"We can go for dessert?" He tried. "They can't have sweets before
bed it gives them nightmare" I told him. "I bet you're just saying that" he
stood. "I'll give you a raise" my hand faltered only a second, I didn't want
a raise like that no matter how much I needed the money. "They still can't
have it" I went on. "I want to get out of the office with you" He said
sitting on the edge of my desk, "Let's go eat dinner and come right back"
he tried. "I really can't" I said continuing.
"I can do my own report" he said, taking the file. Huffing, I rolled
around to face him and he smiled, "There". "I need to finish so I can go
home, Mr. Abello" I said tightly. "I said I'll do it" he said. Nodding, "Fine
do it yourself" Grabbing my jacket and the other files, "Goodnight, Mr.
Abello. I'll see you in the morning" I tried to sidestep him, but he
grabbed my arm, making me drop the files. Groaning out loud I snatched
my arm back from his grip, "Stop it!!'" He looked shook for a first, I
sighed, wiping my face, For a second we stood there my breath coming
quickly as thoughts ran in my head, what had I just done? Bending down I
went to pick up the file. He sighed, before dropping the file in his hand
down on to the ground among the others making me look up at him. He
did meet my eyes and his voice was tight and full of reigned in rage
"Don't ever pull away from me like that again". He walked into his office
slamming the door. I rolled my eyes. Don't ever pull away from me like thatagain? Going to throw more files and throw a tantrum. It was almost ten thirty when i finished up, I didn't bother to tell him I was done, after I binded the copies for his meeting.
I went home."You two fight a lot" Tristan said, handing me slice of Pizza, when I sat down at the table. "Did you just order this?" I asked. "No I just took it out the oven" She said sitting down biting into her own slice, Taylor was shoveling it down. "Pig" Tristan muttered. "I like him" He said around a mouth full of food. "Because he gave you fifty dollars...hmm that cheap"
Tristan rolled her eyes. "Than you definitely need to be on his side, he
gave three times as much" Taylor said all that around another slice of
pizza. "Or I'll just charge him for it" she said, flipping her hair. I looked
between them, "Both of you need to return that money". "Not possible"
Tristan spoke first. "Why not?" "Mrs. Kylie took us shopping" Taylor
jumped up running off, before coming back with his hands behind his
back. He grinned with pizza all over his face, "Me and Tristan went half".
Opening the bag, I looked between the two of them, before pulling out a
single white shirt, opening it I smiled, in Blue Shiny letters it read
'World's Greatest Big Sister'. I felt my eye water, "Killed my appetite,
Night" Tristan said escaping quickly. Taylor looked at me, around another
bite of his food, "She choose the wording, I wanted to go with I'm a
superhero of a big sister". Smiling I leaned over kissing his cheek, "Thank you, Taylor"
I wore it Friday, I put it on with a pair of black leggings and my
converse, Tristan wore a white long sleeve shirt with an out fanned out
black skirt and white shoes. Taylor Wore a dark shirt and white with his
own converse. "Why are we taking family photo anyways?" Taylor said
playing his video game. ":So we can show them to your girlfriend" I said,
as we pulled into wal-mart parking lot. "Don't put lies into his head, no
one would date him" Tristan started. I only sighed turning off the car
before looking at my uncle who had his head leaned on the glass. I had
dressed him in a long black shirt and white pants with white slip on shoes
that were easy on his feet. I smiled, I wanted to believe that this was
making him happy this moment. Now, that he didn't spend all day in the
house, I paid for him to go to daycare and they took him out alot more
than I did, but he was out seeing other people. The day they had
diagnosed him he told me, 'There's not much to living, Tally, it's justwatch the people you love grow". I never doubted my uncle love for us
and in the way I wanted this picture for him. So he could see the
difference when ever he wanted.
Once we got in the photo shoot area, We got in real close with
Tristan leaning on Uncle chair and Taylor kneeling on the other and I
stood behind we all smiled extremely hard. We took a few more one just
of each and then I had them take on together alone and then just one of
just us three and one with each of us with uncle. It was a nice outing until
it wasn't. "Should we hang the family portrait?" I asked, even though I
was going to do it regardless, but a part of me wanted them to be just as
excited as I was about it. Taylor and Tristan, both gave me a glare, before
proceeding to the back, looking at my uncle I only smiled, "Where do you
think would be a great place?"
I laid on the couch after I had laid uncle in bed, there was a solid
knock on the door and Tristan came running from the back changed into
her pajamas, "It's laury can she spend the night?" I almost said no, but
why give her any grief over her friend who she obviously wanted to spend
the night with, because I had never seen one of her friends never the
house. Looking at her I only shook my head, Tristan didn't change she
adapted, but not change.
"Go ahead" I said, she smiled, opening the door. There was a little
squeal coming from each girl as they greeted one another coming inside.
"We can sleep in the living room" she said as Laury came in. I sat up and
smiled, "Hi, Laury". "Hi, Tally, how are you" she said, she was gripping
onto Tristan arm and I got up. "I'm Great, thanks for asking"I said going
into the kitchen now I had to make dinner. Groaning, slightly I thought of
what I could make and not worry about the taste.
"Tally, Mr. Abello, is calling" Tristan announced as she handed me
my phone. "Thanks" I say even though she is already gone. "Sir?" I
answered. "We are not in the office so it's just Leo" he said, correcting me
softly. I laughed, "Yeah". "What are you doing" he asked, calmly. "Looking
for something to cook" I said, leaning on the counter glancing at the
Microwave. "Is that why you took the day off?" he asked. "No, I took thekids to take a family portrait" I told him honestly, just as Taylor walked by
holding his stomach then bending over and splatting on to the floor. His
impression of a starving person dying, rolling my eyes I go open the
fridge. Taylor would eat a house if he thought he could chew it. "Without
me?" he said. I gripped my phone slightly tighter, breathing slowly, "That
hurts my heart". I can't even think of a reply luckily he does not need one,
"I'll bring dinner" "What?" I said straightening up. "I'm already on my
way" he said. "You can't be on the phone and drive" I say the only clear
thought in my mind. He laughed then, "You kill me, I'm not it's bluetooth
cars do that now" he informs me chuckling, almost a little too close to
dumbly for me. "I'll be there in twenty minutes" he hung up just like that
like women's rights had never been inflicted at all.
Going into my room, I dig around in my draw for something to
change into. "Your boyfriend coming over?" Taylor asked looking up from
the his tablet he had recently been given. I rolled my eyes, "Do you want
to me ground you?" I asked, pulling out another shirt. "I don't think I can
be grounded for teasing you?" he said. "You can" I say, sticking out my
tongue out at him. He laughs, getting up out of his bed, I dig around in
the dresser. Sighing, I closed the drew, leaning my head down against it,
Maybe I should just ask Tristan to pick something out. Looking down at
my long white baggy shirt and grey sweats I tilted my head, I mean I look
like I didn't want him here. Total the look I want to go for, because I
didn't want him to be here.
"Here" Turning around Taylor was holding out a grey shirt dress,
with a pair of red leggings, that had to be Tristan. My little brother had
been fashion taste then me, I was doomed,"Thanks". He shrugged, "I
asked Tristan". No, he was just a all round smarter person than me.
Coming out of the room, I twisted my hair up, "Just leave it down"
Tristan said, glancing at me. "You look pretty, Tally" Laury said, as I
dropped my hair down. "Thank you" I said, coming into the kitchen, not
meeting any of their eyes. "Where are you going?" Tristan asked. "Oh,
umm, he-" just as the a solid knock landed on the door. They both looked
at me, and I looked at them and smiled, "You have a boyfriend?" Lauryasked. "No" I said just as both my siblings said 'Yes', Taylor opened the
door, before I could argue, and poor Laury just looked confused. Taylor
started to speak, "Your here for-?" he cut himself off turning to me with
big eyes walking into the room with Leo following behind with a couple of
boxes pizza, Chinese in one hand. In-n-out, and in the other was KFC. I
was wondering who he was trying to feed? All of North cal? My eyes went
as round as Taylor's, his was a lot more fascinated than mine, due to the
fact it was food.
"I brought dinner" Leo said, as he fully entered the room. Looking at
me he gave a small grin, and wiggled his eyebrows slightly, at Laury who
had a slight blush in her cheeks. Tristan stood up arms folded, glaring at
him, "Your back". He had won Taylors vote though, the look in my
brothers eyes gave it away, "Leave him alone". Tristan glared at him,
Laudy stood up beside Tristan smiling at him, I stepped in before they
could kill each other. "Taylor, grab the Pizza" I said, pointing to the Pizza.
Taylor didn't have to be told twice grabbing food was his favorite. "Oh it's my favorite!" Taylor shouted, before making a face and going to the table."You must be Tristan friend" he said to Laury coming into the small
apartment. "I am, My name is Laury" Laury peeped, she was a maddening
red shade and I wondered if she was even breathing. "Lets eat" I say
grabbing plates, everyone grabbed a sit quickly except for Tristan and
when she did sit, she didn't eat, she glared at him over the food. "I should
meet your uncle" Leo said, looking up at me. My eyes dilated slightly,
"Why?" I asked surprised. "It's the man's home and I am dating his niece" he said, Leo was doing that more saying we were in this relationship that only he knew of was really crazy to me. "He's not in the mood to see people" Tristan responded. Looking at her, than Taylor, for a clue was what up with her, but he had a Pizza in one hand and a chicken in the other and he could care less about what was going on at the table.
"Tristan" I started, but she stood up, "I'll be in my room" she said,
more to Laury than me. Looking over at Leo he was no longer grinning
cockly, but running a frustrasted hand through his hair, and for I second
my stomach and heart did a thing, and I was nervous that he have toleave. I couldn't allow Tristan to be uncomfortable even if I had to pick up
four jobs, I could. My relationship, whatever it might be, with him would
never come before my siblings, I wasn't like my parents I wasn't selfish.
Following behind her, I knock on the door, before pushing it open, Tristan
is sitting on her bed looking at me with a straight poker face, "Is
something wrong?" "Nope" "Did Leo upset you?" "You sound so weird,
Tally, can you try not to sound like a concerned mom" she said, with a
huff. "Uhh, I always talk like this" I say sitting on my bed. "Whatever" she said, rolling her eyes. "You're upset about something". "Or maybe I'm
not" that was actually a very valid point. "Your so annoying" getting up I sit on her bed. "What are you doing?" she asked. "Minding my own
bussiness" I say back, rolling my eyes. "You're so immature sometimes"
she said. "So are you" I say back. "I'm fourteen" she said. "I'm nineteen" I
defend. Tristan face dropped, and her eyes soften slightly as she looked at
me. "What did I look aging?" laughing I pulled my skin hoping it snapped
back in place. She shook her head, "I just forgot". "How old I am?" I ask.
Nodding, she meet my eyes, "I'll be nineteen in five years" she said.
"Pretty much, College and driving, boys" I say, my heart stung of the
thought my sister an adult. My sister nodded, "I'll go to college". Looking
at her sideways, I nod, "I know". "I'll be a safe driver". "I know". "I'll date
lots of boys" she said. I bite my lip on that one, I done meant not to, but to
much of anything is bad. "Tally" she said her voice breaking slightly, but
not a tear stung her eye, "Yeah?" "Don't leave okay, I mean, don't get rich and send us off to boarding school, or something. I won't like be horrible
or anything and Taylor might eat all his food, but he can afford it right?
So we can come too, or he can live here. I mean that stupid, but that's up to you guys really" "Tristan, you're worried that I'm leaving?" I asked. "No, that he's going to steal you away. You never use to...I'm happy for you,
really happy. It's just mom and dad left to be alone together. They left all
three of us, just so that it was the two of them. Five is the perfect number
to it's the standard seating in a car, but he has a two seater car" maybe I
should have let him take them to lunch that day. Hugging her, I rub her back gently, "Tristan, I'm not leaving or being stolen" Taylor came smiling like a fat cat,"Promise?"
Opening my other arm he scramblesover to hug me as well. "I promise, you guys are all I have and Uncle Kyle" kissing Taylor forehead. Pulling away, he whipped it off, "Tally, I don't know where that thing has been" . I fling out my hand to hit him, but he's
faster jumping off the bed and head out the door with his tongue sticking
out. "Oh, Leo, put on a movie and Laury won't stop staring at him. It's
creepy" He said, before disappearing down the hall.
"I think I'm going to lie down for a while" she said, but I knew her
pride wouldn't let her go out there. "Okay" I shrug, before leaving her to
check on Uncle Kyle, he was lying down, but he was awake now. Putting him in his chair, I comb his hair, and push him out to the table. Leo was
sitting on the couch with Taylor watching science fiction movie, that had just come out. He stood up smoothly as I parked uncle Kyle at the table.
"Hello, sir" Leo said when he was right in front of him. My uncle grunted and I started to put his diner together out of all the random dishes he had
brought.
Leo talked to my uncle while I feed him, telling him stuff my uncle
could care less about, but I knew it was nice to have someone other than
one of your niece or nephew asking you stuff, or a stuffy nurse who you
know is just doing a job. Leo was talking to my uncle as if he would reply in full sentences and It made me smile. I didn't know which was the real Leo, He had an ugly temper, held a grudge like a women, could be so sad that all you wanted to do was brighten his day. Or he could be excited that he you forgot that he was any of those things, he got nervous and
unsure of himself and his emotions played on his face, he could be cocky
was so much bold that you had to step back to see it, Leo was a well
rounded person and I? I was easily persuaded by money, for the right
price I could do it to support my family, only a high school graduate, whoat nineteen had way more baggage than any playboy could handle for anyreason. So what were we doing here?

-Cody