Pimentel Princess #wattys2018

Chapter 56 | I didn't know

Mama had come home from hospital the next day, the wound wasn't too deep, but it still prevented her from sleeping.

I watch her at the table at breakfast, as she pours in water in her cereal bowl, her face slumped on one side, her eyes still close as if she was in a trance. "Mama, you just poured water in your cereal bowl," I say. She groans pouring them down the bin. Instead of making more food she just jumps on the sofa, point the remote at the tv.

"Laila señorita, I'll make you breakfast but after that you're sleeping, you're not fit to do anything." Papa says hovering over the sofa as he plants a soft kiss on her cheek.

"No Joel," she groan. "I'm fine," papa just tuts.
"No you're not," he leans in to whisper. "If it helps, I'll stay with you." Her frown turns into a grin.

Then back into a scowl as the pain jabs her to reality. Papa runs to her side, with a glass of tablet it's milk. She shakes her head reluctantly, pushing it away. "Señorita, you need to have these," he pushes them back.
"No I said!" Mama clutches her side, her face scrunched up in agony. "I'm going to kill that bitch with my best hands," She says with her eyes shut.

After a bit of persuasion, Mama downed the tablets and milk. "Señorita, you haven't even touched the eggs I made you," papa says sitting beside her. "I'm not hungry," Mama turns her head.

"They're cold," papa says he goes back into the kitchen. "January!" He shouts at me.

I run into the kitchen almost slipping on the white tiles. "Yes papa," he hands me some change. "Get the biggest box of strawberries and a bar of milk chocolate," he says. I nod.

I couldn't be bothered changing out my pyjamas, I thrown on my red coat, the black fur tickling the back of my neck.

I set out into the crispy cold air, the fog sat down on the small down masking the houses. I couldn't see anything but the cars. The frost air howls closer to me and I pull my jacket tighter, walking a bit faster till I arrive at the small store. The green and red light flashing open and I push the cool metal handle letting myself inside the shop.

I spot the strawberries but they'd ran out of milk chocolate from her favourite company so I had to get one of a different company praying she wouldn't taste the difference.

Walking out, the sun peered through a bit of foggy from the bleach sky.

A harsh shove, makes me drop the bag and as I look up I see Valentino. He's wearing a black nike tracksuit. His headphones in his ears.
"Sorry, Jan." he says picking up my bag and handing it to me. There was droplets of sweat scattered across his forehead.

"I was going to come by yours later to talk to you, but since your here-," I interrupt him before he can continue.
"I gotta go, but if you wanna talk call me or come later," I say as I remember about the breakfast. I jog praying papa doesn't shout for taking to long.

"Here you go Señorita," papa places the pancakes with strawberries in front of Mama. She still shakes her head. "Fine. I'm feeding it to you," he cuts open a bit forcing it in her mouth. When they're done, they go upstairs.

Should I go to Valentino's house now? Wait no. That bitch is his stepmom ain't she?

Just as I'm about to wash up my ringtone plays and I answer the call. "Hello?" I ask. "Hey January, it's Val, do you wanna come to the park to meet me so we can talk?"

What if it's a set up and he's brought Summer? A voice in my mind says.

"No, you come here." I say. Before hanging the phone up. Yoan emerges from the kitchen with a packet of cookies in hand shoving them in his mouth. "Who's coming here?" I explain the situation to him and he's adamant that he wants to stay with me incase he "pulls a fast one," his words. Not mine.

There's a knock at the door but before I'm able to get up, Little Yoyo sprints and lets him in.
"January," he says staring into my eyes.

My stomach isn't flipping like it did before when he used to say my name. It didn't release butterflies. I felt... nothing.

"What?" I say curtly. "I just wanted to say, I didn't know my mum was going to do that. We were just supposed to follow you, to make you feel intimidated. But papa, he told me everything about the past. That's why she made me break up with you. I swear I didn't know. I though she just didn't like you," he says. His face showed remorse. I look at little Yoyo to ask what to say. He just shrugs his shoulders.

"How do I know your telling the truth?" I say slouching further in my seat.
"Remember that day you came to my house? Papa opened the door and he was suspicious as to why you were there and kept stuttering?" I nod the memory playing back. "Yes," I agree softly.

"He was the one who was there that kidnapped you that night. He ran away, thus you not recalling his face when you met him again. But he told me, about the kidnapping and he was relieved when you didn't recognise him. But he told Mama and she made me break up with you. At the time I didn't know why," he had a hint of vulnerability in his voice.

"Ok I believe you, but what does this change? Have you come to say sorry and you want me back?" I ask. I could see little yoyo's head turn from the corner if my eyes. "Yes, I missed you." He says softly. The truth was, I didn't miss him.

"Tough, I'm taken." Valentino's head shoots up as if he didn't except my answer. "By who?" His  eyebrows almost fist pump each other.
"Lit- Yoan," I nod point to him.

His fists tense, and he bites his lip in anger. "I knew it," is all he says before slamming the door and leaving.

"January stop slamming the doors!" I heard papa say muffled from his bedroom.
"Sorry papa!" I shout back.

Yoan looks at his phone. I hear a ping and he curses as he reads the message. "What did it say?" I ask as I join him.
"Mr angry pants wants to meet me," he shakes his head in disbelief.

"Shall I come?" I stand up but he motions for me to sit. "Nah don't worry. I'm going to text uncle Richard. So if the guy tries anything Rich will sort him out," he plants a kiss on my forehead before grabbing his house keys, "Bye," he waves. I blow him a kiss and he does a cheesy action of him grabbing it and putting it in his pocket. I shake my head at his cuteness.