Tied To You

k

Elie

The clock read a quarter to ten, when Evan Montenegro and Karlie Mendoza walked into the Montenegro Estate with little Elie resting on her dad's shoulders, tired from the move. The family of three a were greeted by the housemaids who were already awaiting their arrival.

"Magandang Umaga, Sir Evan at Ma'am Karlie!" The housemaid greeted enthusiastically. Karlie not knowing any Tagalog looked at Evan with confusion.

"Good morning to you to Manang Rose. Where are my parents?" Evan kindly asked as the guards brought in all of Evan and Karlie's belongings.

"Your mom in kitchen, your dad in office, Ava in room." Manang Rose said in the best English she could.

"Thank you Manang Rose I'll just head to our room to put Elie down." Evan said slowly taking his time up the stairs.

Karlie stood frozen in the middle of the foyer. She was in awe at the largeness and beauty of the Montenegro Estate. She may have been from old money but not as old as the Montenegro's. This mansion was twice the size of the Mendoza chateau in Calabasas. The Art Deco ceiling that stretched to the second floor really brought out the old school vibes. This was the type of house you'd see in movies. The stairwells stretched to both sides of the walls and a beautiful centerpiece lies in the middle aligning itself with the crystal chandelier hanging in the ceiling.

"You seem very amazed Karlie." Elena Montenegro said as she stared at Karlie who was mesmerizing the entire foyer.
"The ceiling is a replica from the Paramount Theatre in Oakland, California. Your Tito Alvin has an eye for art. Back in our vacation home in the Southern Isles we have lots of renaissance paintings and sculptures and we have a room under our name at the Eagle Valley Museum of Art, due to Alvin's donations." Karlie was amazed by what Elena said, she never knew that Alvin Montenegro was a man who loves art. All she get hears about the Montenegro name is their corrupt ways and unique business practices. There's more that meets the eye with this family than what people portray them to be. "If you like the foyer wait until you see the library." Elena added telling Karlie as she felt the walls of the foyer. It felt as if she was walking into the Palace of Versailles. The details everywhere she looked brought amazement to her eyes.

"How do you live here?" She asked Elena who was watching her from the kitchen entrance of the foyer.

"You get use to it after a while, but before me and Alvin got married this house was to plain for our taste." She said walking to Karlie not noticing that Evan was standing at the bridge above the stairs observing the conversation his mother and girlfriend were having. Elena added, "Alvin's father Raul was a minimalist and when Alvin inherited this house all the walls were one color and there was barely any furniture. It took us two years to fix up this beautiful home and make it ours. It has a touch of me and Alvin. For two years me, Alvin, and Evan stayed in the Onyx Hotel's luxury penthouse suite. We didn't officially move in until a few months after Ava was born."

Everything Karlie felt previously about moving into the Montenegro Estate completely changed after hearing the story behind the home. Her life was going to change.

"I'm hungry." The two women's attention were diverted to Evan who was leaning on the railings of the walkway above the stairs.

Elena and Karlie giggled, both looking at each other in the eye, as they both shook their heads. "You haven't changed a bit my son. Come down, I have made your favorite." A huge smile erupted from Evan's face. If there was one thing he missed about being home, it would have to be his mother's cooking. He quickly came down the tiled steps and met Karlie in the middle of the foyer.

"You never told me your house looks like this." Karlie grinned as Evan wrapped his left arm around her shoulders.

"I didn't tell you this because I wanted to be humble." He smiled widely.

"That's the biggest piece of crap I ever heard come out of your mouth. Evan Montenegro isn't humble in fact, he's the most arrogant person I know." Karlie gave a playful smirk.

"He's also very handsome and loved by Miss Karlie Mendoza." She laughed as he planted a kiss to her forehead, she knew despite his arrogant ways she still loves him. It was always playful banter between them and never a dull moment.

"All right lovebirds that's enough. The table is set all you guys need to do is sit and wait for the others to come." The two smiled at Elena as she left the dining room abruptly to make her way upstairs to get the rest of her family.

Meanwhile upstairs, Ava landed a soft knock at the door of her father's office.

"Dad." She called, knocking once more.

"Come in." He said nonchalantly. Ava walks in closing the door gently behind her.

"Hello Ava." Her father greeted not looking at his daughter, but at the legal documents pertaining to the Montenegro and Solis nuptials set to take place in three months time. "What brings you here to my office hija?" He asked still not focusing on his daughter's presence.

"Mom wanted me to let you know that Kuya Evan is here and that brunch is ready." Ava was use to her father's lack of attention towards her. It's not that he neglected her, he was always busy with work.

"Thank you for letting me know my dear. I'll be down in five minutes I just have to sign a few things and I will meet you all for brunch."

Ava smiled, this was going to be the first time in four and a half years where her entire family was going to sit together and eat. "Sure thing dad. I'll let mom know." She added with the painted smile on her face as she carefully leaves her father's office making her way through the hallway.

Walking through the hallway Ava stumbles upon the guest room partially opened. In the Montenegro house all doors are to remain close and all the staffs know that so it surprised Ava to see one of the rooms slightly opened. Ava was about to close the door when she saw a little tiny hand stick out from the doors crevice. Inside lay little baby Elie snuggled in a white fleece blanket. Ava couldn't resist the cuteness of her niece peacefully resting on the king sized bed curled up in a little fetal position. Ava quietly stepped into the guest room without waking her niece. Settling her self carefully on the corner of the bed she adjusted Elie's blanket and moved the hair away from her soft baby skin.

"She looks just like your brother when he was that age." Said the soft voice of her father who had been watching Ava as he sat next to his daughter.

"You will make a great mother one day. The way you look at Elie, let's me know that you'll have so much unconditional love for your children." Her father was getting sentimental, something that was a rare occasion for Ava. "Your mother raised you well. All of wish I was there to watch you grow. I neglected my role as a father, but you've always been patient with me just like your mother and now that your brother has decided to move back in I will make up the time lost by caring for Elie and watching her grow, the way your mother did with you and your brother." Ava smiled, feeling everything her father had said, this was how he apologize he may not have said he was sorry but as they say actions speak louder than words and Ava knew what her father's soft side was like from the stories her mother would tell her.

"Ava, I want you to know that everything I am doing is for the best. I am trying to prevent what's happening now spill into the future for when you have kids or even when Elie gets older." Her father stated hugging his daughter.

"I don't want to ruin your precious moment here but the food is getting cold and Evan and Karlie are waiting for you guys so we can finally eat." The two Montenegro's released their affectionate hold from each other and smiled gracefully at the Montenegro matriarch.

"You two ladies go ahead. I'll follow after. If Elie is just like Evan waking her up to eat will be a challenge." The two Montenegro ladies giggled and made their way to the hallway to meet with Evan and Karlie for brunch.

"I don't think my dad is coming down for lunch. Evan whispered to Karlie as the two were sitting patiently at the breakfast table as the maids were setting the table.

"Give your dad the benefit of the doubt. Your mom did say that he was home so that should tell you that he's not avoiding you." Karlie grabbed Evan's hand giving him assurance with her thumb rubbing on the surface of his hand. Karlie was right, his father was joining them for brunch. What surprised him even more was when he saw his daughter smiling happily at her grandfather and all premonition of negative thoughts went away after seeing his beautiful daughter wrapped around in the arms of her grandfather.