Ghost from the present (18+)

#Eleven: In which he's left at his mother's mercy.

What on earth has gotten into me? Fuck. I don't bring girls home for fucking family dinner. I grumble towards myself as I walk inside the kitchen to see that Karma is already seated next to my mother. Why do I have a feeling they're both going to enjoy this at my expense?

My dad is at the head of the table smiling like he's having the time of his fucking life, ushering me to sit closest to him opposite of my mother and Karma. Next to me are Micah and Marty. Next to her, Sonny. After that, the chairs followed are filled by almost everyone else working at the mansion. I don't like this seat layout one bit. Sonny and my mom are way too close to her and I'm sitting too far away with grumpy and my old man next to me. I'm fucked.

My mom seems to be in an especially good mood tonight. I'm not sure if it's because for the first time in a long time almost everyone's eating dinner together, or because Karma's here. She stands up and places multiple plates of food in the center of the table, picking up my father's plate and giving him a large portion before motioning to the others to help themselves. My nose immediately catches the smell of freshly made empanadas making my stomach turn once again. Urgh, I need to remind myself not to eat that much sweet stuff ever again. I lean back in my chair putting as much distance between me and the scent of food as possible without being rude to my mother.

Everyone except for Karma starts to pile their plates with food. As they dig in scorching their meal down their throats in a hurry Karma studies all of us in silence. She already thought of us as a bunch of cavemen, our family dinners probably won't help to alter her point of view. I chuckle as the men begin to talk among themselves in hushed tones while eating while Karma looks around the whole table in utter astonishment before her eyes eventually land on me. I give her a wry smile. Less fancy than you expected? I ask her in my mind, as if she heard me she shakes her head a little with a smile before helping herself to a few empanadas. I keep my eyes glued on her, watching her movements until my mother's voice breaks the silence.

'Luca. Since you aren't eating, would you mind fetching a couple of bottles of wine from the cellar?'

I look up at her, not missing the mischievous tone that lingers in her voice. Mamá, please... I plead her with my eyes, knowing that she's going to tell every embarrassing story in the book while I'm out of sight. Her eyes only seem to sparkle more as she ushers with her hands for me to leave and says.

'Off you go. Hurry, before everyone's finished eating.'

Damn. Reluctantly I shove my chair back ignoring the wave of nausea that washes over me as I stand up and nod at her, biting my lower lip. Karma smirks twirling her fork in her hand obviously amused by the situation.

'Alright, goddammit.'

I mutter and stalk out of the kitchen. Once I'm around the corner I dart to the basement as fast as possible, hearing the chipper voice of my mother echo through the hall. The quicker the better! I turn on the lights and look over the racks, this one. I bend down to pick up one of the bottles but again my stomach turns in knots nearly making me throw up. Shit, I feel sick as fuck! I grunt, quickly grabbing the bottle before standing back up and taking a few deep breaths to calm my nausea. I look around and grab some other bottles before heading back upstairs. Karma's laughter rings through the hallway and my heartbeat quickens instantly at the sound of it. Why don't you laugh like that whenever you're with me? My chest tightens thinking that. I wanna hear that beautiful sound more. I quicken my pace, determent to know what made her laugh like that. Once I enter the kitchen my arms filled with several bottles my mother's attention turns to me.