MELROSE

CHAPTER 24

"Not there you idiot!"

"Can you please not call me that?

"Fine then, fuckface."

"Language girl!"

"Sorry Diana!"

Don smiled. "Ha! I told you she would reprimand you next."

I pushed him to the floor. He hit the ground with a groan. Satisfied with my action, I proceeded to walk away.

Except I didn't, because he tripped me, making me fall on him.

He looked very comfortable. "Ah, that's better. I could stay like this and never get up."

I hit him, hauling myself to my feet. "Fuckbag."

It was the eighteenth, a week to Christmas. I've been here everyday for the past week, helping to prepare for the Christmas party Diego and Diana wanted to throw. Here's what I've learned so far.

Don's parents weren't complete douche bags. They were nice. Diana was nicer. I had easily warmed my way into their hearts.

Diego was one of those people, tough, intimidating, cold. However, it only took one word from his wife to get him back in his place. He was butter in her hands.

Diego had a voice amazing enough to win a prize in American Idol. Too bad he didn't pass that to either of his sons.

Mum was a long term friend of the both of them.

Don was flirty with me, always dropping a sexual remark here and there. Which meant I had to prepare a fucking truckload of hits to deliver when needed. I mean, there were times my traitorous body stirred at his words but a bigger part of me, the part that belonged to Ethan, always reminded me that I did belong to Ethan and even trying to think about why my body responded the way it did counted as cheating. It was only a slight response and as much as I hate to admit it, it was a response, one that should not be happening. I later summed it up to the fact that my body was playing tricks on me because Ethan wasn't around.

Last but not least, Don was fucking terrible in decorating. He would claim he was done with a particular part of the house, only for me to bring it down and do it all over again. Thanks to me, the house was shinning and full of holiday spirit with the fucking ridiculous amount of Christmas lights, trees and decor Diana had us put up.

"Kids! Breakfast is ready!"

I said "Coming!" the same time Don said "One of is is an adult!"

It had gotten to the point that Mum now kicked me out of the house early so I could help the Mancinis. It wasn't fair because Fletch got to stay home.

We walked to the dining and sure enough there was enough food to feed ten people. Diana said she had no idea how to make little food and well, I wasn't complaining. We waited until Diego had sat down and we'd shared the grace before digging in. By digging in, I mean Diana stared at me stupefied, her husband amused, as I abruptly grabbed a plate and dumped six pancakes on it.

Don raised a brow. "Only six?"

I shrugged. "Not that hungry."

I sank my teeth into the breakfast heaven, happily chewing away until I realized no one else was. Instead, they were staring at me. I quickly swallowed and wiped a hand on my mouth.

"You know, adults always tell us it's rude to stare."

Diego directed his question to his son. "Does she usually eat that much?"

His son scoffed. "Puh - lease. If you think this is much, try making her dinner."

He seemed thoughtful for a moment. "A girl that can eat huh? I like her."