Handcuffed Heiress

5. You're a star

5. You're a star

Kaitlyn-Rose
"Aren't you excited? Today is the day we leave this place for good."
"Yeah, I guess so. I still haven't decided what I'm going to do yet."
"Have you told your parents?"
"I'm thinking about breaking the news to them gently after the celebratory dinner."
"Why don't you just go to university? You've gotten into quite a few. It's such a waste of talent." I shrugged. "I really don't know what I want to do yet. Maybe taking a year off would give me some clarity. What about you? You'll be starting in the fall right?"
"Yup. It's going to be so boring without you there."
"I'll visit often so you won't feel as lonely." He laughed.

"What are your summer plans?"
"Mum wants me to visit my grandfather."
"Wow. Japan? Is he finally going to accept you?"
"I don't really care. It's been eighteen years. I don't know why mum goes there every year begging for his acceptance."
"I think it'll be good for you."
"Kait, you know my Japanese is shit."
"Doesn't he speak English? He's a businessman. I'm pretty sure he has had to use English at some point in time."
"He refuses to."
"Well, it will be good practice for you. You are half Japanese, or did you forget?" He scoffed. "I'm as much Japanese as you are Italian."
"But I speak Italian though; fluently."
"Whatever."

"Kaitlyn-Rose."
"That's my mum." I got excited. "We're in here." She strolled in like the queen she was with my dad on her heels. "Jeeze mum, couldn't you have toned it down a little?" She looked stunning. My mum was in her forties and still looked like she was in her twenties. "What?" She like down at herself. I kissed her cheeks like I've done so many times before and gave my dad a hug hanging on a little too long.

"How's my baby girl doing?"
"Fine."
"Finally leaving this hellhole huh?"
"Don't I know it." Kei and my mum exchanged their greetings and so did he and my dad. I looked at my parents, pride swelling within me. They were two of the most beautiful people I've ever seen. How is it possible for them to look the same after so many years? My mum had been wearing her hair in a short bob style which gave her a more mature look. I think that's what she was going for. My dad's blonde curls had been straightened and his hair cut short like he's taken to wearing it these days.

"I can't believe you're almost eighteen. When did that happen?"
"I know, right?"
"What's the plan after high school?"
"Natalía."
"What Marc? I want to know."
"Can we leave that for another day? Let her enjoy her last day of high school in peace."
"But."
"No buts." He pulled her into his arms and gave her a kiss. She literally melted. Gosh, could they be any more nauseating? My dad gave me the look over her shoulders. That meant he had her under control for now. I gave him the thumbs up.

"Guys, please don't embarrass me today."
"Why would we embarrass you?"
"Who wouldn't be embarrassed when their parents act like that in public?"
"Whatever. When you find someone you like as much as I do your father you won't be able to keep your hands off him either." I covered my ears. I didn't want to hear that. "TMI mum." They laughed. No one wanted to picture their parents that way.

My father focused on Kei. Did he know? I wonder. "Is your mother here?"
"Yes sir. She came a few days ago."
"How many times do I have to tell you to call me uncle. We're family. Kei nodded, but I know he wouldn't.

"Okay, let's get this show on the road. Where's your brother?"
"Here," he said walking in. "Don't you look nice in a suit."
"The occasion called for it." Uncle James and Antonio had finally turned up along with Kei's mum. "How are you holding up?" I asked him. "I'll be better when we get to escape. My mum can get really annoying."
"She can't be that bad." I laughed. "Really? Look at my dad's face. Look at your dad's face. Look at your mum's face."
"Point taken. Let's make our escape.

We have to go join the graduation party. We'll see you afterwards. I look forward to all the gifts."
"What gifts?"
"The gifts you all brought. There's no way you came empty handed." Both sets of parents looked puzzled. "Were we supposed to bring gifts?" That was Kei's mother. "Did you know that?" My mum looked to my dad for help. "Did you know that, James?" He looked just as confused as everyone else. They turned to my brother. "Marc?"
"I wasn't aware." They turned to Antonio next. He was obviously my last hope. "I'm not British or American. I had no idea such tradition exists."