Thick As Blood {A Menendez Brothers Fic}

2. The Menendez Family

My eyes gazed over my reflection in the mirror, hardly recognizing the girl staring back at me. I was sharply dressed, hair straightened, and light makeup to hide the luggage I carry around on a daily basis. The smell of my perfume lingered in the air, hoping this would be up to my father's standards on making a good first impression on the Menendez's. And to be honest? I was nervous. I knew so little about them. Just that my dad would be working closely with Jose for the work he does. He worked in the entertainment industry and my dad assisted said entertainment in any legal matters. While I stay put like the good little girl I am and do what daddy says.

"Ana! You look like a model I saw in Vogue!" I grinned from the sound of Ava's excited voice filling the bathroom with a glow, just like everywhere she goes. I honestly don't know what I would do without her here. And with me around, she'll always be protected from the evils that the world holds. Including our father.

"Well peanut, you look just like Cinderella. Beautiful as always." I poked her little button nose upon seeing her blush rising on her cheeks. We finally decided to emerge from the confines of the bathroom to greet our parents in the entryway, knowing I couldn't stall forever.

"You both look nice. My two baby girls. Alright, come on before your father has a hernia." I hid my smile with a little nod, thankful that my mom was nothing like my dad. Samantha Rosenfeld dedicated her life to helping anyone in need. She constantly gave to charities and was incredibly popular amongst their group of friends. But hidden from the world, was her drinking problem. She liked to think it was no problem at all, that doing it behind closed doors didn't mean it was actually true. But Ava and I saw it all the time. And had to endure many a rant while it was ongoing.

Now my father, Nicholas Rosenfeld, was someone no one wanted to mess with. Or face in court. He was the best of the best, having studied at Princeton University and graduated with honors. He could be ruthless when needed. With his friends and the rest of the outside world, he came off as a humble family man with a love for the finer things in life. But behind closed doors, he was the complete opposite. Controlling. Manipulative. Spiteful. Evil. We didn't want to cross him. Otherwise, there would be horrible consequences.

"Alright, kids. Remember what I said. Be on your best behavior while we're guests in their lovely home." He scrutinized me with just one glance, sending every single word he uttered my way as if I was going to go off the rails and do something absolutely ridiculous. What is he so worried about?

"Ana? Can we sit together? I don't want to sit next to daddy." I hugged her to my side with a little smile and nod as we casually walked down the sidewalk, surprised we didn't take the limo. Knowing my dad, he always wants to go in style. Even if we are only going next door. And as for Ava's request, we could sit all the way in Paris and I would be happy. That's beyond far away from him.

"This is their house?!" Ava let go of my hand and followed behind dad and mom as they rung in at the gate, letting whoever answered know we're here. I looked around in disbelief at how beautiful their house truly is. I've only seen some of the backyard. And it was tremendously big. I couldn't get over how nice this neighborhood was. Or the fact that I lived in it.

"Come on Ana!" I was pulled from my thoughts once I was dragged through the now opened gate, walking up to the front doors closely behind my parents with Ava never letting go of my hand. The door suddenly opened, revealing a young man with brown hair, a charming smile, and a nice muscle build if I do say so myself, recognizing him as one of the guys I saw earlier in the day on the tennis court.

"Hello everyone! My parents are in the dining room. Come on in." I followed behind everyone, being the last one to finally enter the big home with a little smile directed at the guy. He looked a little older than i, clearly in college. And good looking.