Thick As Blood {A Menendez Brothers Fic}

12. Dollhouse

When my parents throw a party, they go big or go home while doing it. Lavish, extravagant, everything was immaculately placed and perfect for the guests that would crowd around our house and chatter away about the most boring topics known to man. But this was once again, another opportunity to show that we were the 'perfect family'. And to do damage control. A sort of warning that was fired at me to put me in my place and make things clear for my future. Because I certainly was close to not having one is what he was telling me. And I wouldn't doubt him on wanting me dead. He's said it before. And he's a man of his word.

"Ana, why does dad have to even throw parties and make us come? He knows we don't want to. He's just using us as trophies....." I sighed from just how right and true Ava's words were, never underestimating how smart she truly is. She's so young but yet, has a bright and smart head on her shoulders.

"I wish I had the answers sis. But sadly, I don't. But did you hear, we might be able to go back to Florida for a few days after graduation." She slightly smiled from the excitement in my tone, trying to lighten the mood so we wouldn't feel like complete sad sacks. Our Aunt Clara has been dying to see us and well, this is the perfect opportunity. She knows what our home life is like. And insisted she simply wanted us to come visit and to relax and such before I go away to college and start my adult life. And get away from this house of horrors we found ourselves in once again. Florida was hard. But here in California, it was worse. Much worse. The underlying problem we faced with our father is what kept us on edge each and every day. We didn't feel safe. Because he knew a lot more than we ever thought he could.

"Hello girls. You both look absolutely beautiful this evening." Ava immediately jumped up from the sound of Lyle's voice entering my room, noticing how sharply dressed he was for the evening. Ava hugged him tightly with a bright smile upon her face, beaming from the notion that Erik and Lyle would be here with us tonight to make it easier to get through. It was more of a party orchestrated by our fathers, and we didn't know whether to be afraid, or just enjoy ourselves.

"And you look handsome Lyle. Where's Erik?" Ava slowly let him go before exiting my room upon the sudden yell of our father ringing our our names to join the now arriving party guests, not exactly wanting to leave my room what so ever.

"He'll be over in just a few. He's had a rough day. And our cousin Andy is here visiting. So that will be another person on our side." His little smile seemed to ease my raging nerves a bit, at least enough to calm my rapid breathing that I didn't even realize was that bad until now. My anxiety is threatening to be the end of me before my father is.

"Well that's a bonus." We simply smiled at one another before I slipped on my heels to make me look even more 'elegant and lady like' for the guests enjoyment. My father was keen on onlookers of his daughter. Sick right? Business is key for him. So it's not the first time he's used me to get more clients to sucker out of money.

"Just relax, okay Ana? Nothing is going to happen with all these people around. Believe me. They aren't that stupid." He suddenly placed his hand on the small of back to guide me toward my now open door and into the semi quiet hallway. The dim lighting was just enough for me to see the shadows of guests walking in through the front door and hearing their happy chatter, my father buttering them up the minute they reached him. Putting on an act already I see.

"You really do look beautiful tonight Ana. Erik is lucky." Before I could even muster a thank you, his lips connected with the corner of my mouth in the softest manner imaginable, exhilarating my breathing completely, before simply leaving me to my own thoughts as he walked down the staircase and onto the party. What is going on....? When I finally managed to calm myself down, I made my way down the stairs just as Erik and I assume Andy walked in through the front door with the polite greetings of my father surprising me most of all.

"There she is! Hello honey. You look absolutely stunning." My fathers words rung in my mind, but I couldn't stop my eyes from locking with Erik's and just how handsome he looked. He always seemed to have that affect on me.

"Okay, is this the Ana you were telling me about? She's gorgeous man!" My blushing cheeks and shy manner, seemed to humor Erik from all the compliments I was suddenly getting. I like Andy already.

"That would be me. Ana the great! And you must be Andy. I'm so glad to finally meet you! I feel like I already know you." He suddenly enveloped me in a tight embrace, before pulling away to smile once more at me again.

"That's my Ana. Beautiful as always." I hugged Erik so tightly to me, never wanting to let go what so ever. Being in his arms was like the safest feeling in the entire world. Like nothing could ever happen to me while I was there.

"And you are just as handsome as always. We clean up well huh?" We all laughed in humor, just as Kitty came up beside us with a drink in her hand and a big smile from the sight of Andy. Kitty mirrored my own mother so incredibly much that it was honestly scary.

"Andy! I'm so glad you're here. Come with me so we can talk, we've missed you." As they walked away, I looked around for my own mother and didn't see her mingling with anyone anywhere. I honestly hadn't seen her in a while. But I put on a smile to Erik once he grabbed my hand, seeing Lyle and his girlfriend Jamie walking around the room and smiling with some of the guests from the entertainment business Jose worked for. And others that knew both of our fathers from legal matters. It felt like the whole of Beverly Hills was here.

"Do you want to go to the pool house? At least so we can actually think?" I nodded in instant agreement from Erik's suggestion, thankful for the opportunity to escape and be alone.

"It's a lot more peaceful out here. And beautiful. All the stars are fascinating. So bright and..... soothing in a way. They're free to roam the night sky." Erik and I stopped just outside of the pool house once we made it with both of our eyes attaching to the brightly lit sky of Beverly Hills at night.

"That'll be us one day. Free and not a care in the world." I slowly looked back to Erik, noting that he was already looking at me with that handsome smile upon his face that always melted away any worry and pain on sight. And then, we kissed like our lives depended on it, fumbling with the pool house door and managing to make it inside with our lips never separating. But it was short lived. The bliss, the euphoria. We suddenly tripped over something laying about on the ground and laughed from the mere impact of landing on top of Erik, before my eyes looked back and connected with what knocked us down.

"MOM!!!"