A Dream

Dinner

My father's eyes light up like the fourth of July when he heard how many languages I can talk. "Well ain't that a surprise!" He stated and shifted a little in his chair. "How about school? Last year right?" He asked, it made me frown that he didn't know about my school because it was the talk of the town for months. "Uhm, didn't ma tell you about my last year?" My voice slowly drifting from being confident as I should be.

My father rose his brow and shook his head "I'm afraid, your mother only told me she kicked you out of the house for hacking her bank account" he stated. That was embarrassing for me, a lot more than I thought. Telling it to my friends was funnier than when my father said it. "Well, I got suspended from school last semester" my eyes flashed in the direction of Alvaro, seeing he actually had a smirk on his face again. This smirk was dark and lustful. Swallowing hardback the lump in my throat before looking back at my father.

He was quite calm but deep down I could see he was livid, not just for me getting suspended but for my mother who never notified him about it. "What actions caused you to get suspended, peanut?" He said my nickname as if I was a disgrace to him. "Send someone to the hospital because he was picking on my friend Lilly" I stated honestly and bit my lower lip. Anxiety filling me without a warning. That's when I felt someone place their hand on my tight, giving it a small squeeze of comfort.

I didn't need to look at Lorenzo to know it was him holding me tight, but damn his hand was soft and warm. "You defended someone, in return you get suspended?" He asked, the anger of before gone in his eyes. "Yes, Pappa," I said softly. He signed and placed his hand on top of mine "Defending someone's honour is more important than school, I understand that. My question is, how come your mother never told me? I mean clearly, you were trouble for her since the divorce. Taking full custody of you when she could've given you to me all this time" he paused and shook his head. "Now I hear from my own daughter that she had to be out her mother's hair?" He asked, he was clearly not happy about how my mother raised or handled situations with me.

"Dad, it's fine," I said, trying to calm him. The waiters came in after my words, making the room fall into silence again. My father pulled his hand from mine as they dished and left. We said a prayer and the feeling of my hand in Lorenzo's hand were abnormal, though I liked it a lot. Halfway through eating my father started again on the same subject with my mother. "No, it's not fine Jamie!" He spoke his mind. "Your mother didn't raise you the way I would've!" This time anger filled me instead of embarrassment. "Dad, please. It's fine" I said again, trying to stay calm. Lorenzo's hand on my tight kept me down in my seat, so that was a plus point and it made it easier for me to not lose my temper.

"No, it's not James!" His voice was louder than it should be. I heard the twins made a sound in fear. Liliana dropped her knife and fork at my father's voice, sitting back a little bit shaky. "You're my daughter as well! And she took full custody of you! Not letting me see you once in ten years!" He started to shout. Liliana started to stand up and walk across the room to where alcohol was placed and served two glasses of brown liquid. The sound of the twins whimpering suddenly caught my attention and that made me lose my cool. "Dad! That's enough! You're scaring the girls!" I stated loudly before rising from my chair. Walking over to the scared twins and comfort them.

Liliana gave my father a glass of what she poured before leaving the dining room with the other glass in her hand. The twins cried in fear, but silently on my shoulders as I held them. "I wanna go to bed" Alicia whispered with a small sniffle. "I'll take them," Alvaro said but they clung to me as if I was their lifeline. "No! Coroliana must!" They synced once more. "Shhh, I'll take you to bed" I whispered to them and pick them up, one on each arm. "Thank you for the food, it was delicious" I stated to my father before leaving with the twins in my arms.

Pushing the doors open with my foot. I stepped outside the dining room, letting go of a shaky breath before letting the girls guide me to their room. Luckily it was on the second floor, just right instead of left. Walking into their room and set them down. Without me telling them what to do they got into their PJs and crawl onto the king-size bed. I walked closer to them before sitting near them. "Can you tell us a story?" Alondra asked pulling the blanket over her. "I'm not good at telling stories, but I can sing?" My voice unsure, their smiles and enthusiastic nods were rewarding for me.

For a moment I thought of a song before settling on one of Coco the movie, song 'Remember me'. The soft singing lulled them to sleep and their sleeping faces was the most precious thing to me. With a kiss on each temple, I left the room silently. Closing the door with a small click. The surprise of a lifetime was awaiting me when I turned around. Lorenzo grabbed my head, covering my mouth to keep me from screaming. When I calmed down he lowered his hands and shoot me one of his dashing smiles. "Real sweet of you to put my sisters to bed" he stated before pulling me closer to him by my waist. "Wanna get into trouble?" His eyes mischievous and that look made me mad. It was absolutely my favourite look of him, but I was too down for trouble. "Not tonight. I am in enough trouble as it is, Lorenzo" I whispered and let out a sad breath.

"Maybe another time then?" Flashing that 1000 wat smile again. "Don't make it sound like a promise, I'll take you up on that" a smirk crossing my lips and I caught him looking down at my lips. Looking down at my shoes for a moment, I felt his fingers under my chin as he raised my head to look at him. "Don't look down" he whispered. Both of us fight the urge of kissing each other right there. "I'm... I'm gonna go" my voice soft and sweet like talking to my crush in high school.

"Goodnight, Senorita," he said with a small smile. "Goodnight, Lorenzo" I replied before walking to my room. Closing the door behind me and lean against the door. Dropping my head softly against it with a sigh. "Coroline James Harada, you can't think of kissing your stepbrother. Father would kill me" I said to myself and sigh again. "Yes he would kill you, Duquesa," a familiar deep voice said marching out of the shadows where my bed is. His body stopping in front of mine as I stare up at Alvaro. Once again he placed his arms on both sides of me against the door.

Inhaling his scent of mint and lemon. "What are you doing in my room?" I asked, staring into his eyes. "Waiting for you" he stated and moved his hands to my hips, jerking me closer to him. My fists balling against his chest as I fell against him with the jerk. "Let me go!" I struggled. "Look Duquesa, I can see you try to act tough when clearly you just are being a pain," he said and lean closer to me. "Just let me go, Alvaro! You're hurting me!" Slamming his chest with my fists even if I wasn't doing much. His hands removed from my hips only to pin my hands beside me.

"You really are something?" He laughed darkly. "What do you want Alvaro?" I asked madly. "Oh, nothing specific with you Jamie, I just need you to stay away from Lorenzo" his voice dropping in a low and scary way. "Why?" I asked shaking the fear of what might come. "Or you'll get punished," he said letting go of my one hand to grab my face. His face was dangerously close to mine. "Fine! Just leave me alone already!" I cried out and rip my face from his grip. He pulled back satisfied before leaving my room, not saying a word to me when he left.

Closing my door when he was out and start to undress until I was naked. Climbing into the bed and close my eyes. It took me forever to fall asleep since my mind kept bugging me with questions about what I've seen today. Some memories playing over in my head again and again.

That's when it started to turn black and I couldn't remember the last I was thinking about