Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 77398 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77398 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
He typed something in his phone, put it in his back pocket then peered up at me, annoyed.
“I just saved your relationship. You’re welcome.”
“We don’t have a relationship.”
“That’s not what he said.”
“What?” I lowered my eyebrows. “What did he say?”
“Maybe you should check your messages, cuz I’m sure he said everythin’ there.” With that, he sidestepped me and went inside the house.
“I cannot believe him.”
But I was still dying to know what Aiden said.
“Goddamn it!”
I hobbled after him inside, holding back my temper so my parents wouldn’t ask me any questions. Glaring at Danté like I did Jackson from the table.
He simply smiled, waving his fingers at me from the couch. After watching the telenovela on the screen for what felt like forever, I couldn’t resist the urge any longer. I pulled out my phone and swiped the screen, reading the text messages.
7:43 AM “My Tiny Dancer, being left alone in bed isn’t how I expected to wake up this morning. Where are you?”
7:59 AM “Did you go out to grab us breakfast? Why aren’t you answering your phone?”
8:18 AM “I don’t understand what’s going on, and you not answering your goddamn phone doesn’t help me!”
8:34 AM “Are you okay?”
9:04 AM “I have a hundred different scenarios running through my mind on what could have happened to you, so—”
“Mama Dukes!” Danté shouted, bringing my attention to him. Instantly feeling like a piece of shit for making Aiden worry about me.
I didn’t think he would. I guess I wasn’t thinking about him at all.
“Shit.”
“Oh gurl, I know, you in trouble wit’ a capital T!”
My mom walked out into the living room with a mixing bowl in her hand.
“When is your delicious lunch ready? Your boy is hungry.”
“I’m almost finished, Hijo,” she called him son before looking over at me. “Are you hungry, baby?”
“I’m okay, Mom.”
“Ay, look at you. Skin and bones. Are you eating?”
“Yes, I’m eating.”
“Did you put Vicks on your ankle?”
“Mom, vapor rub doesn’t fix everything.”
“Papi! Tell your daughter she needs to eat more!” she hollered, ignoring me.
“Oh God,” I muttered under my breath as my dad walked into the living room with two beers in his hands. Giving one to Danté.
“What your Mita says. You need to eat more.”
“I do eat, Dad.”
“Well we wouldn’t know. We haven’t seen you in months.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I’ve just been busy with work.”
“What kind of employer doesn’t give you time off to see your parents?”
“It has nothing to do with him. The kids take up all my time.”
Danté coughed, “Bullshit.”
I shot daggers at him.
“Danté, have you met this man? The one she works for?”
“I have and you actually gonna meet him—” A knock abruptly sounded from the door. “Now.”
“What?!” I shouted, almost falling out of my damn chair.
Danté didn’t miss a beat, practically skipping to the door to answer it.
I’ll never forget the expression on Aiden’s face when Danté opened the door. His eyes went from him, to me, to my parents.
All the blood drained from his face as he announced, “Mario? Eva?”
Leaving me completely confused.
How did he know my parents’ names?
<>Aiden<>
“What the fuck?”
“Faith!” Eva reprimanded. “Don’t cuss! Unless you want me to wash your mouth out with soap!”
I jerked back, my eyes opening as wide as could be. “Faith? I thought your name is Camila?”
“You’ve been able to pronounce my name this whole time?”
Mario stepped forward. “Aiden?”
“What the hell is going on?” Danté chimed in, taking the words right out of my mouth.
“How do you know my parents’ names?”
“They’re your parents? Mario and Eva?” I questioned, trying to keep up.
She nodded. “Yeah. Are you going to tell me how you know their names?”
“Not until you tell me why the hell your driver’s license says Camila Jimenez when your name is Faith de la Ramirez?”
“How do you know that?”
“Wait!” Eva interrupted, putting her hands out. “How do you know each other?”
“He’s my boss. How do you know him?”
The surprised expression on her parents faces mirrored one another.
“He was our foster son,” she simply stated, looking at me with so much love in her eyes. As if no time had passed between us. “Hijo, we haven’t seen you in decades. Ven aqui,” she said, “Come here.” Pulling me into a tight hug, Mario following suit. “Ay dios mio! What a beautiful surprise!” Eva pulled away, grabbing my stunned face in between her hands. “Mírate, look at you, so handsome. My boy is a man.”
“I knew it! I knew you guys were soulmates!” Danté cheered, clapping his hands in excitement. Making my head spin.
Eva let go of my face, and Camila and I locked eyes.
This morning kept going from one thing to another. I woke up alone with the bed cold beside me. At first, I thought she left to get us breakfast, but when she didn’t answer my calls or texts, I got worried.