Beautiful in white

CHAPTER TWO

Beautiful in white

Jessy snapped a stolen photo of us. I was not even looking at the camera but I heard the shutter sound of it.

“Will you stop that?” I asked and parked my car outside the gate of our parent’s car.

“Jerk.” I heard her say.

“Jessy, are you sure that the lunch is for us only?” Dad asked, looking at the four cars outside the house too.

“That was what Mom said, Daddy William. Should I call her first before we go out?” She asked.

I sighed.

Maybe Mom invited some of her close friends again.

“It’s okay, Hija. Athena’s expecting us. Let’s go.” Dad said and removed his seatbelt.

I unlocked the car.

Jessy returned my coat before opening the door.

I unintentionally looked over her butt. The hem of her dress when up.

“Change your clothes.” I said.

She slammed the car’s door to my face.

I really can’t tame her.

She’s twenty-one years old but still acts like a child.

She and Dad went in first.

I locked the car and gave the keycard to our guard.

“The parking lot is still full?” I asked.

“Good afternoon. Yes, Sir. Madame Athena’s friends are here also.” He said and open the for me.

I guess I was right about that one.

Mom welcomed us. She was wearing a sunny bright yellow dress when I saw her on the patio with Papa.

“Ethan!” She screamed as she ran to me. 

Her smile was contagious.

I opened my arms for her. 

Mom will always be my home.

“Mom stop running like that.” I said as I embraced her.

Papa walked to us and tapped my shoulder.

“Ethan. Finally, you came home.” He said and pulled me for a hug too.

“You really know how to make me go home. Jessica did her job well. She’s really irritating.” I said and looked around for her.

Maybe she changed her clothes like what I said. Good.

“At least you’re home now.” Mom smiled.

“Let’s go inside. The food is ready.” Papa said.

Mom and Papa were my adopted parents. I knew it since I was a little boy. Mom never hides the truth about my true mother.

She was her best friend.

Eleonor Saavedra.

I never got the chance to meet her because she died a week after giving birth to me, but her memories live in me because of Athena Monteverde. Every night she would tell me stories about her. I was just three years old back then when I learned about it. She explained it to me carefully. I have her portraits in my house in San Juan. I may not see her but I could feel her guiding me in my life.

We walked inside the house to see Dad looking at the big picture of Mom Eleonor. She was with Mom Athena in that picture. They were in high school. They were both beautiful.

“Dad.” I called him.

I saw the way he wiped his face before facing us.

His eyes were red.

“We all miss her, William.” Mom said and rubbed his back.

Dad nodded at the picture again.

“Sorry, I couldn’t help it. It was like yesterday.” Dad said.

“We should eat guys.” Papa butted in to change the mood.

I looked up at the stair when something white caught my eyes. I saw Jessica wearing a plain white dress. 

I held my breath for a second.

She looked directly at me while walking down.

God. She’s gorgeous.

“Is my dress approve or not?” She stopped in the middle of the stair and put her hands in her waists.

“You look beautiful, Jessy.” I heard a voice at my back.

“Marcus?” Jessica continued to walk down. 

Who the hell is Marcus?

I didn’t bother to look at my back. I was about to reach for her hand when someone passed by me and offer a hand to Jessica.

She looked at me before accepting the help of the man he called Marcus.

I stepped back.

I already mastered this kind of feeling.

“Marcus, I want you to meet my older brother. Ethan, this is Marcus, my friend.” Jessica introduced.

I noticed that he did not let go of her hand so I offered my hand for a handshake.

“Nice to meet you, Ethan. Jessy, you never mentioned that you have a sibling. I really thought you are an only child.” Marcus smiled at Jessica.

“It’s okay. That what I told her to do.” I said and excused myself.

I heard Jessica called me but I pretend that I didn’t hear her.

It’s for the best.

The best for all of us.

“Ethan, join us.” Mom stood up from her seat when I walked into the dining room.

“Good afternoon.” I greeted her friends.

Some of them were familiar to me. 

“Hello, Ethan. It’s nice to see you again.” Aunt Claire said.

“Ethan barely goes here because of work. Claire, how’s Ava? Let’s set up a date for them.” Mom said.

“Mom.” I sat on the chair next to Papa.

“Don’t mind your Mom. She’s just excited for you.” Papa whispered and passed the bread to me.

“I will talk to Ava.” I heard Aunt Claire replied.

“Athena, your son is seeing someone.” I almost dropped the fork and looked to Dad in front of me.

What the?

“Really? Is it serious this time? Bring her home then.” Mom’s smile widened.

Shoot.

“Dad, drop it.” I replied and continued with my pasta.

Mom’s white spaghetti never gets old.

“What is her name?” Papa asked this time.

I shook my head and swallowed my food.

“Name of who?” Jessy sat beside me.

There was no available chair in our row so Marcus walked to the other side and seat beside Dad.

“Your brother has a girlfriend! Don’t you know Amelia?” Mom asked Jessica.

I could feel Jessica’s eyes on me. I didn’t dare to look at her.

“Ethan? Who’s the girl? Is she prettier than me?” Jessica asked. 

I could hear the hint of jealousy in her voice. 

Laughter enveloped the dining room.

“More prettier and I like the way she dresses, unlike you.” Before I could even think straight, those words came out of my mouth already.

I wanted to smack myself when I heard Jessica’s footsteps running away from us.

I stopped eating and stood up.

“Ethan Travis, that was not nice.” Mom scolded me.

“Excuse me.” I followed Jessica into her room.

I ran to her before she could lock the door.

Her gaze at me was deadly.

“You know that was a joke.” I said and pushed the door softly.

She stood to her feet and held to the door.

“Tell me you don’t have a girlfriend.” She demanded.

Her eyes moistened.

I wanted to laugh but I know it will annoy her more.

“What if I have?” I asked and tried to push the door again.

She pouted and pushed the door to me.

“Break up with her! I don’t like her!” She shouted.

I couldn’t suppress my laughter.

She’s cute when mad.

Her nose is red too.

“You don’t even know her.” I said and pushed the door a little harder this time.

She stepped back and crossed her arms on her chest.

“I don’t need to know her. I don’t like her and that’s final!” She sniffed and went to her bed.

She pulled her heart pillow and embraced it.

“Don’t be such a brat. Sooner or later I will have someone and I want you to treat her nice. I want Mom to be happy.” I sighed.

I will do anything to make Mom happy.

“But you won’t be happy with her. Don’t use Mom!” She cried.

Her tears dripping down her blushed cheeks.

I sat beside her and put my arm around her shoulder.

“You know I’m happy whenever Mom is happy. Stop crying. I hate to see you cry.” I said and kissed the side of her head.

If only I could hold you forever Amelia Jessica.

“You’re the only one who’s making me cry. You’re a bully and you don’t care about my feelings. You still treat me like a child. I’m a grown-up woman now. I could live alone without our parents and their money, I could protect myself and you still see me as a child? Why are you like that?!” She cried harder.

I didn’t answer her.

Maybe I went too far this time.

“Okay. I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings. Forgive me.” I said and hugged her tight.

She pushed me away after a minute.

She wiped her tears and looked at me.

"Where are you going after?" She asked like nothing happened.

My eyebrows almost met.

"After what?" What is she talking about?

"After here! Where are you going?" She asked in her irritating voice again.

"I will take Dad to his house then I'll be back in the office." I answered honestly.

Did I really have to answer her?

"Don't go to the office. I want to go to your house and watch a movie like the old times." She said and stood up and went to her big mirror.

I was stunned for a moment.

No that's not possible.

"Our projects are lining up Jessica. I can't go home now. Maybe some other time." I said, thinking of an excuse for her not to go to my house.

She knew that my house has been renovated but I don't want her to know about paintings that I bought from an artist last year. 

That was a total of five paintings!

"See! If you are really sorry, you will make it up to me!" She turned to me again and she looked like she's about to cry.

Oh God, help me.

"Why don't we watch the movie in your unit? Is Cindy there?" I asked about her assistant and best friend.

Cindy's a nice girl and they're living together in her condo unit in BGC.

I somehow like it because she's living with a girl that I trust. 

"Oh, Cindy's out today. She left before I went to your office. It's a family matter." She started and looked at her wristwatch. "But she will be home tonight. So yeah, we could watch without bothering her." She said and went back to curling her hair.

Yes!

I nodded and stood up.

"Finish that fast. You need to eat before we go." I said and walked to the door.

"I'm serious when I say that I won't like any girl that you would date, Ethan." She said before I could open the door.

I hide my smirk from her.

Whatever you say, Amelia Jessica.

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