The Decision-6

"¡Adios!" We said in unison and broke into giggles as I hung up the phone.

The next morning, the loud incessant ringing of my alarm woke me up. "Oh, God ..." I groaned sleepily as I grabbed the small alarm and shut it off.

I checked the clock, it says three in the morning.

I have an hour to get myself ready to go to the airport.

Lucy is picking me up.

She lives fifteen minutes away from our house.

I deposited the small machine back on my side table, literally dragged my limbs to the bathroom, and took a shower.

The water barely reached a lukewarm to wake my system up.

I brushed my teeth and got changed. I put on some faded skinny jeans, a white tank top, and a black cardigan. Then, I snatched my purse and ran downstairs to have a coffee before Lucy arrived.

I saw my mom talking with Ria, our cook. She's still in her robe. She never gets up this early. She looks like she didn't sleep at all.

"Oh honey, you're so ready." She stood up and abandoned her coffee as she approached me.

Her eyes look puffy. Sadness started to crawl within me.

"I'm so gonna miss you!" she drew me in for a hug, and it was a bone-crushing hug.

I grumbled mentally, but at the same time, I felt happy. My mother loves me so much, and I'm beyond grateful.

I love her to bits, but sometimes, her sweetness can be annoying at times.

I felt like she was like my brothers and dad, not that I'm complaining. Well, there's a point where I needed my freedom sometimes, however, they will never understand that.

Pulling myself away, I stared at her with a reassuring smile.

"Mom, I'll be calling you a lot, and we can talk on Skype. It's like I never left, you can still see me," I cajoled sweetly, tamping down the urge to roll my eyes.

She hated that.

Sometimes, she can be very emotional and persuasive.

"I know, I know ..." she caved in as she sighed heavily, and wiped the corner of her eyes.

I hug her again briefly, then kissed her cheeks.

When I averted my attention to Ria, she handed me a cup of coffee.

Oh, I love her.

She always knows what I needed.

"Gracias, Ria." (Thanks, Ria) I smiled sweetly.

"De nada, señorita." (You're welcome, miss) She responded softly, then turns on her heel and went back to work.

I heard footsteps behind me, heading towards us.

"When is Lucy coming? You know?" Placing the mug on the long island marble counter, I swiveled around to see my dad coming with my brooding brothers in tow.

How long have they been up?

I know they came home last night after I talked to my parents about me leaving without prior notice.

"Soon, dad," I replied as I approached them.

Dad gave me a bear hug.

"Keep in touch sweetheart, and don't hesitate to give us a ring. I know you're grown up, and it's hard to accept that our baby has turned into a lady, but still, I have my eyes on you. I trust you, you'll take care of yourself, and you won't do any hasty decisions." My dad joked but with sternness in his tone, scowling.

I did that many times just to piss them off.

I can take care of myself, dad. You just didn't give me a chance to prove it!

I just smiled at him, nodding my head in agreement as I bit back the words in my head.

Soon, my older brother pulled me into a tight hug. "I know you're tough, and you like to defy us, but I hope you understand why we're doing this. We love you, Ali!" Carlos murmured.

Yes, I know. You think he's sweet, but it's suffocating at some point.

Yes, there's no doubt they love me, but I feel like a little kid all the time. That's how they made me feel. Like a 'little kitten'.

"Carlos is right, Ali." Antonio butted in, agreeing with him. He's next to Carlos, but with a more serious aura than the rest, but he could be sweet. His looks can be deceiving, and people judge him because of his brooding all the time.