24: FAVORITE DAUGHTER

**LISA’S POV**

Holding onto the railing tighter, I take deep breaths to calm my nerves. Opening my eyes, I scan the view, and my gaze lands on the backyard.

I don’t think I should be acting like this. I’m supposed to be in the crowd, laughing and having fun with everyone in the backyard. Even the kids are mingling, and getting along better with people.

“This is where you’ve been hiding, eh?” My lips twitch to the side as a smile spreads across my face when I hear the familiar thick Spanish accent.

“Who said I’m hiding?” I turn to face the old man standing a few feet away from me. As usual, his brown hair with a few streaks of grey is slicked to perfection, and his black tux is tailored and fitted. If you didn't know better, you might think he’s a businessman or a mafia boss.

Sergio never misses a chance to dress up. "What is a gentleman without his tux?" he’d say every time Jessica and I commented on him wearing a tux to occasions that didn’t require it, just like tonight, which is su