"Alejandra... You are to meet Xavier tonight for dinner" Quin said. "Are you planning another engagement?" Alejandra asked calmly.
"Mija it's for your own good" Abuela said. Alejandra scoffs. "My good or the good of the family Abuela?" She asked. "Don't be stubborn about this arrangement. You don't have a say in this" Quin said.
"I have a say in it because this is my life. I am not getting engaged to that scumbag" Alejandra said. "If you don't do it you will be cut off this family" Abuela said.
"Please Abuela, I'm not a child. That threat is getting old. I will survive with or without the family business and you know it" Alejandra said. "You're getting too bold mija" Quin said.
Antonio entered the room, he kissed his mother and his Abuela. "Welcome mijo" Abuela said. He sat beside Alejandra, he ruffled her hair a little. "What's up sis?" He asked.
"Your sister has refused to get engaged to Xavier" Abuela said. "Really? Why?" Antonio asked looking at Alejandra. "I believe I'm old enough to make my own decisions. I'm tired of sacrificing everything for the family" Alejandra casually said.
"I don't like that dick head. He's such a lazy pussy who depends on his daddy's connection for popularity. My sis totally deserve better than that loser" Antonio said as he pours himself a cup of whiskey.
"You know I've been thinking of leaving the family business" Alejandra said. Antonio chocked on his whiskey, Abuela's spoon fell from her hand, Quin spat out the juice in her mouth on a maid in surprise.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Antonio asked. "It was bound to happen sooner or later " Alejandra replied with a shrug.
"Antonio how has things been in the company?" Abuela asked trying to ignore Alejandra. "That reminds me... I saw that girl you were supposed to hire as your secretary in my restaurant today. She was also in Roberto's office.. turns out she has awoken from the dead and she's close to our employees" Alejandra said.
"Melissa" Antonio said in a whisper. "Anyway... I have to be on my way, lot of customers to attend to. See you weekend Abuela" Alejandra left the house.
"The girl from months ago?" Abuela asked. "How do you get her back in your life after she saved your life?" Quin asked. "I'll handle it" Antonio said.
It's been weeks since Melissa returned. Audrey and Derrick flew out of the country, they went into hiding because they learnt that the Russians knew they were alive.
Since Sunny and Ariana went to work, Melissa had to take care of Sofia. It's just passed noon but she felt like she has been babysitting for centuries now and she feels exhausted. "Papa Bear I want a burrito... No a soda... No a dinosaur crackers"
"Ugh make up your mind baby" Melissa dragged her palm across her face. "I want to see paw patrol... No I want to see a prince.... Papa bear!!! Don't ignore me!!"
"I'm not!! I just don't know exactly what you want baby... Papa bear is trying so hard not to have a mental melt down right now" Melissa said in frustration. "I want to do a lot of things papa"
"How about this? You pick one thing you want and we'll go do that right now" Melissa said. "Awn but I have so much I want to do" Sofia said pouting.
"We can only do one today and then we'll do the next one tomorrow" Melissa said.
Sofia sighs dramatically. "Alright... Take me to that fancy park auntie orange takes me" Sofia's said. "Which one?" Melissa asked. "Um... It has a bird on the entrance gate. Auntie orange said the bird is called a raven" Sofia said.
"Sounds like Audrey took you to a goth park" Melissa said. Melissa had to do some research on the park, luckily she found it. She ordered an Uber driver who took both of them to the park.
Melissa stood at the entrance of the park with Sofia by her side. "This park looks like it belongs to royalties" Melissa said under her breath. "Let's go... Inside" Sofia dragged Melissa inside.
Melissa was too busy admiring the park when she ran into a broad shoulders. "I'm sorry" Melissa mumbled. She looked up to see Roberto smiling at her. "Fancy seeing you here" Roberto remarked.
"The world indeed is a small place" Melissa said with an awkward smile. "Have you reconsidered my offer" Roberto asked. Melissa completely lost focus.
"Baby? Shit where did she go?" Melissa asked leaving Roberto. "Baby bear?? Sofia?? Please where are you? Fuck they're gonna kill me" Melissa brought out her phone, her fingers hovered on the screen. She contemplated the outcome of calling Sunny or Ariana.
Melissa shoved the phone back into her pocket. "Sofia!!!" Melissa yells again. Sofia's soft giggles was heard from behind. "Hide and seek papa bear!!!"
"No, no, no, young lady you march your butt here right now" Melissa said. Sofia ignored Melissa completely as she looked for a perfect hiding spot.
"Baby!! Enough of the games... You are the winner. Let's go home I'm tired" Melissa said. Sofia ran to a beach close by. "Catch me if you can papa"
"I will surely make you pay for being a brat" Melissa ran passed the beach, she was amused about the fact that a park had a beach inside. Melissa tripped on air and fell flat on her face.
Sofia laughs even harder. Melissa stood up chasing Sofia into the water. Sofia pushed Melissa into the water. They both splashed themselves water and laughed genuinely.
Sofia ran away again. "Sofia don't you dare run away again. This isn't a game... I'm freaking exhausted" Melissa said as she sat on a bench watching Sofia building a sandcastle with a girl about her age.
"I'd trade anything for a vacation. I look like a mom going through a mental breakdown" Melissa said. "Is she yours?" A woman asked.
Melissa looks beside her. She didn't even recognize someone approaching her. She's so mentally drained the her sensors are damaged. "Not exacting but I'm her legal guardian" Melissa said.
"She enjoys your company" She said. "I think she enjoys seeing me fall apart. I feel like putting a leash on her" Melissa said with an awkward laugh.
A faint tugged the woman's lips. "I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself. My name is Melissa and that menace over there is Sofia" Melissa paused waiting for the elderly woman to introduce herself.
"Call me Abuela" Was all she could say. "Abuela?" Melissa repeats again. "What brings you here Melissa?" Abuela asked. "Well, I've been trapped with that menace the entire day. I decided we both deserved fresh air" Melissa replied.
"People mostly come her to escape from something. It could be their past, their present or even their future" Abuela said.
"Honestly right now I'm running from the fact that I'm one phone call away from the psychiatric hospital and Sofia is one ticket away from an ass whooping" Melissa said.
Abuela found Melissa amusing. "What are you running away from Abuela?" Melissa asked. Abuela froze, she never expected the tables to turn. This tactic is supposed to make Melissa open up but someone how she managed to pass the test with out trying.
"I am old... There's nothing to run from" Melissa nods slowly in understanding. She didn't push, didn't ask further questions, she just sat down in silence watching Sofia.
"You are different from others" Abuela said. "Um... Is that a compliment or am I supposed to be worried?" Melissa asked as she robbed her neck nervously.
"It's a good thing. You've suddenly made me more interested in you. I am never interested in people except for business" Abuela's voice sounds deadly.
"I'm not that interesting Abuela... I'm just a boring, broke and crazy girl trying to survive another day without putting a knife on her throat" Melissa said. Sofia ran to Melissa.
"Papa bear I'm tired, let's go home" Sofia said. "I'm sorry Abuela but we need to head back home" Melissa picked Sofia up. "How about I give you a ride home?" Abuela insisted.
"That's nice of you but I'd have to decline, I paid for an Uber already" Melissa said politely. "Alright.... I'll be waiting her for you tomorrow" Abuela didn't say it as a question or an approval, she made it sound like Melissa didn't have a choice than to show up.
"I'll take Sofia for an ice cream date tomorrow" Abuela said. "Yay.... We are definitely coming here ma'am" Sofia said. Melissa gave Sofia a piggy back ride. "I guess we'll be seeing tomorrow Abuela" Melissa said in defeat.
Abuela gave a small smile. Melissa carried Sofia to the Uber, Abuela watched the car drive away. A man dressed in suit came close.
"What are your orders boss?" He asked. "I want a background check on that girl. Including everyone she's close to" Abuela said. "Yes boss" The man left.
"What is it about you that makes Antonio want to keep you safe Melissa? What are you hiding?" Abuela asked herself.