I repeatedly blinked to keep my eyes open. It had been a rough night at the mansion, and I had barely gotten any sleep. The room I had been given was much more uncomfortable to be in at night than I had expected. It was too dark, a bit cold and I heard strange noises I wasn't used to. The thought of looking for Nate had crossed my mind a few times, but I was too shy to find him. What if he thought I was silly?

Entering the living room where Nathaniel told me to meet up with him before we had to go to my doctor appointment, I frowned as my eyes connected with a wide back and long legs. Then I smiled a little as my feet moved carefully across the carpet, slowly approaching the tall man.

"Hi", I whispered, tucking lightly at his suit jacket.

Embry turned around, gazing down at me with an empty look.

The smile I wore disappeared as his eyes scanned me from head to toe frowning slightly as if he didn't know who I was.

"Hello".

Shivers ghosted down my spine from his cold voice. It was like ice and felt like an avalanche powering towards you full speed, ready to knock you down if you showed the slightest strength to stand against it.

"Ah, I see you've met".

My gaze shifted to Nate as he stepped through the French doors, pondering over his words. Had both of them forgotten that I met Embry yesterday?

"Estella, this is Sebastian. He's Embry's twin", Nate explained.

My mouth formed an 'O' in realization. I was relieved to know that this was just a new brother and not Embry that had changed his personality. Him and Nate were my favorites so far.

"Nice to meet you", I mumbled, remembering my manners.

"Likewise". He gave me a curt nod.

It wasn't until then I noticed he hadn't shown any emotions at all, not even a small tug on the lip. Nothing.

"How did the call go?" Sebastian asked my eldest brother, removing the attention away from me, which I was grateful for. Then I wasn't in the spotlight any longer.

"Not too good", Nate sighed. "They want to have a meeting, but I can't find the time to do it today. Not when I have conference calls with Embry and the rest of Luca's lawyers all afternoon and properly evening too".

"Why not now? I could see in your schedule you're free the next two hours". Sebastian lifted a brow. The first time he has shown any kind of facial expression.

"We have to go to the doctor", Nate said, laying a hand on my shoulder, rubbing it lightly.

Sebastian hummed thoughtfully. "I'll take her".

I frowned, not really liking the idea. I had attached myself to Nate and wanted nothing more than for him to go with me, but I didn't say anything. I didn't want to be a problem.

Nathaniel shook his head. "I will go with Estella. Her health is more important".

Something inside my chest warmed so nicely by those sweet words. No doubt. Definitely my favorite brother.

"That meeting is just as important", Sebastian said firmly, blowing out the warmth I felt with his ice-cold tone. I could almost see the frost leaving his mouth as he spoke. "We need that deal", he added in a low tone, his crystal blue eyes darkening a little.

Nate was about to object again when the younger one held up a hand, cutting him off.

"Arrange that meeting", he ordered. You should think that he was the oldest between those two by how much authority he seems to have over Nate. "I'll join you as soon as I'm done with her", he added.

I didn't like how he spoke about me as if I wasn't standing right there underneath his nose. He made me feel so small.

My oldest brother unfortunately complied and gave Sebastian the necessary information he would need about my appointment. When we were ready to go Nate wished me luck and gave me a kiss on the forehead as he followed us down to the garage. I tried not to show that I was slightly disappointed and a bit sad he couldn't come with me but that meeting also seemed to be very important. I didn't want to be the reason why my brother might get fired from his job if had gone with me. Then he wouldn't have a job and we would be homeless again. I couldn't live with that.

I squirmed in my seat in the waiting room and slightly bounced my knee to keep myself distracted. Even though I was a bit nervous about my appointment here, it wasn't the reason for my uneasiness. Instead, it was because of the person who had to accompany me.

I was sure Sebastian had noticed my discomfort as his fingers swiped across his expensive phone but didn't comment on it. He hadn't spoken to me since we left the house except if he really had to, and I didn't want to annoy him if I said anything. I got a feeling that he doesn't like me very much already. I didn't want to make it worse.

"I didn't believe my own ears when I heard Sebastian Cifuentes was in the waiting room", a man wearing a white doctor coat announced with a bright smile as he walked in our direction.

Sebastian actually scoffed, the first kind of emotion except coldness and arrogance I had witnessed from him since I met him.

"Well, I had to make sure that you hadn't burned down the place", my brother retorted.

"Still got a little humor left in you, huh?" The doctor chuckled as the men shook hands. "When did you arrive?" He asked.

"I flew in this morning from Bogotá".

"Not too bad". His kind eyes traveled down to me. "And who may this little señorita be?"

"My sister", Sebastian mumbled.

A frown appeared on the man's face as he also shook my hand. "Another sister?" He questioned, still looking rather puzzled.

"I'll fill you in later", my brother said promisingly. "She has an appointment today. I was hoping I could get you to do it".

"Sure. Right this way". The doctor led us to an examining room where he instructed me to take a seat on the bed.

"So, what have you been up to?" He asked as he sat down in front of me.

"Uhm, I fell and now my foot hurts", I mumbled shyly, diverting eye contact with the man.

"Let's take a look", Dr. Morelli said as he started to examine my injury, exchanging a few words with Sebastian from time to time. It became clear to me that they knew one another quite well.

"The ankle isn't broken but she needs to keep a bandage on it and rest it as much as possible. Everything will be back to normal in a few days", the doctor concluded with a smile.

"Thank you, Dave", Sebastian said, coming closer to us.

"No problem. But I would like to do an entire checkup. There isn't much information in her chart", he said, looking through some papers on the desk.

"Go ahead", my brother muttered, sitting down in a corner with his phone. You should almost think he was a teenager with how much time he spent on that thing.

Dr Morelli continued his examination, asking me some different questions, taking measurements and a lot of other stuff that took forever.

"What's the verdict?" Sebastian asked, standing next to the examination bed as the doctor started to finish up.

"Everything looks good. Her weight and height are a bit on the lower side for her age but nothing to worry about. The only thing we need to do now is get her blood drawn and get her shots".

My eyes bulged as my joints stiffen by the mention of needles poking through my skin as the doctor started to pull out needles from different drawers.

Everything inside of me screamed that I didn't want to. I wasn't scared of needles per say but I just hated the feeling of the sharp syringe breaking through the skin.

"Not a fan of needles sweetie?" Doctor Morelli asked, noticing my squirming.

"Not really". My fingers moved to the ends of my hair where they made small brushing movements through it.

"Don't worry. You will barely feel anything", he soothed with a friendly smile. "You just grab your big brother's hand, and everything will be over soon".

Sebastian's and mine's gaze met each other briefly before I broke eye contact, glancing down at my feet that dangled in the air. I was too shy to reach out for his hand and it would just make everything much more awkward than it already was between us.

Movement from the corner of my eye caught my attention and before I knew it Sebastian's large hand appeared in my vision. Carefully, I peeked up at him. His expression was as usual, cold, and unreadable. I wasn't sure what I had hoped for but perhaps some sign of sibling love or at least a bit of affection. A part of me knew that I was never going to receive either of them.

I debated whether or not I should accept his hand and please my inner child or if I should put on a mask of maturity and pretend to be a big girl. As Dr Morelli got ready with the first needle, my childish need for comfort won and I slipped my smaller hand into the cold and stiff one that belonged to my second eldest brother. Sebastian's hand didn't squeeze around mine but was just placed in my palm. His act to provide comfort for me wasn't because of affection but because of obligation.

As the doctor had promised, it didn't hurt too bad. My fingers only curled a little tighter around Sebastian's hand when the needle would break through my skin and search for a vein or when the doctor pressed the plunger on the syringe for my vaccines.

The moment Dr Morelli was finished with the needlework, the touch of my brother's hand disappeared as if I was a hot stove. I felt stupid when a wave of hurt washed over me. What did I expect from him?

"Well, that's it for now", Dave announced, throwing the trash in the bin. "You did good", he praised, holding out a glass jaw filled with lollipops.

"Thank you", I said, choosing one with cherry flavor.

"There's actually another favor I need to ask you", Sebastian mumbled from beside me in a low voice. "Under four eyes", he added as he tilted his head toward me.

The two men moved to the other end of the room where they continued the conversation quietly. It was hard not to eavesdrop as it was the only sound in here.

"It's not strong enough", Sebastian murmured, keeping his hands in his front pockets in his usual pose.

"I can give you something more effective but then you need to be aware of the side effects", Dave replied, unlocking the medicine cabinet. He reached out for a small white bottle that he showed to my brother who carefully scanned it.

Sebastian pursed his lips and shook his head, handing it back to him. "That won't do. As you know my job requires that I can show up there any time of the day or night".

From the small piece of information I gathered, it occurred to me that I didn't know what my brothers did for a living. I knew that they sometimes worked from home but that was it.

Dave hummed with a thoughtful nod as his eyes ran along all of the medicine bottles. "If you take two of these and one of these then it should be the right dose, but you can only take them for two weeks as it can cause addiction. Then I want you to come back here where we'll see if anything has improved or if you need to start on some different kind of medicine".

My brother nodded in understanding as he tucked the small bottles inside his coat. "Will do. Are you going to the Golden V. tomorrow?"

"Of course. No better way to celebrate my best friend's return to the states", Dave replied with a grin before he turned his attention to me. "Goodbye Estella. Take care of yourself, okay?"

"I will", I answered, giving him a small smile as I slid off the bed.

When we got outside to the parking lot my eyes fell on someone who was leaning against Sebastian's car. As we got closer, I noticed it was another brother of mine.

"Took you long enough", Marc grunted as he stomped out his cigarette on the ground.

"Told you it could take a while", Sebastian sighed.

"Whatever, I don't have time for this", the younger one of them grumbled, running a hand through his hair.

Sebastian raised his eyes to the sky as he sighed once again. "Be sure to be back before dinner and give her something to eat and drink when you arrive. She has just gotten blood drawn- are you even listening to me?"

Frowning, I looked from one brother to another. I was going somewhere with Marc. And alone? I would rather stay with Sebastian.

"Yeah, yeah. Food and water. Got it", Marc replied in another grumble as he started to walk to another car.

"Go on". Sebastian urged me to follow Marc.

"I'm not going home?" I asked carefully, not in the mood to do anything. I've been stuck in the clinic for at least an hour. I just wanted to go home and relax.

"Later. I have stuff to do so Marc is going to watch you", he answered, already strolling over to the driver's seat.

Sighing, I approached Marc's black Mercedes dreading the rest of the day ahead of me.

I stayed silent as he pulled out of the parking lot, turning up for some horrible music. We drove through the city for a while before Marc parked right in front of a big building. I narrowed my eyes as I read the name of it.

'Golden Val'

Sebastian had mentioned something about that earlier at the clinic. Was this the place he was talking about with Dr Morelli?

"Keep up", Marc said as we went inside.

It was difficult to tag along his fast pace when the sheer sight of the beautiful decor made me want to look around more. Everything seemed to sparkle with all of the golden details that were everywhere. This place really lived up to its name. There wasn't a lot of activity in the lobby at this time but maybe at night. Then I was sure that the huge disco ball would also be turned on and perhaps the music would be louder too.

"Owie", I groaned, when my face smashed straight into Marc's back. I hadn't noticed he had stopped; I was too busy taking in my surroundings.

"You'll live", he muttered as he laid a hand on my shoulder, guiding me over to a bar stool.

"It still hurts", I mumbled, rubbing my nose that had suffered most from the wall of muscles it had crashed into.

He just rolled his eyes as he walked behind the bar rummaging around. A second later a glass with some exotic liquid was placed in front of me together with a sandwich Marc pulled out from the fridge.

"Eat and drink", he ordered as if I was a soldier. "I'm going to work upstairs and you're going to stay here until I come back".

I gazed up at him. "You're leaving me?"

"Yes. Stay put". He said the last thing loudly as he glared at me longer than necessary.

I watched his broad back as he walked away, leaving me with nothing to do but to eat my food.

Time passed slowly as I swung my legs back and forward as I counted the long lines of bottles on the shelves behind the bar.

"Hello there". My gaze snapped over to the light and soft voice that reached my ears from the doorway.

A girl around the same age as the youngest twins entered the bar with a big box in her hands. I immediately envied her neat braid that hung down her shoulder. My hair was too untamable for me to braid it myself but hers had just the perfect length and volume.

"Hi", I replied, smiling brightly as she gave me a full teeth grin.

"Can I get you a refill?" She offered, reaching for my glass.

"Sure". It didn't take long for me to finish the fruity drink Marc had given me. It tasted fresh and sweet at the same time.

"Here you go". She gave me a new drink but this time it had a pink straw and yellow umbrella, giving it juicy summer vibes. I longed for warmer weather so badly and the move to this part of the country wasn't making it any better.

"Thank you". I beamed as I took my first sip, knowing full well that I had gotten a new favorite drink. "It's so good", I hummed.

The girl laughed as she began unpacking the napkins that were inside the box. "Maybe I can teach you how to make it sometime".

"I would love to!" I exclaimed perhaps a bit too loud.

She giggled again. "I'm Lara by the way".

"I'm Estella". I smiled.

"So, who are you here with?"

"My older brother. He's working here too", I replied, desperately trying not to down the drink I had just gotten. I'm sure I had gotten addicted.

"Really? Who is he?" She asked with curiosity.

"Marc".

Her eyebrows scrunched together as a puzzled look formed on her face.

Then her eyes widened. "Marcus Cifuentes?!"

"Uhm, yes", I mumbled, raising my eyebrows from her outburst.

It took her a moment to recover from what I had just shared with her. She blinked a few times but then shook her head, a beautiful smile flashing over her face.

"I'm sorry. You just caught me off guard", she explained, a faint blush covering her cheeks.

"Don't worry about it. You're not the first one today that has been caught off guard", I said, trying to make her feel better.

"I just didn't know that they had two sisters", she mumbled under her breath.

"You know Luca?" I asked, intrigued.

She shook her head. "No, I've never met her, but I heard rumors about her when she still lived here".

"What kind of rumors?" I frowned, leaning in closer. It's many years since Luca lived here but I was curious about how others knew her back then.

"That she was the spitting image of your brothers. Stubborn, hot-headed and a little troublemaker", Lara said with a giggle. "But she was also good-hearted and very dedicated. When she wanted something, she didn't stop until it succeeded. A very fierce and determined girl, really", she added.

"That sounds familiar", I mused, the image of my sister popping up in my head and the rumors fitting perfectly together.

"Is Valeria here as well?"

My entire body froze at the mentioned name.

"Y-you know my mom?" I stared at her as I forced the words out of my mouth. It was rare that I spoke of my mom, but I didn't know many people that knew who she was- is. Who she is. She might be missing but that doesn't mean that she isn't out there somewhere.

It felt like an eternity until Lara shook her head. "No, I don't. But it is her casino we're in, so I was just wondering if she was going to make a surprise visit", she said, wiping off the counter.

"My mom owns this place?" I asked, my eyes looking more carefully around. Eager to absorb anything that my mom had ever been in contact with. Then it felt like I was closer to her.

"It was an anniversary gift I believe".

I was about to ask from whom, but another delivery man entered with a new load of boxes with supplies that needed to be unpacked.

"Can I help you with anything?" I offered, slipping off my chair.

"Are you sure you want to?" Lara raised a brow as she signed the shipment.

"Please, I'm so bored", I pleaded, glancing at all of the boxes that the man placed on the floor.

"Be my guest then", she grinned, handing me one of the lighter boxes.

After we had unpacked everything that had been delivered, I also helped restock the bar's ice cubes and napkins. It was nice to hang out with Lara. She was so kind, and I enjoyed the female company. I had only known my brothers for a day or two, but I could already feel how much I missed having a girl around.

"You're good at this", I mumbled as I peeked at Lara's skilled hands when she brought the knife through her lemons. When I tried to do it, myself they got way too thick, thin or smushed.

"I got lots of practice", she giggled, putting a lid on top of the container that we had filled with cut up lemons and limes.

"Have you worked here for a long time then?" I asked, handing my knife back to