Lorenzo

Never have I ever been in this position before. I used to be close to Sophia and Sarah before I moved to the U.S. It is my fault that I am not that close right now, and my fault that my sister, Sophia is scared of me.

We are sitting on the dining table eating breakfast, and Sophia is avoiding looking at me. I do understand that my personality is a little bit hard to deal with, especially when it comes to my sisters, but I want her to know that I will never hurt her intentionally.

"Thank you, Valeria," my mother says as Valeria fills my mother's cup with fresh orange juice. Valeria nods and smiles.

"I am really glad you decided to live here, Valeria. How are you feeling?" my father says, making me frown in confusion.

Valeria is living here? As in staying here forever?

"Me too, Mr. Gonzalez. I am feeling great. My parents are okay with it," Valeria replies.

"That's good."

"Have you found out who attacked us and how they got in? The alarms didn't go off," my mother asks me.

"Not yet. I am working on it." My reply makes her nod.

After breakfast, I called Sophia outside to speak with her. She has to know that I will always be there for her and that I'll never hurt her no matter what happens. I remember when I was 20 and Sophia was 18, she told me that she had a boyfriend. I went nuts and demanded to see him. The scared the shit out of him, but didn't tell Sophia anything. I didn't even tell her to leave him or anything. Poor guy now he's under the grave after he cheated on my sister and humiliated her.

I was right all along but never told her that.

"Y-Yes?" she stutters, making my heart clench.

"Look, about last nigh—"

"Lorenzo, I am so sorry. I didn't mean to get that drunk. I didn't even want to go to that place, but my friends were already there and I was bored. I didn't mean—"

"Sophia, it's okay. I am not mad."

"You're not?" she asks in confusion and shock.

"No. You know I can't be mad at you for long. But that doesn't mean that I liked you going there. I was just scared something bad would happen to you, you know?"

She sighs and nods, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I know. For a moment I forgot who you'd react. I was scared..."

"Don't be. Remember the promise we three made eight years ago?" I ask and she nods.

"Whatever happens, we are forever," she recalls, making me smile.

"Yes." I kiss her forehead before walking back inside.

I take out my phone and click on Sam's number.

"Yes?"

"Sam, any news on the attackers?" I ask.

"Yes. One of them is Joseph Marone. He is a member of the Red Dragon gang. The only thing that I can't put together is why he and the other men attacked. I couldn't find anything about those men, even with face recognition. They don't seem to have anything to do with us, so my guess would only be they are here to rob us."

"And that could only happen if there's someone on the inside helping them."

"Exactly."

I hang up and sprint to the kitchen to find Valeria. She is the only one here other than my family. She could easily get away with it because my family trust her so much, but I will not let it go. I am not naïve.

"Valeria!" I shout as I enter the kitchen, startling her.

I grab her arms and push her against the wall, making her yelp. "What are you doing?!" she yells, trying to get out of my grasp.

"Who are you working for?"

"What do you mean?"

"Don't play dumb, Valeria. I know you helped those attackers come inside because there's no way they could enter without the alarm going off!"

"I swear I didn't do anything! I don't even know them!" she cries.

"What were you hoping to get? Money? Isn't the money my mother give you enough?!"

"Lorenzo, you're hurting me!" she yells, making me tighten the hold more.

"Lorenzo! What are you doing?!" My mother's voice makes me let go of Valeria and turn to look at her.

"Sam told me that the attackers had to have someone on the inside."

"And you thought Valeria would do such a thing?"

"Who else? No one works in this house other than Valeria!"

"What about our bodyguards? Our gardener? Our drivers?!" She yells. "Valeria, go to your room."

Shit.

After Valeria left, my mother stood in front of me and didn't hold back.

"Is this how I raised you? Did I raise you to manhandle women?" she asks, making me look down in shame. "I am so disappointed in you, Lorenzo."

With that, she left, leaving me feeling guilty, and I deserve it.

**

The next morning, I wake up from a two-house sleep. I couldn't sleep at time as I kept on thinking about what happened. I shouldn't have done that to Valeria without asking and listening nicely. I shouldn't have done that with clear evidence.

I take a shower and brush my teeth. Usual shit.

I wear my black shit and pair it with my black jeans. I spray some perfume and wear a white shoes, and walking downstairs for breakfast.

I go to the kitchen first because there's something I have to tell Valeria. I spot her standing beside the stove as she pours food into the plate. I notice a bruise on each of her arms, making my heart clench at what I did.

I was blinded by anger that I didn't care what I did to her.

"Valeria." My voice startles her, making her take a few steps backwards, finally hitting her back against the stove.

I stand in front of her, putting a good distance. "Valeria...I am sorry about what I did. I didn't mean to hurt you," I say, looking at her bruised arms.

She doesn't say anything, just looks at me.

"Please say something," I say, now looking at her teary eyes.

"Don't ever come near me again."

* * *