highway to hell

****

AND THUS THE next morning, Enzo and I left for the Hamptons.

The ride wasn't long, but as every second passed by, it made me want to turn around and go back home. It was that excruciating.

Enzo tried to distract me, he really tried, but I just couldn't seem to get over we were going towards impending doom.

"Mila," Enzo grabs my hand, kissing the back of it while driving. "It's going to be okay. Trust me."

I let out a sigh. Noting that we were already here.

"I guess," I looked out to my right, the sign reading 'Welcome to The Hamptons'.

"It's beautiful," Enzo said. "Seems like the perfect retreat."

"Not really," I laughed. "Not when you have socialite mothers who throw parties to hang out with even more stifling people."

"When you say it that way it seems as if though this was a rich prison."

"It is," I agree. "It really is a prison, no matter how many diamonds one's surrounded in, a prison is still considered a prison."

"That's true, but trust me when I say it's better than the one filled with rats." He replied, suddenly a somber look cast a shadow on his face.

"Anyway," Enzo changed the topic. "Please tell me there is at least one nice person here."

"There is," I smiled. "Her name is Henrietta, but I call her Mrs. Garcia. She basically raised me."

"Tell me about her," Enzo turned on a signal, heading towards East Hamptons.

"She's the sweetest person I know. Honestly, if it weren't for her, I would never have realized my mother's true colors." I answer, spotting the familiar white mansion behind the iron gates.

"The GPS says we're here," he turned the engine off, parking just outside the gates.

"We are," I said, gazing at the house.

Climbing out of the car, I notice a small woman quickly walking towards us.

"Oh, Mila!" Mrs. Garcia wrapped me in a hug. I could feel her wet tears on my neck as she cooed about how much she missed me.

"How are you, my dear?" She placed her hand on my cheek. Her eyes filled with motherly love and care.

"I'm doing alright," I grin down at her. "Meet Enzo," I point to his nervous figure. "My boyfriend."

"Wonderful to meet you, Mrs. Garcia." Enzo greeted her.

"You as well, dear." She answered. "I hope you're treating my Mila well."

"Of course he is," I answered for him. "Enzo is amazing."

"Ah, I'm so happy you're here!" Mrs. Garcia kissed my cheek and then Enzo's. "Let's get you both inside now."

Mrs. Garcia helped us get our luggage and we all went inside. Enzo was about to leave his car outside the lot when we noticed my mother pull up.

"Who's garbage is this?" She scrunched her nose at the car. "Mrs. Garcia, get it towed now!"

I was about to say something before I felt a hand stop me.

"Let me handle this," Enzo said before he went to the window of my mother's car.

I stood to see what would happen, but I was pulled inside by Mrs. Garcia.

"Pay no mind to her, I'm sure Enzo can handle himself."

"You're right, he can." I place my luggage in the living room.

"There's also something else that I should tell you." She spoke.

But just then I feel someone's heavy arm on my shoulder. I turn around quickly and see Daniel, with a huge grin on his face.

"Mila!" He hugged me tightly. "How are you?"

"I'm great Danny, how about you?"

"Living," he answered, shrugging his shoulders. "I have great news."

"Oh?"

"I have a girlfriend," he gleefully says.

"That's awesome!" I clap my hand on his shoulder. "Finally you're dating someone."

"Hey what's that supposed to mean?" Daniel pouted.

We talked for a few more minutes when I noticed Enzo and my mother at the entrance linking the corridor and the living room together.

Enzo's face was livid, while my mother's was smug.

Daniel noticed my line of sight and turned around.

"Hey man," he went up to Enzo. "Name's Daniel, but everyone calls me Danny."

"Enzo," he gruffly answered, shaking the hand that was in front of him.

Enzo then looked at me.

"Mila, can we talk?"

"Yeah, sure. Let's go up to my room." I said, leading the way upstairs.

Once we were in my room, Enzo shut the door with a slam.

"What's wrong?" I asked, noticing his white knuckles.

"Why is your ex here?"

"Enzo," I sighed. "Danny's a family friend. We dated only for a few months, and our feelings weren't mutual. It was a setup by our parents."

"God," Enzo sat on my bed, breathing in deeply. "I feel so pathetic. I'm so fucking jealous."

"Why?" I sat next to him. "I'm with you."

"I don't know!" He shot up. "Maybe because your mom actually likes him? Maybe because he's rich? I don't fucking know Mila!"

"Hey," I got up and cupped his face, making him look straight into my eyes. "Believe me when I say there's nothing between us. Danny and I are just friends. Besides, we were talking about his girlfriend downstairs."

"Wait what?" Enzo looked shocked. "Your mom said he was talking to you about getting back together."

"Are you really believing her over me?" I scoffed.

"Never," he said. "I'll always believe you, but at that moment, I couldn't help it. I just thought—"

"—well, stop thinking." I interrupted him. "I'm here with you. So let's at least enjoy ourselves. We're in The Hamptons, we're bound to have fun here."

"You're right," Enzo nodded. "I was being stupid earlier, sorry."

"I know."

"You know you could be a little nicer?" He laughed.

"Would you prefer if I lied?" I said.

"No, you're fine the way you are." Enzo came up and hugged me.

"I thought so," I smiled, pressing my face into his chest.