12- Dinner

They say love blinds and it’s true. 

Sebastian’s words kept ringing in my head. Even if I didn’t want it, he was the cause of my happiness. Sometimes I felt like ripping my heart out and resetting all my memories, but on occasions, I paused to think, at some point we were happy and I’d change nothing about it. 

Those things made me who I am. He made me who I am. It was up to me if I wanted to remain here or continue growing without him. 

I shook my head and walked out of the elevator to my house. The place was silent and there was no hint of Jake being around. I didn’t like him being out of sight. I’d prefer if he didn’t leave my side. But Jake was growing and he needed that freedom.

I didn’t want to tie him to my hip. He deserves more than that bastard ever gave him. Just the thought of his name made me angry. He still haunted my dreams but I would not allow him to control my life.

“Jake,” I said as I took off my shoes.

When I got closer to his room, I could hear low music playing and him humming on the other side. 

“Hey,” I peeked.

He looked up from his laptop and slowly pushed the screen of his laptop downward. 

“Sup,” he rubbed his neck, “I didn’t hear you come.”

I smiled at him. He was hiding something but I would let it slip this once. It was hard to stay out of his business.

“I was calling you. “ I pushed the door wider and sat on his bed. This time he closed his laptop and turned his chair to me. 

“How was school? Made new friends?”

He chuckled nervously. “Course I did. I am the new mysterious guy with no family background but my sister. Everyone is trying to figure me out. “

He seemed to like the attention. I stared and waited for him to say otherwise but he didn’t.

“I’ll make you walk so that they have more to talk about. How about that?”

He shrugged. “I’ll ask a friend to come for me.”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

He laughed. “You would never leave me out of your sight. I won.”

I threw a pillow at him which he caught without a sweat. “Which comes to one thing. I want to go out this Saturday with some friends.”

It’s not that I didn’t want him to have fun, but I had no idea how safe it was for him to be out there by himself. At school, I paid extra to keep him safe. I would never give him some guards, he’d feel attacked. 

“Before you say no, just think about it, okay? I’ve never lived this lavish life before, it gets me excited. I won’t do anything dangerous or identity threatening to reveal our whereabouts.”

I kept glaring at him. It was Friday. It wasn’t fair, he didn't give me time to think. “You mean tomorrow?”

He wrapped his arms around the pillow as he gave me an embarrassed look. “I wanted to say it sooner but I didn’t know how you’d react.”

I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and dropped my body on the bed. Jake was going to be the death of me. I decided not to say anything. I glanced at my watch and sat again. “Get dressed, we’ll have dinner at Elena’s.”

“Is that a yes?” he questioned hopefully.

I rolled my eyes and trudged out of his room. “I didn’t say anything. It’s not fair.”

“So it’s a yes!” he shouted as I continued my way to my room.

“I can’t hear you!”

“Thank you!” he shouted back. I could hear the excitement laced in his voice. I’d surely have to think about it.

Jake was careless sometimes. Though he said he understood how risky and unsafe things were for us, he was a teenager who would let his hormones drive him without measuring the consequences. This way, I am practically forced to think for both of us. Anything for our survival.

Seeing Mikaleson's mansion for the millionth time was like seeing it for the first. That, you can ask Jake. I had to push his jaw close for the boy. Elena opened the doors of her house. She didn’t believe in having the maids welcome her guests. Not that she referred to us as guests. Even if I had a key to this house, I’d never use it. I could never feel like family when the person I wanted didn’t treat me as one. 

The tapping of our shoes and the excited murmurs of both Elena and Jake echoed the halls as we headed to the dining room. 

“We were about to go to the table. We thought you weren’t coming.” Elena turned to me. 

I blushed. “I’m sorry for keeping you waiting. “

Elena was a beautiful woman both inside-out. It was hard to get her mad. I’ve never seen her mad now that I think of it. She could light a room with her presence. She could light the entire world with a smile. 

“It’s okay, honey. I am happy you came. Jake, I got a surprise for you.” 

Jake gave me a look of amazement. “For me? “ With his eyes, I could say he already loved this woman. I was grateful to Elena for trying to fill that void in his life. Jake was still in need of a mother’s love. It was obvious that as his sister, I could never be that. Besides, I have never been a mom before, I had no idea how to be one. 

“Of course. I gave birth to two boys, I know how to make another one happy.”

“And how is that happening?” he laughed, already joining her mood.

“Food, son. A good way to win a man’s heart is through food. I got your favorite dessert.”

“No way!” he grinned. “Waffle sundae?”

“You said it’s your favorite, didn’t you?”

“Is that even a question?”

With each step closer, my heartbeat accelerated. It could have been my mind playing tricks, but I could nearly smell him. I was certain of it, but it was there.

The table was already set. Ana, one of the maids, was holding a white bag as we approached. Diego and his dad were there but to my surprise, Sebastian wasn’t. I let out an immediate sigh. I wasn’t sure if it was relief or heartache. After this afternoon, he was in my head more than normal, and maybe, just maybe, he was the reason I decided to come.

Seeing him was my objective. Perhaps talking was another one.

“Good night,” we greeted.

Alex stood from his chair to welcome us before offering a chair to sit on.

“Join us, Amanda. I am glad you decided to come.”

Yeah, because I thought Sebastian was going to be here. That liar! Why would he even invite me? What a messed-up game. 

Elena spoke to Ana for a few seconds before she disappeared into the kitchen. I watched the bag she was holding. 

“Broken glass,” Diego interrupted my thoughts. 

“Did someone get hurt?” I was a little preoccupied. 

“Not really,” he shrugged. His phone started ringing which he turned his full attention to. Elena threw him a glare. He seemed to understand so he put it away. 

“Do you mind if I use the bathroom?” I asked. 

By now, the appetizer was being served. Jake sat across me, with eyes about to pop out in pleasure. 

“Go on, dear. But use the upstairs bathroom. The bottom ones are being upgraded.” 

I nodded and left. 

I’d been here several times before, yet it was hard to remember the direction of the bathroom. Following my intuition, I headed in that direction. 

The first one was locked, so I strolled to the one opposite the hallway. I washed my face, touched my lipstick, and stared at my hopeless self in the mirror. I wanted to slap myself for being desperate. Fuck him! I am going to get my shit together and show him how to play. Heck yes! He has been in control for so long, I could not allow myself to be the loser of this game.

As I stepped out of the room, the opposite door opened. Sebastian was there, trying his best to button his shirt. His fingers were desperately trying to figure out the simple puzzle and his face looked as if he was about to give up with it. If you ask me, I’d love to if he wore nothing, but with or without anything, that devil was still looking hot as hell.

When his sight lifted and locked with mine, I froze.