Chapter 1:she deserved the best

Anaya knew better than to attend a party organized by a bunch of college kids but since she had just clocked eighteen and was officially legal, she had decided to attend either way. The last time she had attended such a party was about two years ago and the memories she had of the night wasn't one she wished to recall. She had internally prayed that tonight would be different and on that basis, she avoided alcohol and a certain twenty-two-year-old guy like a plague. Gulping her can of coke she glanced at the two individuals who were approaching her, It was Gianni her cousin, and her boyfriend Marshall. Gianni was half stumbling towards her and would have toppled over several times if not for her boyfriend whose arm was clasped tightly around her waist. When she got to the table where Anaya was sitting, she knocked ever so lightly on the table as she muttered out in a slurred speech

"What's the use of attending the party if you aren't gonna have fun, lighten up girl....you make it feel like we're at a burial ground."

"Don't worry about me, I'm very

Comfortable in this spot." Anaya answered with a fake smile

"I agree with Gini, you look dull tonight and I think a little bit of fun should help lighten your mood." Marshall seconded as he settled Gianni into an empty couch beside Anaya he gave her a little peck on her forehead earning a giggle from her.

" You two should Stop worrying about me, I will have fun when I feel like it okay?"

"Alright, Fine...fine, whatever beats your boat. You two have fun while I go say hi to my brother and his friends."

Marshall said as he gave Anaya a friendly ruffle on her head before finally walking away.

Anaya's eyes lingered a few minutes longer on his back as he moved away. She twirled her can of coke before taking another gulp.

"He looks so much like his brother don't you agree?"Gianni asked while also concentrating on her retreating boyfriend's back

"You told me Marcelo didn't plan on attending the party, what changed?" Anaya asked her instead, ignoring Gianni's earlier question.

"Well he wasn't going to attend at first but Marceline insisted so he agreed to it. He won't be hanging around for long though. Also, It's his house and I'm sure the both of us can agree on the fact that Marcelo would have shown up either way, even if it was not for the sole purpose of attending the party."

" Yeah, you're right on that and you, the last time I checked you were drunk, how come you're all sobered up now"

"I...I didn't want to speak to Marcelo or rather pretend I like him so I had to fake it."

"What did Marcelo do to you that you suddenly don't like him enough to want to speak with him?"

" Well, he messed with my cousin that's what."

" Gini hotspotted hate won't take you anywhere."

" That's not even a real word"

"It doesn't matter, as long as you get my point. You shouldn't hate another person just because someone you know doesn't like him. It never ends well, the two of them might even make up and you won't even know, you'll just carry on with your petite hatred."

"Don't tell me you plan on running back to Marcelo in the name of forgiveness."

" That's not what I said, all I'm trying to say is that you shouldn't be doing that, it's wrong. Okay let me put it this way, take you and Marshall for instance, you two argue most times and go for days without even talking to each other, if I were to join in on the hatred, I wouldn't even be aware of the two of you making up and getting back together, I'd just continue being rude to Marshall unnecessarily and it isn't nice at all."

" So what are you insisting on, that I stay neutral?"

"Yes"

" No, Ana... Are you even listening to yourself? No, I won't, I can't.... I cannot stay neutral. That Marcelo guy did you dirty and you expect me to look at him and smile at his compliments just cause I'm in a relationship with his brother? Or cause it's morally right? Hell no."

" He's usually a nice person, I know he had a reason for his actions and you wouldn't have even found out about it if I didn't tell you."

" Well Ana newsflash, you did and the fact that he used to be nice changes nothing, the truth is that how he treated you wasn't nice and you will stay away from him 'cause I have a bad feeling about him."

" You don't have to tell me, I was gonna stay away from him anyway."

" Good!"

Gianni replied firmly as the two fell into silence, both girls lost in their world. It continued for some minutes before Anaya spoke in a flat tone

" Doctor Matthew called "

" she did??? When ?"

" Some minutes before you got here."

"How's Aunt?"

" She'll be cleared to go home tomorrow but it's still not safe to leave her alone."

"What will you do?"

" Well, I'll go back home and care for her."

"Alone?? You haven't yet even discussed it with my mom so why are you already making a decision?"

"I don't want to bother your mom, she's already done enough for me, she took me in multiple times despite the short notice and even paid for the hospital bills. Gianni, I'm very grateful for all you and aunt have done for my mom and me but I can't keep depending on her, I'd feel like a terrible person if I kept depending on you two. It's not like my mom is still in a terrible condition, the worst is already over so there's nothing for you to worry about..... I'll be fine okay?"

" Wow..... that was an excellent speech, Anaya Otis Freeman. You couldn't have said it any better... You know....after all this while I thought you were beginning to accept my mom and me as part of your life but it turns out that at the end of the day, we were just strangers to you. Ana families stay together, they help each other and it doesn't even matter how much it takes they just do it because they love each other and there's certainly nothing like paying back a favor when there's love in the equation. I still don't understand why you don't get it, mother isn't doing you any favor, she's just taking care of her sister and her niece because she loves you, Ana...I love you."

Gianni wiped the tears that were flowing uncontrollably from her eyes before getting up from the couch

" Gini wait I....."

" I would like to be alone if you don't mind."

Gianni cut her off before storming out. The air around Anaya was still thick and she was hyperventilating. She kept muttering to herself to breathe and when she was stable she walked over to the bar and ordered a shot of vodka. Taking the glass in her hand, she downed it all in one go. The liquid burned her throat and she winced in response but she told herself that she deserved it for being such a terrible person. She kept asking for more and in less than ten minutes she had downed three shots. She was at her fourth when a hand stopped her

"You shouldn't be drinking so much alcohol."

" And who..... are you to tell me.... what to do?"

Ana slurred while trying to pry open the hand of the uninvited guest to get her drink back.

" Come on, get up."

" Nooooo I don't wanna"

" If you don't I'll carry you myself."

"Hehehehe.....I have heavyyyy bones Sir....you wouldn't be able to mooove me"

"Anaya get up."

The voice added sounding as calm as he always did

" Mar... Marcelo?!?"

Ana exclaim as she sobered up almost immediately.

"You look like you've seen a ghost, Surprised?.... I doubt that's the case. "

Marcelo answered flatly. Taking her hand, he guided her up the stairs and into his room.

"Sit"

He told her as he gestured towards his bed. It was a large queen-sized bed and Ana had always marveled at how soft it felt beneath her. The mattress was neatly arranged with a set of crisp white sheets making it a contrast to the rich grey on the wall. Looking around, she noticed that the spacious room was the same as it was two years ago it felt like he hadn't even moved a single thing. She took a deep breath to calm herself down as she found a comfortable spot at the edge of the bed to sit. Anaya knew fully well that the 'Alcohol and Marcelo combo' didn't always end well so she had decided to stay far away from him to stop herself from getting all touchy.

" Here, drink it all."

Marcelo told her as he handed her the glass of water he had just poured for her. She took it and mouthed a soft thanks before forcing it all down her throat. When she was done he returned the glass to the table and came back to sit on the bed with her

" So much for creating enough space."

Anaya murmured, despite the huge bed Marcelo chose to sit directly beside her and they were so close that their skins were touching. Anaya tried to scoot away but there wasn't any space left on the bed for her to adjust, leaving her stuck with Marcelo.

" I got you something for your Birthday."

"You didn't have t...."

" Anaya It's bad enough that you now avoid me and I know I deserve it but don't say no to the gift.... please "

" I... I'm not avoiding you Marcelo, I mean why should I do that ?"

" You don't need to defend yourself, like I said earlier I deserved it and even more....."

" Marcelo I ....."

" Marcel, you used to call me Marcel"

"Marcelo you treated me like I was trash..... I began to think that maybe there was something wrong with me because you drove me out."

" I didn't want it to be like that, it's just that around you I...I don't seem to think straight Anaya... Anaya I wanted to have you that day and I wanted it so fucking bad. If I had let you stay a minute longer I would have violated you and..... I didn't want that to happen."

" It's called violation if it isn't consensual Marcelo.... and as far as I can remember I wanted you just as much as you wanted me..... and it's so painful because I still fucking do!"

Anaya was breathing heavily after getting all those words out of her. She made to get up when the knock on the distracted the both of them.

" I'll get the door, don't move"

Marcelo told her as he gently guided her back on the bed. He got to the door and discussed with the person on the other side before returning to Anaya's side.

" Who was it?"

" Marshall, he said your cousin was looking all over for you, she wanted to make sure you were safe and also he dialed your line several times but you weren't picking up so he came to ask if I have any knowledge about your whereabouts."

" Oh I put my phone in silent mode so I didn't hear it ring. What did you tell him?"

" That you're with me."

" Ohhh.. okay."

"Um... your gift."

Marcelo told her as he handed her the little box he was holding. Anaya took it from him and opened it to reveal a gold keychain shaped like a sewing machine. On the back of the key chain 'ANAYA' was engraved in bold and below it the saying

'my answer' was written in italics. Anaya's eyes widened as she surveyed the key chain, she was about to thank him when he cut off.

" Don't say you can't take it, Anaya. "

"Hell no... imma take it."

She replied with a Chuckle

"I'm glad you like it but...that's not all"

"I don't understand, you got me two gifts for one birthday?"

" Nope I got just one for each birthday party.... but now that you mentioned it I think I should have gotten two for each."

Anaya's mouth hung open as she stared at the man before her. She had always heard of crazy rich Asians and never of Americans.

" Marcelo, did you fall sick or something?"

" Nope, I missed two of your birthdays and I wanted to make it up to you ..... the key chain is for the seventeenth while this is for the eighteenth"

He told her as he handed her a fancy bag. She took it from him and opened it to see a tablet, it was the most recent version from the iPhone series and Anaya was utterly speechless

" Seriously Marcelo, this is too much."

" Thought you said ' imma take it', did you suddenly change your mind?"

" I was talking about the key chain."

" Stop explaining too much Anaya, you deserve the best and that's all I'm making sure of."

" Thank you," she said emotionally as she put the tablet back into the bag.

" Back to the key chain, let me help you put it on."

" Sure, here you go. "