Off limits to my Italian step brother

PTE

NET

t?” I bellow

ng sitting pretty on her ring finger as though it meant nothing.

n the table and the plates clattered on the sl

to counter my previous statement. “We h

“Six months and you didn'

grin I'd ever seen. “I am sorry, Lynn

ise! My mature mom got engaged to a man without a

a name, Lynn. His name is Em

n shock. “So how is

e the most was that— my mom was grinning f

l this while, I finally found the one,” she

y are mainly patronized by the elites because the accommodation fee tends to be on the higher side. So

en the plumber that repaired the leaks in our kitchen pipes. Provided they were hot and had a couple of bucks to spare, She'd hop on the dating trai

in my street whilst I kept on trying to apply to college. Because I have always felt maybe part of the reas

other one who would just use you and

k to me like that, L

ht to myself. As much as I would have loved to say that to

n akimbo, I huffed. “Or what?” I taunted.

l this while, I finally got a man who shared the same interest as mine. Someone who will

all the men in the world, the only person who hasn't been at your clutc

reasons. I felt she found solace in doing those things. I felt she was trying to get over the hurt our family had gone through over the past few

fights. I just heard some thunderous crashing sounds and my mom whimpering with tears. After that, he

ith. Unfortunately, Meredith died of a severe asthma attack five years ago.

mom had divulged to me. “I can't believe this, mom. It's as if I don

that. No matter what, I am still your mother.....I am doing this for you

uous emotions coursing through my veins. It felt as thoug

cloud and reality would seep in hard. Do you think getting married is what we need right now?” I q

this hurts.

ever taken care of anything in your entire life so you don't have any reason to judge me. Alas, when you start paying the bi

restaurant, I was only paid a meager amount and that was because I had to pl

ds. “Don't you think it's high time we got rid of our wounds, a

forget Meredith, Mom? She died in my arms and I was vulnerable, unable

e to blame. Meredith died due to my lackadaisical attitude. If I hadn't forgotten to get a new inhaler, if only I requested permission from w

ithing pain. “If I didn't work the extra shift that day, maybe I'

soothing my wrecking nerves. “And I'm sorry for not telling yo

with a sad chortle. “Sounds like a r

laug

me. We have only each other now. Emilio promises to send you to UC Berkeley to study art as you have always wanted.

in the depth of my stomach and I for

I inquired

corners of my eyes with her thumb. “You are go

this sounded too good to be

bout this, Mom?

Emilio has booked our flight to California. We leave tomorrow evening, also this apartment has been leased to

I'm sorry for the way I spoke to

eserved some of that. I'm also sorry, Lynn. Next tim

ka

nd me and expelled a shar

e you,

★

IFOR

ilio, her supposed fiance, and my soon-to-be stepdad. I finally got to understand when she explain

edith. And when she was on the day shift, I was also at work. Two– she wasn't sure if her relationship with Emilio would last. So she kept it from me j

't all that excited about this whole new development, I just decided to accept it for my mom

the airport in California. Shortly after, a ma

acquel

dded. “Th

“I am your chauffeur. Master Emilio sent me your pictures and asked tha

uttered then we follo

r gotten in my entire life. We have driven around in a limousine a

der; how rich was my

from it. My mouth dropped to the floor when I no

t ingeniously looking picket fence I'd ever seen. Gleamed with the spotl

yn

ead to my mom'

it here, but I want you to be ni

n, the kind in which most American kids dreamed of growing up. Secluded among trees in one of the most exclusive streets, it had turr

e chauffeur instructed

the buffet arranged for us. All through my nineteen years of

rudged out of the back door w

here!” He declared, stretching o

d away and rummaged through my jacket for my phone. It was after a while

r?” The man asked,

so I stood there with a fain

as brief but warm. And I could tell that Emilio might not be that bad after all. He pulled away from me and scrutinized

kly shoved that feeling from my mind b

ilio gestured at the buffet-filled ta

seat, a blood-curdling scream came