1 Chapter 1

"Hey watch out!"

I yelled at the guy crossing the street, with a wireless headphones on. But he didn't hear me, and a truck was heading his way and fast. the truck didn't slow down but the driver kept honking. Without thinking, I dashed towards the guy, grabbed him by his shoulders and pulled him backwards with all the strength I had. We both fell to the ground, and I nearly hit my head on a near by pole.

"Damn you kids" the truck driver yelled, shaking his fist angrily in the air.

I felt pain around my knee, I looked down to see and I realised I had sustained an injury.

wow, that's going to leave a mark- I said to myself ironically.

"Oh dear...Are you alright? That looks like it hurts." the guy I had just saved said to me. He looked concerned and really worried.

" Oh no I'm fine" I said with a smile

He immediately reached inside his back pack, and he brought out a bandana a a bottle of water. He poured the water on my bleeding knee, and washed away the blood with the back of his palm.

"You know, you shouldn't have risked your life trying to save mine" he said softly, still washing of the blood. Gently, he wrapped his bandana around my knee, and tied a knot at its end.

"There that should do it, I hope you can walk?" he asked while helping me toy feet.

"Yes I can thank you" I responded

Our eyes met and instantly my heart began to pound against my chest. He had a violet black hair colour which made his black eyes stand out. Despite his muscular appearance, his touch was still gentle. He smiled at me and placed my hand in his.

"I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble, I'm Arthur by name, what's yours?" he leaned closer and asked.

"Elena" I answered

"It was nice meeting you Elena, thank you once again and do have a splendid night rest" he said before he kissed my knuckles.

I blushed slightly, before I responded back. "You too"

I watched him cross over to the other side of the street, until he disappeared into a distance.

Where was I going again? I asked myself, oh yeah home.

I got home right in time for dinner. Mama had prepared dinner, ARROZ CUBANO- my favourite meal. ARROZ CUBANO is a meal prepared with a mould of white rice, topped with tomato sauce and fried egg.

"Mama!"

I called walking into the kitchen. My mother turned around and embraced me. She kissed my right cheek and I did likewise.

"How was school dear?" she asked

"Fine mama" I responded excitedly.

"Oh that reminds me, Diego is back. He came in this afternoon, go see him, he's been expecting you" she said

Diego is my 22 year old elder brother. The second son of the Cortez's. He had been away for nearly 3years. He travelled overseas to continue his training to become an air pilot, and we weren't sure of his return. He is annoying most times, but he always looks out for me. I'm the only girl in the family and also the last born as well.

I have two senior brothers namely Rodrigo and Diego. Rodrigo is the oldest amongst the three of us. Rodrigo is currently a lawyer working in a governmental organisation. I on the other hand just want to become a fashion designer, but mama always said the profession never brought food to the table. I found what she said rude, but who am I to oppose my mother. she suggested I rather study medicine and become a doctor like papa. But I still wanted to defy her objections and pursue my dream to becoming a fashion designer.

I rushed over to Diego's room, but when I walked in, he wasn't there. There was no sign of luggage anywhere, the room just looked the way it had been for the past 3years.

My heart suddenly dropped, I felt like tearing up. Was mama playing a joke, cause if she were, i won't take it to be funny. I was about turning around when I caught a scent, and memories with Diego came flooding back to me immediately.

"Hey there little sis" a deep masculine voice came from behind.

I turned around and found Diego smiling at me. His arms were wide open, which meant he was inviting me for a hug. I ran to him and hugged him tight.

"I missed you" I said softly

"I missed you too" he said in return.

His arms were crushing me, but the pain was pleasurable and worth it. He was, and had always been my favourite brother. Rodrigo was cool though, but Diego was the best. He was always there when I needed someone to talk to, and his advices were always the best. We had grown closer since Rodrigo left for law school. And despite his pilot training, he never stopped contacting me.

"How is school? Hope you haven't been bothering mama" he asked, withdrawing slowly from our long hug.

I laughed before I replied him. "No I have been good while you were away"

"Diego, Elena, dinner time!" mama yelled from downstairs.

"You should probably go get changed into some fresh clothes." he said to me.

I immediately rushed back to my room. I took a three minute shower, got dressed into some fresh clothes, and headed downstairs for dinner.