04

E L L E

The smirk on his face froze; "What did you just say?" He gave me an intimidating look.

"First of all, I have no interest in working with someone as arrogant as you are. Second, I don't work under anyone, I own my bakery." I answered him proudly.

He scoffed, "Who the hell do you think you are to tell me no? Do you know who I am?" He adjusted his tie.

"I don't need to know who you are." I retorted and turned to leave.

"Come back here this instant. I'm not done talking." He raised his voice, drawing attention to us.

At this point the few people outside were already staring at us.

"Just because you're rich, doesn't mean you can speak to me however you please alright? I'm not interested in working for you and I am done talking to you." I turned to respond and continued walking.

A strong arm grabbed me forcing me to make eye contact with him. His dark venom filled eyes pierced through mine.

"Hey, don't do that to the young lady!" The guy from earlier told Santi.

"This should be the very last time you lay your hands on me." I warned him before shaking myself off from his grasp.

He stood there glaring at me while I glared back just to show that I didn't feel intimidated by him.

"What's going on here?" Alora's voice filled the air and I turned to the direction of her voice.

Alora made her way through the concrete pathway and walked directly to us.

"Here's the food. I'm sorry I took so long." She handed me a whole basket.

"You're so arrogant but yet here you are at my sisters wedding accepting charity." He mocked just as I was about to reach for the basket.

"Stop it Santi." Alora immediately glared at him.

"But it's the truth," He paused. "She had the audacity to refuse my proposal when I am helping her poor miserable life but she's ready to accept an extension of my money by taking the food home to feed her loved-"

"That is enough." I withdrew my hand and turned to face him. "Don't you dare try to insult my family and if I had known it was your money, I would have never accepted it in the first place." I bragged.

"I sponsored the catering for this event, which means even what you ate in there also came from me. What are you going to do? Pay me?" He rolled his eyes.

"That's exactly what I'm gonna do. How much is it?!" My ego blurred before I realized what I had just said.

"Three thousand dollars." The corner of his lip turned upwards.

I gasped but immediately controlled my facial expression.

"Roe calm down. There's no need to be so upset." Alora placed her arm on me. "And Santi where are your manners?!" She gritted her teeth.

"I don't have time for this. I'll have the account number sent to you." He placed his hand in his pocket and walked away.

"Roe please don't listen to Santi, you don't need to pay for anything. I invited you s-."

"I'm gonna return his money and break his ego." I hissed and turned to leave.

"Wait what about the food I packed?" Alora frowned.

"I appreciate the gesture but I don't need it." I smiled.

"Levi can you please walk her out?" Alora insisted and turned to ask the other guy who had bumped into me earlier.

Levi and I walked out the gate as the whole scenario replayed in my head.

"I don't think anyone has ever spoken Santiago that way before." Levi casually mentioned as we waited for a taxi.

"How?"

"No one has ever told him no before and not to even talk about ever gotten yelled at and to be honest I don't know if I should be scared for you or proud of you." He gave a half smile.

"I think the only reading he's a piece of shit is because no one has ever put him in his place before. Besides he has done the worst he could by asking me to pay for the meal I had inside."

"I'm really sorry about his behavior and for running into you. I was really playing tag with a friend."

And Levi is the younger one? How's that bastard cut from the same cloth as Levi and Renee?

"It's okay. Thank Alora for her kind gesture once again, I know she felt bad I didn't take the extras." I requested as I got into a taxi.

After taking a shower, I laid on the floor because the weather was way too hot for two people to sleep in.

I received a message from an unknown number which only had bank details.

That bastard really wants it back huh? He's so petty.

I glanced over at my sleeping sister. She's sprawled across the bed wearing nothing but shorts and a sports bra because she was really hot. I adjusted the standing fan to blow her direction more.

Need to put to put my self respect first and then give the rest money to Hazel to pay for extra tutorials even though I'm certain it won't be enough.

After paying for that I certain that I'm going to be flat broke again. Shaking off all my thoughts; I sent the money to the devil of a man.

The next morning after preparing breakfast for Hazel and we both sat down to eat, I passed the cash to Hazel who picked it up.

"Why are you giving me so much cash?" She raised her eyebrows.

"I think I should be asking you why you didn't think to mention your extra tutorials to me." I asked her back.

She sighed, "I don't need it. I can prepare for college exams by myself." She shrugged.

"Hazel you need to do what your pairs are doing. Be it extracurricular activities or lessons. I'm trying to help you fit in." I dragged.

"Well the people you're trying to make me fit in with all have at least one parent living with them. They weren't abandoned." She calmly explained.

"Mom didn't abandon u-"

"Stop saying that to me, I'm not a kid anymore! I understand things now!" She yelled at me.

"Hazel..."

"I'm gonna head off now." She angrily replied then slammed the money on the table.

I watched Hazel storm out the house and slam the door shut. Tears formed in my eyes as I watched her leave.

I've lived life trying to shield her from the disgrace that is our family, am I over doing it? I mean yes she's older now but I thought avoiding the subject would help her to forget.

**