06| boyfriend

DIANE

"Roseline, SHUT UP!" I groaned. l pinching the bridge of my nose. My head was pounding, and her incessant chatter was making it worse. I just wanted some peace, but that seemed like too much to ask for at the moment.

She stopped talking, but I could see a petulant expression on her face. I closed my eyes, hoping the pain would go away, but it only seemed to be getting worse. Maybe I just needed to rest and the pain would go away. That was the only thing I could hope for at this point.

I'm never drinking tequila shots, ever. I don't even know why I drank it. I was a wine girlie.

"Roseline Mavrell I swear if I hear you scream one more-"

And she screamed.

She screamed.

Livid, I stomped out of my bed, on my way to the kitchen. 

Oh, she was going to get it.

"Morning, Mom," I said, forcing a smile as I walked into the kitchen. "I'm up early because of your little firecracker over there." I gestured towards Roseline, who was still in her room doing God knows what.

My mom just raised an eyebrow, a knowing look on her face. She knew better than to get involved in sibling fights, but she still managed to convey a sense of amusement.

"Good morning, dear," she said, turning back to the stove where she was making pancakes.

I trotted to Roseline's room and opened the door without knocking. She was sitting on her bed, looking out the window with a faraway look in her eyes. I couldn't help but grin. "Don't you dare!" she yelled, her eyes wide as she saw me raise the jug of water.

I just laughed, and she looked at me with pure terror in her eyes. Before she could say anything else, I threw the water at her. I heard a loud squeal as the water hit her, drenching her hair, face, and pajamas.

"What the actual-"

"I warned you. I said never wake me up after a long night out,"

"What if I died?"

My eyes bore into hers. "Well, you didn't."

"You're out every night," She says, grabbing a face towel. "Because I work."

"You're always out late," she whined, drying her face with a towel. "What if something happened to you?"

"I'm always careful," I said, crossing my arms. "I know what I'm doing. Plus, I'm working. This is part of my job."She pouted.

"Still, you could get hurt." I softened my expression. "I know, and I appreciate your concern, but I'm fine. Really."

She sighed. "Fine, but can we at least not throw water at each other?"

I laughed. "Alright, we have a truce."

"What were you looking at by the way?"

"Your boyfriend," she said, a teasing tone in her voice. I stared at her, my jaw dropping. "Boyfriend? What are you talking about?" I asked, trying to keep the amusement out of my voice. She smirked.  "If you're talking about Dante, we already broke up,"

"No ew. I'm proud of you for doing that but I'm talking about this upgrade," she said, pointing to the window. I followed her gaze and saw a familiar car. My jaw dropped.

"Isn't that the car you were in last night?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with mischief. I nodded, my eyes glued on the Maserati.

"What is it doing here?" I asked, more to myself than to her.

She shrugged. "Beats me," she said, then winked at me. "But maybe your secret admirer left you a gift."

I walked out of Roseline's room and headed straight to the bathroom. I washed my face and brushed my teeth. I decided to take a quick shower, my mind still racing. What was he doing here? Why did he come back?

I dried myself off and put on the first clothes I could find, not caring about what I looked like.

I ran a brush through my damp hair and made my way back downstairs, my heart pounding. I walked outside, taking a deep breath.

He was still there, his head resting against the headrest, his eyes closed. I took a deep breath and walked towards him, determined to at least get some answers.

I got closer, knocking loudly on his window. He shot up and I couldn't help but let out a chuckle at the sight.

His eyes landed on me as his hand reached for the back of his neck. He lowered his window so we could speak properly. 

"Good morning," I smiled. "Morning," He tilted his head back. His raspy timbre caught me off guard and I couldn't help but back away to create some distance. 

I scratched the back of my neck, trying to ignore the shivers that ran down my spine. "Did you sleep here? What are you doing here?"

"You're like this in the morning too?" I jerked my head back and looked at myself. What did he mean? Everybody looked this way in the morning.

"I meant talkative."

I let out an 'oh'

"Diane sweetie!" I turn around and see my mom with a tray in her hand at the doorway.  "Mom?"

"Honey don't be so rude. Invite your guest, what kind of host are you? Look at him all cramped in his car,"

"Mom-" Isaak suddenly gets out of his car.

"Come on in son. I know Diane talks a whole lot. She gets it from me." She laughs.

I looked away from his piercing grey eyes already knowing what Isaak was going to say.

"Oh no Mom he wouldn't-"

"I'd love to. " My world stills.

What?

Was Mr. Grinch gone?

I didn't have to wonder about how my mom knew that Isaak was outside because my answer was staring right at us. As I stood there, I felt a presence behind me and turned around to see the culprit, Roseline grinning at me through the window.

I rolled my eyes, knowing she had probably been watching the whole time.

I shake my head and Isaak locks his car and proceeds to walk behind me as I welcome him in. His shoulder brushed against mine as he entered, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.

□□□

"So Isaak, do you have a girlfriend?" I nearly choked. My face flushed red with embarrassment. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, waiting for his response. I cleared my throat, trying to find my voice. "Mom!" I exclaimed, my face flushing red with embarrassment.

She just looked at me, an amused smile on her face. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, the question hanging in the air.

"What, sweetie?" she asked, feigning innocence. "Is it wrong of me to ask?"

"Well, yes, I-" Before I could finish my sentence, Roseline stepped in. "Hey Mom, you're going to be late for work."

I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me, knowing I had just been saved by my younger sister.

As if she had just remembered, my mom gasped and jumped to her feet. "Oh my goodness! I have to go!" she exclaimed.

Isaak stood up as well. "I'll go with you," he said. My mom looked at him, a grateful smile on her face.

"Thank you," she said. "That's so sweet of you."

"No!" Roseline said quickly, her eyes darting between Isaak and my mother. "There's a light in my room that needs to be fixed."

"There is?" my mom asked, a skeptical look on her face. "Yes, yes, you go to work and Isaak will fix it," Roseline said hurriedly, her voice just above a whisper.

I started to speak, but Roseline shot me a look that said 'Don't say anything'. I pursed my lips, feeling annoyed. "Okay, I'll go then," my mom said finally, relenting to Roseline.

I shook my head, muttering under my breath as I picked up the empty dishes and brought them to the kitchen. As I was putting them in the sink, I heard footsteps behind me. I turned around and saw Isaak walking towards me. "What are you doing?"

"What kind of guest would I be if I didn't help?" he asked, a smirk on his face. I raised an eyebrow, but said nothing, turning back to the sink.

I watched as he dried the dishes I washed, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. "You can drop the act now. My mom's gone,"

"What act?"

"You being all polite,"

"I am," I scoff.

"I thought you had a girlfriend, " I looked up to help as I passed in the wet dish. He kept quiet and washed the dishes like he was washing his favorite car.

"You lied," He chuckles at this. "I don't lie." His tone is unwavering.

"Well, that's another lie because I haven't met a man who doesn't lie,"

"You don't know me."

"You're not going to defend yourself and be upset that I called you a liar?" I asked a hint of amusement in my voice.

"Believe what you want to believe," He said nonchalantly. "In any case," He continued.  "why should I defend myself if I'm right?" This time his cloudy eyes locked with my own. "I'm not your ex, Diane."

I narrowed my eyes. I wasn't about to back down.

"Then prove it."