I could tell my father was not happy with my choice in Sofia. Dating someone that’s extremely high profile brought a lot of unwanted attention the family didn’t need. She thought it was because of her race. I knew better. My father hated drawing attention, and if we’re involved, the public will want to know more about me and dig into my background and family. Sofia was quiet, partially because I kept her up all night having sex.
“Miss Chambers, my son tells me you’re an actress and a singer,” my dad questioned.
The waitress came over to pour Sofia and me a glass of water. I wasn’t hungry, so I passed her a menu.
“Yes, sir, I’m currently filming a movie and recording my second album,” Sofia answered.
“How long do you plan on doing this?” he asked.
“Uhm… Well, I’ve been in the business for over ten years, so hopefully for another ten or fifteen.”
“Do you ever want to get married and have kids?”
“Drop it,” I insisted. He was getting too personal and making her uncomfortable.
“She’s your girlfriend, correct?”
“She is.”
“Then she can answer my questions.”
“Joaquin is happy, that’s all that matters. Please, honey, let’s change the subject,” my mother said, kissing his cheek.
He did, but only because my mother requested him to do so, but later on, he’ll bring it up to me in private.
“Joaquin, tell papa to let me move here. I want to go to fashion school, and I can stay on campus,” Alessandra pleaded.
“You’re too young,” I said.
“She’s twenty-two. I moved out when I was seventeen to pursue my dreams. You can’t smother her forever,” Sofia stated calmly toward me. My father squinted his eyes, offended that anyone would come into his relationship with his daughter. Our family was very traditional, even to the point of arranged marriages. Mother and I convinced him to not push that on her because Alessandra can be headstrong at times. Her love of fashion and photography was what she wanted to study in America.
“This isn’t the time right now, Alessandra. I’m busy and can’t watch you while I’m working.”
“That’s not fair! I’m twenty-two. Sofia can help me find a place to stay, right?” Alessandra whined.
“Silence!” Father shouted. The entire room went quiet, other guests gasped in shock. Gael walked up to the table and kissed my mother, then Alessandra on the cheek. He then gave my father a handshake before taking a seat next to Alessandra. He tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear, and she blushed like a high school girl with her boyfriend. My gaze cut between them; if he was interested in my little sister, it was something he would need to forget about before it ever became an issue. My father wasn’t paying attention, but I was.
“Gael, you’re looking well, my dear,” Alba said.
“Yes, ma’am, eating healthy and following behind your bigheaded son.” Gael whipped his head around to face me.
Sofia shifted back in her seat; I lifted her hand to lay a kiss on her palm. Hugo and Gabriella stood around us along with my father’s men.
“You seem tired, are you ready to go?”
“I don’t want to put you out with your family. I can take a cab and meet you back at your place later. I need to meet with Cassidy and Edward about Deras’s upcoming performance. “
“I can take you.” I started to stand up, and she tugged at my coat jacket to sit back down.
“Stay here with them; your mother hasn’t seen you in two years. I promise I’ll call when I get done,” Sofia assured me by kissing me on the cheek.
“Take Gabriella or Hugo with you. I’d feel better when I’m not around that you have protection.”
Sofia smoothed down her shirt. “What do I need protection for? Is there something I need to know about?”
“Take someone with you for my peace of mind.”
“Okay,” Sofia commented, pointing to Hugo.
Hugo nodded and walked behind Sofia as she left the restaurant.
“Alba, take Alessandra up to the bar and look at the desserts. I want something sweet and would prefer you personally pick it out for me.” Father patted her hand, and she stood up, grabbing her purse. Alessandra did the same. He watched as they looked over the wall case of the cakes and pies.
“Joaquin, I’m getting phone calls that Lin-Sae is no longer with us. Tell me how this happened?” Father asked.
“He stole from us, and I sent a message.”
“The type of message that has me getting phone calls all the way in Portugal from the President that talks about how you’ve created a new dynamic that will have the family in the newspaper for the wrong reasons. They say it’s a drug deal with Fuertes Cartel,” Father muttered angrily, shoving the empty plate away.
The waiter appeared with their food and we both got quiet.
“The calamari and stir-fried rice,” the server announced.
“Thank you,” he said.
“We have two strawberry salads with oil and vinegar,” the server informed us, placing the dishes on the tables and walking away.
“Antonio spoke with Bruno this morning since he travels back and forth between Italy and New York. He stated a council wants you to come out there and speak with them about the killing,” Gael explained. Alessandra walked over and sat down.
“What are we talking about?” Alessandra questioned.
“Nothing of importance,” I said. Easing my phone out of my pocket, I sent a text message to Sofia.
Me: Dinner tonight, my place?
Sofia: Not tonight, I’m hanging with some friends.
Me: Where?
Sofia: Deras’s performance.
Me: Keep me updated.
Lunch continued without a hitch, and my sister talked about her favorite actors and seeing Sofia’s movies. Mother gushed about her garden and getting father to eat healthier. The day was going to be long because I ended up going shopping and talking for the rest of the day.
…
“I like her for you,” Alessandra said, sifting through the racks at the Versace store inside of the mall.
“I'm glad,” I answered, returning text messages to Monica.
“Joaquin, what do you think would happen if Monica met Sofia?” Alessandra questioned.
That statement caused me to cock my head to the side and stare at my sister trying to gauge what she was attempting to say.
“What are you talking about?” I asked.
“Sofia told me that you said Monica was just a friend,” Alessandra said.
“She is,” I replied.
“You cared about Monica at one point, correct?”
“Where are you going with this topic, Alessandra? My patience is very thin.”
“Monica could become a problem if you don’t take care of her soon.” Alessandra grabbed two dresses off the rack and held them up toward me and I ran a hand down my head and sighed in annoyance.
“They’re too short, Alessandra.”
“You're my brother, not my father, Joaquin!” Alessandra spat loudly, slamming the dresses back on the rack.
“A brother that pays all of your damn bills,” I fussed, tired of all the women in my life except for my baby, Sofia.
“Fine! But I want a bigger allowance, and I won’t tell Sofia that Monica was texting you through lunch today.”
“Monica wasn’t texting me,” I lied, already knowing my little sister would rat me out if money wasn’t involved.
She stood there with her arms crossed over and her lip poked out. I was about to respond when again, my phone texted.
Monica: You’re throwing me away like some trash for her.
Me: You knew what it was from the beginning.
“Is that Monica?” Alessandra asked as she laughed. I glared up at her until she walked off to go try on another dress.
Monica: Does she know you fucked me every time you went to her show.
Me: She knows about you, Monica.
Monica: Joaquin, I won’t allow you to play me.
Me: I suggest you find a place to stay.
We didn’t live together or anything, but I did pay for her place, and sometimes if the hotel wasn’t convenient, I went to her condo. I know I was wrong for keeping it from Sofia, but she wouldn’t understand the dynamics of my friendship with Monica.
“Okay. How about this one?” Alessandra questioned. I nodded my head and passed her my credit card.
“I’m going to drop you off and head to see Sofia.”
“Where, at the studio? Can I come, please?” Alessandra inquired.
“She doesn't like a lot of people when she’s recording,” I replied, then patted her leg as my driver closed the door of my car.
“Fine.” She pouted and I decided to call Sofia to check if she was still at the studio or home.
“Hello.” I heard her raspy voice.
“Are you sleeping?” I questioned.
“Long day and tired from recording, I’m home in bed,” Sofia said.
“Get some rest and I’ll be there soon,” I spoke and listened to her yawn through the phone.
“Drop my sister off and then take me to Sofia’s apartment.” Our driver nodded in answer and hit the left signal to do a U-turn in the middle of the street to take Alessandra back to the hotel. Twenty minutes later, I kicked off my shoes, dropped my pants, and climbed in bed with Sofia, pulling her to my chest.