Chapter 2 Dustyn Franco

Mark was relentless.

As expected, he didn't know when to stop questioning people like he was some kind of a detective solving a murder crime. Every question was answered by Mara with eased just to be bombarded a hundred more questions about it. Vero and I finally drew the line after he asked about Mara's sex life. My poor shortcake blushed profusely as she tried to answer Mark despite his very idiotic and privacy invading question.

"Don't answer that shortcake." I said quickly and slapped Mark on his back loudly, and I would assume painfully.

Coughing loudly, he smiled sheepishly at Mara while scratching the back of his head. "Sorry. I'm a bit too much sometimes."

Vero just shook her head at his husband's antics but remained quiet nonetheless. She continues her not so subtle observation of Mara who is still smiling at Mark like he didn't just asked that question.

"Say, would you like to learn how to bake?" Mark asked with a friendly smile.

Immediately, her gray eyes filled with excitement as she looked at me and Mark. "Can I?!" she asked, sounding like a kid on Christmas day.

Laughter rumbled out of me and I nodded my head at her, looking at her softly. "Of course you can. Go ahead."

She jumped up from her seat and planted a soft kiss on my cheek, whispering a thank you as she does. Startled, I can only stare at her as she follows Mark to his kitchen with excited steps. Lifting my hand up to the place she kissed, my fingers shakily touch the place and a smile formed on my lips.

Maybe breaking the news to her wouldn't be so bad, I thought.

"She seems very keen on learning from Mark." Vero said as she looked at her husband and Mara with a smile on her face. It's sad but the truth is, rarely anyone could get along with Mark. Like I said, he is an annoying idiot with that no filter mouth of his.

I shrugged my shoulders. "Mara is someone who likes to learn, especially about baking" I told her as we too walk to the kitchen in their house.

Like I expected, their kitchen was huge, fit for a restaurant. With all the utensils you can imagine and filled with all the ingredients you can get your hands on. As expected, Vero allowed her husband to go overboard with their house.

"I know it's big but this is something he likes." She explained, her eyes softening considerably as she watches Mark.

I smiled at her in acknowledgement. Vero is a hard woman who only had a soft spot for Mark. And I know she would do anything she can to make sure he stays happy. "I guess it can't be helped."

She nudges my shoulder with a teasing smile. "Please, I know about that room you have in your penthouse. Filled with all the little things you get for her since you've been gone to college."

Clearing my throat, I repeat my words from earlier. "It can't be helped."

Vero laughed at my discomfort. She does find it funny that I fell for the girl six years younger than me without Mara having to do anything. I just.. I fell and I fell hard.

"V, help Mara with the whip cream." Mark called as she started mixing things to make dough. "We're making strawberry shortcake." He remarked with a snort, looking directly at me.

I knew he wasn't done teasing.

It took us about three hours to finally finish everything under Mark's annoying guidance.

We sat in their dining area, eating and laughing as we do. Mark and Vero continued to be the great hosts I know they are. Mark enjoyed Mara's company way too much as he wouldn't let her talk to Vero and just kept her to himself like the selfish idiot he is. Mara was being an angel, and let Mark ask her everything he can under the sun.

"What's your major?" Vero asked, curiosity leaked from her eyes as she waited for Mara's answer.

Mara's shock was evident from her face but she hid it quickly before anyone could get a glimpse of it. She looks down at her food and twirls her fork around. "Well... I haven't decided yet."

Her words left me speechless. Their conversations soon floated around me but not one word was heard. My head is stuck on her words. She doesn't have a major. Judging by her age, I would say she's been in college for almost a year and still, she decided on nothing.

"I want to be a photographer one day, Dy!" The little bundle of joy jumped up to me with a grin plastered on her cute face.

I smiled down at her and ruffled her hair. "Is that right?"

She nodded her head with glee. "Yeah! I wanna take pictures of memories to last forever, Dy!"

The image of the younger Mara I was knew flooded my head. She was so eager to achieve that dream. She told me so, over and over again without a hiccup. She knew what she wanted and she was never one to be afraid to take it. But staring at this older version of her, I knew nothing about the younger she must have survived the struggles she faced through high school.

Now, my shortcake was so unsure of herself.

There were unshed tears in her eyes. I watched her grow up and I knew, Alec and I raised a fighter among other things. She is strong now and she will be stronger when she grows up. I know it!

"Bye, Dy." She said so quietly, her voice quivering at her unshed tears and sadness.

Without a word, I wound my arms around her. Hugging her small frame to my body, and giving her as much comfort as I could despite knowing that I leaving would have hit her hard. Alec and I's departure was hard on her. She wasn't much of a popular kid among her grade which resulted to her lack of friends. "You'll be fine shortcake. What do I always tell you?"

Sniffing she answered me, "I was born a winner, raised as a fighter." Repeating the mantra we drilled into her, everyday.

I smiled. "That's right." Letting my arms dropped from her, I unclasped the camera from around my neck and gently put it around hers. "There. One step closer to your dream."

Her small fingers fiddled and caressed the new found object. She looked up at me, her ones dulled gray eyes were twinkling with excitement. "Thanks Dy. I'll treasure this."

Laughter bubbled up out from me. "Of course you will my shortcake." She poised the camera up and without a word, she snapped a picture of me.

"There! My first picture is of you, Dy!"

"Dustyn?" Mara's voice broke me out of my trance. Her hands were in front of my face, waving a little to try and get my attention. I looked around us and was embarrassed to find all of them looking at me expectantly.

"Yea?" I rasped out, not having recovered from the memory I remembered.

"Vero asked you if we're driving back to the city today." Mara asked with a smile.

I nodded my head at them. "We have to get going. Alec will be worried." She nodded at me and tried her best to smile, but I can see the disappointment in her eyes. She wanted to stay longer and I couldn't be any happier with the thought of her enjoying the company of my friends. "I'm sorry shortcake. We'll come back. Okay?"

Mara nodded her head but the sadness can still be seen in her eyes and demeanour as she sat with her shoulders slumped. Looking at my friends for help, they both nodded in understanding. I didn't want for such a wonderful day to turn sad at the end. I did this to make her smile not make her sad. It will make all my efforts a waste.

Mark clapped his hands together in pure excitement. "That's right! We'll make some soft and delicious lemon cookies when you do." He said to Mara with a grin. Looks like Mark has found himself a willing apprentice. Unlike Vero and I, Mara was willing to learn and attentively listened to every instructions of Mark earlier.

"Excellent. We'll see you soon Mara." Vero said as they walked us to the door of their home. She kissed Mara's cheek and gave me a hug before letting us go on our way.

It was dark outside as we wave at the couple watching as drive away. The black blanket has covered the entire city. The moon and the stars were hung up on the sky looking surreal.

"It's rare to see the sky in the city." Mara mumbled as her eyes were lost on the sea of beauty floating above us.

"Makes things more special." I said in agreement.

Not long from then, we reached the city and were delighted to know that we dodged the traffic. The drive to their house took up almost an hour since they lived in the other side of the town, far from where I pulled her too. But the drive was still done with comfortable silence. I can only guessed that Mark have tired her.

Soon, we reached their house or I should say, mansion as it stood in all its glory at the top of the hill for all of the people to see. Seeing it up close brought back memories of my childhood - our childhood. Back then, nothing mattered than when we would be able to play again. Now, things are a bit more complicated and years have gone pass.

I turn to Mara who is quietly staring at the place with sad eyes. Her pain was mine too. I knew her expression all too well, even now that she's all grown up.

"Go on. I'm sure Alec is home." I encouraged her with a soft and caring voice. Mara never once looked at me. Her eyes kept staring at the mansion in front of us, assessing the matter carefully.

Out of the blue, Mara shook her head. "Maybe. Come in with me." She said, looking at me with plead in her eyes. Her demeanour has changed. I can feel the nervousness she displayed as she wrings her fingers, together. Her leg was bouncing up and down.

"Let's go then." I said with a smile and pulled my keys out, letting the engine die.

No words were exchanged as I opened her door for her. She didn't say anything else and in shaky steps she walked to the door of the house. A few maids passed us and the recognition in their eyes made me smile.

The interior of the house has been changed quite drastically. Even the feel of the house is different. It used to have beige walls, covered with family pictures and a few handy artworks on the lower walls, courtesy of us kids. Now, the walls are pristine white with paintings from famous painters were displayed. There was not one trace of pictures except for the center piece frame in the living room. A picture of Mr. Ramirez and his new wife.

A high pitched voice echoed throughout the place as a blonde woman with barely any clothes on, strut inside from what I assume is the pool area. "What are you doing girl? Bringing a boy home." She hissed at Mara.

Mara remained calm despite the accusation the woman's voice held. "Nothing that concerns you, Amelia."

Then it dawned on me, she's the woman Mr. Ramirez married! She looked far uglier than I anticipated. Photoshop really does wonders.

"Bullying my sister will not get you anywhere closer to your real goal." Alec's baritone voice resonated with power. Power he has over this household and over their stepmother.

Mara didn't utter another word before she made her way to Alec who kissed her on the cheek and turned to me with a nod of his head.

"Your father will hear about this." She hissed, not backing down from Alec despite his threats. If I wasn't sure of it before, I am now. Amelia wanted something from the siblings that she cannot have from Mr. Ramirez.

Alec smirked, his eyes dancing with amusement. "Yes please do. Tell him how you paraded your disgusting body around his almost son, Dustyn."

Blanched with shock, Amelia's response was lost as she can only watch as a victory smile took over Alec's features.

Alec motioned for me to follow them up the stairs to the left of the house. "We have things to discuss."

And as I look up, I saw Mara standing there. She is looking at us expectantly.

"We do indeed."