Cinco

Dakota was stretched out on the couch grading papers. It was a stack of standard five-paragraph essays. Her red ink littered the work with Oliver's name on it. Mistake after mistake. She started to whittle the pen with her teeth in frustration. This was well below the level she had been accustomed to from him.

"What in God's name did you to turn in Oliver? Are you not the brightest mind of all my students?" She spoke to herself before throwing the paper to the floor.

She rolled over and checked her phone. She had a missed call from her younger sister Elaine. Her eye twitched. She sat up and finished the can of beer she had open. The doorbell rang out with an unexpected volume surprising her enough to waste her drink down her chin onto her blouse.

"Jeez. I was not expecting anyone today." She dabbed at her shirt then opened the door."

Elaine walked in without a word, setting her bag on the table. She picked up Dakota's phone and held it up. "I called you. Looks like you saw it."

Dakota closed the door with a smile. " My dear sweet sister, I was just about to return that call."

Elaine rolled her eyes unconvinced. " If you're going to lie to my face at least be more convincing."

"To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Mother is coming to town, she wishes for us to meet her for dinner."

And that was the reason she didn't like for her sister to reach out to her out of the blue. It always had something to do with that woman. "I would like nothing more, unfortunately, I must grade these assignments. Alas, molding the minds of the youth is serious yet rewarding work."

Elaine picked up the now empty can. "Serious work huh?"

"Indeed."

"Cut the crap Dakota. You're coming, even if I have to kidnap you in the process. No way are you leaving me to deal with her on my own."

Dakota sighed walking away with Elaine hot on her trail. "Must I accompany you?"

"It would mean a lot to her." Elaine picked up a couple more cans from the floor and disposed of them.

"If I recall you ditched me on the previous occasion. Or perhaps you have forgotten?"

" No, I haven't."

"Then would that not mean you owe me to make up an excuse for my absence? And do make it a good one, that woman is deceptively sharp."

"Come on Dakota, don't be that way. She is still our mother."

"Why should I? Plans to stick her with me once more?"

"She wants to meet my fiance." Elaine looked away like as child who had just confessed to breaking a vase.

Dakota's eyes widen. "You are to be married!? I was unaware you were seeing someone. I'm sure mother was none too happy to suddenly receive such news." Dakota couldn't help but chuckle.

"Which is why I need you. Having you there would give for better topics." Elaine shot back.

Dakota frowned. "Better topics?"

"I only want to shield him from mother's bane."

"And you mean to do that by offering me as tribute?"

"Alec doesn't have your thick skin, he wouldn't be able to handle it."

"Is this about saving him or yourself?"

"I don't have to beg do I?"

Dakota shrugged. "I would think there no harm in trying."

Elaine clapped her hands together pleading with her sister. "Please Dakota, I'm begging you!"

"Absolutely not." She said flatly. She walked away into the kitchen pulling a carton of eggs from the fridge.

Elaine followed her in. "Why do you always act so cold? It's just dinner, Dakota."

"Money." Dakota whipped around quickly.

"What?"

"I will join you on the condition you pay me."

Elaine laughed. "I'm not going to pay you to spend time with our mother. No way."

"Then you suffer alone." Dakota cracked a couple eggs into a bowl.

"That's extortion you know." Elaine sighed but still gave in. "Fine."

" I will also have you cover the cost of my meal. It will not come cheap."

" I'm your sister. Have you no mercy at all?"

"Tis only your way of apologizing for dumping her entirely onto me on her last visit. This much is just the beginning, you have lots more apologizing to do." She mixed flour into the mixture with a cake mix until her batter was completed.

"Ok deal but I have a condition as well."

"Oh? What might that be?"

"You have to bring a date of your own." Elaine smirked when Dakota's eyes grew grim.

"I see your ploy, I shall not be goaded. I deny you that satisfaction." Dakota poured her cake batter into two pans and placed them into the oven.

"Ok, I have to ask, when did you learn to cook let alone bake?"

She smirked. "Even I can create something edible if I follow the directions on a box."

"You sure?" Elaine asked unconvinced.

"Have a little faith."

"It's going to take more than faith can provide. Who is it for? You would never attempt cooking if it was for yourself."

It was for Oliver, to commemorate the milestone of their "relationship". It has been over a month since they had started and though progress was slow it was going in the best direction. Still, she couldn't come out and say she was the willing sex slave to a sixteen-year-old kid. A kid who is also her student. And is an amazing kisser. With hypnotic fingers. And a dick that could literally control everything that she is.

Dakota closed her legs before the musk of desire leaked from under her shorts. "That is of no concern to you."

"Oh my God! Why did I not recognize that glow earlier?"

Dakota took several steps back at the same time Elaine took several forward. "There is no glow. You have mistaken."

"Don't lie. So it's safe to say you and Trevor hit it off. I knew you would." Elaine's smile grew three sizes like the Grinch's heart.

"Trevor? Surely you do not mean the man from that blind date? Absolutely not!"

"I know that glow, Dakota. If not Trevor than who? Or have you resorted to hoe-hopping?"

"Perish the thought!" Right now she was having too much fun with Oliver to have even considered others. Plus she couldn't imagine too many could match him in the sheets. Men twice Oliver's age and experience weren't on his level. She could attest to that personally.

"Well come on get dressed we have to pick her up from the airport."

"Just one minute!? The airport was not mentioned during negotiations."

Elaine wiped the frustration from her face. "I'm not doing this with you again Dakota. Get. Dressed."

The hour trip to the airport was spent bickering. Not so much in anger but sisterly bonding. The next twenty minutes were spent waiting for their mother's plane to land.

Dakota Checked her watch. " Perhaps I am being punished for something?"

"Simmer down. We haven't been here long enough to complain."

"The boards says her plane landed and yet still we must wait? Is that woman toying with me?"

"You know she has no control over that."

"I put nothing past her."

"You're really whiny today? What's up?"

She realized she really was in a particularly unpleasant mood. She couldn't pinpoint the exact cause. No, actually she could. Oliver's essay still bothered her. Despite what was going on between them she was still an educator and she took pride in her ability to bring out only the best work in her students. She was a bitch of an instructor to have but the scores of her class were without peer. It was a slap in the face and pissed her off that one of hers would try to pass this off as acceptable. Especially her ace. She would get to the bottom of this quickly.

Dakota folded her arms. "Nothing."

"You sure?" Elaine attempted to pry out the answers she sought.

"Ah, alas she has come." Dakota pointed out a woman who seemed to be too young to have two daughters in their thirties when she herself looked to be no more than thirty.

She was wearing an expensive looking gray dress and her close-cropped hair was reminiscent of Nia Long. Walking beside her was her husband Samuel.

Dakota and Elaine approached them in greetings when Dakota froze cold. Behind Samuel was his son Nicholas. He was deep into his phone with earbuds drowning out the outside world. She took a defensive step back before recovering.

"Mom! It's so good to see you." Elaine wrapped her arms around her mother's neck and kissed her cheek.

"Yes, it is truly a gift." Dakota replicated the same movements Elaine had done just before.

"And to you as well my daughters. You both look well." She looked them over. Both girls had gone casual which was in stark contrast to what she had decided on. "Well, there is room for improvement."

"Now Margaret, no need for that. Hi girls." Samuel hugged his two stepdaughters before grabbing his wife's luggage.

" We are in the silver Mazda." Elaine pointed to her new car.

"Help me with the bags son." Samuel tapped Nicholas on the shoulder and the two ventured ahead.

Margaret looked to Elaine. "And where is this fiance of yours?" She went right back at their throats.

"He had work today so we decided he would meet us at the restaurant one he ended his shift." Elaine smiled.

Margaret blinked once then turned her eye on Dakota. "I don't suppose you have also gotten engaged since my last appearance?"

Dakota adjusted her glasses before responding. "Sorry to disappoint mother."

Margaret adjusted her own glasses, overshadowing Dakota's aura. "Of that I am sure."

If Dakota could rule a classroom with an iron fist, then Margaret could rule the world. Her presence was uncontested with an elegance to match. She commanded total obedience in all. Even Dakota herself was inadequate in comparison.

"Shall we ladies?" Samuel called out from the car. The three paused their conversation and joined the boys. Elaine turned the ignition and it roared to life and drove off as the sun began to set.

Margaret's exquisite palette was vast and soon enough they had found themselves an authentic Japanese beef house. Just as everyone was taking their seats, Elaine's fiance showed up.

"Sorry I'm late ladies and gentlemen, I was held over at the firm."

"It's ok honey we really only just got seated." Elaine smiled genuinely happy to see him. "Mother this is Alec and honey this is my mother, Margaret."

Alec took her hand a placed a kiss on its back. "It is a pleasure to finally meet the woman behind the woman. I've heard so much."

"Hmm, while I myself have heard nothing of you."

"Mother!" Elaine smiled attempting to mask her uneasiness.

"If my statement is inaccurate please correct me."

Elaine followed with silence before Alec continued extending his hand to Samuel. "And you must be Sam. Can I call you Sam?"

"Sure you can son."

"I've heard about your golfing prowess from Elaine. Perhaps we could manage a few holes before your departure?"

"I'd love to."

Dakota watched without speaking a word. Occasionally her eyes would drift in Nicholas' direction. His gaze was always fixated on her. She would instantly break contact. Her gut tightened. Old memories were attempting to break from their lockbox.

"... Right, Dakota?" Elaine called out. Dakota had completely lost track of the conversation. She looked blankly.

Margaret stared her down. "We were discussing your sister's relationship when she not so subtly hinted that you had met someone special. You two are just full of surprise it seems."

Dakota grimaced. Of course, Elaine would deflect the scalpel from them and put it at her. "No such person exists."

"What about the cake you baked?" Elaine did her best to keep the focus on Dakota, to Dakota's dismay.

"Why didn't you invite him today?" Margaret questioned as if she was a judge and the restaurant, itself, was her courtroom.

Dakota pushed her frames up. "I do not have anyone who fits that criteria."

Margaret's lips tightened. "Mmhm. You aren't getting any younger. Before you know it, it'll be too late for you."

Dakota took her menu into her hands again blocking out their stares. She would be thrown in prison if she were to have flaunted Oliver. Plus her mother would probably make her seppuku for such dishonor. But most importantly she didn't even want him to see her in this state.

"...and I will be serving you today. Can I start you guys off with something to drink?" That familiar voice caught her off guard. To her surprise, Oliver stood right in front of their table.

Why? Why was he here right now? She sunk deeper into her menu. She knew she would only be able to hide from him for so long. Still, it was all she could do. She'd hide for as long as she could. Which turned out to not be long at all.

" Oh? Miss Elkins? Fancy seeing you here." Oliver smiled her way. She instantly gathered herself.

"Mister Moore. I was unaware this was your place of employment. Quite the surprise." An unwanted surprise.

"It's not. I'm helping out a family friend today is all. I help whenever they need me."

Dakota nodded. " So that's it."

" Is this one of your students?" Elaine smiled. "Such a handsome young man. Ah to be young again."

Oliver contorted his face. "But aren't you too young to be saying that. We are around the same age right?"

" You hear that sis? I can still pass as a high school student. Careful with this one, he might try to seduce you." Elaine, Alec, and Samuel's laughter filled the air without them even realizing she -more or less- hit the nail on the head.

Oliver and Dakota briefly avoided eye contact before Oliver continued. "Yes drinks, what could I get you all?"

Elaine was first to respond per usual. "I'll have a Coke with light ice."

"I'll take the house brew." Alec followed up.

"We will have a water and lemonade." Margaret order for her and Samuel.

Dakota looked at Oliver. "Hot sake." Oliver nodded while writing on his pad.

"And you sir?" Oliver directed his inquiry to Nicholas.

He smirked at Dakota. "I'll have the same as my lovely sister."

"Two orders of sake." Oliver noticed Dakota had tensed a few notches but allowed it to settle in the back of his mind. "Are you ready to order entres or do you need more time?"

"Yes, we would like more time." Margaret answered swiftly.

"Alright. I will return shortly with your drinks." And with that Oliver disappeared from the table.

Dakota excused herself to the bathroom. She sighed into the mirror. The door opened and when she looked up she almost had a heart attack. She turned around to face him.

"You are not supposed to be in here." Dakota fixed her glasses.

He scoffed. " No need for that fake alter ego with me, sis. I know all too well who you are truly. So how about we take this time to catch up. I missed you."

Dakota frowned. "There is absolutely nothing for us to catch up on."

Nicholas grabbed her by the throat in anger. "Clearly there is. A slave is never supposed to speak to her master like that." His tongue slid down the side of her neck. "You have gotten bold while I was away. I guess I have to spend the whole week teaching you again. Be thankful."

Still holding her by the throat he drags her into one of the stalls and clicks it lock.