Chapter 7

I sighed, wrapping the soft, baroque towel around my body and feeling refreshed from the thirty minute shower I took. There was something completely different about cleansing your body with scorching hot water and letting the steaming substance burn and pierce your skin.

After a while of skimming through my closet for a dress suitable for the occurrence, I came across a creamy puff-sleeve dress, made of soft, satiny fabric. Perfect.

After slipping into the dress, I tied my hair into a neat back bun and applied as minimal make up as possible. I always kept my makeup to a minimum. My natural charm was enough to twist men around my finger; makeup was my war paint and my desirability, the weapon. Glancing at myself once more in front of the mirror, I made my way to the dining room of our penthouse.

I smiled as I inhaled the spicy smell of of Mexican food. Being one of my favourite cuisines, it was often prepared at home, a tradition and remembrance to our Hispanic side. Usually, we wouldn't really serve it to our guests as it was rather spicy but that, obviously, singled out the 'disliked' guests, whose presence was the least appreciated.

Walking in the room, I felt every eye turn to me. There weren't many people; It was just Mamá, Philip, Sergio, Lawrence, and Zachary.

"Hey everyone, sorry for being late," I greeted them.

"Finalmente! Hó fame!(Finally! I'm hungry!) " Philip exclaimed in Italian. Clever boy.

He, like me, had a habit of speaking in Italian or Spanish in front of others, masking away our inner insults or comebacks. Mamá was fine with it as long as our guests didn't speak the same language, which many didn't.

The elite and their inheritors usually spoke languages like German or French. Erudite. Proud. Though Spanish was worth knowing too (due to the Spanish conquest and its history in America), many people disacknowledged it.

Knowing these languages wasn't only good for being part of the beau monde or its créme de la créme, it also connected us to our roots; My father's Italian side, and my mother's Mexican, and I couldn't be more proud of them.

Not to brag but we also spoke many other languages, including French, German, Latin and a bit of Korean (thanks be to Aera).

"Okay calmati (okay calm yourself)" I replied, taking a seat next to him and opposite Zachary.

I felt Zachary's piercing gaze studying my every aspect and I returned it. I looked straight into his intense eyes, The colour of brilliant Hazel. We stayed like that for a few seconds before I felt a light tap on my thigh. I peeled my eyes off of Zachary's to meet my little brother's.

"I'm bored" He mumbled.

"Cosa vuoi che faccio, io? (what do you want me to do?)" I retorted.

"I don't know, Ask Mamá if we can go play video games?" He deadpanned, as if it was the most obvious thing ever.

"Do you seriously think she's going to let us go so easily?" I asked.

"Good point." He frowned.

"Just enjoy the amazing food, Principino." I muttered, my eyes skimming over all the variety of food there was; from the succulent Chilli Con Carne, whose amazing scent kept beckoning me to inch forward and grab the whole serving bowl, to the mouth watering Enchiladas. Not to mention the large bowl of keto taco casserole and tacos al pastor. Lita Maria obviously used her family recipe. The exotic aroma of the overpowering spices said as much so itself.

I glanced at Lawrence and smirked. This will turn out to be a very interesting evening. Good.

"Everything looks very delicious. Thank you for the lovely dinner," Lawrence said to us all.

After a while of Mamá, Lawrence and Sergio discussing politics, Zachary and Philip started their own conversation.

"Wait so you're trying to tell me that you prefer PS4 better than XBOX?" Zachary asked- completely taken aback.

"Yeah dude. I have both but if I had to choose between the two, I'd always choose PS4." Philip ventured.

"Okay Phil, I gotta disagree. Wait- how old are you anyway? Aren't you too young to have a game console in the first place?" Zachary questioned.

"I'm eight and I don't really care and plus Nicole plays with me as well." Philip argued, stuffing a mouthful of enchiladas in his tiny mouth.

I saw Zachary glance at me from the periphery of my vision but I chose to ignore it.

"Philip. I'm nineteen." I deadpanned as he cheekily smiled at me.

"I didn't know you liked video games." Zachary said.

"There's a lot you don't know about me." I pointed out.

"Why does that make me more interested in you?" He purred, leaning in closer to the table so only I could hear him, a mischievous smirk plastered on his face.

I didn't answer. I had no answer. What was I supposed to say to that? He had rendered me speechless; So I just sat there, looking into his deep hazel eyes and wondering why he was looking into my brown ones, his face now completely blank.

"Why are you guys staring at each other?" Philip's innocent voice questioned.

I was the first to break eye contact, looking at the large crystal chandelier above the table.

"Nothing, it's just that your sister has beautiful eyes." Zachary said.