After Mariana had that discussion with Crystal, she was now back downstairs, sitting with Makayla on a barstool. Mason and Electra were sat at a table and Micah was nowhere to be found.

She stared at the blank table as she couldn't stop thinking about Micah and how he must be feeling.

"You did a good job at fighting Electra," Makayla interrupted her thoughts.

"Well done," she patted Mariana on the back and took a bite out of the strawberry that was covered in blueberry cream.

"Thanks," Mariana felt uplifted by her comment, although the moment was only brief as her face sulked again. Her eyes glanced at Electra who was laughing at whatever Mason said while holding a glass of bubbly champagne.

She wondered how someone could sleep at night and act so carefree knowing that they hurt someone like that. How can you cheat on someone and then laugh in their face as they cry in front of you? No sane person would do that.

Mariana silently listened to the song Makayla played on her phone when suddenly Micah appeared. He quickly took something out of the fridge and then went back out without making eye contact with anyone, but Mariana managed to catch a glimpse of a sullen expression.

Seeing him look sad just made her want to do something for him. Maybe that's what she can do, she can make something to cheer him up. She will make something for him.

****

When it was night, Mariana decided that she will stay with Micah instead of going home. She wanted to cuddle with him, and she wasn't quite ready to leave him alone just yet, especially not after learning what had happened to him.

She silently crept into his bedroom where Micah was fast asleep. He snored quite loudly like a bear which made Mariana hold in her giggle. She took off her heels and then gently climbed into the bed.

She put one arm of his around her body. She laid against his chest. He was very warm like a blanket and she felt wrapped up safe in his embrace.

Just as she was about to fall asleep, she picked up his hand and kissed his fingers one by one as her eyes slowly started to close.

When the sun rose, its light seeped under the curtains and over the bed. Mariana was sound asleep until a hand shook her awake.

Her eyes slowly opened and Micah was standing over her.

"Hey stranger, what are you doing in my bed?" He bent down and pecked her cheek.

"I wanted to stay with you a bit longer," she smiled innocently.

"Really? How come?"

"Erm, I just felt like it."

"Uh okay..." he said and then started walking away.

"Um Micah, can I borrow some clothes?" She said, clutching the strap of her dress.

"Okay, I'll get something out for you," he went to his closet and then brought out a t-shirt. He threw it over to Mariana and she caught it in her arms.

"Thank you..." she sniffed it quickly and it smelt exactly like Micah. She smiled and then skipped out of his room. She also borrowed some black jeans and sneakers from Makayla and then changed in one of the spare bathrooms.

When she was all dressed, she brought her own clothes with her downstairs.

She sat between Makayla and Micah as they had french toast, topped with raspberries, blueberries, bananas, and syrup, with the rest of the family.

They all ate peacefully until they heard creaking against the wooden floor. Crystal looked between the dining chairs and saw Electra trying to sneak out without being noticed.

"What are you still doing in my house?" She shouted, making Electra jump in alarm.

She was a hot mess and hoped she was able to get out before Crystal caught her but it didn't work.

"I...um..." she stuttered, unable to form her sentence since she was still startled.

"When are you going to realize your not welcome here?" She continued shouting.

"Crystal dear, just leave her be," Aidan said while eating.

"No, I will not!" She slammed her hand on the table. "I am not just going to sit here and let that *chapiadora hurt Micah again."

"Nothing is going to happen, Crystal, he's fine, you need to calm down."

"Yeah mom, just calm down," Mason said.

"Be quiet Mason! And don't tell me to calm down." She rebuked him.

"Sorry mom," he immediately sunk and ate in silence.

"I don't want any trouble so I'm just going to quickly leave..." Electra said and disappeared from the room.

"Good," Crystal calmed down when she was out of her seat and then finished her food in peace.

Mariana quickly finished her breakfast and then said bye to everyone before heading out with her clothes in hand. She managed to get to her car and stuffed her dress and heels in the trunk. She then got into her car and then drove to her work.

When she got there, she tied an apron around her waist and got behind the counter.  There were some doughnuts stacked next to her which smelled quite nice, although she couldn't really focus on them, but they gave her an idea.

Maybe she can make something from his home country to cheer him up. She can look up a dish or she can ask Crystal what his favorite was to make it more special.

She smiled to herself as she had her day now planned out, she was going to cook something for him to cheer him up.

When she finished her shift, she went home and refilled Rio's bowls, and cleaned his litter. After that, she relaxed on the couch and cuddled with her tabby.

She kissed Rio's head as she tapped a message to Crystal on her phone.

Mariana: Hi Crystal, can I please ask you a question☺️?

Crystal: Sure honey, what is it?

Mariana: What's Micah's favorite cultural dish?

Crystal: Why? Do you want to make him something?

Mariana: Yeah, I wanna make him something to cheer him up😊😊.

Crystal: Aw that's so sweet. There is a pastry he really enjoys. I can come over tomorrow after work and show you how to make it.

Mariana: Okay, thank you💖

Crystal: Your welcome, see you then.

Mariana: Bye!

She put her phone down and continued to kiss Rio's face as he licked around his lips. She couldn't wait for tomorrow where she would be cooking something special for Micah with his mother.

Definitions:
Chapiadora: Gold digger (D.R slang)

A/N: Hey I hope you enjoyed the chapter!