[ vierzehn ] 

Days passed and Lolita heard nothing of the supposed dinner Thomas and Gabriella were going to plan for her. But she did notice the workers were more attentive with her, surely Thomas had spoken to them about following her orders around the ranch. But it angered Lolita that above all, they listened to Thomas as though he were the king of everything. To her, he was a stranger in her home and had no right to establish himself as an authority.

Soon, it was her mother's birthday and Thomas woke up extra early to make sure everything was perfect. He knew celebrating two moments at once took some merit out of Gabriella's special day, but his wife had planned for Lolita's dinner to be that afternoon. And since the party for Gabriella was a surprise, he agreed to have a celebration for both. 

He walked into their bedroom on his tip toes and reached their bed where she was sleeping soundly. Leaning over his wife, he awoke her with a kiss on the lips.

Gabriella's green eyes fluttered open and she sighed into the kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Goodmorning, amor." She said to her husband happily. And though she was smiling, Thomas noticed she looked palid, almost sickly. It was like she wasn't feeling well, but didn't want to say anything.

"Are you feeling okay, liebe?" He asked her, concerned.

She nodded, "I feel fine. Just a bit nauseous. Must have been something I ate last night."

"Maybe you should go to the doctor and have him make sure you're okay." He suggested. But Gabriella had a degree in the field of medecine. He thought that if she genuinely felt sick, she would have said something.

His wife refused. "I'm fine, Thomas."

"I just couldn't bear to even think that you could be in any sickness or pain." He frowned.

Sitting up in bed, she asked her husband, "Are we going horseriding today?"

He shook his head in response. "Not today, liebe. I have some errands to do, so get up and get ready because I'm taking you out when I get back in two hourse." What he was actually going to do was rush all over the ranch, making sure every detail was perfect for Gabriella and Lolita's party.

"I'll be ready." She assured him.

He gave her another quick kiss on the lips before he ran off.

-

Two hours passed and Thomas was back at the mansion. As he walked up to the front door, he saw Erik walking up as well. "Hey Thomas," He smiled at his team mate from the national team.

Thomas ignored him and walked into the house. He didn't want to ruin his own mood by arguing with Erik. That would have to wait. Gabriella was the most important person in his life and he wanted her to have a good time at her birthday party.

He made his way down the hallway and bumped into Lolita, who was just leaving her room.

"I'm so sorry." She said, before locking eyes with him. All politeness instantly left her voice and her expression. "Oh, its only you, Thomas."

Thomas was just about to speak when he took one look at her and he felt his jaw fall open. She was wearing a short black dress that clung to her curves and her long jet black hair was straightened out. Her green eyes regarded him with annoyance, but they were a clear reminder of Gabriella. She looked so much like her mother, and she was just as beautiful. "Lolita," He began in a daze. He was mesmerized by her bright green eyes, the very same way Gabriella's seemed to capture his attention that first day they met. "You look beautiful. As beautiful as your mother."

Lolita blushed, but quickly recovered, "Pretending to compliment me isn't going to win my trust back."

"Who said I'm pretending?" He challenged. "You're beautiful. I always used to tell you that when you were little and it didn't seem to bother you."

"Whatever." She rolled her eyes at him.

"Can we just get along?" He pleaded, his eyes looking into hers. "At least for today, your mother's birthday." He reminded her.

She paused for a moment, but then finally sighed, "I guess I'll make an effort, Thomas." Lolita looked past him, towards the front door and asked, "Now that we're getting along, I was wondering if you could tell me if you've seen Erik? He said he would be here." Her eyes looked impatiently down at her phone screen, as though expecting a call or text from the Borussia Dortmund footballer.

Now Thomas was the one showing signs of annoyance. "Yeah. He was at the door when I came in just a few minutes ago."

"And you didn't invite him in?" She glared.

"I was in a hurry." He shrugged. "I need to go find your mother because the party is starting."

"Well go," Lolita patted him on the shoulder almost hesitantly. She hadn't touched Thomas since she was a little girl and he would hug her all the time. He was like an older brother to her. Now, as her step-father, touching him almost felt wrong. "My mom is almost done getting ready."

Thomas smiled and grabbed her hand that was on his shoulder, bringing it to his lips to plant a soft kiss on it. "Thank you for this opportunity, Lolita."

"Only for today." She warned, pulling her hand back like his touch was fire.

"One day is better than nothing." He shrugged and walked past her, making his way towards the bedroom where he slept with his wife.

-

Lolita went to the front door and opened it to find Erik standing there awkwardly. But a smile tugged at the corners of his lips when he saw her. "Hey Erik." She greeted, pulling him in for a hug, and then a kiss on the cheek. "I'm so glad you could come." She smiled wide.

"You look amazing, Lolita." He complimented.

And she actually believed and accepted the compliment. "Thank you." She said.

"Do you know what's up with Thomas?" Erik wondered, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. He then went on to explain his encounter with him to Lolita. "I said hi and he just ignored me."

Lolita shook her head. "He's just stressed because he wants the party to be a success."

"Oh," The smiled returned to Erik's face. "I thought he was mad at me or something."

"Thomas doesn't seem to get angry at a lot of things." Lolita said, her mind thinking back to when she was a little girl and she got along with Thomas. In all of her memories, she never remembered seeing him angry. Even now when she was being so mean to him, he was still friendly towards her."But come in." She gestured and led him inside the house.

Meanwhile, Thomas opened the door to the bedroom and found his wife standing in front of the mirror, fixing her long black hair. 

She turned in his direction and smiled wide when she saw him. He suddenly found himself wishing Lolita would smile at him like that, but he quickly shook the thought away. Instead, he cut the distance between himself and Gabriella and pulled her into his arms. "You look stunning." He told her, kissing her on the lips.

"I'm ready for our date." She grinned when they pulled away. Again, he noticed how pale she was looking. But he didn't say anything.

He took her hand in hers and led her out the door.

They were halfway down the hall when she suddenly stopped, gripping his hand tighter, while her other hand used the nearest wall to steady herself. Thomas turned in her direction and instantly worried. "Gabriella!" He called for her, but in the neck second, she stumbled forward.

He caught her in his arms and picked her up easily. 

She had fainted.

And he feared he would lose his love.

-

im really sleepy guys. so no a/n tonight. but thank you for reading and supporting. i love you.

-clary xx