1/12/2020

Malena's P.O.V.

The sound of a door startles me awake. Opening my eyes, I look around to realize that we are in front of my parent's house. I really was exhausted.

Stepping out of the car, I thank the driver who then goes to get my bags from the trunk. Stretching my tired limbs, I walk up the pathway to the front door with him in tow.

Deciding not to take my key out, which obviously I hardly use, I knock on the door and wait for someone to open it. After a minute or so, footsteps behind the door can be heard followed by the unlocking of the lock.

"Malena! You are finally here." My mom Yolanda answers the door clearly excited to see me.

"Mami, how are you?" Hugging her tightly because I miss her so much.

"Better now that you are here," Pulling me inside by my hand. "Why did you not use your key?"

"I did not want to intrude." Being honest with her.

"Intrude? Mija please. This is your home. There is no intruding." Cocking her brows at me then lightly tapping me on my arm.

Hearing someone clearing their throat behind us, we both turn around. "Oh sorry, you can set the bags on the floor by the doorway." Telling my driver who nods.

"Thank you." Giving him a smile, I hand him a tip for his services. Thanking me he turns and leaves. I close the door and turn when my mom speaks.

"How was your flight?" She asks grabbing my hand to pull me into the kitchen where she already has lunch prepared for me.

"Good. Where is everyone?" Sitting down on the stool I pick up a piece of bread from the bowl in front of me.

"Well, your father is at work and your brother and sister are still at school. It is just you and me for lunch. Hope you are hungry."

"Okay and I am famished mami." Patting my stomach which starts to growl right on cue.

"Good, I made white rice con bistec in onions, tostones and I have avacado and of course we cannot forget the bread." Listing the menu while taking out a plate from the cupboard to serve me. Something she likes to do for everyone when it is time to eat.

"Mami that sounds amazing. I miss your cooking." No one compares to my mom's cooking except of course my grandmother's. Now that is to die for.

"Well, it misses you. I know you are busy being miss big shot in L.A. but, you can make time to come visit more often."

I sigh. Mom always gave me a guilt trip whenever we spoke or when she came to visit me in L.A.

"I know ma. Work has been busy. You know my schedule is crazy." Defending my reasons as I take the plate from her.

"Yeah, yeah. So, you say." There is no use in responding when mom speaks her mind. My siblings and I learned at an early age that there is no winning with her.

"This is so good mami." About to distract her from whatever she was going to say after her complaints.

"Thanks, mija. Enjoy, there is plenty." Smiling she sits down across from me to eat lunch.

"How is Ryan? I have not seen him in a while."

"He is good. He sends his hello and wishes he could be here. Unfortunately, he has a scene to shoot this weekend."

"Oh, good for him. You know, your dad and I watch his show every week. He is good."

"He is." Responding back. My sudden thoughts keeping me quiet.

"What is the matter, Lena? You look so distant," Hearing the concern in her voice. "Is it the reunion?"

"It is and I am not sure how I am going to feel seeing those people again. I thought I would be fine, but now that I am here -- I just do not know." Shaking my head with doubt all over again.

Standing up she hugs me tightly rubbing my back up and down softly. "I could only imagine how you feel right now Lena. You went through so much during those years and you were so strong to overcome it. Give yourself some credit."

"But did I really overcome it mom. I had a nervous breakdown after I-- I." Stuttering while trying to find the words.

"I know mija. I would have too if it would have happened to me. You stayed strong as long as you could, no one blamed you. Your mind could not handle it. But we have Faith. You are better and everything is better now." Cupping my face in her hands. With her thumbs, she wipes the tears that roll down my cheeks.

"Faith is what pulled me out of my darkness mom." Whispering to her.

"I know Lena, I know. Faith is what made this family stronger. You stronger. You have the chance to go to that reunion and show those pendejos that even though they tormented you all those years, they did not break you. You overcame their hatred and became successful. All thanks to them."

Laughing at her attempt to insult my bullies, mom always knows how to make me or anyone else feel better. She is my rock, and I would not know what I would do without her.

"There is my little girls' smile that I miss so much," Kissing my cheek. "Now, how about you go upstairs and relax. Maybe take a nap because you look exhausted. I am sure Ryan kept you up all night showing you how much he was going to miss you." Winking at me knowingly.

My eyes widen at her innuendo "Ma! Seriously?" Covering my face in pure embarrassment.

"Haha, please Malena. Like I have no clue why you look so worn out? He looks like he can last all night. Your father at that age could an still can..." I am going to go deaf if she continues that sentence.

"Lalalalala. I cannot hear you!" Covering my ears my eyes close shut at what she just said to me. This woman I tell ya.

"Am I wrong?" She asks innocently.

"Yes! For telling me what I do not want to know. You nasty woman."

"Nasty in the bedroom like your father likes." Quipping back.

"Enough ma. I am going to go upstairs and clean my ears out," Walking out of the kitchen. But stop and turn to look at her. "Thanks mami. You always make me feel better."

"You are my daughter. It is my job." Smiling at me.

Nodding my head, I turn around to walk out. On my way to the staircase, I grab my bags. I really need to head upstairs to take a long nap that is beckoning me.

Even in a deep sleep I can hear loud footsteps running up the stairs from a distance. Ignoring them, I keep my eyes shut until a loud slam from my bedroom door startles me awake.

"LLLEEENNNAAA!" Hearing the shriek and knowing who it comes from.

Covering my face deeper under the cover, the mattress dips down from the weight of the person who jumped on it.

"You are finally here!!"

"Victoria, please get off me." Gasping for air from my baby sister suffocating me.

"Oops, sorry Lena." Victoria apologizes getting off me and uncovering the comforter from me.

"It is alright mamita. I miss you too." Smiling up at her. I missed her so much.

"Not as much as I do. Are you staying longer this time around?" She inquires hope in her voice.

Sighing at her question, I sit up. "I really do not know Vicky we will see."

"Okay. Come on, get up." Vicky takes my hand pulling me forward to stand up but I just drop on the bed putting all my weight down on her.

"Lena you fat ass. Get up." Vicky squeals dropping me on the floor hard.

With a loud thump I land on my ass. "Ouch Vicky that hurt." Screaming I get up rubbing my ass.

"Not my fault you are dead weight. I think the rich life got you -- chubby."

Chubby? Glaring at her. "Chubby? Did you just call me chubby?"

Vicky laughs but stops once she notices my smirk forming on my face, so she runs out of the room. "You better run fast Victoria. I will sit my chubby self on your skinny ass!" Yelling as I chase her down the stairs.

"Maammii! Help meeeee!" Victoria screams reaching the bottom of the staircase running to the kitchen where mom is making dinner.

"Mami is not going to save you." Seeing that Victoria is using our mom as a human shield.

"I am sorry Teresa, but can you hold on for a minute?" Our mom is speaking on the phone.

"Muchachas callense por favor. Estoy en el telefono con Teresa. (Girls be quiet please. I am talking to Teresa on the phone.)" Scowling us in Spanish.

Both of us stop giving me a chance to hit Victoria on her arm "Ouch!" She squeals, making mom give us the side eye.

"I am sorry Teresa. You would think that my 28-year-old and my 18-year-old would stop acting like five-year old's." Mom tells her friend while shaking her head at our behavior.

"It is alright Yolanda. My 28-year-old acts the same way with his siblings. He is spoiled rotten I tell ya." Teresa tells her laughing while on speakerphone.

"I hear you. Anyways, I will see you and your family on Sunday around 1 pm?" She asks Teresa.

"Yes Yolanda, definitely. Per my son's request I will be taking his favorite Macaroni and Cheese and a Chocolate cake, I tell ya he is spoiled. Anything else I should bring?"

"Whatever you would like Teresa. Rather have enough food than run out." Our mom's favorite saying.

"Always my motto," Teresa responds laughing. "All right, I am glad we ran into each other at the market. Hopefully our kids will see one other on Saturday for the reunion. I am sure they have a lot to catch up on."

"Um, yes sure thing. Well I will see you on Sunday. Have a great rest of your week." Mom says then hangs up.

Sitting on the kitchen stool listening to mom's conversation wondering who she was speaking to. Setting the phone down on the island, she looks at me with a frown.

"Sorry mami, we had no idea that you were on the phone." Apologizing since I figured that was the reason she has that face expression.

"It is alright mija. That was Teresa who I was speaking to. I ran into her at the market yesterday and I invited her and her family over for a cookout on Sunday." She cuts off staring at me.

Scrunching my face in confusion now wondering who Teresa is. "Do I know her?"

"You do. She is Creed's mom." Telling me slowly so I can comprehend.

Widening my eyes at the words that come out of my mother's mouth, my heart rate feels like it is starting to speed up. My throat feels dry while my palms start to sweat feeling like the beginning of a panic attack.

"Lena, breathe. It is going to be okay." Her voice soft as she walks up to me placing her hands on both of my shoulders.

Gasping for air I feel tears roll down my cheeks. Why would she do this to me? "Why mami?" Whispering the question that runs in my head.

"Because it is time Lena. Do you not think so? How much longer will you keep --?"

"As long as it takes. He does not deserve it. Not after what he did!" Standing up from the stool which falls to the floor. I have to get out of there.

"Lena! You said you have forgiven him. How long are you going to keep this in? It is not healthy mija, not for anyone. You know this. It is not right. Deep down you know this." Pleading behind me.

Taking a deep breath, I respond. "I forgave him for my own sanity mami. I held it in as long as I did before I broke down. You think it was right what they did to me. What he did? I know deep down inside it is wrong. But I had to. I tried talking to him except he ignored me. So, no. I might not tell him so I can have peace of mind. I have Ryan now who is by my side and loves me regardless."

"Lena, you might have Ryan but does he have you?" Her question takes me by surprise.

Not saying anything I turn on my heels run upstairs to my room, slamming the door behind me.

How could she do this? Does she want me to have another nervous breakdown? She knows what they did. Creed is the reason why I kept it a secret. He would not care anyway. He is not taking the best part of me. The reason why I made it through my hard time. I prayed and prayed for things to be better, and I had my Faith to get me through. It has taken all of these years to become what I needed to become and I am not letting Creed Keen destroy my happiness or take my Faith away. Ever.