Chapter 42 – Scarlett's POV: Dinner Time
Diana had made a full dinner—salad, soup, and tacos. My favorite.
We were all sitting in the dining room, which opened up to a cozy living room and a small but modern American-style kitchen. The whole house felt warm and familiar. With its white wooden walls, a worn but soft couch by the window, and shelves filled with framed photos and trinkets, it screamed "home." Through the large bay window behind us, you could see the sea just beyond a row of short palms—the soft sound of waves blending into our conversation.
Jason raised his glass. "Diana, sir prescott… thank you so much for this dinner."
Julia chimed in with a full mouth, "These tacos are so good."
Diana smiled warmly. "Happy to hear that, Julia."
I grinned. "Your tacos are legendary, Diana."
She tucked her short black hair behind her ear and smiled back, showing off her soft whisker-like dimple. Her eyes were like mine—black and deep—but hers had that doe-like softness mine had lost long ago.
"So," Diana asked, "how's life out there? Work good?"
I nodded. "Yeah, not bad. It's an auto company."
"Right," she said, "you mentioned that before."
Then my dad, sitting at the head of the table, looked between Jason and Julia. "How did you two meet Scarlett?" He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Your faces look so familiar…"
I froze for a split second before answering smoothly, "Oh, we were in the same university. Maybe you saw them with me back then?"
(It was a lie. It was actually high school. He used to see them all the time—but age, pain, and time had worn down his memories. Still, I couldn't risk telling him the truth, not about Jason. Julia, maybe. She's a victim like me. But Jason… he had been part of that world. He didn't bully me directly, but he didn't stop it either. My dad would never accept him.)
Dad tilted his head. "Ah… maybe that's it."
Diana stood. "Uncle, time for your medication."
He took them quietly. I turned to her and said softly, "Thank you for taking care of him."
She smiled, a little shy. "You and him are all I have left. After my parents' accident…"
I squeezed her hand. "Soy mi casa, Diana."
Dad chuckled, clearing his throat. "You two stop now, or I'll get emotional…"
Jason and Julia just looked on, a little lost but respectful.
Then Dad stood up. "Alright, kids, goodnight. I'm not as young as you." He gave a warm chuckle.
We all said our goodnights, and Diana helped him back to his room.
Julia leaned toward me. "What was that thing you said in Spanish?"
I smiled. "Soy mi casa. It means 'You are my family, my home.'"
Julia blinked. "That's… so sweet."
Jason added, "That was really nice, baby. But—her parents… she mentioned an accident?"
I nodded. "Yeah. They died in a car crash five years ago."
Julia's eyes watered. "Poor thing…"
Jason's voice dropped. "That's heartbreaking."
"She's been through a lot," I said gently. "Her dad was Latino. That's why she smiled when I spoke Spanish—it reminds her of home."
Julia nodded slowly.
I stood. "Alright. Let's get some sleep. We've got a plane to catch tomorrow morning."
"Finally," Julia yawned.
Jason stretched and smirked. "Let's go, babe. Goodnight, Julia."
"Goodnight, lovebirds," Julia teased.
"Goodnight, sweetie," I smiled.