[Boylston street, Massachusetts ~ A small bungalow]
"Summer?"
"Summer?" A feminine voice called repeatedly.
She pushed open the first door after reaching upstairs and sighed disappointedly.
"What's it this time?" The lady, Anna asked
"I'm not ready to leave" Summer replied, turning away from the window.
Anna slapped her forehead and walked into the room completely.
"I thought we've gone past this conversation, Summer"
"You have, Mom. But I haven't"
"...You're seriously ripping me away from everything and everyone I love" Summer sniffled
"I'm sorry that it has to be this way but this is our chance to start a fresh life. Our chance to forget the wretchedness we passed through in the hands of that bastard"
"By being selfish?... Is that it?" Summer snapped
Anna sighed.
"Listen, Mateo is gonna love you like his own daughter. He even went as far as registering you into the biggest school in Spain"
"I don't wanna go to some fancy school, Mom!"... Summer yelled .. "Can't you see that that's not what I'm worried about? I'm worried about the life of I'm gonna be leaving behind, Erik and Ruby being the foundation"
Anna walked further, settling beside Summer.
Her voice dropped.
Calm and calculated.
"I know how much you love Erik and vice versa, same as Ruby. But I made you a promise, didn't I? You don't have to stay in Spain forever, just for a little while. Erik would understand "
Summer scoffed..
"Little while? You call one year a little while?"
Anna took Summer's hand gently.
"I understand your worries,, But I need you to understand that you're just eighteen and you still have a lot to learn. Going to Spain would be a perfect start. And like I said, Mateo is a good man. You've seen what he's done for me and I know that he has great plans for you too. Just give him a chance, don't allow his efforts go to waste"
Summer's tensed demeanor slowly calmed.
She turned to her with tearful eyes.
Anna hugged her tightly almost immediately and stroked her hair slowly.
"It's gonna be alright"
...
→Minutes Later←
"Summer! Our flight leaves in an hour. We should be at the airport in thirty!" Anna informed from the downstairs .
Summer had just finished packing the final piece of her belonging, just as she zipped up the suitcase, her eyes caught the small portrait of herself and her father from ten years ago on the table.
She released a small sigh and picked it up, grazing her thumb on its edges.
"You might be a monster, but you're still my father"
She removed the main picture from the portrait and tucked it into the case before zipping it up completely.
She reached out to her pocket and brought out her phone.
"Erik hasn't replied me yet" She puckered
She clicked on their chat and started typing...
'Baby, I'm sorry. This wasn't my decision but my mom's and believe me I've tried to exempt myself but she's not having it. I have a year duration to stay over there according to her, but I promise you that I'll be outta there before a month's time. I love you so much '
She clicked send and exited the app,
Then,
Call logs.
She dialled a contact reading 'Bff *multiple heart emojis*
The person picked up almost immediately.
"Bestie!!" Her voice rang out
"Hey, Ruby" Summer cooed with a smile
"I hope you called to tell me you ain't leaving no more" Ruby feigned
"Unfortunately, No. Infact, we're packing out right now" Summer sighed
Ruby started sobbing over the phone.
"OMG. I'm gonna miss my pookie" Summer began sobbing too
"Please don't leave" Ruby sniffled
"I'm sorry, pookie. I have to. I'll be back before you know it. Remember what I told you last night rii?"
"I do. Besties stick to their promises, don't break yours"
"I won't, Ruby. I have to go now, love ya "
"Take care, love you too"
Summer smiled and ended the call.
She grabbed her suitcase by it's handle and dragged it out.
Anna was already waiting in the car when Summer got outside.
She threw her suitcase in the car's trunk and went into the front passenger seat.
As the car drove away, Summer took one last glance at the house that contained her tears, her sufferings, her blood.
And now, she bid goodbye to it.
__
An hour later.
[Worcester Regional Airport]
'Please ensure your seatbelts are securely fastened as the aircraft prepares for departure'
A flight attendant announced over the intercom.
Summer had that done long ago and hearing the word 'departure' , she exhaled sharp and shaky breaths.
Anna held her hand and give her an 'it's gonna be fine' look with a smile.
Summer smiled back, small but genuine.
None of the two had been inside a plane before, so it's a first flight fever.
The plane vibrated into motion.
Moving slowly along the runway at first, a bit faster the next minute.
At the third increase in motion, it lifted into the air, the air itself easing the movement.
Summer sighed again and looked down through the window.
The city was slowly fading behind them as they flew into the clouds.
She glanced at her mother who was focused on a magazine.
Reaching out to her phone, there was no response from Erik yet so she turned on flight mode and set the phone aside, melting into her seat for the six hour flight.
__
[Underground Fight Club ~ Madrid, Spain]
In the middle of the ring, two men were exchanging deadly blows.
Blood spills were visible on the floor, to show how brutal the fight had been.
But none backed down. None was knocked out.
It's twenty whole minutes since the match started.
Hernán was getting impatient ATM.
He'd sprang up casually and hype his fighter but it wasn't working.
He gritted his teeth in anger and glanced over at the second player's host..
'Ignacio de Loyola'
That moment, Ignacio turned and met eyes with Hernán.
"Tu peleador es un flojo (Your fighter is a wacko)"
Hernán folded his fists and looked away immediately.
He lifted his right hand and motioned with his index and middle finger at a guard.
The guard came over and bent slightly.
"I need to teach Ignacio a lesson".. he muttered in a twisted English, he had stayed a few months in Britain while smuggling.
"Cuándo regress Dwayne Luis (When is Dwayne Luis returning)?" He added a question
"ESTA Noche , Señor (Tonight, Sir)" the guard replied
Hernán smirked and adjusted on his seat.
Right now, he didn't care about the fact that his fighter was half dead.
He didn't even care about the money he'd lose if his fighter doesn't win.
All he cared about was 'Dwayne Luis's return.
__
[Elite racing garage]
"Oof! This baby is so beautiful, I wanna take her on those tracks right now " Miguel said as he pushed himself from under the car, slamming it's edges.
"The VortexPS 2.0. She's beautiful alright" Juan muttered, trailing his fingers along it's edges.
"Quita tus manos, fanático de la velocidad. Este es para Luis. (Get your hands off , you speed thirsty freak. This one's for Luis)" Gustav warned, alighting from the dorks.
These three were friends with 'Luis' , and together they studied mechanical engineering.
All studied in America too.
Tho Luis had other dangerous stuffs to learn tho.
But these three here were all about cars.
It was their respirar.
"When's that dude coming back tho, I hate to say that I've missed his troubles" Juan muttered almost to himself, but others heard.
"He'll be back tonight. Mainly because his father asked him to" Miguel replied
"I thought he never listens to his father?" Juan furrowed
"His father's new wife, the one he met in America will arrive tonight, so he has to be present" Gustav chipped in.
"Trouble in paradise " Miguel shook his head
"What's that supposed to mean?" Juan asked
"Have you forgotten that every woman Mr Mateo wanted to marry left eventually because Luis was too rebellious. Too dark." Gustav replied
"That's our bro" Miguel chuckled, wiping the engine oil stain from his shoulder.
"I just hope this one works out. I feel bad for him growing up without a mother " Juan sighed
"That bitch " he gritted immediately
"Careful, Luis would punch you if he was here" Miguel warned
"For someone who left him when he was a year old and never showed up after?! I'd punch him back if he doesn't realize that his so called mother never gave a shit about him!" Juan yelled
"I'm pretty sure he knows that " Miguel murmured.
Juan looked down and walked away.
"Why's he so worked up?" Gustav furrowed
"Who knows. He's just as mysterious as Luis..."
"...But Luis is still worse tho" he added with a sigh
__
[Adolfo Suárez, Madrid — Barajas Airport]
"Feel that Spanish air?" Anna smiled widely as they dragged their luggage through the port's way.
"Smells like barf" Summer rolled her eyes
Anna chuckled and nudged her shoulder lightly.
"Stop being a pessimist, this place is beautiful"
As ordered by Mateo, the car scheduled to drive both to the mansion was already waiting. Four guards mounted at each edge.
"You must Madam Anna?" the chauffeur asked with a smile
"How can he speak English?" Summer asked lowly
"Most of Mateo's people are from America. He says he needs them around him to improve his English skills " Anna smiled
She faced the chauffeur and smiled with a small nod.
He in turn motioned at the guards to lead them into the car while he tucked their suitcases into the booth.
Anna's own was tucked first.
Then Summer's own was next but she tightened her grip on the handle.
"I'll do it myself" she said but the chauffeur didn't let go either.
"No, Miss. It's my job, allow me"
"I said I'll do it myself!" Summer yelled
"Allow me to do my job, Miss" he said, dragging it away but Summer snatched it back
"I said...."
"Summer!!" Anna's voice broke through argument
"Fine! You win, Mortimer!"
She let go off the suitcase and stormed into the back, joining Anna.
"What's your problem? It's your first day here and you're already acting like this?"
"I'm sorry for trying to be thoughtful " Summer rolled her eyes and looked out the window as the car slowly rolled away .
__
[Granada Estate, An hour later]
The grand doors of the huge mansion were pushed open for Anna and Summer to walk in.
Summer's lips fell open while her Mother just smiled.
The evening cast golden rays across the high walls , The estate's thick walls kept the heat at bay, revealing a space of shaded elegance.
Ornate tiles set across the floors, and wooden beams stretched across high ceilings like veins of a grand tree.
A golden chandelier glowed softly, casting patterns on the warm, earthy walls.
In this slice of Andalusian charm, the scent of jasmine wafted through open arches.
Everything was magnificent.
"My darlings" Mateo's voice rang across the living room as he walked to them and hugged Anna first, placing a soft kiss on her temple, then Summer.
"I'm so glad you two are finally here" Mateo smiled widely
"Aww. Your English has gotten better" Anna gushed before looking around
"Where's Luis?" She asked
"I'm so sorry he isn't here yet. His flight got delayed but he'll be here in a few minutes" Mateo replied.
Two girls came through the hallway and took their bags.
"Summer, they'll show you to your room" Mateo smiled and gestured at the girls.
They were twins actually.
Summer rolled her eyes and walked away with them.
"Don't mind her, she's acting tough right now but she'll calm down later" Anna smiled
Mateo nodded and kissed Anna deeply.
"Let me show you to our room" he said and led her away.
...
[Upstairs]
"This will be your room moving forward" the first twin said
"And it was designed by us with the information we got from your mother on your likenesses" the second added
"Obviously" Summer muttered under her breath as she looked around.
"Well, do you like it?" The first asked
"Yes" Summer replied, turning to them . "It's perfect, thanks to you two"
The girls smiled and winked at each other.
"I'm Naveen" the first introduced
"And I'm Nirvana" said the second
Summer smiled
"I'm Summer, you two are pretty"
"Shut up! You're prettier" Naveen smiled
"I love you hair and eyes. They look like siren's" Nirvana said too
Summer blushed terribly at their compliments.
"We'll be downstairs if you need anything. Although we don't really work here, we're just here to help our Mom coz she's sick"
"Okay. Thank you" Summer smiled as they left.
Summer sighed and jumped on the bed then brought out her phone .
She quickly dialed Ruby's number who picked up almost immediately too.
"Pookie!" Summer squealed
"You're there already?" Ruby asked
"Yes, and it's feels like I'm suffocating already"
Ruby giggled
"Why?"
"It's too shiny here. Too weird" Summer frowned
Ruby laughed this time.
"They haven't even offered me anything yet. Unbelievable!" Summer said as she exited her room, going downstairs.
"Get yourself something then" Ruby said
"They're Spanish, Ruby"
"So?"
Summer was already in the kitchen without knowing how she got there.
"I'm in the kitchen now, and bet you these people wouldn't have one lousy sandwich "
"Don't be so sure" Ruby said at the other end
Summer opened the fridge and smirked.
"Told ya. Not one lousy sandwich "
She shut the fridge and turned too fast, bumping into someone.
Her phone fell in the process.
She looked up almost immediately to see who it was and froze instantly.
"Hello!
"Hello?"...
Ruby's voice sounded on the phone but Summer only focused on the burgundy eyes before her and the cold stare they emanated.
"A lousy sandwich?" His voice broke the silence
Beside him was a bulldog, ready to attack.
"I.... I... well..."
"Move" he stated and she did so immediately, but her mind clicked that moment.
She turned to him again and gasped.
"You... You're..."
He turned and grabbed her neck, slamming her back to the fridge.
"Yes, Blondie. I'm Dwayne Luis, your stepbrother"
He tilted his head to the left, his tall figure hovering above while she struggled to look him in the eye and at the same time, struggled to free herself.
"Now, if I let you go, you keep your pretty mouth shut and walk out without another word, else I'd have my dog rip you to pieces while I watch" he seethed dangerously