Chapter 2 POV CARA

''Yes, you're right.'' Or maybe not. ''But tomorrow I wanted to spend the day there with you or walking somewhere.

''Face ! . Speaks seriously ! , I can't believe you're trying to run away.'' His voice sounds irritable

I swallow dry

'' Yes ​​and no . I'm just not in the mood to be at home as if I were waiting for him, I'd rather arrive later. Please help me and say yes... '' I pout even without her seeing.

My friend laughs ''Okay! , come today! , because if you leave it until tomorrow, Dona Brenda will question you.''

I agree with her and then run to pack some clothes inside my backpack.

***

''All good ! go, but tomorrow I want your presence so we can welcome Can! . Do not forget that ! I'll give you a deadline of 7pm.'' Her look is bossy.

I give her a hug and a kiss on the cheek ''You can leave, Madam Brenda''

She smiles and so do I.

I'm well bundled up when I walk out the door and the cold of the night hits my face. Jess smiles and honks her car horn at Dona Brenda

I open the door and we both say goodbye to her

''Have fun! '' She says and we thank her by leaving afterwards.

''You seem thoughtful.'' Jess makes a quick observation but I thank the heavens when she puts on music in an ambient tone and distracts herself from what she had asked me before, playing some of the songs from Selena Gomez's new album.

''How's Sean doing?''

I hit the nail on the head by diverting the conversation from me to her boyfriend, when I get a shy smile from Jess.

''Very excited about the internship at Griffin. I have a lot to thank his family, especially Mr. Kaio for giving Sean this opportunity.''

I smile at her too ''We loved having helped him, Sean is very talented.'' Mr. Kaio says he has some wonderful sketches.

Jess's eyes light up when she hears this, then amends it by telling me about her boyfriend's new ideas. As soon as I allow myself to enjoy the night with my best friend.

***

I rolled from side to side, I couldn't sleep, Jess and I talked until late at night and she still fell asleep at the end of one of our countless conversations. She felt an absurd anxiety that she had no control over; When the image of Can came into my head, I felt like letting out a groan surrounded by agony, but it was good agony. And I shouldn't feel this way about it, not at least about him. It was forbidden for me.

With these thoughts dizzying my head, I start counting sheep and soon I can fall asleep, dreaming of mysterious stones in strong hands.

During the day I distracted myself as much as I could, I even ignored messages from Scott, Jaden and Trevor. For God's sake ! I deserved a mental break.

The day went by faster than I imagined and then it was time to go home.

Thanks of course Scott's message.

''If you don't arrive in 15 minutes, mom will cut your neck off''

"Argh! Scott gets on my nerves!'' I said, irritated and too nervous already in Jess's car.

She blushes when she hears his name.

''How is he walking?''

She looks at me from the corner of her eye.

Jess and Scott had a brief summer romance a few years ago when I was over at my house a lot during our first year of college together. Scott was her first love and first in everything, if you know what I mean...So I think it's normal for her to feel that way about him.

''Chicken as always. He only goes out at night, I barely see him at home except on the weekends and look there.''

'' I guess . He wants nothing to do with the country's voice. That's why we would never work out, he's an idiot. Beautiful ! but idiot.''

I burst into laughter poking him in the leg

''That to me is the talk of those who still like it'' I make fun of her

Her cheeks turn the color of tomatoes

''Stop it Dude! Me huh! God save me from that scam.''

We both burst into laughter.

***

Jess insisted that she had to help me choose the look for the night to welcome my stepbrother, so I didn't argue. I just wondered if that wasn't an excuse to see Scott.

''For God's sake Dude! , it's not possible that you, being the daughter of the ''Griffins'', don't have better clothes. They're all practically cardigans, khaki pants, and dresses with cute little belts that you always wear with a cardigan anyway.''

Then she looks at me from head to toe and turning on her heels letting out a moan.

I'm not dressed in anything different that I have in my wardrobe, I wear skinny khaki pants, sneakers, a blouse tucked in and a green cardigan. It's my taste and I like dressing like this. What really was the problem?

''What's wrong with my clothes?'' I question, putting my hands on my waist, giving me another look.

''Everything is wrong. How old are you ? 15? . ''Then pull me in front of the mirror ''Look at that wonderful body in teenage clothes.''

I frown looking at him through the mirror ''And??''

''And that you need to wear clothes more in line with your age. For the love of God Dude! You are 23 years old.''

''Don't come, Jess! . You said you would help me choose an outfit, and not to criticize me'' I say rolling my eyes and crossing my arms.

She sighs, running a hand over her forehead.

''All good ! , but promise me that we'll clean up here soon and give you a makeover, ok?''

''Alright Boss! '' She laughs and then we started choosing what would fit me.

***

"Is it really good? '' I ask looking at myself in the full-length mirror, as Jess made me put on huge black heels, a dark blue flowery dress with a thin red belt cinching my waist. On my face, light makeup leaving me looking almost natural and hair loose, nothing too revealing.

''You're beautiful! now yes huh!?''

We smile at each other.

Then someone knocks on the door

''You can come in'' I say and it opens

''Dude, mom is calling you out....'' The words die in Scott's mouth.

My stepbrother has hair black as night, striking greenish eyes and a decent amount of muscles, he is not as muscular as his older brother but he has his value. He is really handsome.

''Hi Jess. How long ago'' He says, putting his hands in his pants pocket and clicking his tongue on the roof of his mouth, rocking on his feet.

Jess grabs my arm, I look at her because I notice her hands are shaking.

''Hi Scott. Really '' Then she looks at me with huge eyes

OK . I know that look

''Let's go down then'' I say and then Scott turns to leave, however he turns around again making us stop in place ''Shows up more often, you've been missing for the last 2 years'' He gives a shameless wink and leaves.

Jess looks like she's gasping for air ''Son of a bitch likes...'' Then she stops and looks at me determinedly ''Come on friend. I leave through the back doors.

I nod at her, holding back a laugh and halfway through we say goodbye.

I arrived in the room greeting everyone, even Mr. Kaio had already arrived from the company, and along with Jaden and Trevor, I greeted them with kisses on the cheeks.

They were also breathtaking. Tall and handsome; Jaden had a more serious attitude, on the other hand Trevor was like a Play boy, another womanizer but sometimes he was closed in his own bubble. They're cool, but I think both Jaden and Trevor are a bit closed off in their own private worlds.

When we were talking about my college grades the door opens.

In slow motion my body turns towards it, all the air escapes from my lungs.

My eyes follow black boots, black pants and a black shirt accompanied by a black leather jacket, a firm and determined look along with confident strides. For a few seconds I can only hear the beat of my heart.

This man couldn't be real...

''Can! welcome my son! '' Dona Brenda and the others run to hug him, he smiles and hugs everyone.

''It's good to see you again my son'' Mr. Kaio says patting his shoulders, the brothers do the same after hugging him. While I remain static in my place not knowing what to do.

I gasp for air when your eyes fall on me.

''And you? Who is it?'' He asks looking at his parents

There. my. God !

I feel like an intruder.

''We had already told you about her, don't you remember? She's Cara, we adopted her a few years ago.''

He analyzes me from head to toe without showing anything, neither good nor bad – leaving me in shambles.

Then leaving everyone behind and a little confused, Can puts the bag he was carrying on the floor and walks up to me, extending his hand in greeting.

''Hi, I'm Can. Can Griffin.

Feeling a little nervous, I took his hand, feeling my legs shaking.

''Pleasure Can.''

Then a small smile appears, his eyes crinkle at the corners.

'' The pleasure is all mine .''