Chapter 11

Glancing over his shoulder, the light clicked on in Dom's head. It finally had hit him that Pandora was familiar to him. He knew something about her bugged him but it wasn't until he looked at her with the hibiscus flower in her hair that he put it together. Flashbacks of the old Pandora hanging out with Ryder filled his thoughts. "She looks so...wait Ryder. Pandora was the girl you use to hang around with during school wasn't she? Hair always in a big bun, little Hawaiian dresses and big frame eyeglasses that practically covered her face."

Ryder chuckled as he remembered those awful looking glasses. He nodded to Dom. "Yep. That was the old Pandora when she first came to live here."

Jesse's phone chirped indicated that he received a text message. Looking over his phone, Jesse hid his phone under the table and looked it. It was from Leon and read, Working on my car. I told you. Why?

Glancing around the table, Jesse then processed to replying; Better get your ass over here. Looks like your dream girl is putting on a show.

"What happened to her in high school?" Brian asked as he was getting acquainted with the team's childhood memories.

Jesse's phone chirped again and this time it go Vince's attention. A show? Jesse was now focusing on his texting.

"What do you mean?" Ryder asked but then he realized what he meant. "Oh you mean...well yeah she got contacts and ditched the dresses but she stuck to the books. Always in the school library." He said as he remembered having lunch with his guy friends but towards end of it he'd head to the library to check on Pandora and then he took her to class.

Dom arched an eyebrow was he didn't remember seeing her at their graduation. "She didn't graduate with us though." He grabbed his drink that he had received and gladly took a sip.

Yea...Tito is celebrating and got hula dancers. Looks like your girl is participating. Jesse had replied back and then noticed Vince looking at him. Like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar, Jesse slowly pocketed his phone before looking over to Dom and Ryder.

"Nah, she graduated early and with honors. Went off to study in Hawaii and graduated college. But then came back to stay with the family." Ryder said proudly as Pandora was the first to graduate college in the family. It was another reason why the family is to protective over her, they cherished her for her accomplishment.

Suddenly, the team heard Ramona, Ryder's sister calling him. "Ryder?!"

Looking over his shoulder, Ryder knew it was time to get ready. "Oops, better go. My cousins and I are putting on a fire show." He patted Dom's shoulder before he said bye to them and went off to the back where only employees and special guests were allowed.

Jesse had gotten his phone and looked over his phone wondering if Leon had replied. Caught by the leader, Dom arched an eyebrow. "Jesse what are you doing?" He asked as he had heard the chirping.

Jesse looked up and saw everyone looking at him. "Getting Leon to get his ass over here." He shrugged his shoulder as if it wasn't that important.

Letty leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest. "He didn't want to come so what makes you think he will now?"

"He just needs a little push." He saw Pandora coming out from the back and an idea came to his head. Turning on the camera off his newly released camera phone. He pointed the phone towards Pandora, trying to get a good shot but he couldn't with people just getting in the way. Looking at Vince, Jesse offered his phone to him. "V, you're closer, take a picture."

Vince smirked and then thought this could be fun. "Give me your phone," he took it and turned to see Pandora passing by just at that moment. "Hey Pandora?"

Looking over to him, she walked over. "Yeah?"

Vince looked at her and grinned. "You mind taking a pic with me?"

"Sure." She watched him get up from his chair and then stood by her. She leaned closer to him as he used the camera from the phone. Posing for the pictures, she smiled and then said, "I'll be right back." She moved away from the table and saw people taking pictures of her. Pandora quickened her pace as she made it outside.

Vince tossed the phone to Jesse as he took his seat. Jesse looked at Vince like idol. "You're the king. No offense Dom." He looked over to the big guy.

Dom smirked as he enjoyed seeing Jesse playing cupid. "None taken, Jess."

Jesse sent the picture to Leon and waited as it slowly sent the file. When it was sent, Jesse stared at his phone hard. He wanted his friend to be happy and if the girl was what Leon wanted, then he would help. The screen on his phone light up and a chirp notified Jesse of the new message. Grinning big, Jesse read his message. On my way. "It worked." He looked up to the team.

Brian looked over and advised Jesse, "Just hope, Leon doesn't get mad at V for it."

Jesse nodded and then said, "When he gets here, he can take as many pictures as he wants with her." He leaned back in his chair; satisfied that his plan had worked.

"Yo Jess, print that one out for me." Vince said before taking a sip of his drink.

Mia smiled and nodded. "Me too." She took Jesse's phone to see the picture and then passed it around the table.

They received their meal and began eating. Taking their time, they made jokes of what Leon might do once he got to the restaurant. By the time dinner was done, Leon showed up. It looked like he had showered and changed his outfit from earlier. Vince grunted and commented, "Record time."

Leon took a sit next to him and replied, "Shut up. What did I miss?" He looked around for Pandora but he didn't see her.

Dom was picking up the tab when the rest of the customers were heading outside for the show. "Dinner but the show is about to start." Tito had set up an area in open air for the festivities. When the team was ready, they followed the others and found a good spot. It didn't take long before Tito came up to the stage with microphone in hand and said a few words.

Applauding for politeness, the crowd waited as they heard the drums pound and up walked Ryder and three of his male cousins, shirtless with matching Hawaiian shorts. Painted with tribal markings on their faces and biceps, they stood apart long enough for their fire sticks to be twirled without hurting each other. Tito's brother was on the drums and together with his sons and daughters they began a rhythmic beat. Ryder and his three cousins chanted some Hawaiian phrases before stomping their feet along with the drum beat. Stepping aside, Ryder got the wicks of his stick lit on fire. He twirled the stick like a baton and then threw it in the air to catch it with the same hand. The audience applauded when they saw the fire circle he created in the air when the stick twirled. It didn't take long before all fire dancers had their sticks lit up and were twirling the sticks, making designs that impressed the crowd.

When the fire dancers ended their routine, they left the stage and Tito came back onto the stage. He introduced the next group, hula dancers. It was right then, Pandora and Ryder's sisters and female cousin came on, even little Lily went up. Wearing headpieces that matched their hip-belts, they aligned themselves; three in the front and two in the back.

The Team had been enjoying the show so far but Leon's eyes had widened the moment he saw Pandora onstage. He watched her whispering to Lily who was a little scared. Smiling on the inside, he reaffirmed his feelings for her. He just had to have her and he knew what he had to do now.

Pandora smiled and kissed Lily's cheek, before Lily faced the audience like her sisters, Ramona and Lucy. Lily took the lead when the song began and then the rest joined her. A synchronized and calm dancing was accompanied by a slow song sung by Ryder's aunt. When the song was over, the drums kicked up and the dancers began moving their hips faster, the louder and faster the drums went, the more the girls moved their hips. Pandora and Ryder's cousin moved to the front, creating a single line. Moving their hips at a fast pace, their hip-belts shook from the movement while their upper bodies hardly moved.

It was easy to see that the crowd was very impressed. Over by the side, Tito and Koro were watching the show with Lulu, Tito's wife. "Katie would have been so proud." Tito commented as he could tell Pandora was having fun up on the stage with the rest of the girls. He chuckled when Lily was just shaking her butt the best she could.

Koro sighed as something had been bugging his mind. "Yeah."

Looking over to him, Tito caught the different tone on his friend. "Koro?" He quickly added, "It's not your fault that's she's not here." He watched Koro nod.

"Excuse me. I'll be right back." He moved away and headed inside the restaurant.

When Koro was gone, Lulu stepped up next to her husband and shook her head. "I can't believe he hasn't told her yet."

Hushing her, Tito looked at her. "Lulu!"

Lulu sighed and looked at her husband, "Look honey, we have helped him all these years with Little cub. She deserves the truth." She had kept her mouth shut but the moment, Pandora kept asking about stories of her mother, Lulu knew it was time. Sadly, Tito had forbid her from saying anything as well it was not her place to tell.

Tito whispered to her and kept an eye out for Koro and Pandora. "We swore we would never speak of the past to her. That is Koro's burden and his alone."

Getting upset, she harshly replied, "That's selfish of him. The girl needs to know the truth about her mother, Tito. You know that."

By then, Ryder had come up to them and could tell they were arguing. "Pop?"

Tito looked over to him and knew it was time to head back to the stage because the next part of the show was about to start. "I'm going." Turning to Lulu, he whispered to her one last thing. "Not a word Lulu. You promised." He moved away leaving Ryder standing there.

"Mom?" Ryder looked at his mom worried.

Lulu smiled at him and patted his cheek. "Don't worry, you just make sure Pandora doesn't find out." She saw Ryder nod as he was fully aware of Koro's secret. Kissing her cheek, he turned and headed back to the stage as the show was progressing.

TO BE CONTINUED...