Sierra PoV
My eyes flicker open, instant panic drowning inside of me as I peer around the bland surroundings despite consciousness arising to each sense. My eyes bleary from succumbing to exhaustion can barely see the chestnut beams fixated on the ceiling, providing the room with a comfortable pastoral ambiance. Where am I? The aroma of vegetable oil reigns supreme in the air, the source being potatoes boiled in salted waters before fried. A potent scent of paprika almost masquerades the oil, targeting my delicate sense of smell.
The circular window above the arch leading to a spacious balcony informs me the sun is dawning, the diamonds embellishing the dark sheet fading in. Gentle waves swilling in the ocean relax this panic originating from being in an unknown area as I can view them, also seeing the tender slopes in numerous hills nearby. Again, I can't tame the question sprinting around in my head: Where am I?
Falling asleep into a man's strong arms was the final action I did before waking up, the stress of each event lumbering my emotions finally fatiguing me to a maximum. I continue to feel drained of energy, this day being my third night in an anonymous world where nobody, excluding those I have met, can even remember my name or recognize it. The man whose face was veiled by my exhaustion entitled himself as my father, tenderly situating a photo of myself and an unread note on my lap. Could he be my father, the man I have been pondering over for the last three days? Or could it be that he is also deceiving me?
At the edge of my bed is a dress laid out, a sheer crochet one very similar to the one I am attiring currently. My estimate is that I must wear it; why else would it be here? A letter of some sort is also there, and as I gather it into my manicured fingers, the first words I scan are 'A bath has been ran for you, relax for a moment'
I snatch the dress hastily before finding the bathroom where candles light the room, the same rustic atmosphere lingering from the decor. Within moments, I have removed my clothing and slipping myself into the lukewarm waters with clement steam escalating to embrace my body not christened by the water whilst being adored by a sweet honey and milk fragrance. I feel almost tranquilized by it, a welcomed sedation.
-
In the ivory romantic bohemian inspired mini dress, most likely manufactured in the mid-1970's, the sheer cut-out floral crochet patterns with embroidered cotton inlays suiting my tall hourglass-figure, the scalloped brimming exhibiting my toned legs from just above my knees until my feet shielded by black heels only causing me to be one inch taller. I lift my arm, giant full belled kimono sleeves with the identical scalloped trimmings gracefully following, to clutch onto and examine a photograph of me as a thirteen year old girl at The Boardwalk with Star, the day we discovered Jimmy's first girlfriend, our smiles beaming. How does this man, who earlier notified me to address him as Jan, short for Alejandro, possess these photographs when I have never once met him in my life? I ask this question aloud, wishing for him to answer me.
"I was sent them, along with notes. I don't know who from, sweetheart, but I'm eternally grateful for them" his husky Spanish accent informs me.
He is the male version of myself. Each fragment of me being inherited from him. His skin is darker than mine, the Spanish genes from him being stronger. However, I inherit his near curly hair and the glossy texture to it, the black coffee hue resembling each other. His eyes are like molten dark chocolate, but mine are blue, just like the majestic ocean gleaming outside, bordering on a violet hue reminding my friends of Elizabeth Taylor's eyes. Most of my genes are from him though, it is obvious he is my father. Jan paces leisurely over to me, his fingertips layered by dark olive skin stroking my cheek.
"You have no idea how happy I am to see you, Sierra - my daughter" he voices soothingly, each enunciation quaking slightly as emotions overpower him. I remain silent, no clue on what to say. "You are beautiful, Sierra, everything and more than I could have dreamed of. Now, we are going to Santa Carla. I have some business to carry out" Before I can protest, my lips agape to do so, he presses a finger to his lips identical to mine. "No protests, Sierra, we are going to The Boardwalk"
I have nothing to say, so I'm trapped in silence whilst he discusses various events in life I was absent for due to the separation forced between us in 1969, nine months before my birth and several days subsequent to being conceived. There have only been certain words I expressed to him, but they were blunt and short. Jan even declared himself that I possess his fiery and stubborn trait, justifying further that he is in fact my biological father alongside the support of our appearances being incredibly similar.
Earlier I had been acquainted with his wife, a local woman named Charlotte whom he has been married to for twelve years and have two children; a son called Jermaine ho is thirteen years old, approximately four years my junior. According to Jan, my newly discovered half-brother is aware of me due to the singular photograph above the log fireplace hinting my existence is more than a distant relative and will be joining us tonight when he gets back from his grandmother's house located nearby to Jan's house. The youngest child is Maya, a little girl whose chocolate brown eyes cause me to reminisce of Star's as the innocence of three year old spirals in those doe eyes. Charlotte was more than overjoyed to meet me, and I reciprocated with respect and a more subtle happiness. They seemed like the ideal family, a Spanish bistro on The Boardwalk that is thriving with regulars, a stone cottage near the sea on the outskirts of Santa Carla where they can reside in peace, and well raised children. I almost envy them considering my development in life has been more than chaotic. I wouldn't change it though as during all the mayhem, I nurtured and raised my two brothers, two people in my life who I shall always cherish. I can't think of them without tears brimming my blue eyes, so I compel myself to stop.
Currently, Jan and I stroll at a casual pace around the more serene section of The Boardwalk, only the ocean sloshing in calm movements filling the sound.
"So, tell me about yourself, Sierra. You've heard my life, tell me about yours. What kind of things have you got up to?" Jan asks out of curiosity. There are numerous events I can notify him of, most of them being negative. I shan't do that though, purely because I want to trust this man. For once in my life, I crave for a father and to construct an everlasting relationship with him built on trust and love.
"Well, I'm a dancer and I've done quite a few shows. I've actually been offered a scholarship at Los Angeles University to study it as a major. As for school, I'm predicted around A to B grades, a C in Math. I study quite a bit because I want good grades to get into the college" I inform him, surveying his extremely pleased face beaming at me.
"I'm so proud of you, sweetheart. Honestly, I'm glad to see you have raised yourself well despite, well, your mother so to speak" he sighs, alarming each of my senses.
How does he know what I have been through for the past seventeen years of my life? He was neither present for them nor was there any communication device that could have told him of my welfare. So, how is it even possible he acknowledges it? Before I can question Jan on the matter, I hear a gentle voice recklessly screaming my name in the background. I roll my eyes as I can clearly view a weeping Star scampering her way through the crowds, often being barricaded by the motioning of intoxicated dancers fooling around.
After mentioning to Jan that the screeching woman is a friend of mine, I sprint over to Star, forcefully jostling my way through the masses of life until I am proximate with her. A tug on the scalloped brimming of my dress ensures I peer down to see a bashful Laddie waving at me. With a pinned smile, I wave back out of courtesy and the sincere truth that I still view him as an adopted son I have cared for over the three year span. My smile was only enforced through ferocity as I am commencing to believe Star is using the same tactic she did with Michael in order to liberate herself from the curse we are both strained under. Laddie could be the one person who allows my weakness to shine like a diamond in the night sky. Then again, she composed the scheme for Laddie's benefit as well. It does not condone her actions, but I know I can elicit a spark of good from it.
"Please, Sierra, its Michael. David has him. Please, help him. I don't know what to do" Star implores me, instigating me to wrap my arms around her in a consoling embrace. I never like seeing people cry or be upset, and so it hauls my kindness out from the grave created by the resilient demeanour. "Please, he wants to use Michael for something. I don't know what to do" she wails, drops of saddened water trickling onto my shoulder veiled by the cotton, sheer fabric.
"Shh, come on, Star. It's going to be alright, you and Laddie won't be like this for long, and neither will Michael" I whisper to her in a soothing tone, knowing this isn't a diabolic plan to entice me into an ambush. Though I sternly commanded that Michael never come near me again for his own benefit, I don't want him in danger. Admittedly, there is something about him that touched me. Something in his compassion and his overall personality. I only want friendship, though a hint of romance from my part has taken to him, but only a miniscule hint that won't linger for long as I know I don't belong here. "Where is he?"
"In... he's in... the... the... the cave... with them" Star cries, ensuring I clutch onto Laddie's hand, presumably because she feels faint from the lack of water. I pass her the bottle of water Jan purchased for me earlier so she can refuel her hydration.
"Keep it, you need it more than I do. Come on, Star, stop crying now. I promise everything's going to be alright" I inform her. I've forgiven her for everything. Out of desperation, she turned to this, and I know there was a glimmer of care for Michael.
"Sierra!" Jan yells over the boisterous people, shoving his way through until he is imminent with myself. "What's going on, Sierra?" he asks, sending a sympathetic look Star's way, offering her a brand new packet of tissues, to which she kindly accepts.
"A friend of ours is in trouble. I need to go for a while with Star and Laddie to sort it out. I should be back soon" I tell Jan who immediately offers to drive us to the location required.
I shake my head, not for one moment wanting to situate Jan into dilemmas. Not just because he is most definitely my father, but also because he has other priorities beside myself, including a newly teenage son and an infant daughter who need a father in his life as well as a mother for a proper development. After many interrupted protests, Jan finally relents but says it is mandatory we take his car. I don't hesitate to accept this proposition and within seconds of expressing my gratitude, I kiss him on the cheek, an action where I had to raise my heels and hug him in a farewell, hoping it won't be our last meeting. I need him as a father, a desperate side of me gleaming vividly.
"Take care of yourself, Sierra, and if you are not back by midnight, I am coming to get you from Hudson's Bluff, understood?" Jan's eyes are locked with mine, but to spare further debate and an expansion of time, I hastily nod before bidding him goodbye once again.
Star, Laddie and I all sprint to the grey Renault parked near the entrance to the amusement rides, with me cradling Laddie in my arms for most of it as he couldn't keep up. Hastily, I slam the car door behind me, waiting until everyone is in the car and is secured by a seatbelt before I continue. After that, I gun the engine and rocket into the night, hopefully arriving to Hudson's Bluff before Michael gets harmed.