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I woke up on Saturday and was actually looking forward to the family get together. I was finally going to have someone walk in with me, and I know that sounds dumb, but it's been years and now I can avoid stupid comments from my family. I was only open til noon today. Carlito brought me to work and was going to pick me up so we could go together. I had just finished up with stuff for the party when the doorbell let me know someone walked in. I walked out to see Damien standing there. I still felt like it was a dream that he was really here because it had been so long since he had been here. I used to wish for the day he would just show up, and now that he was here... I didn't care anymore. I finally felt free after telling him how I felt. I had wanted him to apologize for so long, and when he did... it was too late.
"What can I do for you?" I asked him.
"I came for a coffee and to see if we could hang out with friends." He said and I smirked as I shook my head. I began to make his coffee and looked at him. He now wanted to be friends. He was in a cutoff shirt and shorts. Why did he still have to look so good?
"Friends?" I asked him.
"I know that I fucked up, Izzy, and I wanted to try to still be in your life." He said.
"It's Isabella." I said as I handed him the coffee as the doorbell rang and Carlito had walked in. I smiled at him. He looked at him and back at me.
"I'll see you later." He said and walked out. Carlito walked up and kissed my cheek.
"I see he wasted no time in finding you." He said and I pursed my lips.
"I wish he had forgotten my address." I said and he smirked. He helped me finish up, I changed, grab the food, and I locked up. He held my hand as he drove us to my dad's place. We got there and he looked at me.
"You going to be ok?" he asked me and I nodded.
"I know your family can be... harsh, but this time I'm here." he said and I gave him a soft kiss before smiling at him. I wished I had the courage all those years ago to ask Carlito out instead of us waiting so long. We grabbed the containers of food and he took my hand as we walked into the backyard. We were apparently the last ones to arrive. Cruz, Zelina, Dad, Melissa, her husband, Carlito's parents, and his other siblings were there, a few family friends, and Santos was there.I also didn't realize that Santos's dad was one of my dad's close business associates until right now. I knew that Dad had business with most people on this island, but I didn't realize that I was slowly meeting them all.
We put the stuff inside as Melissa handed me a drink and pulled me with her to where she was sitting with Zelina, Nancy (Carlito's mother), Stacy (Carlito's other sister), two of my aunts, and a few other women. I wasn't immediately ridiculed and that was really nice. I fit into the conversation as we all talked, the kids ran around, people were having fun, music was playing, and people were enjoying the pool. I went inside to get another drink when I heard someone come inside. I looked up to see Santos.
"You look nice today." he said and I smiled at him.
"Thank you, I wasn't expecting to see you here today. I didn't realize your family and my family went so far back." I said and he chuckled.
"When you are the black sheep it's not surprising that you aren't talked about." he said and I smirked. I did know that feeling.
"I understand." I said as I handed him another drink.
"Gracias, senorita." he said and kissed my free hand.
"Careful, she's got a boyfriend." Cruz said when he walked in.
"I was doing nothing more than thanking her for a drink." he said and walked back outside. I looked at Cruz and he shook his head.
"He's bad news." he said and I smirked.
"You're the one who brought him to the shop." I said and he rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, but I heard the Damien stopped by today." he said and I nodded.
"Carlito told you?" I asked him and he nodded. I wanted to be annoyed that Carlito told him, but I knew that literally no one wanted Damien around me, so I wasn't surprised.
"I told him to leave." I said as I walked back out and Carlito pulled me to his lap. I was sitting with him when Dad came over to us.
"I'm glad you both could come today." he said and I smiled at him.
"Thanks, Dad." I said and he smiled at me.
"And the empanadas are good as always, Izzy." he said and I smiled at him.
"Carly, I am glad that you finally got the courage to ask my daughter out." he said to him and I started laughing as Carlito blushed.
"Thank you, sir." he said and I found it amazing how much respect people had for my dad.
"I am glad." he said as he talked to us a bit longer. He invited Carlito to come to the family dinner. He ate with us as Cruz and Zelina joined us to eat. Dad had roasted chicken and pork, and it was always amazing. We eventually migrated over to Carlito's parents.
"I'm glad my son finally got around to talking to you." his mother had told me earier when I was sitting with all the women, and she said it again when we were sitting together. I smiled at her.
"Me too." I said as Carlito took my hand.
"I need to visit your cafe." his dad said and I nodded.
"I can send some with Carlito." I said and his dad smiled at me.
We stayed at the get together well into the night. People slowly left until it was just Dad, me, Carlito, Cruz, and Zelina. Melissa had left a little bit ago and invited Carlito and I to double date with her and her husband on Monday night.
"It's good to have my children around." Dad said as we sat by the firepit. Cruz was holding Zelina, and I was next to Carlito on the love seat. He had his arm around me.
"I want you all to know that I am proud of you." he said and poured us all drinks.
"You too, Carly, I have seen you grow up." he said as we all toasted.
"Izzy, I do need you to know that I am transferring some of the assets to you. I need to do so to keep certain pats of the business safe." he said and I slammed my glass down. I got up and walked out without a word. He knew how I felt about that.
"Izzy!" I heard him yell, but I didn't turn back. I didn't even care that I had ridden with Carlito. I grabbed my bag and started out the front door. I was going to walk home. I had left Dad's before on foot and tonight wasn't going to be any different. I was walking down the road when a car pulled up next to me and cut me off. I looked up and was actually surprised to see who was in the car.