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DAYS - LATER
Rachel
Today is my mom's birthday party and we did everything she wanted. We ordered her favorite kind of cake and made some Colombian tamales and arepas. We didn't invite much people just our close friends. We threw the party in our backyard.
Anne Marie : Your mom looks really happy.
Rachel : I know that's exactly what I wanted.
Audrey : How are you holding up with this situation...?
Rachel : Al I have left is to be strong for my sister.
Audrey : The good thing is you two have each other. When I lost my dad I had no one left. Talking about family because I had my bestie.
Anne Marie : Hehe
Rachel : Do you know the gender of your baby yet Audrey?
Audrey : I have my appointment next Monday. I find out then.
Rachel : Oh how exciting!!
Anne Marie : I'll be in charge of the gender reveal.
Rachel : I can help you with anything you need.
Anne Marie : Yes that would be great!
Audrey : So? Baby number two?
Anne Marie : No not any time soon.
Audrey : What about you Rachel? Anyone?
Rachel : Nope! I'm still very single.
Audrey : What about Ethan?
Rachel : Yeah- no! I'm leaving this conversation. -walks away-
Audrey : Oh my god Annie- did I tell you Rachel is an underground fighter?
Anne Marie : What?!
Audrey : Yup! Giovanni saw her fight. I'm so jealous.
Anne Marie : She looks so innocent.
Audrey : People are not always what they look like. I don't want to judge her though. She gets loads of money from those fights. I'm assuming she's using it for her mom's treatment.
Anne Marie : Yeah I'm almost positive that's it.
Audrey : Crazy right?
Anne Marie : Yes!!
Adela : I want to thank my girls Rachel and Daisy for throwing me this lovely party. Thank you all for coming. I had an amazing time with you all.
-claps and cheers-
Ethan : Wanna go for a walk?
Rachel : Where?
Ethan : Just around the area.
Rachel : Sure
M E A N W H I L E
Red's Mansion
Guard : I have what you asked for ma'am.
Red : And? What did you find out?
Guard : The Golden Monster, her actual name is Rachel Medina. She has her own house and lives with her mother and younger sister. Her mother was diagnosed with cancer. She doesn't own much luxury. All the money gained has gone towards her mother's treatment.
Red : Does she do anything else other than fighting?
Guard : She's a waitress at the Italy Kitchen Restaurant owned by Jacob Reynolds. His wife Anne Marie, is close friends with Audrey Romano, Giovanni Romano's wife. Audrey and Anne Marie are close friends with Rachel.
Red : Interesting...
Guard : You know ma'am? I suggest not get involved there. If you mess with Rachel you'll most likely end up messing with the Sicilian mafia and you don't want that...
Red : I don't have plans for her at the moment. I'll respect what she's going through with her mother. After that passes, I'll see what I do.
Somewhere around Rachel's house
Ethan : I like how you're street area is really peaceful. It's rare here in Los Angeles.
Rachel : I know right? We got lucky.
Ethan : I want to apologize for last night. I kinda ruined it by inviting Sarai and Adrian to sit with us.
Rachel : No it's okay. I bet she's your friend.
Ethan : Yeah but it was supposed to be our little hangout.
Rachel : Hehe no worries. We can always do something else.
Ethan : Have you talked to Adrian?
Rachel : We've been texting through Instagram actually.
Ethan : Really?
Rachel : Mhm
Ethan : Do you like him?
Rachel : Again with this question E?
Ethan : Just wondering...
Rachel : Do you like Sarai?
Ethan : Nah she was just a one time thing.
Rachel : Oh you slept with her?
Ethan : ......It doesn't matter. She's just my friend. You know how I am.
Rachel : Yeah you don't let any girl go away easily. I'm probably the only one you haven't-
Rachel
He didn't let me finish my sentence.
Instead, he shut me up by kissing me.
Okay I was definitely not expecting this...
I found myself kissing him back with no hesitation. I cupped his cheek and deepened the kiss. He wrapped his arm around me pulling me closer to him.
Rachel
I guess deep down I always hoped this would happen one day. In a way I did feel excluded knowing I was the only girl he has never touched. I always wondered what kissing him would feel like. His kisses are soft.
Ethan
I don't know what happened but i suddenly got the urge to kiss her.
I've been holding back on her for many reasons.
She's my best friend and I don't want to ruin things between us but I've been dying to taste her. I'm not going to sleep with her because she doesn't deserve to be played. She doesn't deserve someone like me.
Kissing her feels different than my kissing sessions with other girls. She puts passion into these kisses. This is actually kissing...
-phone ring-
Rachel : Give me a sec...
-phone call-
Rachel : Hello?
Diana : Rachel.....you're mom got sick. You need to come back...
Rachel : What...? Yeah we're on our way! -ends call-
Ethan : What happened?
Rachel : My mom got sick..
Ethan : Let's go back then!
Rachel's House
Daisy : Is she okay?
Audrey : Yes don't worry Daisy. She just felt a little tired. She's in bed now resting. It's normal to feel this tired in her condition..
Daisy : I'm gonna stay with her in case she needs anything. -walks away-
Anne Marie : Aww poor Daisy. It's hitting her more...
Diana : Because she's still really young.
Audrey : Okay but where's Rachel?
Jacob : And Ethan?
Anne Marie : Ooooooooo!
Rachel : What happened?! Where's my mom?!
Audrey : Relax! She wasn't feeling well so I put her in her bed. She's resting.
Rachel : Okay....
Anne Marie : Where were you two?
Ethan : We went for a walk.
Anne Marie : Oh...
Giovanni : We're gonna get going. It's getting pretty late and my wife has to get her usual eight hour sleep because of her pregnancy.
Audrey : If something happens please let us know.
Rachel : Mhm thank you guys.
Audrey : Goodnight! -walks out-
Anne Marie : We'll also get going. Noah is sleepy and is getting fussy.
Jaxon : We'll be available if anything happens. Goodnight! E you staying?
Ethan : Yeah
Anne Marie : Alrighty! Goodnight!
Rachel : Night! Thanks for coming.
Diana : It's just us three then. The rest left.
Rachel : I feel like it's almost time...
Diana : Aw Rachel...
Rachel : I don't know how Daisy is going to take it. She's already suffering so much..
Diana : Perhaps have her with a Psychologist after it happens. That'll help her...
Rachel : The first one who needs to be strong is me. Which is only getting harder...
Ethan : It's okay to cry and breakdown for a few minutes Rachel but you need to stand up right after. You still have your little sister depending you.
Rachel : Yeah she's my motivation..
Diana : I'm going to stay the night if that's okay Rachel.
Rachel : Yeah of course...
Daisy : Mom fell asleep.
Rachel : You should head to sleep too.
Daisy : I'm gonna sleep in her room.
Rachel : Okay......Diana you can sleep with me.
Ethan : I'll stay here on the couch.
Rachel : You can use that gray blanket. Do you want another one?
Ethan : Nah it's fine.
Rachel : Okay, night!
Ethan : Night.
Rachel's Bedroom
Rachel : Og my god Diana I haven't even told you..
Diana : What happened?
Rachel : Ethan and I kissed.
Diana : What?!
Rachel : Shhh!
Diana : Girl what? Really?
Rachel : Mhm
Diana : How was it?
Rachel : -smile-
Diana : Awwwwww someone has a crush!!
Rachel : Stop.....it was just a kiss.
Diana : No it wasn't just a kiss. He definitely feels something.
Rachel : He's like that with every girl.
Diana : But you guys have been friends for years now. He's been holding back on you because he respects you.
Rachel : He was just curious to see what I tasted like. I'm the only one who hadn't kissed.
Diana : How was it though? Did you like it?
Rachel : I did...
Diana : Rachel I know you're going crazy for him. You don't have to lie.
Rachel : Well yeah but he doesn't see me that way. He doesn't commit and I want someone who's going to commit.
Diana : I guess you have a point.
Rachel : Wasn't Damian like Ethan?
Diana : Why do you think they're friends?
Rachel : -laugh-
Diana : No really, Damian was like that but he changed.
Rachel : Let's hope he did.
Diana : Let's go to sleep then.
Rachel : Night!
Diana : Night!
Jacob and Anne's Marie House
Anne Marie : You know what Audrey told me?
Jacob : I can imagine.
Anne Marie : I'm serious!
Jacob : What did she say?
Anne Marie : That Rachel is an underground fighter.
Jacob : Rachel?
Anne Marie : Yeah Ethan's Rachel.
Jacob : You're serious?
Anne Marie : Yes
Jacob : She looks so innocent.
Anne Marie : Right? I was just as shocked.
Jacob : How did she get in?
Anne Marie : I don't know the details.
Jacob : Hm
Anne Marie : Do you think Ethan knows?
Jacob : I suppose he does. They're best friends no?
Anne Marie : Yeah that's true..
Jacob : What are you looking for?
Anne Marie : My charger..
Jacob : Did you check downstairs?
Anne Marie : Oh right! I'll be back.
Jacob : -laugh-
L A T E R
Daisy : Rachel!! Rachel!!
Rachel : Hm....what happened?
Daisy : It's mom......she's coughing too much...
Rachel : -gasp-
Rachel
I quickly got up from my bed and went to my mom's room. Ethan was there helping her calm down...
Rachel : Is she okay...?
Ethan : I managed to help her calm down the coughing but she's still struggling to breathe. I suggest call an ambulance.
Rachel : Again...
Ethan : It's the best option...
Adela : Rachel..
Rachel : I'm here mom..
Adela : Take care....of Daisy..
Rachel : Mom you're going to be fine..
Adela : Please Rachel...
Rachel : You have nothing to worry about mom I promise...
Adela : Come here...
Rachel
She opened both her arms indicating Daisy and I to hug her. We each got on one side and hugged our mom as if it was the last hug...
After a few seconds I got this weird sensation....
I pulled away and-
Rachel : Mom?
Daisy : Mom....?
Rachel : Mom!
Ethan : Rachel...
Ethan
I slightly moved Rachel to the side and checked Adela's pulse but.....
there wasn't t one...
Ethan : I'm sorry...
Rachel
Daisy came cover and hugged me.
I couldn't take it anymore so I broke down with her. How can I be strong in these moments when my mom just died in my arms? How can I be strong when my little sister is sobbing on me?
-ambulance-
Diana : The ambulance is here...
Rachel : Let them in.
Ethan : Rachel...
Ethan
I pulled her into the tightest hug. She laid her head on my chest as she cried.
I didn't know what to say. I lost my mother when I was only three and it was only physically. She still exists. I didn't grow up with her. I hardly remember her so I can't say I've been through this pain.
It breaks my heart to see her like this. The only thing I can do is be here to hold her.
Ethan : You're not alone Rachel. You have me and my family. You don't worry about the money I-
Rachel : No! I have enough saved money to pay for everything...
Ethan : Are you sure?
Rachel : Ethan, I appreciate it but there's no need. Thank you...
Ethan : Okay but if anything please don't be afraid to ask alright?
Rachel : Alright...
Rachel
The next few days was mainly planning the funeral and burial. Anne Marie and Audrey helped me with those so it wouldn't be too much on my shoulders.
The hardest part of all this has been Daisy. I don't know what to do anymore. I'm trying to pick her up but she won't listen to me. She won't eat and all she does is sleep. She's slowly falling into a depression and I don't know how to pull her out of it...
B U R R I A L
Audrey : Rachel... again I'm so sorry for your loss. Trust me, I know how you feel. I lost my dad not too long ago but it gets better. Just think of the positive things. For example, your mom is not hurting physically anymore. She's now in peace.
Rachel : Thank you Audrey..
Audrey : You also need to stay strong Daisy........your mom is in piece.
Daisy : ....
Rachel : Daisy, do you want to go to Palm Springs with aunt Karla for a few days? That can help you get distracted...
Daisy : Mhm..
Rachel : Okay...
L A T E R
Rachel's House
Rachel - sigh - It feels so.....empty.
Ethan : Rachel.... it's hard I know but you have to be strong. For Daisy, she needs you more than ever. She needs her big sister.
Rachel : it's not that easy Ethan. How am I supposed to heal her when I haven't healed myself?
Ethan : Rachel..
Ethan
I pulled her into my arms the moment I saw her eyes get watery.
Ethan : It's okay, break down on me. Cry and scream all you need. I'll be right here to hold you...
To be continued.......