Long chapter after a long wait.
Sorry for the slow updates.
After the shocking news, I went back to my room. Leaning at the door, no other than my dearest brother, Martin was standing.
"Xia as you know that I'll be training you for a week so I want you to freshen up, have some rest or whatever you gotta do, then meet me in the gym in 90 minutes."
Not waiting for my reply, he left.
So I entered my room, changed my clothes and had some rest. I was not sleepy but I gotta save all the energy I could, dealing with Martin is tiresome.
It's been an hour and I am too restless to rest. So I wore some workout-suitable clothes and went to the gym.
Surprisingly Martin was already there. He was ruthlessly murdering a punching bag.
I hope he is not imagining my face on it.
I cleared my throat to get his attention.
"you are early"
"y-yes"
"Good, this way we can practice more."
"or we can talk for 30 mins."
This is an easy way to die.
"you don't have enough time to waste"
"So Tintin talking to your brother is now a waste of time."
What- I can't back off now.
Moreover, I'll be spending the majority of my week with him, I have to clear the differences.
It's now or never.
Anyway, I know he can't refuse me when I call him Tintin. I have some tricks up my sleeves.
As foretold, Martin left the poor punching bag that was barely hanging and sat down on the floor.
I sat next to him.
"Do you still resent me?"
"No, and it was never your fault, I was being unreasonable. I am sorry for what you went through because of my stupidity."
"if you don't hate me, then why don't you talk to me or spend time with me like others? Whenever you are around, it seems like you are not being yourself.
Why Tintin?"
"I am not your Tintin Xia, that boy died years ago. I am a psycho. I am ruthless and cold. I have anger issues, Xia, even I don't know what will make me snap. I don't spend time with you because I don't trust myself around you, I never want to hurt you. I don't hate you xia I hate myself. I am protecting you from myself."
Martin had tears spilling from his eyes. I can't bear to see my cold and ruthless brother crying.
I jumped onto his lap and hugged him tightly.
"Martin can I share something with you."
"hmm" he hummed
"When I was living with sir, I didn't know the last time I slept soundly, sir was always haunting me in my nightmares. They are not that often but I still have nightmares. That day when Arlo said he want to sleep with me, I was so scared. I didn't want to scare him with my nightmare. But that is something I had no control over. But do you know when Arlo cuddled with me, it was the best sleep I had? I often think that if that day, I would have refused Arlo, both of us would have been sad. Arlo wouldn't have the chance to spend time with his sister and due to my unreasonable fear, I would miss out on his cute stories and cuddles."
"but Xia-
"I trust you Tintin so does everybody else. You just have to trust yourself. Do you think if anyone doubted you, you would be here teaching me self defence? Tintin I need you to protect me, not any protection from you. Just wait for 1 week Tintin and I will be trained enough to bring you to your knees"
"haha, Do I smell overconfidence, Xia?"
"what can I say, I am learning from the best."
"Now stand, 30 minutes are long over.
Before we start, remember two things, Xia.
1. Whatever we talked about should not leave this room.
2. Just because we had this talk, I am not going to go easy on you. Understood"
"you also remember two things Tintin
1. Your secret is safe if you promise to be yourself around our family.
2. Bring it on."
I said the second point flipping my hair.
"Deal. Now hop on the treadmill for 20 minutes."
These 30 minutes were so precious for me. I have seen Martin both smile and cry. Now I can say that everything is possible in this world.
Who says Martin is cold, he is an ocean of emotions. He just doesn't know how to channel them.
Am I the same girl who was so damn scared of all these brothers especially Martin and now I am counselling him?
But it doesn't feel like it's only been a few weeks since I know these people. I feel belonged. I feel like I have known everyone throughout my life.
.
.
.
.
.
Who on earth said that Martin Ortiz has a heart? That cruel bastard. I am drained. I am exhausted. I am dying.
We trained for 3 hours non-stop and Mr Genius said that we shall increase an hour tomorrow. Is he for real?
I am still at the gym, lying on the floor, too tired to even walk to my room.
"Xia get up, have a shower, then rest in your bed."
"Don't talk to me."
"Drama queen." This time these words were said playfully that's why I still didn't open my eyes or moved an inch.
The next thing I know is that I was floating. Immediately I opened my eyes to see Martin carrying me in his arms.
At least I don't have to walk.
He opened the door to my room and then the bathroom. He placed it on the counter and then filled the bath. Twice he checked the temperature of the water. When he was satisfied he added some balls to it and then the water turned all bubbly like I big cloud.
Then he stood in front of me. Picked me up again and put me on the floor.
"Hermana, take a bath so your muscles and limbs get relaxed. You better not sleep in there. I'll be back in an hour and take you for dinner."
"Okay Tintin"
And he left.
I swear if the water didn't turn cold so soon, I would have slept in the tub itself. Unfortunately, I had to get out of it. I dried myself and wore comfortable sweats and a loose tee. I was so ready to sleep now.
I was woken by the idiot who knocked on my door.
"no one's in here," I shouted and got back to sleep.
But still, that idiot entered the room.
"Xia it's dinner time wake up."
"I just had a giant pizza."
"When?"
"I in my sweet dream. Now go and let me sleep."
Next, he snatched my blanket. Predictable, so I snatched it back.
"ok sleep all you want, I won't disturb you. You can deal with the angry Lucas yourself, as he only started this tradition and he is kinda strict about it. But don't worry, you see-"
"I am up," I said immediately after listening to the words angry Lucas
"Are you su-"
"wide awake. Let's go."
"Come," he said and sat on the bed, his back facing me. But why?
"come miss sleepy head. I am not sure about you but I am hungry because you didn't share any pizza with me."
Oh my gawd
Is the great Martin Ortiz offering me a piggyback ride?
Am I still sleeping
Is this a dream
Someone pinch me, please.
"if you don't get up in 3 seconds then I am off."
3 seconds is too much I had my arms around his neck in 1 millisecond.
"Good girl."
"This is my first ride so Martin don't you dare drop me."
"it isn't"
"huh, what?" I asked confused
"This isn't your first ride Xia. When you were a baby this was the only way you would go downstairs. Your little self would always say that a princess shall not walk on her own. So Dad carried you down for breakfast, Lucas to lunch and I was at your service for dinner. So this isn't your first ride princess."
I was crying. Why don't I remember all these precious memories?
"so now your Highness shall we go?"
I hummed and wiped my tears on Martin's tee. He carried me to the dining room. This is all so precious to me. I'll cherish these moments and my family forever.