CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE
"You're entitled to an hour break you know?" Brian said pulling out Nina from under the car.
"Geez, B! Do not do that again," Nina sneered grabbing on to her rolling board seeing her friend slash boss laughing at her. She sat up to look at the clock not far from where she worked.
"Oh my God is that the time?" her eyes widened seeing that she had already skipped her lunch window.
"It's fine as long as it's an hour. And... you could slow down right? This is like your eighth car since you started working here... yesterday," he pointed out leaning onto the blue convertible she was working on. "Nina I get that you're new but you gotta slow down. Your sister's gonna kill me."
Nina laughed. "Sorry boss, I was on a roll," she admitted with a smile. "I'm sorry I shouldn't have gotten ahead of myself like that. Now I feel like you think I'm just showing off-"
"Oh don't apologize for that you're doing great, Nina," Brian nodded. "You move faster than most of the guys who work here and it surprises me that your work isn't half assed. Just keep up the good work but slow it down a little, alright?"
Nina nodded. "Okay Mr. Lockwood and I'm sor-"
"Yea, okay I think I prefer just being called Brian," he cut her off with a laugh. "But calling me B is just as good. And Nina, don't apologize if it isn't your fault," he pointed at her standing up straight again.
Nina was still getting used to how laid back he was. He was already pulling some strings as she was only supposed to be handling the register and doing more of the clerical work. She had to talk him down to persuade him of being more hands on.
"You know you can be more stricter with me. I understand that I sort of just forced you to give me this job," Nina reminded him to be a little bit more fair with how he treated her. This was a favor no matter how much Nina hated to admit it but it was. She was in desperate need of the money, which reminded her that she was supposed to call Stacey during her lunch break.
Brian nodded and smiled. "Go on your lunch break, kid. Your clock is ticking," he said lightly tapping her knee and walked away. Nina's eyebrows furrowed as she watched him walk away.
"You know you're only five years older than me," Nina pointed out.
"I said what I said, kid!"
Nina laughed at him as she shook her head before standing up. She checks her phone and not one message from Oscar. She sends him a quick text to say that she just wanted to check up on him considering that she was now on her break. Victoria, however, sent her a text to remind her to call up Stacey. Nina was supposed to do this yesterday but she ended up going overboard with her work.
She pulls out the number from the hospital records she noted down the day of her discharge. As she began to dial the number she felt herself getting nervous. Her heart was starting to beat so fast in her chest and her palms were starting to get sweaty too. After taking a deep breath she presses the call button and the phone starts ringing.
"Hello?" the voice on the other line said after three rings.
"Hi uhm, is this Stacey G. Ramos?" Nina asked trying to mask her nervousness.
"May I know who's calling?" the lady on the other end asked smoothly.
"Uhm, my name is Nina Garcia. You're a friend of my mom-"
"Nina! I was wondering when you were going to call me. But yes, this is your tía Stacey," Nina could hear her smiling from the other line. The way she talked so smoothly and calmly irked her a little and she had to admit that a part of her was scared as some things weren't seem to be adding up. But that's why they needed to talk.
"Hi, I just wanted to confirm that you paid my hospital billings in full?" Nina asked as she began to pace around in her space.
"Yes I did. But don't worry about it, you don't need to pay me back for it," Stacey replied and again Nina felt like she was suddenly stressing as she ran a hand through her hair.
"T-that all seems too generous of you, tía," Nina laughed awkwardly. "Might I ask why you decided to do it? I-is there anything I can do to repay you or at least show my sense of gratitude?" now she was feeling guilty knowing that it all seemed too much and she didn't even know her.
"Anything for Carmen's daughter," Stacey replied. "Nina I trust that you may be wondering who I am and why I decided to do this. It's quite a long story and I don't want to take up too much of your time. With that, I'd like you to have dinner with me tomorrow night or whenever you're free. We can have it here in my estate."
Nina's eyes widened. She wanted to get to know her but she wasn't expecting an invitation like that so soon.
"With all due respect, that seemed a bit forward. I-I barely know you," she found herself admitting. "B-but don't get me wrong. I would love to get to know you especially when you had to go out of your way to do what you did," Nina added right after.
"I understand, mija. But take it in a way that I'm trying to make up for lost time with mi sobrina," Stacey replied keeping her tone. Though when she mentioned that she was actually family, her voice softened a little. And again, Nina was caught off guard.
¿Mi sobrina?
"S-so, I take it the G in your name means Garcia?" Nina stammered. "I didn't realize that when I've been calling you tía this entire time I was actually talking to my aunt. I never knew my mother had a sister," she admits once more trying to connect the dots.
First it was not mentioning she grew up in Freeridge. Now its not mentioning she had a sister all this time? Then again, she always did seem so secretive about her past...
"Yes, Nina. I must apologize for being so absent all this time," Stacey said in somberly manner. "We were close when we were younger but we grew a part by your mom's senior year in high school. She was leaving for NYU while I was going to be stuck here. I may have taken that against her too much," she explained further.
"Trust me when I say that I really just want to make up for lost time," she continued. "I'm good friends with Captain Cortez just like your mom and dad. When I heard about what happened to you, I got so worried."
"Why didn't you visit me then if you knew where I was?" Nina questioned as she was still trying to figure out if she could trust her. After all, she was hearing all of this information for the first time.
"Things got caught up with my work. And I figured after all these years I didn't know how you would take it. And I heard you were badly injured by what happened, I didn't want to add to your stress or get in the way of your healing by just coming in out of nowhere. So I wanted to prove how sorry I was by doing what I did," Stacey reasoned.
"Nina, please give me the chance to get to know you more. As an apology to you and my little sister. I know I have no right in saying it but I just want to make up for lost time," Nina could hear her getting emotional with the crack of her voice.
There were millions upon millions of questions running through her mind. All she ever wanted was to get those questions answered. If a dinner is what it took then that seemed to be an okay way to solve things. But she couldn't exactly trust this woman and suddenly she's being invited to her estate wherever the hell that was.
She was still guilty over what happened in the bodega and how this woman still decided to pay things in full for her hospital bill. She'd still have to work her way through everything and her schedule was pretty tight having to make up for lost time with her work and tutorial sessions. Plus there was still getting all these medications in check.
All in all she just wasn't sure and she was all over the place to make this work. Even if it was just a dinner.
"Dinner sounds like a wonderful idea but I'm afraid that my schedule's a little tight. Can you give me awhile to think about all of this?" Nina asked Stacey in the most assertive tone she could ever pull off. She didn't want to offend Stacey but she really just couldn't trust her so easily yet.
"O-oh, no worries, mija. Just let me know when, you know where to reach me," Stacey put on a certain tone. "But I do hope that you consider this, Nina. I really do like to meet you and get to know you."
Nina only nodded and went with it. "I look forward to getting to know you too. I'll call you when things clear up," she forced out.
"Goodbye, Stacey," she added with a small smile on her face.
"Goodbye, Nina."
With that, Nina dropped the call. She couldn't help but feel like something was off. The whole situation was just off to her. This woman was ashamed of showing herself all these years but thinks it all could be brushed off with money? It was just weird and she wanted answers. She figured she'd get them when she's ready.
-
Oscar pulled up to his house with Nina in the passenger seat. He took her to the mall today after her last tutorial session in Brentwood. He ended up going shopping with her, mostly because he sort of just forced her to do so. Nina kept saying how guilty she was about him spending so much on her but Oscar kept insisting.
"I'm telling you, you should've gotten more stuff," Oscar said as he switched off his car.
"You're loco, cabrón," Nina shook her head and laughed. "I'm already having money problems, babe. I don't need you buying me more stuff," she added as she looked at him.
"All the more reason for me to just spoil you," Oscar shrugged looking at his house. The reason why he took her out was because he didn't really want to go home knowing the bullshit he dealt with earlier that day.
"Yea alright Sugar Daddy, if you say so," Nina teased with a smile leaning over to him. She places a hand on his chest as the other forces him to look at her. Their lips meet at that moment and Oscar didn't want to leave the car now. He needed a distraction and he needed it bad.
"But seriously though, stop spending so much on me like this," Nina said as she pulled away from him. "The next time you do this has to be on Christmas or something," she added and Oscar smiled a little.
"I ain't never gonna stop spoiling my babygirl, what you talkin' about?" he furrowed his eyebrows before pecking her lips again. Fuck, her lips were so soft. "Spend the day with me tomorrow?" he asked her softly.
"I got a few kids tomorrow in Brentwood and a couple more in Freeridge in the afternoon," Nina frowned after pecking his lips again. A lot of people did start to wonder what happened with Nina, especially those in Brentwood. All she ever said was that she was involved in an accident.
She still did some tutoring though video calls and sorts but as finals and school were coming to a close in a few weeks, all her students needed to catch up a little bit. She'd been a little tight ever since that she got back. It worried and annoyed Oscar at the same time. Nina was still supposed to be resting but here she was grinding herself to the bone already.
And after what happened earlier today, he just wanted to spend more time with his baby. "But you have me for the rest of the night and tomorrow night. You wanna come over?" she offered instead.
Oscar thought to himself for a moment. He didn't know if he wanted to sleep over at Nina's place for the night considering his circumstances but he didn't want to leave Cesar. Cesar said he was still out but maybe he should've waited it out a little more.
"What are you thinking, mi amor?" Nina asked softly noticing that Oscar was in a daze, again. As the words left her mouth he snaps out of his thoughts and runs a hand over his mouth. He says nothing as he grabs all the shopping bags from the backseat. "Papi, you okay?" she asked once more.
Oscar did not know how to break it to her. But maybe spending the night at her place and cuddling would do him good. "Do I still got some clothes over at you place?" he asked turning to her.
"Yea, you got some clothes in my room. Does this mean you're spending the night?" she questioned.
"Can I spend the weekend over? Please?" he pleaded softly. Nina thought it was cute but apart of her knew that something was bothering him. First it was all the stuff he insisted on letting her get. Then it was zoning in and out while he was waiting for her while she was in the dressing room. Then when they were having dinner in the mall. She had to snap him out several times.
Nina nodded while Oscar unlocked the door of his impala and the two of them stepped out. But before they could even make their way across the street they both hear someone holler at them.
"Nina!"
Shit, Oscar thought.
"Cesar, hey!" Nina smiled seeing the teen walk up to them but she couldn't help notice an older man was tailing behind him but Cesar seemed to be so comfortable in his presence. Little did Nina know but Oscar was already scowling behind her.
"Is this your girl, mijo?" the man asked looking at Oscar who was standing behind her. Nina's eyes widened, mijo? She looked at Oscar who only lowered his head not wanting to look at his novia.
"Nina, this is our father," Cesar smiled gesturing to the old man next to him. Nina's eyes went wide again in the. Father? She glanced her novio again noticing he was uncomfortable and pissed. He'd been zoning out every now and then, could this be why? Nina thought.
"U-uh, N-Nina Garcia, I'm Oscar's girlfriend. It's nice to meet you, Señor Diaz," Nina looked back at Oscar's supposed father. She held her hand out and their father took it for a shake but he couldn't help but notice the ring on her finger.
"Call me Ray. Cesar's told me a lot about you. Spent a year in MIT, impressive. Said you used to tutor and look after him, thank you for that," Ray nodded in respect as he let go of her hand. He looked at Oscar once more. "You got a nice girl on your hands, Oscar," he complimented lightly but Oscar stayed silent.
Nina wasn't supposed to find out like this. No doubt Ray was going to pester around Oscar's life once more and Nina might just convince him to rekindle with his father. But Oscar had no plan on doing that. He has no right to just waltz in after all these years and act like they were cool.
"I don't mean to be nosy but I couldn't help but notice the ring. You guys are getting married?" Ray brought up happily. Nina felt awkward as Oscar gave no sign about his father returning. He rarely talked about his father and Nina slowly understood his behavior knowing it was a rather sensitive topic.
"It's a promise ring, dad," Cesar corrected with a chuckle.
"We're not getting married, not yet at least. Hopefully maybe when the time is right," Nina added smiling a little. She could sense the really bad and awkward tension every time Ray looked at Oscar.
"Good to know you're thinking of settling down, mijo. Just be sure you don't bring her into the life your living. It would be a waste for a girl like her to be stuck here-"
"You think I don't know that?" Oscar finally snapped taking a step forward. His hands were balled into fists and his blood was boiling. This man had no right to talk him down about his relationship when he didn't know shit about his life anymore.
"Oscar," Nina warned in whisper grabbing onto his arm but Oscar didn't take one look at her. He was still too pissed off right now to do the whole introduce to your parents shit. But for all he cared, Ray wasn't his parent. Ray didn't know shit about parenting considering that Oscar had to look out for his own ass and Cesar's for his entire life.
Oscar said nothing as his nostrils flared and his breathing was heavy. Ray took a step back, avoiding eye contact with his son. He knew that Oscar was angry and he had every right to be. But he also wanted Oscar to know that he was trying his best to make up for lost time.
"Uhm, it's getting late. I better get going," Nina tried brushing off with a smile before turning back to her fuming boyfriend. "Babe, why don't you walk me across the street?" she suggested softly and Oscar only nodded. He knew that Nina wanted to talk about... this.
"Garcia? I knew you looked familiar! You look just like Macey!" Ray chirped again catching Nina's attention but she only furrowed her eyebrows at Ray. "MariCarmen Garcia, we used to call her Macey back in the day. She used to roll with us but we never thought about jumping her into the Santos."
Again with the new and sudden information about family. "You knew my mother?"
"Yea! She was a sweet girl. Hearing as how you turned out to be, she raised you right. Is she here?" Ray asked again as Oscar rolled his eyes. Viejito can't take a fucking hint can he? And of course he had to ask about her mom.
"She died four years ago," Nina replied and Ray's face fell.
"Oh, I'm sorry I didn't mean to-"
"Look, Nina's had a long day and she's pretty tired. I think we should give her some rest," Oscar cuts him off once more. Nina heard his voice trembling and she could tell that he was doing his best to keep it in check. It was obvious that he wasn't the happiest that his dad came out of nowhere.
"Right, sorry again. It was nice meeting you, Nina," Ray nodded as he backed away even more. Poor Cesar had to witness the awkward exchange, he figured that Oscar wasn't happy that Nina had to find out about their dad this way.
"It was nice meeting you too, Ray," Nina smiled back at him before Oscar practically tugged her so that they could start walking across the street. She unlocks the front door and they go straight into her room.
Oscar sets down the shopping bags by her closet and the two of them became quiet for a moment. He kept anticipating for Nina to talk but he didn't know what else to say to her. She was setting her stuff down by her desk and the two of them were still quiet.
"So, when were you going to tell me about your dad?" Nina asked calmly as she turned to Oscar who was clearly still mad and stressed. "Oscar," she said somberly walking up to him as he took a seat on the edge of her bed.
"He got in this morning," was all he said. His voice still trembled with anger, underneath all of that she knew that he was hurting. "Nina, I don't really wanna talk about it right now okay?" he avoided eye contact with her again.
Nina sighed kneeling in front of her boyfriend who looked so stress. His hands were balled into fists as they rested on his knees. His breathing was still so heavy and his nostrils were flaring. She knew that he clearly wasn't ready to talk about it just yet.
She said nothing as she only placed a hand on his fist and another on his cheek so he could look at her but his eyes were still on the floor. "Don't be stubborn, look at me," she chuckled a little as her thumb grazed his teardrop tattoo.
Oscar sighed before taking one look at the love of his life. She offered him a small smile and he instantly felt himself go soft. It was like he was under a spell when it came to her. Those goddamn eyes. That goddamn smile. It was all her small gestures that brought him back to where he was. And he would feel even safer just being there with her.
"Aquí. I wanna hold my baby," he tugged on her arm to pull her up from kneeling on the floor before he started pulling her into her lap. She chuckled as Oscar started cuddling her. "I love you," he mumbled against her soft skin.
Nina turned to her boyfriend and replied to him softly. "I love you too," she presses her lips on his for a moment before wrapping her arms around his neck. The two of them stayed in that position until Nina spoke again.
"I finally called her."
"Stacey Ramos?" he asked as Nina nodded in reply. "How'd it go?"
She sighed closing her eyes momentarily. "Turns out she really is my tía. I didn't even know my mom had a sister," she replied. Oscar couldn't help but snicker to himself with all these random family members coming out of the blue.
"Sorry, first it's my dad then suddenly you have a tía. It all just sounds so fucked up to me," he admits and Nina huffed in response. "What she say about the money? Is she actually your mom's sister?"
Nina shrugged in response. She honestly didn't know what to believe. "Mom never even talked about family. I never knew that she used to live here until after she died. Now I'm hearing that she used to run with the Santos? None of it is making sense," she tried brushing off with a laugh.
"She said the two of them grew apart during Mami's senior year. Got mad at my mom for heading to New York. I don't even fucking know," she chuckled sarcastically again. "She shows up twice— once during my dad's funeral and my mom's. Offers me money but the moment I refuse she disappears for four years only to pay my hospital bill in full?"
"Yea, like suddenly that just makes up for loss time and she claims to be a blood relative. Bullshit," she mumbled as she fiddled with her fingers. "Like, I don't have a reason to trust this person but she's inviting me to dinner. I just don't know," she sighed.
Oscar brushed her hair over her face. He didn't actually think that Nina would be having these issues too and all so suddenly. What made it fucked up was this person knew where Nina was and that she was struggling but didn't do shit. Just because she refused her offer at first doesn't take away the other chances she could've helped her.
"What you say? About the dinner, I mean," Oscar asked as he eyed her fingers. He carefully laces his fingers with hers and begins playing with them. Her hand was much smaller compared to his, it felt like a perfect fit.
"I told her I was busy and that I would think about it," she muttered under her breath. "I don't know shit about this person and I feel like something was off. I don't know," she shrugged again.
"I bet she feels guilty," Oscar snorted. "But at the end of the day she ain't doing it for you. She's doing it for herself, so she doesn't feel that kind of shit on her anymore," he added catching Nina's attention prompting her to look at her boyfriend in the eye.
"I mean you said it yourself. She drops by twice then disappears all these years then she finds out you nearly died but only shows up to pay the bill and ask you out for dinner? That shit ain't fair," he shook his head. "She does these favors and asks for a night out and suddenly expects you to be okay with it? She expects that everything between the two of you would be okay?"
"That doesn't take away the fact that you've running yourself down the moment you got here. Doesn't take away the fact that you almost died," he spat bitterly. "You were fighting for your life in that hospital and she doesn't try to reach out sooner. If she was really worried she would've paid you a visit."
"Just because you refuse her money first time around doesn't take away the fact that you had to carry your family on your back for four years. She could've reached out still, a text, a call, maybe even pushed on giving you money. It ain't fair how you had to go through all the bullshit and she just expects things to be okay coming back out of nowhere," he said harshly. Nina was starting to think this wasn't about her aunt anymore.
"She paid for the bill, fine. But you don't owe her shit Nina. If it were up to me? I wouldn't call that bitch back," Oscar finished harshly. Suddenly his warm touch had faded and his calm composure he had for a second was gone. Nina just stared at him for a moment as he blinked a couple of time.
"S-sorry," he muttered under his breath. He knew he probably went a little over board there. "I-it's just unfair," his eyes fell to the floor.
"I get it, mi amor," Nina nodded. "You're right, it is unfair," she found herself agreeing with him. Even though he was speaking about Stacey, Nina knew that this was something beyond that. Nina understood if Oscar didn't want to talk about his dad. But either way she understood where he was coming from with everything he just said to her. And it really was unfair.
---
did i just drop a major bomb? yes... yes i did...
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