PHONE RATTLE AGAINST THE COFFEE TABLE, he squinted through the morning light grabbing it from the surface. A quick skim of the screen and he was on his feet. Alejo ambled blindly out of his room to the restroom finding a fully dressed Santiago as he tucked the house keys in his pocket.
“It’s early man, what are you doing?” Alejo rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
“Sylvia texted me— said it was an emergency.” He replied the door swung shut behind him.
Alejo shrugged, toddled into the bathroom.
Legs bounced as he sat in the back of the rideshare that moved agonizingly slow. She had not said what happened, whether that was better or worse he did not know.
Eliana had said the danger would be from others looking to take his power. If they followed his trail, it would lead them right to Rosenia’s front door.
He jogged up the steps prepared for the worst. Still the well-maintained property remained as serene as ever. The flora glistened with morning dew.
Doorbell sounded inside and he heard footsteps. Through the curtained glass he could see a silhouette that was much too tall to be Khalil.
Santiago did not recognize the boy who stared back at him. He assumed another knew resident of the house. He could not have been much older than himself. Though he was tall enough Santiago had to tilt his head back to meet his gaze.
Etienne looked him over, before asking in a thick southern drawl. “Who you?”
“Santiago.” He said.
Etienne smiled, “Ga lee you got here quick boy.”
“Wha—” Santiago did not finish the question before the fist caught him on the side of his jaw. Sent him tumbling back down the steps.
Santiago shook his head and rubbed at his jaw. Quick footsteps approached and a strong hand grabbed him up by the front of shirt.
The second blow had white spots dancing in front of his eyes. Only person that had ever hit him this hard was Alejo.
He admittedly was caught off guard. Santiago expected these thieving witches would come at him with spells.
Was not expecting a straight up brawl.
Santiago blocked the third strike bringing his arm up. He snaked his other up and locked up the arm to grapple the boy. Swung his head forward butted him square on the nose.
Etienne staggered back, dabbed at his nose with an amused sneer. “That the best you got?”
Santiago glowered, stepping forward.
“Etienne stop!” Sylvia ran down the steps to latch on the boy's arm.
“Stop? This what he wanted innit?” Etienne waved at him, “I’m here, now. What’s good?”
Santiago stopped, “Oh that’s right. The boyfriend, forgot about you.”
That was true enough.
Admittedly it was a petty act to stir the pot. He was a little hurt being used by the girl he genuinely liked, not that he would ever let her know that.
“You won’t forget these hands.” Etienne replied heatedly, he stood steadfast under the delicate palms of the girl in front of him.
“Etienne.” Rosenia called sternly. “That’s enough of this nonsense. Remember whose house you’re in.”
“Yes, Ms Rose.” The boy looked back casting a venomous look at Santiago before he marched back inside. He murmured softly. “We ain’t done.”
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
Santiago dabbed at his bleeding brow.
He could have left. He did not.
Not without a word to Rosenia about her deception. There was no way he was going to let that slide.
“Come on let’s get you cleaned up.” Said Sylvia softly.
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Mahogany cabinets clicked close as the older woman moved about the kitchen. Granite countertops were littered with bloodied gauze, cotton balls, and rubbing alcohol. The crystal chandelier had starlight’s dance across the richly colored walls.
Ice stung against the swelling on the side of his face. It was worth it to see the purplish red splotch form across the center of Etienne’s face.
Santiago’s gaze was locked onto Rosenia.
“You got a staring problem.” Etienne said.
Sylvia chided him as she delicately rubbed a numbing ointment across his face.
“Don’t worry about what I do.” Santiago shot back.
“Enough.” Said Rosenia.
“You don’t tell me shit.” Santiago snapped.
Etienne growled, “Watch that damn mouth.”
“Or what?” Santiago replied.
Etienne stood up.
Sylvia grabbed the front of his shirt. She looked back at Santiago. “What is wrong with you? Why are you acting like this?”
“Am I supposed to be chummy with the woman who lied to my face.” He slammed the ice pack onto the table sending shards scattering across the stained wood floors. “You let me think my mom was dead.”
A heavy silence fell.
Sylvia waited expectantly for Rosenia to deny it. There was no way she would do something like that. Not when she knew how much the boy cared for his mother.
Rosenia sighed, “Give me a moment with Santiago.”
Etienne looked like he wanted to argue, instead he sent a glare at the boy as he sulked out of the room.
“I know you’re angry with me, Santiago. Perhaps, it wasn’t the best course of action, but I always had your best interest at heart.”
Of course, it was always in his best interest. Not an exploitation of his vulnerabilities.
Rosenia had lied to him from the very beginning. Everything she said or did came with an ulterior motive attached.
“Of course because Saint Rosenia knows what’s best for everyone. Live in a perfect house. Go to a perfect school. Be a perfect child and you might just get a treat.” Santiago mocked,
“All I wanted is for you to have the opportunity to do something more with your life.”
More. It was always something more.
He had to do better. Be better.
Had to be worthy.
“You’re the one who looks down on me and my life like it’s worth less than yours.” Santiago snapped. “Did it ever occur to you that I was happy? Yeah my life was a shit show, but it’s my life. My friends. My family. My home. I don’t want more. I want what you’ve been keeping me from.”
Rosenia's hands folded in front of her as she watched the boy with pity in her eyes, “I was only trying to protect you.”
“And what about her? Who was protecting her?” Santiago said.
Rosenia said. “I can’t control what your mother does—”
“You can’t control me either.” Santiago snarled, “You’re so used to puppeteering everyone around you. They bend over backwards to kiss your ass. I don’t give a fuck about you.”
“Santiago—” She gasped. With the audacity to be offended yet the boy was wholly unapologetic.
“No.” Santiago snapped, “I don’t need your money. I don’t need your protection. I don’t need your mentoring. I don’t need you.”
“I know you are upset with me and it’s understandable if you don’t feel comfortable training under me.” Rosenia spoke gently, “I can make arrangements—”
“No arrangements necessary. I have a new teacher. One who cared enough to help my mom.”
“What—Santiago, please tell me you aren’t talking about Eliana.” Rosenia replied, taken aback. “You need to stay away from that woman.”
“Why? Because she doesn’t listen to you.” Santiago could feel the heat rising in his face. How she could still stand there and talk like she was somehow doing the right thing made his blood boil.
“This isn’t about me. Whatever she told you, whatever she promised you. Forget it, she is dangerous.” Rosenia urged.
“Dangerous like how?”
Rosenia stared at him soberly.
“See, that's what I hate about you. You only tell me what you decide I deserve to know and it’s never the truth. You string people along with little kernels of half-truths and make it seem like you’re doing them a favor.” Santiago glowered at her.
“Santiago, she’s the reason your father is dead.”
“And you think I’m going to believe that?” He shot back.
At this point of course she would say anything to poison him against Eliana. She was losing her hold and Rosenia could never allow that.
“Whether you do or not doesn’t make it any less true.” Rosenia replied solemnly.
“You think she sent your mother away for her well-being? No.” She frowned, “She sent her away so Guadalupe couldn’t protect you from her manipulation. If you don’t believe me then at least believe your mother. Talk to her.”
Santiago had heard enough.
He ignored her calls as he stormed through the estate gates without a backward glance.