Santiago

I came out the courtroom having a smile on my face because I won the case against Trey. I wanted to go out and celebrate but the only thing stopping me was I had to be at the restaurant to help out for a family dinner.

"Dad what's this about?",I asked once I got there.

"I don't know. I was summoned here too."

We all sat at a table near the entrance and gathered hands to pray over the food.

"So what's the big news?",I asked digging in.

"So as you know summer is coming up and we have to go to Dominican Republic for our annual family reunion. Your father and I have decided on a date",my mom said.

"We did?",my dad answered causing me to chuckle.

"Si papi. May 20th",she said.

"That's next month",my dad said sounding surprised.

"What's wrong with next month?"

"I gotta request it off."

"Same here",i said.

"Well you have plenty of time." I thought going to go see the fam back home would be cool cause I haven't talked to my cousin Carlos in a long time. He's my cousin but he's like a brother to me.

"Can I bring Khia?",i asked my mom. Everyone looked at me letting me know that i was asking for a lot considering the fact that they just met her.

"I think it'll be great experience for her to see where we come from",I said backing myself up with an explanation.

"I think not. You just met the girl yourself and now you want to introduce her to everyone?",my mom said.

"Mom we've been dating for 4 months now."

"Won't be long before we hear about a break up",she said biting into her churros.

"Cmon Bebe. Don't say that. Let her come",my dad said.

"Who's gonna pay for her ticket?",she asked.

"That's taken care of honey",my dad said.

"I don't want her on this trip. If you guys make it to next year, then maybe she can come along",my mom said sternly. It was evident to me that my mother didn't like Khia but I had no reason why. Only possible reason is because she wasn't Hispanic like we are and I would hope that wouldn't be the reason cause I would go off. We finished eating dinner together and I decided to call Khia to see what she was doing tonight. I wanted to take her out to the club cause I had to make an appearance although she might not want to go cause I've realized parties and clubs aren't her scene.

"Hey stranger",she answered on the first ring.

"I've been gone for a day and I'm already a stranger? Damn",I said jokingly and laughing. I went outside and leaned my back up against the door of the restaurant.

"How was the case? Did you win?",she asked me.

"Yea baby I did. That's why i wanted to take you out to celebrate."

"Aww okay where? We going to the movies?"

"Nah babe. We gonna hit this club tonight. I got a couple of my homies hosting it and I gotta make an appearance",I said. She was kinda silent on the phone and I kinda knew why.

"You don't have to go If you don't want to",i said.

"I mean if I do go, are you gonna buy me a drink?"

"I'll buy you as many drinks as you want babygirl",I said causing her to giggle. I could feel her blushing through the phone.

"Alright what time are you going to pick me up?"

"11 cause you get in free."

"Okay I'll have to sneak out though."

"Okay then I'll be at your place early. I don't want to have you all out at night by yourself in the cold."

"Okay."

Khia

I always find myself comparing Santiago to Trey. It's just so much things I wished Trey did that Santiago is doing. Santiago not only tells me he cares but he shows it too. He's all about action and not just words and I appreciated that a lot. Each and every day I was beginning to love him more and more. Yes, I said love and I wanted to tell him that but I'm just waiting on the right time. As I tied two braids to the back of my twists, I looked into my vanity mirror To see if I was missing anything on my make up that I did. I threw on a black strapless dress and I was satisfied at my figure. I put on my black stilettos and sat on my bed waiting to hear from Santiago. Just then he texted me that he's outside. I grabbed my cute red biker jacket and tip toed my way down the stairs. I took off my heels and had them in my hands to make it easier. I don't know why I was sneaking out when I'm grown. Sounds ridiculous but until I can get a stable job, my mom's house is where ima be. I opened the back door slowly and walked out to tiago's car who was parked a block away.

"You good?",Santiago said scaring me a bit.

"You couldn't wait out in the car?",I yelled (whispered).

"I wasn't about to let you walk all the way over there on your own",he said laughing.

"Shh she's sleeping." He looked at me and shook his head.

He walked with me and once we got to the car, he unlock the doors letting me in. I was freezing cold so he turned the heater on for me. Swear he was a sweetheart. He parked the car in the back of the parking lot and let me out. He walked with me with his hand on my waist and showed the security at the door a card. I'm guessing he had vip. I scoped the club around and it was really nice but very packed with people. Juan was on stage and waved Santiago over. The music was insanely loud and Everyone was bumpin and grindin.

"It's the man of the hour",Juan said grabbing him a shot of alcohol.

"Uhm he's my ride so please don't make him drink tonight",I said taking the shot and gulped it. It spiked the back of my throat. Juan and Santiago laughed and i made myself comfortable on the dance floor.