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Siara

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Mr Martino doesn't look happy to hear that I'll be staying with them. Though, he does look more irritated than angry, which is a good thing... I think.

"With whose permission?" He asks, raising his eyebrows in question.

He sounds calm, which kind of scares me. People that speak calmly when they are either annoyed or angry are dangerous.

Hunter sighs when he hears Mr. Martin's question, scratching the back of his head afterwards. It looks like he's having trouble with his words, but I really do hope that he starts speaking before Mr. Martino kills us.

I'm not easily scared, unless I sense danger, like right now.

Mr Martino gives me two types of goosebumps: the 'oh my gosh he's so handsome' goosebumps, and the 'oh my gosh, he's going to kill me' goosebumps.

The man is very scary, and him being calm at this moment is scary as well. I really want him to throw a tantrum, maybe then, my nerves will settle down.

"Diego, can we please talk about this later?" Hunter asks, plead in his voice.

His voice sounds like a whisper, like he doesn't want me to hear him. But that can't be possible, because Hunter is quite loud. He also has a very deep voice that can scare a ghost away.

Mr. Martino looks him in the eyes before uttering words that I really didn't want to hear. "No... Tell me what the the fuck is going on right now," He says, his cold voice echoing in the silent room.

I know that I said that Hunter can scare a ghost away, but Mr Martino can scare both ghosts and lions away.

Mr Martin has a really deep voice, which is quite firm and mascular. And his voice is also quite attractive.

"Diego not now, please... not in front of Ms Rowland," Hunter mutters, glancing at me for a second before looking back at Mr Martino, who doesn't show any emotion on his face.

I really want to tell the two that I can leave. But my tongue feels so heavy, and my mind is telling me to shut the fuck up.

And because I love myself, I listen to the voice that is in my head.

Yes, the conversation revolves around me, but I'm not the one that started the battle. Hunter started the battle and he's going to end it on his own.

I refuse to throw myself in the lion's den: I'm no hero nor do I want to be one.

Mr Martino and Hunter are brothers, and I'm just a stranger to them... Mr Martino won't think twice before blowing my brains out.

The man's name is all over the streets. I know that he isn't as bad as everyone thinks he is, but I also know that he is also a well known gangster.

What is the point of getting hurt when you know that the person you are fighting for is going to be alright in the end? What's the point of risking my life for someone who might not even be in danger?

Mr Martino and Hunter might begin to argue right here, right now. But I doubt anything will stop them from talking at the end of the day.

Family sticks together at the end of it all, especially when there is love in the family.

"Why can't we discuss this here? In front of her? This is my house, a home that I built... And I don't think I'm comfortable with people coming in and out of here without my permission," Mr Martino says, looking at me intensely. "She is invading my privacy, something that is illegal... Right, Ms. Rowland?" He asks, making me swallow hard.

I nod my head as a reply, not loving the attention that the two are now giving me. This isn't what I signed up for.

My heart is pounding inside my chest, not liking how Mr. Martino is looking at me.

Can the ground open up and swallow me already? Can a monkey come swinging through the window, so that it can take me away?

This property has a lot of trees, I'm sure there are a few monkeys around here.

"Diego, this is just stupid...Ms Rowland is here because I called her. You of all people know that I can't invite a stranger here without doing a background check on them," Hunter says, which makes me sigh in relief.

Though, my relief turns into anger when I process his last sentence.

Who gave him permission to do a background check on me? That is invasion of privacy; I can sue him for that.

"Why would you call someone you haven't known for long to stay here? Sometimes one's background is hidden from the world: Ms. Rowland might be a spy... Are you two sneaking around? Is that why you want her to stay here? You want to be going about it in my house?"

His words hurt more than I would like to admit.

Does he think I'm that cheap? Does he think that I open my legs to every stick that comes my way?

I know that a stranger's opinion of me shouldn't matter. I know that I shouldn't let something that isn't true affect me.

But sometimes lies hurt more than the truth.

When someone lies about me, I'll always get hurt. Because that's something I don't see myself doing.

And even if I try to ignore the lies that are said about me, my conscious will try to convince me that I am exactly what is said about me.

"Diego, neither of us know Ms. Rowland: it's rude us to assume things that are not true. And-"

"And my parents didn't raise a whore." I interrupt Hunter, finally finding my voice.

I can tell that Hunter is shocked to hear me speak up for myself, but that doesn't stop me from saying what is on my mind.

"Look, Mr Martino: I'm not like the whores you're used to. I am not cheap, nor do I open my legs to every stick that comes my way... I'm here to help you, and if you feel like you don't need my help, then just say so. I'll go back where I came from, and you'll never see me here again." I say to him, confidently.

Am I still scared of Mr. Martino? Yes, I am.

Do I regret standing up for myself? Hell no.

I'm not going to let anyone say shit about me. I am not going to let anyone downgrade me.

My parents raised a queen. They raised a queen that knows her value.

I might sound dumb, but I know that I'm still willing to help the man.

I'll feel guilty if I just leave here without rendering a helping hand. I promised myself that I'll help him, and I plan on keeping my promise.

I've passed through what Mr Martino is passing through, and I know that he just needs a helping hand. I know that he thinks that he doesn't need help, but he does.

Everyone that lives on the surface of the earth needs help... Even the most dangerous animals need help.

Plus, I know that I can't go back home within twenty four hours.

Yes, my parents will accept me back with open arms. But I have to remember that I promised to make them proud; I promised to go back there with a smile of victory on my face.

"Fine." Mr Martino utters, looking at me with what seems to be frustration on his face.. "Do whatever the fuck you want: just don't damage anything while you're here." He says before walking out of the kitchen.

It hurts to know that he won't apologize to me, but I guess I'll just have to ignore what he said. I'm here to work, and no one said that working here will be easy.

"Welcome to the family, Ms. Rowlands," Hunter's satisfied voice brings me out of thoughts.

I look at him in the eyes, hating the smile that is present on his face.

I wish I can punch him right now.