CHAPTER SONG - Better Khalid

I sighed, running my hand down my face. "Dad, can you just fucken tell me how you're feeling without all the other bullshit?" I shot back harshly. I was more then pissed, so pissed that this table is starting to look really good to flip.

Kirsan looked up at me from across the table, his own worry present in his frowning face. His to chicken shit to call dad, they all are. So here I am, the only one that's welling to deal with his attitude. As if his that scary. A little, but I ain't a little bitch like they are.

My dad is a challenging man, I knew this and when you add in him getting hurt, which he is no matter what he fucken say's, well then he becomes insufferable. The man was shot a week ago, and now his sitting in his office, swearing high and low that his fine. "I said I'm fine! You and your mother are giving me a headache! How many time's do I have to say the same bullshit over and over. Quit calling me, this is your fourth call today and Mateo, honestly hijo, it's only eleven am. Do you not have anything else to do?"

I clenched my jaw, trying not to cuss at the man and fighting the urge to get up and leave this pile of shit to go to him. Strength of steel, that's what I'm gripping onto right now. And I don't know why his fighting so hard. What was two more days' at home? It's not like everything wasn't basically running smoothly to the point that he can't take off the two days. No. He just has to be fucken stubborn and cause everyone a damn headache.

I gripped the phone in my hand. "Fine dad. But I'm calling again in an hour to check on you."

"I'm not going to pick up. Actually, I'm blocking you."

I took a deep breath in, trying to reel in all the fuming anger. "Then I'll call mom." I replied as cold as my fucken soul and glanced up at the doorway of the cafeteria, noting Ash making his way over to us with one of his buddy's. He, out of all of us was the social butterfly. But where the hell was Maddox though? Or the girl's for that matter. My dad huffed on the other side of the line, "Fucken mommy's boy. You do that."

I was about to arguing, again, but he beat me too it. "See you at home hijo." he said, and hung up. I gripped my phone so hard that it dug into my palm, as I clenched my jaw hard enough for the pain to radiate through my whole mouth and head. I needed to punch something, anything. I was already in the gym all morning, and I swear I was beat but right now I could punch a bag for a least another two hours.

He should have never gotten hurt. He shouldn't have even been there, one of our men was suppose too be. My mom almost lost her shit. I haven't seen her cry that hard in, well, ever. The last week has been exhausting. A hellish fight in the Ramos household because everyone is on edge. Mom's fine now, but we can tell that she too is holding herself up with breaking strings. To many memory's coming back, to many emotion's crawling in. Dad is pretending to be all fucken dandy too, per usual.

In front of me, Kirsan eyed me. "How is he?" he asked as I tried to breath without actually fire at this point. The man was fucken going to make me go mad. I mean, like mental institute mad. "Awesome." I replied as Ash dropped down in the chair making me glare at him too. I swear the kid has no clue how to do anything without being a fucken drama queen. Does he know how to sit down normally? No. He fall's into the chair so hard that it almost tips over. "How's dad?" Is his first question.

Can eighteen year's old get strokes? If not, I'll be the first. I'll go down in fucken medical history books.

With a cold glare I replied, "Call him and find out."

He shot me a horrified look. "And hear him bitch at me for calling? No thanks. You're the only brave one of this bunch with ball's big enough to deal with the man. I rather not get hung for it."

I sighed, placing my elbow's onto the table and dropping my face into my hands. "Still being a pain in the ass then I take it." Ash muttered and I shot him a hardened stare through my hands.

I was still highly pissed with him, for valid fucken reason even if he doesn't find them valid. I'm a rational person, with stellar control of my mind. In order for something to really reach deep enough to bother me, that has to be a serious situation. I could go through the day without a single fucken care in the world. I was breed for it, raised to keep my cool all the fucken time. Thought to not let anything bother me, and of course if something does bother me, I knew how to keep it to myself. But Ash was the master of riling me up. Ash found the one thing that makes me want to puke and die, and fucken bought two of them. One would have been bad enough, but he got two. And, what's worse is those two fucken beasts' live down the hall from me. So what happen last night was a valid fucken reason for me to kill him, and yet here he sits, grinning at me.

I raised my head out of my palms and glance at the door again. Where the hell was Madds. Fuck, I needed him right now. He could calm me, even if it's by a millimeter. I can't be fully calm right now, not with my dad sitting somewhere with a bullet wound that is still healing.

A group of girl's passed our table, chatting between themselves and I wouldn't have even noticed them if it wasn't for Kirsan. "Olivia, how are you?" he called out and made me glace at him before turning my head over my shoulder to see the girl. I knew who she was, we all did. She was his challenge? Game? I don't know, but obsession was one way of describing it.

His strong obsession was a girl with long black hair, thick and full, curled at the ends. She had a glare so sharp that it could cut, especially when she looked at him. Deep, almost black eye's that could hunt and kill you with just a look and the girl was off limits. To ever fucken idiot in the school, Kirsan has put a warning out. Touch her, and you'll meet the hand of the devil. Like I said, obsession and we don't even know why because the girl hates him.

She spun around, scowling with cherry red lips at him. "We have talked about this Kirsan, multiple time's if I recall correctly, do not talk to me. Do you need to see a doctor? I can recommend a neurologist if that's the case."

Kirsan's grin pulled wide, stretching across his impassive face. "I'm perfect healthy, maybe it's you who need's the help because you are clearly blind to the fact that you like when I give you attention. It's all you want, actually. Would you like me to schedule you an appointment too an Optometrists? I promise to only get the best one."

The girl's eyes widened in horror and darkened as she shot daggers into my brother, making me smirk as I watched the scene in front of me. She took a step towards him. "Don't say that so loud! I don't want people even thinking that's remotely true. Go find someone else to bother." she spat, before turning her head over her shoulder and marching away.

My brother's grin basically grew more as his attention stayed glued to the girl running away from him as if he was completely disgusting. As if he was some sort of plague. Ash laughed. "That girl is not into you, give it up already." he said, pulling his backpack onto this lap but Kirsan shook his head, leaning onto his elbow's and watching Olivia. "Oh she's into me. She just don't want to admit it."

I raised my brow at him, glancing behind me to try to find what the hell he was talking about. All I found was Olivia with her back facing us, completely uninterested in my very interested brother. She didn't even look like she cared that he was here, and staring. "Why's that?" I asked, turning back.

He dropped his hand, pointing his finger at her.

"Because that girl has lost to much and she doesn't like to lose. Surrendering to me is losing in her mind but one day she's going to realize she's not losing anything, she's winning. One day that girl is going to save me."

I brought my leg up onto the chair, getting more comfortable. To Kirsan I replied, "And what do you need saving from?"

He shrugged, still grinning like a serial killer who just found his next prey. Not that this was news or anything. Everyone knew of Olivia , and everyone knew Kirsan doesn't give up. "Lot's of thing's that only she can save from." he replied.

I was confused, but most people would be when talking to him. Most of the time he gave straight answering but when it came to Olivia, or anything Kirsan didn't want to share there was no way to ever get it out him. He will only confuse you further until your so lost you regret asking. I have a feeling that's where I'm heading now. "Why can't she save you now?" I wondered, watching him. Was he in love? Is that what he was feeling because the idiot confused the fuck out of me when I asked him plain out if he loved her. "It's so much more then that." he said, and nothing else.

He straightened, taking his gaze off of her and met mine. "She's to busy saving herself currently and I'm not her priority."

What the hell that meant I have no clue, and he wouldn't tell me even if I asked. I could go digging, figuring it out but out of privacy to him, I won't and I was about to tease him about it, when I looked up, noticing Maddox. Who was walking towards us, holding a white box in his hands. Closely behind him Lina was following, and her friend Sara. "What's in the box?" I narrowed my eyes at him and both of my brother's glanced over their shoulders.

"What's in the box?" Ash echoed after me, turning more in his chair.

Maddox stopped beside the table, setting the box of the table in front of me. "It's motherfucken cupcake day." he grinned like a fucken idiot. Alright, I'm just in a sour ass mood. He look's his handsome self per usual and I'm pretty fucken sure that's my hoodie his wearing, and jeans, and shoes. What the fuck dude. I swear to god if his wearing my underwear I'm going to kill him.

I glanced between the box and him. "Cupcake day is tomorrow?" I said or questioned, slightly confused. Wait, was it today? Fuck. I was so far in my own head with all my fucken anxiety for my dad that I must have not realized that it was today. Maddox pulled a chair out, sliding down next to me and leaning it. "What's up? You have that face."

I sighed, keeping myself from cringing at the fact that he just flinched when his body contacting with mine. Fuck if that didn't hurt but I'm being patient, giving him time and support. Who the fuck knows what trama that week left on him. He doesn't want to talk about it, just wanted to pretend it never happened. Replying to him, I said, "What face?" I knew what face.

He raised his brow at me, clearly telling me to drop the act and I sighed, running my hand through my hair. "My dad's being difficult." I explained making Maddox leaned sideways, to pull his phone out of his pocket before dialing his dad. Like I said, the guy can calm me. He knew me. Like he knew himself, he could read me. He knew what I needed, and what would help. Calling his dad, getting more information on mine, that would help.

I looked away from him, giving the illusion of privacy but my hearing was glued to him. I blinked at Lina who was sitting in front of me in a skin tight black turtle neck, which was tucked into dark blue washed jeans. A gold neckless sat around her neck, emphasizing the sweet sunset's in her eyes. And a eye catching grin spread on his face as she glanced between the box on the table, and me. Her hand's were tucked under her thighs and if I didn't know any better, I would say she was swinging her leg's back and forth. "Open it." She smiled.

I glanced at her confused. Why was she so excited? Maybe she wanted one. I pushed the box in her direction. "Have one, love. I'll have one in a second." I told her but she shook her head, still smiling. I was about to reply, but Maddox started talking and I lost focus, looking back at him.

"Dad, how's uncle?" Maddox asked. My anxiety climbed back up in my chest and made it tighter and tighter. Maddox nodded, his brow's creased together as he listened and I was about to snatch the phone from him but he responded, "Alright. Keep me updated." And clicked the phone before lowering it to his lap and looking at me.

Lowly, keeping our business quite he started talking as he did some voodoo hacking shit on his phone. "His fine. Dad's making sure his not doing much except sitting in his office. Dad's dealing with most of the problem's and keeping your dad's day light."

I released a long breath, not realizing how fucken much I needed someone to tell me that. It didn't get rid of all the anxiety but it minimized it to a bearable rate. I gave Mad's a nod, hoping he realizes how much he fucken helped.

He spun his phone in my direction, handing it to me. And on the screen was a live feed of my dads office where I could clearly see him at his desk. How the fuck Maddox got past his own fathers firewalls and security I wasn't going question. The guy was a tech genius. Took after his father with that.

I glanced over at him. "Who's underwear are you wearing?" I asked, cringing as his possible answer.

He rolled his eyes at me. "Dude that's gross that you think I would even do that. I love you and all, but boundaries."

I relaxed, glancing back down at the phone. "Thank fuck." I muttered, "Because your sleeping in my bed, and wearing my clothing, I just got worried for a second." I snorted, laughing at my own joke that he didn't find so funny and responded with a fuck off. Whatever, I don't mind him in my bed as long as his able to actually rest.

He left the phone in my hand, not talking it back from me. And his palm smacked my shoulder with a little extra force. "Now have a fucken cupcake. Lina made them for you." he said, grabbing the box and pulling towards me.

My head snapped to Lina who's grin I swear grew since last I looked at it. "Yep! There are four flavors." she bounced in her seat, grabbing the lid of the box and pulling it open to display the four row's of cupcakes that looked like a fucken heavenly delight. My mouth watered, and my hand's twitched to grab one but I gripped the phone harder and looked at her. I had a weakness for cupcakes, but I was starting to have a weakness for the baker too. No beino.

She kept going on with the explanation, pointing to them as she talked, "That's blueberry lemon. This one is Strawberry shortcake. This one is Lave Chocolate, and the last one is Pineapple cream cheese. I know the last one is a odd combination but I promise you it's tasty."

I stared at her, waving between shock and awe. She baked me cupcakes? Out of what? The kindness of her heart? Did that exist? Ask my mom, she will tell you yes. Ask my dad, he will say fuck no. In front of me, it existed. In Lina, it fucken did existed, no questioning that. She looked up at me, wide-eyed and sparkling. Fuck, Lina would do something like this from the kindness of her heart. She was the type of sunshine, rainbow person that would dance in the fucken rain and sing at the top of her lungs. Hell, she was that normal student I was always jealous off.

I looked back to the box in front of me, doing my best to not snatch the box all for myself and pulled forward, grabbing the blueberry one. She clapped. "Good choose!" she praised and I almost smiled. How was it that a simple praise for her and I'm warming at it. What the hell is wrong with me? Hell, the longer I was around this girl, the harder it got to keep my straight face. I unwrapped it, noticing everyone watched me and I glanced at them. "Can you all not watch me like I'm a fucken chimp? Fucken get one too."

Instantly, everyone spung into action. Ash leaned forward, grabbing one and so did Maddox and Sara but Kirsan looked over at Lina. "Is there a limit? Or can I get two?"

Lina shrugged, glancing at me. "They are Mateo's. You would have to ask him." she explained, and I shot him a look that clearly said I was debating about even giving him one so he better not fucken ask. Sure, I'm petty but with cupcakes, and I didn't care at all. But it made Kirsan sighed, as he grabbed a cupcake and lifting off his seat. "Be right back." he said and walked past me.

I pulled the wrapper off the cupcake, watching him over my shoulder walk to Olivia. He stopped behind her and leaned forward, setting the cupcake down right in front of her. She titled her head up, smiling but when she noticed it was him, that scowl returned. Sharp like tiger teeth, ready to rip you apart, she said something that we were to far to hear. It made Kirsan's lips pull into a grin as he replied to her, making her shake her head and titled it down. Ignoring him, again.

He leaned down, whispering something in her ear but before she could response he turned and walked away. The girl shot her head in his direction, angry and fucken furious but she watched him walk the whole way to the table like something about him fascinated her. Maybe he was right, maybe she did like him.

He wiggled his brow's at me, noticing me watching and telling me he knows she's watching. He know's he won. What game he was playing, I'm not sure and to be honest I'm not sure I'm smart enough to even know the rules. He sat back down in his seat, and I looked over to him. "Fine. Have another." I muttered, taking a bite of the slice of heaven.

Hell, this was amazing. Fact, this was going to make my obsession only worse. I glanced up at Lina, who was eating her own cupcake and watching me with a little bit of worry in her expression, waiting for my feedback. "It's amazing, love. Where did you learn to bake this good?"

She shrugged, her lips pulling into a grin as she bit down on the cupcake, frosting coating her lips. "Nowhere. I thought myself, I have a lot of free time on my hands most the time." she replied and I watched her gaze dropped for a second with something like sadness. I paused, mid chew and watched her. Why was she sad? But before I could think to much of it, she keep going, "Actually, the first time I baked, I almost burnt down the kitchen. My cupcake's were a mess, and the kitchen even worse. But eventually with enough practice I was able to master them, plus so many other pastries. I love making tart's! Those are so fun. You get to decorate them and even make little faces on them if you want." she grinned, smiling like this made her so happy and I was in awe with how little it took for her to just smile like nothing in his world could break that smile. Not even that sadness that lingered behind it. Something in me deemed to protect that smile.

"Oh!" she gasped, straighten in her chair, "I made another box of cupcakes for your dad. I don't know exactually what happen, but Ash seemed upset and mentioned something about you dad. So, I thought maybe he would want some cupcakes to cheer him up."

I licked my lips, glancing at my frozen brothers and Maddox for that matter. This was as Lina would put it odd ball for them, and for me. We don't see this time of kindness, and when we do? It's fucken suspicious. We don't trust it. We dont fucken trust anyone for that matter. Plus, it was my dad for fuck's sake. If only she knew that she made cupcake's for one of the world's largest Cartel leaders. Oh how that would burst her little mind.