Alejandro and I spent the day after he arrived just hanging out. I didn't have to be in the club till' nine-thirty tonight so I had most of the day free to do what I want. We decided to go visit our Ma' after grabbing some lunch.

When we get to mom's place we found her in the backyard with my grandparents, two of my aunts and an uncle.

Mom never re-married after leaving my dad. When we left Mexico we came over to live with my grandparents in the US, but I think the reason my mom hasn't moved on is because she still hopes my dad will change his mind and choose us over his work. I can't help but feel a little hope myself, even though I know that might never happen.

We walked in side by side..

"Madre! Ya llego tu hijo favorito" Alex yelled across the yard catching their attention. (Mom! Your favorite son has arrived.)

Mom gasped out loud.

"Alejandro!" she cried pulling him into a big hug. "Hijo, que gusto verte!" (What a pleasure to see you, son) she kissed both of his cheeks and embraced him tightly once again.

"I've missed you so much Ma' " he smiled down at her.

There were tears inher eyes, she stared up at my brother lovingly with a big smile on her face.

A mother never stops loving her children. No matter what they do.

"Gracias a Dios que estas bien" (Thank God you're okay) she wiped her tears. "Where's your brother? Did he come too" she looked around hopelessly, even though she already knew the answer.

"No" he shook his head. "Martin had to stay and help dad."

My mom smiled sadly. I could tell it still hurt her but she continued on and reached over to give me a hug.

"How are you baby?" she asked pulling away to look at me.

"I'm good Ma'. Just been really busy with work. Sorry for not coming to visit sooner."

"It's okay mija, I understand."

Alex and I walked over to greet the rest of our family, my grandparents and aunts hug Alex just as excitedly as my mom did but my uncle just greets him stiffly with a nod. Uncle Paco doesn't like the business my dad and brothers are involved in any better than we do, he's always disliked my father and older brothers

"How's your father and Martin?" Grandpa Rosendo asked.

"They're good. Just a little busy with work"

"We've been listening to the news" mom glanced at Alex worriedly. "I've been worried sick about you and Martin."

Alex kissed my mother's hand . "There's nothing to worry about Ma', we have everything under control."

Shaking her head in frustration my mother just mumbled a quick "Fine" and changed the subject. Not wanting to ask anything else.

"What about you Gabby? How are you and the girls doing?" she turned to me.

"Good, we're doing just fine. They've been wanting to go on a vacation for Spring Break and they want me to come along."

"Really? And where are you planning on going?"

"You should come visit us in Tamaulipas!" Alex said excitedly.

"And have to see dad? No thanks." I shook my head.

I saw my mother's smile drop, even though she was the one who left dad she never wanted me to also distant myself away from him.

Every summer when I was younger she always tried to get me to go visit my dad but I always refused. We've had millions of talks regarding my relationship with my father but I always refuse to forgive him.

"Gabby, es tu papa. No seas asi..." (Gabby, he's your father. Don't be like that...)

"The girls wan to go somewhere in Mexico, definitely not Tamaulipas though " I ignored her.

"You shouldn't go to Mexico right now" my uncle spoke for the first time. "It's not a safe place at the moment..."

Alex's eyebrows furrow in disagreement. "Oh, it's not that bad...If anything were to get complicated you just have to mention our father and you're safe."

I turn to looked at him angrily. "In case you haven't noticed I'm not proud of people knowing who my father is. I can mange on my own."

"I was just making a suggestion"

We stayed there for a few more hours just catching up with our family.Mom said I'm allowed to go anywhere I want as long as I call to check in with her.

"Well, we better get going" Alex stood up and stretched.

I looked down at my cell phone and saw it was close to eight.

We said our goodbye's to our family, they hugged my brother one last time, knowing it'll be a while before he visits again.

My mother walked us to the front door.

"Take care my boy" she hugged him tightly . "And also take good care of your brother, for me. Tell him I love them and that I'm always thinking about him."

"I will. And please don't worry about us, I'll try to call more often"

I gave my mom a hug too and kissed her on the cheek. "I'll talk to you soon Mami."

"Take care baby"

She closed the door and we walked the driveway. Two large BMW's were parked outside the house, with two men dressed in black standing by the doors, my brother nodded at them and they opened the door to the back seat.

"You're leaving already?" I asked.

"The private jet is waiting for me, dad wants me home already."

I frowned. "I thought you still had a few more hours. I wanted to invite you to the club."

He shook his head, "Sorry hermanita, maybe some other time. I can give you a ride to your job though..."

"That would be great" I smiled, I'll take anything as long as I get to spend a few more minutes with my big brother.

I followed him into the truck and the guard closed the door behind us. On our drive to the club I notice the other BMW is following close behind.

It's weird seeing my brother giving orders and having people serve him like he's a king, It must be nice to have a life full of riches... but I'm happy with my normal life. I wouldn't feel comfortable knowing the only reason I have money is because my father traffics illegal drugs.

When we pulled up the club everyone who is standing outside the entrance turns to look at my brother's trucks in awe, they must think it's a famous person arriving.

The same guard as before opened the door and my brother got out of the vehicle to help me out.

Always a gentleman.

"Thanks for coming to visit us" I hugged him. "Try to keep in touch and tell Martin to stop being an ass and get his butt down here to visit."

He laughed. "Sure thing, take care hermanita. I love you."

"Love you too"

I start walking away but then remember something I forgot to tell him.

I remember someone very important: Dad

"Alex!" I yelled out and run back to the truck.

The dark tinted window rolled down.

"Que?" (What?)

I hesitated "Can you...can you tell Dad that I love him?"

He grinned and gave me a nod. "I will. He'll be happy to hear that"

*****************

As soon as I walked into the club I spot my two best friends sitting in a table in the corner of the room with a few of our friends from school. I quickly made my way towards them and take a seat next to Sofi.

"Hey Gabbs!" the group chorused.

"Where have you been Gabby?" Brandon, who is sitting across from me asked.

"I went to visit my mom"

He leaned over the table so I can hear him over the music, his face only a few inches from me. I look at Sofi from the corner of my eye and notice her smirking at us.

"I haven't talked to you in a while" he whispered in my ear, I shift in my seat uncomfortably. "We need to start hanging out more."

I slowly back away from him and Nessa wiggles her eyebrows . "Yeah...we should"

"What are you guys doing for Spring Break?" Sofi asked the group.

Andrew and Ruth tell us they are going to their hometown L.A to visit their family.

"I'm going with a few other friends to New York" Brandon said cockily. "We're going to lot's of parties, it would be cool if you came along Gabby." he raised an eyebrow waiting for my answer. "It'll be fun"

Go on vacation with a guy who has a crush on me, but I have no interest in having a relationship with? I don't think so.

"Sorry Bran, but I'm planning on going to Mexico with Sofi and Nessa" I replied, grateful my friends invited me before he did.

"You already talked to your mom about it?" Nessa said excitedly.

"I'm allowed to go"

Brandon frowned in dissapointment, "You girls are going to Mexico? With all the violence going on right now?"

"Oh, it's not that bad!" I repeated my brother's words.

"If you say so..."

After we talked a few more minutes to our friends we had to leave them and get back to work.

"Did your brother leave already?" Sofi asked me as we work together on cleaning a large table full of beer bottles and food plates.

"Yeah"

I love my brother with all my heart, but Sofi deserves better. He's a good guy...he's just not the RIGHT guy.

"What's wrong Sofi?" Nessa joined us, looking at her sister.

"Nada" she laughed nervously, she turned to look back at us. "I'm just tired."

Nessa shakes her head and points at her sister accusingly. "You're lying to me sister, but I'll let it slide for now because I know you don't want to talk about it."

"Thank you"

"Now..." Vanessa's voice takes a more excited tone. "About this vacation thing, are we going or not?"

"I already said I'm down" I raised my hand.

We turned to look at Sofi.

"I'm in as long as we get permission from the boss."

"Whoooo!" Vanessa cheerd jumping up and down,. "We're going to Mexico baby!"

A few guys standing around look at her and whistle which just makes her dance even more.

"We gotta go talk to the Vince" I grabbed her hand and lead her to our boss's office, with Sofi following right behind.

Vanessa groaned. "This should be fun..."

**************

"Mexico?"

I glanced at my friends and can't help but chuckle at Nessa who just rolls her eyes at our boss and responds "Yes Vince, we're going to Mexico! You know, the country that's south of the U.S. the one that--"

"I know where Mexico is" Vince snapped. "You girls are crazy"

"Why?"

"Uhh, I don't know..." He mused, scratching his chin with a sarcastic look in his eyes. "Maybe because Mexico is the most dangerous place to visit right now!"

"Oh please!" Nessa waves a hand in dismissal. "Save the bull crap, we've already heard it all that and we don't care. We just want to know if it's okay with you if we go away for Spring Break."

He gazed at us for a few minutes, almost as if he's analyzing us. "Fine with me"

"Thank you!" Vanessa ran over to the other side of the desk where he is sitting and hugged him tightly. "I love ya Vince."

"But..." he raised a finger up. "You'll have to work extra hours when you come back."

"No problem" Sofi smiled.

Sofi and I follow Nessa's example and give him a quick hug, as we start walking out the door he calls us back in.

"Just one more thing before you girls leave..."

"What is it?" I ask.

A small sigh escapes his lips and he gives us a small smile.

"Please take care of yourselves...I don't want anything to happen to you girls."

Always the fatherly figure, Vince has been looking out for us since day one.

"Will do" I salute him one last time before we leave.

*************

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