It's days like yesterday that make me think of how complicated I am. Perhaps it is because of what happened to me, or because I am just naturally complicated. The embarrassment that I feel at the moment is too much that I don't want to see Rafael ever again. He probably thinks that I am too complicated and hard to handle, that he might doesn't even want to be my friend. Not that we were friends before, the man hates me.

Removing the duvet that's wrapped around my body, I lazily make my way to the bathroom. The dream I dreamt comes crashing down at me as I sit on the toilet and do my business. My father and brother, Andrew, were questioning me, demanding to know why I helped criminals escape. My father had a scowl on his face, while my brother had a sad look. He was always the gentle type, though he left the moment he could to escape my parents.

My father then grabbed my hair, making me scream in pain, as he pushed my face on the table, demanding answers. That's when I woke up.

I am not concerned about the police funding me as much as I am concerned about my father finding me. Not that he ever laid his hands on me, but I know that he would do emotional and mental damage—much worse than what the police would do.

Not saying that physical damage is less of a pain than mental and emotional damage. They're all worse than the other.

I flush the toilet and clean myself with water before washing my hands and brushing my teeth. My hair looks messy and disheveled.

I sigh before leaving the bathroom and getting ready for the day.

I pull out my favorite outfit, a crop-topped white blouse, high-waisted light blue straight jeans, and my lucky white air force.

It's considered a teenager's look, but who cares. Anyone can wear whatever they want.

I grab my white coat and walk out of my bedroom. The smell of French toast hits my nostrils as I make my way downstairs. I almost moan in delight at the smell. My legs involuntarily make their way to the kitchen.

The back of a woman standing beside the table catches my eye. Her beautiful brown shoulder-length hair looks shiny under the sunlight, but what catches my attention are her eyes. Just like Rafael's.

Beautiful forest green.

I see Manuel with a bright smile, helping the woman with the food. I look in awe as I see his eyes sparkle as if he's seen the most beautiful thing in the world.

"Good morning," I say with a grin as I look at both of them.

"Good morning, mi hija! Come, let me introduce you to my wife!" he excitedly says.

"Mrs. Santos, it's very nice to finally meet you," I politely say, raising my hand for her to shake.

She looks intently at me with narrowed eyes, making me feel as if I said something room, but then a smile covers her red lips as she grabs my hand and pulls me into a hug.

"So, you're the famous daughter Manuelito has been talking about nonstop."

Manuelito. I fucking love her.

"And you're the famous Victoria Manuel had been raving about," I reply, a wide grin spreading on my lips as I look at her slightly blushed face.

"Well, ever since he escaped, he has been telling me about you through the phone. I had to come and see for myself."

"I am happy that you're finally here." I smile at her.

Manuel looks around as he holds Victoria's hand, and says, "Where is Alba?"

"She's changing in her room. She will come at breakfast," Victoria replies, giving her husband a chaste kiss.

"I hope you like French toast," Victoria says, bringing her attention back at me and leaving her husband wanting more of whatever little attention she was giving him.

"I do. It smells divine," I say excitedly.

Before she could say anything, the sounds of footsteps invade the kitchen, grabbing our attention to them.

Rafael, Cash, Alex, and Alba, walk together, joining us. Alba runs to her father and hugs him. She keeps stressing how much she had missed him and how he is going to continue teaching her self-defense.

Rafael hugs his mother and kisses her forehead, while Cash and Alex hug her. They look like a beautiful family and for some reason, I feel like I shouldn't be here. It feels illegal, but I ignore the feeling because frankly, I have nowhere to go.

"Now that everyone is here, let's eat!" Victoria says. She tells the two maids that I haven't seen to place everything on the table.

"Hello, I am Alba." Alba smiles.

"Hello, I am Ana," I reply, reciprocating the smile.

We walk towards the dining table and take out seats. Manuel sat on the head of the table, while Victoria and Rafael were beside him on each side. After Rafael sat Alba and then Cash. Alex sat beside Victoria on the other side, and I sat beside Alex.

The maids start bringing the breakfast and placing them on the table. My mouth watered at the sight of the French toasts and the multiple other plates. I itch to reach for the food, but I refrain from doing so.

When everyone starts eating, I reached for the food, hoping no one is focused on me. I hate when I eat with a lot of people. When I was younger, my father used to always be at work during lunch and dinner. My brother Andrew was living in dorms with his friends, so we didn't see him that much. It was only me, my sister, Sarah, and my mother.

Imagine living with two people who have the same ugly personality and who always pick on you and how you look. Anything my mother used to say, my sister, imitated it. That's why my sister and I have a rocky relationship. I don't blame her. Living with a mother like ours was hard. Sarah tried to live her own life, away from the house, but it only made her crueler. I don't know whether it was because of our mother, or from her own experiences. She wasn't bad before, but she became worse when I decided to quit my job at the hospital.

I was close with Andrew until he decided to move out, leaving me alone with them. And don't let me start on my father.

Seeing this big family together, even though Cash and Alex are not blood-related, brings a smile to my lips. I feel lucky to be here with them.

"Mi hija, why aren't you eating?" Manuel asks. Everyone stops eating and looks at me.

"I must have daydreamed, sorry." I start eating, wanting to get rid of all the attention Manuel brought on me.

I could feel someone's gaze on me and when I look up, it turns out to be Rafael's. I still don't know what to feel about Rafael. One time he's nice and the other he's cold. I still don't know how to talk to him and act around him.

"Has anyone tried contacting you?" Alex stops eating and looks at me.

"I don't know. I left my phone at my apartment," I reply.

"The police must have investigated your parents," Cash adds.

I shrug. "I don't care."

My answer must have shocked Victoria because when I looked at her, a shocked expression adorned her features.

She doesn't know, it's okay.

After breakfast, we all walk to the backyard. A golden retriever I have never seen here before runs towards Rafael and jumps on him. It is the first time that I see Rafael smiling.

The dog then skips toward me and starts sniffing.

"Hey," I gently say, kneeling to his level and petting his head.

"He's a sucker for girls," Alba comments.

"What's his name?" I ask, enjoying the feeling of his soft fur against my hand.

"Cheddars," she replies, sneaking a look at Rafael, who has a scowl on his face.

"Cheddars? Did Rafael name him?" I giggle, covering my mouth with my other hand.

Alba joins me, while Rafael's scowl only deepens. "No, I did, but Cheddars is Rafael's dog I got him on his birthday a few years ago. I made him get used to the name that Cheddars didn't listen to my brother when he called him Leo," she explains.

"Leo...such name guys would name their dogs," I reply.

"I know!" she exclaims, shaking her head.

The sound of footsteps cuts our conversation. I look to my right, only to freeze in my place upon seeing the person standing by the backyard's entrance.

"Ana?"

* * *