Lucas's Pov

Right now I feel like I failed again. When I went to check on Alicia, I was stunned to find her lying on the floor. When I crouched beside her, I found her cheeks wet with tears and she was shivering.

I carried her to the bed and covered her with a duvet. When I was sure that she was comfortable enough, I wiped her tears.

I don't know what she went through in her past but I guess it was horrible enough to turn my once cheerful sister into a mute, scared girl.

When Xia was a baby, her laughter filled the house with life. There was a shine in her now dull eyes.

This broken girl in front of me breaks my heart.

When I looked around the room, it was very empty, which reminds me that she didn't bring much stuff with her.

So I changed my schedule and canceled all the meetings for tomorrow. I plan to pamper my sister and spend some time with her tomorrow.

I informed Yahel and the rest about the change in plan.

At dinner, I told Alicia about the plans for tomorrow and that both of us will go shopping after breakfast.

Alicia's Pov ( next day)

I was having a nervous breakdown right now, and going out with Lucas is the cause. At sir's place, I was provided with a pair or two of some old unfitted clothes. Going out was a luxury that I wasn't entitled to. Chores-school-punishment chores-punishments, this was my daily routine.

I hardly swallowed a bite at breakfast. I was shaking the entire time. Thank God nobody noticed or said anything.

I jinxed it. "Alicia last time I checked, food is for your mouth and not your eyes. Stop staring at it and eat." Felipe said or rather mocked.

Somehow I managed to eat tiny bites and engaged myself with food till everyone was done eating. Now I know how I can get away from everyone's attention and still not eat an impossible amount of food.

As I was about to take off to my room, magically out of nowhere, Lucas came in front of me and said, " Alicia we will be leaving in 15 minutes, so meet me in the living room."

I nodded and left for my forenamed haven.

Apart from the way to my room from the dining room, the rest of the mansion is a maze to me.

I so don't want to go out with Lucas, he is dressed so finely while I was wearing leggings, which are torn on the knees though it looks like ripped leggings fashion. And the top is also worn out anyway it doesn't have any big holes. When with Lucas, I'll surely look like a stray hobo.

I hurriedly tied my hair and wore shoes that were two sizes too small. Before leaving I ate two pain relief tablets, so my feet don't hurt.

Finally, I was on my way somewhere with Lucas in his fancy black car. His car was so comfortable and fancy but it had only two seats. Like the car was long enough to get two more seats fixed. Why waste space? Anyways I don't know much about cars but I loved the horse logo on his car. It was so cute standing on Its two feet.

He was driving too fast thanks to Jesus, traffic wasn't so bad and his car was smooth.

After some 30 mins, we were entering a huge mall, there were numerous stores, and each of them appeared super luxe and expensive. Why my brother can't take me somewhere average and cheap, where I don't feel so conscious and out of place?

We entered a clothing store, and on entering my eyes caught the price tag on a top, seeing the figure I almost had a heart attack and I am honestly not overstating.

"Alicia buy whatever you like just not something too revealing. Don't bother about the price, just enjoy yourself."

Thank you Lucas but everything here is super expensive, can't we go somewhere cheap? I only need a pair or two. I wrote in my diary.

" Don't worry dear you deserve the best of everything. And your brothers earn enough money to buy 10 such malls without even blinking. So stop overthinking and just fill the bags."

I still wasn't comfortable with spending Lucas' hard-earned money on this stupidly pricey stuff.

After 2 hours and myriad bags later, we were done. Lucas bought anything and everything that I even glanced at.

Anything I said or did to stop him was all in vain. He is one stubborn man.

We didn't have to bother about the bags as they will all be delivered directly to the mansion.

As I thought we were done with shopping, he guided me to a shoe store.

While I was trying on a weird sandal, it had various straps that needed to be tied, and I had no idea how to wear it. Lucas bent and got on his knees and tied it for me. I almost had tears seeing this. No one ever did this for me. I felt cared for. The first time I felt like I can rely on someone.

"Here you go. Hey, why are you crying? Did I tie them tightly.?"

I didn't reply to him, just hugged him tightly, still crying. After a few seconds, he hugged me back and held me tighter. I felt something that I thought I will never be able to feel ever. I felt safe. In his tight embrace, I felt like nothing in this world could ever harm me because I have a brother who will shield me and protect me. I couldn't stop my tears from ruining his expensive suit. They were flowing as if releasing all the pent-up pain and emotions.

After a few minutes, I calmed myself and released Lucas from the hug. Oh my God, I hugged Lucas and even wetted his suit. I am sure he would be super angry and embarrassed by me. I didn't know what came over me. How could I let my feelings get the best of me?

I took my diary and wrote, I am sorry Lucas for hugging you like this, forgive me, please. And I will clean your suit also, I promise. I am sorry.

"Alicia look at me. You don't need to apologize for hugging your brother and you can ruin all my jackets and I won't even mind it. Come sit over here."

He made me sit on a sofa in the store, while he knelt in front of me. Now that I notice, the store is desolate. Not even salespeople are around. Strange.

" Xia you are my princess from the day I came to know that you are in mom's stomach. I loved you from before I even met you. You were the sun in our world. The center of our universe. I love you Xia and I may not always show it but I do."

You love me. I asked again, not believing him the first time.

"I do cariño. All of your brothers do. I know some of them may not realize it now or don't know how to express themselves but they will all come around."

I just gave him a nod and wrote thank you. He gave me a small hug before we resumed our shopping expedition.

It was like the emotional breakdown never happened, Lucas again ignored me when I said I don't need 50 pairs of shoes. I mean like 2 pairs are enough why 50?

And even after that, we weren't done, next, we went to some food zone where he ordered a sandwich while I had some French fries.

I was super tired and my feet started to hurt even after the medicine I had.

Then he took me to a lingerie store. Don't tell me I'll have to shop for this with him. Super awkwardness.

"Don't worry, I won't be accompanying you in there."

I sighed, that Jesus. But why is going in then? I followed after him. He went to a sales girl and said, "Help my sister over here to buy whatever she wants, no scratch that buy her whatever any 13-year-old needs. Make sure she has 15 -20 pairs of the best quality innerwear and the same number of swimwear. Money is no problem. And don't listen to her when she says she had enough. She is my sister so make sure she is treated well."

Saying that he handed a black card to the sales girl. " Don't worry Mr. Ortiz, your sister is in good hands."

How does she know Lucas?

"Xia I'll meet you outside the store whenever you are done." With that, he left the store.

After 2 hours of pure torture finally, we were done. Now we were seated in the car and headed back to the mansion.

As he was about to get out of the car, I handed him my diary, thank you, Lucas, I am grateful for today. No one ever made me feel this special and belonged. Thank you for all the stuff and clothes. Thank you for the heart-to-heart in the shoe store. I love you too.

He smiled at me. This was the first time he smiled at me. " You are welcome xia and no need for these many thank you. Remember my words, you deserve all this and so much more." He ruffled my hair and got off the car. I followed after him.

I straight away went to my room. I was exhausted but still, I slept with a smile on my face.

My brother loves me...

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Lucas's car on top. It's Ferrari if you didn't guessed it already.

Happy reading :)