Forbidden desires

Unanswered Truths

Brianna

“ Let's go to the movies tomorrow!" Beth calls out excitedly from the living room.

“ That won't be possible cause I'll be working on Friday" I flip the pancake on the stove. “ I'm sure you don't want me looking like a zombie, right?"

The sound of her footsteps carries from the living room as she heads towards the kitchen.

" Your shift is not until 6pm girl” she counters

I turn off the stove, giving her my full attention.

" Yes, but I have some things I need to do so I don't end up sleeping on duty”

She gives me a flat look " really girl? I never said it'll be for a whole day” she pauses before adding.

“ I'll cook, do the laundry, bathe you, do whatever you want. So please can we go?” she bats her lashes, giving me her best puppy eyes.

“ Fine" I mutter, giving in at last.

She grins widely “ yay"

“ But on one condition"

“ Name it"

“ We'll have to come back early "

“ Deal!” She replies, before adding

“ To be clear, I'm picking your outfit" I try to protest but she lifts a finger.

“ Nope. It's not up for debate"

I let out an exasperated sigh “ okay, fine"

“ Cause your choice of fashion is supposed to be forbidden" she trails off as if remembering something. Slowly a wicked grin spreads across her face.

She lowers her voice, giving me a conspiratorial look. " Speaking of forbidden. How's Mr Uncle?”

“ For christ sake. I've warned you off calling him that” I say with a look of disgust.

" You've got some real ass dark romance playing out in your life girl” she says with a dreamy look.

I roll my eyes at her.

I was thorough during my research on the Hemsworths– my family and never for once had I ever caught a glimpse of him in their photos or during interviews.

After finding out about who he is, I decided to do a background check on him. I realized that he was all the way in London, that's why he was hardly at any family function.

They just recently switched him to New York.

Since that night, I've buried every feeling I have for him deep within me. What stands between us is too complicated, too forbidden, and doomed to end in disaster.

Beth's voice jerks me out of my trance

“ Well, let's go eat breakfast so you won't be late for work,” she says, already making her way to the dining area with the tray balanced in her hand.

I quickly eat my breakfast. Beth insists she'll do the dishes.

So I just head back to my room, grab my bag and make my way to the door after saying goodbye to Beth.

The cool spring air sweeps through my hair as I step into the busy streets of New York.

A little under a month has passed since that unsettling text from an unknown number landed on my phone.

I'd expected some awful s**t to have happened by now but all I've gotten is radio silence.

At this point I don't even know if it's a bad or good sign.

I sometimes feel like the person behind it has some connection with the death of my parents.

Growing up, I always asked my dad about his family, but he always came up with excuses.

After their death, as I grew older, I finally found the courage to ask my grandma about my family.

She hesitates, but eventually tells me that my dad– rather than watch the woman he loved be belittled for her background, he walked away from his family for good.

For years I accepted that as the truth, but now, with recent events unfolding, I'm starting to suspect it was carefully constructed to keep something else hidden.

What if dad knew about something and just decided to use that as a cover up story?

My head is beginning to throb under the weight of unanswered questions.

On reaching the Cafe door, I let myself inside.

“ Good morning Brianna" Lucas– my coworker greets me from the counter.

" Good morning to you too, Lucas,” I say, waving as I head to the back to change.

I return shortly and slip back behind the counter, joining him as we set everything in order before the first customers start drifting in.

The door bell rings, announcing the arrival of our first customer.

“ Good morning ma'am" I greeted

" Hello, good morning,” she smiles.

" What can I get for you?" I say, already bring out my writing pad.

“ I need a shot of espresso with two chocolate chip muffins”

I hand the order over to Lucas before attending to the next customer.

It's around 10am that customers start reducing in numbers.

Almost finishing for the day, Lucas leaves early cause he has practice at 11am. So I'm left to wait for my coworkers in charge of the afternoon shifts.

I'm scrolling through my phone when Benson – the owner, walks in.

I smile up at him “ Good morning Benson,”

" Hello Brianna, good morning. How's the day going?”

" It's going great, thank you”

I'm starting to wonder why he's here out of the blue, when he puts me out of my curiosity.

" I just decided to stop by and see how you're holding up here” he slides on a stool opposite mine before he continues.

" I've seen your dedication at the bar but have not been opportuned to personally thank you”

“ It's no problem. I enjoy working here"

The door bell rings announcing the arrival of an employee.

" That's great to hear. Well then, I'll leave you to your thing”

I bid him good bye, grab my things, and head home.

On arriving home I'm met with the sweet aroma of something cooking.

My mouth waters, and my stomach begins to growl.

I head straight to the kitchen, Beth is by the stove stirring something I think must be sauce while her girlfriend– Camila is chopping veggies, both oblivious to my arrival.

" I'm home!”

They both turn their gazes towards my direction.

“ Welcome home, mademoiselle" Beth greets dramatically.

Camila points a spatula towards me “ We'll soon be done here. Go shower and put on your best dinner dress cause you'll be the judge of our creations” she gestures at the different foods with her hands.

I let out a small laugh " be right back”

Getting to my room, I quickly shower, before changing into something comfortable. I'm trying to tie my hair, when my phone signals an incoming call.

Without looking at the screen, I pick up.

" Hello”

A feminine voice flows through the speaker professionally “ Am I speaking to Ms. Brianna Thomas?"

“ Um.. yes, why?"

" You've been scheduled for a DNA test tomorrow. A car will pick you up at 2 p.m. thank you".

The line immediately goes dead.

A DNA test ?

Tomorrow?

My palms feel sweaty

I feel like I might pass out from how fast my heart is beating.

It's been almost a month since they found out about me.

After all this time, why carry out a test now?

It feels like something's brewing

I don't know what it is but my gut is telling me this is not going to be good.