The Deal...

The Deal...Twice, But With Twins

Izabella

"Never again," I groaned out in pain. I laid lying face down on my bed, whining my pain out. I guess this was the consequence of drinking: the hangover.

"We told you to have fun, not to get drunk," my mom scolded me. Her and my dad got back from work before we left for the party. And they were passed out when I got home. And of course, I didn't tell them I had almost lost my virginity to a drunk stranger.

"I know and I'm sorry. Am I going to get grounded?" I wondered. I lifted up my head to the best of my ability.

"Did you learn your lesson?"

I nodded. "Never drink again."

"Well, we're not saying that but-"

"No," I interrupted her. "I mean it. Never again am I touching alcohol."

"Well, ok sweetie, if that's what you want," my dad said and patted my head before checking his watch on his wrist. "Ok, I got to head out. Will you be alright?"

"Yes, dad I'll live."

"Good. I'll see you, two ladies, later." He kissed my forehead and pecked my mom's lips twice. "Love you."

"Love you too," my mom and I said in unison before he exited my room.

"No plans today?" I asked my mom.

"No. I think it's just going to be a regular Saturday," she shrugged.

"How's your mom?" She sighed before answering.

"She's in the hospital. Again. This would be her fourth time within six months. I'm starting to worry. She says she's alright but,"

"You don't believe her," I finished.

"I just want what's best for her."

"I know," I murmured.

"Well, I'm doing laundry and then going grocery shopping later. You'll be fine without me for an hour, right?"

"Yes, mom." I'm 17, not seven. I made sure not to say that part out loud. It was a miracle that I wasn't being grounded or anything for my actions last night. That's what trust is about between my parents and I. I've been building it since I was in the womb.

"I want you to stay hydrated and try not to move around a lot. It might make your headache worse," she advised.

"Ok, mom."

"Oh, and get plenty of rest."

"I get it, mom, just go."

"Ok," she giggled. She stood up from my bed and walked to the door. "I love you."

"I love you more," I said before she closed the door. I tried to go back to sleep, but after a few minutes, my phone rang loudly. I groaned before answering it.

"Hello?"

"Ms. Sanchez, where are you?" I recognized the voice as my boss. Just what I needed to cure this hangover.

"I'm at home, sir."

"Did I say you can have a day off?"

"No, but called an hour ago ex-"

"I don't want to hear your excuses, Izabella. That's not why I pay you. Now, I suggest you get your little ass down here before I fire it," he threatened before hanging up. I slowly climbed out of bed and slowly dressed casual and work appropriately.

Walking down the stairs, I smelled food. "What's cooking?" I wondered.

"Just some soup. Want a bowl? Oh," my mom says turning around to find out I was dressed. "Where do you think you're going with a hangover."

"Work," I groaned.

"Isaac called you in again?"

"Yeah," I sighed.

"You know, I never really liked him. He's always pushing you," she frowned.

"Don't worry mom. It's not like that. He's just my boss. Besides, he knows I'm quitting around August. I need all the college money I can get."

"You know your father and I are here for you, right?" she murmured.

"Mom. I'm seventeen. I'm going to college in two months. You and dad cared for me for almost two decades. Take a breath. It's my turn to care for you. But it's nice to know that you're here for me. I got to go before he calls again. I'll see you around for dinner."

"Ok, honey. Stay safe." She hugged me for a minute before releasing my arms.

At Work

This has to stop. Why haven't I stopped it before? Why haven't I turned him in? I am still a minor for God’s sake. I should have been put him away.

I headed back into the empty diner and walked straight back into his office. He was sitting behind his desk with a frown but when he spotted me, that frown turned upside down. Corny, but true.

"Ah, Ms. Sanchez, what are you doing back? Do you want daddy to give another round?" he asked in his seductive voice.

"No Mr. Mendez, I'm not here for that." I was never here for that.

"Oh. Then what do you want? I am very busy." He gestured toward the stack of papers in front of him.

"I see that but this won't take long. I just wanted to know, when do I get my next paycheck? It is Saturday night, you know? I was supposed to receive it yesterday morning. Regardless of how many shifts I've covered," I tell him.

"Yes. As a matter of fact, I have it right here." He lifted up two envelops before handing me one. I felt the weight of the cash in there and I grinned in success. But I frowned as I realized why I always made more than any other waitress. The reason why I hadn't turned Isaac in.

He was practically paying my way into college. Plus I was leaving in a couple of months. I hardly had enough for my first year. I knew I needed to find a job on campus so I would be able to support myself.

"Thank you. I shall be going now." Before I could close the door, Isaac called my name. "Yes?" I asked, turning back to him.

"You know, I can double your salary if you don't fight back," he winked. That was the last straw. I didn't care. I can always find another job now. I didn't need this. And what if Isaac was touching other minor girls besides me? It was time for this creep to rot in prison.

"That won't be necessary Mr. Mendez."

"And why is that?" he frowned again.

"Because I quit." I slammed his office door and ran to my car in fear. Just as I was about to reach my door handle, I tripped over something and fall, scraping my bare elbows.

"Ow, ow, ow," I complained at the pain but get up anyways. I took a glance around me and saw a dark shadow walking towards me. Or, was it two? "Is someone there?" I vaguely asked. The figure shifted, revealing two, as I suspected. They walked closer, showing their faces under the moonlight. I gasped as I recognize one of them. Or, both of them, rather.

"What's a girl like you doing out here all alone? On a night like this?" That voice. It couldn’t be.

"K-Kevin?" I stuttered in a whisper. The stranger left of Kevin freezes. Or Kevin freezes. I honestly don't know. "Twins," I whispered to myself. "Identical twins."

"Dude, she knows you?" The guy on the left spoke. He sounded slightly irritated. Well, at least now I know that the guy on the right was Kevin. Now, who was his brother? The only difference between the twins was how they style their hair. Kevin's hairstyle was identical from how he styled it at the party and his brother’s hair was styled the exact opposite.

The real Kevin shrugged.

"I don't know Ky; her voice sounds familiar but I don't know."

"Look, let's do our job and get this over with," Ky said with a scoff. What's his problem? He's not the one he's about to get r***d or robbed.

"How much money you got?" Kevin wondered.

"None," I lied hoping they wouldn't look down at the thick envelope in my hands. I took a few steps back away from the twins, but they just stepped forward, slowly stalking me.

"What's in your hand?" I instantly hid the envelope behind my back.

"Nothing."

"We just saw you hide the envelope behind your back," Ky pointed out the obvious but I ignored it.

"Please Kevin," I whispered and he caught his breath. So, does his brother.

"How do you know my name?" I was lucky he was drunk enough from last night to not remember me the way I didn't want him to. I was surprised I didn’t suffer from memory loss as well. I could manipulate him into getting me out of this situation.

"The party from last night. We met and-"

"Now I remember!" Kevin interrupted. "You kicked me in the balls." s**t. So much for that plan.

"Because you were going to r**e me!" I accused.

"Then I said: I'll get you back." Oh crap. He definitely remembered now. "Hand over all of your money. All. Of. It," he commanded, using a threatening voice. "Izabella." I gasped as when he said my name.

"I told you I don't have anything!" Why was I still lying? They clearly knew I had cash, yet I was still downplaying.

"Look Izabella," Ky started. "We're running behind schedule." Schedule?! They were going to rob more than one person tonight? "We don't have time for this. Just hand us the cash so we can go. Don't make us force you." He swiftly pulled out a gun from his back pocket and I cried out at the motion

"P-please d-don't," I stuttered. "I'm only seventeen."

"Kyle..." Kevin warned.

"No Kevin! I hate it when this happens. You know how impatient I am. Just take the money and let's go!"

"We don't have to kill in order to get what we want Ky," Kevin said and I realized that he's actually trying to negotiate with his brother and attempting to keep me alive. Kevin wasn't the bad guy in this situation. Nor was he the bad twin. He didn't need nor wanted this life. He was doing it all for his brother. Maybe he was helping his brother because he was sick or something. He didn't look sick, but what did I know?

Before I realize what I was doing, I revealed the money and handed it to Kevin.

"I-Izabella?"

"Just, take it," I breathed out.

"But why?" He looked confused while Ky finally looked satisfied.

"Let's just say it's payback from last night," I smiled and Kevin managed to smile back.

"Let's go Kev," Ky spoke and began to disappear into the shadows. Kevin looked at me one last time before giving me a quick hug and rejoining his twin. Once they both vanished, I slumped onto the ground against a lamp post.

I just couldn’t believe my life.