Love Me Harder (Book 2 of The Roommate)

Chapter 4

Sisters

ELENA’S POV:

Everyone fell silent, and all our smiles died down. The only sound I could hear was the crickets. She gave me a small smile, but it does not reach her eyes. “Welcome home, Elena.” she says. There was uncertainty in her voice. I smiled back at her. I stand up, and throw my arms around her. I have to tip toes cause she’s too tall. She gasped, and took a deep breath. As I have taken her by surprise. I felt her hesitation, and I hugged her tightly. Smelling her strawberry sweet scent.

This is my sister. The only sibling I could probably ever have. The only family I could ever have. Despite our differences, I want to work hard to get into her good side. Hoping that she would not push me aside.

“Thank you, lou.” I muttered under my heavy breath. I felt her arms wrapped around me, hugging me back. I hope the blood that we both have could bond us, the way a sister loves hers. I pulled, and stand straight.

“This calls for a dinner celebration.” Rebecca announced, and my father agreed. Louisa looks hesitant, but she made no objection. I didn’t change my clothes. Dad told us that Becca should also ride with us inside his car. When we exited the house, my eyes suddenly landed on the passenger seat but Louisa was already on her feet and opens the door as she climbs inside. Rebecca and I both sat in the back seat. My dad was the one who drives his Cadillac Escalade. Through the rear-mirror, I could see his wide smile as he spin the wheel of his car. Dad parked in a restaurant called Faustino Latin Restaurant. It’s an old restaurant that gives you the old spanish ambiance.

“Wow. Just like the old days,” Louisa observes. They must probably always go here for dinner with her mom. I’m not sure how she felt about that, now that she’s spending it with us. It’s like saying, I’m replacing her mom’s place.

Dad noticed it too. He just smiled, and gives her a soft rubbed on the back. She smiles back at him. We all climbed out of the car, and got inside the restaurant. I adjusted the strap of my blouse and pressing both of my lips together. Daddy pushed open the door for us, Rebecca was the first who got inside followed by Louisa and me. I was welcomed by a smell of freshly cooked El telefono with a mixture of pasta. The restaurant was full. I looked around at the busy tables. An old couple eating side by side, one glass of wine each, studiously bent over their meals. A group of young women in their thirties collapsing with helpless giggles as a stern woman dining alone nearby looked on and frowned. Businessmen in their grey suits lighting up cigars. American tourists, trying to decipher the menu. A family and their teenage children. The noise level was high. The smoke level, too. But it didn’t bother me. I was used to it. My Dad greet the manager with a nod and a hand shake. He introduced me to him, and I take his hand, and shake it. “This is my daughter,” he said, “Elena Guilbert.”

Louisa flicked her eyes on me, and swallowed. “Travis Scott,” he introduces himself. Scott? As in Michael Scott? They couldn’t be possibly relatives, couldn’t they? Because, Travis is so courteous and nice. Unlike Michael. He's the same age as my dad from what I observed. His black buttons up shirt is neatly ironed. The name tag is pinned to his left pocket, indicating his name. His dark hair are also neatly combed.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Scott.” I said to him.

“The pleasure is all mine.” he mutters, and gesture to the vacant table next to the enormous window. Table has a signed ‘reserved’ written in big letters, to emphasize the meaning, I guess. Louisa sat next to Daddy, and Rebecca to me. Across from me, daddy holds the menu that covers all of his face.

“What are you going to have kids?” he says without looking at us. He sounds like a father  to 3 kids who just came out of middle school. I smile, and silently wish faith has given me that experience.

“Lasagna, please. And, their toasted garlic bread.” Louisa pleads. She must have probably really love their lasagna. It sounds adorable, especially how she pleads. “Their lasagna is the best.” she adds.

“I’ll have a white spaghetti.” says Becca. Tristan takes note of it to his small notebook pad that fits in his back pocket.

“How about you, Elena?” Daddy asked, and he lowers the menu he was holding. “I’ll have lasagna,” I mumble.

“You can match it with their red wine. It’s the best.” Louisa suggested. My brows rise in surprise. I didn’t expected that she would do that. I smile. Pleased. “Yes, please. A red wine.” I told Tristan. He scribbled through his notepad, nodding at our orders.

The manager left, and instructed the girl who was in charged in the counter, to all of our orders. “That’s the owner of this restaurant,” dad mutter. I raised my brows in confusion and awe. He’s so humble, and down to earth. That anyone could just mistake him for someone who just works here. From the way he moves, and speaks it was so humbled. Now, who would believe that Michael and him are relatives? He couldn’t even afford to be nice to someone just for a second, let alone being humble like Tristan.

“Really?” I said. Louisa nodded, and Rebecca agrees. “He’s Michael’s uncle by his mother. Mayor violeta is 2nd cousin to him.” she says.

I let out a stifled laugh, and shake my head. “That’s strange,” I muttered underneath my breath, and grins. Louisa looks at me, and leans forward against the table. “Strange, isn’t it? Because, how could a nice person like Trevor be related to an asshole like Michael.” she says, there was an edge to her voice. A bitter tone. We all fell silent, including my father.

“But, he used to be a good kid, you know that.” Dad defends Mike, which makes me looks at him surprised. My eyes wide, and I gulp. Because, he does not really have to tell that he disapproved of my relationship with Michael. Knowing what he is and what he does to girls.

“He used to be,” Louisa echoes daddy’s words. Then, she started playing with fork and spoon. As if she’s destructing herself.