Not Your Typical Billionaire

Dinner with the Parents

I know I have already met her and that she is caring for me but it’s so long sense we last met. A lot of things have changed since then and it makes a little harder for me open back up to her. She hasn’t changed that much since we last saw each other, what 21 years ago? It must be great to be a vampire. You don’t age as much as the rest of us, although we don’t age as fast as humans. Carolina smiled as soon as the door closed; she walked over to me holding her glass of wine. She sat on the stool on the other side of the kitchen bar; she sat her glass on the counter as I started dicing the vegetables.

“I’m sorry my husband has decided to be mean to you. He’s not a bad guy; he just thinks that you’re a gold digger. You’re not of course but he’s worried about Ezra.” She said as I turned on the oven to start cooking the salmon.

“I understand but Ezra is an adult.” I said

“Well yes he is but don’t you worry my dear. I can put my husband in place if he steps out of it.” She said giggling before taking a sip of her wine. I sprinkle some salt and pepper on the salmon before sliding it into the oven. “Here let me help with dinner while the boys are out shopping.” She asked standing up from her stool I looked up at her holding my hands out. She looked at me confused before sitting back done.

“I couldn’t ask that of you. I must thank you for everything that you’ve already done. You teaching me to read and write… that was all I needed to get a start on my life. I still have those books upstairs and I’m so thankful for all of your help.”  I said she smiled before shaking her head.

“You worry too much dear, I was happy to help you. I broke my heart to see you so abused and unable to provide for yourself. I wish I could have taken you home with me but at the time I hadn’t told my husband I was pregnant with Marcus. I didn’t want to spring that on to him, and when you told me about Lena I knew if I grabbed you I would have to take her. We already had four and I didn’t know how to tell him about the fifth. Adding 2 more to our family would mean we would be in heavy financial burden I couldn’t put on my husband.” She said

“Four? You had another child?” I asked

“Ezra… didn’t tell you?” She asked sitting her glass on the counter.

“Tell me what?” I asked

“Marie wasn’t my first child, I had a son first his name was Luke. Why didn’t he tell you about Luke? That doesn’t make sense to me.” She said

“Luke? Like my brother…Luke?” I asked

“Yes but he was about 12 when he died.” She said

“How did he die?” I asked before throwing the chopped vegetables into a bowl. “How could he not tell me about this?” I asked

“Aundreya… reason Ezra became a doctor was because Luke got hurt and died while Ezra was looking for help. He wanted to learn to help and protect those who got hurt or sick. It was sad to see Ezra so hurt by his brother’s death but we explained everything we could but he still blames himself.” She said looking away from me. The door opens slowly revealing Ezra and his father, turned to them as Carolina turned to face them.

“Hello ladies, we have returned with parmesan and flowers.” Ezra said

“Actually Mrs. Carolina I would love for you to help me with dinner.” I said turning to her. She turned back to me smiling softly, “Besides I would love a little girl talk.” I said Carolina grabbed my hand before shaking her head.

“Don’t worry about it I’m sure it was for a reason, be patience and all will come soon.” She said before turning to the boys. “I saw a beautiful garden on our way in and I want to check it out.” She said hopping off the stool. She walked over to her husband before grabbing his arm; she leaned up to kiss Ezra on his cheek as they walked out the house.

“What did she say? I’m sorry about all of this, she just wanted to see you again and I couldn’t say no.” he said walking up to me. She’s never steered me wrong before I should wait until he’s ready to tell me. I don’t want to start a fight about this, I’m sure there is a good explanation for hiding it from me.

“Don’t worry about it, let’s just get dinner done.” I said taking the parmesan from him; we quickly finish dinner together in silence. I let out a long sigh before walking over to my kitchen table.

“Everything looks delicious, wow.” Carolina said

“Thank you, please enjoy.” Ezra said we sat at the table; they grabbed each other hands to say prayer. I sat there in silence as they say their prayer, I’m used to it since Ezra does say it even when it’s just the 2 of us. I respect their beliefs just like Ezra respects me when I bless the food before cooking it and charm it while I cook it. He actually says whatever charm I put on them works, he’s been in some sticky situations where my magic protects him. “Also thank you lord for bringing Aundreya back into my life.” He added before lifting his head to look at me. I smiled before picking up my fork to start eating.

“So Mr. Valentine, Ezra tells me you were a lawyer, my sister is currently studying to become a lawyer.” I said as everyone started eating.

“Really, Ezra told you that?” Mr. Valentine said

“Yes…” I said turning to Ezra, was I not suppose to know that? I turned back to him smiling softly.

“Well it was quite rewarding at time, your sister is going to have her work cut out for her. What specifically is she hoping to do?” Mr. Valentine said something about him feels familiar but I can’t put my finger on it.

“She wants to be the voice for children of abuse and assault.” I said he snorted like a pig before shaking his head. Oh my goddess now I remember him! He was the lawyer at the hospital when had a broken arm for the first time.

“She’ll be fighting a losing battle. Tell her to go for something more practical like civil rights. It’ll be a lot be a lot of unhappy parents who will do anything to hurt her, unless she has thick skin or even the luck of getting those children away. The children will either end up on the streets or in foster care until they turn 18. The system is full of kids so they’ll be lost and forgotten.” He said

“My sister has a plan"—

“It won’t work trust me, I’ve tried but the kids are always the ones that are hurt.” He said

“That’s up to her to decide not me,” I said I wonder if he remembers me? Maybe not I was just 4 when I meant him I have changed a lot since then.

“Child psychologist would be a better fit for her, she can help them mentally.”

“Well I think that’s a nice suggestion.” Carolina said

“It’s her decision, so tell me a little about yourselves.” I said

“Well after the children grew up I went back to work as a teacher, I still do teach on the side. You know you have to keep busy, when your son is rich.” Carolina said giggling

“Well that’s good to know…” I said smiling

“Don’t think you won’t be working when you snake your way into this family.” Mr. Valentine said Carolina and Ezra turned to him glaring.

“I honestly have given Ezra every reason to leave me, he won’t leave I figured he was just as messed up as me. Judging by the way you talk down to people who don’t want anything from your son, I’m sure you have loved all of the women he’s brought home before. I don’t want your son’s money; in fact I’ve been the buying food and making his sugar coffee with my own money. I drive most of the times and when he does drive its because he doesn’t want me knowing where we’re going. So before you assume I’m a gold digger you might want to do your research first, I take care of myself and I’m supporting my sister through law school and sometimes I’m supporting your billionaire son.” I said Ezra placed his hand on top of mine. I let out a sigh before turning back to my food.

“… I like this Ezra, she’s a keeper.” Mr. Valentine said

“Dad…say sorry,” Ezra said

“Why should I’m trying to protect you. This is the first girl you bring around us and it’s because the paper showed a picture of both of you. That was the first time you’ve ever appeared in the page with your status, so I’m just”

“It wasn’t her that leaked that picture.” Ezra said cutting off his father.

“Jack you promised you wouldn’t pick a fight.” Carolina said

“No it’s fine; he has a right to be skeptical of me. I mean look at me, I’m some little girl with a terrible past. But like I said I don’t want your sons money, I have him things that would anyone not want me. He continues to stay because he like me for me, trust me I tried to chase him because he deserves better.” I said

“No, don’t say that!” Carolina said

“This was a mistake…” Ezra said

“No, we’re just talking right Mr. Valentine?” I asked turning to him with a smile on my face, he burst out laughing before nodding.

“We’re just testing you two. I knew you were a smart girl, you picked it up real quick.” He said

“I knew your father was a nice guy but like he said I’m the first girl you’ve brought home. When he told about getting El into something else I felt something click in my head. He was the lawyer who tried to help me when I had a broken arm at the age of 4. It good to see you again,” I said turning to him.

“I see you’ve done quite nice for yourself. I knew you were a tough cookie when I first met you.” He said

“Dreya, who don’t know in my family?” Ezra asked I turned to him smiling.

“How was I supposed to know he was your father? He was a lawyer trying to help me; he wasn’t the first or the last.” I said

“But how did you remember her Jack?” Carolina asked

“Yeah how did you?” I asked

“In your picture with Ezra the back of your neck is showing. You remember you do have a scar back there the shape of a hook. I remember thinking that’s a weird birthmark until I look in some old cases and found yours.” Mr. Valentine said I smiled placing my hand on the back of my neck. I have scars everywhere other then my arms and legs. I do have scars on my feet, torso, my neck, I even have a scar on the back of my head but luckily my hair covers it.

“Well I guess now we can have a nice night.” Ezra said gulping down his wine. We continue to eat and talk for the rest of dinner and even Ly came down to check on me. Carolina loved seeing him and spoiled him by trying to feed him some of the salmon. I told her that he has food in my fridge if she really wanted to feed him. We all kind of had a nice night it could have been because of the alcohol or just that we all were comfortable with each other.

“We have to do this again. Are you sure we can’t stay to help?” Carolina asked as they were walking towards the door.

“No, it’s not that much cleaning beside I’m sure you to would like to sleep soon it’s almost 12 am.” I said

“We’ll definitely see you soon; he can’t keep you all to himself anymore.” Mr. Valentine said, as they walked out the door waving bye.

“My parents love you. I swear I’ve never seen my father laugh before.” Ezra said I walked into the kitchen to clean help him wash dishes; he’s a sweet man he does care about others. I remember when he came and saw me at the hospital he brought me a cupcake. It was my first time ever having something so sweet and having a male adult treat me kindly. We cleaned the kitchen and out away all of the clean dishes. We went upstairs continue talking about today; I guess I never really knew how close we were until he sat me on his lap. After we sat on the bed, I turned to face him smiling, he in to capture my lips. He softly grabs the back of my neck running his thumb over my scar; I jumped up from his lap rubbing the back of my neck.

“I’m going to go take a shower.” I said

“Oh okay, do you want company or something?” he asked

“N-no I don’t.” I said as my cheeks started to burn, “Just stay here.” I said before running into the bathroom. I let out a long sigh before quickly hoping into the shower. I don’t know why I suddenly got uncomfortable around him; we’ve been fine until now. I mean I do feel comfortable enough around him to move forward, what if Alice is right? Am I so scared of my past I’m refusing to move forward with him? Does he want to have s*x with me? Am I ready to have s*x? It’s not like it’s my first time, but is it his? I mean I have had dates before but never more then kissing. The door to the shower opened revealing Ezra in just a towel, what they heck? Can he read my thoughts? If he has he’s in a lot of trouble, first for not telling me and because that’s a huge invasion of my privacy.

“I’ve been calling you for 40 minutes; can I take a shower now?” He asked I covered myself as he handed me a towel. “Are you okay?” he asked as I stepped out. I shook my head refusing to look at him. Why is he in as towel? He could have knocked on the door, instead of just walking in and taking off his clothes. “What’s wrong? Did something"

“I think I want to have s*x with you.” I blurted out cutting him off. He placed his hand on my shoulder I looked up at him as he tried to hold back his laughter.

“You’re so adorable, here go get dressed and get in the bed. We can talk about it when I get out of the shower.” He said I smiled before nodding my head before walking out of my bathroom. I headed into my closet changing into one of his t-shirts; I’ve been slowly stealing his t-shirts when he comes over.  I have a large collection in my closet hidden behind my heels; he never goes over there so when he goes looking for them he doesn’t see them. I climbed into the bed causing Ly to jump up on Ezra’s side of the bed.

“Hi baby, am I crazy for rushing this?” I asked rubbing his head. “I like him a lot and don’t want to rush this, what if he dumps me right after we have s*x? I can’t handle that, I really like him.” I said turning my head to face Ly as he laid his head on my arm. The door opened I turned to see Ezra walking out in a pair of his sweat pants. He smiled walking up to me; he sat on the other side of Ly rubbing the top of my head.

“No you’re not crazy for rushing this. No I’m not going to leave you if we have s*x. And. I really like you too; I could even say I love you at this point.” He said leaning down to place a kiss on my forehead.

“It’s rude to listen in on someone else’s conversations.” I said he chuckled softly shaking his head.

“It’s also rude to use up all of the hot water.” He said as I sat up so he could have more room on the bed. “Are you sure you want to do this? There is no rush; we've only been dating for a few months.” He said he's right we've only been dating for about 5 months now? We have known each other for almost all of our lives. But He did say he wants to be with forever right? So maybe this is the right move because he’s the only one who isn’t scared of my past, we’ve been pretty much living together. I smiled looking up at him before grabbing his hand; he wrapped his arms around my head pulling me into his chest.

“I think I am ready, you have been nothing but a perfect gentleman to me, minus that time you stuck me with a needle.” I said

“Well I guess it time I stick you with something else so you forget all about that little bitty needle.” He said chuckling

“With what your little bitty friend?” I joked pushing away from his chest; he shook his head before lifting me up onto his lap. We both know that’s a lie, I walked in on him in my bathroom one time by accident. I didn’t know he was here and that he was in my bathroom, I ran into the bathroom. Thinking I could take a quick shower since the twins decided to terrorize my kitchen while I was make fresh bread for dinner? We both agreed to forget that ever happen that day but I do tease him sometimes just to poke fun at him. “I really like you" I said as I wrapped my arms around his neck.

“I really, really love you.” He said.