The Aldean Chronicles: Spotlight (Part 2)

"Finally," Kat relaxes in her chair. "This thing is finally over."

The thing in question is this year's Milton's match.

"Not yet. We still have pictures to take." I force myself up and stare at the empty field.

The spectators are still exiting the stadium. In a second, the winners will come out for pictures.

The end-of-event speech had already been given (not by Lilian), and awards were handed out by everyone in the family. Except me and Lilian. Even Uncle Max was here to hand out some of the medals.

He got in this morning and is going back to Dolma tonight.

I've been watching Kat all night. I can tell she's doing everything to not complain about her dad's quick trip.

The winners take the field and everyone goes out to drink champagne and offer empty congratulations.

I hang back and watch it unfold. No one even notices I'm not there.

After ten minutes of "thank you so much, your Majesty" and "you're one of Aldean's finest", we're all allowed to leave.

I see Kat chatting with Dillon and offer them a smile. As soon as they turn away, I roll my eyes. Of course, she'll be ecstatic right now. She delivered the closing speech.

I'm not jealous. I really don't care. I just want to leave and go back to my bed.

I don't know why they insist that I attend so many functions. It doesn't matter that I'm there. It's not like the people there actually want to meet me.

The only thing Aunt Freya cares about is that I don't do anything stupid.

The only good thing this summer has been Tristan. But he's leaving for a week tomorrow.

"Cassandra," This is Seb. "What's wrong?" He's standing directly in front of my seat.

"I want to go home. I'm just really tired." I rub my arms.

He nods slowly. "I have a gift for you?"

Is the gift a time travel machine so I can go forward a month when I get to visit my parents? Or when I can go back to school?

"What is it?" I muster some enthusiasm.

"It's a surprise." He smiles. "It's waiting for you at home."

"Great." I rub my eyes.

We go back to the cars and I get into one with Grey. We ignore each other.

I try to stay awake the car drive there. I just want to shower, change into a slip dress, and climb into bed.

We arrive at the manor and I yawn as one of the guards opens the front door.

I step in and am immediately tackled.

"What the..." I take one breath and am hit with the smell of vanilla and jasmine.

"Oh, Mija." My attacker coos. "I missed you so much."

"Mom." I throw my arms around her. "Mom. I missed you too."

She pulls away slightly so she can see my face. "Oh, my baby. You look so nice, look how much you've grown."

"I still can't believe this place is real." My dad is standing behind her. "Part of me thought you were actually going to school in Europe."

I break away from my mom and tackle my dad in a giant hug. "Daddy." I sniff.

He returns the hug. "How are you doing, honey?"

I struggle to breathe. "I...I..."

Seb, Lilian, and Grey walk in.

"Ah, I see you arrived safely." Seb looks them over.

Lilian doesn't try to smile. "Welcome to my home." Her tone is sharp.

"Hello, Lilian. Lovely to see you again." My dad nods with me in his arms.

"Mr. Flores." Lilian walks out of the foyer and towards the stairs.

"You're Cassandra's parents, Soledad and Oscar Flores." Grey steps forward with a big smile. "Lovely to make your acquaintances." He kisses my mom's hands and she blushes.

"Oh." She yelps softly. "How princely."

"Grey, it's been a long day." Seb shakes his head.

Grey doesn't argue, he just heads for the stairs.

Seb smiles at my parents. "Well," he starts. "What do you think of our country, and my humble home?"

My dad scoffs. "Humble isn't the word I'd used." Then he whispers to me. "That painting over there looks like it costs more than our house."

"Dad," I scold.

Seb's smile flickers. "Please, you have full use of the entire house." Then he adds as a joke, "if you see anything you like, feel free to take it."

Dad frowns. "We can pay our bills just fine."

Even mom looks embarrassed.

"Of course. Forgive me." Seb clears his throat. "But there is one more matter. As previously stated, you can't leave the premises till your departure in three days."

"Three days?" I ask. "They're only staying three days? Why just three days?"

"It was the highest Freya was willing to give. This is a secret visit, we might draw attention with more time. You've already been excused from your royal duties and..."

My mother giggles. "Sorry, please go on."

"And you'll be back on the 28th for a dinner at the Mayor of the Capitol's house."

I nod. "Oh, okay."

His smile is weak. "Have a nice night." He heads for the stairs as well.

"Seb," I stop him. "Thanks."

He doesn't look back. "Of course." And takes his leave.

My mom comes closer and rubs her palm on my hair.

"Would you guys like a tour?"

Dad laughs. "Your butler already gave us one."

I laugh. "Okay, then. Why don't you show me your room?"

They take me to the second floor. Their bedroom looks like the other guestrooms in the house. Giant four-poster bed, trunk, sofas, armchairs, a fireplace. The usual.

"It's a shame you guys can't leave the building." I sit on the trunk at the end of the bed. "There are so many places I want to show you."

They share a look. "That sounds lovely, Mija." My mother smiles.

"What's wrong?" They share another look. "When you look at each other, it means something's wrong."

"Nothing's wrong." She insists.

"Mom!"

"Nothing, I'm serious. We just really missed you." She sits next to me on the trunk. "But it's nice to know you're well taken care of here."

Dad whistles and scratches his dark beard. "Very nicely taken care of. Is that a diamond on your chest?"

I look down at the Harrington brooch. It's custom to wear them if we're all out for a function. I'll be wearing it next at the military ceremony at the end of summer.

I take it off. "It's a stupid thing."

"And your outfit, do you wear that every day?" He asks.

"Oscar." My mom chides. "Don't."

"Don't make fun of me, dad."

"I'm sorry," he apologizes. "It's just weird seeing you like this. You used to only wear jeans and leggings and now you're wearing a...what is that?"

"It's an eggplant cape dress."

Dad's eyes widen and he bites his lips. "All that matters is that it looks gorgeous on you."

"Thanks." I roll my eyes.

"All right, young lady. Go get some sleep. We'll talk more over breakfast." He clasps his hands together.

"I'm not tired." I yawn after saying that.

"Sure, you're not." Mum gets up, pulls me up, and sends me on my way.

"Goodnight." I leave their room and go up the next flight of stairs and into my bedroom.

I strip out of my clothes, have a quick shower, and jump into bed.

Knowing my parents are downstairs makes me feel safe and allows me to welcome sleep easily.

***

I wake up the next morning and wonder if my parents being here was a dream.

"Good morning, sweetie." My mother is sitting on my dresser chair.

"Mom." I smile and wipe my eyes "Where's dad?"

"He's making breakfast."

That makes me laugh. "Seb has multiple chefs for that."

She sighs deeply. "You know your father. He either does it himself or he doesn't enjoy it. Why do you think he bought and runs his bowling alley?" She leaves my dresser for the edge of my bed.

I sit up and place my head on the cushioned headrest. "When are you leaving?"

Her smile disappears. "Right before you leave for your fancy dinner on the 28th." I give her another hug. She's not gone and I already miss her. "Come on, let's go get some breakfast."

I put on some fuzzy slippers and we walk to the main dining room on the first floor. I sit between my parents.

"Oh my god. It's Huevos Rancheros." I close my eyes and smile wistfully. "I miss this."

Dad shakes his head. "Three chefs and not one of them knows a single Hispanic dish."

After breakfast, we go for a swim in the pool.

My mom and I are swimming laps and my dad is sitting at the edge with his feet in the water.

"So," he says. "Did Sebastian tell you what he told us this morning?"

I frown. "No, what did he say?"

He and mom share a look. "They want to have dinner tomorrow night."

"What?"

"Me, you, Sebastian, that wife of his, Grey, and your cousin, Katya."

I swim in one spot. "No, he didn't mention it." I look at my mom. She has a soft smile on her face. "What did you say?"

"We said we'll ask you." Mom fills in. "What do you think?"

"I don't know. What do you want to do?" They are not putting this decision on me.

Dad shrugs. "It'll be nice to meet your cousin." He has a sly smile on his face. "And we can invite that boyfriend of yours."

"Dad," I groan.

"I'm with your father on this." Mom splashes my face with water. "These people mean a lot to you and we've never even met them."

"Everyone else, yes. But not Tristan."

"What?" My dad asks. "Are you worried we'll embarrass you in front of your boyfriend?" He pretends to be hurt.

My mother gasps, places her hands on her chest, and pretends to drown. "Oh, Cassie. You're destroying my heart."

I roll my eyes. "Okay, now I'm embarrassed." She splashes me again. I wipe the water out of my eyes. "Fine, we can have dinner." They give me pointed looks. "And, I'll invite Tristan. But no stories from when I was younger. No embarrassing baby pics of me in the sink."

"But those are adorable." My dad complains. "And I always keep a spare in my wallet."

"No to all of that. We will all have dinner like adults. And have adult conversations."

They share another look. They're both smiling this time. "Your father and I agree to your terms. How about 6 O'clock?"

I begrudgingly say, "fine."

***

Kat arrives before Tristan.

She's dressed in a simple lilac summer dress and her blonde hair is flowing down her back in curls.

She walks into the dining hall and smiles at my parents. "Soledad and Oscar Flores." She's beaming. "It is so wonderful to meet you. I can't believe we haven't met before. How haven't we met before?" She gives them both warm handshakes.

"Katya, or should we call you Princess Katya." My mom and Kat laugh, my dad doesn't."

"Thank you. For taking care of our Cassie when she got here." He says.

"Of course. She's lovely. You raised her wonderfully." She takes a seat beside Grey on the left side of the table.

"Where are Uncle Seb and Aunt Lilian?" She asks him.

"They're upstairs getting ready." He responds.

Kat nods. She knows that's just code for "Seb is still trying to convince Lilian to show up to this."

They both come down two minutes later. Seb in his usual suit, Lilian in a green bodycon dress.

"Will we be starting without Tristan?" She asks.

I pick up my phone and send him a text. He responds a second later. "He's on his way back from dinner with his parents and some of their friends. He'll be here in fifteen minutes. He says we shouldn't wait for him."

"Very well." Lilian snaps her fingers and servers walk in with food.

My dad (at Seb's left) rolls his eyes at that.

"So," Grey's smiling. A feeling of dread settles in my stomach. "I don't think anyone has ever heard the story."

"What story?" My dad asks.

"Of how my father and the charming Mrs. Flores met." He smiles at her. "You weren't Mrs. Flores yet, were you?"

"Don't do this now." Seb looks drained.

My mother beams. "No, it's alright. I haven't told anyone the story. Not even Cassie." She rubs my shoulder. "It was almost seventeen years ago. I graduated college that year. And I had just started going on dates with Oscar."

"So you were in a relationship?" This is Lilian.

"We'd only gone on three dates. They weren't even good dates."

My dad laughs. "I'm insulted. O'Reilly's Irish Pub was gold and you know it."

My mom laughs as well.

Grey clears his throat. "Story." He reminds her.

My mom shakes her head. "I was at this bar in the city and I did so much drugs with my friends."

"Mom." My cheeks feel warm.

My mom rolls her eyes. "Anyway, they dared me to have a one-night stand in the bathroom so I did it."

"Oh my god." It's a little unnerving to hear you're a result of a one-night stand with two complete strangers.

"Anyway, I continued dating Oscar. Then I found out I was pregnant. I was devasted because I was falling in love with him. When I told him, he was ecstatic. I said the baby might not be his. He didn't care. He just promised to love both of us."

"Aww," Kat has a goofy smile on her face. "That is so romantic."

Lilian sniffs. "Adorable." And goes back to her salmon.

Grey looks unsatisfied. "Wow, just wow. I'm really happy to be having this dinner with Cass, her mother, and her stepfather."

The glare I'm giving him is murderous.

My dad gives Grey a very hard stare. "I don't think Sebastian qualifies as a stepfather."

Grey laughs. He's happy to be getting under our skins. "No, I meant you. That is what you are. You married Cass' mum."

"Greyson, you're welcome to play whatever mind game nonsense you want with us. But don't do it with Cass and her parents." Seb looks ready to fight.

"Her parents?" Grey asks. "You see, in public, you always call her your daughter. And Cass always refers to you as her dad. With no mention of Oscar here." Grey frowns at my dad. "No one here even knows your first name."

My dad scoffs softly. "It seems coming here was a mistake."

We all expect the other to disagree. But no one does, and deep down, we know Grey's sadistic words worked.

The door flies open and Tristan rushes in with a big smile. "I'm sorry I'm late, I hope I haven't missed too much."