Chapter 9: secrets

Ander ❤️

I asked my mom if you could come for dinner

Maybe we could tell them

Em ❤️

I thought we shouldn't do that?

I mean, what changed your mind?

Yeah I know but my dad was in a good mood

Training was better than ever and he liked that

alright if you think it's time

Of course I'll be coming 💕

Great ❤️

„Emilia, hola", Anders mom greeted me friendly when I knocked the door.

I've brought a box of chocolates because I thought that would be suitable for both parents. It wasn't just a random dinner, we would tell his parents about our relationship.

„You brought chocolates? You didn't need to do that."

„Yeah, you're just working on a project. It's not like you're a couple", Anders dad chuckled which confused me.

Didn't he tell me? I looked at my boyfriend weirdly.

„Well, you know what she's like, dad, totally polite. Mom and dad have been surprised that you come over but we have to meet for our project", he explained, mainly told me emphatically.

„Of course, it's better when you talk about the project personally", I played along, „Have you started already?"

Dinner went on. I could see that his parents were relieved about the fact that we weren't a couple. We told them about the project that we should prepare for the class of Martín.

„Good, we would go to my room now."

Ander and I left to go to his room and talk.

„I'm so sorry, baby, I thought it would be the right moment", he muttered disappointed and pulled me closer when we were sure that it was just the two of us.

„It's fine, it's not your fault. I just don't understand why they don't want us to be together."

„We're going to get through it, alright?"

„Alright."

„Hola, Emilia", my dad looked up when he noticed that I came to his house.

„Hola, papá", I replied nervously, „Can I talk to you for a second?"

„Oh, there's a reason you came?"

„Well, yeah. I know I haven't been here in a long time but I've been busy with school and Nano is finally back."

„Did he find a job?"

„Yeah, he did. He's working in the kitchen at the restaurant now. But that's the reason why I'm here."

„Is this about Nano again?", my dad sighed looking annoyed.

„It's not exactly about him but about our whole family. He needed protection in prison and owes some guys money."

„And that's why you're here, huh. You want to ask me for money that Nano is too lazy to work for."

„Papá, he's not lazy. He's got a bad time! And those guys broke into our apartment, they threatened mom! How are we supposed to get forty thousand euros in just a short time?!"

„Emilia, lower your voice."

„Nicolas, is everything alright?", a woman who looked like the rich version of my mom came from the bedroom to the living room where we sat.

„Papá?", I looked at him skeptically.

I had the slight feeling that there was a reason why she came out of his bedroom.

„Sofia, this is my daughter Emilia. And Emilia, this is Sofia."

„Sofia as in your new replacement for mom?", I scoffed.

„Emilia, I said lower your voice. Show some respect."

„You're incredible. Some gang members threatened Nano, Samu, mamá and I. I'm involved in this. You haven't helped us before when he had to go to jail and you won't help us when we're in danger? Nano is a good replacement for a father figure", I shook my had shocked.

He replaced my mom. He really replaced us all, even me, his own daughter.

„Have you thought about your profile?", Polo asked me when we met to do the task that Martín has given us.

„Yeah, of course. Have you? Or was Carla on your mind all the time?", I chuckled thinking of how he wouldn't stop messaging her.

„Yeah, I'm just afraid that she might break up with me for Christian. Can you believe that? We're the perfect couple since we're twelve years old", he complained.

„Polo, it's going to be alright. If she really breaks up with you, you couldn't change it. Why don't you find yourself someone? She's attracted by Christian. Aren't you attracted by anyone else, too?", I questioned.

„Well, there is someone but-"

„But?"

„Ander wouldn't like it."

„Polo", I gave him a soft look, „You don't like me. You like the fact that I'm Carla's friend which means that I'm not so different from her."

Polo's eyes looked sad, I felt sorry for him. He would do anything for Carla. They should have talked more about everything. I didn't even realize that he came closer to me until I suddenly felt his lips on mine. Just after a second, I pulled away.

„Our profiles are good, I should leave now", I stood up to pack my stuff.

„No, wait, we could go through it again. It's not good enough yet", Polo tried it again but I shook my head.

I had to tell Ander somehow.

Ander and I were at his house. After the dinner with his parents we saw that we could at least meet as friends.

„What's wrong?", I asked Ander but he just looked for something, he cursed.

„Are you looking for that?", his dad looked at the two of us.

„You've got no right to search my room. How did you find it?", Ander and I looked at each other alarmed.

„Your friend Guzman has told me. Do you know what happens when your doping test is positiv?"

„It's just the second time."

„Why? Why do you want to ruin your career?"

„It's just a joint."

„You're an idiot. That's the last time. And you two are breaking up. This girl is not good for you, Ander."

„Papá, don't-"

„No, it's alright", I stopped Ander from shouting at his parents, „I'm going to leave. I'm sorry."