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004

"Cause I'm only a crack in this castle of glass
Hardly anything there for you to see
For you to see"

________________

Florence's first night at the Carringtons went surprisingly pretty well. After she woke up she made herself ready for school. "Just this day and tomorrow is finally the weekend!", she said to herself while picking out an outfit.

She put on a pair of blue skinny jeans and a blue hoodie and of course her favorite nike shoes. Florence also added a small chocker and put her hair in a ponytail. She hurried downstairs to get some breakfast and accidentally bumped into Anders. "Good morning Florence.", said the older man smiling. "Morning Anders, I'm just getting some breakfast and then I'll leave for school.", said the girl excited. "Should I tell Culhane to drive you?" "No needs. Zack is already picking me up.", as Florence said that, Anders heard a car hooping. "I think he's already here.", said Anders. Florence grabbed her backpack and went outside.

"Come on chica or we'll be late!", said Zack and unlocked the door for his friend. "Yeah yeah I'm sorry. I brought you something!", said Florence and got a small sandwich bag from her backpack. "I also have something for the others.", she added smiling. Zack looked at it with big puppy eyes. "Florence Rodriguez, you're a lifesaver!", said Zack and began to drive himself and Florence to school.

●●●

"Finally!", said Zoe and threw her hands in the air out of relief. "Kind of you to bless us with your presence my lady.", said Ellis and bowed to Florence. "Oh thank you my lord. The pleasure is all mine.", she said returning the gesture of her friend. Zoe and Zack just looked at both and cringed behind their backs.

On their way to class Florence noticed the weird smiles everyone was giving her. She felt kinda uncomfortable and wanted to ask her friends why they were doing that. "Guys, why are they staring at me like that?" "It's because you're now a rich bitch!", said Harley as she looked at the brown haired girl. "Excuse me?", asked Florence offended. "She's right. You're all over the news.", said Zack showing his friend an article about her. Florence's eyes widened at the picture. It was her at the Carringtons manor yesterday. "But how?", she asked with a shaky voice. "Some paparazzi must've saw you and Mr. Carrington.", said Ellis and threw his arm over the short girl's shoulder. "Let's not think about that. We have much more important stuff in our lives than some stupid news!", said Florence and gave Zack his phone back. "That's the Flower we know and love!", said Zoe and cheered. The friends walked together to class while both boys had their arms rested on each of the girls's shoulders.

●●●

After school Florence said her goodbyes to her friends. She walked through the parking lot to find a familiar car. "Took you long enough hermanita!", said the older girl who stood beside it. "Shut up Esther!", said Florence sassy and opened the car door. "To the manor?", asked Esther her little sister. "To the manor!"

While they were driving "Here's To Never Growing Up" by Avril Lavigne was blasting through the radio. "How was school?" "Good except the fact that everyone now knows who my biological mother is and where I live!", said the younger girl. "Sounds like a great day to me.", joked Esther only to get a eyeroll from Florence. "Well looks like we're here.", said Esther and stopped her car. Florence closed the door while making her way to the house. She looked behind at her sister looking at her confused. "Are you waiting for an invention?", asked Florence and crossed her arms. "Actually yes.", said Esther and imitated her sister. Florence only chuckled and dragged her sister inside. Esther's eyes widened as she stepped in. She couldn't believe that this was her little sister's new life.

"Florence, you're back?", asked suddenly a voice behind them. "School ended earlier today because of the weekend.", explained the young girl to her mother. "And I see that you brought Esther too.", said Cristal and gave Esther a look which she returned with a fake smile. "Am I not allowed to see my older sister?", asked Florence sassy only to get a warning shoulder squeeze from Esther. "Of course you're allowed. I just thought that she was coming next week or so.", said Cristal nervously. Florence looked at her mother and shook her head. "Anyway, where are you going?" "On my honeymoon with Blake.", she answered immediately. "Aha well me and Esther got to go. Have fun!", she said and left. "Great conversation Celia.", said Esther and smiled at the woman. "Bonding with your daughter is so easy I'm impressed.", she added. "Another word and-" "And what? You'll have your butler throwing me out? We both know that this would crush Florence's heart.", said Esther and glared at Cristal. "I want to escort you out but Florence is waiting for you.", said Cristal and excused herself leaving Esther cursing in Spanish.

●●●

Music was blasting from Esther's phone as she and her sister were making something to eat. It's somehow their little tradition to listen to music while cooking, just like their grandmother. "Abuela would've loved it!", said Florence to her sister. "I'm sure about that.", said Anders as he walked inside the kitchen. "Hey Anders. This is my older sister Esther Rodriguez.", said Florence and introduced Esther. "Pleasure to meet you miss Rodriguez.", said Anders and stretched out his hand. "Please call me Esther.", said the oldest Rodriguez girl and shook hands with Anders. "I just came in to tell you that your room colors are on their way." "Thanks Anders!", said Florence and gave him a smile.

As Florence put their food into the oven she saw Esther looking out at the window. "What's wrong?", she asked. "There are just some people at the pool.", answered Esther with her eyes still glued on the window. "That's probably Fallon and her best friend Monica." "Can you introduce me to them?", asked Esther. "Sure!", answered Florence with a smile. In that moment Fallon walked in. "Hi Fallon!", said Florence. "Hey Flo who's that?", asked Fallon taking her sunglasses down to have a look at the stranger in front of her. "I'm Esther, Florence's older sister.", introduced Esther herself and handed out her hand to Fallon for a handshake. "Oh I don't do handshakes. Never.", said Fallon and gave out a small fake giggle. "So you're that kind of mean girl.", mumbled Esther to herself making her little sister giggle in response. "What did you just say?" "I said that I really love your sunglasses, where did you get them?", said Esther fake smiling. "I would love to tell you but I know that you can't afford them anyway.", as Fallon said that Esther dropped her smile. Florence only looked at her sister. "Star, it's okay.", she said and squeezed her hand. Fallon just looked between the two. "Okay, I will go now. Have fun you two with whatever you're doing." "It's called cooking princess."

●●●

"What kind of a friend robs your aunt, then tries to blackmail her?", heard Florence Steven saying. "Who blackmailed who?", asked Florence while eating her Tortilla de patatas. Steven only looked at Sam giving him a warning look. Then he looked over at Esther. "Hi nice to see you again!", he said and smiled at the Latina. "You're the son of that grandpa who tried flirting with me.", said Esther and smiled. "I'm sorry for that by the way." "No problem, I'm always open for such men anyway.", joked Esther making both Steven and Sam laughing.

Florence looked at her sister. "First of all disgusting. Second, who's blackmailing who?", asked Florence her cousin. "One of my friends helped me rob the house and found a phone with a very disturbing video and is now blackmailing me.", explained Sam his situation. "You rob the house? Really?", asked Florence with big eyes. Sam just nodded. "I'm impressed bro!", she said before first bumping him. Sam looked at Esther's weird impression. "Oh Sam this is my sister Esther. Esther this is my cousin Sam.", introduced Florence her relatives to each other. Both handshaked and smiled at each other. "We will leave you then.", said Florence and took her sisters hand, leading her to her room.

●●●

Both girls entered the room and ran straight to the queen sized bed. "It's really pink in here", commented Esther. "Cristal designed it sadly.", said Florence and laughed. Esther just looked at her sister. She couldn't bare to watch her that way. While she's hurting, her little sister is smiling. "Flo, I promised Abuela to go grocery shopping.", lied Esther. "Can't you stay a little longer?", begged Florence. Esther shook her head and kissed her sister's cheek and giving her a hug. "Bye star.", said Florence and looked at Esther. "Bye flower.", said Esther and closed the door.

She made her way straight to her car and drove home. While driving she began to have those thoughts again. Why should she visit or pick up Florence anyway? The Carringtons have Culhane for that. And why spending time with her when she has Fallon, Steven and Sam for that? Esther felt like her sister didn't need her anymore. She's been there for a day and is already feeling at home but maybe is all thanks to Anders. She suddenly began to cry and couldn't stop. She wished Cristal would've never searched for Florence in the first place. Suddenly her phone rang. She stopped her car somewhere near her apartment and unlocked it. There was a message from one of her colleagues saying "The Carrington wife is a slut!" and a link sent to her. Esther opened the link only to see something she wished she didn't.

"That bitch!", she whispered. This would ruin not only her but Florence. How would she react tomorrow? And what would happen at school on Monday? One thing was clear: Cristal screwed up.

●●●

The next morning Florence woke up to her phone ringing. As she looked at it there were five missed calls from her friends and seven different messages all saying the same thing: How are you? and a link being send. Yesterday Florence saw her mother's tape and cried for about 2 hours straight. She was scared to go to school on Monday and was planning to play sick. But this plan wasn't going to work.

Sam and Florence sat together in the foyer waiting for Blake and Cristal. "Sorry what? Your friend did that for me?", said the older woman furious and slapped Sam's neck while he winced in pain. "How could you let this happen Sam?" "I don't know. I guess he had a fail safe or he lied to me and had already sold it. I'm sorry. Steven didn't tell me he was gonna get the cops involved.", said Sam apologizing. "You told Steven about this? About the robbery?" "I had to. I didn't have the money. I might've fudged some of the details. I told Steven I didn't know they were gonna rob the house.", explained Sam. "That's how you didn't get arrested?", asked Florence from her seat. Sam gave her a glare and turned his attention back to his aunt. "To protect you. If I told him I did it, and about my mom, he'd ask what you knew, and if he told Blake...", Cristal looked at him with tears and sat down on the opposite couch of Florence.

"I--I thought I fixed it, Cristal. I'm sorry.", he apologized. Cristal looked at her daughter. "What do you think of me?", she asked. "I think what the internet says. That you're a slut and perhaps a gold digger.", explained the girl. "But I know that there are always two sides of the story. And that on Monday I'm going to be the talk of the school but Hey? I'm fine with that!", she said the last part sarcastic. "What are they saying about me?", asked Cristal her nephew about the internet. "Cristal." "Just rip the Band-aid off, Sam.", said Cristal serious. Sam sat down and began to read the names of the articles. "Million-dollar tramp." "Naked ambition." And, uh, this one's kind of clever. "Private relations.", he said. "Public is crossed out.", said Florence. "It's charming. I'm Atlanta's biggest slut.", said Cristal sarcastic. "We can't speak to that...but looks like Fallon can.", said Sam and showed Cristal and Florence the interview. "I hate the internet sometimes!"

●●●

The Carringtons and Florence sat in the living room together with Steansfield. "I just can't believe it.", said Cristal. "Toxicology will confirm. His death looks like a suicide. He had sleeping pills next to him. And there was a note claiming responsibility for the Windbriar explosion.", explained Steansfield. "That doesn't make sense. Willy called me and I didn't see a note.", said Steven. "One of my detectives discovered it, and it seems Willy was angry at Carrington Atlantic for twice denying him a promotion." "So he killed Matthew?", asked Florence confused. "Apparently he didn't intend to. He was trying to sabotage the operation and damage Carrington Atlantic equipment. His friend Matthew was collateral damage, it seems, and then seeing his name dragged through the mud these last 24 hours, it was too much.", said the man.

"Does the FBI know about this?", asked Blake. "They've already been alerted. They're confirming his story, but it's just a formality. Once the toxicology comes out, changes against you will be dropped." "The Horse Whisperer rides again.", said Fallon to het brother. "What about Claudia? Has anyone spoken to her?", asked Blake again. "We're sending someone over." "Oh my God.", said Florence and crossed her arms. "It's not how we expected this to end, but at least she'll finally have some closure.", as Steanfield said that Steven looked at him. This family is really screwed up.

●●●

Fallon looked at some old letters as she saw someone coming towards her. "Hey little Esther what are you doing out here?" "I could ask you the same thing.", said Florence. "I'm burning some old memories you know. Forget the past.", said Fallon and continued looking at the fire. "That sounds nice. Can I participate?", asked the younger girl. "Sure. Stay and burn stuff as long as you want." "I don't have anything to burn except my thoughts.", joked Florence making Fallon laugh. "Hey Flo.", said Fallon and made Florence to look at her. "No matter what happens, I'm always here okay?" "Okay!", as Florence said that she hugged Fallon tightly. "Welcome to the family Florence Rodriguez. You're now as screwed as we are!" "I was already screwed before I met this family Fallon Carrington."

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Welcome to chapter 4 everyone! Hope you enjoy!

DEDICATIONS

LilyMoonlight14
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