Jake's Pov
I was getting impatient waiting for Laura & Bella to bring news about Kristen. I sat for a while under the almond tree outside the chemistry lab before I finally saw Laura & Bella in sight.

"She's super annoying" Bella grunted, collapsing on the chair.

"What's wrong with her?" Laura questioned. She looked sad.

"Is Kristen okay?" I asked, reading their displeased faces

"She was rude as usual, so yes she's okay" Bella snapped, rolling her eyes.

"We didn't get to tell her of our intentions of being friends with her" Laura said, releasing a frustrated sigh.

"I'm getting sick of her bratty attitude. If you didn't stop me back there then I would have given her a tight slap. She'll come to her senses after that. Seriously, Kristen needs a miracle to change her" 

I laughed at Bella's humour "What happened to your fighting spirit Bell? Come on, don't give up so soon"

"My spirit, soul & body agrees that Kristen's a bitter person who can never change" she said, shaking her head dramatically "Should we just kill her & bury her somewhere?"

Laura & I laughed

"Trust me Bella, you wouldn't want to murder a multi million heiress" I said, pushing her off the chair "Come on, let's play a round of tennis"

"I'm game only if we place bets for......." Her phone rang "Hold on, let me take this" She walked over to a corner before answering the phone.

"Bella looks worried" laura said, watching her long overdrawn conversation from where we stood

"Guys, I need to leave. There's an emergency at home" Bella said, as she returned from taking the call she got from her little sister, Leah.

"Is everything okay?" Laura asked

"I don't know for now. The driver's waiting for me. I'll have to go first" She said as we hurried towards the gate.

"Alright Bell. Call us when you get home" I opened the door of the black Chevrolet car and she stepped in

"I will. Bye"

 
******

"Lunch is ready" my mom said, placing the steaming bowl of lobster rolls on the table.

"Lobster rolls" I sniffed the bowl in front of me, grinning "You know just what I want, mom" she chuckled, pulling my nose softly "So, what did the investors say?" I asked as she walked over to the kitchen counter, grabbing the bowl of salad.

"They agreed" a wide smile planted on her face as she placed the salad on the table before sitting down "My contract with WG is off and I have paid the compensation to RX with the loan I took

"Wow mom, that's great news" Laura grinned, dropping the jug filled with orange juice on the table

"See. I told you not to worry" I smiled feeling relieved.

"Now I'll have to come up with a perfect story. I know it's going to be hard starting all over again, but I promise we'll get back on our feet again"

"I'm just glad everything turned out well. You'll do great mom so don't stress" Laura said, serving salad into a plate "You have our best wishes with you"

"And also remember that you can't trust anyone" I added "We still don't know who betrayed you"

"Yes honey. So.....how was school?" She had a habit of asking how our day went.

"Mom, Can I ask you something?" I asked, taking the plate of salad from Laura

"Sure. What is it?"

"Is there a logical explanation for a person's difference in behavior?"

"What sort of behavior exactly?"

"She's cranky, arrogant, insultive, unfriendly & proud.

"Wow, all that for one person?" she chuckled "Well, sometimes people become that way due to past events, or fear of something. Perhaps depression, or for some reasons they may see life as cruel or unfair"

"Her life's so perfect. She's pretty, smart and doesn't lack anything" Laura stated "Her parents are so wealthy"

"That's probably why. Pride comes with having so much for some people" mom continued "Her parents probably make little or no time for her, right?"

"Yea" I answered "They are always on business trips & pop in just once in a while. Kristen's always working because she handles her family business when her parents are away"

"For someone with little or no time to study she sure is intelligent. She's Nevaeh's ace student" Laura said, siping from her juice "She's serious minded & ignores everyone. She always looks so sad"

"The poor child's surrounded with money, that's why she's comfortable in her loneliness"

"But that's why she should have friends" Laura muttered

"All that wealth must have gotten to her and that's why she sees no value in people"

"There's more to her than meets the eye" I spoke, my eyes gazing into space "There's this pain I see each time I look in her eyes. Although she acts tough I can see right through her. It's.... It's like she's afraid of something"

"You sound like a renowned poet right now" mom chuckled

"I'm serious mom"

"Alright" she smiled, throwing her hands in the air "Who is this girl anyway?"

"Kristen Garcia"

"Garcia?" she beamed "As in the oil, gas & mining company? They are the largest & most successful business group in the whole of America"

"Do you know that family?" Laura asked

"Yes. Not personally, but I did get a glimpse of them at a business summit" Her eyes twinkled when she spoke "I respect their contributions to society. Its not so easy to be way up there and yet be so modest & humble"

Humble? I was quite surprised.  Kristen's the complete opposite

"I guess she's a little modest" Laura stated with a smile "She's really simple for a millionaire heiress. She doesn't dress luxuriously, and has this elegant poise that makes her stand out "

"I guess she's just a child who needs love & affection. Maybe her pride's stopping her from showing it"

"It's hurtful how she walks all over people" I said as we walked over to the sitting room to watch a movie. We always had a mother- son- daughter bonding time each time my mom came home early

"Her words can make you feel like a complete nobody" I continued, turning the tv on

"We want her as a friend, mom" Laura said, placing the bowl of popcorn on the floor before sitting down next to me "If she's lacking in character because she yearns to be loved, then we will give her that love. It feels like fate has destined our paths and hers as one, and its that fate that gives us the strength to turn a blind eye to all her taunts"

"I know Kristen's a good person. She just needs a little push" I stated "Will you please talk to her mom?"

"Of course honey. Perhaps, this friend of yours just needs an adult to open up to"

"Thanks mom" Laura cooed happily

"I knew we could always count on you" I grinned, pecking her head

"Of course I'll do anything for my babies" she grinned, patting mine & Laura's cheek softly "I am proud to see my kids going out of their way to help someone. I know you'll win Kristen's heart, because my Laura & Jake are the greatest wealth anyone could ever ask for"

"Awwn" Laura squealed, continuously placing wet kisses on my mom's cheek "I love you"

"Is that all I get" she giggled, grabbing Laura's face before kissing her cheeks over & over.

I grinned at how cute they both were. This was the family of my dreams. God sure did a great job picking out a family for me. I would be nothing without these two women in front of me.