Nobody meant to hurt one another. Nobody decided to hastily leave one another. They were hurt and just couldn't stop and take care for others when they couldn't care for themselves.

The Torres men knew work like the back of their hands. It was engraved in their systems long before they could ever think of feelings. It was just something they're familiar with and it's something that they could control. When all hell breaks loose, it's work that they come to because it's controllable, it's comforting even. It's something that would keep their minds busy.

Emotions such as love comes second. It should be second because it leaves them all jumbled up. It's wrong. Love and work shouldn't even be mixed together because it all becomes an excuse for an argument when it becomes all too much.

Isabella had too much. They haven't been together for weeks-- her family and she, that is. Where had it all go wrong, to be honest? Why can't they stand up to her abuela? Without them, that old woman wouldn't have a heir to hand over her kingdom.

Was it Bella's words that had hurt them? Was it the guilt that ate them?

What's wrong with being wrong?

Isabella knew that abuela will never see her as someone who could be a part of the Torres family and to be honest, the young girl doesn't see that woman as one either. She sees that woman as a boss, as only the head of the family. Someone's who's not really a grandmother to her.

And that's fine.

But that doesn't mean that it's the same with her brothers and father. But is it so wrong to tell Bella for once that she's the one who's wrong? Just for once, let them defend themselves against her.

Family is strong.

A family's bond is so strong that you'd let a member hurt you so aggressively that it leaves a scar that doesn't disappear.

What even is family?

As Isabella was in the elevator with the people who's trying their best to silently support her, she's beginning to think if her family ever thought of her as some sort of mistake as well.

Is that why she was so easily abandoned when their abuela ran her mouth of about their flaws and wrongness?

Is that why she was so easily abandoned like this?

They're rarely at home nowadays. She barely gets a glimpse of them. Was it so wrong to ask why?

Why are you leaving me like this?

Why am I the wrong one in the family?

Why am I a mistake?

Why am I born not out of love? Do you think I don't hear Bella's mumblings saying that I'm born out of lust only? Born out of desperation and greed? I'm not stupid enough to not know what she meant.

Her family can't even deny it.

Not that Isabella would ever blame them. She too believes whatever her grandmother spouts. After all, shouldn't you believe what the head of the family says?

When the elevator opened, Isabella knew that it was her father's floor. She used to come here to visit him when she wanted to see him and no matter what. No matter if he was in a meeting or if he was talking to someone, he'd always make time for Isabella. He'd wait by the elevator door and then he'd greet her with a bright smile while calling her mija.

My darling.

Mi cielo.

Mi amore.

My youngest.

My sweet girl.

My little Bella.

Now, when the elevator doors open, the only thing she sees were people roaming around, not caring who was who in the elevator.

These people who she sees greet her brothers and her father. But not her because they don't know that she's the daughter of their boss. Is Dante ashamed of his daughter that he wouldn't let them know who she was?

"I can't do this." Isabella decided, backing up as she tried to shake the hold Ezri had on her. "I-I can't do this. Let's--Let's just wait for them to go home. They'll return home. I'm sure of it."

Was she?

She doesn't know who she was lying to. Was she lying to Ezri? To Rafael and Dmitri?

Or to herself?

It seemed so much easier to lie than to face the truth.

Ezri looks at her in pity while Rafael made a sad noise that seemed like he couldn't handle her being so defeated.

Dmitri only gave her a look that she couldn't decipher before he sighed and ushered them out of the elevator. "Okay, out, out, out. We're all standing inside this elevator and we're going to create a scene if we continue to stand here like idiots."

Everyone followed him out but with so much hesitance than before. Dmitri then pulled everyone in a corner where less people were walking by.

"Why's everyone's mood so low now?" Dmitri tilted his head to the side in confusion. "Thought all of you wanted this."

"But if Isabella's hesitating this much, I'm just wondering if it's really a good choice to do this." Ezri said, looking down in guilt.

"Yeah, I don't think it's the right time to do this." Rafael added, looking at Isabella in worry. "I mean, maybe they just want their space, you know? We all want that every once in a while. They may come around. They always do. Let's just go home."

Dmitri looks at the little girl who fidgeted in nervousness. Dmitri snorted. "Didn't I already tell you that it was a bad idea in the first place?"

Rafael and Ezri flinched but they nodded. "You did." They mumbled, looking like they just got stabbed by his words.

"Well, it's no use going back, you know?" He sighs and shrugs. "It'll be a pain to go back when we didn't gain anything coming here. Isn't that right, Miss Gem?"

Isabella looked like a wilting flower, standing there all frozen, looking like death had walked all over her. "I-I don't know... I just don't want to get hurt."

She's got this feeling that she'll get hurt today if she talks with her father today.

"All this drama's getting into that small head of yours, Miss Gem." Sang Dmitri, poking her forehead. "You get hurt then you get hurt but at least you did while trying. Besides, why're you so scared of 'em? Shouldn't they be scared of you? They're the ones ignoring you for weeks. They should know by now that the wrath of an eleven year old's a big no-no." Dmitri said gently, ruffling her hair.

"But--"

"All this thinking's just gonna make you overthink, Miss Gem." He warned, playfully waving his finger in front of her face. "No matter what those people say, you were born with the family name. Torres. If they think you can't carry it then you prove 'em wrong by being the most badass lady out there. Besides, who cares about what people think? What matters is what you fucking think about yourself, Miss Gem."

"Dmitri!" Rafael scolded but he was obviously moved by his words because his smile was there to prove it. Ezri just smiled and nodded like he was agreeing with Dmitri's words.

Isabella looks at Dmitri in surprise. He always comes back with these inspiring words when everyone's starting to plummet down the rabbit hole of no return. He's always like that. Acting like he doesn't care and then talking like he knows every last drop of information about them. He always knows what to say and when to say it.

He's like an anchor. The epitome of wisdom. Someone who wouldn't be scared of people because he wants people to be scared of him instead. He's Isabella's shadow and light. Always hiding but knows when to come out when she needs him the most.

He grins at her. "Jeez, don't look at me like I'm some sort of hero. I just said what's needed to be said because I know it's the truth." He said, ruffling her hair again. "So? What do you think 'bout yourself? You think you're a weakling mistake like that witch of yours keeps tellin' you?"

Isabella shakes her head, "no..." She couldn't help but tear up because the heaviness in her heart became lighter and lighter until it was barely there. "No, I don't think I am."

"You're not." Dmitri repeated, getting serious. He kneeled down in front of her. "Because if you were, we wouldn't be here. For me, you're not weak nor were you a mistake. We all have our own strengths so don't try to copy other people's strengths when you have your own. You just have to find it."

"I'm just a mistake. I'm wrong." Isabella said to Dmitri with a bitter smile. She shouldn't have been born. "Bella said so and everyone believes her because she's the head of the family."

"Well, I don't. You listen to me, you were born and people who cares for you decided that you were worthy of being loved and protected and that's all it matters. It doesn't matter what other people say, if you believe you're worth living then you're worth it, if you believe you're strong then you're strong. If you believe you can't do this then you can't. If you believe that you want an answer even if you get hurt in the process then you better believe that you'll get that answer."

"But I'm scared." She whispered, avoiding eye contact with him. She didn't want to disappoint Dmitri by saying that she's scared because he's saying so much that made her feel like she can actually do it and he's being so comforting, which rarely happens. She doesn't want him to be disappointed.

"If you're scared then that's all the more reason why you should do it."

Isabella looks at him in surprise and she didn't see the disappointment in his eyes. Instead, he smiled at her warmly and placed a hand on her shoulder. "How could bravery exist when there's no fear, right?"

That... That was true.

Isabella nodded and slowly made her way to hug Dmitri tightly. She thought that he'd push her away but instead, he hugged her with a chuckle.

"Jeez, our little miss gem's so softhearted that it makes me want to bully you."

Isabella gave a watery laugh and hugged him tighter. Dmitri. Dmitri's different from Rafael. Rafael may act like a mother hen but he doesn't understand Isabella the way Dmitri does. It feels like Dmitri is actually watching her. He knows what right words he'd say to her when she needed it. He knows when to comfort her and when to give her space.

Rafael feels more like a bodyguard, a loving caretaker, someone who'd do anything for Isabella. Dmitri's more like her brothers where they know what to say to her and when to say it to her. He's like a pillar she could rely on, someone who'd allow himself to die for Isabella.

And she knows that Dmitri doesn't want to be part of the family. He doesn't even want Isabella to think that but she can't help it.

When the hug finished, he looks at her and stood up. "So? Your decision, miss?"

Isabella nodded with fires of determination dancing in her eyes. "I'll do it."

Ezri looks at her and held her hand. "You can do it!"

Rafael nodded and kneeled slightly to give her a kiss on the forehead. "We'll support you all the way, Bells." He said lovingly. "You know that, right?"

Isabella nodded. "Yeah. Thank you."

_____

Story Time:

I once had a one-on-one session with my teacher and I mentioned that I write and she told me to join a club on journalism.

I was... Well, I was in shock?, Maybe a liiiiiiittle frightened because I wasn't sure if I could actually do it because I know I can't write as gorgeous as others could *sniff* ( ꈨຶ ˙̫̮ ꈨຶ ) But then she told me, "if you're scared then that's all the more reason why you should do it."

And for some reason, those words stuck on me ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

In the end, I still didn't join but it made me step out of my comfort zone a little. I believe that I did a lot of things that I wouldn't have normally done (;ŏ﹏ŏ)

Anyways, who wants a Dmitri? XDXD

I know I do <(￣︶￣)>

Also, DOUBLE UPDATE. It's mah way of apologizing for not being able to update much ( ꈍᴗꈍ)

I know the chapter isn't much but I still hope you enjoyed it!