Mateo's P.O.V.

    I couldn't get the encounter with that girl off my mind. There's something about her that speaks familiarity, but what? I tried to tell Maxine, but she just laughed and teased me about having a crush. That's ridiculous. I don't have a crush . Never had one , never will.

And besides , what would be the odds that she would like me back? She looked like an angel while I looked awful. My brown hair is so untamable , my eyes are just plain hazel and I'm not muscular. She deserved better.

Mom was away saying that she had to go around the city, meaning that she would try to find a new rich husband. I wish she could just stop and focus on raising Maxine and I , but knowing her, I would be asking too much.

I got out my room and went to the next room that was beside mine. I knocked.

"Come in."

Maxine was on her laptop typing what seems to be mom's letter of application.

"Why are you doing that?" I asked as I sat next to her.

"Because your mom is too lazy to do hers and we need her to get a job , not just us."

I nodded.

Dad may have left us with enough money , but she took it saying that she'll keep it safe. I nearly scoffed at the thought. She's probably spending it right now for more makeup and jewelry. Ever since Maxine and I reached high school, we have been working a few simple part time jobs, just to earn money for ourselves. Mom expects us to take care of ourselves.

I may have gotten used to it, but Maxine isn't.

"Hey Mateo, I need these things before the she devil comes and I'm kind of busy ."

She handed me a list and $250.

1. 3 new pens
2. A whole basket full of strawberries
3. 2 umbrellas
4. A stack of papers
5. 10 notebooks

I'm confused. Maxine must of noticed my expression. "I enrolled us to a school not too far from here, the money dad left for our education is the only money that your mom can't get. We have to use it wisely."

"Why the strawberries though?" That was the only thing in the list that confuses me.

"Someone requested natural strawberry juice before she comes back." She rolled her eyes.

Is she serious?

"I'll be back in an hour." I said .

It was weird going to the mall by myself. But I was fine since dad had Chinese blood and taught Maxine and I Chinese . I was grateful for that. Otherwise, I would be lost and confused.

I went into the bookstore for the schools supplies. I had to make sure that the design was good since Maxine is a bit picky. I went up to the cashier and I was surprised to see the girl I bumped into yesterday was also buying supplies.

"Oh , hey, you're the guy that I ran into right ? Yeah sorry for that." She said.

"No , I should be apologizing, I wasn't looking where I was going."

She giggled. It was so adorable. I paid for my supplies and we were now chatting in a little bakery that was near the mall. I think the name was Plikki.

"I'm Emma , so what school are you going to?" She asked as she looked at my bag filled with Maxine and I's supplies.

"My sister and I are just going to a school near our place , the , um , Destiny Mark?" (Don't judge me , I ran out of ideas.😒)

She smiled and I somehow felt my heart sped up.

"Cool, I'm actually going there too with my twin , Louise ."

My eyes widened." You have a twin?"

She nodded." He's just a few minutes older than me, but he still treats me as if I'm younger by years."

We talked a bit more and I think that I found a friend . All of a sudden my phone rang.Maxine. It blazed.

"Excuse me for a while , my sister is calling." I excused myself and went out.

"Mateo , where are you?! Your mom is coming home in 30 minutes and I still need to make that juice."

I looked at my watch. Oh no.

"I'm sorry, I lost track of time."

"Well you better hurry back here, I do not want to face her alone."

"Yeah , I'm going there."

"Okay , be quick."

I hang up and went inside to Emma.

"Hey , I'm sorry , but I have to get back home, do you know where they sell strawberries here by the way?"

"Yeah, in fact this bakery sells strawberries, how much do you need?" She asked.

"About a basketful."

"Well, that would be about $45 ."

I raised an eyebrow." How do you know this?"

She shrugged." My mom's aunt runs this place."

I thanked her and went to the counter. After I got the strawberries, I bid Emma goodbye and ran home. I was really, really thankful that it was only a few blocks away . I rushed in and threw the strawberries at Maxine's open arms.

"We better hurry." We both said in unison.

I ran upstairs while Maxine ran to the kitchen. I hastily threw the bag into my room and ran down to help Maxine. When I got there , she just took out a blender.

"She texted me and said that she wants a shake instead."

I groaned.

"Remind me again why are we doing this?"

"Because we have to wait until aunt Valantina finds proof against Lila."

Aunt Valantina is dad's cousin and she could be a great mother. The reason that she isn't right now, is that her husband died in a plane crash and that she is fertile. But she was really nice . She was weary at me because of mom, but warmed up to me. She is a really good lawyer she's actually the second best after Roxy Fox.

Maxine and I finally finished the shake. We were in a hurry to make one for her since we know that if we make for ourselves, she would just take it from us. Aunt Valantina, please hurry. We placed the shake in front of mom's sacred table.

She better be happy that we're doing this for her.

With Emma

I was at the garden with mom. She thought that it would be a great day to have tea and apparently, so did grandma. But I knew something was up. I know mom and I know that she's dancing around it.

"So , Emma, I heard from a few people that you've been seen with a rather handsome boy, could you care to share" mom said.

How did they find out?!

"Emma , sweetie , you're a princess, did you really think this would go unnoticed by the press?" Grandma raised an eyebrow.

"He's just a friend." But I could feel my blush betraying me.

"You have a crush on him!" Mom squealed.

"Sweetie tell us everything." Grandma said intrigued.

This is going to be a long tea .

A.N. I own nothing. They all go back to their rightful owners.