Nicole

The card is a fancy matte black texture. If I were to drop this, it would look like I dropped my platinum card. John Blythe is on the front of the card and underneath there is a list of titles and the title of his law firm. In the back, I assume it was him who wrote his number in silver ink. I will be honest, I did not understand what he was trying to offer. A trustworthy partnership? And why would he ask about love? The whole situation was odd. A partnership with him, how would that look like, he would probably demand my obedience and I would not have the humility to abide by that. 

It's been a few weeks since Mr. Blythe handed me his card. Since then the supervisor has avoided me and left me to myself. Not to mention the people who were initially incharged of presenting the proposal project were dismissed. I am sure that Mr. Blythe ordered their dismissal, I am surprised that he didn't dismiss Mr. Nelson and me after the stunt we pulled. 

My father's side of the family is Hispanic, which is why I carry a Spanish last name. However, they are not your typical dark-skinned Hispanics. Most of them have light skin. And being from a Hispanic family when there is someone's birthday, the celebration never ends. As my grandmother's birthday was a few weeks ago, my brother and I were asked to come for some coffee and desserts. So, here I am again in this suffocating house, full of people I rather not see. 

Gathered in the living room, all of my family members are conversing when my grandmother directs her attention to me. "When will we be meeting the man you are dating?"

"I am afraid that would not be possible."

"You will not be going through with a wedding?" Grandma looks shocked. 

I don't say anything, because if I admit it, I would have to explain it. Her shock is grounded in a few things, like my virtue. My family is not a wealthy family. No, they have built a community with the help of my father, where all of my dad's family members reside in. Our residence, which is private and exclusive contains six houses my father developed. Yet, my brother and I don't live here because of my job and his college. In short, my family is very zealous about what they have and have built with their last name. 

"After dismissing our warning about not dating. We specifically told you we do not date in this family, we court. Now, what will people say?" My aunt Isabel pitches in. 

"This is why you need to run by the person that is interested in you by us first. Just like Melaine has done." My grandmother reminds me. 

I don't pitch into the discussion. I did mess up. But not because I wanted to. It's because I thought I had finally found someone I could rely on. I want to believe that I have found someone who could have my back. 

"Next time, don't mention something that is not true. You need to think about us not only yourself. If people find out, it would reflect badly on all of us." My aunt Lucia reminds me. 

"So, he broke it off?" Melanie chuckles lightly, "Way to bring shame to the family."

My grandmother ends with, "You're degree means nothing when you act like an uncivilized woman."

Yes, I brought unnecessary shame to the name my father left me. I agree with her statement. But I also have brought prosperity to my father's name. I am a doctor. The first family doctor, yet that seems to be dismissed by them. Any fault or mistake is only rubbed in my face. I excuse myself and walk out of their house. I find myself in the garden and take a seat in the swing. A few moments later, my brother comes to find me. "Nic, why are you out here?"

"Because I am being persecuted by my relatives." 

"You should try and just not mention anything in the future. Keep to yourself next time. That's what I do."

"You agree with them?" I am quite offended. 

"No, I don't. But look, you have to admit you made it seem like you were going to get married. Don't you think it's only natural that they would expect a wedding?"

"You don't know what happened." I don't want to tell anyone. Because it is shameful. I bragged about a man that never felt the same for me. I fell in love with a man who was not in love with me. 

"Then tell me. Maybe then I'll understand." No, he won't. What he means to say, give me a reason to take your side. Then maybe if I tell him the reason, he'll take my side. A big unlikely maybe. I think the worst part is that deep down, I was at fault. If I had left, I would still have Justin by my side. He was a good guy. But maybe he never truly wanted the same thing I did. 

"Rick, shouldn't you be taking my side?"

He is taken aback by my statement. "Why do you always do this? Make everything an argument."

"Me? You more than anyone know that I hate coming here. I wanted to cut them off."

"Nic, stop. All you have to do is ignore them. I get it. They do the same thing to me, I've seen it, but just ignore them. And stop fighting every single time." He leaves and goes back inside the house. I stay and sit down on the garden swing. I want to scream. There is a heavy sensation on my face I want it to slip out. My eyes are seeking to pop off my face. 

I need someone who would take my side. I need someone who isn't afraid or ashamed to take my side. I want Justin back. I want him to comfort me. I take out my phone and look at Justin's caller ID. I look at the last text I sent him. He never responded to that. He was never proud of being by my side. He rather not have people know we were together. I want someone to hold me. I need someone to fight for me. I want someone to fight with me as a team. I hold back the tears ready to slip out and take a breath before dialing the number on the fanciest card I've ever possessed. As it rings, I rehearse what I need to tell him. On the last ring, I hear him pick up, and instead of telling him what I need, I tell him what I want, "I need you."