Chapter 5 Sinful Curtains

JESSICA

"Leave me alone," 

"Hold on, David,"

He moved his face away, putting a cookie into his chocolate-stained and stuffed mouth. 

"Hold still," I said, reaching for his lips with a napkin. 

"No!" he blurted, stuffing up his face all over again. 

I heaved a sigh. "Mum, please talk to David," 

"What's wrong?" Mum asked. 

"He doesn't want me to wipe the dirt off his lips," I almost whined. This seven-year-old brother of mine is becoming difficult again. 

The white napkin on his black suit collar is filled with chocolate stains. I know he loves goodies a lot but this is too much now. He is definitely going to suffer stomach pain after this. 

"David, behave. Allow your sister to wipe your lips," Mum ordered. 

He shook his head while moving his hands on the cookies. 

I fought my way to his lips and I succeeded in wiping the chocolate off. 

Finally! 

"Hey!" he yelled. 

I raised my jaw at him, showing him I had defeated him. 

He poked his tongue at me. 

I poked out mine. 

He went further as I expected, placing his thumbs close to his ears, moving his other fingers while wiggling his tongue and rolling his eyes all at the same time at me. 

I couldn't help but chuckle. 

Funny foodie. 

I heard a scoff from Mercedes, making me look at her. She is shaking her head in disgust while sipping her drink. 

It killed my smile as I nervously lowered my gaze to the napkin, folded it up, and placed it beside my half-filled plate. 

The party is going well. 

I am seated in between my mum and David. 

Opposite us are Uncle Brad's family and Mercedes. 

Kendra is not yet back from the restroom so it is just her mom, Alex and Mercedes. 

Dad and Uncle Brad are standing close to the stag and discussing with some men dressed in black suits. 

They must be Uncle Xavier's business partners. He must have pitched them to Dad and Uncle Brad. 

Whatever it is, I hope they hook my dad up with a thing or two. He might have been smiling since and jubilating over Uncle Xavier's return but deep down, he is unhappy because of our bankruptcy. 

It has been terrible. His attitude at home ever since has been unwelcoming and less peaceful. 

I am glad he is smiling now. I just hope Uncle Xavier helps him out. 

Speaking of Uncle Xavier, his pictures are still on display on the huge projector. Like Uncle Brad said, I also couldn't recognize him. The last time I saw him was ten years ago.

I was eleven years old and it was not so pleasant. 

It was awful. 

No matter what my mom said, I still feel it was awful. 

I can still feel the guilt despite the past years. Seeing Uncle now, the guilt just added again. I just hope he has forgotten about it. 

But above all, I am glad he is back. I love the bond he shares with my dad and Uncle Brad. I wish I could have that. 

I barely have friends. 

I have my family though. 

They should be enough. 

But I would also love to have friends. 

One will be enough. 

Just like Kendra has Mercedes.

This is wrong but honestly, I envy them. They are like twins. 

I love and envy what they have. Two dancers who are best friends. 

No, no, it is not good to be envious of your neighbor. I will get mine. I will get my own best friend. 

Maybe at work. 

Mom and David are my best friends. 

I have enough. 

"Jessica, here," Alex snapped me off my thoughts, handing back my phone. 

I reached for it and took it from him. 

"Are you done?" I asked. 

"Yes, I am. Thank you," 

"You are welcome," 

"Hey, congratulations on your first appointment. What hospital?" He asked. 

"Wellness Oasis Hospital," I said. 

"Wow. That's one of the biggest in New York." He said, making me smile. 

"Of course it is. She was chosen by the best. I am so proud of my baby girl," Mom said, placing her hands on my shoulders and pressing her cheek on the side of my temples. I placed my hand on hers which is on my shoulder and closed my eyes momentarily. 

"Thanks, mom," 

A scoff from Aunt Valentina took our attention. 

"Let's hope her clumsiness doesn't get her fired in a week or two," she muttered, sipping her drink. 

Mercedes chuckled mockingly. 

I felt a tiny pain in my chest, lowering my gaze on my meal. 

I guess my problem will never stop following me. 

"It won't. I believe in her," Alex said, making me look at him. 

He is smiling at him. 

I smiled at him too. In their family, Alex and Uncle Brad are the only welcoming people. 

I can't say the same about Kendra and Aunt Valentina. 

They are not bad. 

But they are not entirely nice either. 

Mercedes too. 

"Me too, Alex. I believe in my princess," Mom said, caressing my arm. I looked at her momentarily with a smile. 

She smiled at me too. 

"Where is keeping your sister, Alex?" Aunt Valentina asked, sounding worked up. 

"No idea," Alex shrugged nonchalantly, operating his phone 

"Call her phone," 

"I want to pee, Jessica!" David said loudly. 

I looked at him. He has more chocolate syrup on his lips. 

Gosh, David. I just wiped your lips a few seconds ago. 

"I want to pee! Take me to pee!" 

"Ugh, take him away already," Aunt Valentina said with disgust. 

Mercedes made a disgusted face too as I moved to get on my feet. 

"Hurry, Jessica," Mom said as I got on my feet while taking David's hand. 

He got on his feet and I took off the napkin on his collar, placed it on the table, and took him away. 

I took fast steps toward the back of the building. 

"Stop running," he whined, struggling to keep up even though I was holding his hand. 

"Aren't you very pressed?" I asked, reducing my fast steps. 

"You are going to make me fall,"

"Okay, sorry. I thought you wanted to pee so bad," 

"I do. Let me pee here," he said, moving towards Uncle Xavier's lawn.

A gasp almost escaped my lips. 

"No, no, no, not there." I quickly grabbed him away from the well-treated lawn and took him towards the back of the building. We got to a spot, and I crouched down to his height and undid his belt. 

"You smell like chocolate. Chocolate all over. You have had enough for tonight, buddy," 

"Mom said I can eat anything I want." 

"And you have. You are not taking more, okay? You have had enough for one night." I repeated, getting on my feet and moving him towards a safe spot to ease himself. 

"Alright, you can pee now," I said. 

I began his business. 

I let out a sigh, moving the tendrils of my brunette hair behind my ear, and placed one of my hands on my hip. 

I withdrew my eyes from him and they moved on their own accord, taking in the changes of this place. 

It had gotten more luxurious than the last time I was here. 

My eyes moved further and they rested on a particular window. 

I froze. 

Just like ten years ago. 

Same place. 

Same spot. 

Same windows. 

Covered with white curtains and two silhouettes moving behind them. 

This time, one is standing but leaning on what I think to be a desk and the other is kneeling or crouching down close to the abdomen part of the other one standing. 

Her head is moving back and forth, painting a scenario in my head that sends chills down my legs. 

I swallowed.