* X x * x * x * Chapter 28 * x * x * x X*
"Wow, you did not just leave me outside, tía," Zach said as she closed the door behind them.
"Sorry, hun, I forgot you were here," Amelia said nonchalantly as she grabbed a new set of house shoes for Kaye to use. "Here you are, darling. You can wear these."
Kaye sat at the mini chair by the foyer to remove her shoes but Zach fretted about her headache so she took the house shoes from Amelia.
"Here, I'll do it."
"God, Z, no, it's fine. I can do it." Kaye was flustered as she tried to stop Zach.
"Let me do it for you. I know your head is killing you right now." She kneeled on one knee and removed both of Kaye's shoes.
Kaye blushed at the sweet gesture and didn't know how to react because she knows that Amelia is watching. Her ears are flushing so red.
Amelia held her face and tilted sideways, and couldn't suppress her smile.
"Well, I surely didn't expect that coming from you, Zachy, Mija." She held onto Kaye's hand once again and led her to the couch. "Sit down, dear. Let me fetch you something. Would you like a hot coffee or a cold drink?"
"That's okay, ma'am you don't have to trouble yourself. I'm good." She said, her eyes almost half-closed, taking in the comfort of the couch.
Amy turned to her and inquired, "I insist. How about you, Zach?"
"I'll have a cold beer, tía," Z replied.
Amelia raised a brow and replied, "Ok, none for you then."
"I'm kidding, I'll have a cold soda with lots of ice chips, please." She said as she sat down beside Kaye.
"What's wrong with having another beer, Honey?" Ethan said as he came out of one room.
"Good evening, sir." Kaye stood up making her stagger and if not for Z that supported her arm she might have fallen. She might actually have fallen for Z though.
"Oh, Catherine, sit down. No need to be so formal here in mi casa." Ethan waved his hand.
"Sup, Uncle." Z nodded at him and tried to pull Kaye back to the couch.
"Sorry about that." She murmured and looked down. The alcohol is starting to kick in really badly in her system.
Amelia went back holding a tray in her hands. "No, don't be. Now I feel bad that I asked you guys to come here."
"More like, threatened us." Z teased Jeremy's mom.
"It's okay, really. I didn't mind coming here. I'm just merely bumming a ride." Kaye said.
"Well, Isn't she a sweetheart?" Amy looked at Ethan beaming and turned to Kaye once more, "Rather, darling, would you like to stay the night?"
"Tía…" Zach was startled at what she said. "Her sister is strict. She has a curfew."
"Why, after hearing a lot of names, this is the first time you are bringing home a girl!" Amelia sat down on one of the single couches. "And I just want to have a guest over for lunch tomorrow."
Zach chuckled, "tía, c'mon stop twisting what happened in your favor. You know you were the one that demanded I come home with her."
"Uhm, I'm thankful for the invitation but my sister is expecting me home." Kaye who was watching the exchange tried to support her although Cassie is expecting her to come home, there was actually no curfew at all.
Amy held her face and said dramatically, "But what should I do, dear? I already sent the driver away and I would never let Zach drive intoxicated."
Zach facepalmed. She forgot that her aunt can be stubborn at times and would always get what she wants. "Sorry about that. Tía Amy is just rather fond of new faces. I'll call the driver again. His quarters are outside."
"I'm sorry for asking for the impossible, dear. See I've always wanted a daughter but look at this? You can't call that a daughter but a son." Amelia faked a sob making a face at Z.
"I wonder how your favorite daughter will react when she hears that." Zach just chuckled at Amelia because she knows that she is full of underhanded tactics.
She'd even bet a grand that David is still outside waiting.
"Shush, darling." Amy gave her a glare and Zach just raises her hand in resignation.
On the other hand, Kaye feels bad for the woman that she can no longer deny the invitation.
"L-let me call my sister to see if she'd agree," Kaye said quietly.
"Oh, sure honey. She can speak to me if you need me to." Amelia claps excitedly.
"Uncle c'mon what are you doing? Don't let her get her way with this." Z trying her best not to get annoyed with her Aunt.
"Sorry, kid. In this house, I'm just a decor." Ethan sighed and chortled.
Z couldn't help but sigh and shook her head. In the back of her mind, part of her wants her to stay.
After a few rings, Cassie answered the phone. "Catherine Elizabeth, where are you? Ellie came home ages ago so why aren't you here yet?"
She looked around. "I-I'm here at J's place. Can I stay the night here?"
"What? Where? Are you kidding me? Are you alone with that weirdo? Where's Z?" Cassie kept on bombing her questions, making her anxious.
"No, I'm not alone. She's here beside me." Apart from academic-related sleepovers, Kaye hasn't stayed out or slept over at someone else's house other than Ellie's that's why her sister is acting like this, she thought.
"Put her on the phone this instant," Cassie demanded and she looked at Zach with her cute little puppy green eyes.
Kaye sheepishly approached Z.
"She wants to talk to you." She said, almost in a whisper.
Zach eyed Amelia, accusing her of putting her on the spot which in return just smiled and gestured, "Carry on, Mija. You can do it."
"Hey, Cassie. It's Z." Zach sighed and casually answered the phone.
"You! Who told you that you can do whatever you want with my sister? Bring her home right now or else!" Zach blinked and thought about how Cassie is so protective of her sister.
"I'm really sorry for making you worry. This is totally unexpected. I was really planning on taking her home but—"
Cassie cut her off, "I don't care about your reason at all. You live around here, right? I'll just pick her up."
"Uhm, w-we're quite an hour away. We're at my A-Aunt's place right now." Z stuttered. Angry Cassie makes her afraid for some reason.
"Tell me the address," Cassie demanded in a calm tone, making her more alarmed.
"I-I'll take her home now. I apologize once again." Z yielded.
Amelia sighed. What a useless gay.
"Give me the phone, Mija." Amelia holds out her hand.