I arrived at the meeting place three minutes early, but I was surprised to see my family already there. Mother has spotted me fast as she stood from her seat and rushed to embrace me. Father looked into my eyes with a genuine smile across his wrinkly and handsome face.
"Oh, my Katarina!" Mom squealed. Her arms were wrapped tightly around my slender body, and Father had to pull her away from me. I chuckled. "How I've missed you, my darling. Antonia barely comes home now, too, and I feel as if I've lost my beautiful daughters."
"Come on, Mom. Your daughters are both professionals now. You need to stop treating us like babies." Antonia was munching over the chips served on the table. I took the seat beside her. She leaned her head against my shoulder, just like she did when we were still young. My eyes rolled, and I could not bite back the smile forming on my face. She was rambling that our mother should stop treating us like kids, but look at her acting like one. Her words do not match her actions.
"How are things at the hospital? It surprised me to hear that you have time to dine with us today, honey. We all know how busy the psych ward is." Father began the family talk. I know that children should not lie to their parents, but if I were to tell them that I'd been suspended from work, they would worry.
"Hunter helped me take a leave today," I lied. "I moved out, but that does not mean that I do not miss you, guys." I ended my fake reason with a smile.
Mom placed a hand on her chest. "My baby, are things getting a little too hard for you? Your father and I would not mind you moving back in, just so you know. We would be happy to have you back there with us, and I am sure your sister would move back in as well."
"I'm sorry, Mom, but I still want to stay at my real parents' house."
The atmosphere changed when I blurted out those words; it turned awkward and cold. I knew she was being nice and sweet—she did not want me to feel lonely—but I cannot just forget about what happened to my real family that easily. It would be unfair to them. I must somehow find out the people behind the murder and give their deaths justice; that is the right thing to do.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be rude, Mom. I just—"
"I understand." She rested her hand on top of mine. "This is something that I cannot ever stop you from doing, Katarina. But we just want you to know that we are still your family, no matter who you were in the past."
"Thank you."
"Did you find anything?" Father asked, and my eyes turned to look at him. I shook my head.
"But I had a dream, and I would be lying if I said that it isn't the reason why I wanted to meet you today. It was a lady; she was dressed in black. She had laced gloves. She had big curls. I am wondering if you know her or if that person happens to be Mother."
Father looked into his wife's eyes and then back to me. "I'm afraid your mom has never ever dressed like that. I apologize, sweetie."
"Then, do you know anyone like that?"
"No. I cannot think of anyone whom I know who dresses that way. Do you not remember her face? Or have you not seen it in your dream?"
"Her eyes were dark brown and her lips were red. She looked really noble; however, I could not really tell if I had met anyone like her in my life. That is why I turned to you, Mom and Dad. I wondered if you knew her."
The couple looked into each other's eyes. Father has shoved another piece of meat inside his mouth as Mother stares at me. She shook her head and felt regret that she was of no help. "I'm sorry, Katarina, but there is not anyone that I know that fits the description of the woman in your dream. But I will notify you once someone like this ever appears in front of me; that is a promise."
My phone, all of a sudden, pings, which caught the attention of my entire family. Unfortunately, this is the first time that they have ever heard my phone make a sound. It was always in silent mode, but I guess not today.
"Oh," Antonia starts, and I throw her a glare. "You did not have it on silent, huh? You must be dating someone!"
Mom smirks. "Is that so?"
Father shrugs and clears his throat. "It is not that I forbid my daughters to date, but I do not want my girls to get hurt. Whoever this fellow is, he'd better be a good man."
"But seriously, sis, who is it? Is he handsome?" Antonia scoots closer with her palm underneath her chin. There is a wide yet teasing smile across her face. "Is he someone I know? Don't tell me... It's Hunter!"
"I like Hunter—he is a great man." Father adds in, and Mother nods her head.
"I am with you, dear. There is nothing about that young man that I do not like."
I can only laugh. "It is not Hunter." I declare and go on through my photos to look for a picture of my real boyfriend. I proudly showed it to my family when I found a decent one. I cannot remember when and where I took it, but he looked gorgeous in it. Riley was wearing a white shirt, and his hair was slicked back, giving the camera a perfect view of his perfect face.
"He is okay." Father shrugs his shoulders. "What's his name? What does he do? What can he do for you? How long have you been together? Where is his family? Does he ever plan to marry you?"
I quickly shove my phone back inside my bag. Antonia giggles as my eyes turn to look at her. Somehow, I've got a feeling that I must protect Riley from my family.
"We just started going out; it has not even been a month. But we've liked each other for so long. Riley is a good man, Dad; please don't worry."
"When can I meet him?"
"Already?" I swallow. "Like I said, it has not been a month since he became my boyfriend, Dad. I think it's too early."
"It is better that way than to regret it later, don't you think so? Come on, sweetheart, it is not like I am going to bite." He smirks.
But you sure look like it!
"I'll talk to him about it. But please, do not overwhelm him, okay? He's already going through so much; I wouldn't want you guys to add up to it." The last sentence was a whisper, and I hoped that none of them heard it.
"Hey." Antonia nudged my arm. We were finished with supper, and our parents had already gone ahead of us. Father declared that he has work left to do at home and invited us to come and visit them more often. I looked at my sister, who obviously wants to ask about something I must have said earlier. "What do you mean by your boyfriend is already going through so much? Is he in debt of money? How much? Are the loan sharks coming after him? Is he a dangerous person? Is he going to get you killed?"
I could not contain the laughter and the disappointment within me. Two of my fingers came forward to twirl her bangs and smile at her. "Riley is much more than you can ever imagine. He is out of this world."
Antonia shook her head in disbelief, shoved the phone in her hand inside her purse, and then she walked away. She shouted, "I get it! You're in love! Stop rubbing it on my face! I'm lonely! I have no boyfriend!"
I could only giggle as I watched her get inside her car. Antonia waved goodbye, and so did I. She stepped on the gas, and the blue car disappeared in front of my eyes. A deep breath escaped from my lips—it was relief. It's been a while since I've sat at one table with my family, and I can declare that tonight is one of the happiest nights of my life.
My phone rang, and Riley's name was flashing on the screen. My thumb slid across it. "Hello."
"Are you done with dinner?"
"Yeah, my family just left, and I am out here waiting for a cab."
I heard a snort from the end of the line. "Why call for a cab when you've got a boyfriend? Where are you?"
I crossed my arms. "I believe I've already told you where this place is."
Riley cleared his throat. "Right. Um, I'll be right there. Do not move."
He ended the call. It was surreal that this is the same Riley Martins from six years ago whom I admired and thought to be cooler than my father. He is still cute, though.
"Katarina." A voice called out my name. My head turned, but there was no one around me whom I knew until a lady in a black robe approached me. "You're Katarina Do, are you not?"
Fear has taken over my whole body as my feet took two steps backwards. I stuttered. "Who are you? How do you know my name?"
"I am Sxy," she announced. I watched her hands remove the hood from her head as her face was revealed in front of me. She looked young—almost as young as my age—and her hair was in huge curls that perfectly defined the shape of her face. "Sxy Fatima Do."