"No, Sweetheart. Do not panic. Alejandro always comes to spend time with his sister every time he's free. Isn't that a beautiful thing to do? He watches over her all the time because she's family. I was even hoping he'd help me look after you too."
Bree clearly looked confused.
"Mom, what are you talking about? What's going on with you?" She whispered softly, now afraid.
"Bree...."
"Mom, he isn't authorized to be here. We had to knock all year...."
"Bree, come on, sweetheart. We need to get you arranged. He's a temporary visitor who visits once in a while. Come here."
Bree was tongue-tied. She was shocked and she was lost for what to think.
"Mom...."
Alejandro had gone to place the box in Bree's bedroom and now lay back on Ashley's bed, his attention grabbed by the laptop before him. He was beginning to type madly but paused to grab a mobile. Clearly, he didn't care what Bree wanted to say or do. He eerily seemed to be in mighty control of this situation knowing nothing would be done by the two women.
Sara crept into the other room and began to lay her daughter's things out on the bed. Bree followed fiercely.
"Mom, what the hell's going on? That guy's bad. What if he did something bad to my roommate ? He's lying!"
"Brielle, we'll talk to him before I go home. I'm so happy to see him. I've never seen a being like him. He's so kind hearted and relatable. I don't know.... I've never felt so calm around anyone like him. Strange.... but peaceful. Let's unpack first."
Bree didn't know what to say, she could only edge towards the bed and begin to arrange her belongings whilst watching her Mom who never stopped smiling and talking about the guy they'd just met.
"Bree-Honey, he is going to care for you, see? You and his sister should bond just fine...."
"Mom, do you know what you're saying? He's a bad guy and he only said she's his relative. A liar!"
"Bree, I said we'll talk to him, ok? I'm here with you."
"Mom, what do you want to say to him?" Bree asked, tightly. She was annoyed at her Mother. "Are you already having a crush on him or something?"
Sara laughed, sheepishly.
"No, Honey. I'm not a young thing no more. But I guess I would have made a move if I was."
Bree was embarrassed. She was beyond embarrassed.
"Mom, can you listen to yourself?"
"Haha. Come on, Honey. I didn't say I was going to. Just spilled a little truth to you. Don't freak out."
"I'm not freaking out. Just wondering what's up with you. A guy shouldn't be here. Especially a guy like that. What did you say about bad influence? It's clearly written all over him."
There was a ding from the door and the two women looked up towards the other room, breaths held with curiosity.
They heard the door come open and then there was a low pitched voice of a lady and instantly Sara was flying for the door, excited.
"Come along, Brielle. Your roommate's here!" She called and disappeared outside.
Bree hurried along.
"Hello, beautiful lady. Oh my God, look what I see. You're so beautiful. What's your name?" Sara was already tapping into her curiosity and at same time, Bree came into the room and oh, by God, she could see what her mother was saying.
Bree had finally met her roommate in real life and what she saw was.... beyond description.
The black girl was madly madly perfect. She had bright silver eyes and had same for the air about her. She looked more than a goddess that it was indescribable. Now, Bree was going to agree that the two elegant people standing at the doorside had to be related. They looked too.... attractive it seemed artificial.
"I'm Ashley. Hello." The black girl said and began to slink forward like she floated.
"Hi, Ashley." Bree and her mother chorused and Bree nearly ran back to her room with extra embarrassment.
Ashley shook hands with Mrs Sara Pia Daniels and Bree stood there, lost for what to do.
"He's my brother." Ashley said and smiled at Alejandro who was eating a large sausage his sister must have gotten him.
Bree eyed him briefly.
"Oh.... Wow...." Sara exclaimed, looking at Alejandro in awe as Ashley went behind her for Bree." The lady behind me is my dear daughter."
Bree was beginning to shrink when the girl hugged her. She didn't know what to do but give a little giggle as they stepped back from each other.
"Bree, Welcome." Ashley said, smiling brightly.
"Yes. Thanks."
"Haha, I don't know if that's the right way to welcome my roommate."
"No, it's ok." Bree waved it off. She was beginning to like this girl. She seemed so easy to be around. So natural.
Ashley turned to look at Alejandro who didn't seem to notice anything but type on the laptop he had in his arm.
"Alejandro is my brother and so, he comes down here to spend time with me. He's fun to be with, too. Hope he didn't give you any problems?"
"No, he didn't." Sara quickly said. "He helped me with the box. He seems like a very respectful young man."
Bree watched Ashley's brow jerk in surprise.
"Wow." Ashley could only exclaim and glance at her brother in surprise but she was quick to wipe it off.
"How does he get in here though? Isn't that wrong?" Sara asked and Bree's ears quirked up.
"I let him pass all the time. So, he's now officially a 'girl's guy'."
"GIRL WHAT?" Alejandro suddenly interrupted, looking up and right there, he met eyes with Bree. Bree stepped back slightly and her heart kicked into her tummy. She tore her eyes off and swallowed.
He stuck the last bite of sausage in his mouth same time.
"Nothing." Ashley replied and he strode with grace to carefully sit on Ashley's bed.
"Me and Bree-Honey were arranging her things. We are also amazed at the interiors. It's mad attractive! Jesus Christ."
"Oh, thanks a lot, ma'am. Alejandro helped me with it when I first moved in. This is my third year at the university."
"Wow. I'm so comfortable and I'm beginning to feel happy for my daughter. This is the best choice anyone can think of. Please, I want you to treat her well and take care of her. She can be a little naïve sometimes...."
Bree squirmed.
"Mr Alejandro?"
Alejandro looked up.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Can you please help me watch over my daughter since I'm not here?"
"Yeah, of course."
Ashley nodded in agreement. Meanwhile, Bree was whispering fiercely.
"Stop it, Mom...."
"Please. I just want you to take care of her. She's my only baby, my little world. I feel so comfortable having you two around here. Isn't that strange? Haha."
Bree swallowed, embarrassed three times more. She glanced at Alejandro only to see him watching her grimly like the situation was so bad and very grave.
They looked away from each other immediately. Bree had gone red on the face.
"Yes, ma'am. I'll be her guardian. She'll be my little.... responsibility."
Bree didn't know how she was feeling. She was numb. She risked a glance at Alejandro and saw him nodding at Mom. Bree quickly looked away. Her heart was thudding.
"She'll get whatever she wants and all that. I'll keep with her each day, too."
Meanwhile, Mom seemed to sigh in relief.
"Please. She won't give you any problems. I promise you that. Thanks for understanding."