Season 1 Episode 5
Elena POV
I wipe the sweat from my brow to keep it from falling into the saucepan of salsa sauce for the chips. I would have shot myself in the foot if someone had informed me I'd be cooking for my horrible sister-in-law and her gang members. I've been up for 4 hours, and that's just to make the freaking sauce. I had no idea how to make it, so I spent an hour watching a single video on repeat.
Carlton told me—no, pressured me—to prepare for them. Juan stated unequivocally that she would hire a girl to do it; she even got down on her knees and begged me to let her little friends, or whatever they were, stay the night.
She could have summoned all the gods and I'd still say no, but with Carlton staring at me, my answer had to be yes.
Carlton entered the kitchen and took two beers from the fridge. I rolled my eyes as he finally showed his face. He wasn't even assisting me.
"The guys want their food in the next couple of minutes."
I paused my stirring, knowing that this blasted salsa sauce would have to burn because I couldn't believe what Carl had just said to me.
"Are you serious, Carlton?" There are perhaps fifty of them out there, and I am one of them." I clenched my teeth and threw down the dish towel. He set the drink down on the counter.
"Just get it done," he instructed.
I restart stirring the sauce to prevent it from burning as much as I want it to. It will sting to see all of my hard work go to waste. I looked at the unopened bags of chips and the plates I hadn't even gotten out to serve the contents on.
"Carlton, you know this isn't fair." I grumbled as I wiped away the new sweat that had risen on my brow.
"What's the big deal about cooking and serving?"
"Why don't you try it then?" I said sassily as I handed him the spoon. He reached for the spoon but instead struck me across the face. I collapsed to the ground, groaning in agony. My shaky hands reached out to touch my face. I whimpered as I felt my cheek. I feel the numbing ache, like if his hands were still on my cheeks.
"Did something happen? I heard a loud thud." Juan inquired, her voice apprehensive. I looked at her with my hair falling around my face, hiding it from her gaze.
"Everything is fine; she just fell." Carlton remarked, his gaze fixed on me.
"And you're just staring at her like she's has some disease."
Juan rushed to my side and lifted me up. Her fingers pulled my hair behind my ears, but I pushed her away quickly so she wouldn't see my cheek.
"Damn Mami I'm only trying to help." She said, still clutching my arms.
"I am fine; I just need to finish this." I resumed my stirring. I sure stirred up a lot today.
"Come on, Juan, she has it covered."
Juan scoffed as she walked around me, picking up the dishes and bags of chips. She began arranging the plates on the counter.
She then took out the chips and began to place a portion of them onto each plate she had lined up.
"Yo, Juan, she said she got." Carlton said.
"Yeah, man, and you can go." She murmured this while staring at him. He walked out of the kitchen. Juan brought me the plates, and I poured the salsa onto each one.
"I could have hired someone to do it. But Carlton insisted he was prepared."
I sniffled discreetly, my face hidden from hers.
"I won't bring them here the next time. This would never have happened," she grumbled.
"I just happened to fall." I let out a breath.
She yanked my arms and shoved me into the counter.
"Mentiras, Elena. We both know you didn't just fall on your ass. Either I was born from the ass or I'm making this up."
"You're hurting me." I cried out.
"Why didn't you tell him? Why didn't you tell him he hurt you?" She squeezed my wrist even more tightly.
She growled, "Answer me, Luv."
"Can you just drop it? I am a clumsy young lady. It happens. I'm only human." I barked and snatched my hand away.
She leaned out to place my hair behind my ears, as she had done previously, and her eyes glared at what I assumed was a red swallow cheek.
"Did that fall on your ass magically go to your cheeks, Luv?"
I couldn't answer her. I've been protecting Carlton for so long, and I will continue to do so until he changes. That's why I married him—because I know one day he will change.
"What's wrong with everyone protecting these jerks?" she growled.
"You live in that jerk house. And that jerk is hiding you from your damnation."
"You don't know shit." She hissed and snatched the back of my neck, catching me off guard. Her lips were barely above mine, and I could feel her heavy breathing crushing down on them.
"Do you know how long a monster can pretend for, huh?" she inquired.
I shake my head, my gaze drifting at the kitchen's entrance. I wouldn't want Carlton, or anyone else, to see us in such a precarious position, because I know it appears sexual from their perspective.
"They pretend as long as their black hearts beat, and I am telling you, you are laying with one."
"You are one, too," I retorted.
She smirked, her lips coming even closer, so near that I could feel her upper and bottom lips brushing against my bottom lip.
"Y-you're getting too close." Dazedly, I stammered.
"At the very least, you've seen my genuine form. I can't say the same for Carlton Henry."
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