Billionaire’s Side Attraction

Lula Lopez

It’s been a week since I dared Carlos and he had just walked out without another word. The Carlos I know is quite vindictive but I could match his energy any day, any time.

Memories from the trip with Javier were still fresh in my mind, so I did what I always did, I drowned myself in my work. Since I had taken too long away, some things had piled up over the week. Since my manager is on sabbatical, I did not want to call her. To be honest, I didn’t want to hear from her about her strong opinions. So, I let my assistant, Charity handle everything for me. Some modeling gigs and commercials.

After I had returned, I learned that apparently, some fans are taking my side and bashing Carlos, while others have taken Carlos’s side; Team Lula vs Team Carlos. I found it hilarious cause this was the last thing I needed to heal. Fans try to convince themselves that they care about the celebrity when in actuality, they only make things worse. Carlos’s new album was a flop just because some fans hated Celia around him and preferred me. I know he must be devastated, and poor little Celia must be taking the heat. There was a time when I would play his songs in my car all the time because that’s how much I want to support him, but now, I avoid situations where I have to listen to his voice whether on the radio or the tv. Especially not in person.

Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into two months, and Thanksgiving rolled by. I never thought much about the holiday but this year, I wanna spoil myself silly. I had just finished with phoPhotoshopen my sister’s number flashed on my phone screen. I picked up. “Hey, Adriana”

Her motherly voice resonated from the other end of the line. “Lulu, how are you?”

I held back the urge to reveal my entire depressing life to her. “I’m fine.”

“If you say so.” She sounded unbelieving but continued: “I’d like to invite you for Thanksgiving dinner. Please promise you’ll come.” Why did she have to ruin my plans for the day?

“Okay, sure.”

“Thanks, baby.” She hung up shortly after.

I got thinking as I walked down to my car. Growing up, Adriana was never considered by our mom for anything because my mom felt she isn’t pretty enough. Our mom rejected Adriana while she spoiled me with good things. Looking back, our mom did us dirty. Cause now, the relationship between Adriana and I is so fucking strained. She got married right after college and never looked back to check on me, and I don’t blame her one bit.

After freshening up at home, I bought my sister’s favorite wine at a nice shop on the street after mine, then got into my car and drove for 45 minutes down to my sister’s house. As I approached the door, the aroma hit my nostrils.

I knocked and she answered, wearing an apron with some grease stained on it. “Come on in, you.” She opened her door wide open and I entered.

The walls of her home had photos of her and her family hanging on them. The house may not be as big as mine, but it is cozy and warm; the two things my life lacked. In the living room area was her husband, Patrick with his brother, Lucas; they were watching a game on tv. He glanced at me for a moment and acknowledged me, and so did his brother. Her children were busy designing something at the dining table, I went to them and handed them the gift I had gotten for them. They were twin boys named Henshaw and Henry. Both kids looked at me like I was some weird stranger they met in an alley. I sighed, maybe I should visit more often.

I went to meet Adriana in the kitchen where she was preparing some kind of sauce. “Need help with that?”

She twisted and saw me. “Yeah, of course.” I stood beside her. She laughed at me when she saw how badly I was handling the tools. “Momma didn’t teach you this bit, huh?”

I swallowed. “Well, she didn’t teach me a lot of things.”

She continued as she kept her focus on the turkey. “She must have said that you’re too pretty to slave away in the kitchen like me.” She shook her head.

“I’m sorry for everything, sis.” I have been meaning to say these words for a long time but I never mustered the courage to say it.

She smiled as her hazel eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. “I’m sorry too.”

I hugged her even though her hands were busy. She giggled as I hugged her, then gave me another job to do in the kitchen. Dinner got ready and I helped her serve the meal.

Patrick said a little prayer and everyone said how grateful they were. Then we dug in. There was silence until Adriana spoke up. “Lula”

“Yeah”. I sipped some water to balance the spicy taste on my tongue.

Her orbs glided across the table and her face was showing a hint of scheming. “Do you know that Lucas is also into modeling?”

I looked over at Lucas, his eyes moved between his sister-in-law and me. He must have felt as awkward as I did. I indulged my sister nonetheless: “Really? What kind of modeling?”

Lucas smiled as he was about to give me the answer to my question. “Men’s underwear”.

“That’s awesome.” I went back to my food. If it was one of my chatty days, I would have engaged him in more convos, but it just wasn’t.

The doorbell rang and Adriana rushed to answer it. I saw her return almost immediately with someone behind her. Someone I didn’t think I’ll be seeing too soon.

I shot up from my seat, “Mom?”