💓

We were still eating breakfast in the kitchen. Marcus chose to sit on Manny's lap, while Aleah chose to sit next to Manny. I'm tempted to get up and push her out of the chair. I kept a smile on my face to show that I am unconcerned about her presence.

Manny began to feed Marcus some of his food. I'm not going to lie, seeing Manny take care of his son is adorable because he appears to be a wonderful father. Celina placed a plate of food in front of Aleah, who had a huge smile on her face.

"I'm so glad you were able to join us for breakfast." Celina stated as she sat back in her chair.

"Now, Ms. Celina, you know I wouldn't miss breakfast for anything. Marcus, on the other hand, had been dying to come over here to see you guys, but most importantly, his father."Aleah said with a smile to Manny and Marcus.

"Did you miss your padre, Marcus?" Celina smiled as she asked Marcus.

Marcus giggled as he covered his face. "Yes, I miss daddy more than the whole wide world."

Manny laughed and tickled Marcus's stomach. "I miss you even more, baby boy."

Spooky gave Marcus a wide-eyed stare. "Man, he was so small the last time I saw him. He's grown up now. It seems like time is speeding up."

"I know right. I despise seeing my little pooh bear mature, but he must have matured a little too much because he forgot to give me a hug." Camila pretended to cry in order to get Marcus' attention.

Marcus leapt from Manny's lap and dashed over to hug Camila. "I sorry, tía. Don't cry."

Carlos extended his arms so Marcus could embrace him. "You forgot to show love me as well, buddy."

Marcus smiled and hugged Carlos tightly. He dashed back to Manny and sat in his lap after all of the hugging. Miguel was giving everyone the side eye, so we were trying to figure out what was bothering him.

"Miguel, what's the matter with you?" Celina inquired, her face befuddled.

Miguel directed his finger at Marcus. "Lil homie forgot to show me some love. Can I get some love too? I'm feeling very left out."

Marcus began to curl up in Manny's lap. "You look scary."

Miguel's face betrayed his embarrassment. Aleah smiled at Marcus, covering her mouth because she didn't want her food to fly out.

"Marcus don't say that. He doesn't appear to be scary. He's a relative of yours. Because he's been gone for a while baby, you've never seen him enough." Aleah rubbed his cheek with her thumb.

Under their breath, Spooky, Danny, Camila and Rubi began to laugh. Miguel shook his head and looked at them with a blank expression. After that, he returned to eating his breakfast.

"Aleah, have you met Manny's friend Angel and her sister Rubi? They came to stay with us for a few days." Celina said, pointing at Rubi and me.

I smiled as I looked at Celina. "We met yesterday while swimming with dolphins."

"Yes, we did, but I had never met Rubi before. Rubi, it's great to meet you. You and Angel have a striking resemblance. I should've assumed you guys were siblings." Aleah greeted Rubi with a smile.

Rubi returned the smile. "It's great to meet you as well, and yes, we get that a lot. Many people believe we are twins."

I gave Rubi a sidelong glance. "Please, Rubi, you're lying now. Nobody ever told us we could be twins."

Rubi rolled her eyes and sucked her teeth as she looked at me.

"If it's okay with you, I'd like to ask why you're here? Manny usually travels to Mexico on his own, or you usually travel with Spooky. I've never seen him bring a woman here unless he's dealing with her." Aleah remarked as she sipped her drink.

Is she attempting to be shady, or is she genuinely curious? No, she's definitely being shady and a little too nosey. Why are you so concerned about my presence? I'm sure she thinks I'm dealing with her baby daddy, which I am. Manny decided to answer her question before I could.

"She's here because I wanted her to be." Manny said nonchalantly.

I smirked at her as I raised my brow. I'm sure she won't ask that question again because I know she's hurt by what he said. You should probably mind your own business next time. There was silence for a while, but Carlos decided to speak up.

"When is Marcus's next soccer match?" Carlos inquired.

"It should be one day this week. I'm still unsure. His school has yet to provide me with his schedule." Aleah said, her gaze falling on Carlos.

Marcus looked Manny in the eyes as he raised his head. "Are you coming to see me play, Daddy? I want you to see me run."

Marcus got a kiss on the forehead from Manny. "Of course, I'll be there to see you play."

Marcus grinned and squeezed Manny even tighter in his arms. Celina fixed her gaze on Marcus, who was hugging Manny. She had puppy eyes when she looked at them.

"Aleah, I remember you being pregnant with Marcus for the first time. I couldn't believe my oldest son was expecting a child so early." Celina remarked.

"When I found out, I was terrified and shocked at the same time, but I was ecstatic to give birth to my sweet little angel." Marcus cheek was pinched by Aleah.

"I also remember you and Manny being unable to leave each other alone for nothing in the world. You two used to hang out all the time because you were so in love. I thought you two would never stop talking to each other. I knew it was only a matter of time before you two had a child together." Celina exclaimed, laughing at her Manny and Aleah flashbacks.

I continue to keep a fake smile on my face because I don't want Manny or Aleah to notice that I'm bothered by their conversation about their old love story. I swear I don't want to be sitting here listening to this. I know it's old, but it makes me feel irritated and jealous when I listen to it.

"Oh my gosh, do you remember when you caught me and him kissing? We were literally sucking each other faces off. I wasn't sure I could face you again that day because I was so embarrassed." Aleah and Celina were both laughing.

I stood up from the table because I couldn't stand it any longer. I already know she's doing it to make me mad and to irritate me, and she's succeeding admirably.

I clutch my stomach as if I need to use the bathroom. "Excuse me, guys, but I need to use the bathroom."

I hurried upstairs and into the restroom. I shut the door and ran my fingers through my hair as I looked in the mirror. Why am I feeling this way? I'm not even close to being envious. I can't admit to being envious, but I know I am. I took out my phone from my pocket and began scrolling through Instagram. I kept scrolling until I noticed Trevante had posted a photo of himself.

😎

I smiled to myself because he's so adorable. I just want to kiss him on those soft lips, and feel his beard brush against my face. He appears to be in good health and in good condition. He was probably sent home by the nurses. I kept scrolling through Instagram after I liked the photo. I heard the door open a few minutes later.

"Don't come in; the bathroom is pretty occupied." I didn't look up to see who it was because I was still looking down at my phone.

"How? You're not even using to the bathroom." Manny's voice slide through my ears.

When I looked up, he was just staring at me. He shut and locked the door. I returned my focus to my phone.

"I mean, I'm still in here, so obviously I'm still using it." I said it sarcastically.

He had an irritated expression on his face when he looked at me. "What's the deal with the attitude? What the fuck did I do?"

I ignored him because I didn't want to admit to him that I was jealous. I kept scrolling through Instagram as if he weren't right there beside me. He snatched my phone from my grasp and stuffed it into his pocket.

He put his hand behind his back and tilted his head to the side, staring at me with a mean mug.

"Talk to me." He was still staring at me with that same mean mug.

I sneered at him and crossed my arms. "Fine. I went to the bathroom because I didn't want to hear your baby mother talking about you guys' old love story.

He snatched me from the floor and placed me on the sink counter. He kept his hands on my waist and a smirk on his face as he looked at me. "Aww, my mamas is jealous."

"I'm not jealous, so don't say that." I said rolling my eyes at him

"You just said you came in here because you didn't want to hear about me and baby mama's old history together, so what does that tells me?" He said it with the same irritating grin on his face.

I gave him a blank stare. "That I'm jealous." I said it in hushed tones because I didn't want him to hear me.

He put his hands to his ears, indicating that he didn't hear me. "Speak up."

I sucked my teeth and squinted hard. "OK, I'm jealous. Did you hear what I said now? Anyway, why don't you go back downstairs to your little baby mama."

"Girl, shut the fuck up. I have no intention of leaving." He told me straight up.

"Please go downstairs and kiki with her, you know you want to. I'm sure you enjoy it when she tells stories about you two."

When I uttered what I said, Manny looked at me baffled. "What the fuck are you talking about? Do you believe I still have feelings for her? If you're thinking that, you should stop since I don't want or care for her. She's only here as a result of my son's presence. You know damn well you my girl."

I wanted to stay enraged until he told me I was his girl. I couldn't stop grinning. "Whatever you say, Manny."

He grasped my jaw firmly yet amusingly. "I'm going to get on your ass if you don't change your damn attitude."

I rolled my eyes at him because he always says that but doesn't do anything about it. He smirked as he glanced at me sideways. He started tugging on my pants, attempting to pull them down. I was staring at him in a daze because I'm trying to figure out what he was doing.

I was yanking on his hands, attempting to keep him from yanking my pants down. "What are you up to?"

He chuckled as he squeezed his brows together. "I'm trying to get up in you, because you know you want me to."

"You already know we can't do that. Your child and baby mother are practically downstairs." I gigglingly said to him.

He had a "I don't care" attitude on his face. "First and foremost, I don't give a damn about Aleah hearing us. Second, my son has no idea what we finna do, so come on."

He started kissing my neck, and I closed my eyes, but I quickly opened them and looked him in the eyes. "Manny I'm not kidding. I don't want them to hear us."

He pounded his feet and sucked his teeth. "Shit, my mother and them have already heard us before, so quit acting brand new."

He returned to kissing my neck before moving on to my lips. We kissed each other softly and passionately. I pecked his lips and tenderly sucked on his bottom lip. Manny was going to remove my shirt when we heard a knock at the door and he hurriedly placed his hand over my mouth. I'm not sure whether I should laugh or remain calm.

"Yo!" Manny said as he looked around waiting for the person to respond.

"Did you finish your business in the bathroom, homie? Those breakfast tacos ran through my ass. I gotta take a number 3." Miguel said.

I could tell Miguel was clutching his stomach, ready to go to the bathroom, by the way he spoke. I wanted to shout with laughter, but Manny had my mouth so tightly shut that it was nearly killing me.

"Nah, I'm still in here taking care of business. Go to the other bathroom." Manny said to Miguel.

When I peered down at the door, I noticed Miguel's shadow had vanished. Manny grinned as he returned my gaze. He then kissed my lips, and I stopped him with a quiet chuckle.

"Ok, enough of that. I don't want anyone else banging on the door, especially since it could be your son next time." I said, laughing, to Manny.

He rolled his eyes and he then grabbed me from the counter. He let me out first when he opened the door. When I felt a strong sting on my butt, I whirled around and looked around with a "what the fuck" expression on my face. He put his hands up as though he was giving up.

"Stop! You know you smacked my butt a little too hard." I complained.

He approached me and hugged me. He then massaged the area where he had hit. "I apologize, Mama. In those sweats, your ass is looking mighty fat."

We both laughed and proceeded down the steps. Everyone was talking to each other, but Celina wasn't there and Miguel was also absent from the table. He's probably still taking a shit in the bathroom. Aleah looked at me and Manny with a puzzled expression. Because of what we did upstairs, both me and him had a smirk on our faces.

I realize she's probably thinking we're more than simply friends, as I stated. Manny sat down, and so did I. Rubi smiled as she looked at me and Manny.

"What's with both of you smirking?" Rubi asked giggling.

"We were taking care of business." Manny said bluntly out of the corner of his lips.

When Manny uttered what he said, Rubi's eyes widened. Spooky began giggling under his breath as Danny appeared shaken and Camila's mouth was wide open. I palm my face, wondering why he would say that in front of them especially Carlos and Marcus.

That's awkward since I don't want his son or grandfather to find out what we were up to. When I looked at Aleah, I could tell she was jealous and angry because her face turned red.

Marcus came to a halt with playing with his toy car and glanced at Manny, perplexed. "What taking care of business mean, Daddy?"

"It refers to when a lady and a man-" Spooky spoke up as he placed his index finger in the circle he had formed with his other fingers, but he was cut short.

Aleah snatched Marcus from his feet and hugged him, kissing him on the forehead. "It doesn't mean anything, baby."

Spooky was slapped on the shoulder by Rubi. When Spooky rubbed the location Rubi had smacked him, he wore a "hurt" expression on his face. After dropping a large load in the toilet, Miguel came downstairs looking very rejuvenated. He sat down, his face bright with a smile.

"Homie, I'm feeling a lot better now. After I dumped that crap, I feel like I lost ten pounds." Miguel exclaimed, a big grin on his face.

Carlos swallowed his saliva and cleared his throat. "I'm not sure we needed to hear about that son."

Miguel shrugged his shoulders and flung up his hands. Celina then returned to the table and sat down again. She shifted her gaze to Manny.

"Manny?" Celina stated, her gaze fixed on Manny.

Manny was startled as he stared at Celina. "Wassup?"

"I just got off the phone with your father, and he wants you to come down to the prison. He has something he wants to talk to you about." In a calm tone, Celina murmured to Manny.

He nodded and rose from his seat at the table. "Alright, I'm about to go see what pops is talking about. Angel, come on."

I glanced at Manny like if he was insane. How is he going to volunteer me to join you to see his father? With all those ominous-looking dudes in prison and such. I didn't move, and Manny gave me a serious mean mug, so I got up.

"Manny, if she doesn't want to go, I can accompany you." Aleah stated with a smile.

Manny cast a sidelong glance at her. "No, I said Angel. Not Aleah." He kissed Marcus on the cheek and waved to Celina and Carlos after that. "I'll be back, Abuelo and Madre."

Aleah seemed uncomfortable and irritated when I looked at her. To be honest home girl, I would prefer that you go instead of me because prison gives me creepy vibes. Manny took my hand in his and led me out the door. Manny spoke to the driver in Spanish as we climbed into the Cadillac truck, and the driver pulled out of the driveway and down the road.

The further down the road we go, the more nervous I am. My heart feels like it's about to leap out of my chest. I knew I should've just stayed with the others at the house. Manny's father is someone I don't want to see, and I'm pretty sure he doesn't want to see me either. Manny took my hand in his and kissed it. I cracked a small smile, but it didn't make me feel any less scared.

Manny gripped my hand tightly. "What's wrong, mama? You are trembling excessively."

I let out a sigh. "I don't want to see your father, Manny. I'm too afraid."

He chuckled gently. "There is nothing to be concerned about mama. Trust me, he's cool."

I palm myself in the face. "Manny, I'm sure he'll feel some sort of way because I'm the daughter of someone who put him in prison and took all of his money. So I have a right to be scared."

Manny uses his index finger and thumb to elevate my chin. "Angel, I assure you that he will not say or do anything to you. Mama, I've got you covered. Relax."

I looked him in the eyes and could see he was serious about what he had just said. I nodded and he pushed my face closer to his, and he gently placed his lips on mine. We smiled at each other as we leaned back from the kiss. After a few minutes, we eventually arrived at this large prison. We exited the truck after the driver had parked it. Manny took my hand and led me inside the prison.

Manny informed the guards why he was there, and we gave them our IDs and other stuff, and they let us in. We sat in the cubbyhole thingy, waiting for Manny's father to arrive. I'm terrified, but I'm intrigued by how he appears. After about 15 minutes, a man emerged from the back and sat in front of the glass. He had a menacing and frightening appearance. He took the phone and put it to his ear, and Manny did the same.

💓

"How are you doing, son? I've been missing you." Manny's father expressed his thoughts.