Scared And Scarred

0️⃣ 6️⃣

Lucas' Pov

I don't approve of the way Issac or Martin treats Alicia. Initially I just let them go with a warning, but the comments they passed at the dining table were unacceptable. There are rules that I expect to be followed by everyone living in this house. And the topmost rule is to respect your family.

La Familia es primero.
(Family comes first.)

I guess now I'll have to talk to both of them but first I want to decode Alicia.

Even if I overlook her flinching and scared demeanor. But the way always addresses me as sir, doesn't sit well with me. Moreover, her asking for permission for eating breakfast today was overwhelming even for me. Like why would I stop her from eating food? I didn't say anything at the table because I didn't want her to get even more scared from the questions that everyone would have thrown at her.

So I decided to talk to her first before I involve the rest of my brothers.

As Alicia sat in front of me in my office, I said,

" So Alicia we are gonna have some serious talk here, and I don't want you all nodding and looking down. When I talk to you, you will look straight at my face and you have to write every single response of yours. Even a yes or no. Understood." I asked her.

She again nodded but when I raised my eyebrow at her, she realized her mistake, and quickly with shaky fingers, she wrote Yes I understand.

"Now Alicia tell me about your life. How were your stepparents and how they treated you? "

At my question, her eyes glazed. Her fingers were shaking more than ever. When I thought that she was about to break down, she wrote Good, thanks for asking.

My gut says that she is lying.

I let go of the rest of the questions swimming in my mind, knowing that she wouldn't reply honestly. I don't blame her for that, I understand that she doesn't trust me now and it's all so new for her.

"Alicia, I know that's not true, though I won't force you to tell me anything now because I expect you to come to me or any of your brothers and tell it on your own when you trust us enough and are comfortable."

She nodded and I didn't object this time.

"I assume there were some restrictions on food at your previous home. But here Alicia, you are not a stepdaughter but our sister. We are equal. And out of the three meals, we try having breakfast and dinner together as a family."

There was no such tradition but I have to make sure that she doesn't have any eating disorder or something.

Okay, sir.

Another problem to discuss.
It always broke my heart and pained me whenever she called me sir. From the day I met her, I started hating this word.

"Alicia we are siblings. Like I said before, we are equal so you should address me and your brothers by their first name, nickname, endearings, or anything but not sir. We are your family and not employers."

Her eyes shone with emotions when I finished speaking. Now I realize, how broken my little sister is.

"Last thing, there are certain rules, that I expect you to follow. Any failure in compiling will result in punishments." I said the last part a little sternly.

Rules punishments every kid fears these words but when Alicia trembled, I got confused.
Anyways I continued

"Rule 1) Respect your brothers all the time. No disobedience, especially with Me.

Rule 2) No going out alone and without informing one of your brothers.

Rule 3) Ask for anything you need. You will be provided with it if it is reasonable.

Rule 4) Strictly NO drinking, smoking, or partying. Moreover, No boyfriends at least till you are 18.

Rule 5) If anyone bothers you, troubles you, straightaway go to your brothers and if your brothers are bothering you, come to me.

That's it, these are the basic rules that are non-negotiable. So before you leave, do you have any questions?"

No S̶i̶r̶ Lucas. She wrote, at least she is learning.

"One more thing, you will be joining the same school as twins and Yahel after the spring break ends. You may leave now."

Without wasting any time, she left my office.

I called my private investigator to find out details about Alicia's past. She may not want to talk about it but finding it and helping her is my responsibility.
Either she was bullied or she is scared and meek by nature.

Then I called all of my brothers to my office.
.
.
.
"From today, we will be having breakfast and dinner together as a family, so you all are expected to clear your plans and join every day."

"Why now, we never bothered in past years."

"Because I say so, I hope this is a reason good enough, Issac."

I didn't tell them about my doubts regarding Alicia's past because one I wasn't sure and two because it's Alicia's story to tell.

"All of us will take turns spending some time with her. I know this is new and different for us but remember we now have a sister to care for and she is not used to our ruthless ways. She needs love and care. And we will give it to her.

Yahel tomorrow is your turn followed by Felipe, Issac, Martin then me. Free your schedules accordingly everyone."

"Count me out of this, I don't have time to play tea parties with your princess." Martin spat.

"Martin do I have to remind you of your limits again? Previously I thought of punishing both you and Issac with some intensive training for a week or two, but now both of your punishment is not one but two simultaneous days with Alicia."

" Lastly no mafia talk in front of her. We will tell her when she is ready. And if you want to say anything related, be it in Spanish and not English. You all are dismissed."
I further added, "see you at dinner"

I hope their relationship with themselves and with their sister improves. I can see a glimpse of hope that my family could be reunited, and we could be happy again. Though it won't be the same without mom, we all miss her but Alicia is the light in our dark world.
Hope she shines brighter to cover our darkness.
.
.
.
.
.
In the evening, I got the expected call, reports from my private investigator stated that, from the very start, her stepparents were involved with drugs.

She was an average student. No friend. No social life. It was practically home to school and back to home. Irregular attendance. It also stated that not many teachers or students knew her, she mostly kept it to herself.

And there goes my theory of her being bullied at school, meaning it was mostly her nature.

Let's see if we could help her and if she could help us.