Chapter 274

Elena “You look gorgeous, Elena!” My dad gushed as he pulled out his camera and started taking pictures.

I took an awkward stance and hid my face in embarrassment.

“Dad, this dress is hideous,” I told him. “Aren’t you supposed to tell me to take it off and to cover myself up? It’s a church wedding.”

“For what?” He laughed. “Who am I to tell you what a woman should and shouldn’t wear? Now smile so I can take a pretty picture.”

My heart grew soft at my dad’s normal behavior, which he hadn’t shown in a while. He took the time to wear a suit and to do his hair and it had been a long time since he looked this decent. “Okay, one picture,” I spoke shyly before I posed for the photo.

“By the way, you’re in a good mood today-are you going on a date?”

“Date? Who, me?” My dad laughed out loud. That’s right, that man wasn’t capable of keeping a woman happy. All I could remember from the time my mom left was that he tried to fill her empty spot many times. Although he never got remarried, there were countless potential candidates-who had all lived here for a while. They were too many to count on one hand.

All of them had backed out because they couldn’t take it anymore. My dad was a control freak and obsessed with his work. He had always been proud of his job as a DEA agent and had not been afraid to show it.

While I wanted to follow in the footsteps of my school peers and do something like ballet or gymnastics, my dad had different plans. He used to take Alex and me to shooting ranges, send us to military youth camps, and all the other stuff I was not interested in.

Alex had no choice but to follow in his footsteps, but the rules for me were different. There was no way in hell that he would’ve pushed me to become an agent, over his dead body. He was traumatized because my mom ran off with a criminal and perhaps even a bit misogynistic, if I had to admit.

Judging from the criminal part, I could tell that I was a bit different from my mom as I broke all contact with Marvin. Was it mainly because of embarrassment? Yes, probably.

I didn’t want my dad or Alex to find out, so I didn’t mention him to them. Marvin was in the past, and that was not going to change. At least, that was what I was going for.

I tried to forget about him, but I couldn’t. I was down bad, and it was pathetic. It was so pathetic that I even dreamed of him yesterday as I couldn’t get him off my mind. Whenever I closed my eyes, all I could see was the warm smile on his face and his eyes which were enough to make me melt. Was he really a bad person? Shouldn’t I at least give him the opportunity to explain himself?

No, Elena. He killed your dad’s other half, Stevie Maddens, and he’s the reason for your dad’s odd behavior-get it -together.

“Thanks for the pictures, but I really have to go now-dad,” I spoke as I grabbed my purse from the table. I was not good at hiding my facial expressions and anyone could see right through me. My dad chuckled. “Your limo isn’t even here yet, Elena.”“

Limo. The concept of Limo and Elena being in the same sentence was weird, but it was definitel something I could get used to, and I was sure Rona felt the same way, as it morning. We both had separate limousines to take us to the venue.

I took a breath and looked at myself in the mirror. Although the outfit didn’t scream ‘Elena, Tori did a fantastic job choosing the dress, and it looked as if I fitted right in. I looked fake, but I liked fake. The idea of being something I couldn’t be, made me feel confident-even if it was only for a day.

The front door got opened by Alex, who walked in, wearing a perfectly nice suit. He seemed flustered by my presence and lowered his head while I finally understood what had been going on.

They were busy with the stupid investigation.

“No, no, no,” I repeated in anger. “Don’t tell me you guys are going to that creepy cartel wedding when you guys promised me you wouldn’t go!”

I had been so occupied with Marvin’s identity that the thought of my dad and my idiot brother putting our lives in danger hadn’t even crossed my mind. Now that I knew that Marvin belonged to that family, it made things so much worse.

Someone from their side was also getting married today, and the other cartel was planning to get revenge for what happened to that Danny guy. Did that mean they were after Marvin? Did that mean his life was in danger?

Why did I even care? The moment Marvin would be erased from this earth-everything would get back to normal. I didn’t have to worry about him looking for me, and my dad could finally get back his job because there would be nothing to prove.

Why did the thought of losing Marvin made my heart ache? What was happening to me!

“He won’t let them kill him,” I whispered to myself. Someone like my dad would not let that happen, no. He would do anything to make sure he got out alive, so he could confess to his crimes, as my dad didn’t want to look like a fool.

Marvin was not a saint, and it was time for me to realize that. My dad and Alex nicknamed the man him and refused to say his name. If that wasn’t more than enough prove-then what was?

“You know what, you guys go and do your thing-I don’t care.” I shrugged. This whole situation was too much of a burden for me at the moment. My dad and Alex shot each other a look. “Elena, do you have a fever?” Alex asked.

I wish I had because that could perhaps explain why my thoughts were all over the place. “No fever, just staying out of stuff which doesn’t concern me-that’s all.”

“That’s a very good decision, Elena.” My dad spoke. It was hilarious how staying out of stuff was only the right thing to do whenever it came to his advantage.

A loud sound of a vehicle, which should have to be the limo, had pulled me out of this awkward situation as it was time to leave. “I have to go, but please-be safe, guys, and don’t do anything crazy.”

“I know, I promise.” My dad smiled. “Same goes for you!”

I ignored his last words and rushed out the door, but stopped in my steps as my eyes had landed on the limousine. I was just a simple mixologist, but Anya and Tiago treated me as if I truly had a purpose. This was just typically an example of rich people doing rich people stuff.

The driver stepped out and fixed his tic, while he carried a polite smile on his lips. “Miss Elena Torres?”

“M-miss?” I stuttered, surprised. “I mean, yes, that’s me.”

Many neighbors had made their way outside and stared out of their windows to see what was going on. It wasn’t every day that a limousine was parked here in these humble streets.

Maybe it was my mom’s genes inside of me, but I didn’t mind. I loved the attention, and I loved the feeling of being important. I flipped my hair to the side with a smirk on my lips and stepped closer to the driver as I stuck out my hand.

He seemed surprised by my behavior and chuckled as he did the same. “Do they do this for all of their guests?” I questioned. The driver shook his head.

“Only the important ones, and from what I’ve heard, you and your friend are important.”