Her Nectar, His Peak

Regan.

Thursday.

The following morning, I stroll into dad's office at their home.

My brother, Lucas, dad's loyal son is sitting with him, when I enter.

I recognize our family's head of PR, discussing with Dad and Lucas. He's showing them something on his tablet screen when I walk in. They pause, dad eyeing me, warily. 

"Smith, leave us." Dad orders.

Smith nods and wordlessly leaves. When we're alone, dad cuts me a look.

"Lucas tells me you got sick last night, after the job." There's no sympathy in Dad's words.

Just scorn. I turn to Lucas, my expression blank as I watch him. He's got this haughty look and I can imagine his thoughts. 

"You were always weak, Regan. A disappointment." Dad's scorn irritates me, but I manage to keep my emotions in check.

He's opinion about me used to matter in the past. Luckily I grew past that. 

"Are we still hosting the party on Saturday?" My subject change surprises them, as they share a look. 

Dad regains himself. "Yes. That's what Smith came over to discuss. He's got limited time to fix this…"

The door suddenly bursts open and Juanita falls in; red rimmed eyes glaring on Dad.

"You killed him! You killed the only man I have ever loved, the only man who has ever loved me!" Juanita shrieks, hysterically.

We all stare at her, flabbergasted at her outburst. 

"What has gotten into you, Juanita? Control yourself!" Dad thunders, his eyes fierce on her. 

"You think you would just erase him and they will think it was a robbery?!" She cries, uncontrollably. I panic at her emotional state. She's out of control. 

"I know you were the one that arranged Tommy's death, dad. You had him killed… He was found early hours of this morning in his car. Shot. And I know that you sent my wicked brothers to do your dirty deed for you!" She sweeps a glance at us.

Her eyes fixed on me.

"Even you Regan…" She accuses. "Last night when we talked, I thought you would be there for me…But I guess those were just words to you…" Juanita strides towards me, holding me with such contempt.

My eyes watch her keenly. My body shuddering with the enormity of her accusation. I crossed a line. We crossed the line, hurting my own little sister.

"You could kill the father of your own nephew. How inhumane, Regan. A boy you claim you love…"

"That's enough, Juanita," Dad coldly says. "The father of your child would remain none other than Horacio Carmel. And nothing would change that." Dad warns.

Juanita turns a sharp glare at him. Her eyes leaking tears. Am rooted to the spot by the guilt that spreads in my body like venom. Seeing what I did last night; hurting the biological father of my nephew, even though we just got to know the truth.

"Tommy would remain a Carmel. Horacio and his father have given me their words. Nothing changes." Dad reveals.

I look at dad, stunned by his declaration. Lucas seems unaffected by dad's announcement.

"Are you going to force him?" Juanita's tone drips with sarcasm. 

"That is no concern of yours. Focus on your marriage." Dad's tone is detached.

Void of any human feeling. 

"I'd never live to this lie." Juanita retorts. "I'd tell Tommy who his real father is." 

Dad's eyes turn dark, his expression aggressive. I shudder at the sight of his countenance. Terrified of the next words he would say.

"If you do anything out of what we've discussed, I'd ensure that you never see your little boy again. I'd ensure he's far from you, forever." Dad threatens. 

My eyes watch as Juanita's face turns ashen. Her eyes filled with horror. 

"Dad…" 

He raises a hand in midair, halting me. 

"He's your grandson, Dad. Don't you even have any iota of love in that frigid heart of yours?" She cries, softly. 

A dark grin replaces dad's stoic expression.

"You return to Horacio and act the perfect little wife that you should and you would continue to see your son. Otherwise…" He leaves his words hanging. 

The enormity of the venomous declaration, shattering the very ground we walk on. Tilting the balance that has held us together as a family. The truth of who we are. 

Tears roll down Juanita's eyes, as she turns to face me. A sadness embedded in her gaze. Wrenching my insides. 

"I used to think you were different from dad, Lucas, Frankie…From the other Heartstones…" She sniffs, squaring her shoulders.

 She wipes her eyes, a resoluteness replacing the helpless and enraged woman who had walked in here moments ago. 

"Damn you, Regan. Damn all of you. You might have ruined my life, but you can't ruin my heart. It would always beat for one man and only him forever. I'd never forgive you. All of you. You'd all suffer the same way I've suffered. You'd lose something so precious to you, like I have…" She sobs, stifling it with her palm. 

I reach for her, hating myself for causing her this pain. Hating dad. But I can't go against him. We're to uphold the traditions of the Heartstones. 

"You all really have hearts made of stone." She sweeps a gaze across all three of us, before she turns away. 

"Ensure you and Horacio attend the party on Saturday." Dad coldly calls out, halting Juanita.

She doesn't turn around, only gives a side glance, before she continues on her way. 

"Do you think she would attend, dad?" Lucas asks, coming to stand beside dad. 

"She would. Horacio would make certain of that." 

I hate him right now, because he's unaffected by his daughter's pain. 

"What makes you think Horacio wouldn't hurt Juanita, dad? You're sending your only daughter to the wolves." I try to reach his conscience.

Anything to make him feel sympathy for his last child, his only daughter.

"The Carmels owe me a debt. And it must be paid in full."