Missing Him

Brianna's POV

I loved calling my brother, it always helped when I've had a long stressful day. He just always seemed to know what to say or do to brighten my spirit.

With his cute smile, showing off his dimples, he reminds me so much of my grandpa back home. He hates it when I tell him he looks like a younger version of Matt Bomer, he always says "Matt Bomer's got nothing on me, I am way hotter!" Lol.

I've been crazy busy lately. I don't like having a messy place to live in, so I've been really busy tidying up the place I'll be staying in. Luckily, I have dad and Olivia helping me out, and of course my beautiful nana, Tammy.

My goal is to go into business with my dad and own my own vineyard someday, without dad being behind me all the time of course. I also took up psychology so I can help out at our local military base back in our hometown. I want to do same thing my grandpa used to and support our 22 everyday group and our PTSD support team for our soldiers.

Dad contemplated for a long time, and hesitate to actually allow me to do paperwork for him when I pitched him the idea a few years ago. But he eventually caved in and showed me the key essentials of running a business.

Now, I love how he patiently teaches me the basics of running this place on my own, but in the other hand... I think he is finally giving me more work load this year because he finally proposed to Olivia and he wants to take it easy while they have their marriage arrangements going on so he doesn't end up pulling all his hair out like he usually does. Besides the fact that I'm getting close to the time of our agreement of when I'd take over the vineyard.

I don't mind the work load, it gives me an idea of how crazy busy adult life on my own will be, so I guess I just gotta get used to. Lucky for me I got family and friends who support and encourage me all the time.

I've learned alot from this experience and even though Matt and I just turned 21 a few days ago, alot of dad's clients see me with utter most respect; though dad keeps saying I'm not old enough for them to take me so serious. I think it's just habit of his to be so over protective of me.

I like the whole business feeling. I was reluctant at first, I was so scared. But thanks to my step sister, who encouraged me the most out here in California, I grew to like it. I also benefited working for her as a part time model and personal mannequin making me a bit less self conscious of my body, I used to be really shy and self conscious of my body before.

I  get alot of help from dad's workers in the vineyard, everyone seems so nice, it's like we were a big huge family.

I've been more open, taking more risks and learning new things these past few years, and it's mainly all thanks to my friend Evelyn who is always encouraging me to just go for it, of course Jake has alot to do as well... he just......makes me want to better myself.

I was enjoying my video chat with Matthew through my laptop when i got a phone call from one of dad's clients. So it pained me, but I had to say goodbye to my brother for now.

Gosh I missed them so much. I missed mama's home cooked meals. Being half Latina had a great advantage of us getting the best of both cultures from her, and my favorite, the food variety. Well...... that and a killer body, don't get the wrong idea, I'm not trying to check out my own mom, but she has killer curves for her age, and she is seriously beautiful.

I think all latinas are beautiful actually. I always tell her she's my Roseline Sanchez, she just laughs when I say that.

Man just thinking about her food makes my mouth water, I miss her waking me up for school. The smell of her hair, her big bright smile. I miss her terribly, she'd rarely be home when I'd visit her, since she's always on call because of her job at our local hospital.

Not to mention all the house calls she does for our folks in town who can't afford to go to the hospital. Life in the city can never compare to our hometown...I love the big open country side. The endless fields, our men running on top of their horse. Waking up early to help Lorraine cook breakfast when mom wasn't home. I miss it.

Mom would always say 'there is no greater satisfaction then getting paid in a delicious home cooked peach pie.' Lol.

She is entirely devoted to her career,I admire her so much. She doesn't mind folks when they have no money to pay for her visit, she'd say "It's ok, you can just bake me something good and sweet."

I've seen her running to the pharmacy to buy folks medicine and take it back to their home when they are short on money. When they try and pay her back, shed refuse to take their money.

Our town has alot of old folks that have been left behind with an empty nest. It pains my mom to see that most high school graduates can't seem to want to get out of our town and never come back after they graduate college or tend to join the military and travel the world.

Dereck, Jake's brother is one of them. He left to New York to become a lawyer four years ago. He recently called home to say he'll be getting hired by one of the firms out there and is thinking of buying a place to settle down. Of course his parents, Craig and Lorraine were heartbroken, they know he'd get taken care of, but he'd just be so far away.

Jake on the other hand told him off, he was beyond angry.

But there's really nothing they can do. I mean honestly, I don't know if Matthew and Jake are thinking of coming back after college either, I don't know what their plans after college are.

I certainly am coming back, for good..... though I haven't told them. I intend on coming back to our calm little town and grow old there, even if I become one of them old crazy lonely cat ladies. Lol. I don't know why I said that, I like dogs better then cats. I had a cute pug Jake got me when we were little and I never got another one after he got sick and had to be put away.

Mom was sad thinking I'd be gone forever too. When she heard of dad and Olivia meeting years ago, she felt that I'd forget about her too, she hated Olivia.

She thought I'd see Olivia more like a mom rather then her. Over time and countless visits, they both became really good friends. She was content to see dad happy. She said, she wouldn't have it any other way. She knows no one will ever replace her in my life. She knows my plans, of the agreement dad and I made, and she supports me all the way.

It was almost 12:30 in the afternoon now. My stomach grumbled, since I haven't taken a break and skipped out on breakfast. It's as if dad and Olivia had heard it from afar.

Knock knock

"Come in" I said

"Hi sweetie " said Olivia, as she walked in with a tray of food setting it before me on top of the desk.

"I hope,..... you are hungry, dad made you his famous chicken saltimbocca!"

My mouth watered at the sight. My dad is half Italian, and loves cooking authentic dishes for us. Chicken saltimbocca is by far my favorite dish he makes.

I immediately dug in. Making a sudden unexpected moan escape my mouth.

Olivia chuckled, "I'm glad you like it.... ready for your first day tomorrow? "

I cleared my throat, and cleaned my mouth, "Aww, yes... a bit nervous, but yes. Oh .... by the way, I just got a call from the client dad had told me to reach out for him, Mr.Wells, from the distillery in Ontario, to confirm their presence for next summer's event. They wanted to thank dad for finally admitting hard liquor to the wine festival competition."

"That's good...Brie... . Are you sure you're ready to take in more classes at school and do all this? You're putting an awful lot on your plate, You don't have to do everything all at once or take over this task, we can always hire someone else? But in do case, we're here for you, please take it slow. If you're not ready to take over on your own, you can always ask dad to come back. Or we'll get someone..... " Olivia replied

I knew she ment well but I wanted to do this, it was time I take on my responsibilities. I'm ready. I ignored her comment, all though thankful of her understanding.

" I know, but it's ok... I can do this. If anything goes bad, or I feel too pressured, I will not hesitate to ask for help. It's time I do this Livie, I can handle it."

"Ok..... So, how do you think Matthew and Jake are going to react at the fact that you're here? Have you told them you've been here all month long trying to get you a place close to campus? or that you'll be staying here for this school year trying to take extra classes and renting a condo nearby?"Olivia wondered.

To be honest, I was scared. I was really worried that they might get mad at me for not telling them about me suddenly being here and staying for the whole school year with them. Truth be said, Evelyn and I already graduated last year. But we decided to take a few extra classes to be able to spend time with them in campus. She's has a big crush on my brother since I introduced them a few years back........I wonder, How would they react? I guess, we'd just have to wait for tomorrow and see.

"Honestly, no. I haven't told them...... I haven't really come around to telling them I'll be staying here near college and all, but I am really hoping that things will work themselves out. I hope. I just hope they don't feel like I'm barging in on them. " I responded, sighing in hopes all goes well.

"Well, I hope things do work out for you here honey. We'll miss you so much back in California." She pauses for a while contemplating.

"Brie, I know I'm not your actual mom, but I want you to know I love you and I do care about you. I am here for anything if you ever need."

"Thanks Olivia. I'm fine though, don't worry. And yes,...... I know you're not my biological mom, but I see you like a mom too, not just because you're marrying my dad, but honestly, I do care about you too."

She smiled brightly and gave me a firm hug. She got up giving me a kiss on my forehead and left.

I took my plate and finished my food then I took my plate back down stairs to the kitchen. Kissed my nana Tammy in her cheek when I saw her putting away leftovers. Tammy has taken care of me since I was twelve, I became fond of her, loved her like my third momma.

She stays with dad and takes care of his house as a stay in maid, back in California. So, it's really good to see her everytime I'm there, she has become part of our family.

I was feeling really tired and wanted to take a long bath before going to bed. Olivia was in the kitchen watching telenovelas.

Uhh, damn it.... mom got Olivia and me hooked on watching them.

They honestly do you no good....I rarely have time to watch them myself, and when I do, I  watch parts of them on an app Olivia down loaded for me on my laptop.

Olivia knew little spanish when she met us, but after spending so much time with my mom and dad she got pretty good at it, learning a few Italian phrases along the way. Besides, everyone in California at my dad's work place speak Spanish so it got easier for her to learn faster.

Last time I binge watch a series or novela in Spanish which to me, it's the same....call it how you like, they are both filled with drama... I watched Once upon a time. I watched all the seasons in literally a whole week. I'm more of a criminal minds kind of girl too.

Oh, to have someone like Killian in my life that would love me the way he loves Emma though.

I mean, I have someone really special to me.... my bff Jake Mitchell.  He means the world to me. But, don't tell him....it'll go to his head and tease me about it.