Helen

Helen POV

Although the Red family home was a huge mansion, decorated in warm tones, with luxurious furniture and bursts of color, it still resembled a cold stone cave. It was as if the twins possessed a force that absorbed life, as if it stole the air and light from the place. They didn't even have to be in the same room with me to make me feel that way. It seemed like his energy was constantly contaminating the house.

In the last two months I had grown tired of working for them. I needed to earn enough to find my own place, but for now I would have to hold on a little longer. At least the commute to work was easy. I woke up every morning and was at my destination, although I would rather drive across the country than live with the twins.

I was on my way to the guest room when I passed Scott Red on the first floor landing. At that moment, a ring fell off my finger, hit the tile floor with a clink, and rolled to a stop at his feet.

"Oops! He"bent down, took it in his hand and handed it to me. His bright blue eyes, coincidentally the same light shade as mine, looked up at me and I was amazed as his face lit up. It wouldn't be striking if he weren't the legendary rocker who had received that look from millions of people in his life. He shook his head and seemed to snap out of his daze. "You look like your mother when she was your age. I still have a hard time believing she's gone.”

I had never heard him speak so many words at once, especially about my mother, and he took me by surprise.

"Yes, I also get the impression that I was going to see her come in at any moment. " Her illness progressed so quickly that we didn't have time to accept it before the cancer took her away.

He gestured and nodded toward the ring.

"It is an unusual piece.

It was gold and silver and my mother gave it to me shortly before her death.

"Yes, it is a renovated piece that she made with two different rings”. She said it was special, but she didn't explain why. I have to fix it so they fit me better, but since I lost the house I'm not sure where to put the instruments.

"Do you also make jewelry? He crossed her arms and seemed surprised.

"I learned from the best, she taught me all her tricks.

We shared a laugh and he moved a little closer.

"You should go down to dinner”. She gently took my arm, while a voice sounded behind me.

"It's a wonderful idea. " Carmen came over and linked her arm in his and joined us to go down. We are almost family and you are welcome at our table at any time. I thought you knew since you live with us.

She shrugged and walked away from her, entering the dining room ahead of us.

The twins frowned when I entered arm in arm with her father and sat next to Mariel who was playing with her phone. Sadie sat down with the same imperturbable face as always, as if the world could burst into flames and she wouldn't care. Neither said a word immediately.

Scott took his place at the head of the table and then Millie came in to do so at the opposite end. Carmen sat next to Scott and waited while dinner was served. She was smiling, although it was clear that she wasn't doing it for me. We got along well, but I knew my place and I had the feeling that she didn't want me at her table.

Mariel couldn't stop laughing, as if the text messages she was receiving were the best jokes in the world. She leaned toward me as a portion of lasagna was placed on my plate and she showed me the screen of her phone. As I looked at her, I saw the image she had hoped to surprise me with: long masculine fingers holding a fully erect penis. I had to admit that the size was impressive, but Mariel's concern about surprising me was excessive.

I looked at the twins and they laughed until her mother scolded them. Anyone who saw us would think we were twelve years old and sitting in class.

"I have a little surprise for you girls. “ She cleared her throat, waiting for us all to look at her. She knew better than to think she included me, so I continued eating while the twins seemed reluctant to pay attention to her. Helen picked up an envelope and shook it. "This arrived in the mail a while ago.

It was evident that the card inside was a formal invitation. I glanced at the thick cardboard with raised gold letters featuring a crown and the letter W.

"It's from the Williams family, hosting their annual gala”. A good source, through the club, has informed me that Gabriela Williams wants to use the party to get Luis a girlfriend. Apparently, she is ready for her son to get married.

Scott cleared his throat.

"I wish you good luck. You can't herd people like cattle and expect a miracle to happen. It would be better if she let him be a man and find his girlfriend the old fashioned way.

"And what way is that, dear? "Carmen seemed embarrassed, but Scott shrugged and took a sip of wine before continuing with his dinner.

Millie cleared her throat.

"Not everyone is a fanatic, son.”

I swallowed a piece of lasagna and looked away as I sipped some wine to wait it down.

"Mom was a fanatic? " Mariel was affectionate with her father, but Carmen had become very serious.

"I would hardly call myself a groupie. I was a big fan, but I met him through Aline. " I raised my head when Carmen mentioned my mother's name". I suppose we could say Helen was a groupie, couldn't we, dear? You met her backstage at one of your concerts, right?

Scott gave me an apologetic look and then clarified.

"Not really. I met her one morning, at a coffee shop, when our tour bus broke down on the outskirts of town”.

"I'm sure it's a lovely story, dear." “She” cut him off and leaned over the table. Let's not make our guest feel uncomfortable.

I got the impression that Helen was much more uncomfortable with the subject of my mother than he was.

"I had no idea that you knew my mother before you met Carmen”. "I smiled at Scott". I would love for you to tell me about it another time.

Carmen looked at me as if she were trying to throw daggers at me and then at Millie, who was smiling as if she were satisfied.

"Yes, another time." She ended the conversation and looked at her daughters. Us girls have a gala to talk about. I'm sure they want to go. Luis Williams is a good catch since the death of his father. I've heard that his entire estate is worth more than three billion dollars today and growing.

Scott whistled.

"That's a lot of money for a young man.” "Then he turned to look at me". You should go to that party, Helen. You could use a little fun.

The twins stopped what they were doing and turned in their chairs. Carmen was quick to intervene to make her refusal clear.

"I'm sure the invitation is not extensive”.

I crossed my hands in my lap nervously, not knowing what to say, while beads of sweat began to break out on the back of my neck.

This time, Carmen threw her daggers in the direction of her husband.

"Well, the invitation is specifically addressed to the twins," she clarified to settle the issue.

"Nonsense, it's a party. The more people go it will be more fun. I'm sure they ask for confirmation of attendance and if you will go with a companion. “ She took the card from Carmen's hands and nodded, pointing at something. Yes, is here. Besides, that's why we hired her, right? Since the girls always get into trouble, it won't hurt to have Helen around to supervise them, plus she's not just her assistant on business trips.

"Are you serious, dad? We don't need a babysitter. We are already more than twenty" one years old. Sadie narrowed her eyes angelically, though her upturned lip made her look like a wild dog, ready to bite.

"I don't think anything bad will happen. Helen will love the party and it will be good for her to meet people.”

Mariel looked at her sister and they exchanged a mischievous look.

"Thanks for the suggestion, dad. She brought the glass of wine to her lips and looked at me with a smile so big I could see the flash of her teeth”.

I couldn't think of what to say, so I smiled too.

"Yes, thanks, it seems fun.”

As I looked away I met Millie's apologetic look and I knew she was going to the gala whether I liked it or not.