8

Jessica's POV

After we all sat down, the aroma of food hit my nose and filled the air. But, instead of feeling hungry, I felt nauseous since I'm not used to smelling a lot of different kinds of food and because I'm full since I don't eat much.

But what gave me more of an excuse not to eat was the food itself. Fish? I'm allergic to fish. It kills me. Even the smell is upsetting my stomach. The long, big dining table was filled with many different kinds of fish. With different types of salads and appetisers.

"Alright everyone, this is our first dinner as a whole family with our new member. Welcome to the family, princess." Said Raul, and the others nodded in agreement. "Alright, let's dig in." Everyone soon started plating their food and chatting.

As everyone began eating and talking, I just stared at the empty plate in front of me. I can't find it in me to tell them that I'm allergic, not that I'm hungry anyway. Even if I do tell them, they will be mad at me and hurt me even more than I already am.

Plus, if I tell them, they're going to throw the food away, then all their efforts and hard work will be wasted. Plus, there are a lot of people that are starving in the world, so it would be a waste.

I was too lost in my thoughts to realise that all of them had stopped their talking and eating and were staring at me and my empty plate. "BELLE". 'Yelled Gabriel,' as I looked at him wide-eyed. Why is he yelling? "Are you okay? I've been calling your name for the past 10 minutes?" I looked away from him and looked at the others to find them staring at me in confusion except for Camron and Pedro, who were looking at me emotionlessly.

I cleared my throat and answered him. "Yes, I'm fine. Were you saying something?" They all just continued looking at me until Raul broke the tense atmosphere. "Yes, princess, I was asking why you were not eating. Do not like it? We can make something else for you." No, I can't have them leave their dinner and make me something else.

"No, no, it's lovely; I'm just not hungry," I said, hoping not to make him mad. "Are you sure? I can tell there's something else." I was about to answer when I was cut off by Pedro.

"What are you? One of those basic bitches that aren't

skinny enough? Fucking pathetic." He spat, glaring at me. (No offense to anyone; this is just a story.)

It's not like I asked to be allergic or to be skinny. I was just a girl who had bad luck and was starved. I couldn't do anything about it even though I tried so many times.

Dad then glared at Pedro and said in a calm and dangerous voice, which made a shiver run down my spine. "You better watch your mouth, Pedro; this is your sister, and you will respect her." I can't believe he came to my defence even though he met me a couple of hours ago.

"She's not my sister, and she will never be. She's probably just a fucking gold digger that's after our money." He yelled, making me flinch and cower away in fear.

Camron suddenly slammed his hand on the table, making us all except Raul flinch. He slowly stood up and said dangerously, "You better sit down and apologise to your sister right now, or so help me god, Pedro."

I saw Pedro shiver and sit down, looking at the floor. Oh my god, now they're going to punish him and hurt him, and it's all my fault. I didn't want to get him in trouble. This is all my fault. This is all my fault.

"Belle I'm sorry about him, and none of what he said is true, ok? None of it. We already love and adore you, and nothing is going to change that. Ok?" Said Raul, looking at me straight in the eye. Almost like he's telling me that none of the things are true.

I gave him a small smile and nodded at him in appreciation. He then continued, "Now why don't you tell us why you're not eating?" He said that in a tone that told me that he wanted the truth. He's looking at me like he can see right through me.

I decided that it would be best if I just told him now and got it over with. I cleared my throat and looked up. All of them were looking at me, waiting for me to answer.

"I- Umm, I'm allergic to fish," I said in a low voice, hoping no one would hear me. But, because it was so silent, my voice was loud and clear, and everyone heard me.

At this, everyone snapped their heads to me, as curses rang around the room. Alberto then said, "Fuck, I'm so sorry, bambina. I didn't think to ask you what you would like." He looked at me apologetically, and his eyes showed sincerity and honesty. I didn't want to make him feel bad; it wasn't his fault he didn't know.

"No, no, it's okay, I'm not hungry anyway," I said, trying to ease the tension.

"No, I'll go make you something else. What would you like, sweetheart? You can have anything you want." He insisted, but I honestly didn't want him to.

"It's probably not that serious anyway; she's probably exaggerating." Muttered Pedro with a glare. I decided to answer him.

"Well, because I was put in the ICU for three days and had an anaphylactic shock, I would say that it's pretty serious," I said and looked at him blankly. No emotions whatsoever.

All of them looked at me in shock and concern. Worry filled their eyes as they looked at me. "But wait, are you fine now? Like, do you need anything, medications, and stuff? Oh god, say something." Sanchez said as he started shaking my shoulders, waiting for me to answer.

I bit my lip so hard to stop myself from screaming in pain. I then looked at him and brought my hands to his that were on my shoulders. I put my hands on top of his and took them off. I give his hands a tight squeeze – kind of in a way assuring him that I was fine.

"I'm fine; that was a couple of years ago, but it was pretty serious. I'm just trying not to let it happen again." I answered truthfully. He looked relieved, all of them, even Pedro.

Raul then said, "I'm sorry that happened to you, princess. We'll make sure something like this doesn't happen. Isn't that right, boys?" As he said that, he got a chorus of 'yeses' and nods of approval.

"Alright, Belle, Since you didn't have dinner, you're going to have a big breakfast tomorrow, ok, darling?" Raul asked in a soft voice, which seemed to shock everyone.

"Sure," I replied with a smile.

"Alright, sweetheart, why don't you go get ready for bed, and then I'll get one of the boys to bring you to my office so we can go over some rules." He had me pallid at rules. Are they going to be like John rules? What if they are worse? Oh god, I can't handle more beatings. I can barely breathe with my ribs now.