CHAPTER SEVEN: VII

RAMSEY BIANCHI

"LES JURO POR LA VIRGEN, I'M ABOUT TO KILL A BISH!" Miriam's enraged voice boomed as she enters the kitchen, everybody turns to look at her with confusion.

"Uh, it's biTCH. T-C-H. " Pauline, another teenager that works in this amazing place corrected Miriam. "Not, s-h. Just saying."

I frown while simultaneously drying my hands with the washcloth, I stood beside Escobar while the rest of the kitchen crew gather around the metallic table. Miriam stood in front of me, her tray was neatly placed on the table with the food that was supposed to be the client's dinner.

"Yah, that's what I said." Miriam sassed, she shakes her hand in dismissal. "Esa cabrona racista, just insulted me for not being a gringa. She called me india and besides that, she proceeded to say that the food here is horrendous and smells like feet!"

"The right term would be Mexicans or pre-Hispanic, that woman knows nothing about history." Escobar shook his head in pure disappointment, I looked at everybody's faces and I knew what was about to happen.

"Uh oh, don't tell me she broke the cardinal rule?" I ask, my voice coming out wary.

Jefferson turn to look at me and gave me a serious look, "Mira chavala, what would you do if someone comes to your home and begins to insult every single thing you own and then calls you india and tells you you've got no right to come to North America. How would you feel?"

Everybody turn to look at me as I analyzed Jefferson's question, I knew he was right and I have experimented first-hand a few racist moments when I was in middle school. This is part of why I decided to learn how to fight, because whoever made fun of me for being born in Honduras I will surely partirle la madre.

"Of course, I side with you guys, but won't that sabotage the restaurant's reputation? If we treat a client badly, I am most certain she'll be glad to spread the word." I reasoned with them, I was not against getting some revenge for the way she treated Miriam but I also don't want the restaurant to get sued.

"Yeah and besides, Paul won't approve of this," Pauline added, Miriam's scowl deepens.

"Oh please, quit acting like a saint." Sabino, the cook, and Pauline's older brother snapped at her sister.

Before Pauline could defend herself, Oscar cut her off by saying, "Paul's not here, so I don't see the issue."

The rest of the kitchen crew nodded in agreement.

"You don't mess with momma-bear unless you wanna deal with some angry cubs," Alexander stated sassily, Miriam laugh and went to ruffle his hair and plant a big kiss on his cheek.

"Yo estoy con ustedes." Fabiola agreed.

"We won't do anything drastic, but she did break the cardinal rule when she messed with the people that make the food. You don't mess with us." Miriam spat, her words held anger and a desire for vengeance.

I straighten my shoulders, "Well then, it was your table so it's your decision. Just please, don't do anything gross, I still can't get over the last time."

"What are you talking about? That time was bombastic, she even savor the food." Escobar guffaws as he remises the time they hocked a loogie on the mashed potatoes.

Yuck.

The kitchen crew proceeded to extend their hands as they stick out their thumb in a horizontal position, if the thumb goes up then nobody does anything but If it goes down then we go from Holy Tacos to Hell's Kitchen.

"So what is it then, Miriam?" Jefferson said, Miriam, smirked as she sticks out her thumb.

"Que se joda." She says, her thumb goes down and the kitchen crew all cheer as Sabino moves to grab the dish, all the cooks gather up and discuss what they'll do to the plate.

"You are so gonna get fired when Paul finds out," Pauline said with an eye roll.

A series of:

"Shut up, Pauline!"

"Get a life!"

"Sapa!"

Erupted from the rest of the crew as they brush her mature attitude away, Pauline ignores them and exits the kitchen.

One thing I know for sure is don't mess with Mexicans.

I lay on my bed while simultaneously letting out a tired sigh, I kick off my shoes before accommodating my legs on my bed. I placed my hand on my stomach as I stared at the ceiling, I felt my mind begin to wander as the more I stare at the white ceiling.

My mind raced through today's events, the Holy Tacos crew never failed to make me laugh as I recall how excited they all seem after having Miriam deliver the food to the woman who most definitely had a Karen attitude. My heart flutters every time I realize how willingly they open their doors to me and became a second family to me.

Miriam is the mom of the crew, always making sure everybody is doing their job and also making sure we were all mentally okay. Jefferson was the dad, always making jokes and keeping the mood bright. Escobar has become my second-best friend, I can talk about anything and everything with him, he is such a great guy. Pauline and Sabino, we call them twins despite not being one, were like siblings to me and also they pull the best pranks.

Alexander had the same age as Connor, he was the cashier of the restaurant and what I love the most about him is his humility and kindness. He never failed to cheer us up, never. Fabiola was the cleaning lady, she's a mother of three gorgeous kids. Her hugs are always the best, she gives the best mom hugs, Miriam and her have been of great help to me when I was going down a dark path. Lastly, Oscar, he's another waiter. I remember the first time he came, he was timid and very reserved, Paul told us he found him sleeping in an alleyway severely beaten. Holy Tacos is just another Mexican restaurant, but what mattered was its crew members, we all have a background story and come from different places but the way fate united us and gifted us with the chance of a new family was a magnificent feeling.

If only Mom and Dad could've met them.

Shit.

My heart clenched as the impeding feeling of loneliness wash over me after the thought, the feeling was a longtime friend of mine. It came a year later after my parent's death, for some stupid reason I hoped they would popup at my birthday party. Bring presents and have them hug me, I felt my eyes begin to water as I recall my father's words and our last hug. It's all I dream about; some dreams were horrifying as I dream of their deaths but other dreams were like a fairytale; I dreamt they were alive and this whole thing was a big bad nightmare.

I took in a shaky breath as I curl my hands into a fist and dig my nails into my palm, physical pain was always better than emotional pain. Sometimes the pressure in my chest is so agonizing that all I desire is to give up, the pain and the longing of my heart becomes unbearable at times and all I think of is about being with them. But I'm a coward, a disappointment, I can't seem to fulfill my father's last wish.

To be strong.

I squeeze my eyes, and teardrops slide down my temple and bury themselves in my hair. It seems that the more I try to stop myself, the more I think of their smiles and their playful banters. The way they showed me love and made sure I was always wearing a smile, they both made me believe they'll always stick with me.

Liars.

They lied to me, they promised me we would take over the world together, as a family. But instead, they both left me, alone to fight against the world.

"Please... God, take this pain away." I cried, the words came out in a whisper as I spoke out loud. "Just take this away from me... just like you did with my parents."

I covered my face with my hands as a sob pressurized to escape, the lump in my throat threatened to tear my flesh apart if I continue to hold back. But I couldn't seem to stop, the pain was livid, I could feel it in every memory in my brain and in the way my heart clenches each time.

A knock on the door made me snap my eyes open as I hurriedly wipe my eyes with the sleeve of my shirt, but the person behind the door was also in a hurry, and without consent, they open the door.

"Hey, Rams. J.J Jameson wanted me..." Connor's voice trails off as he takes in my appearance, more like my bloodshot eyes and how my lip still quivers as I fail to hold myself together. "Oh, Rams."

Connor quickly shuts the door before making his way toward me, his blue eyes show me the warmth and concern I longed for. The only difference was that, he wasn't EvaLuna nor John, that thought made me burst into tears just as Connor wraps his strong arms around me. Holding me together as I failed to do it myself, I buried my face in his chest in an attempt to muffle my sobs.

"Ssh, ssh, I'm here," Connor reassured, this wasn't the first time Connor comforted me.

He had done it numerous times in the past, the breakdowns and nightmares have ceased during the years but they are still there and I don't know how to make them stop permanently. One minute I'm okay and loving life whilst the next minute I just want to curl into a tight ball and cry my eyes out in hopes that I'll die due to dehydration. I'm tired and I'm hurting, when will I ever find my peace?

"I can't..." I choke out, I lean back and lock my eyes with Connor's soft ones. "I can't take this pain anymore... I-I can't stop it." I wail, the pain in my heart becoming torturous as the seconds pass. The pressure in my chest became acute, I gasped as I tried to find a way to alleviate the pain, but the pressure just grew until I was gasping for air.

"Hey! It's okay, Ramsey." Connor noticed my distress, my eyes were wide in fear as they called to him for help. "Listen to me, you are here, with me." He reassures me but the feeling of suffocation is still there. "Put your feet on the ground, now."

My chest heaves aggressively as I struggle to breathe properly, nonetheless, I knew what I was going through. I did as he told me, I plant my feet on the ground and straighten my spine. Connor knelt in front of me, he rubbed my arms up and down as he orders me to point out five things in the room.

"Just five things and all will go away, come on Ramsey." Connor spoke softly but his words were firm, "Five things you see, tell me, I want to know."

"Bed." I gasp out, my hand grips the sheet of the bed. "Shoes." My eye darted to the ground, but the feeling of choking was still there. I could feel it wrapping around my throat and squeezing it, taunting me of the possibility of seeing my parents after so long.

No.

Dad wouldn't be proud of me, if he could see me now he would encourage me to be strong.

"Come on, three more."

"A b-bag." I said, my voice shaking. "And- and a rug." As I started to acknowledge the things in my room, the feeling of drowning in my pain began to vanish as Connor never failed to remind me that I still had a family.

"One more Ramsey."

My eyes search the room until they settle on the poster behind my door.

"Queen." I took in a deep breath after that, I closed my eyes as I held it and count to five before exhaling.

"Better?" Connor asks me as he squeezes my arm in comfort, I open my eyes and gave him a nod. "Good, that's great."

Connor is an amazing person; I was lucky to have someone who never failed to be there for me. Some people are not as lucky, they battle against these things alone and I knew I wouldn't survive it. I lean forward and wrap my arms around his neck as I brought him in for a hug, I bury my face in the nape of his neck.

"Thank you."

Connor squeezed me causing me to let out a chuckle, we parted and Connor sat beside me. He leans forward, placing his elbows on his knees as a serious face fell on his features.

"Rams, I know." Connor begins, "Having the life you had, it's not easy, hell It broke me when my father left us because he didn't have the balls to maintain us. I can't even begin to imagine how you must've felt all these years without them. I know you think you don't have a family."

My eyes met his as if I'd been caught, Connor sent me a smile. "How..."

"I know you, Ramsey. Besides, it's reasonable if you feel that way. But I just want you to know, that you do have a family here. My mom, Ethan, Gwen, the Holy Tacos crew, and I. We are all here for you, and we are not going anywhere."

I smile, my heart warming up, melting the pain and the loneliness away.

Sometimes family isn't one bounded by blood, but by those who are more than willing to make room for you within their own families.

🅷🅾🅻🅰

HOLA RAZA!! Pretty rough ending

Huh? Well, that's life. Your day mightBe going great and then BOOM, lookin'
For this? Ramsey Bianchi isn't okay, she has this switch that turns on whenever she thinks of her parents.

It's like her weakness if she dwells

In the past, she becomes unstable in herPresent. Which is why she keeps herself occupied in order not to think,
But it always creeps back to her.

Good thing she has someone

To rely on, I love Connor'sA character so much. He's like
This sweet, charming guy with
A good heart. He cares a lot for
His family and he actually knows
How to keep Ramsey together.

Anyway, give some love to this chapter.Comment your thoughts on Ramsey's first episode or the chapter overall.

Love you guys, stay safe💞