Episode 2

After her call with Marina, Amanda entered the house once more. Carmen and David were deep in an embrace in the living room.

"Excuse me, wouldn’t it be better to move to a more private place like, oh I don’t know, your bedroom, mom?"

"Ah, daughter, cut it out. We were just talking!"

"Hmm, sure!"

Carmen’s phone rang.

"I need to take this, love, it’s about work, sorry! Amanda, sit here, keep David company!"

"Ah, mom, I was just heading to bed!"

"Bed? Oh, come on Amanda, for heaven’s sake, sit here with him, take the chance to get to know each other better!"

"Fine, mom!"

Carmen answered the call and stepped outside with her phone, leaving Amanda and David alone.

"You don’t seem too fond of me, huh?" David chuckled.

"What? Sorry if I gave you that impression, you’re mistaken!"

"It’s written all over your face," he teased.

"It’s not that, it’s just… well, it’s weird having a stepdad, that’s all!"

"I understand, don’t worry!"

"Are you two getting married?"

"Easy does it," he laughed. "We do intend to, but not right now!"

"Hmm, great!"

"I know, you're going to hate it."

"Not really. Or, I mean, never mind!"

"So, do you have a boyfriend?"

"No, haven’t found anyone worthy yet."

"Wow," he laughed, "you are a tough one, I can tell."

"Sure! And you, why are you dating my mom? She’s almost eight years older than you!"

"Is that a problem?"

"I don’t know, is it for you?"

"No, not at all. Your mother is beautiful, elegant, smart…"

"Yeah, she is! But how did you meet?"

"At a literary event in New York that I attended!"

"Got it! And you really love her?"

"Of course, I wouldn’t be with her otherwise!"

"Hm, I guess!"

"Any more questions?"

"No, sorry, I just need to know who my mom is getting involved with!"

"You’re absolutely right!"

Carmen returned.

"I’m back! So, did you guys have a good chat?"

"Yes, your daughter gave me quite the interrogation," he laughed.

"Amanda!"

"What, weren’t we supposed to get to know each other better? Just getting to know him! Anyway, now that you’re back, I’m going up to my room, you lovebirds enjoy!"

Amanda said as she stood up and headed for the stairs.

"Don’t mind her, David, she can be such trouble!"

"Don’t worry, my love!"

Amanda retreated to her room and flopped onto her bed.

"Ugh! What a circus. I wonder if he’s leaving tonight? Hopefully!" she muttered to herself.

LATER…

Amanda left her room to have lunch.

"Amanda, finally! I was about to call you down, come sit with us!"

"You were sleeping, Amanda?" David asked.

"Yes! Why can’t I sleep, 'daddy'?"

"AMANDA!!!"

"What’s wrong, mom?!"

"FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE, STOP ACTING LIKE A CHILD! APOLOGIZE NOW!"

"Mom, I told you, I’m not 15!"

"No need, my love," said David.

"Of course, there is,” said Carmen. "She needs to learn manners! Apologize to David, Amanda!"

"Sorry, Mr. David," Amanda rolled her eyes.

"It’s okay, don’t worry about it."

"Let’s just eat before I really lose it with you!" Carmen said.

"Ugh! Did I say something wrong? Isn’t he supposed to be my 'daddy' now?"

"Amanda, that’s enough!"

David caught Amanda’s eye, barely holding back laughter. She returned his look, stifling her own.

Then they sat down to an almost silent lunch due to the tense atmosphere. Afterward, Carmen pulled Amanda aside to talk.

"Cut out the silliness, will you?"

"Oh, come on, mom, I was just joking!"

"That was no joke! I don’t want that kind of humor, Amanda!"

"But isn’t he practically my father now?"

"That’s enough warnings, Amanda!"

"Stop treating me like a kid, for goodness’ sake, I’m 24, I hate it when you talk to me like that!"

"You want respect, you gotta give it, Amanda! You’re acting like you really are a teenager!"

"Oh, please!"

"Mind your tone with me!"

David was in another part of the house but arrived abruptly.

"Is everything all right here?"

"It is, love."

"It is, Mr. David, just your girlfriend treating me like a child again. Could you do something about that for me?"

"Amanda!!"

"I'm going outside for some air. Please handle your girlfriend for me, David," Amanda said, patting David's shoulder and then heading outside.

"Gosh, she’s infuriating!"

"Calm down, it’s rough for her, having a stepdad. I mean, even the word 'stepdad' is a bit much for me too," he chuckled. "It’s normal for her to react this way!"

"Normal? It certainly is not normal!"

"Let it go, I’m not offended. Let’s do something together!"

"Alright, only you know how to calm me down."

LATER…

Amanda lay in her room after a refreshing bath. Before bathing, she had asked her mother if David would be staying over and Carmen said no, he was already leaving, so Amanda had even bid David farewell.

"Thank goodness! Now I can wear my airy nightgown and wander the house like always in this hot city, since mom’s boyfriend won’t be around."

She slipped into one of her rather short and sexy nightgowns and made her way downstairs for dinner.

She descended the stairs heading towards the kitchen when she suddenly came face to face with David leaving the kitchen.

"Ah… David? I... what are you still doing here?"

"Ah… sorry, I said I was leaving but I have to stay the night!"

"I... didn't know! I’m going to change, please don't mention to my mom that you saw me like this!"

"No worries, I won’t say anything!"

"But they should have warned me; I always dress like this around here!"

David didn’t respond but watched Amanda from head to toe in her nightgown, making her uncomfortable.

"I’m going to change, sorry about this!"

"No worries, you’re right, we should have let you know!"

"They should have! Anyway, I’m off to change, excuse me!"