M Country, L City
It is already past 3 AM when the plane landed in L City's airport. The terminal and the airport itself is luxurious. The mall inside it is famous for its many features such as world-class spas and arcade center, to the locals and tourists alike. Despite its cozy and welcoming ambiance, Skye, however, can't shake the feeling of nervousness. How will her father and brothers react upon seeing her? Will they proceed with the plan already or will they bond as a family first?
She misses her family, and her departure 3 years ago created a rift between her and her brothers because of her decision to leave. They half-heartedly agreed about it. She is already forgiven by them as they said they do understand her situation but sometimes she feels like she isn't completely forgiven, especially her 2nd older brother, Lune.
In the arrival area, Skye looked for the sign that Cali instructed her. A small sky blue signboard with silver glitter lettering and decorations.
'WELCOME HOME KYE!'
While it looked pretty cute, the huge guy who is holding the little signboard looks intimidating. Standing at about 6'5" in height, with a muscular build and a huge slash scar on his left cheek and dark-tinted sunglasses, he shook the signboard in excitement at the same time he saw Skye approaching him.
"Little Miss! I thought I will never see you again! Good thing Miss Cali said to fetch you here." The huge guy eagerly welcomed Skye and proceeded to carry her belongings.
"Good to see you too, Dalton. How are you? It seems like you got bulkier than before. Got a girlfriend, eh?" She teased the larger guy.
Dalton shyly smiled in response. "Yes Little Miss."
"That's good. Can I meet her? Can't miss knowing the one who captured one of my toughest men."
"Sure, Little Miss."
Dalton guided her until they reached the car and rushed to the hotel that Cali reserved for her. Dalton bid her good night and she went for her room to rest. As soon as she settled in the room, she closed her eyes and she soon fell asleep.
*****
"The Little Miss is sure tired. It is already 10 AM and she is still not yet going down." Dalton murmured as he gazed at his watch while waiting for Skye in the hotel's lobby.
He then received a message from one of the hotel staff to come to the hotel's buffet hall. The hotel staff is unsure at first whether to approach him or not but took the courage to do so and luckily, at the mention of the Little Miss' name, his expression softened. She fanned herself in relief while guiding Dalton to the buffet hall.
Dalton easily spotted Skye despite her small stature. The Little Miss is more or less 5 feet, has a layered bob hair cut, and is always wearing street style clothing composed of a simple t-shirt, jacket, rugged jeans, and sneaker. She is always mistaken as a cute, small guy, but the Little Miss doesn't mind. She is always a tomboy, but a very good looking one.
Skye pointed out the table of food to Dalton as soon as he reached her table.
"Go get some and eat. My treat, as thanks."
He was about to refuse but his stomach growled. The big guy blushed as Skye laughed and patted his back.
While they are eating, Dalton is a bit startled when Skye suddenly spoke.
"How are things at home? Sometimes it is hard to get in touch with my brothers as they are always busy."
"They are doing fine. Young Master Lune just recently got his pediatrics license and Young Master Astre is still running the business on behalf of Master."
"Ah, as expected of my big brothers. Uh, Dalton, do you think I should still go home? I am not sure if they will welcome me or not especially Big Brother Lune."
"Don't worry Little Miss. They are not angry at you, even Young Master Lune sometimes wonder if you are doing fine. He is just so busy these days that is why he seemed so distant. He wants to focus on getting his license. So please do come home, Little Miss."
She sighed heavily to let all the tension in her body go.
*****
Skye let the stress ball roll off her hands as the gates of the Plum Road Estates opened to let their car in. It's been a while since she saw the blooming plum trees along the entrance of this place. She smiled as the guard who inspected their car recognized and greeted her.
'This is it. I am finally coming back home.'
The car rushed towards their mansion. Upon arriving, she is hugged by her father. She can't help but let her tears of joy and longing flow through her cheeks.
"Welcome home, Kye." Her father said as he smiled and lovingly caressed her cheeks.
"Dalton said that you have already eaten. I will let the maids prepare lunch but for now, come with me to the study."
She followed her father while wiping away her tears. While walking towards the study, she noticed that his gray hairs and the lines on his face increased. These past few years have been hard for their Papa but he has to stay strong for the sake of their family. He still looks handsome and dashing for his age but the grief had obviously taken a toll not only on his personality but also with his physical appearance. After Ma's death, Papa rarely smiled. In fact, it is the first time that Papa smiled genuinely after seeing her again in person.
The door of the study creaked as Papa opened the door. Nostalgia flowed through Kye as she remembered all the scoldings and lessons that she learned in this room. From her Mama, Papa and two Big Brothers, this study became the room with the most treasured memories.
"How are your Auntie Grace and the twins?"
"They are doing good. Auntie Grace also said that maybe this year, after they finished setting up their new business, she will visit together with the twins."
"Un, she really should. It's been a while since she visited our parent's graves. Your Grampa and Grandma surely want their only daughter to visit them even if they are already in heaven."
"Yeah, she sure misses them too."
Silence engulfed the room and only the shuffling of papers are heard for a while.
Papa faced her with a grim expression on his face. In his hand, is a folder.
"You already know why I told you to come home right?"
Her eyes are locked on the folder on her Papa's hand. "Yes. And I want to make them pay, Pa."
"Me too, my child." He passed the folder.
"But based on these documents that our people gathered, it will not be an easy fight. That is why until now, a month have already passed since we already knew who killed your Ma, we can only watch them and make little progress with our revenge."
The folder contained pictures of people who are suspected to have shot her mother. There are also pictures of their bosses who may have been the mastermind. She can feel her eyes heat up as tears are beginning to swell under her eyes. Her gaze shifted to a picture of a slim woman with long brown hair. She is obviously beautiful but her smile is mischievous and wicked. How could she forget this face? It is the face of one of the people who forced her into hiding. And now, this wretched woman is also involved in her mother's death? This is a battle worth fighting for. She will avenge her mother and her self and she will suffer tenfold!