"Mmm." she let out a little whimper as the sunlight streamed through the window, hitting her face with a brightness she couldn't ignore. She rubbed her eyes to chase away the sleep and dragged herself out of bed. There was a small mirror attached to the hangar that held some of her clothes. She grasped a simple pair of her work clothes, a two piece leggings and shirt that was dark red. Mostly for her it was due to the stains being unable to be washed out that she decided on this colour. Making her job as simple as possible was appealing to her even though she wanted to dress just like the other girls. Putting on her clothes she clambered down the ladder and went over to the covered pot full of last night's soup. Lifting the lid, the aroma wafted into the air and made her salivate.
Wiping away her saliva she grabbed a dry bowl and poured some of it in. She greedily ate it, her stomach was already rumbling in protest of not eating after working but honestly it was hard to eat straight after working. The sight of meat was just as disgusting to her. Raising the bowl and slurping it directly she let out a satisfied sigh with a smack to her lips. Seeing there was still some left she busied eating seconds to pass her morning.
After her breakfast was finished, Fila tended to her garden outside. A few vegetables were growing outside and she nodded to remind herself she would need to pick it later today. It was when she was tending her garden the old man came again to see her. She didn't really wish to waste either her or his time and nodded, following him as they once again visited the old antique house. However, it was quite busy today.
Her father was sitting at the head of the table while to his right Young Master Jason and his mother sat eating breakfast at a large table just before the study. What surprised her even more was that there was an additional plate left alone on her father's left. Jason saw Fila enter and rolled his eyes as he stuffed himself with breakfast under the coaxing of his mother who was filling as plate as quickly as it disappeared into his gullet. Fila's stepmother was something you could call a once attractive woman. She had aged quite a lot, her skin wrinkled and her face was slightly sagging but underneath it you could still tell she was a proud and once beautiful woman. Fila had seen a picture of her when she was younger and it had definitely surprised her. She felt it was instead a younger sister her father listed after instead of it being a momento.
It was a sad thing that under the aged beauty was a very poisonous being. Her stepmother noticed her entry and didn't even try to guide her sneer at Fila. But she held back since her husband was here at her side. It was rare enough having a meal with three of them let alone as a whole four.
Her father gestured to Fila with his hand to take the seat to his left. She was quite obedient and sat at the table and quickly spooned a few of the boiled eggs and bacon before Jason could snatch it all. It was rare for her to take food even if it was meat.
Before she started to hoover her food down she saw her father gestured to look directly at him. 'He must have something important to announce considering we were here altogether' Fila thought as she deshelled an egg and watched her father removing lips.
"As of tomorrow you will both be attending a prestigious highschool. It will be a definite change to studying and staying here" her father announced. Jason immediately dropped his food at his father's words and started protesting immediately. Fila couldn't hear the volume of the shouting but the table vi rating under the fist thumps of the boy was a great emphasis.
Fila's stepmother also was quite furious, the rage apparent on her face but she still kept her calm.
"I understand it would be good for Jason but why did you need to send...that thing" she spat out and glared at Fila. The girl could only offer a shrug and ate away at her food as if it wasn't an issue.
"Now, now. You knew Fila's capabilities fully so I wish to send her along as a bodyguard while Jason is conducting his studies. It would be hard as the school only accepts boarding students and would be a great opportunity for Jason to be connected with some of the more powerful sons and daughters out there." Her father said and smiled a little at his future plans for his child. However her stepmother would have none of it.
"Send him to another school, I don't want that creature within fifty metres of my darling boy. Did you hear what she did last night? She is a monster deserving of being kept away" her stepmother paled and held her boy tight causing him to drop some food out of his mouth. Her father could only twitch at this and sighed heavily.
"If it wasn't for Fila, you wouldn't see your son again. We'd be likely to get him back alive from a ransom if it's from who I think it was" her father elaborated. Her stepmother paled again and could only bite her lip in frustration. Of course her father knew she was being petty last night since he knew everything that happened within the compound. He knew she was getting a little revenge for having her garden bed personally ruined by the young master but he couldn't complain since she had done her job.
Fila was a little irked at how her father was so easily swayed by her stepmother's words that she drew both hands up. Her father was surprised as this was her usual gesture that she wished to speak. Albeit it was in hands signs. The mother son couldn't bothered to learn it so they only ignored it when Fila was making her hand gestures. Her father watched as she formed her visible sentence.
"Danger came to the young master. So the danger must disappear" she gestured to her father. Her father nodded and could only relax his head in defeat at his bickering family. There wasn't much left since his external family was eliminated. Either falling prey to other families that wished for them to pass on or going directly against him. Even now he wasn't sure he would have anymore descendants left to take over. Which is why he was happy to upset his wife if it meant his own son could be protected.
"My decision is final. You both will be attending and I hope you will make the family proud." Her father turned to her. "Fila I hope you can protect your brother while you are both studying. It is good that siblings help each other against the outside world. Only family matters are you then allowed to act out on your own." Her father said with finality.
"We'll be heading out within an hour. Pack your things and we'll explore the school...as a family." her father emphasised his last point so those at the table understood. Fila's stepmother wanted to complain that this was all too fast but she held it back since her husband had his mood change. Fila nodded and disappeared from the table, startling the pair of mother and son. It was but a reminder that this was one to be kept on a short leash at all times. If she was to be let loose with her own free will...the pair shuddered to think at the devastation she would cause.
"Jason I'll remind you as well. It is not good to earn the ire of your guard. Your very life is in her hands so make sure to treat her better. She may seem cold but just a little good treatment could mean the difference between her jumping in front of a bullet for you" Jason's father started his lecture, while his son could only nod and grit his teeth in frustration. Having to depend on that lowly half sister of his truly set him on edge. But he knew that he had to, besides the point who wouldn't want to have protection that could easily cut down men much like harvesting a wheat field. And that was just with her bare hands.
The image of last night and the head was stuck firmly in his mind and his face paled at the thought. Jason intensely tried to keep his breakfast down and clear his thoughts. Seeing her son Pauling she asked to be excused and ran off with her son to get a doctor to see him. The father of the the two children sighed at all of the trouble he had to deal with. In the future he hoped that they could protect each other and give a moment of respite and peace but it was much like oil and water. No matter how much he stirred them together they would.never bond together.
"Charles, was I bad father for choosing one very the other?" The father of the two asked the old man he had always by his side. The old man, Charles, let out a long sigh.
"I believe no matter what was done, there would only be conflict. The matters of the Packer family and being a father are not compatible I'm afraid. Sooner or later one must submit to the other" Charles concluded in a saddened tone. Fila and Jason's father sighed at the chaos of his own family. He had placed his hopes on one child but he kept his fingers crossed for a better future. For both of them.