I was still lying on my bed even though it's already morning. I am already awake but something is still pulling me not to leave this bed. I was lazy to go down and eat especially that I would see them. I just sighed at the thought. I can't help but to be with them. We are in the same house, and I also can't back out just to avoid them. I left the bed and thought of taking a bath. When I finished, I just put on my house clothes and then went downstairs.
I found dad in the living room when I got down. He was talking to someone on the phone and he was talking seriously to that person because of his frown. He was next to mommy who was just sitting on the one seater sofa while holding a cup of coffee. She was still wearing the lab gown she was wearing in the hospital.
I was about to go straight to the kitchen to have breakfast when dad called me. Slowly, I turned around and saw that they were both looking at my direction.
" Mom, dad." I mumbled.
"Eat your breakfast already," Mom casually said.
"Yes." I nodded.
I am still not as comfortable with them compared before. If I hadn't left this house, I wouldn't have felt awkwardness in front of my parents. I just turned my gaze to dad who also looked at me blankly before going in the kitchen. I sighed deeply when I got out of their sight.
I looked at our pool area and saw my older brother, Jack, hanging out there. He was sitting alone by the pool side so I thought of approaching to talk to him.
"Jack," I called and that's when he turned around. He smiled and motioned to sit next to him. When I sat down beside him, I saw the wine he was holding which surprised me. He never drank before. He must have noticed that I was looking there so I heard him laugh.
"You're not in your legal age yet, Sam," he laughed. I scraighed.
"I don't want to drink alcohol Jack," I replied. "I'm just wondering why you're drinking now."
" Stress reliever?"
"Sure, that taste is so bad," I sniffed at the glass he was holding. "And one more thing, it's still early morning."
"Stop pouting, Sam." He shook his head and ignored what I said. He looked at the front again so I can see the side profile of his face. My older brother is also matured now a bit like my sister. His jaw was more defined, his lips seemed to be redder and the black under his eyes was noticeable. And his voice was very deep now. No wonder women still stumble upon him just like before.
I wonder if he's now working with our company together with dad.
"I really miss you, princess." I was silent at what he said. Me too. He is the closest among us three "I'm sorry if I didn't protect you."
"Jack..."
"You've been hiding for two years yet I didn't have the opportunity to look for you even though I really want to."
"It's not your responsibility Jack. I chose that."
He looked at me slightly smiling. My older brother is not an expressive kind of person. He's kind of mysterious to me. He doesn't have those expressive eyes just like the other guys have, that's why people misunderstood him. He tends to be in the dark rather than on the spotlight. And he always has his goals in life. He is also not the type of person who is easily manipulated and enslaved.
"You didn't know how worried I was. If only dad let me find you, you would not be far from us."
"It's what I want, brother." I smiled. "That was the life I really want."
"I can see it through your smile," he said. "I'm relief that nothing happens to you."
"I want to go back to my old life, but I thought I had a responsibility to this family. I can't live that life even if I want to because this is what I have."
"We always have, Jane."
" I'm still accepting that truth," I said. " At least, at that short period of time, I met some friends, true friends that I can trust."
"I'm happy for you," he said and pat my head. He smiled that made him more handsome. He hugged me with one arm and squeezed me on his chest. I immediately smelled the wine when the smell stuck to him.
"You're stink!" I whispered as he laughed. We're the one he only shows his smiles and laughter. He pinched my nose as I let go of his hug. "I really miss you, Jack."
**
"We're leaving," Mommy ordered our driver. We are going to a business dinner with Jace and Jack. Daddy is still in the office and will be there first as our company is a bit far.
I just wore the floral dress paired with flat shoes that my sister Jace gave me. My clothes in the closet no longer fit. She also fixed my hair into a messy bun .
Jack was in the front seat while my sister and I were next to mommy. It's also quiet on the trip because she doesn't like noises so I don't feel comfortable when she's with us.
She's very intimidating that even her own daughter feels that. I don't know why I feel that way. Maybe because we're not that close, not like the others with mother-daughter relationship.
I looked at the gate in front and it said MADRIGAL when we arrived. The surname is familiar but I can't remember. We entered and greeted by the guard.
"We are already here, ma'am," said Paul, our driver.
We went down and saw a lady standing in front of a door. She greeted mommy with a smile as we followed her. They greeted each other and the lady looked at me when they're done greeting each other.
They are both look sophisticated, same with mommy's aura. Based on the clothes she's wearing, she obviously rich. I think her age is about early or mid-forty, just like mommy.
"Good evening, Zandra. How are you? " It was only then that she took her eyes off mine.
"I'm fine, you look good. Come inside, " she said and the two of them came in first. I was with my sister who was just quiet next to me.
"Are you okay Jace?" I asked.
"Yes, I'm just not comfortable with what I'm wearing."
I nodded and thought of looking at the paintings posted on the wall. There are also vases designed that made extra homey type of interior. There is a chandelier in the middle and once you enter their big door you will immediately see the long staircase to the second floor. This house looks like a mansion.
"Jane."
I looked at who called me when I heard dad's voice and approached me. He was with my older brother who chose to wait outside earlier before entering with us.
"Dad, brother."
"Where are they?"
" On the dining room," I replied. Dad just nodded and went there first. I was next to my brother and sister as we walked our way.
I looked up at the large table in the middle. A variety of dishes were served that I couldn't name. Others are Italian foods but there are homemade ones like the Adobo in the middle. My older brother pulled a chair for me and sit beside me. My sister is next to mommy and I have no one in front of me.
This will be boring.
" Sorry, my sons are not here yet. They're coming though."
"That's fine." Dad answered. I also started eating and I just listened quietly. They only talk about business. I do not understand any of them.
"So, this girl is your other daughter?" Madam asked.
"Yes, she's the youngest." Mom answered so I looked up at them.
"What a beautiful daughter you have. I wish I have too, yet I had two sons now."
"You can," mom answered. Mrs. Zandra went silent and just forced a smile.
"Let's just talk about merging our companies." She diverted the topic.
"I'm sorry." The lady just smiled and answered. Something's off but I don't have the rights to meddle with their personal business.
Their conversation continued. They didn't turn their attention to us and focused on merging the two companies. I even heard that they welcomed a newcomer but I didn't looked up. I just focused on the food in front of me.
I felt that my older brother Jack was poking my arms so I turned to him. I could not understand the look he's giving so he diverted his eyes to my plate with only spaghetti. It was delicious though, I just don't have the appetite to eat.
"What?" I asked as I looked at him again. He just shook his head.
"Someone's looking at you," he whispered. I looked up at the man on the other side.
Inexplicable feeling and I felt my chest throbbing when I saw him sitting in front of me. He looks good on his long sleeve white polo as he looks at me. He's just 17 yet the awra he's giving feels different.
"Zaine."