Going home at last!
Rhea hummed a common Carol song as they placed their last set of bags into the car. Carter watched her in amusement and Claire just shook her head. She really wanted to bang it hard on the car. Her best friend was just too much.
"I wanna wish you a merry Christmas, I wanna wish you a merry Christmas, I wanna wish you a merry Christmas from the bottom of my heaaaaarrrrrt!" She sang.
"Are you that happy to go back home?" Carter asked. He could not just hold it in any more as he watched the over joyous Rhea humming like a kid who was presented her best flavored candies.
Rhea stopped singing and looked at Carter then at Claire. The two also returned her look waiting for her to give an answer to the question asked.
"Ah.... you have no idea do you? Holidays are the best with family" Rhea said nonchalantly. Claire who had expected that kind of response from just just rolled her eyes before getting into the car.
Not a single one of them saw the certain flash of light that crossed Carter eyes. Although it left as soon as it came. He just shook his head helplessly and got into the driver's seat.
Rhea quickly hopped into the back seat picking up a novel she planned to read for the journey back home.
After two hours of driving, the car finally came to halt in front of Rhea's house. Madeline and Laura was outside waiting to receive them.
"You are all welcome" Laura said as the three stepped out of the car.
"Welcome" Madeline also muttered.
"Thank you Aunt" Claire who walked up to the two women first answered.
"Aww... mum, I missed you so much" Rhea said hurrying to give her mother a hug. "And you too Aunt" she acknowledged Madeline who gave her a nod with a slight smile of amusement on her lips.
Carter watched from the sideline with a far away look. On the surface, he appeared calm and normal but deep down, his heart was jumbled up with a lot of emotions. His eyes reflected distance and loneliness in them.
"Whoa, look who just got back!" Daniel walked to them, although he had only seen his beloved sister days ago, he just could not help but want to tease to frustration immediately.
"And who is that?" Rhea scowled. It looks like she was in for her younger brother's tease this time around.
"Sorry big sis, I only can see two people. Claire, how do you do? Carter, you look so stressed, join us for lunch" Daniel said. He did not try in the least to hide his obvious attempt to act like his sister was invincible.
"Come in everyone, lunch is ready. The three of you should wash up and have let's have lunch together" Laura voiced.
"Ah—" Carter started. Laura who had seen Carter's hesitation and attempt to refuse the offer at the beginning immediately interrupted him.
"You are all tired now, washing up then eating lunch is a good way to rest before Claire and Carter return to their homes right? And Daniel, you should have clothes that can fit Carter here" She said.
"Yes, yes. We kind of have same size" Daniel quickly answered. Even though Carter was obviously taller and was more built than his feeble features, he just wanted him to stay with him to play games since none of the women in the household understood anything about manly video games.
Seeing that he had no other choice, Carter nodded his head in affirmative. Laura saw his actions and smiled.
They all walked into the house. Laura and Madeline got the table set with all kinds of aromatic dishes while Rhea, Claire and Carter went to clean up.
Soon, the three got back and they all settled for lunch.
"So, tell me, how did the camp go? I bet you had loads of fun" Laura said with enthusiasm. She blink eagerly waiting for a response from her daughter but the latter only hummed and went ahead with eating. Disappointed, Laura turned to look at Carter but he was engrossed with his talk about video games and whatnots with Daniel. Laura pouted and turned to Claire who shrugged while munching.
"Why are you children so boring! Give this ageing woman some youthful gist!" She nagged and involuntarily they all turned to her with a 'what do you want us to say' kind of look. Madeline who watched from side could only laugh at her Madam's fury.
"If getting lost over and over again in the forest can be considered fun then that was it" Rhea said nonchalantly but unfortunately that got her brother's full attention.
"What is this I am hearing? Rhea got lost!" Daniel mused looking at Claire who was across the table. Rhea groaned.
"Thrice" Claire voiced.
"Really!" Daniel laughed, even Laura and Madeline joined.
"It was only twice!" Rhea frowned. Well, it was actually thrice but who cares. She thought.
"Whatever makes you sleep well at night, the main point here is my dearest nerd of a sister can not even understand directions" Daniel said.
"And you Claire, you know that the first time was because I was not with the map, the second time was obviously Amelia's fault—" and the third time was because I was still not used to the whole area— Rhea clarified.
The look on everyone's face clearly should no one had believed her. She burst into fury.
"Madeline, even you!" She gasp. Everyone laughed.
"Now this is what I call family" Laura blurted out and every nodded excerpt a particular someone.
—Family—
After the lunch, Carter drove Claire to her apartment before returning to his. He opened the door to his large but empty apartment. The interior decor of the house was although toned down a bit, it still showed evident signs of luxury.
He walked to the refrigerator and pulled out a can of beer. He opened the can and took a big gulp out of it before dropping it on the table in front of him.
"Family..." He murmured with a sly and unamused smile. Bunch of idiotic dictators. Tyrants! He thought as he flop himself into one of the expensive sitting furnitures. If Claire or Rhea were to see this, they would conclude one thing, Carter was scary!.
*
In Megan's apartment, Amelia in her fury was crashing and scattering the well arranged home. She broke every glass, crashed every vase and tore every linen. Megan watched her calmly from side.
"That wench! Ridiculous bitch!" She groaned. "Who does she think she is to have my man!"
'Was your man but not anymore' Megan thought but she did not dare voice her thoughts out. It is better the vases are broken rather than have her face scratched.
"Tell me, what do you think I should do?" She asked with gritted teeth.
"Amelia, I really don't know. Perhaps, it would be better if you attend the end of the year banquet that the madam invited you to. I believe there must be a reason she reached out to you" Megan answered calmly.
That is right, the madam! Amelia smile a not too good smile. The madam, how the hell could she forget.
"Clean the mess" She instructed as she picked her purse. She needed to get ready, she thought as she walked out of the house.
Megan watched her departing back and let out a deep breathe she did not know she had been holding. She bent down and examined the broken vases. She picked one broken piece and ran her slender hands over its smooth side.
That was her best pot. Although all the pots had been brought to the house by Amelia, she still felt a little hurt that they had to be damaged senselessly just like that. She dropped the piece and stood straight. She picked her phone and gave a call to the housekeeper.
"Hello ma'am" She said in her usual respectful voice.
"Miss, is there anything you need?" The housekeeper voice rang from the other side of the call.
"My apartment is a little bit rough, could you please come help clean it up?" She asked politely.
"Ah... that is not a problem miss, I will come right now" the housekeeper answered.
"Thank you" she ended the call.
A moment later, the door was knocked and the housekeeper walked in. She saw the extent of the 'a little bit rough' and tilted her head to the side. She threw a side glance at Megan who only gave a subtle smile.
"Miss, this damage— you really called it a little bit rough?" The housekeeper said.
"Mm... don't mind me at all, just help me clean it up please" Megan replied. The housekeeper gave a small nod and began cleaning up.
Megan sighed before walking out of the room. Being friends with Amelia till this moment is so much stress but she did not mind it at all, she would bear it all. She looked up to the sky and white fluffy substance fell on her face.
Christmas is in few days time, how is it going to be?