"This is my daughter, Alicia." Annalisa introduced her child to the Santiago family and other guests.
"It must be hard for you to give birth on your own. It's okay now, you can depend on me, Anna." Leila caresses the head of the child with pity on her eyes.
Claude gulped from guilt at what Leila said. Annalisa shook her head, "It's okay. I already know I can't rely on them. I was just hoping they'll change their hearts when I got a child. I was wrong."
Leila felt even sadder. Her best friend's life is much more depressing already. "It's okay. Stay here again. We can be your family, Anna." Annalisa agreed with her head nodded as she couldn't speak as her tears might fall.
'What a great actress...' Carla said and rolled her eyes.
Annalisa told Leila that when she got back home last year, her family told her to entertain a big shot and she got drunk unintentionally which lead to her having Alicia.
That big shot was her fiancee, she said. However, something happened and her fiancee canceled their wedding and left her with a child. It was a financial problem thus, her family agreed to it. And then she was ignored for a whole year.
She left home when Alicia can travel through the air and didn't realized she was in time for Carla's birthday, again.
Of course, Claude knew it was a lie as he was the one who taught her that lie and told her to come back.
That was bullshit, really. Annalisa stayed in the city after she left the mansion and Claude thought she really went back to her home.
However, Annalisa knew if she went back home without accomplishing her goal, she and her child will die without mercy. Thus, she kept the child in the city without Claude knowing.
Carla tugged Leila's clothes as she didn't want to hear any more bullshits. "Mom, me, Kai and my cousins are gonna play in my room. Is it okay?"
Leila smiled at her and kissed her cheeks, "Of course it's okay. It must be too boring here with the adults. Go on. Please take care of our sweet angel okay?"
Carla nodded and brought Kai on the stroller and her cousins to her room with their maids.
Annalisa was stunned to see Carla taking care of Kai, "You let Carla be with Kai? Isn't that dangerous for a baby?"
Leila shook her head, "Not really. She had been taking care of Kai ever since Kai was born. Of course with the help of a nanny. I slept in their room as I need to take care of him too at night."
Annalisa was stunned, "Oh, really..." 'Then who stays with Claude?' She thought. "That child is so responsible. I'm glad Carla is growing up well."
"Thank you,"
...
Carla let Ike and Irene watch a movie in her room while she checks from time to time about her younger brother.
Kai was delighted that they left that party already and had their own. He was excited to grow up and wanted to know how it feels to have cousins who won't bully you.
Their cousins were good and sweet towards him and his sister that he can't believe these changes. He wanted to help his sister with whatever plan she has. He'll follow her and this time, he will protect her.
The next day, there are another two added creatures on the table for breakfast. Annalisa and Alicia.
They are staying here for good with Leila and Claude's consents.
"Wow, Carla you're like a big responsible sister!" Annalisa complimented.
Carla chewed her food then answer her without looking at her, "Thank you, Auntie."
"How about you play with my baby too sometimes?" Annalisa still wanted to use Carla to gain more trust from Leila and love from Claude.
Carla grinned and took a glance at her, "I will definitely play with her. Don't worry, Aunt."
"Great!"
They continued to eat in harmony while Carla ignores them again.
Kai, who is between Carla and Leila, chuckled sometimes. His sister isn't hard-headed anymore and used her brain this time. She isn't sweet towards them and isn't rude too.
She is polite at the same time never lets them cross her boundary. He's so proud of her. This life will be different than before. He was anticipating it.
After breakfast, Carla strolled around the garden as usual with their nanny and Leila and Claude went to work already. Annalisa joined them while carrying her child saying Alicia needs some sunlight too.
Carla didn't push her away and just walk while pushing the stroller like nobody is here.
The two didn't speak and enjoyed the walk before going back to each of their room.
"See you, Carla."
"See you too, Auntie."
Carla brought Kai to their room and changed his clothes. She studied after, she talks to Kai, then study again. The maid stayed outside as usual unless being called.
When Annalisa visited them in their room with Alicia, Carla of course was already prepared. Toys all over the floor, cartoons on the TV, and cheeky smiles on her face.
Annalisa lay down Alicia on the second bed and played with Carla. The reason she visited was that she had nothing to do much and wanted to see how Carla has been.
She learned that Carla went astray thanks to her teachings before about enjoying life. Even though Carla is being protected by Kai, it won't matter as it will be easy to manipulate her.
She didn't suspect a thing as she knew kids never lie. She just didn't expect that Carla may have a body of a child, but her thoughts are like an adult.
When Annalisa and Alicia left, Carla asked a maid to change the beddings and clean the room while she changes Kai's clothes and hers.
She didn't realize she became an Annalisa-phobic already. She felt disgusted towards her.
The maid didn't ask nor get confused as the room is really a mess.
While changing Kai's clothes she said, "When you are old enough, I'll tell you the secrets of this mansion. So grow up already. I want to play with you..." She whispered, "...while playing tricks to those ugly imps."
Kai chuckled.
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Written by KircheLeaf
Cover Designed by CxlxrGreg
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~End of Chapter 38~