I don't remember much from the car ride to Draken's home. I stared out the window in a daze for most of it.
When we entered the house, a man who looked like an older version of Draken but with slick black hair ran to Delilah and hugged her.
She called out sweetie, "Samuel..." Then she hit him over his head, and then began to scold him. "How dare you make our Kenny worry over such an insignificant injury!?"
"Darling, I was just worried." He pouted.
"Hmph! You're lucky that because of your actions, I got to meet Rose. She's such a sweet child. I don't know how I lived my life not knowing such an angel. I mean, look how adorable she is!" Delilah exclaimed.
"Hello," He greeted, and I waved as a reply.
"She's been through a lot, so I'll tell you her story later. For now, just make her feel welcome." Delilah said as she took off her shoes. "I am going to make dinner. Kenny, when you finish changing and helping Rose, please come help me in the kitchen."
Draken led me to his room and took a bag out of his closet.
"These are your clothes from that time. I meant to return them to you, but never found a chance." Draken explained as he handed me the bag. "You take a shower in my room. I'll use my parents' bathroom." He said after picking out some clothes from the closet for himself.
After I finished, I sat on his bed and waited for him to return. Since he took a while, I glanced around the room and noticed that he had more of my merch than I did!
When he returned, his hair was still dripping wet, so I helped him dry his hair.
He did not face me after I finished, but he did take my hand and led me to the kitchen. I sat on a stool as I watched him help his mother.
I watched as Draken tripped over his feet and fell. The chicken to be baked in the oven was spilt over the floor. I closed my eyes as I awaited the outburst from his mother, but it never came. Instead, a worried voice called out to him. "Kenny, are you alright?"
I opened my eyes and saw Delilah helping him up.
"I am. But... your chicken..."
"It's fine. Your safety is more important. I just have to change what I'm cooking."
"Okay. I'll try to be careful this time."
"Sweetheart, it is alright." He patted him on the head and continued to let him help her.
Jealousy grew in my heart. Hope would have been livid if I did that. I would have gone the night without dinner. But this... this felt right. It felt like something a family would do.
Time went on, and soon the food was complete. Everyone sat around the dining table. I couldn't tell when was the last time Hope sat around the dining table with me.
While there, Draken accidentally spilt his drink on his father. I fully expected his father to blow up and hit him, but it did not happen. They laughed it off, and Delilah helped Samuel clean and change. Draken did not even get scolded.
The jealousy in my heart grew. 'So this is what a real family is supposed to be. There is no yelling, no hitting, no tears, no guilt-tripping, nor is there any manipulation. Only happily doing things together and dining together. Then what kind of relationship do I have with Hope? Because it's definitely not one of family. If she never cared for me, why would she raise me in the first place?'
Tears began to stream down my face as I realized the truth, 'She never cared. She was only using me because I could make her money. I made her life easier, so she kept me around. That is why she cared so much about my job and appearance to the public. That is why she cared about me working even when I wasn't feeling well. That is why... she became my manager.'
I don't remember anything after that, but I must have fallen asleep at some point.
"Knock. Knock."
My eyes fluttered open as I found myself in an unfamiliar room. The room was simple and most likely a guest room.
"Knock. Knock." The sound that woke me continued. Only, this time it was accompanied by a gentle, warmth filled voice. "Rose?"
"Yes," I replied without thinking.
"Can I come in?" They asked.
"Sure."
As expected, it was Draken. He came over and sat on the bed next to me. He put his hand on my cheek and gently brushed a finger over my eye, then removed his hand. I blinked at him, confused.
"Your eyes are swollen."
"Well, yeah? I did cry a lot."
"Do you resent your sister?" He asked, changing the topic.
"I don't know. In the past, I did not. In fact, I still loved Hope the same, but I don't think she shared the same sentiment. No, I know she doesn't. I had forgotten what it felt like to be a part of a real family. After seeing yours yesterday, Hope's love and affection feel fake. It feels like she only tolerated me because I could provide her with money. And that hurts." Tears leaked from my eyes.
Draken wiped her tears away, "Shh, you have cried enough."
"Your father's a lawyer, right?" I asked.
"Yeah?" He had a questioning tone. He must have thought my question was out of the blue.
"Do you think I could win a case against my sister?"
"A case?" Draken questioned.
"Years of physical and emotional abuse. I pretended like it did not happen because I thought I was the problem. I thought my sister loved me and was forced to do things she didn't want to because I was defective. I was wrong. I was imperfect. I believed that I was destined to be A Lonely Flower. But you made mistakes, so many mistakes, your family did not get angry once. They did not insult you. They were nice."
He was quietly listening to me while I let out all the pain and thoughts in my head, resting his hands on my hands as a way of comfort. It was a warm and sweet gesture. And it reminded me of how horrible of a sister I had. If she had comforted me like this instead of threatening me, I might have told her what happened that day.
"I could feel that they loved you; it made me envious. I have never felt that way with my sister, ever. And if a person whose only aim in caring for me was using me, it doesn't make sense that they treated me like garbage. You don't abuse the goose that lays golden eggs because it will bite you and leave when it realizes it can have a better life."
"So you want to bite her and leave?"
"Yes, but I think biting her is too light a punishment. I will make her regret treating me the way she did when all she wanted was to reap the rewards of my hard work."
"In that case, I am sure my father would love to help you. Just talk with him when you feel like it."
"Okay, I'll do that," I replied. "So, why'd you come here?"
"Oh, breakfast is ready. I made it all by myself, so I wanted you to try it."
"In that case, it better be tasty. I am going to give you a brutally honest review." I joked.
"Oh, yeah?" He laughed along.
"Mhm, I have had food from a world-class chef before, so my taste is quite gourmet."
"Oh my. I hope my humble meal meets your standards. But wasn't that when you were three?"
"I-" My face flushed. Draken did not have to call me out like that!
"Oh, my mistake. It's obvious the genius Miss Rose Fleur remembers everything from that age in great detail."
"Just lead the way to the kitchen," I pouted.
"Yes, ma'am."