I narrowed my gaze, raising the chopsticks in my hand while Fifi did the same.
The last piece of rice cake sat between us, and while Priscilla answered an urgent phone call, I had no plans to withdraw from the challenge.
For someone who didn't have any experience being human, Fifi fitted in quickly. She behaved like any five-year-old kid would in front of our shared mother.
I need to get used to calling her my mother, or a time would come when I might slip and call her woman or Priscilla instead.
"This is mine."
Fifi claimed. I scoffed.
"It's mine."
"You're my older brother. You should give it up."
I chuckled.
"In Nirvana's count, you are older than me. Don't you dare use our biological age in here."
Fifi pouted, she then attempted to put her chopsticks on the rice cake, but I was quick to fight her. The chopsticks in her hands flew, leaving her defenseless as I grabbed the rice cake and put it on my plate.
I stuck my tongue out to her just as the woman came back.
While I happily munched on the savory food, Fifi folded her tiny hands over her chest and called for the tears to spring in her eyes.
"What's wrong, darling?" the woman, our mother, immediately had Fifi face her.
Fifi's lips trembled, and before she could point an accusatory finger toward me, I mouthed something that made her drop her hands and shake her head.
Giving me a sideways glance, I offered Fifi my glass of lemon juice. Our mother, suspicious of my actions, narrowed her gaze for a bit before breaking into a grin.
"That's so sweet of your brother, Esther. What do you say?"
Sniffing dramatically, Fifi turned to me, smiling brightly while she wiped at her eyes.
"Thank you, brother."
Hopping out of her seat, she came to me, purposely throwing her tiny body and crushing me in a tight hug.
"You're the ugly one," she whispered.
I mentally chuckled, ignoring the silent threat those words entailed.
I needed to find a way so that Fifi couldn't take advantage of the doting mother and have me in trouble all the time.
My life would continue to be a nightmare if I let her torture me this way. She thought it was amusing. Well, she has yet to know what I'm capable of.
Mouthing ugly was only a test. I didn't know it would work on her. And I'm glad she took the bait.
After releasing me from the 'innocent' display of affection, Fifi and I stared at each other, an electric current passing between us.
Each promised to be keeping an eye on the other.
'Oh, this would be fun.'
I never liked kids.
But I don't hate them either.
I guess I'm just not fond of children. I find them annoying most of the time.
If I ever married someone, I think I could only allow one child in our marriage. I prefer not to have them if possible.
My birth mother might be cursing at me now, and she had every right to do so.
I did try to tell her about this. It was probably why I had trouble talking with other women, especially those I like.
The topic of marriage and building a family scared me.
Hence, I didn't share the same affection Exo's mother had for Fifi. Although, admittedly, she was exuding an overload of cuteness. Still, that's not enough to change my mind about keeping her in check.
Given that she had been in Nirvana for I don't know how long, I was right to assume that she was older than me.
Her soul was probably twice and even thrice mature than mine. Yet, it doesn't even show.
Satisfied that her children won't start fighting, Priscilla left the table to answer another phone call. She went in the direction of her bedroom and shut the door close.
I heard the lock click and then silence.
"Was that a lover?"
Fifi shrugged. She padded towards the door and pressed her ears to it.
"Hey!" I hissed. She looked at me defiantly, narrowing her gaze before putting a finger on her lips to silence me.
"Eavesdropping is bad. You're a naughty little girl."
Somehow, the phrase sounded wrong, but Fifi was too innocent to understand what I did.
Fifi ignored me. She continued to eavesdrop while I got up and decided to wash the plates. It was the least I could do.
To add, our shared mother didn't even scold me. I'm pretty sure the school called her regarding my absence for today.
Either she didn't care, or she would rather I realize my guilt and apologize to her.
I don't do apologies, though. So, I won't say anything if she wouldn't. Therefore, I will try and be a good son tonight.
Tomorrow is another day.
I cleaned the table, taking the dirty dishes to the sink. While Fifi was figuring out whom the woman was talking to, I put on the earphones and searched Exo's playlist.
The water was cold, but I didn't mind.
The first song that played in my ears was something I didn't know. Yet I bobbed my head to the beat and hummed the song after the second chorus.
I had finished washing the last plate when a hand tapped me by the shoulders. I turned and found myself face to face with a familiar face.
My knees began to buckle, and my heart raced, beating like crazy as she smiled at me.
Her stormy grays eyed me up and down.
My thoughts had become chaotic at the mere sight of her.
"Damn, Exo," she greeted, glancing at the clean pile of dishes by the sink. The faucet was left running; however, I could no longer hear it, and neither was the music.
"Wi-winter?" I stated, my lips quivering.
Disbelief, awe, and everything in between clashed within me. It was hard to breathe and think at the same time.
I watched her fold her hands over her enormous chest, my eyes bulging at the sight of it. Her white blouse did nothing to conceal her figure.
Wanting to keep my thoughts pure, I looked away and tried to search for something to focus on.
But then Winter chose that moment to grab my chin. She assessed my face and had me facing one side and the other.
"I don't know what's gotten into you lately, but I like what I'm seeing."
'Me too.' I thought.