Chicago Midway International Airport
The weather was particularly cold in Chicago. It was snowing for the first time in December this year. A van was waiting in the parking lot of the airport.
"Young master? I think they're going to arrive soon" The driver said to the man on one of the back seats who dozed off a while ago. "master?"
"mmh" He mumbled something and squinted his eyes, he saw that it was getting dark, "what time is it already?" He yawned.
"It is past six" the driver said as he peeked at him through the rearview.
"Finally, I thought we were going to stay till the morning. It is even snowing uh"
He stretched out his arms and went out
He stepped inside the airport and strode to the terminal to wait for the passengers who were likely to arrive from the apron
After ten minutes, a group of people showed up. Some screaming from excitment by seeing their family or friends
He waved to the three women with their luggages in tow
"Look who's here, did you decide to take us because you didn't want to entertain the old lady at home?" The woman with dirty blonde hair mocked. Her ocean blue eyes looked at him with amusement. She was a typical American beauty with an average height. She wore a top with jeans and a coat to protect her from the cold
"I waited for an hour for you guys so be more grateful" he rolled his eyes "By the way you've gained weight Bri. We didn't see each other just over a week and you already look like a whale" he tries to get in her hair.
"Ha so funny" she sneered
"Lead us to the vehicle Kyle, we don't have time for your bad jokes" The other woman with brown hair and black eyes said with a serious look, she was the eldest between them, around thirty. She was 165cm tall, her gestures were refined. Her pants flare and blouse gave her an elegant appeal with the trench that reached her knees.
"Glad to see you too Jen" He smirked at her then he shifted his attention to the youngest with baggy jeans and a hoodie who had a bored look on her face as she looked at her phone. She was beyond pretty with a long black hair which was a mess certainly from sleeping during the flight. She was a mix between American and Asian traits but in a way that makes her stand out from others. Her green eyes contrasted her pale skin, a mole above the left part of her lips and her long lashes that was gently curved
He smiled at her "welcome back Winter"
The girl was busy cheking her phone but as she heard him, she muttered "I'm relieved to know that you were the one waiting for us and not the way around" She finally lifted her head and gave him a grin.
She passed by him and walked ahead. Seeing that he was not moving she turns around "Are we going or not? I'm beat"
He sighs and walked ahead of them to lead the way
On the way inside the car
"The city didn't change at all" Brianna uttered as they passed by the districts of Chicago, the ride was long "It has been eight years since we left"
"This time you'll surely stay once and for all"
"That is someting you can't say, it is becoming more serious with William" she smiled and then she sulked again when thinking "Why did we have to come back so soon, I think he was preparing to propose to me"
Kyle scoffed "Maybe this little distance will help him reconsider"
She hits him with her purse as he defends himself with his hands.
As they continue with their bickering, Jennifer looks at the girl who was lost in her thoughts by the window. They were side by side as the two others were facing them. It was a rear facing car seat.
"What are you thinking of?" She whispered to her
"Nothing" she looked back at her and smiled. After a long silence she asks "Where are we going exactly?"
"The new main mansion in Lincoln Park" Kyle looked at her and continues "The departure of Joaquin and Mateo made the mansion emptier though"
"What happened exactly?" Jen inquired seriously
Chicago was known to be one of the wealthiest cities in USA. the car drives past the tall buildings and imposing monuments filled with lights which adorned the whole city.
"Joaquin joined the underworld" he said with an aggraved look. He paused and kept on saying "he was secretly groomed to be the next don of the Lucchese by his uncle, you know Axel, auntie's younger brother. She never dared to go against him, he had control over her even after she married to the family."
It only meant that he had something against her. Did he blackmail her ? Winter thought as she listens, morever she was her mother more precisely her adoptive mother
"One of the worst part is that idiot Mateo who followed him as well. Liam is the only potential successor left but that doesn't solve anything since he pursued his career as a doctor and no one seems to be interested to be the next CEO of the family's business. The old man is enraged by the situation" he sighed
"Why don't you go for it then?" Winter smirked
"I love my freedom, for once i'm grateful to not be qualified enough on something"
They never considered him as a potential successor as Joaquin was the family's prodigy since his childhood. No one thoughts that he would actualLy follow his uncle to the Luccheses, the mafia family who ruled the underworld of Chicago.
Winter wasn't really interested in all of those matters but as she was "part" of the Wheelers, she was bound to be aware of all of their issues even if she didn't want to.
Liam the eldest was thirty two, Mateo the second son was twenty five and Joaquin twenty, they were her adoptive brothers. She's not close to The younger ones compared to Liam whom she truly considered as her big brother, besides his wife was her former therapist.
The siblings moved to England eight years ago from Chicago along with their aunt who's Kyle, Brianna and Jennifer's mother since she divorced her husband and wanted to start anew. They all left for their own reasons. Liam met the love of his life there and had a contractual marriage, he returned to Chicago one year ago way before them
"I can already imagine the tension at home" Brianna muttered
The rest of the ride was filled with other discussions
Lincoln Park
The lights were on in the the overly big property. the outskirts were composed of residential neighborhood with big appartments and mansions.
The car entered the huge gates and passed by a small road with trees on each side before they caught sight of the house, a very big house. They were not familiar with this place as the family bought it long after their departure, the former main house was sold because the elders wanted a more ancient estate.
The driver went out and opened the car's door for them.
Winter got out first followed by the other three.
She saw the front doors opening suddenly as a woman looked over and them and ran to them. It was her mother
"You're finally here" she emotionally said and hugged the girl tightly. Then she held her face to see her features more clearly "you always grow taller"
"Hello mom" Winter said with her usual big smile. A smile that she was accustomed to give people out of courtesy. She is not an insincere person but she learned to smile to people instead of being disrepectful or indifferent to them as she was taught.
She was not close with her adoptive mother as when she was nine so the woman seemed a little bit unfamiliar to her, even if she usually talked to her through the phone. it was limited to her asking about her wellbeing or her studies though. She even went to England when Winter participated in school contests or over her birthdays and send gifts on christmas. She was without a doubt trying to be a good mother to her. She was the one who wanted to leave anyway which very saddened the woman at that time. Winter was too stubborn and eventually received the elder man's approval. He always had the final say in everything.
"I'm so happy that you've returned" She affectionaly said before greeting Brianna and Jennifer by hugging them as well.
"You never age auntie, you're still as beautiful as when we last saw each other" Brianna complimented.
"Oh my.. thank you, you're ten times more beautiful" she beamed at her.
"I'm glad to see you aunt Freya" Jennifer politely said
"Still courteous as before Jennifer, call me auntie like the others will you" She smiled kindly.
Jennifer just nods and returned her smile.
"Hurry up and come in, your grandmother is in her room and doen't know of your arrival yet. She will be surprised as Kyle and i decided to not tell her" She seemed excited
"I hope she doesn't die of joy" He chuckled
"She will certainly not. We're talking about your grandmother here"
"Is she as arrogant and old fashioned as before?" Winter inquired as she laughs
"lower your voice. Even if she may be content to see you, she won't hesitate to punish you in her usual own way" Kyle flicked her left ear.
"Ouch and what was that for?" She kicks his leg in retalation.
"Madam? the old madam is looking for you" a middle aged man interupted and greeted the new arrivals when he saw them.
"Let's get in then" they walked in and was greeted with a huge living room where an old woman around eighty was seated on the sofa patting a sleeping cat on her lap. She had a soft look on her face then lifted her head to see the movement near the entrance and with a surprised look on her face she exclaimed "Oh dear lord, am i dreaming?"
She abruptly stood up which woke the fur ball as he landed on the carpet.
"No you're very much awake grandma, aren't you going to hug your favorite granddaughter?" Brianna strode to her with wide arms
"Have some manners young girl" she said sternly as she smacked the young woman's arm with a stick that never separates from her.
Brianna pouted while stroking her arm. Jennifer stepped forward to politely greet her grandmother.
"That's more like it. You both are undoubtedly different in many ways" She remarked.
"mmh and this one should be your daughter Freya" she looked at Winter who was busy inspecting the living room with interest. The house was ancient but with a modern touch.
Freya cleared her voice.
Winter finally looked at the old lady
"Hello"
"She has changed. This is not the same tiny awkward girl i knew" She taunted.
Winter smirked at her. "Everyone can change" she pointed out as they looked at each other's eyes.
The relationship beetween the two was difficult to describe. In her childhood days, Winter never interacted with anybody, she had no friends, she was a silent child and never threw a tantrum. The old woman in those days observed her closely and sometimes they were seen seating near the pond together observing the fish. No one never knew what they were talking about.
"Well that's good" she finally broke the eye contact first.
"Where is grandpa?" Jennifer asked to break the little tension. Even she can't decipher the deal between the two.
"He had matters to attend and will be late for dinner. We can eat first".
"Jeffrey?" she called out loud.
The same middle aged man before appeared "Yes madam?"
"I'm sure my daughter-in-law here had made a feast, you can prepare dor dinner"
"I will immediately set the table" he politely said and got away.
"I presume that Dorothea is the one that won't come back until one month"
They weren't supposed to arrive before one month but decided to come back first.
"Yes, she has to settle things first before definitely departing from England" Jennifer explained. The old lady nodded
"I already prepared the bedrooms in advance, i think it's better if you all undo your luggages tomorrow" Freya told them
The girls climbed the strairs to their own rooms to freshen up guided by Freya. The old lady dragged his grandson with her to talk. Winter chuckled seeing him asking her for help as they went upstairs.