Flumain quietly stared at her research in anger. She couldn't get why her researches were leading her back to square one. She tore the works she had scribbled into pieces and threw it on the floor. Her room was a mess. With papers all around. Her books were scattered on the floor and on the bed. Coffee caps and biscuit wrappers were all around. It was a complete mess. she really wanted to scream out loud. But instead she threw all her books from her study desk on the floor. She got up from her seat and fell on her bed. She was tired. After she got her PhD, she wanted to do something new with her life. So she decided to learn something that will benefit her family business. She was never a fun of alcohol and so , she wanted to do a type of alcohol even she would consume. This research has been eating into her life a lot. She sometimes even thought about giving up. But then, she remembers...
No! She's not a failure. She's going to continue with her work. As she decided to rise from her bed, her phone started ringing. She searched for it using the sound but couldn't find it.
"Arghhhh" she screamed stressed.
The sound stopped and seconds later, it started ringing again. This time she saw it flashing from under the papers she crumpled on the floor.
"How did it get there??" She asked her self silently.
It was her brother Philip.
"Hello" she said in a bored tone
"Dress up. I'm coming for you. And Fred says Hi"
With that, the call ended and she stared blankly at the phone.
"Ttch... dress up I'm coming.." she said mimicking his voice and rolling her eyes
"He didn't even ask if I'm busy or not. I wish I could just disappear " she said completely annoyed.
She pushed her huge glasses up the bridge of her nose and went straight to her wardrobe. Her dresses were all the same. Either black in color or red. Something that will save her from washing.she hated doing anything else apart from completing her research. She just stood in front of her wardrobe and silently cried. If Fred was really coming along, she was sure she'll get scolded by him because of her choice of clothing.
It didn't even take a second when she heard her doorbell ring.
"WHAT??... they're here so soon??? " she said nervousness written all over her face.
She walked out her room and descended the little stair case. She moved out of the family residence when she begun her research. He brothers had not been helping when they were setting up dates and outings for her to attend. She always tried to agree with it but it annoyed her. With that, she moved out to get a little apartment not very far from the main residence. It was enough to curb the plans of her brothers. Her parents were manageable because, they never really complained about what she does. Father was and is still proud of her achievements. Mother..... she usually helps her brothers out in setting up "friendly dates". That's how she calls it. she made a way up to the door and breathed in. She didn't have to look through the pin hole to know who was at the front door. She could hear Fred's usual chatter. She opened the door and there stood her two elder brothers.
"Flumaaaaaaaaain..... how I missed my pretty little... your not dressed up??" Fred asked hugging her tightly. Philip entered her apartment and started looking around. Fred let her go and took of those huge glasses from a face. He broke them and threw them by the bin next to the door.
"Better" he mumbled
"....." Flumain was once again rendered speechless by her brother. She turned around and saw Phil open her fridge. Her kitchen was right next to the hall so she could easily spot him.
"And.... there's nothing. Why aren't I surprised?" Phil asked looking at his sister with a glare.
"What?? I was supposed to go for grocery shopping today when you guys called me..." Flumain tried to act innocent
"Whatever" Phil said clearly angered
"I think we should all go to the mall and get some dresses for Kitty cause she can't send this "..... Fred pointed at her ...." to our outing."
Phil started moving ones again to the door. His silence meant yes**
Flumain just stood there with a glare directed at Fred.
" boys... I'm quite busy today. I have a lot of errands to run plus my research is almost...."
"Flumain... your always busy" Phil pointed out
"I'm not trying to avoid you but , today feels right. I think I've got the right formulae for the resear....."
"Don't stress it... you would rather spend time learning than with your brothers. I understand " this time Phil spoke his voice cracking with each word he uttered. Fred simply nodded with a sad expression. Fred turned around pretending to leave when.....
"Wait!" She called out
Phil was the first to turn around and look at his sister whose eyes were red and cheeks flushed.
"I'm coming wait for me " she said turning around to climb upstairs.
Fred started laughing.
"She always falls for it" Fred said still laughing hard When Phil smacked his head" you know she will hear your laugh " he said
"Ouchhh! " Fred rubbed his head.
Phil just shrugged his shoulders and let out a smile. That smile which could make even the angriest man calm down
"Ttch" . Fred just walk out crying out complains
Flumain descended the stairs again this time in something descent. It was a red straight dress with short sleeves. From the waist to the knees was like a pencil type skirt. It fitted her well and it helped accentuate her feminine curves. Flumain was blessed with wide hips. She tied her hair in a pony tail. She looked very beautiful even without make up. She was dressed simply but at the same time one couldn't set his or her eyes away from her.
Flumain never liked attention and try to cover up her self in baggy colorless clothing but today, she didn't want to upset her brothers and so, she thought to dress up like how the other girls did. She didn't have any make up around so she couldn't do anything about her face. She felt shy descending the stairs. Philip was still by the door with his left hand in his pocket and holding his phone in his right hand. He heard her steps and he rose his head.
"That's my sister" he said smiling genuinely at her. His eyes carried a lot of words. He didn't need to talk a lot because, she understood them all. She silently walked to him and hit him on the chest playfully.
"Let's go or else we'll be late"she said still smiling. Philip closed the door and Flumain locked it. They both headed towards the car where Fred was sitting at the front seat playing games with his phone. Fred looked up and smiled slyly at her.
" I wonder who she is" Fred said looking around
"Where's Flumain??" He asked still smiling.
Flumain rolled her eyes and opened the back seat of the car. She sat in and waited for Phil.
Phil went to the front seat and drove off
———————
At the Newton City Mall
************************
It was stressing going round the mall looking for dinner clothings, randoms, beach wears, work clothings and others. They moved around for two hours with the manager of the mall assisting them. It was remaining with 20 minutes to supper and Flumain was starving. After the shopping, Fred recommended they went to Plush to eat. Plush was a famous hotel where only the rich and the fortunate got to dine there. It was a ten minutes drive and Flumain could wait. Phil drove quickly and they arrived before ten minutes . They booked a table and ordered quickly. The food arrived and Flumain made sure to eat everything provided on the plate.
With no talks and banters, everyone ate their meal in silence.
"Flumain, we need to talk t....." Phil was interrupted by a call. He checked the caller and knew he couldn't ignore.
"I'll be back " he stated and got up from his seat
"Yes" he answered coldly
"I called him. Luckily for you guys, he's already in the city and so.... I told him to meet up tomorrow"
The caller on the other end said as a matter of fact
"Tomorrow 11 am .... bring him to the Walker's main residence" Phil coldly said
"Okay " the caller answered
Having nothing else to say, Phil cut the call and headed back to the table
The restaurant is indeed fancy thought Flumain to her self. The lights were golden with high and mighty chandeliers above them. The tables round with polish woods. The room chilly with the view of the stars above them. The ceiling was glass.
The walls of the restaurant was glass too and because they were on the last floor, they saw the whole city.
"Beautiful" she muttered to her self
"Very" Fred said agreeing with her
"What did Phil want to talk about?" She asked
"He's almost here. He'll fill you in on the info" he said sipping the Walker grape flavored alcohol.
He smacked his lips indicating how good it tasted
"You should try it" he said winking at her
"Thanks but no thanks" she said rolling her eyes
Phil came and sat down.
"Who called??" Fred asked
Phil gave Fred a knowing look and Fred nodded
"All set up??" He asked
Phil nodded.
"Perfect" Fred said sipping his drink once again
"What is set up??" A confused Flumain asked
This time Phil spoke
" we have a surprise for you tomorrow. We'll pick you up at 1pm. We'll choose the clothes you'll wear"
"What surprise??" She asked curiosity sparkling out of her
"Telling you won't make it a surprise right??" Phil asked with a smile
"At least give me a hint.... else you know I won't be able to sleep" she said almost crying
Fred nudged Phil to give her a hint
"Okay.... we'll introduce you to someone. That's all You need to know" Phil said clearly tired of talking
"Okayyy... I'd be glad to meet the surprise.... iiiiiii" Flumain started squealing happily
"It's a veeeeeeeeeery big surprise. You'd be so shocked " Fred said stressing the very
"Really???" Flumain's bright eyes couldn't help it self from getting bigger.
"Yes... I and Phil planned this. Mom and Dad do not know about this surprise either" Fred said smiling widely
"Freddie tell me more" Flumain begged giving him that face
"Sure I'll tell you mor...." Fred was cut of by a smack on his head again
"Ouch! Phil .... "
"Shut your mouth ... just don't talk anymore" Phil said getting up from his seat.
" ..... always smacking my head. Why don't you just simply tell me to keep quiet??" He said quietly to himself
"Because you won't listen. If pressure fails, force must be applied" Phil pointed out
" hi hi hi hi hi " Flumain giggled. Since childhood, her brothers were always like this. Their little banter always made home lively. That's one thing she misses the most since she moved out.
They all walked out together attracting more on lookers. Before, because of their hunger, they didn't mind how people stared at them but now, Flumain was conscious of her self. The lustrous gazes she received from men made her very uncomfortable.
Fred sensing this went closer to her
"Don't worry. I'll break their noses before they can come close to you" he winked at her and held her hands.
The elevator was occupied and so they needed to use the stairs. Descending the stairs was good since it helped them digest what they just ate. They made it to the last floor and headed out with smiles on their faces except Phil of course whose face held nothing but nonchalance.