I always thought the ability to put a smile on another person's face was not an act to be disregarded. I like to believe that it makes me equally happy to be able to do that. I'm not the warmest or most openly loving person out there. Perhaps, I am very much the opposite: cold and awkward, I hardly know how to navigate certain relationships. The only way I know how to show affection, weirdly enough, is with food. Baking, cooking, purchasing delectable things for others is my way of expressing my emotions. The fact I applied for a job in this clinic is surprising even to me. Something that requirs such emotional tact and finesse to deal with all sorts of behavioural and psychological problems; it shocks me I could survive this long on this job. I still have a long way to go.
I should have figured out a way to ask Primrose what happened to land her here, but I couldn't. I had no right to. I have to often keep in mind that she is a patient and I am an employee. I cannot let my personal feelings get the best of me no matter how important little Primrose has become to me in reality.
She wasn't in this clinic for no reason, but it did feel somewhat odd and unfair that she's been staying here full-time for years now. It was even more odd that all of a sudden a brother she never once mentioned popped up and was hell-bent on approaching her and making amends. I forgot my train of depressive thoughts when I saw the big smile adorning her face during and after her little picnic birthday. A moment of her pure happiness was worth a million unanswered questions, regardless if it weren't permanent. It truly is none of my business, but I care for her like my own little sister. When we were first introduced, I saw something of myself in her that both intrigued and disturbed me. We got on well enough at first and slowly gravitated closer since I gave her all the space she needed, all while paying attention to the things she likes so I can help her cultivate those interests and slowly pick up on things that are healthy and beneficial for her mind and soul, rather than have her focus on all the negatives and darkness.
My amateur social skills are hardly influential over people surrounding me, but everyone thinks that I worked wonders with Prim and the kiddos of her age category. I didn't. She just simply took a liking to me, I hoped.
*
'Are you sure you're okay?' Dom asked as we both cleaned up in silence. The kids had a curfew at night and were required to go back to their dorms. The few adults eventually left as well, and eventually it was just Dom and I.
'Yeah.' I looked up at him. 'Why do you ask?'
'You've suddenly gone silent. What's on your mind?'
I shrugged. 'Not much. Let's finish here so we can leave. I still have a family dinner to catch, remember?'
He finished throwing the rest of the paper plates in the trash bag. 'Seriously, is it about Prim and Adam?'
I put the last of the cake in a container and closed it before looking up at Dom. 'I told you I won't ask. It's none of my business dude.'
'Oh but you are curious.' He added, crossing his arms.
'Well, naturally.' I wiped my hands on some paper towel. 'I might be curious, but it's not my place to ask you nor Prim. I'm glad as long as she is happy okay?'
'I know that.' He sighed, running his fingers through his hair. 'I don't know the details of whatever happened but... maybe you can ask Adam instead?'
I frowned, looking at him questioningly. 'Me? You want me to ask that obnoxious jerk? No thank you. I'd rather not know.'
'Lily.' He coaxed amusedly. 'You know you're probably the closest person to Primrose right now. The guy might need your help in making up with his sister.'
'Again.' I huffed. 'I'm not that close to Prim, and I'm sure they can figure out their sibling quarrel on their own.'
'Maybe they can't and they need a little bit of meddling.' He hinted heavily. 'Don't tell me you'll refuse hearing him out if his intentions are to truly recuperate his relationship with Prim. Maybe at the end of it she'll have her brother back, a family.'
I stopped mid-thought, staring at the orange line of the horizon and the rising darkness. I was not as important or necessary to meddle between the siblings as Dom seemed to think. If I were... The thought brought many unpleasant feelings that coiled my stomach in stressful knots.
'Consider a career change, why don't you? A lawyer perhaps?' I said sarcastically and handed him the big rectangular container with leftover cake.
It drew a smile on his face. 'Thanks Lils, Mom and I will enjoy this fully.'
*
I left Dominic shortly after that to catch the first bus and go back to the house. I needed to change and leave to meet my lovely family in the restaurant Em texted me. If it were up for negotiation I would not have considered going in the first place but, alas, I am still supposed to humour their whims so as quickly as I possibly could, I put on a black top with my jeans and picked up my jacket on the way out.
The restaurant looked like everyone's stereotypical image of an expensive venue. I checked my surroundings self-conciously, noting how under-dressed I was in comparison with all the people dining here. The clerk at the reception didn't bother looking at me twice before he let me through and called a waiter to show me to the booked table. There were more people in attendance than I initially anticipated. Namely, my sister Isabelle whom I haven't seen since the last holidays. It's been a few years since she moved a state away to work on her own business- I suspected that was an excuse to just get away from this town and I wouldn't exactly blame her. I'd take the first opportunity to leave as well. Another man, as old as my own sperm donnor, sat at one end of the table. A smartly-dressed guy looking about ten years older than me sat opposite Belle, Em and her husband to his side. I took the chair next to Belle and shrugged off my jacket, saying a quick hello.
The conversation was briefly cut short between the older men when I arrived, and whilst my father looked at me with an obviously fake smile, I felt enough glares directed at me from Em and her husband. Rightfully so I suppose, since she'd emphasized how I shouldn't be late, but well- I had better things to attend to. I completely ignored her, and ordered some dish at the top of the menu as my father introduced me to his guests, putting on his most charming facade.
"This is my lovely daughter Lilianne." He said, and I found it hard to keep down from laughing or snorting. "She has a bit of a problem with punctuality, but that's on being young isn't it?"
He laughed boisterously with his guests. I busied myself with studying my father's guest, trying to gauge what kind of person he was. He looked somewhat familiar, but the last thing I would have remembered is meeting old boring associates of my father's. The man gave me a tight smile and nodded at me as if in greeting.
"I thought this was supposed to be a family dinner." I commented quietly to my half-sister I haven't seen in ages. The two of us were simply ignored in the flow of the others' conversation. Belle was distractedly playing with the napkin on her lap, staring down at her food.
She turned at the sound of my voice and shrugged. "Tell me about it." She seemed even more pissed and impatient than I was. "I should defenitely not have come. This is ridiculous."
I observed her curiously and decided to shrug off her comment. "You really hate it here don't you?"
It was a sarcastic statement, but she answered anyway. "Yeah. No offense to you little sis."
"None taken." I spooned a mouthful of the fancy risotto and watched the others curiously. Belle and I were on good terms, compared to the rest of the family. We weren't close or particularly warm to one another, but at least we were cordial and respectful. We did not want to choke each other in our sleep, something that cannot be said for me and Em unfortunately. "What's this dinner really for?"
"Some business deal probably. Though, I don't know what dad could possibly offer in return." Her gaze was stuck harshly elsewhere as she answered me. She was in some sort of stare-down with the handsome guy whom I suspected was the son of our father's business associate. He hadn't said a word since I sat down, but seemed to have no problem throwing scalding glares at Isabelle, that or he'd stare at her with a straight face and cold challenging look. What's up with these two?
"So Lilianne." The man suddenly spoke. "I heard you were studying at SHU. My son goes there too. How are you liking it so far?"
I looked at his son and frowned. He looked too old for college. He must have picked up on my confusion because he chuckled and shook his head. "Oh no, not Liam. He's past his college days. I was talking about Adam, my youngest."
My father butted in. "Yes now that you mention it, they could have met since they are in the same department. Considering Adam is a very-
I was blinking in suprise at the mention of that name that I forgot to hear the rest of their exchange. I only snapped out of my stupefaction when Ian responded to something the old man said. Probably a compliment since he'd laughed unnecessarily loudly. "Thank you, Mr. O'Connor."
Slowly, I turned to stare blatantly at the man, just now catching up as to why that same deep blue eye-color and those facial features seemed oddly familiar. Now it was making so much more sense. This also meant that these men, they were Prim's family. To say I was extremely confused would be an understatement.
"That would be a good idea. Don't you think?"
Isabelle nudged my foot under the table. I missed the entire conversation. She leaned in and whispered. "They're talking about introducing you two."
"Us?" I pointed at myself. "As in me and Adam?"
I looked around the table, finding the two men waiting for me with anticipation. Am I being set up right now? I shook my head. "No thank you. That is not going to happen. Sorry to disappoint."
My dad shot me an annoyed glare but I ignored it like I'm used to ignoring his existence. So this is why they were so adamant on my presence to this dinner. Hell no. I pushed my plate away from me and got to my feet, ignoring the disapproving looks from my sister and her husband. "I have important things to attend to. Have a lovely rest of your evening." I smiled sardonically and grabbed my jacket before leaving.
Footsteps followed behind me when I stormed off the ten minute walk to the bus station. I was building up myself for a fight if it were a member of my family trying to push me around, but the voice was decisively masculine when it called my name. I turned around and was confounded at seeing the guy, Liam, huffing when he reached me.
"Hey." He greeted awkwardly when he picked up his breath and smoothed his hair back.
I lifted a brow and crossed my arms, waiting for an explanation rather than a'hey'. He chuckled at my skepticism and offered me a hand. "I am Liam. I don't think whatever that was earlier counted as a proper introduction."
I shook his hand hesitantly. "Lilianne, and yes... Your dad and with mine have been distractingly delusional for any of that to be proper. No offense."
He openly laughed and it was suprising to see none of the coldness and distance in his demeanor from earlier. "I can't argue with that. I was impressed by a Hart for the first time in awhile so I couldn't pass up this opportunity."
"You'll be disappointed to know that I'm not a Hart then." I shrugged.
He cocked his head to the side. "I'm confused. Are you his step-daughter or something?"
"I wish." I waved away his confusion. "No, I'm Lilianne Rhodes. I don't want to associate myself with that man if possible."
"Understood." He nodded solemnly. I stared at his blunt response and he was quick to add. "Your dad is a piece of work."
"I take it you aren't his biggest fan." I nodded to myself. "Why did you attend that dinner then?"
"For the same reason you did." An unreadable look passed his face quickly. "Someone had to step in for this since Adam wouldn't have. He isn't on the best terms with dad."
I chuckled, feeling silly. This day was absurdly eventful. "Won't you look at that, a bunch of people with daddy issues. What are the odds?"
He laughed along but the carefree air about him vanished after awhile. Suddenly he seemed dead serious as he looked me straight in the eye. "Lilianne, I'll make you a deal."