Vivian stared at her mother for some seconds then slowly shook her head. " I don't care Mum... I just want to be with him, " she replied coldly and her mother grabbed her hands.
" Dear, please listen to me. . . you have to come back to your senses and face the reality__ if you don't stop, you'll regret__"
" Leave me alone." Vivian cut her off and yanked her hand off then slowly wiped her tears.
" I don't care if I'll regret it... can't you see? I love him so much, Mum... I love him." She lay back on the bed and clutched tightly on the pillow.
Her mother sobbed softly and transferred the food tray back to the bedside table then moved closer and wrapped her arms around her. " This is not love dear. . . you're obsessed with him__ please don't be like this... Let go of him... please, " she muttered softly then sighed helplessly.
" I don't care. . . I love him, " she whispered then tightened her grip on the pillow as more tears fell on it.
" Viv, please__"
" Leave me. don't touch me!" Vivian tried to wriggle out of her mother's embrace when the door suddenly opened with a bang and their eyes widened.
" You impudent fool!!! Did I train you to be this weak!!!?" Her father barged inside the room and charged toward her.
Vivian gasped and jerked up on the bed while her mother tried to shield her.
" Father I love__"
* Pak!!!*
Her father's slap sounded through the whole room and Vivian sniffed while holding her burning cheek.
" Stop it!... please. stop hitting her," Her mother's sobs intensified and she tried to shield her again, but instantly got shoved away by the man and landed on the floor.
" Get out of here!!! Now!!! " The man glared at his wife and she quickly stood up and scurried out of the room while turning to look at her daughter helplessly.
" Eat!!!" He turned to Vivian and snapped.
She slowly nodded and removed her hand from the cheek which had now swollen and red. She picked up the food tray with trembling hands then started eating.
" You will go back there tomorrow, " her father started calmly and Vivian looked up from her food with a gasp.
" Father, b..But the wedding__"
" Eat! " he glared at her and she continued eating.
" You think I don't know what I'm doing? Hehe." The man chuckled then continued. " This is just the beginning." A cold glint flashed through his eyes and Vivian gasped.
" W..what do you mean. . . " she trailed off as she received another glare from her father and then turned back to her food.
" About that girl..." He started and her hands trembled slightly.
" Father, how did you__"
" Quiet!!!" he snapped then said in a low tone, " You know what to do when you go back."
Vivian frowned slightly then after some seconds her expression brightened. " You mean. . ."
Her father nodded then glanced at the broken lamp in a corner and a chuckle escaped his lips.
********
" Big Sis, aren't you going to work?" Lily asked softly while frying an egg as her sister sat on the stool, facing the kitchen counter, still in her pajamas.
Clara shook her head with a small smile. " Carl had gone to a business trip. . . he'll come back two weeks later, " she replied and handed her a plate.
" Oh." Lily nodded then heard her sister ask.
" Uhm Lily... are you sure you want to move to the school's hostel? After we return from Jack's engagement. right?" Clara continued.
Lily paused with a small gasp then sighed inside and turned off the stove. " Y..Yes, " she replied in a whisper then served the egg on two plates while Clara stood up to make the tea.
They both ate silently on the dining table and Clara sighed after a while then dropped the bread. " I suddenly miss my babies, " she said softly then continued. " Lara must be so scared... I wonder who those people are. and why would they want to take my babies."?
She sighed again then after some seconds frowned slightly and glanced at her sister. " Lily, why are you spacing out?"
" Lily?" She called out again and the girl snapped out of her thoughts.
" Big Sis..., can I not go to the engagement?" Lily asked softly and bit her lips.
" Why? Is something wrong?" Clara's frown deepened and watched as she slowly shook her head.
" I..I want to study more, " Lily replied softly then picked up the fork again.
Clara also shook her head and a small smile appeared on her lips. " Lily, Jack had also invited you... He specifically sent your invitation through his assistant... besides, the school will not resume until a few weeks later. See?... Please let's go together."
Lily sighed inside and looked up. She was about to reply when the doorbell suddenly starts ringing.
" I'll get it, " Clara said and stood up then hurried toward the door and the girl sighed again then continued eating.
" Clara, " Mira whispered after the door was opened and instantly hugged her with teary eyes.
" I missed you too." Clara chuckled and sniffed then also hugged her back.
They walked inside the room after breaking from the hug and Mira sneaked a glance at her friend who was looking calm then sighed in relief.
Her eyes landed on Lily who had come out of the kitchen and she turned to Clara after sitting on the couch. " Is she your sister?"
Clara nodded with a smile and sat down beside her. " Yeah, her name's Lily."
" She's so beautiful." Mira chuckled then stood up and walked toward the girl.
" Hi Lily, I'm your Big Sister's best friend... It's so nice to meet you, " she said with a grin and suddenly hugged the girl.
" You wouldn't want Maya to hear that." Clara shook her head with a chuckle and watched her sister's stunned expression.
" Well, aren't I your best friend?" Mira pouted and Clara nodded quickly.
" Yes, yes... Of course, you are. "
Lily giggled softly after Mira had released her from the hug then walked inside the bedroom.