"This is where we live and where I grew up, darling. However, now that I am an adult, I live outside. I have my own personal area. I prefer more independence, so it's just my father, mother, and younger siblings here. My older brother also lives outside, but we all get together once a week for a family gathering."
Lucilla didn't hold back when it came to telling Avita about her family, and the curious Avita began to listen intently.
She had forgotten she had been fired the day before, and even if she dwelled on it, nothing would change.
"The mansion has twenty bedrooms in total, and there is................................."
The more Avita listened, the worse her headache became. What would a family of seven need twenty bedrooms for?
This didn't even cover the villa in the back where the maids stayed. When she compared this level of luxury to her one-bedroom apartment, she suddenly remembered what the peacock had told her.
'Is being wealthy such a tremendous privilege?'
As they made their way into the mansion, Avita and Lucilla both came to a halt as a blur neared them.
"Ha ha ha, Avi, that's my baby brother, the youngest of us five!" Felix, who had just hurried out to Avita, was introduced by Lucilla.
Avita kept a straight expression as she gazed at the younger lad who had just arrived. Even Lucilla had no idea what was going on in her brain.
Avita soon recovered herself and smiled at Felix, saying, "It's nice to finally meet you, Felix."
Felix flushed when he heard that charming voice coming from that plain-looking woman; "the pleasure is mine!" he exclaimed before racing back inside.
When she saw this side of Felix, Lucilla clutched her stomach and burst out laughing, "ha ha, I knew it. Avita is unrivaled. With just a few words, you managed to subdue my baby brother!"
Avita puzzledly gazed at Lucilla, wondering what was wrong with these two siblings, "what are you talking about?"
"Heh, you'll get it later. Let us enter. Mom should be here by now!"
Avita followed with a nod of her head. She didn't dare to glance around too much as a guest. There were simply too many eyes on her, and if she pretended to be a country bumpkin, wouldn't she lose face?
When she walked in, Lucilla cheerfully introduced Avita to the servants, so that the next time she visits, they won't have to treat her as a stranger.
After a period of walking and being shown various rooms, Avita arrived at the sitting room, where she was advised to seat while they waited for the madam.
"You don't need to be worried about my mother. Trust me, she's a beautiful lady!" Lucilla's eyes shone brightly as she spoke about her mother.
Everyone in Wakothanie and Oshua knew Madam Larson was the second wife, making Lucilla and her older brother the first wife's children.
What surprised me was how Lucilla, the proud daughter of heaven, could be so complimentary of her stepmother.
This demonstrated not only how much this woman was devoted to her husband's children, but also how she served as a role model for other stepmothers.
Avita stared at her pal with eager eyes and exclaimed, "I can't wait to meet your mother!"
Lucilla was relieved to hear this, and her mother will now also be Avita's mother. Lucilla didn't mind sharing the warmth with Avita because she was an orphan.
She might have grown up astray or been raised by a nasty stepmother if Felicia hadn't taken care of her like a genuine daughter after her mother died.
Cinderella stories were true, and every day, someone went through what Cinderella went through, but without the prince appearing to save her from the clutches of evil.
While Avita was looking around and listening to Lucilla, a maid came in and served them some juice before leaving. After the maid had gone, someone else entered the living room, and it was a familiar face.
"Felix, please come here!" Lucilla summoned her younger brother.
Felix went up to his sister and sat down next to her before turning to face Avita, who had taken him by surprise earlier.
"Feli, you must call my friend here, big sister Avita, from now on. Are you capable of doing that?" Lucilla inquired, coaxingly.
She was scared Felix would bother Avita and mock her because she knew him so well. She didn't want her connection with Avita to suffer as a result of pranks.
"Big sister Avita, it’s nice to see you!" Felix said shyly.
Lucilla's eyes were filled with shock as she glanced at Felix. What did this tiny man consume to make him so obedient?
And when she looked at Avita, she had no idea what to think. Avita's eyes were filled with love for Felix, and there was no more confusion in them.
"Umm, Felix, do you mind if I shake your hand?" Avita asked, hesitantly, as she glanced at the young man dressed in extremely nice clothes that might cover a year's rent for herself.
Felix stared at Avita hesitantly before agreeing, "Sure, but can I get a hug instead?"
Lucilla was perplexed when she heard this. When did this young boy start giving strangers hugs?
Hearing this, Avita felt so energized that she nodded her head and smiled, charming not only the Larson siblings in the room but also the passing staff.
"Sure, I would love to."
Felix didn't wait to be chastised by his sister or for Avita to reconsider her mind; he simply rose up and moved quickly to where she was seated.
Avita reacted by standing up and taking the tiny kid into her arms.
Felix had no idea what was going on, but something deep inside him yearned for this stranger's touch.
He was so taken with her that he wanted to be close to her.
He knew he was insane and that what he was doing made no sense, but being in her arms at this moment made him feel like he belonged there.
"Big sister, you smell wonderful!"
When Avita heard this, she laughed and patted the young boy's head, saying, "You smell good too. How about you tell me everything you used to smell so good like this?"
"Then will you tell me also what you use?" Felix asked back.
Avita smiled warmly at the small kid and said, "I will not leave out a single thing."
"That's great. You just made a vow!"