I woke up with a sense of excitement, knowing that today was the day I would explore the bustling streets of New York City with my father. As I got ready, I couldn't help but feel a mix of nervousness and anticipation. This would be my first time venturing out into a new city on my own, and I couldn't wait to see what it had in store for me.
After a hearty breakfast with my new founded family, my dad and I set off for our shopping adventure. As we stepped out onto the busy streets, I became stunned by the astounding sight in front on me. The towering skyscrapers, the honking taxis and the sea of people scurrying by all seemed so different from the quiet suburban neighborhood I had grown up in.
Hand in hand, My dad and I weaved through the crowd, making our way to the famous Fifth Avenue. The street was lined with luxurious shops, each showcasing their finest merchandise in their grand windows. I used to hear stories about this place from my foreign friends on social media. They used to tell me, Fifth avenue is one of the most expensive shopping street in the world, and I bet you, they weren't lying.
My heart skipped a beat as we made our way to the first store, a wave of excitement rushed over me. My dad, noticing my enthusiasm, he smiled warmly look at me. "Ana, today is all about you. Take your time and explore. If there's anything you like, don't hesitate to let me know." He assured me.
With those encouraging words, I began to immerse myself in the world of fashion and style. I tried on countless outfits, admiring myself in the mirrors, and feeling a newfound sense of confidence. My dad patiently waited, offering his opinion and advice whenever I asked for it.
As we continued our shopping spree, I couldn't help but applaud myself for making a rightful decision by following my dad to this country. "Thank you dad for giving me this opportunity." I smiled while I hugged him tightly. "You deserve it." He grinned.
*******************
Climbing the long staircase to my room sounds like a work without pay business to me, but I had no choice but climb it anyways. Upon getting closer to my door, I realized that my door was already opened. "What the …." I took a moment to think, but I was lost in my thoughts. A lot of things were running through my mind. 'Was I really too much excited that I left my door opened? Or what the hell….' Realization hit me hard that, I started fuming with anger as to knowing that, the faint noise I had been hearing all this while along the way is coming from my room.
With a blink of an eye, I was in front of my door, praying and wishing what I was thinking was not true because if it was, only heaven knows the number of years I would spend in jail because of this pushy brother of mine.
I hesitantly opened the door with my heart beat increasing to it peak. "Geez, what the hell is going on here?" I yelled angrily in a low tone.
"Fuck kid, what the hell do you think I'm doing? Have I committed any murder?"He innocently glance at me and looked around as if he hasn't done anything wrong.
"For Christ sake Karl, this is my room. If you didn't get it right this is my per-sonal bed-room." I started being aggressive. After looking up and taking a deep breath, I took the remote from the bed and turned off the television and took the vodka and other snacks from my bed.
"Hey chill, I reckon advising you to leave this room because this room is too big to accommodate you. Besides, I didn't see anything like Ariana Hood written in front of your door. If it was, then sorry my queen, my eyes can't see well. "He mockingly smirk." He stood up to clear the mess he had created in my room. He takes the bowel filled with popcorn, his vodka and other snacks from the floor and made his way to the door.
"I can't believe I'm going to live with this jackass for the rest of my life." I muttered painfully. He turned to look at me. "Trust me my queen, you gonna love me." He smirked and disappeared.
"Gosh." I cursed while I hardened the fist on my hand.
*********
"That taste so good my darling." Aunt Amelia said with amusement as she filled her mouth with the piece of cake she sliced from the one we just finished baking. Alice, the twins and I nodded in agreement as we had a bite as well.
After dealing with Karl and his aggravated behavior, I took my shower and decided to take a stroke around the mansion to familiarize myself with it. I met Alice heading towards the kitchen and asking me to join them do their usual Fridays tradition of baking special cakes and cookies for everyone in the mansion. I accepted her invitation with enthusiasm joined them.
Baking with the twins, Aunt Amelia and Alice was no less fun. Tiana brought lots of ideas as to what we should bake and the secret ingredients we can add to make it taste special today.
'I was amused.'
Baking is not really my thing but seeing how my step twin brother and sister show much skills and knowledge in baking galvanized me to bake more with them. Tiana baked the cookies that is almost ready in the oven while the rest of us joined Aunt Amelia in baking cheese cakes and a vanilla chocolate cake. Of course, Tiana was also included.
While we prepare the icing, a young teenage girl who was looking like my age or a little bit older than me walked inside and hug Amelia from the back. "Awww, I have missed you so much my sweet Aunt." She said with so much excitement on her face.
"Missed you more my sweet darling." Amelia said with a grin while she does the dishes. "Hey June." The twins roar in sync while they hastened to hug her.
"Argh, move, I wanted to hug her first." Tiana said with disappointment while she tried to pull her brother from the June's arms.
"But I moved first to hug her." Chris protested.
"That's not fare." Tiana attempted to cry.
June looked at Tiana sternly while a smile formed on the corner of her lips. She opened her left arm for her to enter. "Why don't we hug together." They hugged for what look like ages and broke away. "You two will never stop growing." She grinned while she stroked their head. "
Are you guys done with our Friday cake?" The kids looked at June with a surprise expression.
"Our what?" Chris asked confusingly.
"Our cake. The one we used to do every Friday and even today also." The twins look at each other and bust out in laughter. "It's our cake, not yours." The twin said in sync. "Yeah, you got me, but I will have to taste some before I go."
"Alright." Chris said.
"Ana right?" June diverted her gaze on me.
"Yeah." I supplied.
"Oh Ana, meet June, my paternal cousin." Came from Alice.
"We've finally meet each other. I have heard a lot about you before your arrival. You look cute by the way."
"Thanks, and nice to meet you June.". "Nice to meet you too step cousin …." she paused for a moment. "Man, That sucks." We both laughed in unison. "By the way, have you been shown around the city?" She curiously ask. "Nah. I only went out with dad for shopping." "fuck, that old man couldn't show you around the city." She cursed. I nodded my head like an innocent kid. "Well then, I will be here nine o'clock tomorrow morning to pick you up. Remember to also wear your best attire." She winked and I looked at her and grinned.
June look bravely beautiful with her long, flowing hair that cascaded down her back, framing her perfectly carved face. I was fancying her grey eyes when, "alright, I'm gonna check up on Storm." She waved and closed the door behind her as she dashed out.
*********
"Five…., four…., three…., two…., one." The count down was over and the hall had become silenced before I could release my hands from my eyes. I started wandering around to see if there would be any sign of the twins hiding anywhere around. "You can't hide from me my cuddly angels. I'm gonna catch you all within a few seconds." I tried sounding like the twins while I look round.
Once we were done with our baking spree, we had fun a moment of enjoying the cake together as a big family. I don't know why but Karl didn't show up. Alice said he was with his friends. My heart danced in excitement to the hearing of that.
My dad went out after devouring all his cake and cookies. He said he had an emergency. Aunt Amelia also decided to go see her friends so I was left alone with the twins and Alice in the mansion sitting on the sofa in the living room. Chris suggested we played hide and seek.
Alice said she had a lot to do so she would be in her room. In order not to kill the twins mood, I decided to play with them. At least I was enjoying much fun with them.
I moved upstairs and explored each rooms, checking every nook and cranny for any sign of the twins but found no trace of them. 'Where on this planet have they gone to?' I thought to myself and sigh in frustration.
Chris and Tiana are very smart kids. They never seized to amuse me with their adult brains. I knew it will be hard to find them but I wasn't going to give up so soon.
The mansion was full of secret rooms and hidden passages which made it a perfect setting for such a stirring game.
Searching further, I decided to venture into the basement, where I knew there were several hidden rooms. I remember Aunt Amelia letting me help her carry some stuffs to one of the rooms there last night.
I found a small storage room with shelves filled with old books and dusty materials. As I entered the room I realized there was no one there but I had a hunch that there was someone inside. My instinct told me to search around well. I carefully peeped through the back of the shelves with the hope of catching the twins or one of them there.
"Gotchaaa!" I exclaimed loudly in animation while I stretched the 'a' sound. I caught Tiana's hand and helped her crawled out from the back of the shelves. "You cheated." She yelled and a frown formed on her beautiful innocent face.
"How?" I gave her an innocent look.
"Using your magic trick." We both bust out in laughter.
"By the way, do you know where your brother might have gone to hide?" I curiously asked her.
"Nope." She snapped at me and proceeded to the door. "Why don't we check if we can find him outside. You know my brother is not a fun of staying inside for too long."
"Yes you are right." I supplied and walked out of the room with Tiana in front.
An hour had passed and we still hadn't seen any trace Chris. A wave of worry washed over me at the moment. I came here not long ago and I have started causing trouble. 'Oh hell! You have to save me Mother Nature. This should surely be a prank on your daughter.' I cursed inwardly while I got lost in my thought. I walked past the art room where Karl used to make his artworks.
Despite Karl having a bad boy character, he is also so much into artwork and that's his talent. He love drawing very much and doesn't allow anyone to enter his art room when he is not there. According to Alice, it is better for me not to even go near his art room if I want to be on his good side always because that's Karl's special room.
After seconds of contemplating on whether I should open the door to the art room, I finally twisted the knob and guess what. It was locked. I gasped and threw my hands in frustration. I wanted to yell out Chris name but it would be unladylike to do so, and I also didn't want Aunt Amelia to know what was going on. I had to find him before dinner.
"Did you find him." I asked Tiana who just returned from the poolside. She took her breath for a moment before she could answer.
"No. He wasn't there." She sounded worried.
"So what do you suggest we do now?" I asked her.
"I'm apparently lost of ideas but I know he will show up when it start to get dark so let's go inside and freshen up." She might be right. Chris will show up when it's getting late. "But what if he doesn't?" Fear started gripping my heart while I paced forward and backwards.
"Then we tell mum and dad." She stated simply.