Kilin: They look good.
Kilin: Just don't over-exert yourself. We will discuss payment later.
She sent the messages. When she was about to open a game app she saw another message from the live stream app. When she saw it was Reckless25 she bit her lip while tapping the notification. Her heart fluttered as she read the message. It started off as an accident but now she was even more interested in talking to them.
Reckless25: I doubt that.
Reckless25: My mom asked girls from my class about me behind my back.
Kilin chuckled softly before typing back a response.
RoyalRose: That's nothing.
RoyalRose: My mom pinned me down last night and waxed my arms, legs and everything.
Meanwhile, Wyatt was sitting in the backseat of the car, sipping from a bottle of sparkling water when his phone buzzed in his pocket. Curiosity piqued, he took it out of his pocket. With a quick swipe, he unlocked the screen and opened the message.
The words on the screen sent shockwaves through his body, causing him to gasp and nearly choke on his water.
Startled, Maira who had been focused on tying her husband's bow tie, instinctively abandoned her task and reached over, concern etched on her face. "Are you alright?" she asked, her voice laced with worry.
Coughing to clear his airway, Wyatt managed to regain his composure. "I'm fine, Mom," he reassured her, his voice strained. He took a deep breath, his heart pounding, and continued, "It's nothing."
With a mix of relief and lingering worry, his mother withdrew her hand, but her eyes remained fixed on him. Wyatt, still recovering from the surprise, read the message again but he didn't realise his father was looking at him like he had seen something.
Wyatt couldn't resist writing a message back, his fingers typing faster than his heartbeat.
Reckless25: ???
Reckless25: Everything?
He wanted to wait for her response but he wasn't sure if she would respond soon.
Kilin sat in the car with her aunt. That's because her husband had decided to be in another car with Raylan and let her, Luna and Kilin share a car.
She sat quietly in the backseat of the car. The atmosphere inside the vehicle was tense, as if each breath held a hint of animosity. Kilin's eyes wandered over to Luna, who stole a fleeting glance at her dress and shoes before quickly averting her gaze, engrossed in her phone. It was a clear indication of disapproval, but Kilin chose not to react. She didn't choose what to wear after all so what was Luna dissatisfied with?
Beside her, Kilin's aunt sat in stony silence, her face etched with lingering anger. The resentment stemmed from her husband, who travelled in a separate car, following an argument earlier that evening.
Scarlet seemed to be holding onto that anger, projecting it onto those around her. Her disapproving gaze fell upon Kilin's phone as it vibrated, interrupting the heavy silence. Kilin reached into her purse and retrieved the phone, glancing at the screen.
A disdainful snort escaped Scarlet's lips, cutting through the quiet air. Luna, still engrossed in her own phone, seemed unaffected. Kilin pursed her lips, choosing to remain composed. She knew that her aunt's disdain was solely reserved for her.
Feeling the weight of the tension, Kilin put her phone back in her purse and turned her attention away from the passing scenery outside the car window.
The streetlights painted patterns on her skin, casting a soft glow that momentarily distracted her from the palpable tension within the vehicle. As the car glided to a halt in front of the lavish mansion, a flurry of camera flashes illuminated the scene. Reporters jostled for the perfect shot, capturing the arrival of the Branson patriarch and his family.
The concierge swiftly opened the car doors and with a hint of authority in her voice, Mrs. Branson turned to Kilin. "Make yourself scarce and don't make trouble," she instructed, her eyes filled with an inexplicable coldness in her tone. Kilin nodded her head. She also wanted to maintain a low profile as she didn't want to be here.
Mrs Branson gracefully stepped out of the car, followed by her daughter Luna, and finally, Kilin. As Kilin emerged from the vehicle, she couldn't help but steal a glance at her younger brother Raylan, who sat comfortably in another car beside hers. Her uncle held Raylan's hand, providing reassurance, and Kilin felt a wave of relief wash over her. Perhaps his mother was worried about nothing.
Entering the magnificent mansion, Kilin found herself amidst a buzzing crowd of affluent families. The grand hall was alive with animated conversations and laughter. Adults mingled, their elegant attire adding to the air of sophistication. Children giggled and chased one another, while teenagers huddled together in a corner, engrossed in their own world.
Not surprisingly, among the sea of unfamiliar faces, Kilin spotted a few of her schoolmates. Their eyes met briefly, a mix of surprise and curiosity passing between them. That's because they hadn't seen her interacting with Luna before so it came as a shock to them. Kilin's initial instinct was to find a quiet corner and blend into the background, but Luna had other plans.
Feigning innocence and wanting to take great care of her cousin as this was the first important event she had been to, she tugged at Kilin's hand, pulling her towards the group of schoolmates. Kilin wanted to refuse and even pulled her arm slightly but Luna's grasp was tight and if she continued to tug they might draw attention to themselves. She let her tag her along and the moment they approached Lance sneered before getting up to leave. He wasn't in the mood to see Kilin after the incident on the volleyball court.
"Wow, when did you two become friends?" asked Kigen with a glass in his hand as he glanced at Kilin's outfit that made her look even uglier. She could barely walk in those stilettos which was just so embarrassing.
Luna shyly smiled looking as transcended as always. She pushed her hair back as she replied, "We are cousins."
Myan snorted coldly while Ross finally made sense as to why Kilin liked Luna's pictures online. They were related but they didn't look alike at all.
As they chatted, their eyes were drawn to the entrance of the hall due to the increased commotion behind them.
Wyatt had made his grand arrival and his parents were standing beside him. From the moment he entered, he exuded an aura of confidence and charm, instantly capturing the attention of everyone around.