Chapter 32 - Chapter 32

The bright morning light streaming in through the window made me wince as I experienced a searing headache.

"Aw sh*t!" I sat up, both hands clasped together, and let out a moan. I searched for something to remember, but nothing came to mind. Raphael was discussing moving when I last remembered.

Moving?

When I realized I was still wearing the Sunday dress, I blinked my eyes open and scowled.Though I do not know how I got here without my pajamas on, I slowly yawned to get myself upright, being careful not to shake my head too much.

I lowered my feet to the ground and began walking towards my bathroom I suddenly remembered the eerie events from yesterday, including how Raphael had promised to save me when men dressed in black stormed into our home. I was also unable to remember what happened next.

"Shit!" Once more, I moaned as I made my way back to my bed and sat down, my eyebrows furrowed.

Josh's voice echoes from the living room, "Princess, come down for breakfast or you will be late for school."

My eyes instinctively go to my bedside calendar. I let out a loud gasp, the headache vanished quickly, and I leaped off the bed.

Monday already arrived...

I quickly undressed and headed to my bathroom for a quick shower. I needed to wash up quickly so as not to make a bad impression.Before leaving the restroom, I reached out and grabbed my towel, wrapping it around my chest.

 I hurriedly put on my dress after blow-drying my long, blonde hair, which landed in gentle waves on my back. She dressed in black pants and a white top, checking herself out in the wall-mounted full-length mirror before packing her hair. Using a silver flower pin to divide the two halves, she straightened the top half of her hair and curled the bottom. She knew she was wonderfully made as she proudly looked at herself.

She exited her room with a bag on her left shoulder and a black jacket slung over her right shoulder, having put on the matching black boots that had been set aside at the base of the wooden shoe rack.

 With haste, she descended the stairs.Even though Raphael, the drama king, had insisted on Saturday that he could handle the directions just fine, Jayden was going to drop them off today, and on her first day of school, she did not want to be late or worse, lost. To be honest, I was very glad Jay declined.

"Good morning, guys," I said as I walked to the dining room.

The dumbass chose to ignore me, but Jayden nodded in response.

Jerkie...

Raphael was one of the most humble people in the universe, but greetings were not just for him, especially when they came from someone he considered family.

If you had a bad morning, you would not be here for breakfast.That served as one of his defenses.

Jayden was sitting in the living room, jingling his car keys to the beat of his all-time favorite song, "Senorita," by Camilla Cabello, with them nestled in his ring finger. The smell of bacon and egg, so delicious, filled my nose as I moved to the dining table to see what Jay had made.

 The aroma of the bacon, eggs, and sausages tickled my nose as the plate was placed in front of me. I began to dig in without realizing how hungry I was.

I was going to reach for my milkshake when I looked closely at Raphael's outfit and stopped. His appearance was amazing. As it happened, he was very beautiful.

 He was always very handsome, of course, but he looked even better now that he was wearing a black suit and an inner white shirt that matched and was unbuttoned at the neck to show off a hint of tanned skin.

"Raph." Those blue eyes had me pleasantly surprised, and I could not help but smile.

With an eyebrow arch, he replied, "What is up...?"

"You look hot..." When I told him, I could see the lottery winnings dancing in his eyes and a smile curling his lips.

"You just realized...?" He gave me a noncommittal shrug, as though I had not just paid him a compliment.

 Well, I guess he had run out of adjectives to describe himself—hot, breathtaking, handsome, stunning—one girl even dubbed him "delicious pie" when we were in sixth grade, but at least I was his sister, and it took a lot of work and a hit to my pride to say he looked hot!!!.

"Do not worry, sis; I think you should get at least a toaster with that outfit," he said with a wry smile. After that, he winked at me.

Whoa...that. Did I really need him to bring up my single status? Was my clothing too extravagant?

 Jayden turned to face me and sat up straight in his chair.

Jayden hummed, his eyes darting to my appearance. "Hmm..."

I blushed at the way his eyes swept over my dress, but his words brought me relief. "Pearl, you are so beautiful...It still amazes me that you are my sister." He smiled warmly, revealing the sincerity of his words.

With a silent sneer, Raphael said, "He is just being a good big brother, trust me."

I rolled my eyes inwardly in defeat.

"Raphael..." I clamped down on my teeth and gave a sharp warning, but he laughed and kept his creamy face displaying delight.

 "Hurry up, guys..." Jayden reclined in his chair and spoke. "Will you allow her to eat, Raphael?" He gave him a look that hinted at irritation.

" Hi, little sister..." Raphael's incredibly long lashes were constantly blinking, giving me puppy eyes.

"What..!?" I gave him a death-glare and then shoved the last of the sausage into my mouth.

He comes over to get my glass of milk, but I get to it before him, grinning.

"Whatever!" Shading off an invisible layer of dirt from his suit, he strode outside with his shoulder raised high.

I gulped down my milk and got to my feet.Before we head out, Josh takes my glass and plate to the kitchen.