Mom, that's impossible. I refuse to stay at home," Lucas said angrily.
"Oh, really? Let's see whose words will hold more weight in this house, yours or mine," Mrs. George said as she got up from the sofa and walked into another room, leaving the three teenagers stunned.
"How can she come back after two years and think she can control my life like this?" Lucas muttered to himself, still visibly upset. "She should just go back to where she came from, I don't need her here."
"Calm down, maybe she has her reasons," Mark suggested, giving Lucas a comforting pat on the shoulder.
"What reasons?! The only reason I can see is her trying to make my life miserable. I know she's back just to frustrate me and make things difficult," Lucas exclaimed. "She's so irritating!" He added before storming up the stairs, with Mark and Aiden following closely behind.
____
As soon as Olive walked through the door of her house, she was met with the excited gazes of Mrs. Williams and Peter.
"Welcome home the George family daughter in-law," Peter greeted as he rushed towards her, only to have his ears pulled in anger.
"Ouch!" Peter yelped.
"I warned you to behave yourself, or there would be consequences," Olive said sternly, continuing to tug on Peter's ears.
"Let go of my son," Mrs. Williams interjected, coming to Peter's rescue and freeing him from Olive's grasp.
"You should discipline your son, Mom. How dare he call me that?" Olive said, her face displaying her frustration. "He's getting more annoying."
"He was just trying to be nice to his sister. It wouldn't be so bad if you did end up marrying into the George family. You're quite attractive," Mrs. Williams said with her voice etched with seriousness. She then went to a shelf and revealed a variety of skincare products. "And you should start using these while you're home.
"What? When did you buy all these, Mom?" Olive asked, her expression shocked as she gazed at Mrs. Williams.
"As the future daughter-in-law of the George family, you must take good care of your skin as it's very important. That's why I bought you all these face care products with my savings from the past few months," Mrs. Williams said as she walked up to Olive, holding her by the shoulder and looking into her eyes. "Lucas is the best guy for you, darling."
Olive, irritated by her mother's words, quickly freed her shoulder and retorted, "And how do you know that jerk is the best guy for me?! Besides, why are you even talking about marriage when I'm only sixteen? And even if I do want to get married, I'll choose my own man." She then stormed towards her room, entered, and slammed the door shut, leaving Mrs. Williams dumbfounded.
"Darling, why didn't you say anything?" Mrs. Williams turned to Mr. Williams, who had been quietly reading his newspaper.
"Just leave the young lady alone, sweetheart," Mr. Williams replied with a heavy sigh.
"Is that all you have to say?" Mrs. Williams growled in frustration before storming to Olive's door and banging on it. "You must use all these face care products, it's a must."
Olive could only have a heavy sigh at her mother's request. Once she no longer heard her mother's voice from the living room, she walked up to her bed and sat down on it.
Ping!
Olive glanced through her phone and saw the text message sent by Lucas.
"I'm sorry, but I won't be able to come over for the debate practice as something came up. I would send my driver to come pick you up tomorrow though. Thanks!"
"What the heck?" Olive murmured to herself and replied to the text.
"Don't bother sending any driver here, just send your home address and I'll find my way there."
Without waiting for Lucas's response, Olive dropped her phone on the table beside her bed and laid down on the bed facing the ceiling till she finally succumbed to sleep.
___
The sound of birds chirping woke Olive from her deep sleep. It was a rainy morning, with the breeze rustling the leaves and rain pouring from the sky.
Mrs. Williams entered Olive's room with a smile, accompanied by Peter, both looking excited.
"What's up, Mom? How did you get in?" Olive asked, puzzled. "And why the excitement? Please don't tell me it's about becoming a George family daughter-in-law again."
"Which question do you want me to answer first, young lady?" Mrs. Williams replied, hands on her hips.
"Any will do," Olive said, eyebrows raised.
"Lucas has sent a driver to pick you up for a visit," Mrs. Williams revealed, causing a thunderstorm of shock in Olive.
"What?! Are you serious, Mom?!" Olive exclaimed, her body tensed up in shock as she looked at Mrs. Williams who walked over and sat beside her on the bed.
"Why don't you take a look out the window?" Mrs. Williams suggested, a smile still on her face.
Olive quickly got up and went to the window. A white Honda Pilot was parked outside their gate.
"What's wrong with Lucas? Didn't I tell him not to send a driver here?" Olive muttered to herself, her body filled with anger before returning to the bed and sitting down.
"Lucas is really looking out for you, sis. He even sent a driver to pick you up," Peter said excitedly, but he fell silent when Olive shot him an angry look.
"The bodyguard is in the living room. Hurry up and get dressed, I'll go get you the face care products I bought for you," Mrs. Williams said as she got up to leave.
"It's like you forgot that I'm not a girl, I'm a boy at Belmont High School," Olive remarked before her mother could exit the room.
"You're still a girl. Once you finish school at Belmont, you can live as your true self," Mrs. Williams replied.
"Everyone already sees me as a boy. I've been lying to everyone. Do you really think I'll want to reveal that I'm a girl after high school?" Olive asked, her expression now downcast.
Mrs. Williams returned to Olive, sitting beside her on the bed. She lifted Olive's face, locking eyes with her. "I'm sorry you had to live like this. When the time comes to reveal your true self, I'll stand by you and people will understand why you had to pretend to be a girl."
"No one will understand, Mom. No one will understand someone like me who came from a poor background. They're all wealthy, and their perspective will be different," Olive said, tears streaming down her face.
"There will be someone who will understand you. Just believe in yourself and focus on your studies for now," Mrs. Williams said, wiping Olive's tears and giving her a hug.