The Levesque dining room was a picture of elegance, with crystal chandeliers casting a warm glow over the polished mahogany table.
The butler, Mr. Jenkins, stood with precision, aligning the silverware and fine china with the precision of a surgeon. Nearby, the serving maid, Emma, carefully poured water into glasses, her movements silent and efficient.
As the clock struck seven, Mr. Levesque entered the room, his presence commanding attention. He took his seat at the head of the table, his eyes scanning the settings with approval.
Mr. Jenkins and Emma took their positions, flanking him on either side, their eyes cast downward, awaiting the arrival of the rest of the family.
Kalina swept into the dining room, her bright smile and gentle greeting belied by a hint of reluctance in her eyes.
"Good morning, everyone," she said, her voice light, her nod almost imperceptible. As she took her seat, she addressed her father with a deferential bow, "Good morning, Father. Hope you had a good rest?"
Mr. Levesque's response was curt, his eyes never leaving the newspaper in front of him. "Meet me in my study after breakfast, Kalina. We need to talk."
Kalina's face fell, her lips pursing in dismay. She hated being summoned, hated the weight of her family's expectations. She had worked tirelessly to be invisible, to avoid the burdens that came with being a Levesque.
"May I ask why, Father?" she ventured, her voice laced with a hint of trepidation.
Mr. Levesque's gaze flicked up, his eyes narrowing as he took in Kalina's expression. "And what does that face mean?" he asked, his tone a mix of curiosity and warning.
Kalina hastily smoothed her features, her mind racing. "In my study, after breakfast," he repeated, his voice firm.
Kalina's displeasure simmered just below the surface as she took her seat, her thoughts a jumbled mix of frustration and anxiety.
What had she done to warrant her father's attention? And how could she escape the responsibilities that came with being a part of this family?
The next person to enter was her elder sister, Lyra, accompanied by her husband, Atticus. Kalina rolled her eyes on seeing Atticus, who glared at her in return.
Kalina believed Atticus had been a bad influence on Lyra, causing her sister to become guarded against her since their marriage.
Atticus, in turn, thought Kalina's carefree nature was a pretense, assuming she wanted the family inheritance for herself. Kalina, however, found the business world dull and had no interest in it.
Atticus's background in poverty drove his ambition, and Kalina understood his desire to escape it. Still, she felt he wasn't suitable for her sister, who was destined for a political marriage to advance the family's interests.
Lyra's success as a director and business innovator had earned her the freedom to choose her partner, a privilege Kalina dreaded losing to a loveless, business-arranged marriage.
As Lyra bowed and greeted their father, "Good morning, Father," Atticus followed with a "Good morning, Chairman." Mr. Levesque smiled proudly, waving them to their seats. Lyra sat to their father's left, while Atticus took his place beside her.
As they sat down, Atticus locked eyes with Kalina, his gaze piercing. Kalina, mid-bite into a fruit, responded with a "what's your problem?" expression.
Atticus raised an eyebrow, his finger tracing a "I'm watching you" gesture. Kalina retaliated with a sarcastic eye-roll, her face daring him to try something.
The tension between them was palpable, Lyra seemingly oblivious to the exchange. Mr. Levesque watched with interest, his expression unreadable.
Lyra turned to look between her husband and her sister, her expression puzzled. She couldn't fathom why Atticus found Kalina dubious, why he was cautious around her.
Maybe, she thought, it was because they both knew the business idea that was giving her the glory and adoration was supposed to be Kalina's.
Kalina had always been a business genius, even from a young age. But she didn't want any responsibility, not even the smallest one. She wanted to flex and laze around, no commitments whatsoever.
Lyra, on the other hand, had always been hardworking, striving since she was 18 to be acknowledged by their stoned-hearted father. He had always wanted a son, but instead, he got three girls, which was a dilemma to him. Lyra had to prove herself worthy.
She remembered the day Kalina presented the business idea to her. Kalina had said, "Lyra, I know you're dying to impress Father, and I want to help. Take this idea, develop it, and show him what you're capable of. I don't want any credit; I just want to see you succeed."
Lyra had been hesitant at first, but Kalina's enthusiasm was infectious. She took the idea and ran with it, pouring her heart and soul into it.
The project that had brought her and Atticus together. He was a talented marketing strategist who had joined their team to help develop Kalina's business idea.
Lyra had been impressed by his dedication and creative insights, and as they worked together, she found herself falling for him.
The idea had been a massive success, earning Lyra recognition and praise from their father. Lyra had been overjoyed when their father granted her anything she wanted as a reward.
She had asked Atticus out, and to her delight, he had accepted. They had gotten engaged soon after, and Lyra thought she had found the perfect partner, both in business and in life.
Atticus had been instrumental in bringing the idea to life, working tirelessly alongside Lyra and the rest of the team. His passion and expertise had been invaluable, and Lyra had come to rely on him not only as a partner but also as a friend. She couldn't understand why he was so wary of Kalina, who had generously given her the idea in the first place.
As she looked at Atticus, Lyra remembered the late nights they had spent brainstorming, the countless meetings, and the moments of triumph when everything came together.
She knew that Atticus was a team player, always willing to listen and support others. Why, then, did he seem so threatened by Kalina's presence?
But now, as she looked at Atticus and Kalina, she realized that her husband was afraid of her sister. Afraid of her talent, her intelligence, and her potential. Lyra knew that Kalina could be the CEO of their empire if she wanted to; she had the skills and the charisma. But Kalina didn't want the responsibility, and Lyra didn't understand why Atticus couldn't see that.
She thought to herself, "My husband is not ready to bow down to Kalina's talent, but I trust my sister. I know she won't use her abilities to hurt me or our family."
Lyra's cold behavior towards Kalina was just a facade, a way to keep their father from suspecting the truth - that Kalina was the real mastermind behind her success.
The last to enter were Seraphina, their mother, and Ophelia, the youngest sibling. Seraphina's face radiated joy, her eyes sparkling with an excitement that was infectious. She greeted everyone with a cheerful "Good morning, my lovely family!" her voice warm and enthusiastic.
As she made her way to her seat, she ruffled Kalina's hair, a rare display of affection that made Kalina's eyes widen in surprise. "Good morning, my dear Kalina!" Seraphina exclaimed, her smile unwavering.
Both Ophelia and Seraphina were excited, but Seraphina was beaming more. They entered giggling and holding hands, Ophelia enthusiastically greeting their father with a peck on the cheek, a handshake for Atticus, and a hug for Lyra, who looked shocked but pleased. Kalina's eyes widened in disbelief as Ophelia sat beside her, giving her a playful head peck.
Wait! That means her plan...
Kalina's face lit up with a childish grin, and she raised an eyebrow at Ophelia, who nodded in response, their hands still clasped together.
Mr. Levesque raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his wife's unusual enthusiasm. "Seraphina, my dear, what's got you and Ophelia so excited today?" he asked, his voice laced with curiosity.
Seraphina took her seat beside her husband, her smile unwavering. "Oh, my dear husband, I have the most wonderful news to share!" she said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Lyra and Atticus exchanged a knowing glance, suspecting that Kalina was behind this unusual display. Lyra smiled, while Atticus shook his head, a hint of amusement on his face.
As the butler and serving maid began to serve the family, Seraphina's joy became palpable, filling the room with warmth and energy. Ophelia's excitement was equally evident, her gaze shining with anticipation.