Birds were singing as a ray of sunlight leaked from the slightly parted curtains; it was the next morning. I turned around, but Henry wasn't by my side. I remembered that he had gone to meet up with his friends last night; he might have slept over.
I took a shower and put on my clothes before going downstairs. Demilia was supervising the work of the chef as she ordered another lady to lay the table.
I didn't have any work to do at home. I was planning to continue my crochet projects, as I was very good at them, but I was also afraid that Henry wouldn't be pleased with my actions due to his status, so I had delayed acting upon it.
"Madam Ada! Good morning, come and have breakfast," Demilia greeted me as she suggested.
"Good morning, Demilia," I greeted back.
"The chef just made a simple breakfast, just like you requested," Demilia said.I wanted to immediately tell her that the chef could just let me make my own breakfast, but I remembered that the chef also makes a living doing this work, so I stopped my actions.
"Thank the chef on my behalf," I said as Demilia left.
Shortly after breakfast, I was walking around the flower garden when a young lady wearing a staff uniform informed me that I had received a package.
"What is inside?" I asked the lady.
"I don't know, madam; it was tightly sealed," she replied. I therefore headed towards the side room where a box could be seen.
"I found two pairs of gym clothes that I had always been seeing online, and I was slightly puzzled. Did Henry send them to me?" I wondered.
Not long after, I received a phone call from Kelly, who told me to meet up with her and Julie. She told me that the driver would know the location.
I therefore put on the gym clothes and a sweater as I told the driver what Kelly had told me.
Shortly after, we arrived at a very tall skyscraper, and the driver went into the underground parking.
"Madam, let me take you to Madam Kelly's location," the driver said.
"Okay," I replied. I didn't know where Kelly was, as it was my very first time coming here; any help would be appreciated.
We headed toward the elevator, and the driver quickly displayed a card, causing the doors to open for us.
"Only authorized people can use this elevator, mostly only the chaplains," the driver explained as he led me upstairs. I slowly nodded in understanding.
"Wow, Shiba, you seem like a whole different person in these clothes," Kelly said as she approached us after we exited the elevator. She was wearing a mini crop top that showed her cleavage and tight leggings, while her hair was tightly pulled up in a bun.
"Josh, thank you for bringing Shiba," Kelly said as she handed Josh an envelope. I saw Josh grinning as he received it, telling Kelly that it wasn't a bother before he left.
"Oh, I was still on live. Come let me introduce you to my followers," Kelly said.
I was slightly hesitant; I wasn't used to going on social media. The only account I had was blank.
Kelly gently held my shoulders before smiling brightly at the camera. "This is my sister-in-law; isn't she pretty!" Kelly said as she talked to her followers. I wasn't able to see the replies as I saw Julie also approaching us.
She was wearing a baggy sweatshirt with leggings; her attire wasn't as revealing as Kelly's.
"Shiba, come, welcome! Let me introduce you to our morning routine," Julie said.
I gently smiled at her. "Hi! We are still on live! Shiba, my followers love you; introduce yourself..." Kelly grumpily said before Julie pulled me away.
"What live? Those are all horny men following you," Julie said. I slightly blushed at her words. Julie always seemed like the type who wouldn't say such open words, but clearly, she also had another side, I guess.
"We normally come here for yoga in the morning. Your access card has already been processed, so you can join us whenever," Julie said.
"Okay," I immediately agreed. I didn't have anything to do; therefore, coming here would reduce my boredom.
Julie instructed me on how to properly do the exercises. Kelly later joined us after her live session.
"How was Henry?" Kelly suddenly asked.
"Okay," I slowly replied.
"How okay? Was he rough, slow, etc.? I mean in bed," Kelly straightforwardly asked. I was completely embarrassed and ashamed by her questions; I had never talked about such topics in the open.
Julie seemed to sense my awkward situation. "Let it go; Shiba isn't used to talking openly about such topics," Julie said.
"Well, let me tell you, his elder brother is a lost cause. He doesn't make me feel a thing in that area, just like a dead horse," Kelly rolled her eyes as she spoke.
I was surprised by her words; the way she talked about her husband showed that she didn't love him in the slightest.
"Our marriage was a business arrangement; our two families had the same interests, so we got married," Kelly said after noticing my inquiring gaze.
"Was your first time painful?" I suddenly became bold and asked.
"Not really; I didn't feel anything—no pain or pleasure, nothing," Kelly replied.
"Kelly! Listen, Shiba, did something happen on your wedding night?" Julie warned Kelly, who continued to roll her eyes as she asked me.
"Well, I had a tear and bled. However, the family doctor attended to me, and I somehow feel fine now," I said.
Kelly and Julie were silent for a very long time.
"Well, that's good; you are out of danger. Seems the curse of not pleasing women runs in the family," Kelly said as Julie warningly glared at her.
"Oh! Not Julie's husband, though. I heard that he is so vigorous in bed from outside," Kelly chuckled before Julie stood up and left.
The atmosphere suddenly turned tense. When I turned towards Kelly, she just shrugged as she did some stretches.
I stood up and went to accompany Julie on the balcony.
"It's alright; Kelly didn't lie. My husband is just the way she described him; he slept with her," Julie sorrowfully said.
I was slightly startled at the revelation. How could a brother sleep with the other brother's wife? This was unheard of!
Julie suddenly laughed at my expression.
"You are still young and naive, Shiba. In this family, everything has no rules," Julie said.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
Julie just shook her head desperately; she seemed as though she was tired and drained.
"Let's go back to exercise," she said.
Although the atmosphere was formerly awkward and tense, surprisingly, Julie and Kelly seemed to have put their last conversation to rest as they chatted
and laughed amidst the training.
I was simply baffled and surprised; this family was simply bizarre.