Alexander smirked widely and took the basketball from her. If she wanted to play so badly then he was ready to take up the challenge.
"After I win, you shouldn't blame me for not being lenient with you." He told her.
"You talk too much, brother. Let's play."
At first, Alexander tried to throw the ball into the net but Lisa flipped it away with her hands and instead picked it up. She threw it right into the basketball net and scored a point.
The game went on and Alex was only able to attain two points while Monalisa had six.
He sat on the ground, wiping the sweats with his shirt while Lisa bent and patted him on the shoulder.
"Alexander, you should understand that I'm not here to take anything from you. I'm happy to be your sister but you don't like me, do you?" She asked. The only thing he wanted him to understand was that her intentions are good and not otherwise.
He flung her hand away and stood up. "My mom just adopted you out of pity and you're never fit to be my sister. I don't like you Monalisa and make sure to stay ten metres away from me!" He yelled and walked out on her.
Monalisa couldn't stop the tears that ran down her cheeks, even when she was being bullied and talked rashly to she never cried but she doesn't know why Alexander's words hurt so much.
She had been happy that she had eventually had a family to call her own, but he just said it to her face that he doesn't like her and now it seems like her new parents are just showing her fake love too. Maybe Emilia truly adopted her out of pity and not because she really likes her.
She wiped her tears with her palm and went to her room. The next morning, she woke up and started to get ready for school, she doesn't have a uniform yet so she just put on one of the clothes she had brought from thee orphanage which was and thankfully, it was a bit nice looking.
Her mom had promised to take her for clothes shopping when she comes back from school. Monalisa took some steps out of her room when she heard some maids gossiping about her.
"I thought she would be a maid like us, too bad she turns out to be Mrs Thompson's daughter."
"I feel so jealous of her and I don't know why I hate her so much."
"She's no better than us and being adopted into this family doesn't mean she could order us around. We were here before her and we have some sense of superiority over her."
Their words didn't get to Monalisa at all, she just ignored them and walked on. There are bad belles everywhere and she wasn't surprised to hear those words from them.
She got to the dining room and saw the others already eating breakfast, Emilia stood up and helped her to sit.
"My cute baby. How was your night?" She asked, placing a peck on Monalisa's cheeks who just nodded with a faint smile.
"My night was fine Mrs Thomp...mom." She quickly corrected herself and after that she greeted Ethan who responded with a smile.
"Morning, my sunshine."
Monalisa felt so awkward with the way they kept addressing her with sweet names, she just wondered if they truly liked her or were just pretending to make her to feel good.
"Hi Alex." She waved at Alexander who completely ignored her and focused on eating instead. She understood he didn't want to have any conversation with her, so she kept quiet and began eating.
She couldn't the deliciousness of the meal and it couldn't be compared to the one she eats at the orphanage. With so much relish, she ate and finished half of the food. She gulped down the glass of juice and belched.
"Sorry." She gave an awkward smile, covering her mouth. Her parents nodded but she didn't fail to notice the glare Alexander gave her.
"Don't worry, Mona. You have to eat well to gain more weight. If you want more just let me know, okay?" Emilia said and she nodded.
"It's good that Monalisa is here, she could help Alexander to improve in his studies." Ethan mentioned and his wife nodded in support.
"Of course, that's a brilliant Idea. Monalisa can be promoted to the same grade with Alex then. She's good at her studies and I'm sure she would cope." Emilia suggested.
Alexander looked up with a frown. "Mom I'm sure we have competent teachers at school that can help me with my studies, I don't Monalisa to tutor me. Besides, does she have to stay in the same class with me?" Alexander shrugged, he couldn't help but sure but show his disapproval.
"Ohh will you shut your mouth! Monalisa's older than you are, she just had some delay and that is why she's at grade 11. Our decision is final and she's getting promoted." Emilia declared.
"Mom it's fine I can just stay at grade 11." Monalisa said, she doesn't want any misunderstanding to happen between her brother and their parents. If he doesn't like it then she can just remain in her former class.
"No Lisa, you won't do that. Now get going, you shouldn't be late." Emilia told her and she nodded before standing up. She bid them goodbye and ran after Alexander who was already out of the house.
"Such a lovely girl. She reminds me so much of Gabrielle." Ethan said and Emilia hit him on the hand playfully.
"Stop Ethan, don't make me feel emotional."
*****
The drive was quiet but Alexander kept stealing glances at Monalisa whose gaze was looking out through the window.
She sensed his burning gaze on her and she looked at him. He had been totally carried away and didn't notice that she had caught him already.
"Do you want anything? Why are you staring at me?" She asked and he jolted, quickly putting on composure.
He looked away and Monalisa did the same but his next words made her surprised.
"Are you a sorceress?" He asked.
"What do you mean?" She raised questioning brows at him, wondering what he meant.
"Did you cast a spell on my parents?" He mentioned, earning a frown from her.
"You're asking weird questions." Monalisa frowned. First, the asked if she was a sorceress and now he wants to know whether she casted a spell on their parents?
"They like you a lot and I'm starting to think beyond the ordinary, and I'll appreciate if you confess to me. Do you have special powers?" Alexander pried, hoping to get words out of her mouth.
Lisa chuckled. "So you really think I would cast a spell on our parents? Are you being real?"
"So you're not willing to tell the truth?" He paused for a while and continued. "Alright... alright... it's fine. But make sure not to try to use your powers on me because they won't work." He warned her and stepped out of the car as it stopped in front of the school.
"Alexander I don't have any powers, I'm serious. How can I cast a spell on mom and dad?" Monalisa defended herself as she tried to catch up with his fast tracks.
He stopped and she did the same while he faced her. "Don't try to act innocent, it wouldn't help matters." He uttered coldly.
"I don't know what you're talking about, it's just a false accusation." Monalisa protested.
"Fine, fine, fine. I've heard you but I can never accept it."
"Alexander….!"
"Sorceress…"
"Alex….!"
"Sorceress….."
"It's Monalisa not that disgusting name."
"It's just a special nickname for you."
"Gosh!" Lisa rubbed her forehead in frustration, stamping her foot angrily.
Alexander smirked and walked away before she could stop him. She called his name several times but he didn't turn back.
"Oh gracious heavens! What an annoying soul. But how do I find the principal's office?"
"I'll help you." A voice said from behind and Monalisa turned around to see a smiling girl with ponytail hair.