5
1202 Words
CHAPTER FIVE
ARLYN
I deliberately ignored the knocking on my door, not ready to wake up yet from sleep and secretly hoping whoever was knocking would leave me alone. I even went as far as placing the plush pillow over my head to muffle out the sound, but it was of little help.
Eventually, I sighed and got out of bed with the worst mood ever, ready to chew off the head of whoever was at the door.
My anger melted away when the door opened to reveal Ella; an innocent smile spread over her lips, but I wasn't deceived by it at all, all too aware she knew she had just woken me up from sleep.
I stifled a yawn while eying her in irritation. “Isn't it too early to be knocking on doors, El?”
The smile spread even further, and she ducked beneath my hand and ran to my bed, diving onto it.
I rolled my eyes and walked back towards the bed, trying to keep a stern look, but it was hard to hold on to my anger… Not when the cause of the anger was as innocent-looking and sweet as Ella.
I guess this is what it feels like to have a little sister….
“What can I do for you, her royal highness?” I asked playfully with a mocking bow, and Ella giggled like the little girl she is.
“It's time for breakfast. Uncle Bradley said to come fetch you,” she announced.
Huh, did I just hear breakfast? ... So early in the morning?
My eyes reflexively moved over to the clock on my mantelpiece. It was barely thirty minutes past six… AM.
“Are you sure about that? It's too early.” I said, unconvinced. I wouldn't put it past Ella to try and play a prank on me.
She sighed, rolling her eyes much the same way I had done earlier before looking at me like a schoolteacher looking at a naughty student.
“That's just how things are in this house? ... Didn't anyone tell you anything?”
She said it with so much seriousness, trying to imitate the adults, that I burst out laughing at her antics.
She pouted her tiny lips at me in annoyance until I got my laughter a little under control. I sucked in both lips in order to keep the sounds locked in.
“Not funny.” She said indignantly, and I kept a straight face.
“I'm sorry… truly am… I just couldn't stop it… I mean—” I stopped speaking when I saw the tears dancing in her big wide eyes.
Oh s**t…
I sat beside her and gently hugged her to myself, running my hands over her body in an awkward attempt to comfort her.
I was very comfortable with Ella, even though sometimes she made me feel uncomfortable; after all, I never had a younger sibling.
If only Reid and I could be the same way…
I slapped myself mentally immediately after I had the thought, scolding myself for craving his acceptance.
“Breakfast is actually by seven on the dot, not a minute later. That's how Uncle Bradley likes it.” Ella said after a while.
Meaning I had less than thirty minutes to get ready for breakfast.
I hurriedly went about my toiletries while Ella busied herself inspecting my wardrobe… with a screwed-up face, I might add.
Finally I was done with five minutes to spare.
“Don't move.” Ella suddenly called out in a serious tone, and I froze, worried she might have seen a bug on my dress.
She stood before me and scrutinized me from head to toe and back, shaking her head in disapproval.
I frowned at her.
And what's that supposed to mean?
I was dressed in my favorite casual outing wear, baggy black jeans and an oversized black polo.
“Uncle Bradley is so going to have a fit when he sees you, I assure you.” She told me, walking towards the door.
I followed her, suddenly feeling self-aware and hating Ella's effect on me.
“Oh, also I forgot… We are expecting some guests today. They should be here anytime soon.” She announced excitedly, skipping along.
I was confused. What was so exciting about some strangers coming over?
Curiosity replaced my confusion. I wondered who they could be.
“Who are they?” I asked, trying not to sound too interested.
They had just been passing by Reid's door. He chose that moment to come out, bumping lightly against me.
I took a step back and mumbled an apology.
“What ill-fated relationship we have. I guess we are just destined to always meet like this, don't you think so too?”
I had said it as a joke and expected him to see it as such, but he simply glared at me like I was something he wished didn't have any connection to him before walking off.
Yeah, right…
I had forgotten he was a cold and judgmental jerk. I looked at Ella and saw the amusement dancing in her eyes as she alternated her gaze between the retreating Reid and me.
“What?” I asked her, not sure what she found amusing.
She shrugged and resumed her task of leading me down to the dining room.
When we got there everyone was already seated and… surprise… overdressed like they were having breakfast with the president. Come to think of it, Ella and Reid were also formally dressed, Reid in a suit without a tie while Ella wore a Cinderella princess kind of gown, all white.
I looked at my mum, almost choking at the amount of makeup on her face. Bradley was also in a suit.
I was all too aware of all eyes on me as Ella went and took her seat at the table, and I looked down at my clothes. What I thought of as fashionable now suddenly looked bleak when compared to those of my companions.
My mother beckoned me over at the same time the doorbell sounded. I walked over to the chair beside her, settling into it. Immediately, a staff member dropped a glass of juice before me.
“Try the juice, dearest. The chef just pressed it out this morning.” My mother urged me, and I took a sip, smacking my lips at the sweet taste.
“Oh… you are here.” Reid said, standing up to move around the table to greet someone behind me.
“Of course… I wouldn't miss an invitation to dine with your family, not when you are gracing us with your presence,” a male voice said behind me.
A very familiar male voice, a voice I couldn't just forget even if I wanted to.
Still coughing, I stood up and stared in shock at a reminder of my past, the reason I finally agreed to Mum's suggestion to come down here.
I stared and gawked at the very last person I expected to see in the Bradley's mansion.
And I was thrown back to that day when I had walked in on him in bed with my rival.
- Writer
