Feigning Affection

Prologue

I woke up with a severe headache. Dammit. I massage my temples, trying my luck to at least ease the pain. I tried to go back to sleep, but I couldn't.

I slowly opened my eyes and sat on my bed. I leaned on my headboard because I was feeling so dizzy.

Fuck hangovers.

I rubbed my eyes in my room.

My room?

Wait?

How did I go home last night? Who took me home?

I was in a bar, partying like there was no tomorrow. I was dancing, drinking, and making havoc on the dance floor, and that was it. My memory from last night stops there.

I tried to find my phone, but I couldn't find it. Maybe I lost it last night. I will just go and buy a new one before this day ends.

I stayed in my bed for a few more minutes before I finally decided to stand up and take a bath. I look at myself in my bathroom mirror and I look like a f*****g witch. My hair is a mess and my make-up from last night is smudged on my face. Eww.

I quickly cleaned myself and took a long hot bath. It feels so refreshing.

It took me almost an hour before I decided to get dressed. I wear denim shorts and a pullover crop top. I also wear my adidas slides because I want to go out and buy myself something for my brunch.

I didn't apply anything to my face. This is my natural day. I want my skin to breathe from my make-up.

I brushed my hair and let it down. I am too lazy to style it, so let it be.

I tried to find my car key, but it was nowhere to be found. Maybe I misplaced it again. I went out of my room to look for my brothers. If I can't find my keys, it means I need to borrow their car. Unlike them, I only have one car because I don't understand why there's a need to have too many cars when they can't drive them all at the same time.

I went to Shaun's room first. He is my twin brother. For eight minutes, he was older than me. I knock on his door, but no one answers. I tried to open his door, but it was locked.

I think he is not here. He usually doesn’t want anyone entering his room, so most of the time it is locked. I walked away from his door and went to the next target. Ryu.

He is my other twin brother. Yes, we are triplets.

Shaun is the eldest.

Ryu is the middle child, and I am the youngest.

I don't know if that still makes sense when we were born all on the same day.

I knocked on his door. I didn't need to repeat because, after a minute, he was already standing in front of me with his raised eyebrows.

"What?" He looked annoyed and sleepy.

"I needed to go somewhere, but I lost my car key. Let me borrow one of yours", I pouted at him.

"No," he replied.

"Why not?" I whined.

"Dad told us not to let you go without one of us. You are grounded, young lady, so better go back to your room and just continue your sleep. " He explained, and my eyes widened.

"What? Why? " I can't accept this.

"Drunk driving and you spend all your allowance on buying liquor. You are even making out with strangers. I think you need to fix your life, sister." He looks so disappointed in me.

Well, they never notice me when I do something nice, so I think doing something bad is better.

"I just need to buy McDonald's. I am not heading anywhere. " I combed my hair using my fingers and sighed.

"Not my car," he said with finality.

I rolled my eyes at him. He loves his car more than me.

I turned my back on him, accepting defeat. I started walking away when...

"Okay, okay. I will let you have your favorite food, but I will go with you. I also need to buy myself some books, so in exchange you will accompany me to the nearest bookstore."

Before I could even protest, he had already closed his door. Maybe he will change his clothes. I waited for him in the living room.

I guess I won't have my phone anytime soon. I also can't attend parties any time soon. Maybe I can talk to my dad about this.

"Let's go!" My brother came down the stairs wearing a simple shirt and ripped jeans.

I hate to say this, but he looks so handsome. I never told them that because they would feel so almighty. They tend to be full of themselves sometimes.

We use his car and order our food at the drive-thru. I ate my food inside the car while he was driving.

"You are so mean," he said, because the smell of the food was all over his car.

"You want?" I shoved my burger in his mouth because I guess he wanted to take a bite. He took a really big bite. He almost ate half of it.

"Ryu! " I scold him as I look at my half-eaten burger. He is annoying me again. He just laughs.

I didn't offer him anything again. He continues driving while pestering me to give him more food, but no.

We are heading to his favorite bookstore. Ever since we were kids, he has been the most intelligent child. He has this undying love for books.

When we arrived at the bookstore, I had already finished eating. I didn't want to get out of the car, but he pulled me out and forced me to go with him inside.

I used to love books, but not anymore.

I am just following him around like a lost puppy. He knows which aisle contains his favorite genre. He knows this place like his own home. Nerd.

I leaned on one of the shelves and got a book. I lazily flip through the pages. He is a few steps away from me, reading the back part of the book.

"I wonder how you manage to stay awake while reading these thick books. By just looking at these, I am already feeling sleepy." I put down the book I'm reading and put my hands in my pockets.

"Books keep me awake at night," he answered, still not moving his eyes from the book that he was holding. He looks so serious.

He continued strolling around, but I remained in place. I just sit on the floor while staring at nothingness. The place is so quiet. Not so me.

When he was finished, we walked out of the book shop with big paper bags in both of our hands. Really? Is he going to read all of this?

"This is heavy!" I stopped walking and put the bag on the floor. We are heading to his car, and damn him for parking his car so far from the shop.

"Stop complaining and pick up the bag." He ignored my rants and walked past me.

"Why do you need to buy tons of books? Can you just buy one or two for now and buy them again some other time? Why do you need to buy in bulk? "

I continued complaining as I reached for the bag and continued walking while I was hugging the bags.

It is so big that I can't even see what's ahead of me.

"Can you shut up for a moment? You are so talkative, Nami. I am a busy person, so I need to decide and pick up everything that I want to read because I might never have time to visit bookshops again. I need to make sure I have a lot in line." he said, annoyed.

I nodded, even though he couldn't see it.

I get it.

All of my family is always busy except me. My brothers are so independent and responsible, unlike me. I am the black sheep of the family. I am fully aware of that.

I am the failed version of my brothers.

I helped him put his books in the back of his car.

"Now, where do you want to go?" he asked while buckling his seatbelt.

"Give me a new phone," I mumbled, slouching in my car seat.

"No, young lady. You are grounded, remember? No phones or gadgets allowed, plus no partying. "

My eyebrows furrowed.

"What? You guys can't do that." I gave him a stern look.

"Save that look for dad. But I bet it won't work anymore. He will no longer tolerate you. You've reached the limit, baby sister. And can you please wear your seatbelt?"

"No." I crossed my arms and shook my head.

"Okay, then nobody's going home, not until you listen to me." he leaned in his seat and crossed his arms.

I rolled my eyes and obeyed him because I knew if I didn’t, we'd never leave the parking lot.

I didn't talk to him throughout the ride. I am thinking of ways to persuade my dad.

We arrived home shortly. I got out of the car and banged on his door. I was walking out of the garage when I saw an unfamiliar car next to my dad's. Did one of my brothers buy a new one?

I try to look at the car closely. It looks so cool.

"Bugatti La Voiture Noire, What the hell Primo Cavelli", I heard my brother exclaim behind me. He was as amazed as me.

Primo?

Bugatti La Voiture Noire ?

My brothers are suckers for cars. They love collecting cars like it's a freaking toy. They keep telling me to save money, but they are spending way too much on their collection.

I enter our house and leave my brother drooling over the car.

I ran to my room and noticed that it was already clean. Someone has already taken care of it for me, since I am the messiest child. I am the only girl, but my two brothers act more like that. They are clean freaks and have a high percentage of having OCD.

I immediately opened my drawers and cabinets in search of my old phones and gadgets, but I couldn't find them.They took it all away. Ugh.

Feeling irritated, I marched to my dad's office. I am pretty sure that he is home. His car is parked in the garage.

I knocked three times and slightly opened the door. I peaked my head and saw my dad, my two brothers, and a man who I didn't know sitting and having a little conference.

"Yes, princess, need anything?" He sweetly smiles at me.

"Dad, my phone. They hid it. I want it back, "I told him, also in a sweet voice.

"No, love. What you did last night was too much. Rest here in the house for a while and reflect on your doings. " He continued reading his paperwork.

I pouted.

"Dad, I am not a kid anymore." I whined.

"Yes, so please Nami, act your age. Making out with your girlfriend, eh? " Shaun eyed me with disgust in his eyes, but I didn't care.

"It's none of your business," I whispered. As much as I want to shout at him, he is still my brother, and I want to respect him.

"You need to fix your life, princess. I don't want to do this, but I need to. I want you to enjoy life, but not in your pretty devil ways. I don't know how to handle you anymore. "

Dad let go of his tie, looking so done with me.

It's okay for me to stay at home unless you guys are at home too.

What's the point of having a house when I am all alone by myself?

This place doesn’t feel like home.

I WANT TO SHOUT MY THOUGHTS TO THEM, BUT NEVER MIND.

"I'll handle her for you," the man beside Ryu suddenly volunteered, as if it were just a simple task. I looked at him with confused eyes.

Who is he anyway?

Why is he meddling with my life?

He's not sick, right? Like sick in the head?