Chapter 2
1130 Words
"Ruiji, I want you to meet your sister, Talia Brielle."
I had imagined this moment countless times, and none of those scenarios were good. When I first heard about Ruiji, I wondered how he felt about having a stepsister, especially since he was Tito Emanuel's only child. Did he resent the idea of sharing his father with us? How did he react when he learned about Mom and me?
To avoid disappointment, I braced myself for the worst. Honestly, I even laughed at my imagination sometimes—it felt like a scene straight out of a drama series. I pictured him outright rejecting me, saying he could never accept me as his sister. Still, deep down, I hoped we could at least be civil for the sake of Mom and Tito's relationship.
Ruiji stared at me intently, his eyes scanning me from head to toe, as if assessing every detail. I couldn't help but lower my gaze, feeling self-conscious. What could he be thinking? His furrowed brows gave the impression he was upset. I quickly glanced down at my outfit, wondering if something was wrong. Except for my slightly puffy eyes from crying earlier, I couldn't find anything unusual.
Wait a minute, why was I stressing so much about his first impression of me?
I lifted my head, determined to hold his gaze, but his expression only darkened further. Moments later, he shifted his focus to Tito without saying a word. My worst expectations were already unfolding.
"I have to go, Dad… Tita… I’m meeting up with Marcus. Bye."
He didn’t even wait for Tito to respond before turning and walking away. I let out a quiet sigh of relief once he disappeared from view.
"Ruiji, come home early for dinner!" Tito called after him, shaking his head in mild frustration.
"Eman, let him enjoy himself. We still have plenty of time to bond with him," Mom said, holding Tito’s arm reassuringly.
"Yaya Nimfa, please escort Brielle to her new room so she can rest and settle her things," Tito instructed the head servant.
Yaya Nimfa approached me immediately.
"Come, Señorita Brielle, this way."
I gawked as she led me to an elevator. Wow, a house with an elevator! The design was stunning—gold and black, exuding luxury. I thought elevators were reserved for malls or big buildings, but here I was, standing inside one.
"Let’s take the elevator, Señorita, so you can rest sooner," Yaya Nimfa said with a smile.
I nodded, taking in my surroundings. The elevator walls and floor were made of mirrors, reflecting my image from every angle. It was mesmerizing.
"This is your new room, Señorita Brielle," she said, pointing to a sleek black door. "And that one over there belongs to Señorito Ruiji. Please don’t enter his room. He dislikes anyone going inside except for his close friends."
I frowned slightly but kept my thoughts to myself. I had no intention of entering his room—we weren’t even close. But it made me curious. Who cleaned his room if no one else was allowed inside? Did he do it himself?
"You can rest here for now. We’ll bring your things shortly and arrange them in the walk-in closet," she added.
"Oh, there’s no need. I can organize my belongings myself," I quickly replied. "Also, you can just call me ‘Bri.’ It’s shorter and more casual."
Yaya Nimfa gave me a warm smile.
"Alright, Señorita Bri."
I sighed. She still added "Señorita," but I appreciated her effort. Being addressed that way felt strange, given that I wasn’t a Da Silva by blood. It made me uncomfortable. In my mind, I believed respect should flow the other way—I should be the one showing more courtesy to them since they were older and more experienced.
I plopped onto the bed, letting the softness embrace me. The mattress was so comfortable that it was tempting to stay here forever.
---
"Señorita Bri…"
"Señorita!"
I opened my eyes to the sound of Yaya Nimfa’s voice.
"Señorita, it’s time to prepare for your family dinner," she said kindly.
I blinked, taking a moment to gather my thoughts. Family dinner? I rubbed my temples as the reality sank in. This was my new life—new room, new house, and my first meeting with Ruiji.
"Thank you for waking me up, Yaya Nimfa. I think I overslept," I said sheepishly.
---
"You look stunning in that dress, Señorita Bri," Yaya Nimfa complimented me as I admired myself in the mirror.
The pastel-colored dress truly suited me. It had an elegant, vintage-inspired design with a soft, feminine touch. The fitted bodice featured a high neckline and a collared style, while the mid-calf A-line skirt was adorned with intricate floral lace embroidery.
"Thank you, Yaya Nimfa. Are they already in the dining room?" I asked while slipping on my strappy heels.
"Yes, Señorita. They’re downstairs, but dinner hasn’t been served yet," she replied.
I followed her guidance, unsure of the layout of this massive house. Getting lost was a real possibility.
As we entered the dining room, my eyes immediately landed on Tito Emanuel at the head of the long table. Mom was seated to his right, and Ruiji to his left. All eyes turned to me as I walked in, and I felt my cheeks flush under their gazes. Mom beamed with pride, while Tito and Ruiji both maintained serious expressions. Like father, like son—they even shared the same intense look.
"You look beautiful, Brielle," Tito said, his tone kind but his face stoic.
"Of course, where else would she get it from?" Mom laughed softly and kissed my cheek as I sat beside her.
"Thank you, Tito. Mom, you look gorgeous as well," I said, smiling. "But I believe everyone looks their best when they’re dressed up and loved."
"Aww, that’s so sweet, honey," Mom cooed.
I glanced at Ruiji, catching him staring at me again. There was something in his gaze that I couldn’t quite figure out, but he quickly looked away when I met his eyes.
Dinner was lavish, with an array of dishes that looked both delicious and extravagant. Tito led the family in prayer, and I loudly thanked God for the meal. Praying aloud was something my dad had instilled in me, a tradition I cherished.
When I opened my eyes, everyone was staring at me. I suddenly realized they had been waiting for me to finish my prayer. Mom cleared her throat to break the awkward silence, and I silently thanked her for redirecting their attention.
As we began eating, Tito said, "By the way, Brielle, you’re already enrolled at Da Silva University. Ruiji also studies there."
I nearly choked on my salad. This was going to be interesting.
- Writer
