THE BILLIONAIRE’S CAREGIVER

Chapter two : FACE OF REALITY

"Pumpkin!!" I groaned as I heard the familiar greeting from the entrance of the kitchen. I hated Ross so much, he was Gina's older brother and had been a very stable bully in our lives since middle school. We were much older now but he still got on my nerves. He's a 29 year old unemployed bumkin who spends his whole life tormenting his sister and her best friend.

"Hello, Ross" I greeted with my teeth clenched. "someone came in with an attitude" he snickered as he made his way to us with his annoying stride. I just rolled my eyes at him planning the ignore him the whole night.

Obviously, he had other plans so he continued prodding, he stood in front of me with that annoying smirk on his face "what's wrong with Merida, why's she redder than her hair" he said snickering.

I just fumed more at his reference. He knew I hated being called Merida and Gina knew how much of a terrible mood I was in so she butt in before it got bloodier. " f**k off Ross, she's not in a good mood" she said in a serious tone.

He just rolled his eyes and walked off muttering something on his way back to the kitchen.

"Mom's in the garden, you should say hi" Gina said in a soft tone as she made her way upstairs to change.

Mr and Mrs Reed are the best people in the world, they're extra supportive and have taken me as their second child. Mr Reed has been a Father figure in me and my brother's life since my father passed away. They're not exactly rich but they're comfortable and always make sure to help in any way possible.

I made my way to the garden when I saw Mrs Reed crouched over some petunias, her fingers tracing the delicate petals. She looked like she was remembering something or someone with the wandering gaze in her eyes.

I really didn't want to disturb her but I sort of had to "Hey Mary" I greeted in a soft tone, she whipped her head back at the sound of my voice and instantly had a huge grin appear on her face.

"Emilia Darling! I didn't know you were coming over" she said dusting her skirt as she stood up. "I know, it was a sudden decision, I hope that's fine with you" I asked with a small smile.

She just giggled as she hugged me "don't be silly, you're welcome here, any day, any time. You should visit more often actually" she said looking at my face as if reading my expression.

She stopped to look at me properly with a smile but I could see the sad glint in her eyes. I assessed her too, from her blonde hair with streaks of grey that was put in a neat tight bun, to her flowery shirt and flair skirt.

She looked youthful and happy but the creases beside her eyes and soft wrinkles across her face brought us back to reality that time was passing by whether we liked it or not.

For some reason, the thought of everyone around me including me getting old made me emotional as I started tearing up. Mary immediately had a frown on her face noticing, "oh darling" she whispered as she hugged me one more time.

I just wanted to remain in that warm, genuine embrace and not face the reality of the hardship that life was.

_________

"What smells good" Ross asked sauntering into the kitchen. Gina and I ignored him while Mary just rolled her eyes "our dinner" she said. "I hope I'm included" he said grinning as he reached for a piece of potato from the pan when Mary slapped his hand away.

"You're not, only the people who worked to make it are going to have dinner" she said with a victorious smirk which made Gina and I smile but I was more than smiling within, I was celebrating. I loved seeing Mary put Ross in his place.

"Common Mom! What am I going to eat then?!" He asked whining but Mary was anything but phased, she was used to his tantrum. "You can eat cereal or go to bed hungry. I don't care, you're not a child" she said draining the water out of the potatoes.

Ross's mouth was hanging open in shock of his mother's words. "Your Dad would be home soon, set the table if you want to eat dinner" she said glancing at him for a second.

He rolled his eyes but started setting the table anyway. Gina and I finished up with the chicken and placed it on the counter for Ross to set up while Mary continued mashing the potatoes.

I moved the stir fry asparagus from the fire and plated it as Ross intentionally hit me to get cups, I glared at him from the corner of my eye since Mary hated it when we fought. He smirked "easy Merida" he said before he walked off.

Gina came and put a hand on my shoulder" relax, don't let him get to you" she said before patting me and walking off.

Not long after, Mr Reed walked in and was pleased to see me as usual, he settled since dinner was ready. We all sat round the table with Me in between Gina and Ross.

Gina said the grace and we started eating, I noticed Mary gave me a larger portion of chicken which made me smile a bit but of course Ross is against my happiness "heyy that's not fair, why's Merida's chicken more than mine" he said with a childish pout, whining a bit.

Mary just rolled her eyes " Emilia made the chicken Ross, if you want more food, you should work for it. You're old enough to" she said making emphasis on my name which just made me smile.

He just scoffed and continued eating. I looked at my food then round the table at the second family I was more than grateful for. I wished It could just remain like this and not wake up tomorrow morning to face the reality that I was once again, unemployed.