STARTED WITH A SULTRY KISS

01

Chapter One

I stare at the family portrait at the wall infront of the grand staircase of the mansion, With faces that screams elegant and wealth. A tear run through my cheeks, i wiped it hastily

I want to question everything, i wanted to ask and be answered, but i know my voice wouldn’t be heard, I know that every words i speak is useless, i felt like an outcast, i don’t even know why.

“Adira” i heard a cold menacing voice behid me, i turned to see her, my mother who i felt hated me was looking at me with her cold emotionless eyes

i cleared my throat “Mom” i gived her a small smile

She raised her eyebrows, seems that she knew i was crying, i avoided her gaze by looking down, i wiped my face making sure that there will be no trace of tears but i think that wouldn’t make ber believe that i’m not crying, surely my nose is red for it always happens when i cry.

“You should stay on your bedroom, my amigas will be coming here, i don’t want you roaming around showing yourself to my friends”

I nodded “yes mom”

She gived me one last menacing glare and elegantly walked down to the second floor, i sighed and slowly walked up the stairs to my bedroom, as i walked through hallways, i stop to to check the shelf full of frames. pictures of my siblings and different pictures of my family in different countries they went to, none of them are mine or i’m even in it in every group pictures

This wasn’t new to me, as i grew up and started to understand things, i slowly realized what’s happening around me, i slowly started to read their treatment towards me.

I entered my room and slumped myself to my bed, i looked at the ceiling of my room, This always happens when my mother have visitors. i’m not allowed to get out nor roam around the house, before i didn’t care but as i’ve got older, and seen how different she is when it comes to my siblings, for unknown reason she treats me far different than my older brother Finral and younger sister Farra.

I didn’t realize that i fallen asleep while just laying on my bed, i checked the clock and it was already six pm, i slept for three hours.

I stood up and tidied up my bed, i slowly opened my door and stepped outside. It was already dark and nearing dinner. I hope that mom’s amigas had already gone home.

“Thank God they’ve already left” i whispered after i went down the living room and there was no one around, I’m already famished and i wanted to eat.

I went to the kitchen, the house chef was cooking and some helpers are busy doing some errands, when i saw what they were busy for, i forgot that i’m hungry and wanted to run out for they were all busy with the guests foods, different dishes are made, the helpers are even holding used tea cups entering the back door that leads to the garden.

In hurry i went out half running and half walking, but i was forced to stop when i bumped into someone causing me to stumble and fall.

“Ouch” I whispered, I am flinching in pain touching my back hip, my face is surely crumpled.

“Hey are you alright?” a baritone voice asked, a pair of expensive shoes was standing infront of me, I looked up to see who is it and i was astonished to see a person, a man looked so ruggedly handsome, with his thick eyebrows, pointed nose, piercing blue eyes and chiseled jaw, he had a tan skin that made him more manlier. He looked so mean and intense.

Maybe I was staring at him so long that his forehead creased still looking at me, “Are you okay miss?” he bent down and offered me his hand.

I realized how weird i look like and a visitor saw me, i hurriedly get up, didn’t even accept his hands. “I’m sorry for not being careful and bumping you” i bowed several times to show how sincere i am and run off again, I wouldn’t want to get scolded again for disobeying my mother’s order

As i reached the second floor, i was breathing heavily, i clutched my chest and slowly walked towards my room, i guess i have to wait until the visitor’s are gone.

I waited, i distracted my famished self by reading a book, I have always been a bookworm, and sometimes i write too, i’ve drawn into writing for i can make a world, a new and perfect one, without any pain, where i control the plot and end it with a happily ever after.

Writing is my escape from reality.

I got immersed into the book i am reading when i heard a knock from outside my door, I stood up and opened it to see, Nanna Diday, with food on a tray.

She looked at me with worry, when i gived her a smile, her face became at ease and answered me with a small smile too.

“I came here because i saw you running out after seeing us busy with your mother’s guest foods, i know that you’re not able to eat dinner when she have guests here so i brought your dinner here”

I felt like crying, Nanna Diday always care, everyone in this household treats me like i’m an invisible person, My sister hates me, My mom seems unhappy with my existence, my dad is always busy and my older brother is in abroad for his studies.

I felt all alone, thankfully Nanna Diday, worries about me like i’m her child, she would fill the void of emptiness i feel.

She would always be there, to take care of me. I pouted, scrunching my nose to stop my tears

“Hey? why are you looking upset? are you alright?” she worriedly asked, I walked back to let her in, she did and hurriedly put the tray down my study table to embrace me

“Adira why are crying dear?” she asked worriedly as she wiped my tears, i shook my head and give her a tight embrace

“Thank you for the dinner nanna, i’m just famished, it made me emotional” i said, she chuckled with that

“You silly child, i thought something is hurting you” she said and embraced me

I wanted to tell her that everything hurts, and it even pains me that every mystery about me and the way they treat me couldn’t be answered, no one could hear my plea, no one could answer my every question.

“I am nanna, really” I wanted to convince her but it’s feels like it’s myself who i’m trying to convince.

Morning came, that i went to the dining room to eat, one of the helpers called me and told me that dad is home and he wants us complete in the dining table.

I excitedly skip the stairs, Dad is seldom home for he is very busy with the family business, He and my brother Finral is closer to me than my sister and my mom.

As i walked down i unexpectedly met my sister who’s also walking down the stairs opposite to where i am, she give me a sarcastic smile.

“Look whose walking like she owns the place” she raised her eyebrows and give me a look from head to foot, she scoffed “why are you so happy by the way?” I lost my smile after she spoke

“Dad’s home” i give her a small smile, She’s Farra Amanda, a year younger than me. my sister who hates me or worse loathes me to death.

“So that’s why you’re so happy?” she chuckled sarcastically, “pathetic” she rolled her eyes and turned her back from me, I sighed and followed her towards the dining.

She has the brightest smile when we arrived “Good morning mommy and daddy!” she went to mom and kissed her, mom smiled and kissed her in the cheeks, she after went to that to do the same, dad smiled

“Good morning mom, good morning dad” i greeted, Dad gived me a smile, mom didn’t even gived me a glance

As i sat the same with my sister, the helpers started serving the breakfast.

“How’s school Adira? Amanda?” dad asked as we started to eat

“Hon, Amanda did well in her art class and she did well in her ballet recital” mom said proudly

Farra smiled after hearing that “Yes dad and i did well in my academics too” she smiled proudly with that

“That’s really great to hear princess you can tell dad what reward you want i will give it” dad turned his attention to me, he gestured me to talk

“I’m doing good dad” i gived him a smile, I’m not that inclined with dancing or so like my sister and mom doesn’t really want me to join any.

Mom conversed dad with every topic related to Farra, It’s never new to me, after a little glance i would then be forgotten, Dad sitting as the host, mom was beside him on his right, Farra on his left and i’m sitting on the chair, one chair apart from Farra. She doesn’t want me near her.

I’m near them, but it feels like there’s a wall that makes me feel apart from my family.

“Adira?” i woke up from my deep thoughts when i heard my dad called my name again, i turned to look at him

“Yes dad?”

“Next month well be your debut, what’s your plan Adira? do you want a grand celebration?”

I couldn’t speak for a second, Would dad really give me a grand celebration? even if it’s just a dinner i would gladly spend it with them.

I plan to speak but i was cut off by mom, “Hon, aren’t you too busy? the construction of the new hotels in hawaii started just this month, preparing for Adira’s birthday would need a lot of time”

Dad nodded “Yes, i know that hon but still It’s her birthday, Adira will be turning Eighteen, i want to give her a party that every young girl her age dream, we can hire an event planner to do all the job, Adira will choose all the things she wants about the party.”

“Hon preparing for a grand celebration, one should give time for that, the planners wouldn’t just move on it’s own without our instructions, there will be choosing of the theme, cakes, listing of visitors, you wouldn’t have time for that dear” Mom said

Dad sighed, “Maidelyn, i want Adira to experience a debut, we seldom celebrate together her birthdays, and she didn’t complain about it. It’s a once in a lifetime experience for every girl, We should compensate our daughter for the years we’re busy with business and forgot to be with her in her special day” He reached mom’s hand that settling on the table, Mom scoffed and withdrew her hand from dad’s hold.

“Dad” i tried to get my father’s attention and when he turned to look at me i gived him a understanding smile “Dad, mom’s right. both of you are busy. To be honest i don’t really need a grand celebration for my birthday, i don’t really have many friends to invite and I’m happy that we can spend it complete, You, Mom, Kuya Finral and Farra, an intimate birthday dinner is enough”

(Note: Kuya means older brother in filipino)

Farra who’s silent and seems not caring about her surroundings raise her brows, Dad look at me like he was not expecting that and mom with her cold yet mean face. She would always have that look on her face.

I look down again for i can’t keep up with their gaze, it was heavy and intimidating, after that heated moment we all went to silent.

Mom seems lost her appetite and suddenly walked out, dad hurriedly chase after her.

Farra puts her spoon and fork down, she wipe her mouth and stood up, i thought she would just leave like everyone did but she suddenly stopped

“That’s a good show Adira, you’ve earned the pity card” She coldly said and went out of the dining area

I bitterly smiled, pity huh?

Maybe i should accept it with my both palms open, but i’ve always done that, i’ve always accepted the scraps of their affection, but what can i do? i shouldn’t ask for more.

STARTED WITH A SULTRY KISS || ASTEROPHILESHOOKY