The Family Secret

CHAPTER 3

Katerina:

I was beyond overjoyed to find that my new bedroom also had its own bathroom. For a month now I’d felt like doom and gloom but finally, I felt a sense of excitement for the future. I sent a video to my best friend and she insisted on a video call later tonight. I wondered if they would let her visit as I freshened up, scrubbing away the days of travel. I applied a bit of makeup to enhance my features but not over the bruises colouring the side of my face and straightened my dark thick hair before finding the cupboard. I almost stopped breathing when I found the walk-in closet stacked with a mixture of my old clothes and brand new items that went beyond everything I remotely believed was expensive. There wasn’t a price tag but the quality and material, I just knew that I would never be able to afford pieces like this in my old life. This wasn’t just wealth, this was generational wealth. My family hadn’t been poor but we haven’t been rich either and a part of me felt terrible appreciating and loving my new life when it had cost me everything I loved in my old. Night had come and still the temperature was warm and comfortable, so I decided on white hot shorts and the matching crop and slip on shoes. I took a navy hoodie of my own that I just loved too and wrapped it over my shoulders when I was called to dinner. My heart raced with nerves and excitement as I was escorted to a dining room, apparently there was more than one. Tonight, supper was being served in the courtyard overlooking the ocean. The house keeper opened the glass door for me and instantly my ears filled with laughter and soft music as I took in the scene before me. Lights hung over the courtyard, washing it in a warm glow as Esme and another five people sat around a long wooden talk. Glancing over them, one thing was very apparent. Everyone was considerably good looking. My anxiety flew sky high, I wasn’t in these peoples league, I wasn’t even in the same sport. More maids served them as they chatted amongst themselves, hardly noticing me as I approached. Esme was facing the door and the moment she saw me hovering, her smile widened and she stood, coming around the table to engulf me in a gentle hug.

“Kat, don’t be shy. Is everything okay?” I nodded and she rubbed my bare arms smoothingly, “Good, you look lovely, darling. Come now, meet your new family.” She exclaimed, guiding me over to the table.

A massive man with a neat beard and a handsome face was the first to be introduced. I knew he was her husband right away. He was older, not as old as he should be but older than the others at the table who I avoided eye contact with. One person at a time, I told myself.

“Kat, this is my husband, Sebastian.”

Sebastian stood and took both my hands into his, lifting them to press a kiss to my knuckles. “I am very pleased to meet you young lady. We were so thrilled that we could gain custody of you and welcome you into our family fully.”

“Thank you, you are very kind sir.” And he did certainly appear so. I couldn’t believe how nice my aunt and uncle were, how warm and friendly.

“Please, call me Uncle Seb.” He smiled kindly, patting my hands before releasing them and taking his seat.

Before Esme could introduce anyone else at the table, a blonde popped up, pulling me into a tight hug that caused me to wince as she bumped the side of my face that was still healing. She didn’t seem to notice as she drew back beaming. She was around my age, young and fit and dressed in a silky blue dress that highlighted her fit body. She was stunning, I mean, model kind of stunning and I felt terribly underdressed and plain next to her. Casting a quick glance around, I found that everyone was dressed well. That's when I properly looked at the three boys at the table. Esme’s husband was handsome and manly, but these boys - they were from another realm entirely. They didn’t have the bulk of their father but they weren't far behind in size or height from the looks of where I was standing. And their faces…

“I’m Emma, hi, it's so nice to meet Jordan’s cousin. I was so excited when he told me about you coming to live here.” The blonde, Emma said, drawing my attention back to her. She seemed nice enough but her smile almost looked forced. Perhaps it was just me overthinking or perhaps she was as nervous as I was.

“Hi, nice to meet you.” I smiled back, wondering which one was Jordan and if she was his girlfriend.

“Emma,” Esme snapped, surprising me with her sudden firmness, “be careful, she is still in bad shape and you are being rough.”

Emma immediately stopped touching me and offered a shy smile to Esme, “I apologize, my lady. Please forgive my eagerness to make friends.”

My lady? I echoed in my head, thinking that's a rather bizarre way to speak. Esme didn’t return her smile but instead narrowed her eyes on the blonde, disapproval obvious in her gaze. It was apparent that Esme wasn’t a fan of the girl. Emma stepped aside as Esme stepped forward and wrapped an arm around my shoulders gently. The boys had left their seats, coming to stand before us. Esme seemed to brighten as she indicated the row of boys that were my cousins by formality.

“These are my boys.” Esme said and I almost laughed at the use of the word boys. They were fricken poster boys for those greek gods movies.

“Jayden over here is the oldest.” I almost had to break my neck to meet his gaze. Jayden smiled and took my hand in his, bending slightly as he lifted it to meet his lips. My mouth parted as a soft gasp escaped my mouth. Jayden was bold and heat colored my cheeks as he kept eye contact, pressed his full lips to my skin. The blush deepened when I felt the tip of his tongue touch my skin before he straightened and smirked.

“Only by a month or two.” He said and I nervously laughed.

He was like the sun, blindingly beautiful. He had wavy golden hair and bright green eyes that were so light, they seemed unreal. I strained to keep smiling, wondering if Esme saw what he had done. But I didn’t think so and she continued in the same happy tone.

“And this is Julian, he is a mommies boy.” Esme laughed lightly and Julian winked at her playfully as he stepped forward. He was just as tall and gorgeous and fit - gosh, what were they feeding these guys on this island?

“Hi Katerina.” He said in a smooth rich voice. He smiled, his dark brown eyes warm as he planted a quick kiss on my knuckles, nothing overly familiar like his eldest brother had done.

“Hi.” I smiled, and my cheeks were beginning to hurt from all the bloody smiling going on here. Julian seemed genuinely friendly unlike Jayden who looked like the town's heartthrob in a single act. Julian's soft brown hair complimented his tanned skin perfectly and I found that he looked foreign amongst his family members.

“Im Jordan.” My attention shifted to the last boy. The one who had spoken. It just kept getting better. He had introduced himself without waiting for his mother to do so. He was arguably the most attractive out of the family of amazingly good looks with his dark locks and bronze skintone. He looked like every book girl's dream man. If he smiled I didn’t notice, I was completely captivated by his strikingly blue eyes. Eyes like Esme’s. He must be her biological son.

“Kat.” I said back, but of course he knew that.

That's when Emma inserted herself, clutching onto his arm and smiling. Jordan didn’t kiss my hand like his father and brothers had, which I was beginning to think was a custom here. I didn’t know if that was a bad thing or not.

“Good, now that everyone is introduced, let's eat!” Esme encouraged, and we all returned to the table. Esme, Jordan and Emma moved to the other side while Jayden and Julian took seats on my side. There was only one left between the two boys, with Julian seated beside his father who took the head of the table. As the food was served, I felt like I was eating at a restaurant with a seafood buffet. My glass was always full and the food was abundant. I filled my plate and happily tucked in. Julian engaged his parents mostly, while Jordan barely spoke or looked past his phone or plate as Emma chatted away. Jayden, I could tell, was watching me closely, making my cheeks burn with his intense observation.

“Kat, darling.” Esme called, grabbing my attention and halting conversation. “The boys have school tomorrow but I know you have just arrived. I would understand if you needed some time to settle in.”

“No, that's fine really.” I assured her, “I’d like to go see my new school. I know I'm probably a bit behind since I've been in hospital and all that. I cannot afford to miss more school if I want to pass my finals.”

“Thats great, I'm glad to hear it. The boys can give you a ride tomorrow.” She said, glancing at the boys who nodded their heads in agreement.

Emma leaned forward, “I’d love to show you around.” she said and I noticed Jordan’s eyes narrowed as his gaze slid to her face.

“That would be great, thanks.” I agreed despite the unsettling feeling I got from Jordan's reaction to her offer. That was nice of her, so why did he seem to have a problem with it? Was there a problem with me?

“That's fine Em,” Jayden said, in a voice that seemed too sweet to be genuine, “she's my family’s guest,” Jayden continued, leaning back into his chair, his large shoulder brushing against mine, "I'll show her around.”

His gaze found mine, pinning me in place as I inhaled sharply. My best friend was obsessed with the greek gods after reading some books she had found online. She had basically shoved it down my throat and I knew most of the popular gods. Apollo, god of the sun, came to mind as I looked at Jayden.

“That would be better, don't you think Katerina?” Jayden asked, leaning forward to rest his arm on the table near me while he rested his chin in his hand.

“Just Kat, and I really don’t mind.” I said quickly, dropping my gaze as my face heated under his attention.

He straightened immediately, seemingly satisfied, “Great. Then it's settled, I'll be giving her the tour.”