Chapter 4

Star's POV

After Aries left, I walked out of the library too..

I thought of walking back to my room until I heard some noises coming from down stairs..

I should just go back to my room but curiosity got the best of me..

As I walked towards the garden, I saw someone's back.. Probably smoking..

Who could be smoking now?

"Hello..? "

I called out as I took steps forward..

The man stiffened for a bit before taking another drag of the cigarette.. He threw the bud on the ash tray before looking back at me..

"What the fuck is your problem?! "

I flinched as he yelled at me..

"You ruined everything! Now you're in the house again even though I hate the idea of you being under the same roof as me! Above that, you had to come here? During my smoking break?! Can't you just stay put in your damn room and be quite?! Always picking trouble! "

He yelled on my face as I just stood there.. Staring at him with wide eyes.. I don't even know if I did something to piss him off that bad.. He isn't Atlas or Aries..

He's Orion.. My third brother..

"I... I am sorry... "

I could only say out those words as I don't know what else to say.. All I said was hello and he reacted as if I struck him with a bat..

"You-"

He stopped mid sentence and launched at me.. I put my hands up to cover me thinking he might strike me but all he did was to push me back and the sound of something falling..

ORION'S POV

The moment she said sorry, I snapped back to reality.. I stared at her.. Her eyes glossy, lips trembling after I shouted at her so badly..

I thought she would retaliate.. Say something to make me more mad but all she said was sorry..

"You-"

Before I could say something, I heard a creek and looked up.. A massive flower pot, tilting, will fall soon on the place where Star was standing..

I moved towards her fast, her hands covering herself as if I was about to hit her.. That hurt a bit..

I pushed her back just in time and the pot fell where she was standing earlier.. I held her against me.. That protective instinct made my adrenaline rush before it calmed down to something cold again as I pushed her back..

Not with too much force, but enough to maintain a distance..

"Go back to your room and don't show me your face! I don't want to see you while I'm here! "

She nodded meekly and ran away being scared.. I could tell she was scared of me from how she avoided looking at me.. It's better that way..

I don't want her to think that she'll just enter our lives and we'll forget whatever happened..

Some things can never be forgotten..

STAR'S POV

From that day on, I barely left the room.. But that didn't stop the encounters.. Time to time I would meet Atlas or Aries.. But I could say anything to them... Their cold stare towards me shut my mouth immediately..

I successfully avoided Orion the most.. Atlas and Aries were as bad as Orion.. Looks like he still has bad temper like he had where we were kids..

But that was never directed to me until now..

I did try to win them over.. I tried to initiate small talks but they acted as if I didn't even exist..

It felt like they brought me back just to torture me like this.. I thought they still loved me from how they saved me.. But day by day it feels like I thought wrong of it..

It hurt honestly... But what hurt me the most is the fact that my father didn't even come to meet me... I thought at least he would be here... But then I remembered that he's the one to send me away at the first place..

He probably hated me more than my brothers... If mom was alive, she would've been hating me the most...

I opened my diary and pulled out her photo... She was holding me in her arms, smiling lovingly... It was taken on her birthday and I had gifted her a ugly handmade card.. Yet she accepted it like it was precious than the diamond necklace dad gave her..

I smiled and caressed her face..

If it wasn't for me, she would've still be alive.. With us.. Even though she probably would have hated me..

I snapped out of my thoughts as someone knocked on the door..

I closed the diary, keeping the photo inside with care..

"Come in.. "

Franklin opened the door and a maid brought in breakfast...

"Good Morning Ms Vanderbilt... "

"Good morning, Frank.. "

Over these days, I may not have grown closer to my brothers but Franklin and other maids became close to me.. They became someone I can talk to freely..

The maid placed the breakfast on the table for me.. I wasn't allowed to sit with them to eat.. Apparently it killed their apatite... So my food was brought in my room..

"I have something to talk to you.. "

I said as he was about to leave..

"Sure ma'am.. "

I pointed at him to sit opposite of me..

"I want to win over my brothers.. I want them to at least look at me... I don't know how to do it... Can you help me? You have been with them for years.. You would know what they like.. "

I said with pleading eyes.. He looked hesitant but I doubled down..

"Please... If they don't even listen to me, how am I supposed to tell them the truth?! You have to help me! "

He looked uncomfortable but nodded at last..

"Okay... I'll help you with it.. "

I smiled and he started explaining.. From what he said, they are fond of good food.. After a stressful day, a good meal lightens their mood..

"Okay... I'll cook dinner tonight! "

His eyes widened as he shook his head..

"No no no young lady! You'll hurt yourself! "

I shook my head..

"I have experience! Trust me on this! "

Later that night, I entered the kitchen.. Everything were prepared before hand.. I started cooking what I remembered as their favorite food when we were kids.. Something mom used to cook for them..

While staying away, I used to cook time to time as Gloria was busy working jobs..

I finished the last dish when they arrived... I stayed back in the kitchen as the maids served the dishes to them..

"Are you sure they'll like those foods? It's been years since those were cooked, you know? "

Franklin whispered to me as we both watched them secretly...

From the moment the food was served, their expression changed completely.. All that cold demeanor changed to something soft..

"I hope so.. "

They dig in like hungry beasts.. Moaning in between eating like savouring the flavor..

"I think they liked it.. "

I said while smiling ear to ear..

"Should I go and tell them that it was you? "

I shook my head..

"No... Not now.. If we do that now, they'll refuse to eat.. "

He nodded as I stared at me enjoying the food I cooked..

And just like that, it because a daily routine..

Their arrival time began to get early as they waited impatiently for the dinner... As if they waited the whole day for it..

It's been two weeks since I started cooking for them..

"I have to tell them now.. How long will you keep on hiding?! "

Franklin said and before I could stop him, he went towards them.. To stop him, I followed behind..

"Sir there is something you need to know-"

"No there is nothing! "

I pulled Franklin away towards the kitchen while the three of them looked at us with confused looks..

"Let me tell them! "

"No!! You'll not! They'll not eat if you say it! "

I whispered to him ..

"How long will you hide it? They'll continue to hate you while you do so much for them? "

He whispered back..

"I don't care now... As long as it pleases them.. I can't just ruin it now.. "

Before Franklin could say something, Atlas spoke..

"What are you both whispering? "

I froze for a moment... Before I could say something, Franklin spoke..

"Miss wanted to ask if she could join you for dinner.. "

I looked at Franklin with wide eyes.. He just nudged me forward..

"N-No! It's not like that! "

I stuttered as the three of them stared at me..

"I'll go to my room now.. I am sorry.. "

I stepped back , ready to go back to my room when Atlas called out..

"Stop Hannah.. "

I felt my heart breaking all over again as he called me that.. I looked at him..

"Sit there and eat your dinner.. "

He pointed at the furthered corner and went back to eating.. I stood there stunned.. Did he just...

Franklin pushed me towards the chair and smiled cheekily.. I smiled as it's the first time they invited me.. Even though Atlas was cold, he still talked to me..

So does that mean they are finally excepting me?