Chapter 1 (Part 1)

“Excuse me.” I made sure my voice sounded soft and calm as I made my way inside our family's mansion. I am completely clueless on why there are so many people here. When in fact, only a family dinner is going to be held tonight.

“Sweet mother of Jesus, I am so late.” I said to myself as I walk faster all the way to the dining hall. I'm not going to lie, my insides are a little bit panicky right now. The heavens know how strict my father is when it comes to family dinners. He doesn't like it when me or my brother comes late and comes crashing down in front of the table.

It's embarrassing for him. He said everyone's going to go home talking about it, and everyone's attention will be on me. Well, I sort of believe it though. This is not the first time that I am late, and the first time that I was late, I just wanted the universe to make me vanish into an unknown realm. I felt humiliated with numerous pairs of eyes watching me and my every move. Made me wish that I should've never came at all.

I suppose that's going to happen now again.

As soon as I step inside the dining hall, my head rapidly thinks of countless ways to say sorry. But luck is not on my side tonight since I still ended up saying the most common one.

“I'm sorry I'm late. I got a little too busy with the grand opening today.” Just like what I expected, everyone's eyes settle on me like it's the very first time that I am late into a family dinner. The discussion they're all having suddenly stops as each of them pays attention to my not-so-very-amusing act. I've already gotten so much shame for the past 5 years of my life, and now I am about to put myself in that dark place again?

I nervously look around the room, and when my eyes find my father, he gives me a reassuring look that calms my nerves from being panicky. One gentle nod from him made me rush to an empty seat beside my brother, Trudy Aglauros.

Oh, did I forget to mention that the whole Aglauros family is here tonight?

“Glad you made it, sis.” He softly bumps his arm to mine. It's one of the many things I love that my little brother does. I sweetly beam at him, “Thank you, Trud.”

“I thought you were not going to attend this year's whole family dinner again. I know how cruel the discussions here can be.” Trudy plays his food with a fork and a spoon. He separates the pork meat from the vegetables and then he eats a spoonful of veggies. “It's a better option to stay in your penthouse.” He muffles because of the food inside his mouth. I give him a glare just like the one our mother gives him when he's being a bad little boy.

“Don't speak when you're mouth is full, Trudy. How many times do I have to tell you that?” My brother just shrugs his shoulders and continues to eat foods he believes are healthy.

Healthy foods are good for him. And also for me though. Because Trudy and I are both one of the world's highest paid supermodels. Our mother successfully raised her kids following her footsteps and legacy. Our father could only disagree once when we were kids. Mom wears the pants in their marriage. And I grew up believing that I will someday have the type of marriage they have.

“Finally, after 5 years of hiding from us, you decided to join us for tonight, Aurella.”

Oh, no. Not again. Not him.

“It's been so long, Uncle Naveen. And I don't really have a reason to use as an excuse not to be present tonight. I certainly missed the mansion.” I use all of the strength in my body to be able to form a smile for my dear uncle. I am now starting to feel remorse why I decided to be here and offer my whole existence to be their hot topic for tonight.

Uncle Naveen Aglauros is definitely not my favorite uncle. Among my father's brothers, he is the one that I just can't bring myself to trust. I can't find the right words to describe him, but there is something about him that my gut is telling me not to believe. Or maybe it's because he's always the one bringing up family issues on the table, and making it everyone's laughingstock for the whole night. It's his thing; that's what he does. He brings up a topic, or maybe he calls out a family member and then he asks until the question goes too far to reach the hidden issue.

I don't know why he's doing this to us, but clearly, it's making his victim uncomfortable and embarrassed. This must be a crime. A human being must not be given a chance to feel entitled to humiliate a person. It's not cool. It's traumatizing.

“I was about to believe that you will never be back again when your brother here showed us that he can be so much better.” He laughs, and so are the other members of the family.

Nice try, but I will never be offended. Comparing me to my younger brother is an old tactic that he has used since I was a teen. It shows off his misogynistic traits and his toxic belief that men will always be above women. But I am not as dumb as he thinks, and I am not weak just like how he captures most women.

He's the one here believing hoaxes. Too arrogant to believe that women are more than what they seem.

“Truly, my brother is amazing. And I am too. But what about you, uncle? Any new projects? Movies to star in? Telenovelas? Or just another set of commercials you don't want to talk about?” The smile on my lips plastered for my uncle becomes a slight grin that I know he hates. While my brother beside me tries so hard not to let his laugh be heard by everybody. I catch a glimpse of my father, and he's also suppressing his smile. I don't really care if the rest of the family won't side with me. As long as my father, mother, and brother are with me, I am for evermore grateful and contented.

“Careful with your words, Aurella. He's still your uncle after all. It seems like you've forgotten the word respect.” I almost roll my eyes. It's disgusting whenever a member of the family decides to defend him. And this time, it's Uncle Neptune's wife, aunt Hera. “Respect is given to people who give back respect to you too, ma. In Aurella's case, I don't think she has gotten any respect from this family especially from uncle Naveen.” I smile at my cousin Harvey for defending me from his own mother. I suppose there are no other members of this family who have the authority to talk back to aunt Hera but her husband and her son.

Harvey Aglauros is two years older than me. He is the family's most favorite because he's the richest one here that have been keeping the family's status at the top.

Wealthiest family, they say. But for me, this family doesn't only hold mountains of wealth. This family is also filled with jealousy and greed.

“Can't we just have a nice dinner? Why do we always have this kind of conversation on the table? Stop acting like children. All of you are capable of hurting each other's feelings.”

Wow, look who finally had the courage to speak.

It was Lucan. The youngest among all of my cousins. He's the youngest, but he is the third wealthiest member of the family.

Harvey, Trudy, and Lucan are the holy trinity of this family. And I couldn't be more proud of them. Especially to my brother. I don't mind him surpassing me. This is not a competition, and ever since I entered the business world, everything that I do is for myself. Not for anyone; and not to use it as something to brag about.

“Oh. Wasn't expecting to hear something from you, Lucan.” Uncle Naveen is still at it. He's the one here who can't stop himself. He loves pitting us to each other as if this family is made with inescapable competition. “I'm not in the mood for this. This wasn't the dinner I was looking forward to earlier. Excuse me.” Lucan stands up and leaves his seat with a frown on his face. “At least he finished his food.” I heard Trudy murmur to himself. Silence then reigns the whole dining hall, and only the sound of utensils screeching on glass plates is audible enough to cut through.

“Let's talk about something else? Shall we?” Lucan's father, uncle Noam Aglauros warmly offers. The sound of his voice is trying to clear the thick clouds surrounding this family.