CHAPTER 4: DINNER

Themis’ POV

As soon as I went downstairs bringing my things with me, I saw all of our maids and butlers lined up in front of the door. 

I smiled at them. “Where’s Tim?”

“He’s still in his room, young master.” One of the maids said to me.

“I guess he doesn’t want to see me go.”

“Young master Themis, please come back here safely,” Hansel said.

The other maids suddenly bowed their heads to me as they spoke. “Come back to us safely, young master Themis.”

A smile appeared on my face. “All of you worked so hard all these years so I thank you for that. I will do everything to bring our family back to its place before, and to make all of you proud. Just trust me, and I will come back here safely and with dignity.”

Then all of them started crying, including Hansel. 

We’ve been together for so many years. We hide ourselves with them. They even had to pretend they got killed during that night just to protect their family. Some of them died because of oldness, but their children remained with us. 

“I guess Tim will no longer say goodbye to me,” I said as we walked outside the mansion.

“It must be so hard for him, young master.”

“Take care of him, Hansel. Take care of him for me. I know he is a stubborn man, but I also know you will be there to understand and support him, especially in running our company.”

Hansel nodded his head. “You can always count on me, sir. Take care of yourself, too.”

“Thank you. Take care of yourself, too.”

I was about to ride in my car when someone suddenly called my name.

“Themis! Wait!”

I turned around and saw Timothy. 

“Tim!”

“You left this.” He said, then he showed me the brown teddy bear mom gave us when we were just kids. It doesn’t have its right eye anymore because Tim and I fought one night and he got so mad at me and he pulled it out to have his vengeance.

I smiled at him as I took the teddy bear. “Thanks.”

“Take care of yourself, Themis. Mom and dad would be so mad at me if anything happens to you. You know you are their favorite child.”

“That’s not true. Remember when dad bought you a bike, and he didn’t buy me one? That is the proof of him having you as his favorite child.”

“But mom always sides on you whenever we fight.”

We both laughed. 

“People here will surely miss you,” Tim said to me with a sad smile on his face.

“How about you? You won’t miss your brother?”

“O-Of course not. Why would I miss someone who teases me a lot?” He said while looking away.

“But why are you crying right now?”

He immediately wiped the tears from his eyes. “I’m not crying.”

“Oh, this baby brother of mine!” I said as I pat his head and hugged him. 

“Promise me you’ll be alright, Themis. If you die and leave me alone, I will never forgive you.” Timothy said while hugging me back.

“I promise.”

Winter’s POV

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry I’m late,” I said as soon as I reached the dining hall of our mansion.

Everyone looked at me. 

“It’s alright. At least you arrived.” Grandpa said while smiling at me.

“Grandpa!” I came running to him like a kid and hugged him so tight.

“Winter! Watch your character! You’re a grown-up woman now!” mom suddenly yelled at me.

“Just let her be, Monica. I missed my granddaughter too.”

Mom just rolled her eyes and continue eating. 

After having a mini-reunion with my grandpa who’s the only person in the family that treats me right, I sat back in my chair. 

“How was your flight, daddy?” mom asked grandpa.

“Well, it was quite tiring. But I was so excited to see all of you. Especially Winter and Summer.” Grandpa replied while smiling.

“Speaking of Summer, she was awarded as the best doctor in the country now. She just saved the president from terminal cancer!” dad said with a huge smile on his face.

“Is that true?! Oh, I am so proud of you, Summer!”

Mom nodded her head. “She really is the best. She really got the traits of our family.”

Then I became invisible once again because of my perfect younger sister. They kept on talking about how smart and good she is while I was just staring at my food while wondering why I even came to this dinner. Summer is two years younger than me. We have never really gotten along well ever since we were just kids. Simply because she is the favorite child. She is the one that my parents favor the most whenever we fight and whenever we request something we want. They will surely give it all to her.

“How about you, Winter? I heard you got the role of Rachel Lockwood? Congratulations, honey.” Grandpa said to me.

“Y-Yeah, grandpa. Actually—

“There’s no point with that. Being an actress won’t contribute a lot to our country, nor to our family. Those people who become an actor are people who just can’t do anything. All they can do is cry and fake their tears. That’s it.” Mom said.

I looked down with my hands balled into a fist. 

“Monica, stop saying that to your daughter! Winter tries her best to make you and Luke proud of her, this is what you’re going to tell her?” 

“Dad, Monica is right. If only Winter is as smart and capable as her younger sister, then maybe she will have a better job than being a clown.”

“Luke!”

I stood up. “E-Excuse me, I’ll go home now.”

“Winter---

“Welcome home, grandpa. I missed you so much.”

I left the mansion and hopped inside my car with tears running down my cheeks. 

I started the engine of my car and drove off.

“So, what if she’s smarter than me? I’m more beautiful than her! She never even had a boyfriend because all of her crushes have their eyes on me!”

Tears were streaming down my face while I was driving, that is why I didn’t notice a car coming in my direction.