2

                          Cherry

Everyone was waiting for me to answer Xavier’s greeting, including my parents, but most of all Gueneve. She thought I was going to give her what she was looking for. I scoffed inwardly, flipped my hair to the side, and without saying a word to any of them, I walked out right in front of them.

“Cherry…!”

“Cherry…!” My father kept yelling my name, but I ignored him. What more could he say that he hadn’t said before? The worst he could do was call me arrogant and mannerless. He should find something else because those words are not new to me anymore. Besides, his darling Gueneve was here—the perfect Gueneve. He should leave me alone.

I got into my car and drove straight to the mall. I had no intention of going back to that house anytime soon, so I might as well shop till my heart’s content. I slammed on the steering wheel in anger. Just perfect—what I thought would be a perfect vacation might as well become the worst of it all.

I got to the mall and went straight to the bookstore inside. After doing my shopping, I had no intention of going home, so I ended up reading at the library in the bookstore. I didn’t want to go home and meet someone who was going to annoy me, so I figured I might as well spend the rest of the day in the library—which I did. It was only at closing time that I finally stood up with all the books I had bought and left.

I stopped by a restaurant to have dinner because I did not want to join them in the dining room. It would be boring, especially when I would hear my parents praise Gueneve endlessly, making me feel unseen.

I ordered my favorite food, which was pasta. I was still eating when my phone began to ring. It was my brother. I swiped on the green icon and placed the phone close to my ear.

“Hey, babygirl, when are you coming home?”

“Soon.”

“Hmm, everyone is waiting for you so we can have dinner.”

“I already had my dinner. You guys can go on without me.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Hmm.” I hummed and hung up. After having dinner at the restaurant, I took enough time to rest. Well, you could say I was passing time because I didn’t want to go home yet. But I looked around the restaurant—it was almost empty. It was late as well, and I knew it was time for me to get home, so I left.

I drove back home, and as I got out of my car and stared at the mansion, I could already see them seated happily through the transparent glass. They were happily eating. I took the books I had bought and began to make my way into the mansion. I was about to walk past them.

“Stop right there!” came my father’s commanding voice.

“Are we invisible? Can’t you greet us?”

I took a few seconds to calm down and put on a smile.

“Good evening, Dad. Good evening, Mum,” I gritted out.

“And where are you coming from?”

“Bookstore,” I mumbled, lifting the pile of books in my hand.

“Come join us for dinner, honey,” my mother said to me.

“Sorry, Mum, I already had dinner.”

“With who? Thought you were coming from the library?” my father inquired.

“Well, I stopped by a restaurant to eat.”

“Your sister Gueneve has been asking about you all day. You should come sit and chat with her.”

“Sister? Well, I can’t remember having a sister,” I said bluntly.

“Preposterous!” My father roared, banging on the table while my mother tried to hold him down.

“Really, Dad, you’re reacting this way just because I didn’t acknowledge Gueneve as my sister? If an outsider saw you acting like this, they would definitely think she’s your real daughter.”

“Cherry…!” my mum yelled my name.

“What? Did I say something wrong? Oh wait, I haven’t seen you both react that way toward me. Could it be that I’m not your daughter?”

“Shut up…!” My father screamed, pointing fingers at me. I could see the look of satisfaction on Gueneve’s face.

I sighed and looked at my wristwatch.

“I have to speak with my fans. Goodnight, everyone,” I said to them. I glanced at Xavier, and he was staring back at me. Without saying anything to them, I went upstairs.

I’m a top influencer who’s globally popular, and no, I didn’t become an influencer because I liked it. I simply became one because I felt lonely and left out. Except for my brother, everyone thinks I’m crazy and do not act like a girl. They say I’m not ladylike and act nothing like a Brentwood offspring.

I felt like I would go insane, and that’s why I opened a social media account. At first, I just wanted unfamiliar people I could speak to, but slowly I began to build a family—a huge fan base that showed me love like no other. Slowly, I fell in love with influencing, and it became a lifestyle.

I have my own money, cars, and everything I could ever want, and that’s why—even though my parents are wealthy millionaires—I never ask them for a dime.

The door to my room opened, and as I walked in, I dumped the books I got on the table and fell on the bed. My mind went back to the look Xavier gave me back there. It was an unreadable look—one I could not fathom.

I ended up sleeping off on the bed, totally forgetting about the livestream I wanted to do.

I woke up the next morning with a banging headache. I needed to make myself some hangover tea, so I went downstairs to the kitchen. But as I got to the door, the scene right before my eyes made me pause.

Gueneve was sitting on the counter with Xavier standing so close to her. As soon as she saw me, she suddenly pulled Xavier in for a kiss.