I love to hate you

It was an uneventful Saturday afternoon that Gianna decided to sneak out of home in her parent's absence. Her mum had left for the city and her dad had gone downtown to present some designs to a client. She was left with the elder sister's responsibility to look after Petra, her annoying little sister. From previous encounters, both parents won't be home until forty minutes to dinner time. Latest, thirty minutes. So she had two sweet hours, as seldom, to wander around the estate. Rather unfortunate than fortunate that Venisa didn't report to work as she will have to deal with Petra. "Where are you going?" Petra appeared behind a frozen Gianna when she was two feet away from the door. In her hand was her favorite brown teddy bear their father had offered to her on her seventh birthday. When Gianna had pended the book she was pretentiously reading, to give her father the impression of a studious teen before he left, Petra was locked up in her room. Probably indulged in her convention

"Seat belts, ladies," Their father—Mason—reminded them.Gianna loved it when he drove them to school a lot more than when Louisa did. Reason being that, with him, they could crack jokes, sing, and even play games on their way to school. But with their red-haired sweet mother, it wasn't the case. All she wanted to hear were their heartbeats and breathing.Mason adjusted the rearview mirror to have a better view of his princesses from time to time as he drove.The aura in the car was beginning to grow to become like that in their mother's presence and oddly enough, Gianna found it convenient as she tapped away on her phone. Even Petra the Magpie hadn't questions to ask today as she was as well busy with her little iPad."Knock! knock!""Who's there?" They absentmindedly replied, still gadget dedicated."So,""So, who?""So, don't leave me alone," He singsonged a popular king of pop's song while nodding his head to an imaginary beat resulting in a car suffocated with laughter."Oh my God

"Dad!""What? I mind. I won't pretend to not. So who is it?"Gianna huffed. "No one."Mason pressured her with his narrow eyes. "I'm not lying." She looked at him in the eyes to prove it."Is someone planning to?"As instantly as possible, Gianna diverted her stare to her half-eaten meal. "No.""Gianna?" Mason singsonged but his daughter only incessantly stuffed her mouth with more salmon and tomatoes. "You'll end up choking, darling. Who is it?" Gianna carefully chewed per minute. "Oh wait, let me take a guess. It's Seth, isn't it?"She said nothing."I knew it!" He settled a fisted hand on his lips. "You're inviting him home for dinner any of these days.""Da—" with wide eyes, Gianna swallowed first, drank some water, and went on, "dad! He's not even made a move yet and possibly might not.""He better not." Gianna frowned. Mason knew he was going too far with the protective card. Not the way he and Louisa had planned. At that rate, he'll only end up scaring her from opening up to ei

"You found her!" Petra cried rushing toward the cradled puppy. "I looked everywhere for her. Where did you see her?""In the bushes outside the fence. How did she reach there?" Gianna delicately settled Noah on the floor who rapidly ran to Petra's legs where it rubbed its body against her ankle. The latter stooped to caress the hairy west highland terrier behind the ears causing it to shut its eyes in satisfaction."We were playing in the backyard when I suddenly lost sight of her.""Be careful with her next time." Gianna pulled out her sneakers. "Where's Venisa?""Watching her usual soap opera."On the way to her room, she sighted a mop of purple hair protruding from the sofa situated opposite the wall-buried TV. She blew her nose, giving the notion that she was crying despite claiming to have watched the series twice before."I'm home," Gianna alerted."Oh, welcome. Your parents called a while ago saying they won't be home till nine today," her voice was thick."Did they say why?" V

"Where do we start?" Louisa asked, confused with the rambunctious nature of the surroundings given that it was their first-ever event to witness in their new town. "Every restau is overflowing with customers."Gianna had returned home to her family already prepared for the fest. Depressed, she was urged to hurry and join them in a failed attempt to suggest staying back knowing full well that the depression will augment. How she couldn't wait for Saturday to meet Julia and Seth. If her face glowed a bit, it was no doubt because of the thought of what Seth was going to say or better still do."R&R isn't," she said, "I guess. Mimie said they serve the best chicken curry.""We'll give that a try, shall we?" When they all replied in the affirmative, her father zoomed off Blazing Bean Roaster's parking lot. The short journey entertained by 'Old Mcdonald had a farm' ended upon arrival. With three noise maniacs against one, Louisa had no option but to join. R&R wasn't among the top ten clas