I looked out the window to find a building standing solely on its own.
It wasn't as large as Mr Dean's building but it was big enough to contain an entire family. The lights that illuminated it from within made it look cozy to the eyes
"Let's go,they must be waiting inside for us" Luna said stepping out of the car
They? weren't we supposed to go home what are we doing here and where are we? My questions were left unanswered due to the fact that they never left my mouth.
"Carmela hurry, it's almost time for dinner" she said pulling me towards the door of the building just to be welcomed by a lady who seemed to be in her early forties and fifties with a stern look on her face
"You're late girls" the lady said, staring intensely at us and I could see Luna suddenly staring at her feet.
Who is this lady? My question hung in the air not getting the chance to be heard nor an opportunity for a response
"We stopped by your favorite store and bought a bottle of your favorite campaign"Luna raised up the bag we got from the store we stopped by earlier with a wild smile
"Aww,so thoughtful of the both of you, now go freshen up quickly it's almost time for dinner and Nix would soon be here" the lady winked showing is a thumbs up while Luna pulled me into the house
"She's Ken's mum so you don't have to feel nervous" she suddenly spoke up as she led the way up the stairs "although she's more of a mother figure to us,she behaves more like a friend than an actually mum" she smiled and I nodded obediently following her close up
Even though I've never experienced the affection from my mother I'm sure the lady we just walked pass perfected her role as a mother figure to have others love and cherish her the way they do.
"Girls!" I heard Ken's voice as he approached the room we were in and a soft knock followed suit
"Mum's calling the both of you to come down for.."
"I was already on my way" Luna suddenly opened the door and took to her heels leaving me alone in the room
"Why is she in such a hurry it's just food" he said with a swollen face making me chuckle
"Are you scared she'll steal your mum away?" I passed my tablet to him as I made my way towards him just to have him laugh
"My mum you say? Well i sometimes doubt that cause it feels like Luna is her only child.Ah! I can't even eat my favorite food in peace anymore because Luna is around" he placed his hand on his forehead acting dramatic which made me laugh in sudden bewilderment.
"I heard your painting was given a spot" he said as he led the way downstairs and I responded with another nodd affirming his claim
"You should trust learn to trust words more than what other thinks more, didn't I tell you that yours would be picked because you're talented" he patted my hair making me smile "come to think of it since I'm now like a brother to you,my mum is also like a mum and seeing the way mum love girls...I'm surely going to receive lesser love from her" he sighed jokingly and the only response I could give was just a smile.
The term mother and brother sounded strangely unfamiliar to my ears making it harder for me to react to his words.
I could see how both him and Luna have been trying to make me feel at ease but something can never be changed.
Neither the gap of family nor the pain of betrayal from supposed family members .
"You better shut your mouth before I bath you with my plate of food!"I heard Luna's voice as we approached the dinning room
"Oh really? Aunt do you see what you're precious girl is about to do,she always loved resulting to violence" Xavier pointed at the plate before Luna and then Luna with wild eyes
"Come on kids no fighting at the dinning table"
"You can just throw them out if they don't keep quite"Mr Dean said not paying them attention
Like seriously! Are they seriously always like this?
I looked across the dinning table to find the twins exchanging glances,Mr Dean completely engrossed with his work and Ken's mum busy setting up the dinning
"I'm not throwing any one out and neither is anyone resulting to violence,I invited you all to know what you'll be getting me for my birthday not to fight"
Birthday? Is today actually her birthday? Well if only I knew sooner..I still would have done nothing
"I'll get you a new car,the latest brand at that" Xavier said with a huge smile
"I'll get you the most expensive and latest accessories"
"i think an island would do" Mr Dean said nonchalantly not looking up from his work and I could notice the joy on Ken's mum's face watching them chitchat.
The thought of getting an Island popped up. Is it that easy to get one? Well then..the life of the wealthy must be really smooth going I thought as I got closer to the dinning table and pulled out a chair
But.. If I actually had a mum would I have been this excited about her birthday? Would I have also promised her an ambiguous gift like Mr Dean just did?
That answer is something I'll never get. I thought about to take my seat but was stopped by Mr Dean who patted the vacant seat close to him without looking up from the tablet he was holding and I obediently did as he wanted.
"No island from you,no car and no accessories.
I really just want all of you to spend time with me nothing much,and Carmela.."I looked up at her to find her with a huge smile "I've heard alot about you and I couldn't wait to meet you,now you're here remember you're now part of the family okay?" I looked around the table to find everyone's eyes on me except Mr Dean before nodding.
Family..that word also sounded extremely familiar but yet still unfamiliar. I could feel something bubbling within me, not joy, not anger and neither was it pain just a strange feeling that clouded my eyes.
"Are you okay?" I suddenly heard Mr Dean whisper his hand wrapped around my waist. Blinking back my tears I nodded showing him a smile before returning my gaze to the table where Xavier and Ken were chatting
"Oh no..I forgot to bring the soup!" Xavier suddenly exclaimed making Luna roll her eyes
"I'll go get it.."Ken mum said about to stand to her feet but I beat her to it as I waved my hand
"I'll get it" I said but no words came out but she seemed to have heard
"The kitchen is there" she pointed towards the direction with a smile and I took to my own heels. Although I tried stopping my tears they rebelled and I needed to stop them. But seems they mounted more pressure on me as memories of my late grandmother flooded in the moment I stepped my feets into the kitchen.
She never one day wanted for me to step into the kitchen as she believed my desires could be fulfilled without having to venture in this domain but here I find my self questioning the validity of her words.
I was once limited to wielding a paintbrush and pen, but now i have come to acknowledge the necessity of acquiring self-sufficiency.
Wiping away my tears I took a few seconds to survey the generously spacious kitchen, a smile graced my face as I approached the gas stove to warm up the soup. In the moments before disaster struck, a profound sense of empowerment washed over me. However, that fleeting triumph was abruptly extinguished by a colossal explosion, knocking off my glasses as I was propelled across the kitchen. My heart raced, and fear enveloped me as flames danced menacingly, rendering me immobile.
In the aftermath, I gingerly sat up, drawing my feet closer to my chest and tightly embracing my knees. Rendered speechless and bewildered, tears streamed down my face, accompanied by the thunderous palpitations of my heart against my rib cage.
The urgent call of my name, "Carmela!" reached my ears, and through tear-blurred vision, I discerned a blurred figure rushing towards me amidst the fiery chaos.
"Mum, help me!" I screamed, clinging to the hope of rescue as darkness encroached upon my surroundings.
Nix appeared engrossed in his work at the dining table not caring about his surroundings,but his eyes desperately scanned the room for Carmela, who had just arrived. He couldn't help but notice her unusual quietness and an almost imperceptible smile played on his lips as he watched her offer to go to the kitchen. His gaze remained fixated on her until she disappeared from sight. Sighing, he attempted to refocus on his work, only to be jolted by a deafening explosion from the kitchen.
"Carmela!" Luna's scream echoed, prompting both of them to rush towards the source of the disturbance. The kitchen was engulfed in flames, and panic set in as Nix called out for Carmela, unable to locate her amidst the chaos. Her desperate cry for help pierced through the tumult, compelling him to leap into action, disregarding his own safety as he plunged into the fire to rescue her.
Upon finding Carmela unconscious, a strange pain gripped Nix's chest. He scooped her up, heedless of the flames licking at his skin, and carried her out of the inferno. "Get the car key!" he barked, determined to get her to safety.
At the hospital, Carmela was rushed into the ER, leaving Nix anxiously pacing outside the room. Ken's mother handed him an ice pack, concern etched across her face. "Are you okay?"
Nix nodded, his attention fixated on his phone, as if anticipating urgent news. "I've never encountered such an incident before. I just hope she's okay."
As the suspenseful atmosphere lingered, the hospital corridor seemed to close in around Nix. Each passing moment intensified the uncertainty, and he couldn't shake the feeling that the fate of someone precious hung in the balance. The incessant beeping of machines and hushed conversations only heightened the tension, leaving Nix anxiously awaiting news that would determine his next target,action and decision.