"Why do we have to go to Aunt Suzette's house? We have our own home anyway, tsk!" Camille complained, crossing her arms.
She sat in the back seat, her forehead furrowed as she stared out the window. She had never liked her stepmother, even though Suzette had cared for her since she was little.
"It's better if you and your stepsister get closer to each other, so stop complaining. We're almost there," her dad said while driving.
"But I said I don't want to! Why do you always have to be the one to decide? I have my own mind, I can make my own decisions now! I'm not a kid anymore!" she answered sarcastically, causing her father's temper to flare.
Camille had grown up spoiled by her father, which was why she could be so disrespectful. She would scold him whenever she didn't like what he told her to do.
"Camille, can you just shut up?! You're giving me a headache! It seems you inherited that bratty, disrespectful attitude from your mother!" her dad shouted.
"Don't mention her, because I don't have a mother!" Camille snapped back. She hated hearing anything about her mom—she still hadn't forgiven her for leaving them for another man.
Her stepmother tried to fill that emptiness, but Camille just couldn't accept her. She grew up craving the love only a real mother could give, making it impossible to open up to her step-family. Deep down, however, she knew she was powerless—her dad truly loved Suzette.
"Camille, just this once, do it for Daddy, okay? I only want what's best for you. Please, just bear with me," her dad said softly.
That was enough to make Camille fall silent for the rest of the trip.
Arrival and Friction
After a few hours, they finally arrived. Suzette greeted them at the gate, helping with the bags. Alice was still at school, so Suzette was alone.
"Hi, hon! How was the drive?" Suzette asked, hugging her husband.
"It was fine. Oh, and here is my daughter, Camille."
Suzette smiled in surprise. "Camille? Is that you! I didn't recognize you—you've turned into such a beautiful girl!" she said warmly. She reached out to hug Camille, but the girl quickly stepped away and walked straight into the house.
Inside, Camille sat on the sofa and immediately opened her phone, pretending to be busy. Suzette's heart grew heavy with disappointment, but she quietly went to the kitchen to set the table.
"Sweetie, have you eaten?" Suzette asked gently.
Camille slowly turned her head, pulled one earphone off, and said, "What did you call me? 'Sweetie'? Tsk. I'm not your daughter—and you'll never be my mom."
The Homecoming
"Hahaha! You're so crazy, Bryle! Seriously?" Alice burst out laughing. Bryle had been telling a funny story about school. They were laughing so loud that Alice didn't notice Camille glaring at them from the living room.
"Ma, I'm home!" Alice called, walking to the kitchen. Bryle followed behind her.
After some small talk, the two went up to Alice's room so she could return a borrowed book. Camille frowned, watching them. Are they dating? she thought. Who lets a guy inside their room like that? Still, something about Bryle caught her eye. There was something about him that made her pause.
"Is that your stepsister?" Bryle asked as Alice handed him the book.
"Yeah. That's Camille," Alice replied casually. Truth was, Alice didn't like Camille either. They hadn't gotten along since they were kids.
"To be fair, she's actually pretty," Bryle teased.
"Whatever."
"Are you jealous? Just kidding!"
Camille could hear them laughing from upstairs, and it annoyed her. She went up, planning to tell them off, but before she could knock, the door opened—and there stood Bryle.
"Camille, it's you," Bryle said, surprised.
"Do you need something?" Alice asked. Camille froze for a moment, feeling a sudden wave of nerves.
"Ah, n-nothing. I just wanted to ask where my room is," she said shyly. She didn't expect to feel so flustered seeing him.
"Right there," Alice replied, pointing to the room next to hers. Camille turned away quickly, pretending to be cool. But once inside her room, her tears fell. I don't want to be here. Mom... why did you leave me?
The Market and the Stranger
A few days later, it was Camille's birthday. Alice went to the market to buy ingredients for a home-cooked meal. After buying vegetables from a kind old woman, Alice finished her shopping, her bags heavy and the market floor muddy.
Then it happened. Her foot slipped.
"Ahhh—!"
The world tilted—until a strong arm caught her just in time.
"Are you okay, miss?"
The guy was stunning. Tall, fair-skinned, with glasses that rested perfectly on his nose. His voice was calm, deep, and gentle.
"I-I'm fine. Thank you—and sorry," Alice stammered.
"It's fine. Just be careful. It's slippery here," he said, smiling a little.
Alice tried to leave, but she slipped again. He caught her a second time, chuckling. "Whoa—careful. That's twice now."
"Yeah... second time," Alice forced a laugh.
"I'll carry those for you. Where do you live? I'll walk you out," he offered. He took the bags like they weighed nothing. Despite her protests, he insisted on helping her all the way to the tricycle terminal.
"Thank you so much. You can go back now, you probably have things to do," Alice said as she climbed into the tricycle.
"It's no problem. I was buying something here anyway," he said, adjusting his glasses.
The driver started the engine. Alice waved. "Bye!"
He smiled and waved back. "Take care, Alice."
Alice froze. The tricycle began to move away. Her heart hammered against her ribs.
"W-wait, how did you—"
But he was already gone. He had vanished into the crowd as if he had never been there at all. She hadn't told him her name.