THUD!
Everyone turned around to look where the sound came from. Seeing the person who had fallen, her father and sister both got up to go to the person.
Well, she definitely knows how to make an entrance.
Who else could it be but the heroine? Aurelia looked at the girl who had fallen. She thought about how loud the fall had been wanted to try it herself to see if she could make such a loud sound.
She stood up, bending her knees slightly as if to fall, but thought better of it. It sounded like it hurt. She didn't need that kind of pain right now.
She looked at the two people fussing over the heroine and couldn't help rolling her eyes. She thought to herself that she didn't come any sooner or later; she chose the right time to fall.
Aurelia continued watching, wondering how this was going to play out.
Yes, sniffle, sniffle away.
She watched as the heroine glanced at her while talking to Aurora and her father. She looked at her as if she were the one who caused her to fall.
With tears glistening in her eyes, she walked up to Aurelia.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Eve." She put out her hand for Aurelia to shake it.
She looked at her father and Aurora briefly before shaking Eve's hand. She guessed what would happen next. Cliché, in her opinion, but if it works, it works.
As soon as Aurelia shook her hand, she heard Eve's sharp intake of breath. She quickly let go, wanting to see if they would accuse her.
"What are you doing?" shouted Aurora, stepping in front.
Aurelia couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "Doing? She gave me her hand. Was I not supposed to shake it?"
"Can't you see she's injured?" Aurora said.
"So, she asked me to shake her injured hand?" Her eyes moved from Aurora to Eve and back. "Would you ask someone to shake your injured hand?"
Aurora didn't have anything to say. She was only concerned about Eve and didn't realise that Eve was the one who gave her the hand. She wasn't sure what to say now. She wanted to apologise but felt embarrassed.
She hung her head and apologised.
Aurelia smiled; it was better than nothing. Growing up as she did, it is normal for her to pamper the person she had always pampered.
"Next time, look the person in the eye when you apologise," Aurelia said, trying to sound gentle. "Also, remember, I'm not here to steal anything. I only want to be a part of the family. You can choose whether you want to accept me."
She looked at her father, who hadn't said anything. She saw the tangled look on his face. Honestly, she didn't expect him to say anything. Things didn't escalate as much as she thought they would.
Before anyone could say anything else, her stomach growled.
"Is there anything to eat? I haven't eaten all morning."
"Of course. Do you mind getting something to snack on first? We all wanted to have lunch together as a family." Motioning upstairs, he said, "I also need to show you your room. I don't know if you'll like it."
Aurelia remembered the room she was given in the book. She definitely wants to see the room. An empty room with nothing but a few boxes inside, that's what he room was like in the book.
Eve, who was off to the side, piped up, "Dad, I'll show her the room."
Before he could answer, his phone rang. "Fine, you show her the room. Rori, have the cook make her something light to eat."
He looked at Aurelia, "Sorry about this," he shook his phone.
She motioned to him that it was okay. He walked out of the room, taking the call.
"So, Rori, huh?" Aurelia looked at Aurora, a smile on her face. Aurora didn't wait for her to continue, just blushed slightly and ran to the kitchen.
Now, only the two of them were left in the room. Aurelia looked at Eve, who no longer looked like a little puppy. The hostility on her face was once again evident. She didn't even bother to hide it.
Shrugging her shoulders, Aurelia asked, "Planning to show mt to that room? If not, I don't mind walking around."
Eve didn't say anything as she looked at her. Simply turned around and started up the stairs. So much for being hurt. Aurelia thought, before walking behind her.
She watched as Eve walked to the third, down the end of the corridor and opened a door. Inside, there's nothing, just the bare walls and a few boxes. No bed, no dresser, nothing to say the person is being welcomed. Just as she expected.
"Don't think that just because you're here it means you're part of the family. This is my family! You're a leech looking for a place to suck blood. But don't worry, I don't mind trampling you."
As Aurelia listened, she couldn't help but wonder what she had done to offend this girl. She looked at her pretty face and perky chest and frowned. She frowned, and Eve took it as her discontent.
In reality, Aurelia was just upset because she was as flat as a board. She didn't bother to respond. Just threw her bag in the room and walked downstairs, leaving Eve standing there to stew in her anger.
She met Aurora in the dining room, with some fruit and snacks on the table. She wasn't polite and snatched a strawberry off the plate.
"Are you a thief? Why are you snatching food?"
"Rori, I might not be a thief, but I am hangry. You don't want your sister to starve, do you?"
"Who's your sister?" she snorted.
"You are," Aurelia said as she ate. "My dear, blood-related sister. If you ever decide you want to get to know me, just remember, I'm here."
Aurora wasn't sure what to say to that. She had a lot of mixed emotions about what was happening. She wanted to defend the sister she has known all her life, but she also wanted to know this new sister.
Like she said, they were related by blood. And it wasn't her fault what happened back then. But she didn't know what to say.
Aurelia could see the dilemma on her face. She didn't say anything, just smiled. Time will tell if things will work out between her and this family.