"Because of this brat anyone who doesn't know our hierarchy in the family will think Joanna is the legal child while I am the daughter of a mistress and not her...,"
"And why on Earth would you say that?" Adhara cited.
"Because that is how this brat over there makes me feel...,"
"I have told you not to call him that ever again...,"
"But it's true he is a brat," Laura snarled, her piercing glares shot at Anthony.
"Your brother is just a child and I have told you to be understanding of him...,"
"Eunice's brother is the same age as him but he treats his sister as his goddess. Why is mine different?" Laura complained.
"Also, haven't I understood this attitude of his enough?" Laura hissed and glared at Anthony who hasn't uttered a word since the slap.
"I am sure you know what would have been your punishment if your Dad was around...,"
"And there is no guarantee that I won't lose my cool again the next time he mentions or defends the idiot who ruined my perfectly fine birthday party," Laura said her peace of mind and stomped away.
Laura stormed into her room and jammed the door close without sparing her mother or brother a second glance.
After Laura left, Adhara turned and focused all her attention on Anthony.
"Does it hurt?" Adhara asked. She gently rubbed his bruised cheek.
Children of his age would have flinched and whimpered but not a sound escaped from Anthony's mouth.
He didn't even act as if he was slapped not long ago.
Ever since he became aware of the world he lives in, he was taught how to endure pain. It is believed that men, especially men who would later inherit the title of the master of the household, should not show weakness.
Even if you are hurting and feel like weeping you have to always pretend that you are in control.
Although he still had a long way to go, it has been a long time since he cried. In fact, he rarely cries.
"No," He shook his head in negation.
"Yes, that's my boy," Adhara praised and stroked his hair lovingly.
ƥαṇdαsηθνε| "Mum, it looks like Big Sis is not inside her room, do you know whether she has left for work already?" Anthony stubbornly asked notwithstanding what he went through some minutes ago because of this same issue.
"You are running late for school...,"
"Did you and Grandma scold her yesterday...,"
"Tony, it would be in your best interest if you don't bring up this topic...,"
"But...," His mother's cold stares which were glued on him made him shut up in an instant.
"Let's go," Adhara announced. She grabbed his hand and led him towards his room.
[Everything was just fine yesterday so why is it that no one wants to talk about Big Sis?]
Anthony stared at Adhara's face. He tried to guess her thoughts through her expression but he ended up failing again.
Since it was obvious that the mere mention of Joanna's name made the blood of everyone boil in rage at home, he didn't press the issue further.
Instead, he made up his mind to call Joanna and asked what happened when his mother leaves.
Even after promising Audrey last night that she would attend the meeting held to finalize the preparation for the upcoming carnival, Joanna was reluctant to get out of bed when Audrey tried to wake her up.
"Hey, Girl, wake up now or we will get there late," The frustrated Audrey shook Joanna's hand a bit harder this time around.
"Anna, I know you can hear me so stop pretending to be deep asleep. You have always been a light sleeper so I won't fall for this trick of yours," Audrey called her once again.
And this time around Joanna couldn't keep up with her pretense anymore.
She sat up and used her hands to push the hair covering her face backwards.
"That is enough, Drey! I admit, you have won," Joanna announced. With a frown, she climbed out of bed and moved to the bathroom with great reluctance.
"While showering I will assist you with picking an outfit so that way we won't arrive there late," Audrey yelled so that the lady inside the bathroom would hear her.
Just like she promised she moved to the wardrobe she and Joanna shared. With her eyes, she skimmed through the row of clothes neatly arranged on the hangers.
When Joanna came out of the bathroom, there was an outfit, shoes and bags waiting to be worn by her.
"You are so persistent!" Joanna remarked and moved to the dressing table where a large mirror was connected to the wall.
"Of course, I am...,"
"That wasn't a compliment," Joanna cut in. She pulled out the brown chair and sat facing the mirror and the brown table where different brands of cosmetics were placed.
Audrey was never a fan of makeup. She applied makeup occasionally so it was obvious who she purchased all those makeup accessories for.
It was her plan from the onset to live with Joanna in her apartment.
"Was it not?" Audrey asked while scratching her head.
"Anyway whether or not that was supposed to be a compliment I don't care. All I know is that I won't let you curl up in here for the best part of the day," Audrey muttered.
She strolled to the dressing table where Joanna was currently drying her hair.
"I wasn't going to do that...,"
"Of course, you were going to do that. I know that was what you planned to do after I leave the house," Audrey cut in, her suspicious glances fixed on Joanna's face.
"If you knew that you should have just pretended to be ignorant about it. That won't hurt right?" Joanna quizzed as she stared at Audrey through the mirror in front of her.
"Looking after each other and always having each other's back. That is what best friends are for and that is exactly what I am doing to stop being upset because that won't make me change my mind," Audrey insisted.
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