Filed To Story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
“Mirabella is my sister. Whether you’re alive or a ghost, stay away from her! If you dare bother her again, as a living person I’ll make your life a living hell, as a ghost, I’ll scatter your soul to the winds.
Remember that.”
Sean finished his warning, and as he turned back to Mirabella, his gaze softened into pure adoration, “Come on, let’s head upstairs for some fruit.”
Mirabella nodded, following Sean closely.
The basement door locked behind them, and Serena lay submerged in the icy water, her fists clenched in humiliation as tears overflowed from her eyes.
In the living room.
Sean carefully peeled the skin off a grape, trying his best to be gentle, yet the surface of the fruit still ended up looking pitted and rough – not smooth at all.
He had never peeled fruit for himself before. Firstly, because he found it bothersome, and secondly, because the servants usually prepared the fruit, peeling it and presenting it ready to eat.
He hadn’t even peeled the likes of lychees before.
“What a mess,” Sean was dissatisfied with his peeled grape, and tossed it into the trash before attempting another.
Peeling grapes was proving to be much trickier than dealing with people. At the rate he was going, he could have taken down a few foes.
“Your sister is lucky to even get one grape peeled by you,” Louisa was also peeling grapes for Mirabella, her movements swift. In no time at all, she had a small pile of perfectly peeled grapes, smooth and shiny, which she placed onto Mirabella’s glass fruit plate. Without realizing it, she had already prepped a good seven or eight.”When I’m not home, you must spoil Bella rotten with peeled fruit. Now that I’m back, can’t you let me shine for once? You’re overshadowing me. What’s the point of me even trying?”
After his comment, Sean turned to Kenneth, “Dad, after dinner, can’t you and mom take a stroll in the garden? Enjoy the scenery? Bond a little?”
“I was worried about keeping your sister waiting.”
Before Louisa could finish, Kenneth interceded with a chuckle, “Right, right, Sean’s got a point. We haven’t taken a walk in ages. With the family visiting, let’s all go for a walk after dinner. Get some fresh air.”
“A few extra laps might help us stay in shape.” Sean added, “We’ve got Bella’s wedding reception to think about. It would be a real shame if you two showed up with a beer belly or out of shape.”
Kenneth and Louisa agreed, realizing the importance of staying fit – not just for the distant wedding reception but also for the grand welcome-back party they wanted to throw for Bella during the holidays.
A potbelly was not an option!
“Then you better get to peeling for your sister, and quick. Don’t keep her waiting.” Louisa advised before standing up to leave, “I’ll go call Bard and Eunice.”
“I’ll get your coat; it’s chilly outside,” Kenneth added as he went to prepare.
Only Sean, Mirabella, and Steward remained in the living room.
Steward felt like he shouldn’t be there and, checking the time, said timidly, “So Sean, if there’s nothing else, may I take my leave?”
“What, you’re waiting for me to peel you a grape?”Classic Sean. Steward swallowed hard and glanced at Mirabella, “Well, Ms. Collins, I’ll be off then.”
“Take care.”
After Steward left, only the siblings were present.
Sean had carelessly mentioned the wedding reception, which was like rubbing salt into Mirabella’s wounds. He glanced at his sister, feeling a bit guilty.
Timothy had just broken up with her. Although Mirabella seemed nonchalant, snacking on grapes, Sean knew she must be hurting inside.
“Sis, it’s just us now. If you’re feeling down, go ahead and cry it out. My shoulder’s here for you.”
Mirabella was perplexed.
“I know about your boyfriend.” he started, about to mention the breakup with Timothy, but then he reconsidered and said, “He’s not good enough for you.”
Mirabella looked even more confused. Romeo not good enough for her? Then who was?
“I think he was good for me.”
Her indifferent response stopped Sean’s peeling mid-motion. What had Timothy done to capture his sister’s heart so thoroughly that she still had a favorable impression of him, even after the breakup?
No, he had to find a way to help his sister completely forget about him.
“Trust me, I’ll find you someone way better than him,” Sean insisted as he finally managed to peel a grape that didn’t look completely mangled and placed it on the fruit plate in front of Mirabella. He was about to introduce her to Romeo.
Mirabella’s mind was suddenly filled with question marks, “Really, Sean, that won’t be necessary.”
She liked Romeo just fine, and she wasn’t interested in anyone else.
“Compared to you, he’s not even in the same league.”
Sean’s remark once again baffled Mirabella, “Do you know him? Got a beef with the guy?”
“Beef? Nah, I just genuinely think he’s not good enough for you.”
Mirabella got the message.
“You come home and immediately start meddling in my love life.”
“I’m not meddling. I’m just worried you might be getting played. You’re still young.”
“Sean, I have no plans to break up with him, so please, stop trying to persuade me.”
Sean’s heart sank. He hadn’t expected his little sister, with her strong, resilient nature, to consider getting back together with Timothy. Was he really worth it?
If she were to humble herself, to seek reconciliation, she’d surely be at his mercy after marriage! How could his bright and outstanding sister be so blind when it came to love.
“What’s so great about him anyway?” Sean just couldn’t understand.
“He’s great in every way.” Mirabella said bluntly, “I love everything about him.”Sean couldn’t believe his sister would say such things out loud. Love really was blind.
But Timothy just wasn’t good enough for her. What to do?
“Don’t worry, Sean. He won’t mistreat me.” Mirabella finished the grapes on her plate, “Well, I’m going to take a shower now. No need to peel any more grapes for me.”
“Sis.” Sean thought Mirabella might be mad at him. After pondering for a bit, he decided to text his brothers.
[Did you guys know Bella is seeing someone? What do you think of the guy? Good or bad?]
Soon his phone buzzed with replies.
Hans, [Respect her choice.]
Chasel, [If she’s happy, that’s what matters.]
Clark, [I think her guy is pretty solid. I actually like him.]
David, [Feels like our precious little daisy is getting trampled by a hog, but if she likes him, then I’m all for it. Unconditional support!]
Reading these replies, Sean felt speechless. No, he couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.
Tomorrow he’d go and find Romeo. He’d make sure Romeo really put in the effort to win his sister’s heart!
Not long after Mirabella’s shower, there was a knock at her door. It was Sean.
Worried that his earlier words had upset her, he had been mulling over it and decided to come to her room.”Sis, how about we play a game?”
Mirabella was puzzled. A game? At this hour?
“Seriously, all the kids these days are glued to their phones, right? Let’s have a little wager. See who can last thirty minutes without touching their phone. Winner gets a cool 5 million.”
Mirabella’s ears perked up at that. Easy money?
“Just not touch my phone, that’s it?”
“Yup, you can do whatever else you want, just no phone. Can’t even glance at the screen. Wanna give it a shot?”
Though Mirabella thought the game sounded pretty lame, it was Sean’s idea, so she decided to play along.
“Okay, I’m in.”
“Great. Check your other messages on your phone, and after five minutes, we’ll start. I’ll be waiting in the living room.”
Watching Sean’s excited figure leave, Mirabella couldn’t quite understand his enthusiasm. She quickly replied to a few messages on her phone, instructed her team to hold off contacting her for the next half-
hour, then powered off her device and headed to the living room.
Meanwhile, Sean messaged David, [Bella is in tears tonight.]
David instantly shot back a message, [What happened? Who’s messing with her??]
[Wanna know the deets? Wire me 5 million, and I’ll spill.]
[Yeah, right.] Knowing Sean was likely trying to scam him, David texted, [Bella wouldn’t cry even at the end of the world. Plus, if she was upset, I’d just call her.]Pay him?
[Bella is pretty bummed out; doubt she’ll answer your calls, but feel free to give it a go,] Sean replied, noticing Mirabella descending the stairs. He quickly added, [Gotta go comfort her now.]
Mirabella placed her phone on the coffee table, and Sean did the same with his.