AllFreeNovel
Share Us
A trip that saved me from yet another beating and starvation as it’s the anniversary of my father’s death this week. If there is one thing my uncle hates more than me…it’s any reminder of my father or how Mom’s eyes grow misty on the day he died.
“Yeah. I’m okay.”
He sits on the blanket, and I do the same, flipping open my basket and snatching out various sodas and snacks while he watches me. “You can tell me anything.”
“I know.”
“I won’t tell anyone.” An understanding passes between us, the kind of understanding that only children from unhappy families can have, as those who grew up in love think everything can be fixed.
While we know the truth. Sometimes it’s so hideous and unbearable we have no choice but to stay silent to save our loved ones as the monsters roaming inside our houses hold all the strings.
My uncle's words ring in my ears.
If you ever tell anyone, Octavius…I’ll hurt Estella. Do you want that? To see your little sister cry?
Speaking up is a privilege I don't have in this world. I have to withstand all the torture until I can survive on my own and take Estella from them.
I’m ready to bear his hate if it means he never lays a finger on her.
“There is nothing to tell, Remi.” I smile at him and pat his hand. “Estella started walking, so I’ve been worried about that.” That’s a partial truth since all the nannies the help keeps hiring miss her movements, and she runs away from them, causing her to slip on the marble floor and hurt herself.
No one can calm her down but me, maybe because in our evil house, I’m the only one who loves her.
“She’s a little firecracker.” He grins, but judging by his tone, he doesn’t believe me. He lets it go, though. “Pass me the soda, please.” I give him one, and he opens it right when the boys join us. “Are you done taking photos?”
“Hablar en español,” Santiago says, and they have a stare-off because he’s been relentless about teaching Remi Spanish and sometimes refuses to react or reply to questions asked in English.
We studied literature and different languages from an early age, so he was behind us on a lot of subjects, but we were all determined for him to get on our level.
Besides, it’s cool to converse in different languages. Our secrets can be shared without anyone understating a thing.
“I don’t want to,” Remi replies stubbornly while Florian rolls his eyes and grabs a bag of chips, tearing it open and munching on them.
“We need to be in the same class, Remi. Why do you think you have all these tutors now?”
“I’m tired of studying all the time.” He sips his soda and frowns when Florian drops next to him, hitting him on the back, so he offers a chip as a peace offering. Remi grabs it, pops it in his mouth, and chews. “Why do I need to know all these things about history and books in order to go to school?”
“Because to get into our private school, you need to be a bit smarter than the rest of the kids.”
He barks out a laugh. “Yeah, because everyone there will be an heir of some kind. I don’t have an empire to inherit, so why would I work so hard?”
Santiago places his hands on his hips and taps his foot on the grass while Florian’s and my heads ping-pong between them. They get into spectacular arguments, which is hilarious as they are always on their good behavior around Uncle Lucian and Aunt Rebecca. “Because you’re our friend. Our connections will help you in the future to build your own legacy.”
Remi jumps up, pointing a finger at Santiago. “I don’t need handouts from friends.”
“You’ll work! If I give you something, you can pay me back. To achieve it, though, you need a brain.” He taps on his head. “So study!”
“Whatever!” he exclaims and starts to move toward the lake. Santiago follows, jumping on his back while the other tries to shake him off, and they both tumble to the ground, muttering something only for their laughter to echo through the space.
“Someday they’re going to fight for real, and I’ll love it,” Florian says, extending his hand to me with chips, but I shake my head as awkward silence falls on us.
While Santiago and Remi interact a lot at his family mansion, Florian and I don’t hang out alone, like ever. We live close to each other, but we are so different.
He’s pretty and talented, his fingertips smeared in colors from all the sketches he paints in his spare time, and he dreams of becoming the head Price designer one day. Everyone adores him while me…well, I have no talent whatsoever. Even learning languages was a struggle. Remi handles all this way better than I ever did.
Not to mention, people don’t really go “aw” when they look at me or have this deep desire to hug me.
In short, Florian and I have nothing in common. I know if it wasn’t for Uncle Lucian and his big heart, the boys wouldn’t be friends with me. I stay silent on most days and just go along with whatever they have planned.
