Enigma

Chapter 47- Arabella

“Well that’s fair enough. You act so mature these days’ princess. When did you grow up so much?”

I turned around to find dad pouting.

“Dad I will turn nineteen this year.” I said chuckling.

“But it feels like we just got you yesterday.”

I shook my head at his childishness.

“You are still grounded.”

“WHAT? But I didn’t do anything.”

“You were going to hit Zeno.” He said with a blank face as he parked in our garage.

“He deserved it and you know it.” I said outraged.

“Yeah but you are not to use violence to solve every single one of your problems. Your mom wouldn’t

like that. Take your punishment without complaint and I will keep this between us.”

That offer does sound good. Mom would probably whip my ass for this.

“Whatever.”

I gritted my teeth and stomped out of the garage. I entered inside the house to find it a lot fuller than I

expected.

“Ari.” Eros squealed and ran in my arms. © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“How did it go?” Elliot asked. “Mom was already passed out when she came and we were too scared to

ask uncle Ryder.”

I could feel eyes on me. I knew they were looking at me… at us. I walked inside and plopped on the

couch.

“There wasn’t any problems. Ben and Ethan will be home soon.”

“Ohh! We can have a party tonight. What do you think?” Val asked bouncing on her toes as I rubbed

Eros’s back.

“Not tonight. Maybe tomorrow. Everyone will be shifted by then.” I suggested.

“We are having a party tomorrow.” Val said jumping around.

“By the way, you are sharing room with Eros. I got the chit to share with you but he threw a fit and now I

have to share room with the stupid one.” Beth said pointing at Val who stopped jumping and glared at

her.

I laughed. That sounds very much like Eros. I plopped down on the couch with Eros still clinging to me.

“I am sharing with Hudson and he snore.” Elliot complained. “Can I sleep in your room Aria?”

“I don’t snore.” Hudson’s offended voice came from the dining table.

“Sure.” Elliot said sarcastically.

“Of course you can.” I told him.

He whooped with his fist in the air.

“I want to sleep in your room too. Val’s stupidity will end up rubbing on me.” Beth said in a teasing

voice.

“I am sleeping in your room too Aria. Oh oh let’s have a movie night.” Val said.

“Not today. Aria is grounded.” Dad’s voice came from behind me.

“But dad it was Zeno’s fault. I didn’t even do anything.” I protested.

“ZENO.” Beth screeched. “What did he do this time? I am going to crush his skull one of these days.”

She was doing violent gestures with her hands. I just looked at her amused.

“Elizabeth Astley.” Dad’s stern voice made her stop mid gesture. “This is not how you talk young lady.

Your younger brothers are in the room and you are displaying violence. I am grounding you as well. In

your room now.”

Val and Elliot were laughing behind their hands.

“Dad Elliot does that too.” Elliot gasped in horror looking at Beth in betrayal. “Eros is fast asleep.”

The little munchkin was actually snoring lightly.

“Ah! He didn’t sleep well last night.” Dad said combing his fingers through Eros’s hair. “He was asking

for you.” He told me. “I don’t know how but he seems to have overheard us talking that you were hurt.

He refused to sleep till he sees you himself. He didn’t sleep till half past three in the morning.” I kissed

Eros on his hair. “Let me take him to bed. He must be exhausted.”

“I will take him dad. Don’t worry too much.”

I got up and made my way to my room with Eros on my hip.

“Now you two.” I heard dad say in a scolding tone when I reached the top of the staircase.

I chuckled imagining their faces and entered my room. I changed into a sweat pant and loose t-shirt

after placing Eros on the bed. My stomach growled loudly.

“I think I heard a sea lion in here.” Dad’s voice came a few seconds later from my door.

He was grinning like a fool, holding a tray full of food. I ran towards him and lunged on the tray.

“You must be really hungry.” He mumbled looking at me amused.

I sat down in the middle of the room and dived in. Dad joined me. I swatted the hair out of my face as

they kept falling over my eyes. I forgot to tie them.

“I will tie them up.” Dad said sighing as I almost ripped a chunk out of my hair.

He got up and picked a comb from the dressing table.

“How is your new school? Are you liking it so far?” He asked as he brushed my hair.

“I like it there but I miss going to school with the others.” I told him with a mouthful of ham.

“Don’t talk with your food in your mouth. You might choke on it.” He scolded.

I hummed and continued to eat. He braided my hair and was tying a bow on it when the door of my

room opened. I stopped mid chew, looking at the guest.

He looked different from what I remembered. His eyes didn’t have the same light. They looked dead.

There wasn’t the benign smile on his face that used to make me feel warm and safe. It was blank. He

looked like a man suffering from immense sorrow.

“I came at the wrong time I guess. I will come back later.” He said.

“Nahh! I was just leaving. Come on in.” Dad replied getting to his feet.

He entered with a little hesitation and started looking around the room. Dad gave me a pleading look

and left, closing the door. I waited for to him to speak but he refused to meet my eyes.

“So what did you want to talk about?” I asked running out of patience.