"What the…" Alicia muttered out loud, rolling her eyes. Everyone at the table turned to look at her in shock everyone except Daisy and Leo.
She glanced around, confused. "Why are you all staring at me like that? Is it because of what I just said?" Alice walked up to her with a playful smile. "Wow… you really are the perfect match for my brother."
"Huh?"
"I'm Alice, Leo's little sister," she introduced herself brightly. "Now I see why he chose you. You're bold, funny, and just like him." Alicia raised an eyebrow. "Just like him?"
Alice giggled. "Yeah. That 'What the…' thing you said. My brother says the exact same thing whenever he's irritated. That's why everyone's staring it's like déjà vu!"
"Ohhh…" Alicia nodded in realization. "Now I get it." She smiled warmly at Alice. "You're so cute!" she added, gently cupping her cheeks.
"Thank you, Sister!" Alice beamed. "Hey, hey! No need for formalities. Just call me Alicia, okay? I'm only 21. If you keep calling me Sister, I'll feel like an old woman!"
Both girls burst into laughter, giggling uncontrollably. "I think we're going to hang out a lot," Alice said between laughs. "Of course, girl!" Alicia looked over Alice's shoulder and pointed. "That cute little one over there must be your friend."
Alice turned. "That's Daisy ."
"No, not her. I meant her," Alice said, pointing again. "That's Kira my best friend and Uncle Jeff's little sister." She waved her over. "Hey Kira, come here!" Kira skipped forward cheerfully. "Hi, Aunty!"
"WHAT?! AUNTY?!" Alicia shrieked in disbelief. Kira blinked. "What?" Alicia placed a hand on her forehead dramatically. "Since when did I become an Aunty? I think I'm gonna pass out!" Alice and Kira burst into laughter. "Well," Kira grinned, "you're Uncle Leo's wife, so automatically… you're my aunty!"
"Aww, baby, you're adorable," Alicia cooed. "But please, just call me Alicia, okay?"Okay… Aunty—oops! I mean Alicia!" Kira corrected herself quickly, eyes wide. The girls burst into another round of uncontrollable laughter.
Suddenly—
"THAT'S ENOUGH, ALL OF YOU—ENOUGH!" Lisa roared, slamming her palm on the table. "Oh my…" Alicia muttered flatly. "She might actually get a heart attack. Too much anger really isn't healthy." Lisa turned sharply toward her. "This… this thing is not staying under my roof!" "Madam—!" Alicia began, but Lisa lunged forward, her hand raised.
SLAP!
Gasp!
Everyone froze in place.
But the slap didn't land on Alicia. Peter had stepped in between and taken the hit.
"Darling! Are you okay? I-I didn't mean to… I'm sorry!" Lisa stammered, her eyes wide with guilt. Peter raised his hand to silence her.
"Lisa. Enough of your drama," he said firmly. "I approve of this girl, and that's final. And about this house it's my house. She stays here with us, with or without your blessing."
"But honey—!"
"I said… ENOUGH!"
Lisa knew better than to challenge him further. She knew how fierce Peter could be when truly angered. She threw Alicia one final glare, muttered a curse under her breath, and stormed out of the room. Peter walked over to Alicia and gently tapped her head. "Welcome home, my dear. Feel at home. This is your house now." Thank you, sir," Alicia said with a small bow. Peter raised an eyebrow. "Sir? No daughter-in-law of mine will call me sir. Call me Dad."
Alicia blinked, stunned. "Yes, Dad. Sure I'll call you Dad." A single tear escaped her eye before she even realized it.
Author's Note:
Hi lovely readers! I'll be leaving for school tomorrow, so I thought it'd be wise to drop a few chapters today. I can't update while in school since I'm a boarder and phones aren't allowed.
Please don't stop reading—I promise to release mass chapters as soon as I return.