𝓡𝓮𝓭 𝓡𝓸𝓼𝓮𝓼

𝑨𝒏𝒕𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒆

My adopted brother is five years older than me and is half french half Korean. He was adopted after my half sister, Bianca was born because mom and Paul thought that I and Bianca, being girls, needed an older brother who could protect us and shade us from the evils of the world.

It was him that proposed the idea that I should come with him to France to continue my studies. In a place no one knows me. That and he wanted to create a distance between me...and the people that I had considered my second family.

Mom, dad and Paul agreed to it and sent me off a week later to live in one of the properties dad owned in Paris.

Anyway. After resting for a bit, Toni begrudgingly led me out of the house and towards the infamous bakery. I felt my spirit lift at the air of simplicity and familial affection the building gave off and I knew I would be visiting the place often.

Toni pushed open the door and there was a soft jingling of a bell. The heavenly smell of baked goodness wafted deliciously into my nostrils and I felt myself breathing it all in deeply. Toni eyed me weirdly and made his way to the counter where a petite Asian woman with dark hair and grey eyes stood with a soft smile on her face. My spirit eased and I felt my usually springy nerves ease at her mere presence.

"Hello dear, what can I do for you?" She asked twice. In English and French.

"We're new around here, so could you recommend?" Toni asked in french.

"Oh! Of course" she grinned "Tom! Darling!" She opened the door to the kitchen(?) and a few minutes later, came back out with a HUGE man. The man had brown hair and beard and twinkling green eyes. He sported a huge grin, his face and hands stained white with flour

"I hear that you two are new here" He said, bending slightly to meet my brother's height "Well, welcome to the neighborhood!" He engulfed us in a big bear hug and I internally cooed. He reminded me so much of Tyson. I miss Tyson.

"Here have these" the woman said handing us a paper bag "They're on the house"

"What?" I was stunned "we can't possibly -"

"Take it we insist" she smiled "By the way, my name is Sabine Cheng, this is my husband Tom Dupain."

"It's nice to meet you two" I said, while Toni smiled.

"How old are you dear?" She asked "and what school do you go to?"

"I'm 17 and I'll be going to Francois Dupont" I don't know why I'm telling her ll this, but there's just something about her that makes me feel...at ease, somewhat like my mom.

"What about you young man?" Tom asked

"22 and I'm a graduate"

"Wow! You look younger though" Sabine exclaimed

He chuckled "I'll take that as a compliment" before the conversation could continue the door swung open roughly and a blur passed us through another door at the back

"Marinette!" Sabine and Tom yelled sighing "I seriously don't know what is up with that girl"

"Hm?"

"Oh right, sweetie, you said you'll be going to Francois Dupont, right?"

"Yes"

"Would you mind if we ask you to please keep an eye on our daughter, something's been happening to her in school but she's unwilling to share" I frowned. I didn't think it'll be right for me to do that, but the look of worry on Sabine's face reminded me painfully of my mother so I agreed.

"Thank you, dear." She gave me a grateful smile.

Afterwards she gave me a picture of her daughter and we went home. Toni being the big bully that he is, reminded me that I was starting school in three days.

Yippee