MUTUAL FIXATION || WINRINA

CHAPTER 1

Winter's Point of View

Soft sunlight fell on my face, and I opened my eyes from a deep sleep, rising lazily from my bed. Sunday morning found me like this: lying lazily on the bed and having no single clue about how to spend my day.

Sighing, I went into the bathroom to start my morning ritual, which lasted a good 30 minutes before I finally decided to venture downstairs.

The house was unusually quiet as I descended the stairs, in absolute contrast to the everyday hustle and bustle. I remembered that it had been three days since my father and his wife went away for a trip, during which period the silence seemed to be getting eerier still.

As I entered the kitchen, the maid greeted me cheerfully, "Good morning, Ma'am." I returned her my bright smile before curiously peeping at what she was preparing.

"I'm cooking brunch, Ma'am," she replied.

Chuckling, I gently protested, "You know, you can stop calling me Ma'am. It makes me quite uncomfortable", but she insisted that it was an order from my step-sister's mother.

I exhaled softly and nodded, deciding to sit in the lounge while my eyes skimmed the house for my step-sister, Karina. Of course, there was no sign of her. It was quite early in the morning, and she was most likely still sleeping.

I plopped down on the couch, reaching up to trace my lips with the memory of a recurring dream that had haunted me since I came into this house. It was of someone kissing me, one that seemed terribly real.

"Maybe I'm just hallucinating," I muttered to myself, pushing the dream to the back of my mind. I reached for the remote and turned on the TV, searching through the channels for a movie to engross myself in.

As I was engrossed in my search, I chanced to see Karina coming downstairs. Her expression revealed nothing. I put on a smile but she failed to react, instead continuing on her way to the dining area.

It had been three months since Karina and I stayed together, through which time she and I had spoken barely to each other, and I did not know why. Maybe she was mad with me for something.

"Brunch is ready, Ma'am," the servant announced. I turned off the TV and proceeded to join Karina at the dining table. We ate in silence—the only sounds were that of clinking utensils. The atmosphere was awkward, and I felt it rather uncomfortable; I couldn't help but wonder if it was due to us not being close enough.

My peace was shattered when my phone suddenly rang, making me flinch and attracting Karina's attention. I answered the call from my friend, Aeri, rather awkwardly without meeting Karina's eyes.

"Can we hang out? I'm really bored," Aeri suggested.

I chuckled in response, "Yeah, sure. What time?"

"Uh, how about today?" she proposed.

"You mean right-" I was cut off as Karina dropped her utensils and I flinched again. She leaned back in her chair and looked at me with that cold, emotionless stare of hers. Her eyes were empty of all warmth. The veins seemed to bulge out of her neck.

"Manners, Kim Winter," she said icely. I literally felt a shiver run down my back. It was the first time she had ever spoken directly to me.

"Uh, what?" I stuttered. I was taken aback by her sudden reprimand.

What did she mean?

She quirked that eyebrow of hers once more, even more pointed—and frightening. "I said, manners. Stop talking when you're in front of your food," she dictated.

"Oh." I stuttered, feeling her cold eyes bore into me.

After hastily saying goodbye to Aeri and ending the call, I apologized, "I'm so sorry about that."

She rolled her eyes in response before resuming her breakfast and left me unsettled, for that was not an expected exchange.

I tried to nerves and focussed on my breakfast. After I was done eating, I got up, gathered the-used plates, washed them, and then walked to my room without a second thought. Just when I was about to climb the stairs, Karina spoke.

"You're not going anywhere," she said. My eyebrows furrowed a bit at her sudden command.

"What?" I asked, quite naturally bewildered by her sudden command.

This woman was so confusing. I could not understand what she wanted.

"You heard me, Winter," she replied sternly.

I turned to face her and asked, "Yes, I did hear you, but what do you mean by that? Why can't I go anywhere?"

She arched an eyebrow and said, "Because I say so," her voice so commanding.

I screwed up my face. What made her think she was boss over me? We didn't even close to each other.

"Who do you think you are to order me around, huh?" I asked, getting increasingly irritated.

Suddenly, her eyes turned dark, and I instinctively took a step back. What was happening here?

"Who am I?" she sneered, which only made me shiver even more with fear. "I am the Yu Family's Heiress, and as it so happens, I am your sister, so I am ordering you not to leave this place and go God-knows-where," she threateningly said.

I shook my head and said, "You are not my sister, Karina," in a deadpan voice.

She took another step closer to me and threatened, "Do not play games with me, woman. You are in my fucking territory, and you shall do as you're told," her gaze just like every other time, empty and cold.

Our eyes locked, and I pressed on. "Just what are you going to do if I don't do your command, huh?"

She smoothed a smirk on her face, doling out a very private whisper. "Try me, honey," and nipped my ear. A chill ran down my spine.

I instinctively shoved her away and turned my back toward her, heading straight into my room. I could feel her powerful presence, but fought to act calm, trying not to show fear toward her.

It felt like our first proper conversation just suddenly became a fight, and I was left speechless.

What was with her, anyway?

I went inside my room and messaged Aeri that I wouldn't be able to join our meet-up because my mood had soured.

"Damn that woman," I muttered to myself, opting to lock myself in my room knowing she was just downstairs.