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'YO, WAKE UP.' i hear a deep voice chime in my ear as i groan, rolling over in bed. 'théadora!'
'what?' i mumble as i rub my eyes awake, seeing hugo's face come into view. 'what the hell are you doing here?'
'i came to see my favourite sister.' he shrugs as he sits on the bed and i scoff, getting up.
'i'm your only sister, it doesn't count.' i mutter as i walk off to my en suite bathroom and brush my teeth.
'whatever. i can see you're having fun here.' he says, looking around my room and i nod.
'it's better because i don't have my father telling me off for every small thing i do.' i shrug and he scoffs with a nod.
'the dream life, i suppose.' hugo agrees as i spit in the sink before rinsing out my mouth, followed by washing my face and doing my morning skincare. 'so how long are you planning on making your point?'
i furrow my brows. 'hugo, i'm not here to prove a point, i'm here because i'm fed up of being a puppet.' i say as i walk out of the bathroom and get a pair of white linen trousers with a tank top to put on before getting changed in my wardrobe.
'yeah, and i get that but, moving out? come on théa. he'll cut you off, you know him.'
'yeah, i know he's all bark and no bite.' i shrug whilst i walk out and leave the room with hugo walking beside me.
'théa–'
'hold on, did he send you here to spy on me?' i ask my brother, stopping abruptly in the corridors as he clenches his jaw. i scoff. 'unbelievable.' i mutter as i continue walking until i reach the kitchen where charles and kiara are.
'théa, you have to admit this is insane.' hugo begins and i scoff.
'i'm not like you, hugo. i'm not a pussy who's too scared to retaliate.' i argue and he rolls his eyes now.
'yeah because i actually want to be involved in his affairs. he's gonna cut you off, théa. i came here to warn you before he does it but if you wanna be like that then fine, be stubborn.' he mutters before he walks out without another word and i scoff.
'are you okay?' charles asks me and i nod before walking off again and heading to my room. i shut the door behind me and rub my eyes before i pick up my phone, my thumb hovering over the contact labelled 'maman' before i scoff.
'for fuck's sake.' i whisper before tapping it, the like ringing for a few beats before she answers.
'alo? théa?'
'alo, maman.'
'théa did hugo speak with you? are you coming home?'
i pause for a beat before replying. 'no. i just wanted to know if papa's going to cut my credit cards off.'
'i don't know but i don't think so. you're still his daughter, théa. just come and talk to him.'
'maybe.' i speak softly before i hear a knock at the door. 'okay, i'm gonna go. bye, i love you.'
'i love you too, théa.' my mother responds.
'come in.' i call out as i leave my phone on my bed and i see charles step inside.
'théa, are you okay?' he asks softly, shutting the door behind him as i trill my lips a little but nod.
'i'm probably just being dramatic.' i shrug as he walks up to me, his arms going around my waist as he shakes his head.
'you're not being dramatic, mon coeur.' he speaks softly as i rest my head on his chest, his heartbeat echoing in my ear. i close my eyes and let out a breath as his arms wrap around me tighter.
'thanks, charles.'. i murmur as he pecks the crown of my head.
'anytime, théa.' he says softly in response before we hear the door open, kiara walking in.
'charles.' she calls out and both of us jump away from each other. i clear my throat, attempting to busy myself with something to make it look less awkward. 'arthur's here.' she speaks softly as i furrow my brows at charles. we all walk out of the room and go downstairs as arthur walks into the kitchen, his eyes looking up at all of us.
'arthur.' charles mutters to his brother as the blonde's eyes lock on mine.
'hey.' he greets, looking between the two of us as i give him a tight lipped smile.
'hi.' i reply softly and i can feel the awkwardness in the air.
'charles, let's go to the living room.' kiara speaks as charles' eyes move from arthur to me, his brows furrowing a little. i don't look at him as i walk into the kitchen near arthur, the brunettes both walking out as i feel charles' eyes burning my back.
'i heard what happened with your family.' arthur speaks as i press my lips in a thin line and nod. 'i'm sorry.'
'it's all good. if i'm being honest, i'll probably just go and fix things just so i keep my money.' i laugh as arthur smiles.
'do you want to go and talk outside? i want to tell you something.' arthur announces and i swallow hard, my heart dropping.
'um, sure.' i agree as he offers me his hand but i only interlock our fingers as we walk out through the sliding doors into the garden. he slides the door shut whilst i lean against the railing that overlooks a small patch of grass, fenced by small walls so the sea is visible.
'okay, théa i wanted to come out and say it right now–' he begins before i cut him off.
'i kissed charles.' i announce in a whisper, already knowing where this conversation is going as arthur's eyes widen a little.
'oh shit–'
'i'm sorry–'
'what the fuck?' i hear a third voice speak up as i wince, recognising its owner.
