Mansion of Dolls (Complete)

Chapter 05 (Rewrite/Edited)

The rest of the week flew by quickly.

When they reached the time to change to the next location, all four of them and piled into a car, Stephanie drove for well over five hours to a remote area in the mountains far away from civilization and Tokyo's bustling city. They were supposed to meet a guide, but he never showed, so Stephanie took the initiative knowing at least where the location was supposed to be.

Taryn and Rachael discussed planes on what they might do next for their webcomic during parts of the drive. And even how it might come to an end. But eventually, the topic soon changed to something else entirely.

"So, how are things back at home?" Rachael asked as both Stephanie and Robert were talking about other things. "Your parents doing alright?"

"It's pretty much the same before I left. There are fewer reporters, which my Mom's grateful for; she always hated dealing with the press and the media. For some reason, people want to know what goes on in my parents' private lives. And in mine too, to a degree, it's a pain in the ass. Just because of what my parents do doesn't make us abnormal or alien."

"I don't doubt it, but that good that there's less annoyance with reporters. What about Isaac?" she said, noticing how Robert seemed to visibly flinch at the mention. "Is he still interning with your mother?"

"Pretty much, he's almost finished university; I think next year will be his final year."

"Cool, hey, doesn't he live at your house?"

Taryn arched a brow at Rachael. Why in the world would she be asking that, when Rachael already knew the answer. Then cast a glance at the front seat and understood, Robert was now watching them through the rear-view mirror, listening to their conversation.

Taryn propped her arm near the car's window. Her gaze turned towards the vast green trees that blurred past them as they drove. "No, but my Mom is currently trying to convince him. After all, you know he has no family. My Mom is only thinking of ways that Isaac could save money since he's currently living in shared housing with people that honestly don't get along well. She doesn't want him to lose anything if some ass decided to steal it for fun."

"Isaac has no family? Do you mean he's an orphan?" Stephanie chipped in with surprise. And when Taryn nodded in response, she added. "You never mentioned that when we talked before in the hotel's bar."

"I didn't think it was relevant. Unless someone asks me right out what Isaac's family is like and I say, "I don't know," a lot of people just assume that I've never met his parents when really, none of us know who they are."

"He could always look," Robert added. "But considering he's, what, five years older than you? He's probably already thought about it."

"Six years," Taryn corrected. "And yes, I asked him once, Isaac said he had no interest. There are a million and one reasons why he was left; Isaac just can't remember. He once told me that he'd rather not project an image that could very well be false. Besides, with how long he's known my family, he feels as though he's a part of it. Regardless of blood, and it's something I agree with."

"You think he'll live with you and your folks?" Stephanie asked, genuinely curious as she kept her eyes on the now winding road.

Taryn shrugged. "It's up to Isaac. He just doesn't want to intrude, but it's not like he would if he did live with us. If anything, I think my parents would be happy if he did."

"And you?" Robert asked, a clear tone of aggression that she noted from his voice. "Would you be happy if he did?"

Taryn shrugged; she honestly didn't know if she would or wouldn't. She had known Isaac for so long that it felt like nothing changed much between them growing up. Hell, Roy had bunk beds in his room so that if Isaac were ever to stay over, he'd have somewhere to sleep other than the floor or couch. And those bunk beds were still there in that room.