Deadly Sins

Part 1

New York is my home. I feel save here. I have my friends, my family here. I work here, I live here. Sure, many things have happened like the alien attack five years ago, but the city fully recovered. I know about the mutants and the heroes and I must admit, that I am jealous.

Although my father is rich and famous, I am not treated like something special. He owns a company, now with the help of my brother Harry, and I work there, but sometimes even the workers at Oscorp forget who I am. It is frustrating. I am a nobody. A shadow that no one notices. But as a shadow you see things whilst others didn't even know you were there. Something wrong is happening at Oscorp. Something is wrong with my father but I couldn't work it out yet. He gets so angry. One wrong word and he would shout and scream in total anger before he leaves the room, still complaining about what you said. How strange is that? Normally, I wouldn't care but my life gets boring. My friends are working or going out with their friends and boyfriends. I do like to party, but I rather spend my weekend with reading, watching series and learning combat skills. I never knew I would be glad to have learned something like combat skills.

"Jenny?" My brother shouts from the dining room. "What is it?" I replied but I got no answer. I sighed and left my room. I walked along the long corridor, down the large stairs, through the hallway and the kitchen until I entered the bright dining room with the large windows. "What is the matter this time?" I asked him, slightly annoyed but curious.

"Father and I have to leave. Business. I am sorry, sweetie." He said, trying to comfort me by hugging me.

"Why can't I ever come with you?" I pushed him away from me and my eyes sparkled with anger.

My question led him to a sigh. "I am sorry, Jenny." He apologized "But you're working as a technician at oscorp. You were the one refusing the job as the secretary."

I murmured something under my breath "With good reasons! I have no interest to do whatever you tell me to! Plus, that job is boring!" I replied and crossed my arms in front of my chest.

He chuckled "You definitely are stubborn. You know that? Fine. I'll take you with me. But you have to listen to me, got it? And for god's sake, PLEASE behave! We will visit our partner in japan and you know what happened last time when you were little, you idiotic thief!" He finally answered.

"Hey! I am not a thief! I am just really good at aquiring things that aren't mine." I tried to defend myself but I had to grin.

He shaked his head in amusement. "Idiot." He laughed "Promise me to keep your manners, ok?" He said, looking at me with a serious expression.

"Fine." I promised "But promise me, that we will have a little bit fun in japan! Just a little bit sight-seeing is all I am asking for!" I begged, looking at him with my round big eyes.

"Stop that! You know I can't resist that face." He laughed "Okay okay. I try to take time for that. Now, pack your things and remember to pack formal clothes as you will meet some important persons of our befriended company."

I grinned and nodded "Of course, Sir!" He just smiled at me and said "Idiot." With that, I walked back in my closet room and grabbed a big suitcase.

The closet room was between my room and my bathroom. Whilst my room was always messy with books, comics and little sketches lying around, my closet was extremely tidy. My mostly black clothes hang in the shelves. The shoes neatly sorted in their own shelf. My bags presented in another shelf. I sighed and looked around. What should I bring with me? Of course some formal clothes for the dinners. I went around and tried on some clothes, but didn't feel comfortable with them. Wearing those formal clothes made me think about Oscorp. About my dad, my brother and me. My position at home and at work. I never felt welcomed, neither at home nor at Oscorp. To get rid of that thought, I continued picking out clothes which I would pack in my suitcase.

After I had finished packing, I walked down in the big living room, but I stopped walking and waited around the corner, as I heard my brother and father discuss.

"What were you thinking taking her with us? Are you crazy?!" Dad shouted in extreme anger.

"She is part of our family! That's what I'm thinking Dad!" Harry yelled back "Think about our reputation! What would they think about a company whose leader wouldn't want to bring his own daughter?"

Dad hesitated. I looked at them shocked. I knew Dad didn't like me. But I thought Harry would like to bring me, because he wanted me by his side. Not to improve Oscorps reputation. I felt tears coming up and ran back into my room.
I slammed the door behind me and ran in my closet. I closed the door as well and crawled in the darkest corner. How could he do this to me?
A part of me thought about it objective. Maybe Harry made up that argument to convince dad. But maybe it was just his opinion, how was I to know?
I pulled my knees closer to my body and hugged them. I began crying which was the reason I couldn't hear Harry shouting my name. Being done crying, I heard someone entering my room. I panicked and ran in the bathroom. I quietly closed the door and looked into the mirror. I took a deep breath, washed my face and fixed my swollen eyes by putting make up on.

"Jenny? Are you okay? I heard your door slamming." Harry worried and knocked on the door of the closet room.

"Yes I am okay. I uh... it was an accident, I am sorry." I left the bathroom and opened the door of the closet, seeing Harry standing in front of me.

"If you say so." He responded, still not convinced. "Listen, little sis, Dad is not really happy about you coming with us, but I could convince him." He pushed a blonde hair strain behind my ear.

"I understand." I said, my voice shaking. He sighed and hugged me. "But I am happy that you come with us." He whispered and kissed my forehead.

I looked at him with mixed feelings. "Really?" I asked quietly.

"Yes." He said honestly "You're important to me. And I think to dad as well. He is just..." he sighed "Since mother's death he is... jaundiced. I think you remind him too much of mom."

"Great." I said "What should I do? Dye my hair? Change my eye colour?" I shaked my head. "Thanks for the explanation, but it doesn't change the situation, Harry. He doesn't want me to be here and that won't change."

Harry looked at me shocked "Of course he wants you here! Jenny, you're part of our family!" He insisted "You're as important as me!"

"No. I am not." I said, my voice cracking. "Please just accept it. I... If i can accept it, you can do it, too." I turned away, wanting him to leave.

"But Jen..." he tried again. "Please go. I need to be alone." I said.

He sighed again. "I'll go. But... I am always there for you, got it?" He stroked my arm before he left. Motionless, I stood in my closet wanting to punch myself in the face. He was just trying to help me.