"This place sure is pretty though." Her brother murmured under his breath, passing through the gates as they automatically opened from the command of the guard station positioned beside it and driving out into the forest, the trees creating a hazy green arch above their heads.
After about half an hour of reflective silence, Edouard glanced toward Liesel who seemed to be dozing off with her head resting against the window.
"I'm sorry I got angry Leece. I was just worried, and mom has really been freaking out... I'm so relieved you're okay." He said with a sad smile as he brushed her blonde waves tenderly behind her ear. "You're my baby sister and it's my job to protect you. I should have come with you..."
"Don't beat yourself up, it's my fault and I know it. I really shouldn't have been so reckless. I'm just really lucky Rafe was there... I don't know what would have happened if he hadn't been." She trailed off sleepily, shivering from the thought before adding teasingly, "And hey, I'm only your baby sister by a minute and a half. Don't forget that mister."
He laughed warmly, eyes focused on the road as he said, "Yeah, yeah. I guess I owe him thanks then. So what happened Leece? You still haven't told me."
"I said I'd tell you when we got home Edouard, I'm not about to repeat the same conversation to Elizabeth right after this." She reminded him.
"Fine, then tell me about this Rafe guy. You've never mentioned him before, and you usually tell me everything. Who is he?" Edouard probed, chuckling at her groan of annoyance.
"He's just some guy I met from work." She answered vaguely, much to Edouard's irritation.
"He must be more than some guy, to take such care of you. Come on, I'm your brother. Who is he?" Edouard demanded, "And don't even try to change the subject. I'm not giving up until I get some answers on this."
A prolonged sigh followed before Liesel stretched uncomfortably in her seat and sat up, pulling her legs beneath her and twisting to face her brother. "Okay, his name is Raphael Black. I met him when I went to deliver some files for my boss a few weeks ago. He's the youngest son of this incredibly rich family. And Edouard, I'm talking cover of Forbes type of rich." Edouard whistled low and long before Liesel continued on, "After that little encounter, I bumped into him at a masquerade ball I went to with Kerrington. He sort of rescued me from the creepy advances of some guy who wouldn't leave me alone. I don't really know much about him at all really..." She hesitated, eyes flitting from her brother to the passing cars on the highway. "He's nice though. For a rich, arrogant jerk that is."
Edouard glanced at his sister, watching curiously as her eyes glazed over, lost in her thoughts. "You like him." He stated matter of factly.
Liesel laughed nervously, brushing off his comment as she positioned herself more comfortably in her seat. "He's an ass Edouard. I don't like him at all."
Edouard smiled inwardly, wondering why his sister would be lying to him.
****
"Oh my God, ma chérie!" A ripping sob broke from the lips of her mother as she raced down the porch to Liesel, throwing her arms around her and crying brokenly into her chest. "Liesel, where have you been?!"
"Elizabeth??" Liesel said, her voice coloured with shock. She'd always called her mom by her first name, for as long as she could remember. Liesel could pin point it back to the countless fights they'd had when she was young, resulting in her wanting to distance herself from her mother. That and she'd always been more of a best friend/sister figure to Liesel, what with only 16 years age difference. Right now Liesel could hardly believe this wailing ball of nerves was really her mother. It was just unlike her to loose her cool like this. She was always so calm and collected.
