The Liability

Chapter 6

Louisa's POV:
"Hugo!!!!!!!!" screeching echos through the halls and reaches out the estate.

If anyone could see Hugo's face right now, they'd think he was meeting an inlaw. however, this was nothing compared to meeting an inlaw.

this was his sister.. his OLDER sister, his very BOLD sister.

"Ahh Julia, back so soon?" the sarcastic intent dripped from his words.

Julia simply scoffs.

"Hugo I don't know what the fuck you have been doing while I was gone, but it ends. NOW."

His face goes straight. he stares back at his blood relative with disgust and condescension.

"you know what dear sister, you forfeited that right when you went haywire"

haywire? What the bloody hell could that mean?

now its Julia who is stern. her hazel eyes staring into him like a hunter mercilessly firing bullets into a weak helpless animal.

His guard dropped for less than a second. and a glint of regret left as quick as it came.

He was tall and brooding, his sister also tall, but even with her heels, not as tall as him.

Or maybe I am just shorter than I thought.

it's funny because this whole time one would've thought Hugo was just a callous, cold, heartless, and mysterious gangbanger who shows no weakness, and has no weakness. yet, he can be seen slightly affected by his sister's wrath.

Although I could have easily mistaken this expression as him holding back from action.

I stay hidden behind the wall, barely peeking out to observe this encounter.

I'd gone unnoticed for this whole exchange until my stomach decided to betray me. suddenly It's my turn to be scared.

both sibling's eyes dart in my direction, for a moment completely forgetting their heated conversation.

I sheepishly back away fearing the worst. However, being unexpectedly surprised when Julia's anger resides to that of excitement.

Most would be relieved, I, however, am skeptical. this whole thing was more complicated than meets the eye

she hurries up greeting me to them complimenting me. She's rather charming. Especially compared to her polar opposite of a brother.

"wow, aren't you a beautiful young thing!"

"I'm not young" I snap. I regret this only because of the backlash I anticipated. But nothing

"Oh, I'm sorry, my bad for assuming. How old are you?"

I cough signaling the other pair of eyes towards me.
"I'm 19" I state with confidence.
"Oh I guess your right-
Although you're still a bit younger than me, I'm 26"
I gasp, she lifts her brow.
"S-sorry you just looked, so much younger."
She laughs, with the contagious laughter that few people have. but I refrain from catching it.
"Well, I will take that as a compliment." She beams

"Oh Hugo, come finish introducing me to your guest."
I stifle back a laugh. she cannot be serious.

as Hugo struts over his face falls over me. His eyes never leave mine.

suddenly I'm self-conscious.
Fuck
he clears his throat before looking around in thought, emotionless.

that's when it dawned on me, he doesn't even know my name. this, of course, made me giddy, because I had an opening to take control of the conversation.

extending a hand I introduce myself

"Hello, I'm Louisa"

all the while instead of looking at Julia's eager eyes, I coldly stare at the deep ice blue set belonging to Hugo.

the introduction was for him.

And I felt powerful. But he looked almost amused.
grrrr...
I look back to Julia
who further questions me, on irrelevant things, that set me under the impression she has no idea of what her dearest brother does in his free time. yet, somehow there's more to that.

one can only be SO oblivious, before their just neglectful.

After her little moment of 20 questions, she tells me to give her a moment, as if she planned on coming back to talk to me.

She pivots on her heels and walks executively towards Hugo.

Hugo standing still, unbothered and unfazed.
She gets in his face angrily poking a finger at his chest while he doesn't budge in the slightest.

I can hardly hear them, but I already know its about me, because I hear my name and words later "how could you." It's not hard to piece that one together.

I sigh noticing even Julia had little authority over her brother.
She had authority but not with whatever his business is. Which must pay well, for this bouse is worth more than a regular startup could make in 10 years. And well, he is only...I don't know, 20?

I lose interest in whatever was happening and turn to leave. As I walk up the never-ending stairs, turn long corridors with wide hallways beautifully decorated, it begins to feel like an eternity.

My eyes wander at the paintings lining the walls and land on one in particular that gives me an unpleasant feeling.

It's of a couple maybe mid-30s with four children in front, one on the man's lap, one in the woman's arms and two standing in front of the parents. This, however, isn't what made me shudder--

--It was the facial expression on the man and his firm grip on the young boy in front of him. Accompanied by the boy's facial expression of many emotions, fear, anxiety, and resentment packaged together.

It didn't require a psychologist to see that something was very wrong with this. And the feeling grew worse the more I analyzed.

I tear my eyes away at the sound of approaching footsteps.

Shit.
Although I know I have all the right to be wandering, I cannot say that others living here would agree.

I pick up powerwalking to then break into a sprint at the sound of them growing heavier....closer

I finally recognize the door to my "room" and slip in closing it as quietly as possible.

I press my forehead to the door panting and gathering my strength.

"excuse me, young lady"

I turn around in shock at the sound of another voice in the room, that was clearly here before me.

for fucks sake....

this cannot be good, it never seems to be..