This Romantic Novel [√]

Chapter 18: Why You?

It was Saturday - I was thankful for that. Penelope invited me to have a sleepover at her house because Julian definitely wanted me there, and I perceived to be lucky to have a nephew that wants me (so much like his own mother and father). And I absolutely felt envious of that. Plus he wanted a sleepover at his house with his friends.

"Auntie Jade," Julian called me.

Gazing up, I see Penelope's house (with the front door wide open) revealing Julian who held a sincere smile. Unconsciously, I grinned.

" Hey, you missed me?" I questioned Julian, strutting closer to the front door.

"Of course," Julian answered ecstatically before hugging me tightly.

I chuckled before patting his head. "That's great, but I need to see your mummy," I added, walking further inside the house and closing the door to proceed further in.

"They're in the kitchen," Julian pointed out before leaving for the lounge.

Strolling towards the kitchen, I can see two figures talking to each other - immediately I knew that it was Marcus and Penelope.

"Hello. No need to clap, I am here," I said in an exaggerating way.

However, I only heard mocking scoffs from my sister, Penelope, who now turned to face me. "I see that you're here," She said.

"Of course, I ain't a ghost," I told her sarcastically, sitting next to her. "What's up, Marcus,?" I greeted my brother-in-law.

"Nothing really," Marcus answered, "Penelope is telling me how we should put the campfire going when they come, so they can tell scary stories," Marcus added.

"That seems agreeable," I smiled at him before shifting my gaze to Penelope who just stared at me. "What?" I demanded.

"Are you okay?" Penelope questioned.

I looked at her puzzled. "I am fine, why?" I answer.

"No," Penelope rejected that answer, "I meant, are you okay? Lance told what happened the other day in the restaurant," She said in more specific detail.

My confusion was replaced with a dull expression as I turned to look at the marbled table in front of me. "Yeah, why do you think that?" I questioned back.

But she didn't say anything, instead, I felt my hand being engulfed by her own (squeezing it a bit tightly) to gesture that she was always there - and I was thankful. However, that moment was long gone as I heard bigger footsteps advancing towards us. I almost felt nauseous as my chair twirled to face no other than my older brother, Cooper.

"Poor you, are you okay? Do you want me to beat his sorry ass?" Cooper dramatically said, studying my body for any signs of bruises.

"And Cooper also knows, " Penelope said with a sigh.

"Great," I mumbled slowly, waiting for Cooper to come down from his dramatic entrance.

"Are you hurt?" Cooper asked worriedly.

"Cooper, he didn't use physical force," I stared at him bored, irritated by his drama queen personality.

"Are you sure? That may not be the case" He shot back.

Annoyed even more, I pushed his hands towards his own body before glaring. "Calm down, I was their dummy" I fired back before moving my chair to face its original position.

"Did you hear that Penelope?" Cooper gasped, "She called me a 'dummy'" He fake cried.

Penelope scoffed. "That's what you get for being overdramatic," Penelope added.