The Twin Brothers

This is it. She standing in front of the door after asking Adam to send her here. Even though it needs a lot of convincing for the twin, they still made it. Now, she is anxiously here. She just wears something simple like a blue light sweater and a white flowy long skirt with a light blue ribbon tied to her hair. If she has her smartwatch, it probably beeping like crazy now.

“You can do this, Liana. Just, eat.” She encourages herself.

After she takes a deep breath, she presses the doorbell. The door opens and reveals her foster father. His expression lit up when saw his daughter standing there. “Darliana!! Oh gosh!! My baby!!” He pulls her into his arms.

“H–Hey, dad.”

“Look at you. You look like a dependant woman.” He chuckles.

Only if he knows the truth.

Liana just smiles. “Come in, sweetie. Everyone here already.” He ushers her in.

When they walk toward the dining hall, she can hear people talking and laughing. Her breath becomes unstable. It is not because of her foster parents but because of the guest.

‘Take a deep breath for us, baby.’

She slowly releases her breath.

“There she is!! My baby!!” Her mother rushes towards her and pulls her into her arms. “I miss you, sweetie.” She whispers.

But, Liana didn’t focus on that. Her eyes met with one family that hates her till death. They looked at her with so much disgust. Her grips on her mother tighten.

“M–Mom… aunt Tailor is here.” She quietly says.

The mother sighs knowing she should tell her but she wants to see her daughter. “I’m sorry, sweetie. I didn’t mean to keep it secret. I just wanted you to come.” She explains.

If it is not because of Ivan, she wouldn’t know this. She knows what her mother trying to do and who she is to get angry at it. She did what she can do for her to come.

“I–It’s fine.” Liana gives her a reassuring smile.

Her mother softly smiles before ushering her to the dining table. She sitting beside her mother and opposite Ivan. Jessicas is sitting beside her boyfriend, looking at her with pity. But Liana just smile at her.

“I thought she had already moved out, Anna.” Tailor talks to her sister.

“Oh yes. She did even me and Jerry told her not to but she said she want to be independent.” Her mother said with a proud smile.

Tailor’s husband, Frank just scoff. “Independent? Her? I don’t think so.” He said in full of disgust. “I bet she can’t take care of herself. She’s a crybaby and looks at her. She–”

“Before this dinner become chaos, how about you shut your mouth.” Ivan cut him off.

Frank rolls his eyes and starts eating. Everyone eating intense air. Liana’s hands shaking due to this uncomfortable situation. She know she shouldn’t come but she did this for her parents. Jessica notices the air is so tense that she decides to break it.

“Liana, I heard you got a job!!” She said in a bright tone.

“Y–Yes.” Liana nods.

“Yes, sweetie. Where?” Her father asks.

Liana was afraid to tell them.

“Yeah, you said you will tell us. No need to wait till your payday though. Please~” Ivan pleaded with his puppy eyes.

She let out chuckles seeing that. “It… I–I work at… Lenzo company.”

Everyone was shocked by her statement. Lenzo company is one of the top companies and it is hard to get a job there even in the cafeteria. Ivan slowly put down his fork, “Lenzo company? As if…. the famous twin, Leonardo, and Lorenzo?”

Hearing their name make her calm down. She slightly smiles and nods.

“Oh my gosh!!!” Jessica squealing brightly. “Liana!! A lot of people find it hard to work there! How can you get in so easily!? And also, the twin will check the new employee. Because of that, a lot of people are being fired.” She asks with a big smile on her face.

Should she tell them Adam offers it to her and be friends with her? And should she tell them those twins become her best friends? But telling them she apply, it will make her sound unsure.

“I–I bump into Adam, Leonardo’s assistant. He offers the job. Then, I met with the twin and we become best friends.” She blurts it out excitedly.

Silence fills the air.

Liana lifted her gaze and saw everyone looking at her with a weird expression. Did she say something wrong? “Sis did you just… talk about the same twin we talk about? Leonardo and Lorenzo?” Ivan asks.

“Yes?” She frowns and tilted her head a little.

Then, Tailor’s family burst into laughter. They thought she was joking and a girl like her would never befriend those twin or their assistant. Even get a job there. Meanwhile, her family didn’t laugh but their expression is enough to show that they didn’t believe her. Her family exchanged looks in worried.

“You? Be friends with their assistant and the twin?” Sara said while laughing. “That was an excellent joke you ever say. There is no way Adam or the twins are friends with you. Even gave you the job.” She scoffs.

“How can a girl like you work at the luxurious company? I mean, you are just a girl who is dependent on someone’s family.” Tailor rolls her eyes.

The words make Liana want to cry. She looks at Ivan and the others but they are just silent. Looked at her with pity.

“Poor your ADOPTED daughter, Jerry. I can’t believe you adopt someone who loves to be delusional.” Frank chuckles.

Liana fiddling with her skirt. “I–I’m saying the–the truth.”

“Sis, how about you tell us the truth about your work? Where exactly do you work?” Ivan asks with a soft smile.

Even her family member didn’t believe her. Her family should have known whether she lied or not.

“Ivan, I’m telling the truth.” She said.

The look on his face is hilarious. If they are not in this tense air, she will be laughing right now.

“Just tell us where you work, sweetie.” Tailor sarcastic said. She twirled her pasta, “I bet you are embarrassed to tell us because you work as… stripper, right?”

PANG!!!

Jessica slams the table making everyone silent. She deadly glares at the rude family. “If you want to stay for dinner, keep your stinky mouth shut. Before I shove my fork down your throat.”

“We’re just saying.” Sara rolls her eyes.

Jessica grabs Liana’s hand and brings her out. The girl just held her tears with her wobbled lips.

“Li?” Jessica’s soft voice called. Her teary eyes met hers. “Oh, dear. I’m sorry for those stupid. Don’t cry, please.” She brings her to her arms, rubbing her back.

“I’m–I’m telling th–the truth. Why… W–Why no one… believe me?” Liana cried.

“I believe you, Li. The family… just shocked.” She comforted her. She knows how sensitive Darliana is. She easy to gets overwhelmed.

“How about you go home? Take a rest or something?” Jes rubbed her back.

“B–But di–dinner?” She asks.

“Pfft!!” Jes rolls her eyes. “It is not called ‘family dinner’ if those stupid families are here. ” She said while glaring at Tailor’s family.

Liana bites her lips thinking about it. Maybe it is better if she goes home right now and what Jessica said was right. She is not mad at her family member. They were just shocked.

“Want me to drop you off?” Jes offers.

“It’s fine.” She wipes her tears.

Jessica watches the poor girl shuffles towards the door. She doesn’t know what this girl did to deserve such a cruel word.

_________

The door shut closed. She slowly takes off her shoes and drags her feet to the living room.

Since it was silence, she thought the guys had already gone home. Her body falls on the comfy couch.

“Mr. Jerry and Mrs. Jerry shouldn’t have adopted me.” She mumbles to herself. Tears were ready to fall from her eyes.

“Little baby?”

The voice that she cracked for comfort, fill her ears. She sits up and turns around, Lorenzo standing there in nothing but just sweatpants. His muscle, abdomen packs and V line can be seen.

“Are you crying!? Hey, what’s happened!?” Enzo rushes to her and brings her to his lap.

“Y–You st–still here?” She asks.

“I’m here to give you the new smartwatch.” He holds her wrist and wrapped the watch around hers. “I and Leo couldn’t help but worry about your heart rate. We need this to know whether your heart rate is in better condition or not.” He rambles.

Liana looked at her smartwatch and it look even fancier. She bet this smartwatch was expensive.

“What do you say?” Enzo arches his eyebrows.

“Hm?”

“If people give you something, what do you say, love?” He asks again.

Love.

Her new nickname.

She loves it.

“Oh!!” Liana gasp. “Uhh… t–thank you.” She timidly said.

“Good girl.” His hand strokes her hair adoringly. “Now. Mind to tell me what happens and why you crying?” His serious mode turns on.

“N-Nothing.” She looks down.

“Baby. There’s nothing nothing. Tell me now.” Enzo sternly said while wiping her tears.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Liana can’t help herself from crying. She whimpers and hides her face on Enzo’s neck. He can feel wet on his neck.

“Little baby-”

“Love.” She whispers.

“Oh.” He chuckles. “Look like someone love their’s new nickname.”

“Zozo.” Liana pulls back.

“Yes, Love?” He trying to stop laughing at his new sudden nickname.

“I–I need–need comfort.” She timidly said.

Enzo knows it bad time to ask what happened. He didn’t want to push her. It might be a bad day for her. Thank goodness he decided to stay here until she come home.

“Baby, I know you didn’t want to tell me. But you don’t have to ask for comfort. My arms are always open for you.” He whispers.

“I–It just… um… b–bad fam–family dinner…” Liana rests her head on his chest.

“Aww. My poor baby. Whoever hurt is such a bad person, aren’t they?” He keeps saying comforting words to her.

Somehow, it helped Liana a lot. It is warmth. This is what Liana wants. But it is not enough. Maybe because someone’s not here.

“W–Where is–is Leo?” She asks.

“He got something to do. Don’t worry.”

“But he’s hurt!!” The panic rise inside her.

“Trust me, love. Hurt never in his dictionary. No matter how bloody he is.” Enzo chuckles.

Liana just hummed but still worried inside her. She back to his chest and close her eyes. Today’s dinner tiring for her. Not physically but mentally. And Enzo notices that. Look like this girl needs someone to depend on.