Hidden Feelings Never Remain Hidden For Long

{Gianna's POV}

*sniff*

What have I done…? I didn't know that giving the shop for rent would make Ami this angry and disappointed… Only Charlie...only he can understand me perfectly without going against me. He never disobeyed me, he would become sad and whine if I am sad, he would bark energetically if I am happy, he would always support me no matter what situation I face.

I wish Amelia could calm down and think if I had done anything really wrong. Am I really wrong this time? Did I make a mistake? Was I not in right mind of state when--

My trail of thoughts came to a stop when I heard the bedroom's door opening, I wiped my tears away instantly as I heard Amelia scoff. Suddenly Amelia came rushing towards me, and yanked my arm pulling me to stand up, I silently stood up and heard Charlie growling in anger towards Ami.

"Why were you sitting on the floor?" Amelia asked me.

"I… I--" I paused as I couldn't come up with any excuse.

"You should sit on the couch, you must be really happy, right?" Amelia said making me confused.

"What do you mean?"

"Oh? You didn't understand? Let me explain, you must be happy after getting a bunch of money, now you can enjoy your life without any hard work right?" Amelia said in a mocking tone.

"What are you saying! Why would you think like this, Ami!" I exclaimed in surprise, as I did not expect Amelia to behave like this. Giving a shop for rent is a crime? Why is she being like this...

"Foremost, you show no interest in music, that's fine it's your choice I won't interfere in that, second, you sell off the shop we both opened fulfilling our mother's dream, third you never asked for my advice, am I a stranger to you? Am I not your sister!? Fourth, why do you have to sell such a nice shop to a witch like her!?" Amelia finished in full speed, panting after asking everything that could come in her mind.

I sighed and said, "Who told you I sold off our shop?" I asked her just one question.

She paused for a few seconds and replied, "The lady who now owns the shop said I'm the owner, whatnot, and told me to get lost."

I gasped in shock not believing the lady to be this rude when she didn't even own the shop, she was being very kind when we were making a deal of the shop.

"Come with me." I took Amelia's wrist in one hand and took Charlie's leash in the other.

"Huh? Where are you taking me??" Amelia asked in confusion and curiosity, to which I just shushed her to keep quiet.

I pulled her out of our apartment and took her to OUR shop next door. Gretta greeted me as soon as I came inside the shop, I decided to go alone for a minute. I heard her keep something like a box down on the floor, must be cardboard boxes.

"Ah, Miss Gianna! Welcome, welcome." Gretta said and chuckled. I showed her a small smile and called Amelia to come inside.

"Why did you bring me here?" Amelia asked me, making me turn towards her voice.

"Miss Gretta, do you know her?" I came right to the point.

"Oh yes, I know her! Just a while ago, she came barging in your shop rudely and didn't even apologize to me!" Gretta exclaimed with a hint of anger and disgust. Amelia gasped in shock when she said "your shop", she got confused.

"I can't believe these days kids act so impulsively, their parents don't even teach them how to behave around elders. But Miss, why did you bring her here? Did you bring her to scold her? Serves her right!" Gretta exclaimed and chuckled as if enjoying.

"Miss Greta, I apologize, I should have introduced her before, she's Amelia Allen, my younger sibling. I was informed that you acted harshly and rudely with her and told her that you are the owner of this shop. If you want, I can return half of your rent payment and take my shop back if any mishap occurs here, as it was informed to you through the contract." I folded my arms and explained calmly. Gretta's gasping voice came into my ears and I imagined her shocked face.

"I… I--" Gretta started stuttering.

"How could you behave so rudely when you just took this shop for rent? Don't YOU have any manners how to behave with people!?" Amelia's anger was clearly present in her voice.

"I-I'm really s-sorr-y... I w-will be extra careful in the future, I promise." Amelia just scoffed and went out of the shop.

I sighed, "It's alright Miss Gretta, this is the first and last chance from my side, I hope we have no troubles throughout the contract of one year." To which she responded with yes and sniffed. My eyes must be slightly red too because of crying earlier.

I went back to our apartment and as soon as I came inside, Amelia apologized to me. She dragged me to sit on the couch and kneeled in front of me while holding both of my hands and clutching them.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have behaved like that with you, but I was so angry! Also, I didn't know you rented out the shop, not sold it off. But you know you should've told me if you were having financial problem, I could work too! Extra work! Less using of other expenses, why...why didn't you tell me before putting our shop up for rent...why..." Amelia trailed off and sobbed. Ah? Seems like she started crying, it has been long since she shed tears of guilt, I don't know what to do.

"It's okay...don't be sorry, I didn't tell you because I didn't want to disturb you in your studies and create more troubles for you, I know you already have one secret job, from which you get your monthly allowance that's why you never asked me pocket-money or allowance to spend with your friends...*sigh* I was going to tell you soon, but I guess, I got late, and you misunderstood.

Just concentrate on your studies, don't involve yourself more into working or else you won't get much time for your studies. At least study hard for me so that you could start earning good in the future." I explained, I thought my explanation was good and reasonable enough to make her realize that everything I do is not only for me but for both of us. I sighed as Amelia started sobbing and whining even more, I ruffled her hair, making her even messier than before.

"Hey!" Amelia exclaimed as she stroked her hair and chuckled, making me giggle with her.

"Are we good?" Amelia asked in a shy voice while sniffing her running nose. I flicked her head and giggled, making her whine.

"Yup. Hungry much?" I joked and asked her if she was hungry.

"Very much!" Amelia exclaimed loudly, and I heard her rushing towards the washroom to take a quick shower while I started working on making dinner after a stressful evening. Sesame noodles and stir-fried eggs would be simple, good and enough for dinner with some cookie-dough ice-cream for desert. I decided and started making the food quickly.

{Author's POV}

--Le Fiamma Del Mondo office--

"How's the deal coming along?" Xavier asked Adam to which he sighed, "Yeah their proposal and strategy is nice but... I think it's not solid enough, I'll tell them to revise and do some modifications." Adam leaned his head while sitting on the couch, visibly tired.

"Hmm, hopefully they won't disappoint us. Go home, you look tired." Xavier said as he continued signing a few documents and typing on his laptop.

"Should I take Brinley out tomorrow? She's been whining about us keeping her captured, she even tried calling cops on us in the presence of Grace and her father. I snatched her phone on time, though." Adam shrugged and chuckled, remembering her antics.

"Looks like someone is being considerate and caring." Xavier commented, to which Adam shrugged.

"Of course I care! She's like my...little sister." Adam paused for a few seconds before continuing.

"Are you really sure about that?" Xavier asked as he finally looked up, his eyes staring straight into Adam's eyes. Adam couldn't bear his truth-seeking gaze and averted his eyes before Xavier make him vomit out whatever he's thinking or feeling.

Adam cleared his throat and stood up to leave.

"I'm taking my leave, don't forget about tomorrow's meeting at the office, it's important." Adam moved towards the door after finishing his reminder when Xavier stopped him.

"Make sure you bring her back home on time, and don't let her lick off your whole wallet." Xavier said and smirked. It was an indirect approval to take her out. Adam chuckled and went out silently without saying anything in response.

"Make as many excuses as you want, your eyes always blankly reveal what you really feel. Sister heh." Xavier mumbled and chuckled to himself before returning to do his remaining. Xavier was always very observant about things around him, he has noticed many times how Brinley and Adam get lost in their eyes staring at each other and the spark between them doesn't go unnoticed by anyone. They care for each other and look out for each other.

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