The House of Cross part 2

A pair of narrowed azure eyes stared at a pair of almond azure ones. Eve and Lucian have been in a deadlock and ended up in a staring contest.

" Linlin, come on. I'll be much a greater dad than that scamp Sylvius." Maybe the repeated rejection ignited his competitive cells, which is always in a contest with his brother-in-law, spelling Lucian's refusal to back down.

Eve decided to ignore the good-looking uncle and concentrated on the sundries of delivered snacks.

" How about half dad, I'll be satisfied with that." Like an impudent elder, he continued to convince her, not even minding the absurdity of his words.

There was no response coming off the youngster, for her mouth and consciousness are focused on munching food.

" Ahh Linlin, please say yes. I promise to give you everything you wanted. I won't even restrict you. You are free to decide when to come and go as long as you promise to stay with us for a couple of months a year. Oh wait, you can visit us during your breaks. "

Still, there was no response.

Lucian became desperate as he implores his niece. This is his only chance to have a blood-related daughter, and he will not give up no matter what.

" Okay, okay. I won't demand you to stay that long as long as you call me Dad." His eyes twinkled due to expectation.

Too bad Eve has long been immune to twinkling eyes. To her, they resemble cataracts that needed medical attention more.

" No."

" How about Uncle-dad."

" No."

" Undad?"

" No."

" Dadcle?"

" No."

Lucian wanted to shed tears. Why is his niece so stone-hearted? It seems she inherited his little sister's obstinacy.

[ Doesn't he have children? Why is he persistent in fostering me?] She consulted the almost-all-knowing system guide.

[ They don't have a daughter, host, only three sons.]

Eve can't comprehend his obsession despite hearing the reason. To her, children are children. What difference is there if one is a boy or a girl? They only differ in gender.

Before Lucian can spout a more irrational idea, the door blasted open, and a young man entered.

Short, well-combed brown hair, a pair of blue eyes, and clad in a formal black coat that highlighted his good looks, he strode towards Lucian and gave a small curtsey.

It was Thesseus, the firstborn of the Cross family.

" Father, you escaped from the conference to harass little cousin, huh. Where did your honor as head of Cross family gone to?" His tone was friendly, his message not necessarily the same.

" Oh, Tess, you are finally here I see." Lucian rolled his eyes like a rebellious, chastised kid. He even slumped deeper into the sofa and left his arms dangling.

In comparison, his son stood straight, appearing like a worthy young lord.

Thesseus, knowing he won't get through his father's stubbornness, bypassed him and went before Eve. He took her hand, laid a gentle kiss on the back of her palm, and spoke.

" Greetings to you, my lady. I am Thesseus Fleon Cross." He lifted his face and greeted her,

" Do you still remember me, little cousin Geline?"

[ Geline?] Recalling the odd name her uncle kept calling her, Eve didn't think more.

She scrutinized his features that don't resemble Lucian's. Except for the eye color, and imposing noble aura, there was no hint whatsoever.

However, one thing that captured Eve's attention is the smirk constantly present on his thin lips. It wasn't condescending nor provocative but rather seductive with a hint of playfulness.

" I do, cousin Tess." She stared at her confined hand, wondering when he'll let go. It was her dominant hand she uses to eat, after all. Plus, her left hand is already busy holding her drinks.

Fortunately, he released her hand a beat later.

" Father, you should be prepared to be grilled next session." He sat on the opposite chair, crossed his long legs, and cupped his chin. He didn't forget to gaze at his father, showing how disappointed he was with his earlier performance.

" Ugh, why bother. Didn't I leave you there to take care of it?"

The two started to bicker, and for a moment, Eve seems to recall her Grappa and Dad through them.

Then the door blasted open again.

" Dad! I heard little cousin is here? I came as soon as I heard!" A cheery voice interrupted the intensifying argument between Tess and Lucian.

A youngster then came in full view.

His hair is blond, and his eyes emerald green. He is wearing a pair of grey joggers and a white loose shirt that he used to wipe his sweat with as he panted.

He might be dripping buckets, but his appearance wasn't revolting despite his disheveled state.

Like an embodiment of perfect unrestrained youth, he flooded the room with his refreshing spirit.

" Lyka, have you no manners? How could you welcome Linlin with that appearance?' Lucian reprimanded his second son, Lykaon Veann.

Tess didn't say a word but his brows furrowed in disapproval.

" Bah! I'm pretty sure cousin won't mind." He marched the room and stood in front of Eve.

" Right, cousin Eva?" His smile was as brilliant as the sun.

[ Eva?] Now she validated her beliefs that this family has a peculiar way of calling people.

" I don't." Eve carefully hid her hand this time.

" She doesn't but I do."

Lucian cast a sidelong glance at Lyka and interjected.

" But Dad."

" No buts. Go to your room and fix yourself." There was no room for negotiation at all.

" DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaad." Lyka resorted to his ultimate move, but a shame that Lucian had the perfect counter to the brat's nonsense.

" If your mother heard of this, " He didn't get to finish his sentence, for Lyka started running like someone was out for his life.

" I'll see you later cousin Evaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" His voice echoed through the corridor walls.

There was a sigh that came from a particular exasperated person.

Tess sipped his tea, which he managed to prepare without anyone noticing, while Eve continued to snack.

" Where is Carla by the way?"

" I don't know. I'm not his babysitter, father."

[ This brat.] Lucian almost cracked his fist. This is why he was dying to have a daughter.

His eyes went to Eve, who was sitting so well-behaved while eating her macaron in small bites, then turned to his son and pouted.

This son of his may act refined but is so black-hearted. His day won't be complete without annoying him, his great father. Lucian thinks he is his nemesis from his previous life. Remembering his third son, he inwardly shouts through gritted teeth;

[ Especially that brat!]

Lucian truly believes his children were his former nemesis from the previous life. If not, how could they bear and aim to bully their outstanding father in all turns? If he wasn't sure the three rascals came out of his lovely wife's womb, he was confident the monkeys were sent from below to torment him.

Why can't he have a daughter? He also wanted a cute offspring to pamper. He will join her tea parties and even play pretend with her. He is even willing to wear a matching tutu if she wants to. Alas, heaven forbade and gave him three annoying brats instead to torment him. He could only cry in his heart.

On the other side, the cousins intentionally ignored the third party, wallowing in self-pity.

" That reminds me, how long do you intend to stay, cousin Geline?" Tess mounted his cup and looked at Eve, covertly studying the little girl who treated the Devil's child as her playmate.

" At most, two weeks, cousin." Eve also mounted the emptied strawberry shake and reached out to the next plate of snacks.

Thesseus has to admit, this infamous cousin of his is worthy of the name Cross. She is beautiful, noble, and emits an untouchable aura. Just, he swallowed his following words as he watched the pastries vanish into her mouth, non-stop.

" That's great. We can finally spend some time together." Tess smirked, anticipating the drama that will unfold in the next few days. That brat, after all, won't allow anyone to steal his thunder.

" Indeed. " She also responded with a smile.

The two started conversing about minor things, like best buddies trying to catch-up after long years of separation.

Lucian can only watch the youngster grumpily.

[ How could they oust me like this?] He was irritated at Tess, who disrupted his talk with his niece. Feeling resentful, he opened his cell and complained to his wife.

Moments later.

A notification disrupted Tess and Eve's conversation.

" A sec." He glanced at his phone and resumed,

" I'm afraid I must excuse myself, cousin Geline. "

" Alright." Eve watched as he stood up and fixed his neat suit.

Before Lucian can rejoice, Tess's voice rang again.

" I have something to report to you, father."

Lucian was about to dismiss it, but his son added,

" It's about that."

Lucian's eyes flickered momentarily but regained calm a second later.

He smiled at Eve and apologized.

" Oh Linlin, you rest first. We'll see each other at dinner, okay?"

" Okay." When the father and son left the room, she giggles to herself.

[ Indeed, those rumors are true. ]

Her uncle Lucian and cousin Tess, who appears as gentlemen that can't harm any life, and her cousin that is akin to brilliant sun, have blackened hearts and tainted souls.

[ 90, 80 and 70, huh. Who could have thought?]

And Tess, has been attempting to get information from her, hasn't he? He was interested in her and El's affairs, but she won't mind since he has not done harm yet.

( Halfsie, what's El's evil points?)

( 95%, host.)

( I thought the villain should have a hundred? Wasn't that the reason for choosing him?)

( Host, you only said I identify the person with the highest points.)

[ Did I? ] She can't remember.

( What's he doing, by the way?] Eve wonders if he had missed her as she had missed those frosty eyes and sexy buns of his.

The furball located the villain, sitting in a dark place, savoring a live show of cruelty, and reported.

( He's supervising Ada's funeral, host.)

Upon hearing Halfsie's words, she became energized.

( Tell me more.)