Family

"Please? Sister Alex, I promise mommy won't know, just one more."

"Don't look at me like that, Jaime. You have already gotten enough. It's almost time to eat dinner." Alexis said, while placing another chip into her mouth with her right hand. Her left hand was up in the air holding a bag of chips.

"But-but it was just one, and it was only half!" Jaime said with watery eyes.

"That half is enough to get me killed. Mom already said no snacks this close to dinner." Alexis said while munching happily.

"No fair! How come you get to eat chips, and I don't?"

"My belly is bigger, so I have more room for more food. These won't fill me up, so I can eat it."

Little Jaime pouted, then looked at Alexis with a pitiful expression. She only laughed and continued to watch the movie showing.

It was evening now, and the mood seemed quite relaxed. Leah was sitting on a large couch in the family room. Alexis was next to her munching on her chips, while occasionally making a comment or two about the movie. Little Jaimie was at her feet crouched and looking pitiful.

Leah was quite amused by their entire interaction. The little one, from what she gleaned, was Hazel's half-brother. He was quite adorable, in her opinion, but he had only greeted her since he returned from elementary school and had said nothing to her since. It did not really bother her, as she did not know him, but the thought of a child being around made her really happy.

She had always wanted a happy family with children, which was why she easily abandoned her career for Aiden. She had a soft spot for them, and she did not know whether it was to give the love she herself was unable to receive, but she could not stand to be cold to them or turn them away. That was why finding out her daughter came out stillborn was a terrible blow to her. Everything at that time was so difficult, but she forced herself to eat, followed the doctor's instructions and did everything for her to be born healthy, but it was all in vain. It was what drove her to run away from Aiden in the end. Her biggest regret in the end was not doing it before. 

"What are you thinking about, Hazel? Is the movie falling flat now?" Alexis asked.

Leah snapped out of her daze. "Oh no, it's pretty great, don't worry about me."

"Are you sure? we could just change it."

Jaime took advantage of the fact that Alexis was slightly distracted and jumped onto Alexis' lap. She fell backwards and dropped the chips behind the sofa. Realizing that, Jaime tried to get off her and run for the chips, but Alexis caught him by the wrist. He tried to struggle, but she was stronger.

"That was not allowed!" Alexis said angrily.

Jaimie, who was still struggling said loudly, "You only said I was not allowed to come sideways, you did not say I could not climb onto your lap."

Leah really wanted to laugh out loud at this moment. 

Just as Alexis was about to retort, a voice came from the kitchen.

"You guys should stop yelling, it's late!"

"You just yelled too, mom." She muttered under her breath.

"You talked back! I will mmmph!"

Jamie stared angrily at Alexis, who had covered his mouth.

"One more word, and no chips for you." Alexis warned, then took her hand off. Jaimie was very sulky at that point. She then pulled him closer and patted him on the head. "If you're good, I will give you more chips after dinner. I promise on my honor."

"Really?"

"Yes, Jaime. Have I ever broken my promise?"

"…. No."

"Good boy. Now bring me the bag of chips. We are keeping it until after dinner, then we eat together, okay?"

Jaime nodded, then brought the bag of chips to his sister. She then raised him up and had him sit on her lap. They then continued to watch the movie like that.

Leah glanced at the two of them sideways. They were so engrossed in the movie, hugging each other. It would have been nice too….to have a good relationship with a sibling.

She never got along with Meyer. Meyer disliked her and her mother for being intruders. She wanted nothing more than for them both to leave. She even successfully made Patrick Song dislike her, which was why she was sent to a boarding school in the first place. She might have gotten fully disowned if he did not care about his face.

In the end, they both went out of their way to ignore and avoid each other, even though they both worked for the same company. She got married too, in the end, to someone her father arranged for her. A man of great prestige at that. She barely ever saw her, especially after her marriage to Aiden.

She did not really care, but watching Alexis and Little Jaime made her a bit wistful. She laughed at the young girl who was excited at the thought of having a new sister and family. The girl who got set up, then blamed for something she did not even understand, then finally sent away.

No one believed her, no one bothered to look into it.

Leah sighed and cupped her face in her hands. It was in the past, and nothing could be done about it. There was no need to spiral into a rant. It turned out she was not as indifferent as she claimed to be.

She raised her head and continued to watch, completely ignoring the curious stare she was getting from Alexis. 

Alexis was ready to speak, but before the words could form out, a voice came from upstairs.

"Guys!"

Alexis looked towards Uncle Huo's study.

"Uncle, is everything okay?"

At that moment, the door burst open, and Uncle Huo came out, full of smiles.

"I have some great news for everyone!"