Chapter 3: "Family"

It took her a few minutes to calm her erratic heartbeat. The itch in her chest was barely noticeable, but it bothered her to no end.

After becoming an actress, did I get this excited when I met him?

The orange ray of light spread across the sky, dying it peachy as the sun bid farewell to the day. It was currently late March when the sun set relatively early still.

"My stomach feels weird." She couldn't be sure if the bubbling in her abdomen was from hunger or the lingering butterflies that refused to leave. "I'll buy some clothes and makeup before I eat."

The brown skirt and button-up shirt did not protect her from the dropping temperature. She felt an uncontrollable shiver dance around her body as she shuffled to the nearest store. By the time she finished shopping, the sky had long turned dark.

6:29 PM

I spent nearly three hours shopping...crazy.

It's freezing out, what should I do? I don't want to go home.

Should I book a hotel? My foot is killing me.

Making up her mind, a taxi was swiftly called and headed toward the nearest hotel. Stores around the area were brightly lit with neon signs, tempting every passerby to enter. It smelt of food and alcohol, each fighting for dominance evoking a sense of nausea in Keira.

Did I choose the wrong hotel?

The night was still young, and many men and women alike had only begun their nightlife. This helped Keira feel slightly better.

"I'd like a room."

"Physical ID, please." The hotel receptionist gave her a nice long stare before smirking.

Physical ID?

Noticing her silence, the employee chuckled and explained. "We need to hold onto it as a sort of security. Many have slept and bailed before. No ID, no room."

Her mind spun, trying to come up with an immediate solution, failing to notice the silhouette approaching from behind.

"Are you having trouble?" A deep voice startled Keira, causing her to jump slightly. "I didn't mean to eavesdrop. If you want a room, I can book one for you."

The gentleman wore a tailored suit with a matching tie. His hair was combed back and his face was cleanly shaved. He had the look of a businessman who had just gotten off work, harmless yet devious altogether.

"Give us two rooms." He leaned against the counter, handing the man his ID. Keira felt amazed at the quickness of such a man.

"No—." Before she could reject the man, her arm jerked and she stumbled backward. Someone had pulled her away from the stranger.

"Keira," the voice sent multiple shivers down her spine. Her skull felt numb and her body felt cold. "Take her." The severeness in his voice startled the people around them.

"!?"

"Miss, this way." She felt her throat tightened, blocking any noise from escaping her lips. The men eagerly escorted her toward a luxurious car, gesturing for her to get in.

"Break his legs."

Her hands instinctively covered her ears, gripping tightly, hoping to block as much noise as possible.

She didn't want to hear his voice.

"Get in." He shoved the frozen Keira into the car and followed closely behind. "Explain."

Keira bowed her head. Her eyes shifted from the seat to the floor, daring not to make eye contact with the man hidden by the shadows.

How could she not know who this voice belonged to? Her life was controlled, dictated by this very same voice that belonged to her eldest brother, Lucas Castillo.

"Brother..."

"A Castillo entering a love hotel with an older man, is this what you want reported in the gossip threads?"

"It wasn't a love hotel."

"Same difference."

"No one knows that I'm a Castillo..."

"Are you trying to anger me? Not only did you skip school, you dared to walk around with an injury and shop for unnecessary things?"

"..." What was she supposed to say? This was a person who had never once cared or tried to understand her reasonings.

"I was patient enough to let you spend the day relishing in your odd behavior, yet you have the nerve to enter a hotel with a stranger near the shady part of town?"

"Wanting to change up my style is odd behavior—?"

"Are you arguing right now? You've never behaved like this before, how can it NOT be odd? Where did the usual obedience go? Is it those 'friends' you hang around with? Or the movies you like to watch? Do we have to restrict those for you to learn that you're an adult with responsibilities now?"

Anger had quickly settled in her mind. The ringing in her head was enough to make her see red.

Does he truly not know that those 'friends' are all Selene's friends? But now he wants to take away my right to watch movies?

"You know that these few months are most crucial to Selene's reputation and career. If you were caught in such a scandal—."

"It would affect her and possibly cause her to get bullied online. What if Selene becomes depressed and has to live with a psychological cloud for the rest of her life, what would you do then?"

Keira raised her head, looking him in the eye. Seeing his eyes widen in shock was a small comfort from the storm that was brewing in her chest.

"Is this not what you wanted to say? That everything I do should only be for Selene and her future?" The bitterness in her heart began to pour out of her eyes, drop after drop, seemingly having no end to it. She felt sorry for the stylist who worked hard on her makeup, only for it to be ruined by this.

"As I thought, you are not yourself. Take us to the hospital." Lucas clicked his tongue in annoyance. His hand roughly brushed the strands of hair out of his face.

"N—no! I'm sorry!" Fear overtook the anger and sadness. The unpleasant memories of all the previous hospital visits with her family rushed into her mind. "I don't want to go there! I want to go home, please take me home!"

Whether out of habit or her subconscious, Keira stopped her hand that tried to grab at Lucas's arm. "I'm tired. I just want to go home..."

Lucas stared at the tear-stained face feeling complicated. Her lips quivered with every breath she took, and her voice cracked every time she spoke, she looks...pitiful?

"The hospital, Sir?" The driver took the initiative to ask. He had been secretly watching and eavesdropping on his Master and the Young Miss's conversation for a while now. Amazing. The Young Miss knows how to cry and beg now.

"No. The Mansion." Her reluctance to touch him was evident by the hand that awkwardly hung in the air. "Sit correctly."

Her hand was grabbed and pulled, causing her to tumble toward him. The unusual proximity left her dumbfounded. Her body wiggled fiercely, trying to get away, but failed as she was held in place by his large arms.

The woody scent mixed with a hint of mint assaulted her nose as he leaned forward.

CLICK

Oh...

"If you move an inch, we're going to the hospital." His voice was still the cold and stern tone she was used to. Seeing that she obediently sat still after being buckled in, he released her hand immediately.

Of course. He never liked being touched by me. He must be dying to wash his hands clean.

The car ride home was tense. Neither of them was willing to speak to one another. Their dynamic was never one of warmth, only coldness and distance were what defined their sister-brother relations.

The dark sky masked the scenery. Keira could only look out the window, watching as the car drove into the abyss.

How long has it been? She wasn't even sure if she could remember what home looked like. Her memories were far too distant, making it seem like she was wandering into the unknown.

Her hands clenched tightly, nails turning white as the car came to a stop. Bright lights lit up the exterior of the large mansion, reminding her of its extravagant nature. The sculpted door was a priceless masterpiece, but Keira could neither admire nor care, for the thing hidden behind it was too terrifying to keep her interested.

Her eyes wince as she got out of the car. Every second she delayed would result in Lucas inching closer, making it so that she had no choice but to move forward.

"The more you age the better you look, Doctor." A teasing voice reached her ears. It was loud enough to drown the sound of shoes echoing off the marble floors. "It appears that my good daughter has arrived." The playfulness of her tone causes Keira's heart to sink.

"Pardon my intrusion." A man in his early thirties stood up to greet them. His eyes sharply scrutinized Keira's appearance, moving from head to toe, while he wore a polite grin.

"Greetings, Elder." Her shoulder was nudged softly from behind, reminding her to return the greetings of an adult. She quickly bowed her head slightly in acknowledgment, before averting her gaze elsewhere.

"I sent you to school in one piece, how could you arrive looking like an injured pup?" The middle-aged man put down his teacup and stood up. He was still wearing his special tailored suit, but his hair was slightly hanging low.

"The child has just returned, let's not chide her too much." Her mother's voice was soft and sticky, patting his arm to remind him that there was a guest present.

"Take a seat."

"Yes, Father..."

"Your face is quite pale, Young Miss." Seeing her settle down, the Doctor took this chance and approached her. His eyes seriously examined the condition she was in. "Your forehead is damp with sweat, your body seems to be trembling a lot, you have goosebumps, dry lips, reddened eyes, and most importantly, your breathing seems quite off."

"Is she sick?" Lucas watched her closely, taking note of the things mentioned by the Doctor.

"Yes, these are common symptoms of a potential cold. May I take a look at your ankle?"

"Does that need to be asked? Just look at it." At Lucas's interjection, the Doctor nodded and proceeded to unwrap the boot.

Her swollen ankle had long turned a hideous purple, causing her Mother to gasp with surprise.

"It's not broken? Is it? I can't have a child with a broken bone or a deformed ankle."

"It is just a dislocated ankle. Please, don't worry too much, Madame. The Young Miss will be all better in no time." His fingers pushed on the tender flesh, gently massaging it to check for any signs of a broken bone. "Does it hurt?"

"N—no! No, it doesn't."

Even though you're wincing so much? The young doctor couldn't help but look at her with surprise.

"Make sure you elevate and ice it daily. No strenuous activities allowed until you remove the boot." He strapped it on again and stood up. "I will also prescribe some medications for the cold and possibly, fever. You should go and rest, Young Miss."

"Yes, dear. Move along now. Have June help with your bath." The Madame of the house was eager to dismiss Keira. She called for June and shooed them off to bed.

"Come, Miss Keira. You can lean on me." Her arm was gripped tightly as she was guided up the stairs.

"Wait. Have Lucas carry you up." Lucas glanced at his father with slight confusion. "No strenuous activities, remember?"

"I will drop you if you resist."

Keira's initial attempt to resist was quickly thwarted. She lay helplessly in the arms of the person who was filled with unhappiness. Her muscles spasm and clench with discomfort as she strained herself.

Why does he have to frown so much? I hate this just as much...

"After the bath, find her something light to eat." He wasted no time ordering June around, quickly leaving the room. "Be good. Don't cause unnecessary trouble. I'm already busy with Selene."

"I'll prepare your bath and make you some porridge."

As she lay there in the dark, a question kept popping into her head.

If I fall asleep, will I wake to a tomorrow?

Or will I wake up dead?