Chương 10: Childhood

_05_ (Bianca Irene Lee's Point of View)

It was already night but I knew Lavalee is still awake, she's crying like usual.

She's been like this since they became orphans.

It hurts to lose someone you love, I also cried when their parents died.

My phone rang so I answered it without checking the caller ID, which I shouldn't have done. If Mama was here, she would probably be the first to answer.

Her first love is the caller.

[So, you're here, eh? You have no plans to meet me?] I sighed before answering

"Where did you know that? Are you sure?" I asked carefully not letting him know where I exactly am.

Chelsea and Lav made sure that our phones are untraceable and at times like this, it is very helpful.

I just really hope he doesn't know I'm here.

[You think I wouldn't know? You're carrying my name in case you forgot, young lady.] I rolled my eyes because of what he said

Carrying his name, his face! There are a lot of people with the surname Lee in the world.

"I told you if you don't want me to carry it you can just pull those strings and strip me off from your great name." I said sarcastically

Why does she have to bring that up?

[Bianca! Where did you learn to talk back to me like that? Is that how Irina raise you? I should've taken you from the start.] he said and I scoffed

Take me back? He's talking nonsense, he can't do that.

"But you didn't, because I would make your wife sad knowing that you have an illegitimate daughter who's older than your children with her." I said and I heard him fall silent

Looks like I pushed some sensitive buttons, eh? I know what I'm saying is true. I'm not the type to hurt with just words without basis.

[Bianca, you are aware -] I cut him off immediately

"That I was a mistake? Yeah right. Rub it in my face! I don't care about your damn name. I never wanted to be a Lee, anyway! " I exclaimed

That's why I don't want to talk to any old-aged member of the Lee!

They just remind me and make me look like a bastard.

[You know that's not true. I love you and I never kept you a secret. I just want you to be a -] I couldn't bear to listen to him spouting nonsense anymore

"A good daughter? You have Riley! You have Thunder! Make them do what you want, but you can't control me. " I said angrily

I know it already!

For him, I am a failure because I'm a daredevil in his eyes, but why does he care?

He wasn't there while I was growing up, he wasn't there to raise me.

[Bianca Irene, listen to me. I don't know what kind of lies your mother had fed you but I never saw you as a failure. I just want the best for you.] He said but I don't want to listen anymore

"Then stop bothering me and worrying as if you care. I know you don't I'm just an obligation because I am the first born." I said coldly

[That's not what I mean, I want the best for you because you are my child. I just want to make sure that when I die you won't –" I cut him off again because I don't like how this conversation is going

"Don't worry I don't care even if you give all your assets to Thunder and Riley! I'll work hard for mine, and for the record. I'm making my own money." I said and hung up

I sighed before walking back to my room but I saw Lavalee standing there staring at me intently. She heard me.

"Lav..." my voice trailed and she smiled at me and nodded

She walked toward me and hugged me, like before.

"It's fine, Irene. Everything will be alright." She said and smiled at me.

"Want to talk about it over ice cream?" she offered and I shook my head

"It's late," I said but she chuckled

"Ah, I know, I'll just sleep in your room." She said and pulled me to my room

She went to my bed and I sat beside her, I hugged my knees while sitting on the bed.

"You're crying." She said and we chuckled

"You even imitated me," I said and she smiled

"I think you need this." She said and hugged me but then she kissed my cheek

"Lav!" I groaned and pushed her face while wiping my cheek

"See? The old Irene is back. " She said cheering

"Noisy," I said and lay on my bed.

I put on a blanket and I felt Lavalee next to me and then she played with my hair.

"You miss them," I concluded and I heard her agree

"Me too, especially Autumn," I said and she chuckled

"You're both strong enough to live without your parents guiding you." She said and caressed my hair softly

"What's going to happen to her anyway? I found out that Aunt Aubrey adopted a girl." I said and faced her

She sighed before speaking.

"Don't tell Autumn, let her find out herself. It's been only 4 years since she lost her." Lav said staring into nothing

"Will you get your revenge?" I asked and she shook her head then chuckled

"Nii-sama doesn't want me to. We want to set a good example for the three but I think it's no use. Icey's already planning it along with the girls. Though their plan is still unclear, I can already picture them having their revenge." She replied then placed her hand over my eyes.

"Sleep now," She said and I shook my head

"Don't treat me like Freia who's very obedient with you." I said and she smiled playfully and stood up then turned my lights off.

"Night, Irene, sweet dreams," She said and went out of my room.

~~~

"What are you doing?" a girl with weird-colored eyes asked me.

She's like a cosplayer because of her weird eye color and hair.

"You don't care," I said and punched the man in front of me

"Is that all you can do? You are weak, you are young. " He said so I punched his jaw

"Can I join?" she asked and then jumped on the man's back and pressed something making the man lose consciousness.

She stood up and wiped her hands on her dress as if nothing had happened.

"Hi! I'm Lavalee, call me Lav. " She said and offered her hand

"Irene," I said and she pulled me

"Where are we going?" I asked him

"To our hideout, from now on, we are a gang," She said and chuckled

"A gang?" I asked and she nodded while smiling

"Yes!" she said and we went to a room.

"This will be your room and the other one would be mine." She said then gave me a key.

"Koi! I'll introduce you to my family! " she said gleefully

Wait. What?

Before I could, he pulled me into a black car and we drove to them.

~~~

That day I had a new family. Aunt Lyrae and Uncle Arkin treated me as their own and whenever Mom isn't around I run to them but of course, at some times they need to go to different places, Lavalee would just call me.

Lavalee was also with me when the incident that changed my life happened.

~~~

"MOM !!!" I cried when I saw the apartment we had moved into on fire.

"Stay here, kid." Our neighbor said and pulled me over

"No! My Mama! " I screamed and tried to go but a group of men took me and carried me.

I just woke up in a room.

"Where's Mom?" I asked the man sitting in the chair

"Bianca, you've grown up." He said and touched my head which I slapped

"Where's my Mom?" I said

"Irina is in the hospital." He says

"Who are you?" I asked and I saw he was surprised

"I see, Irina didn't introduce me to you. I'm Tyrone, your Dad. " He said making my eyes widen

Suddenly, a maid came in and I thanked her because he turned his attention to the door, and then Lavalee came in.

"Irene! Oh my gosh! I thought you were hurt." She exclaimed and hugged me

"Lavalee .." I almost lost my voice while still looking at the man who introduced himself as my Dad.

"Mr. Lee, why did you take Irene here? " Lavalee asked the man I didn't know

"She's my daughter." He answered so Lavalee looked between the two of us alternately

"Eh? But Irene said..." she looked at me in surprise and then her eyes widened

"So'ka, but Mr. Lee let her adjust first, please." Lavalee said to the man and asked me to leave that place.

"Thank you, Lavalee," I said while we were in their car

"No problem. We're best friends, right? " she said and smiled then hugged me

~~~

I thank Lavalee for doing that back then.

I didn't immediately accept the fact.

The first thing that happened after he introduced me to his relatives was that they didn't know that there was someone older than Thunder, his son with his legal wife, Rhea, and that didn't help with my acceptance process.

It was painful to know that I am an illegitimate child.

Just like that, I fell asleep while reminiscing the memories of my childhood. A childhood I wouldn't like my future child to experience.