“Are the others coming down, or is this a family dinner of sorts?” I asked, feeling uneasy being stuck with these people.
The whole situation left me in an odd spot with them knowing so much about me, my family, and what goes on here while I’ve been hidden away in another country. Coming back here, I’d known there would be some challenges when it came to this particular issue, but I didn’t think I’d have to face them so fast.
“Liu is going to join us, but your lieutenants have some things to finish up before you join them for the opening,” Daddy explained.
I plastered a smile on my face as I groaned internally. “Sounds lovely.”
Apparently, when Daddy said he took Liu under his wing, he meant like an adopted son. Seems I have more siblings than I realized.
“Forgive me for being late, the Red Tigers woke up and weren’t pleased with how the meeting ended. I informed them if they wished to speak with Lady Astin, they would have to schedule another meeting,” Liu informed us as he entered the room typing something on his phone.
As we moved to sit, I grabbed the seat to my father’s right but so did Liu. I paused and backed up. “Sorry, still learning the routine,” I commented and moved down one so I sat across from Jamison.
“No, I was in error. This seat belongs to you now that you’re here,” Liu corrected, gesturing for me to take the seat.
While I realized I shouldn’t read into the fact that while I was gone, that was his seat, it still smarted a bit. I’d been the one forced to sacrifice everything for this family without even being given a choice. Growing up, I didn’t always understand Daddy’s choice, and I was furious at him, even to the point one year I didn’t write to him once. He, of course, still sent his letters, never getting upset with me, only sending his love and regret that this is how things had to be.
The problem was I grew up without a family, and he built himself a new one. I might be his firstborn, but I wasn’t his only child, and they got to grow up with him. Then Liu was plucked out of his circumstances and given another family who cherished the person he was. I could see it in the way Daddy interacted with him throughout the day. It was clear the pride I’d seen in his eyes that made jealousy raise its ugly head. Now I’ve witnessed how he was given the seat of privilege over my little brother. Another reminder I needed to cling to my solemn truth.
The only person who will look out for you is yourself.
“It’s fine, Liu,” I stated, my tone brokering no argument.
Daddy tried to catch my gaze, but Iwasn’tgoing to get into this now. All I had to do was survive dinner then I could head out with the others and leave this all behind. Once we were settled at the table, the food was brought in and, unlike breakfast, placed on the table for all of us to serve ourselves. It seemed odd to me that food was tasted in front of my uncles and lieutenants but not the ‘family.’
“Daddy, why aren’t Mathis and Athos here with us?” I asked.
Having them here would’ve made this so much better—there’d be someone I could talk to comfortably.
“I wanted tonight to just be about the five of us having time to get to know each other,” Father answered.
Interestingly, he hadn’t mentioned once that Liu was anything more to him than an assistant.
“I see,” I answered, taking the bowl of rice from Liu. “So was the food being tasted only for show, or is that something I need to worry about with my lieutenants you told me to trust with my life?” I inquired, unable to keep some of my bad attitude from leaking out.
Father sighed and set down his fork, clearly aware I was bothered by something. “During the day, there’s more staff in the house, but after five o’clock, everyone who isn’t senior staff is sent home unless there’s an event. The people who have prepared this meal have been with us for many years. If they wanted to kill me, then it would have happened long before this.”
“Well, that clears that up then, doesn’t it?” I said with a bright smile and picked up the platter of asparagus that had been set near my elbow.
“I realize it will take some time to get used to how things work here, but I have all the faith you’ll adapt quickly,” Father added when the table fell into an awkward lull. “Jamison, I believe you’re gearing up for finals in the next few weeks?”
“Yeah, Dad, it’s the worst,” Jamison mumbled.
I gazed at him with raised eyebrows, surprised at how he was acting toward our father. While I might not be pleased with him right now, I’d never sound so dismissive, certainly not to his face. Glenda instilled in me that no matter if he was my father or not, he was a powerful leader and deserved respect. That being said, I have no doubt at some point, Daddy and I will have it out, but it would be in private with the walls as our witnesses.
“What are you going to school for?” I asked, curious to see if he spoke to everyone in such a manner or just Father.
Jamison poked at his food, giving me the impression he wasn’t a fan of salmon.
“Honey, your sister asked you a question,” Casimira urged when it didn’t seem like he was going to answer.
He let out a heavy sigh and looked up at me. “I’m going to Eastwood Technical Institute, finishing my first year of a computer science degree.”
“Oh, that’s cool. Have you always liked working with computers and programming?” I inquired, trying to show I was making an effort so we wouldn’t have to do this again anytime soon.
He shrugged as he sat there shredding the chunk of fish he’d taken. “I guess.”
Wow, if someone didn’t smack the shit out of this kid, then I was going to have to be the one to do it. How the hell has he survived in this world acting like that?