Her mom looked at her giving her an emotionless gaze "is there something wrong with that?" her mom asked her
Eva just looked shocked and confused as thoughts ran through her mind. "Didn't she just divorce dad? There is no way she would've been able to get a boyfriend in such a short period of time… Unless… she was already dating him while she was married. She was cheating on dad?"
Eva's blood boiled as she put the pieces together but managed to hide her emotions and calm down, knowing that she shouldn't be surprised, this was her mom after all. She looked at her mom "where will I be staying?" she asked ignoring her mom's question
"I'll take you there" the boy that has been standing by finally spoke, taking her bags from her, walking in front of her expecting her to follow behind him. She followed behind the boy as they walked up a staircase and went the middle room on the top floor. He pushed the door in and entered first, Eva followed. "This is your room" The boy said, dropping her bags on the floor. Eva looked around her new room which looks times two of her former room.
It was painted in white and as her eyes scanned along from the ceiling, down the walls, a dull but elegant sliver complimented the rooms atmosphere. Her bed was in the middle of the room, a reading desks at a corner of the room, a tea table sat outside on the balcony , only accessible by her room and demarcated by thick glass panes as well as a huge closet facing her bed.
Eva stared in awe, the boy watched as she admired her new room and just smiled before taking his leave. On getting to the room door, Eva called to him "what is your name?" she asked. The boy turned back to look at her then spoke "I am Luke" then sent her a sweet smile before leaving the room and shutting the door behind him.
Eva sighed, sitting down her new bed for a while before staring to unpack.
A few hours later, there was a knock on the door. Eva opened it to find a little girl outside.
"new mummy said I should tell you to come and join us to eat" she said flashing a huge smile at her. Though Eva had chosen not to leave her room unless it was a school day, she couldn't seem to refuse the little one who stood before her.
"I'll be down in a minute" Eva said smiling back. The girl finally left with a nod, skipping down the rest of the hall like she owned the place. Eva came down as promised. she looked at the dinning table, there were only five chairs. Mom sat in the seat next so her so-called husband, opposite to Luke, and a chair apart from the little girl, leaving the only available seat next to mom.
Eva looked at her Mother who was giving a welcoming smile, gesturing to come and join them, she knew it was fake but she couldn't throw a tantrum here. she sat down quietly has they all ate
"How was football practice?" the man spoke , Luke smiled "it was very good, I was chosen to play forward in our next game" relaying his entire day to his dad who was smiling, proud of his son. "That is nice well-done, what of you Eva, anything interesting going on in your school?" the man turned Eva
Eva froze, she has never been in a family conversation without having to give one sentence answer, she was confused, not knowing what to say; school wasn't the best for her so she had to lie… if only she knew how to.
The man noticed Eva's reaction "Where are my manners? I really haven't introduces myself and the rest of the family." The man chuckled lightly. "This handsome boy here is Luke, that pretty damsel is Lizzy and you can call me Fredrick" the man said "alright sir… I mean Fredrick and my day was fine" Eva said putting her focus back on the food she was eating.
Lizzy stared at her new big sister. Her eyes beaming with curiosity "why are you so quiet new sissy?". Eva looked at her then noticed everyone else was waiting for her response except her mom who saw her quiet behavior as a norm.
"From where I come from, I am not allowed to speak to much, isn't that right mother?" Eva said with a sly smile, asking her mom to back up her story.
Her mom knew that Eva was trying to push her into a tight corner and decided to find a way to end the discussion. "This is already late and nearly passed your bed time, I need you all to please finish eating then head up to your room and have a good night sleep before we ask Eva anymore questions."
Everyone nodded in agreement and did as she had said, Eva cleared the plates to the kitchen, she saw her mom in the kitchen " what you are trying to do? stop it or you won't like what I'll do to you." she said to Eva, her voice threatening and enraged. "What exactly will you do? I haven't done anything wrong; I just said the truth… or, is that why you mercilessly beat me that other day? This is your husband's house and you take soul responsibility as a 'home maker' and I'll leave the dishes to you. make sure you get a good night sleep afterwards… mother…" Eva said with a slight smirk on her face, calmly walking out of the kitchen and to her room. She knows she's won this battle… but a war approaches.
The moment she entered her room and shut the door behind, she noticed Luke lying on her bed. She walked up to him, not sure if he's notices her.
"What are you doing here?" she asked. Luke who was playing a game on his phone paused it and sat up on the bed facing Eva " I wanted to ask you something?" He said his eyes sparking with interest. Eva blinked at him before crossing her arms over her chest, waiting for the question. Luke stood up and walked over, standing inches away from her "Do you have a boyfriend?" he asked, his eyes narrowing. "What! Nno. Why would you ask me that?" she looked at him, clearly confused and freaked out.
He then smiled, put his shoulder and kissed her on her forehead "just want to keep my sister safe" he said before walking off.
As the door closed behind him, Eva still looking shocked and confused, she decided not to dwell on it
She went ahead to bathe, then she changed her clothes then laid in her bed , she picked up her phone and saw a message from Aide. She smiled and replied. Afterwards, she hid the phone under the bed, scared her mom will continue her routine before she drifted of to sleep.