The Twin Brothers

Ivan puts down the boxes and looks around the apartment. He couldn’t help but let out a sigh. leaving his little sister here, all by herself making him stressed and worried. No matter how many times he ask her to keep stay at their parent’s house, she still insisted and used her puppy eyes.

“Bub, where is my clothes box?” Darliana walks in.

“I already put it in your room. You can arrange it later or do you want me to help? There’s too much dust and you will get sick. You know what? This is a bad idea. I think you should stay at mom and—” He stops when Darliana laughs. “Excuse me, girl. Why do you laugh?”

“You keep nagging since this morning.” She smiles.

Ivan let out a sigh. “I can’t help it, Liana. Mom, Dad, and I worried about you. Even Jessica did. Are you sure you can live by yourself here and find a job? You know you don’t need to do that.” He tries to convince her. “Mom and Dad even me can buy you anything you want. Not going to be arrogant, but we’re rich. We love to spoil you—I mean, who doesn’t. Jes even spend her salary on you and not me.” Ivan mumbles the last part.

Darliana smiles and holds his hand. “Bub, I’m going to be fine.”

The truth is not. She doesn’t know she can handle herself or not. She always depends on people and not herself. Plus, she keeps telling herself, that she is just a girl who is adopted and yet, this family treats her like their own blood. She feels like she’s a burden.

“Fine. Call me if you need anything and–I mean ANYTHING.” He narrows his eyes on her.

Liana chuckles and nods.

The door slams open revealing angry Jessica. “Where is Ivan!!??” She yells.

“Oh uh…” Ivan gets behind his sister. “Help me, baby sis.” He whispers.

“Jes, what’s wrong?” She asks.

“That man is what’s wrong!!! Ivan!!! Why you didn’t tell me Liana is going to move in today!!!??” Jessica stomps her feet.

“Aww, I’m sorry baby. I just… well I–I thought you busy.” He grins and slowly gets out of his hiding place. Now, he got to see his angry girlfriend standing there.

“Just tell me that you want her all by yourself.” She scoffs.

“Oh well, you are not wrong,” Ivan smirks.

Jessica groans and is about to go forward but Liana stand in front of her. “You can help me unpack?” She smiles.

“Aww, your cute smile will never fail to make my day.” Jessica sighs in happiness. “If you say so, I’m happy to help you, Liana!!” She push her boyfriend aside before went to Darliana’s room.

“Geez. I think it’s a time of her month.” Ivan mumbles, rubbing his arms.

___________

Darliana laid her body on the couch with a colorful lollipop in her hand. Laptop in her hand, trying to find a job that suits her. After she finishes high school, she decides to live by herself. Even though she knows, it will be hard for her, she still wanted to try it. Ivan and the family know she needs someone to depend on.

Instead of that, she insisted.

“What job do I enjoy?” She asked herself.

She scrolled and scrolled but nothing caught her attention. Her body flinched when her phone rang. Without wasting her time, she picks it up. “Hello?”

“Hey, honey.” Her foster mother is calling.

“Hello, mama!!” Liana squealing brightly.

“Honey, please tell me you are fine.” Her mother sighs. “I couldn’t focus on my day after you left.” She continues.

Grumbling makes Liana looks at her stomach. She forgot she haven’t eaten. Usually, her mother always calls her to eat–as she has scheduled. She let out a sigh when noticed she didn’t buy any groceries.

“Honey, are you still there?” Her mother’s voice pulls her from her thoughts.

“I’m fine, mama. I’m just hungry–”

“Oh my gosh!! My baby is hungry!!” She yelling. “Hold on, honey!! I’ll–”

“Mama!! It fine!! You worried too much.” Liana giggles, shutting her laptop down. “I will go out now. Do you have anything to say, mama?”

Her mother let out a heavy sigh. Now, she felt regret for letting Liana live by herself. She shouldn’t have agreed to let her live by herself. Who knows what will happen to that little girl.

“Call me every day, can you? Maybe that can help my worried.” Liana can feel her smiling behind it.

“Okay, mama. I will.” Liana said.

“Remember, don’t skip your meal. Your bedtime is 9 pm. Eat your vitamins when your smartwatch is beeping, okay? And don’t lose your bunny– he’s important. And also–”

“Mama, you rambling.” She giggles. “I know what to do, don’t worry.”

Or not.

She heard her mother sigh, “Fine. Call any of us if you need something. I got to go. Your father needs me.”

“Okay. I love you, mama!!”

She hangs up. Her stomach is grumbling, a sign she’s hungry. She grabs her coat and her rabbit bag before going out of her apartment.

The night was chilling. Her cold hands keep rubbing to keep warm. A relief sigh escaped her lips when she arrives at her favorite cafe. Liana couldn’t help but squeal like a little girl.

“Hell little girl.” The man which looks like 50 above smiling at her. “I heard you moving to your new apartment.” He said with a smile on his face.

“Hello, Mr. John!!” Liana grins. “Yup. I did. It’s far from here but it’s fun walking here.” Her sweater paws clutched to each other.

“Walk!? That was far, sweetie. It’s cold outside and you walk?” He looks at the little girl with shock.

“It’s fine. I love walking.” She grins.

The old man can’t say anything but just sighs. “If you say so but be careful. Do you want something?”

“Like usual.” She swings her hands’ forth and back.

Mr. John nods, “Stay here, I’ll let Cyron know.” He walks away to the kitchen.

Since Darliana always comes here, people know what she wants. Whenever she goes to a new place, people will treat her like a little girl and she couldn’t deny she liked it.

Liana is about to turn around but she bumps into someone’s chest. The impact is nothing to that person but to Liana, it makes her fall on her butt. “Owwie…” She pouting.

“I’m sorry, little one. Are you okay?” That person kneels in front of her. Liana opens her eyes and saw a guy with blonde hair and wearing a suit, looking like a sexy man. “Hey, please say something. I don’t want to be accused as a murderer here.” He jokes.

“You look so pretty.” Liana blurts it out. When she realizes what she said just now. Red covering her cute chubby cheeks.

The men chuckle and help her stand up. “Your such an adorable girl, aren’t you?”

“I–I’m sorry. I uh… umm…” She looks down playing with her fingers. She’s bad at socializing making her have social anxiety.

“I’m Adam. And you are a little girl?” He asks.

“My name… i–is D–Darli… Darliana.” She sighs and notices that she stutter.

“Nice to meet you, Darliana. Such a beautiful name.” He smiles. “What are you doing here? Buying food? Or are you working here?” Adam asked, looking around.

“I–I’m jobless. I come here f–for food.” Liana answers.

“I see–hold on. Jobless? Are you on your plan to find a job?” Adam arches his eyebrows. His eyes scanned the girl from head to toe. A huge black coat makes her look cuddly. He chuckles at that thought. “If Lorenzo and Leo see this, I bet they’re melting.”

“Huh?”

“Oh, nothing. Well?” Adam smiles.

“Um… I did p-plan.” She nods.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“How about you work at my friend’s company?” He grins.

“W–What?”