VI

As Kieran pulled into the driveway of the Spice Symphony, Everly put off her seat belt and opened the door. She stood outside with the door open.

"Ara, are you sure you don't have anything special you want to eat?" Everly asked.

"I am good, thank you for asking," Arabella said.

She had promised her mother she would be on her best behavior. If it were her mother all up in her business while we were reading her book she would be raining fire all over her.

"I would be back," Everly said closing the door and moving.

The car fell silent as Arabella focused on her book and Kieran pulled out his phone to scroll through his Instagram. Everly spent quite a very long time before coming back.

"As usual it was packed. I got a spicy pulled pork sandwich and a pizza" Everly said opening the door and sitting with the pizza box and nylon containing the pulled pork sandwich.

"I hope you like them?" oh I forgot to ask do you have any allergies you developed?" Everly added realizing she forgot to ask her that before she got the food.

She knew Arabella in her childhood and she knew she had no special food allergy and wasn't a picky eater but things change over time and the circumstances she faced could make her change her eating habits.

"No, I am fine with anything" Arabella answered again.

She could feel Everly's efforts to make her feel comfortable around but she was not uncomfortable. She just wanted some peace to read her book.

In a few minutes, Kieran drove into a mansion-like house and pulled up into the garage. He turned off the car and came down. He opened the car boot and then dropped her bag. Arabella rushed to meet him.

"I can do it myself," Arabella said her hand flying to the handle of her luggage.

"If I don't do it my mom would hound me forever," Kieran said with a short smile on her face.

"I can do it myself," Arabella said again.

She felt his vibe and she was sure that he was not happy with her being here. If he should help her more she would feel indebted to him and would want to pay him back.

"I insist," Kieran said. The smile he took on was now gone. He pulled the handle from her hand and strolled away pulling the bag with him.

"Come along," Everly said when she noticed that Arabella was not following them.

They entered through the kitchen and the house was huge. The kitchen was as big as their house back in Japan. The house looked big enough to be used in any of the real Housewives series.

"Your house is so beautiful" Arabella could not help herself but voice out.

"Thank you very much. This is Kieran's house. He got a good job and we all live here now. You would also be living here" Everly said.

Arabella thought to herself that her mom's friend had not changed one bit. She was still proud and shared her son's accomplishments.

It is beautiful" Arabella said truthfully.

"Her luggage is in her room, I would be going out for dinner with the CEO, see you when I get back," Kieran said and did not stop on his way out.

"He is such a killjoy. Will it kill him to stay back and welcome you since you only arrived today?" Everly said asking no one in particular.

"It's no worries. Can I freshen up before I come down for dinner?" Arabella said.

"Sure, my bad for wasting your time with the unnecessary talk," Everly said and led her to her room on the second floor.

Arabella wanted to go tell her mom and sister about how she got there. She especially wanted to tell her sister about the young boy who left for college the same day her dad died and how now he was a huge hunk to be admired. She would not leave out how rude he was to her all through the journey from the airport to his mansion.

She knew that it would take up all her time so she decided to send her mom a message promising to call her when she was fully rested. Her sister's message on the other hand was an assurance to call later and go deep into the happenings of the day.

The incident with their father had drawn the girls together as they learned the importance of family and how the family would rarely let you down. Seraphina who was excited for gossip sent an affirmative message that she would be available to talk whenever she was ready.

Arabella took a quick warm water shower and dried herself before going downstairs to meet the old couple. Arabella met Everly at the foot of the stairs.

"I was on my way up to call you. Don't want the meal to get cold" Everly said.

Arabella had not taken too much time but Everly would prefer of she ate the meal while it was still hot enough so she can enjoy every bit of it.

"I am so sorry I took so long Mrs. Sterling," Arabella said.

"You did not take long at all. I just wanted you to have a hot meal tonight. And please call me Everly" She responded taking her hand and pulling her towards the kitchen area.

"I can't do that," Arabella said.

If her mom ever heard that she addressed her informally she would breathe her last breath on earth and join her ancestors in wherever after life was.

"I insist" Everly said stopping to peer into her eyes.

They entered into one of the rooms beside the kitchen door and it revealed a vast dining hall. A mini Christmas party of about twenty to twenty-five people could easily be held there without any struggle.

"I must confess your house is... I mean your mansion is very huge and beautiful" Arabella said as she entered the dining room.

When she was led to her room she thought it was a hotel lounge. Some houses were the size of her room. Was she to sleep all alone in the room that a family of four could easily share?

"Thank you so very much for the compliments. I designed it myself and I was worried that it was a bit too much but now that you have complimented me so many times I feel confident about it again" Everly said rubbing Arabella's hand.

She had not let go of her hand yet. Everly was so glad when her friend asked for a favour and that meant sending her daughter over. Everly had always been sad about not having a daughter of her own.

Now that Arabella was here she was going to spoil her silly as her daughter.