In That Old, Creepy House

I followed her with my eyes until she was out of my sight. I blinked my eyes multiple times and just continued walking towards the elevator.

"We should tell father to stop letting the employees escorting us whenever we're here. It attracts too much attention," Zhen said as we entered the private elevator.

"Hmm," I mumbled as my response and just flipped my hair. I watched the number inside the lift as it changes. I sighed when I realized this will be a long ride. Father's office is at the 70th floor.

"Well, I agree with you, Gege (Mandarin term for Older Brother) but I can't deny I like the people look at me and make friends with me!" Mei clapped her hands as she jumped happily beside me.

"Tss. Stop being such an attention seeker," I commented. Zhen chuckled beside me as Mei's face switched into a frown,

Mei is the opposite of Zhen. While our brother is all so serious, Mei is the cheerful and outgoing. In fact, she's the bright star among the three of us.

Me, I think I'm just in between the two. I may be serious and scary at times but when I'm in the mood, I'm like Mei. But now, I'm awfully pissed so I guess everyone could tell.

"You really like popping Meimei's bubble, do you, Jiejie?" Zhen commented.

"Yeah, Gege. That's why she never had a boyfriend!" They both laughed and even fist bumped. I both looked at them with a menacing glare as I went out of the lift and stormed my way to Dad's office.

"Umm- Ms. Li, good afternoon but the CEO's still having a meeting," Ignoring Dad's annoying secretary, I opened his office's door only to be greeted with suited bachelors and bachelorettes, and even oldies who seems to be investors and board members.

Judging the power point presentation and the presenter in front, it seems like they are planning to rise another hotel or something.

"I'm sorry, Sir. I tried to stop her from going in," his secretary behind me said.

I rolled my eyes at her before turning again to my father who is now standing up.

"It's okay, Ms. Yang. You may go back to your desk," Father replied to his secretary as he held onto my elbow.

Apologies for the interruption but you may continue the meeting," He then said to the boards who were watching us before he turned to me and gave me a warning glare.

We urged me to walk outside so I had no other choice but to follow. I can't deny that I was a bit embarrassed of my sudden barging but the least I could do is to maintain my composure. I saw Zhen and Mei by the door, as if waiting for us.

As soon as we were outside, father closed the door and faced us.

"You put quite a show back there, Huang Jia," he told me mockingly. I rolled my eyes.

"Why were you having at your office, anyway? Do you not have established conference rooms here?" I fired back."

My eyes met Zhen who has wide orbs as he gave me a warning look.

"We have, darling. But it's fully packed and this meeting was urgent so I need to offer my office for it," he said, gone was the dangerous old man.

"Well, whatever. It's not like I care, anyways. So what do you want to talk about?" I asked.

Father massaged his temples as he searched for answers.

"Well, I'm sorry kids but I guess the talk should be continued at home. I forgot to text the driver about it since I told you, the meeting was an emergency," he said apologetically.

I laughed humorlessly. "W-what? So are you telling me we went here for nothing?!" I said.

"Jiejie, calm down," Zhen held me by the shoulders, as if knowing that I'll turn into a monster in no time.

"It's okay, Papa, I understand that we will have to wait," Mei replied. Dad chuckled as he patted her head. He then turned to me afterwards.

"I'm sorry, Huang Jia. We'll continue this once I get home but for now, please take care of your siblings," I groaned and just turned to walk away.

"Such a waste of time for nothing," I complained.

"Jiejie, let's eat at a near restaurant! I'm craving for pizza!" Mei and Zhen caught up to me immediately.

"Don't talk to me, you brat," I said.

"I just wanted to have pizza," she mumbled.

"Ahhh, home, finally!" I plopped myself on my comfortable bed as soon as we got home. The sleep that I've been anticipating for the whole day has finally arrived!

Smiling, I closed my eyes, ready for a good slumber when an image of a girl popped into my head. It was the woman I saw at the hotel earlier.

I closed my eyes tighter, trying to squeeze every corner of my brain, hoping to remember who she was but an hour have passed, my duvet's all messed up, and all that, I remembered nothing.

I groaned. "My supposed sleep was interrupted because of that stupid girl,"

I fumbled on my bag to get my phone and I listened to music so it would calm me and at least let me sleep now but then even before I could press play, a knock on my door was heard.

I groaned for the nth time. I lazily walked towards the door to open in for whoever who's at the other side.

"You really had be in a bad frigging day," I angrily said.

"Are you done with your beauty sleep?" Zhen asked as he wore a mocking smile.

"Shut up. What do you want?"

"Father's arrived. He wanted to talk to us over dinner," he said before leaving.

I sighed heavily and followed him behind. To be honest, whenever father calls us like this, I get nervous. It's unusual for him to gather us and talk. The last time it happened, was when he grounded me for having bad grades and over partying. In the end, he had my two siblings watch over my house arrest.

Climbing down our staircases, we immediately went to the dining area, where dad and mom might be seated. I kissed mom and dad on the cheek before sitting beside Mei who was beside mom.

"How was your day, Mei?" Mom smiled at my sister who was already devouring on her food.

"Hmm, it's fine, mom. Though I wanted pizza a while ago with Zhen and Huang, sis didn't allowed me so I had it delivered here." She said. I rolled my eyes at the mention of my name.

Mom just laughed elegantly and then asked Zhen the same thing.

"It's all well, too, mom," he said short-sentenced as always.

"How about you, Huang Jia?" she asked me now.

I groaned and harshly dropped my utensils. It made a loud sound at the quiet room.

"I'm not here to talk about me, mom. Now, what do you and dad want to talk about so we could get it done?" I annoyingly said.

Mom turned to father who was looking at me blankly. Concealing my face with my usual expression, I hid my nervousness.

Like my two siblings, I dominate my mother and father most of the times. I always make sure they answer to my biddings, or at least let me do what I want to do. But his expression right now makes me feel like Dad's ready to say no to me, if I protest at whatever this is.

"Me and your mom will have a week or two long business trip starting on Monday next week," he started.

I raised a brow. Is that it? Well, that looks like a not really big deal to me. It's not new! It's not like they're not always on trips like this!

I laughed mockingly. "Is that it?" I asked. When I had no answer, I attempted to stand up and leave but that spoke again.

"And we won't leave you three here alone,"

If I was flashing a sarcastic expression a while ago, I'm pretty sure it turned into a bright one now. "Really? We'll come with you? That's great! Which country are we going? Oh please say it's Paris because I'm dying to go there again and shop for my luxuries and" Dad cut me off.

"NO, you'll not come with us and no, you won't spend your money on your costly caprices this summer, Huang Jia," my eyes widened, offended at my dad's word.

"But then, where are we going, father?" Mei asked.

"The orphanage, perhaps," Zhen joked with his serious face.

"What?! No!" I protested. Just imagining the dirty bed I'll sleep in there makes me want to puke. Unless it's a castle like place, I would gladly oblige coming there.

"You'll be with your grandmother for the whole two weeks, together with your cousins," he said.

"WHAT?! In that stupid old house?! Are you fooling me?!" I bursted out.

Sure it's good news compared to the orphanage idea that Zhen came up with but this is still bad news!

I'm going to live in an old and creepy house with my brother, sister, and annoying cousins for a whole week?!

No way! There's no signal there and what's worse is there are no malls I could spend my time on nearby!

What a nightmare!