One

Avery's POV

My face reeked of fresh annoyance as I rechecked my look in the mirror, sighing disappointingly at my visible curves. It's not like they're anything ugly but still, it's disastrous for my parents. I rolled my eyes discarding the antagonistic judgmental people from my mind.   

I always had a disliking for mornings, they weren't a pleasant part of my life. Not when you sit by the people who are family, but barely family. Well if we're going to consider physical appearances and displaying relationships. The only generous ones are my brother, his wife and my nephews and niece. That makes me realize, that people need to be sweeter and more involved in their loved ones' lives.

Putting on my pumps, I walked down the stairs to our Living Room, the servants fulfilling their morning routine. Sometimes I feel awful for them, my mum can be a hazardous employer to deal with. 

Hearing the chatter across the table, I mentally prepared myself for whatsoever drama is served today. 

Once I reached the dining room, I sat down and listened to my brother and father discuss their business strategies or some recent deal they'd be cracking. I sighed huffing, well here we go. 

"Morning, puffy don't you think you could use losing some of the fat off," Gloria said grinning, typing something on her oh-so-expensive phone. Her engagement ring flashing, she can't leave me for just one day, can she?  

"No thank you, I don't wanna look like a human lizard." I scoffed, giving her a tight-lipped mocking smile. She glared my way fuming. 

"That's now how you talk to your sister Avery." My papa scolded sternly. I gave him a 'are you serious look before frowning and ignoring the fact that my mother was as supportive of her as my father. 

"Well if she's going to sit here and interfere in my life, excuse me." I smiled, grabbing two eggs and toast. My dad just clenched his jaw, continuing his breakfast. 

"Morning, Avy." My brother smiled, cutting in before my father could criticize me, he got off his phone call attentively and kissed my head.  

"Morning Gio, where's Amelia?" I greeted him back, searching for the only sane female in this family. 

"Oh, the kid's principal called for her this morning," he replied. I sighed disappointedly that I can't see her before I go to work.

"Mom," I heard a pair of shrieking erupts from the hallway before heavy dashing steps halted in the dining room. 

There stood my twin brothers, with a grin on their tan faces, I smiled at them and Drake runned over to hug mom, whilst Chad hurried towards me excitedly crashing me from behind in a crumbling hug.  

"Oh my gosh, Chad." I laughed as he swayed me, attacking me with his tough embrace, peppering my head with kisses. 

"My my if I did not miss you, Sissy." He pouted and I hugged his arms tighter. 

"Aw, I missed you too. I thought you guys were coming next week." I pointed and he laughed scratching his neck. 

"It was a surprise." He grinned and I shook my head at him.  

"I hope you guys have brought me gifts," I demanded and they laughed, Drake moved to me hugging me, kissing my cheek. 

"Why do I feel you've gotten older huh?" He commented frowning. I slapped his arm, turning to him as 

They took a seat across from me. 

"Idiots, you guys were gone for two years. Facetime doesn't count." I implied and he blinked his wide eyes. 

"Wow, that long huh." He chuckled awkwardly. 

"And I hope you got me the shoes, and bags I told you about." Gloria cuts in, Chad rolled his eyes and Drake nodded enthusiastically. He's just so innocent to look past unpleasant faces.

"I got all you asked for Lori," Drake assured. 

"Yes, and now you're not leaving your mother again." My mother asserted emotionally, I sighed. She had always loved the twins and Gloria more than me and Gio. 

"Come on, we're not kids now." Chad laughed and my mother snorted. 

"You've had enough fun for two years. Now it's time to get your lives on track, get married and be responsible." My dad proclaimed closing the conversation. It wasn't like they weren't successful, they own a social media gaming app that runs well worldwide, with good revenue. 

Yet my dad had his weird way of concluding life is completed only, once you're married. 

"Is that understood? I hope you boys didn't forget your promise." He leaned back, raising his brows. Even in his early fifties, my dad could be one intimidating man. 

"Uh-huh, yes dad." Drake concealed his embarrassment, giving a sign with his eyes to Chad. 

"Yeah, Dad we were just discussing that on the flight back right?" Chad beamed nervously, lying blatantly.

"Sure you were." He uttered, eyeing them.

"Let my sons be Ron." My mother groaned, and my father just shook his head.

"You are the one who spoiled them," he muttered, finishing his breakfast. 

"Home food." Chad grins digging in. 

The twins stuffed themselves to oblivion and galloped to their bedrooms for an undisturbed nap. 

"Thomas, bring Elrond his Tea." My mother exclaimed in her authorizing tone to the server. 

"So, how's the end of the Uni going for you Avy?" Gloria asked politely, but I knew better she was just highlighting my subject. I sighed not wanting to bring this up in front of my father. 

"Nice enough." I dodged her question by pouring myself a glass of water. I didn't want to talk about how I missed being there because my parents think university is a waste of time. 

"Did you think about post-graduation choices?" She asked again, and I wanted nothing but to rip her hair. She was doing it on purpose. 

"No need for that, she's going to join Phoebe in her fashion company," Dad concluded, making me choke on my water. Gio was as surprised as I, however, my mother seemed entirely aware of it. 

"But dad, I am interested in the arts." I protested. "I have already-," he didn't even let me finish before my sentence was stopped. 

"I didn't give you a choice Avery." He deadpanned, and my eyes watered. 

"But you can't force me to do something I don't like. I don't even know anything about Fashion." I screeched desperately.

"Why do you have to disagree on everything I say, Avery?" He gritted his teeth. 

"Please, as you agree with everything I say, Dad. It's not like you guys don't know what I love, but the issue is nobody cares." I yelled out standing up, Gio held my raging body as he rubbed my back. 

"Don't raise your voice at your father." My mother hissed, narrowing her eyes. 

"I'd rather have you not speak to this Mom when you were never there for me as a mother honestly," I exclaimed. My mother, being shocked, was ready to open her mouth but my father banged the table. 

"Enough." He seethed. 

"I had enough, you're going to London, study or without study you'll be working with your aunt that's all." He declared, finalizing my life just on mere words. I felt my heart drop to my stomach, Gio gave me a sympathetic look while Gloria smirked. That little bitch. 

"You can't force me to do something I don't want. I am telling you I won't let you guys control my life anymore," I told him. My dad's eyes were enraged as he stepped up to me. 

"It's not forced if you don't see what's good for you." He declined, his eyes a red fury. 

"Dad I can't, I just can't," I told him waving my hands. I loved the arts too much, I was looking forward to joining the course in France and becoming a Museum Curator. 

"I am not listening to your stupid excuses anymore. You are twenty-one and yet still studying some stupid arts." He yelled at me. I shook my head. 

"There's an Art organisation in France Dad they're offering a two-year course, with the inter–," again my explanation was cut short as he grabbed my hand. 

"You're not going to listen to me do you?" He growled, I shivered with the amount of anger swivelling in his eyes. I had never been this argumentative before. 

"Dad, Please," I begged. He laughed, shaking his head. 

"I see who is putting this thrash in your mind, your failure friends." Saying that he yanked my bag off my arm, and thrashed around with it until he had my phone and laptop. He threw them across the wall shattering them into big chunks making me gasp. 

"I am done with your insanity, you're not meeting them ever again. And leaving just in time for London." He announced dragging me with him, I struggled in his difficult hold. 

"Dad please," I begged, glancing at my mother, as she sighed unhappily.  

"Dad please." Gio stepped in between, like a huge wall. I could only see my father's first clenching. 

"Better teach her not to argue with me, Giovanni." My dad said calmly walking off. He had never been against Gio. 

My brother turned around, inspecting my forearm which was bruised by my father's hold. 

"Let's go Avy." He said softly, tenderly pulling me to him as he took me to my bedroom comforting my uncontrollable sobs.  

I wish there was a way to escape all this, to have someone who could face my father for me. Because I sure am failing at defending myself.