Chapter 10: Happiness is a Curse

N A O M I

"We're home!"

"Mom! Dad! Brother!"

"Are you good, little Naomi?"

"I am always good!"

"Let's go visit your grandparents, then!"

"Okay, mom!"

I heard an engine start and fur elise starts to play. I heard water crashing the shore and the noises the birds make. I heard a familiar laughter that makes me want to cry. Everything was dark, yet these voices are heard. Then suddenly, there was an explosion.

"Go now! Take the children and leave!"

"How about you?!"

"Our children's safety is the top priority! Go now!"

And I heard gunshots. A woman's scream, a little boy's plea, but nothing from the little girl. I heard nothing from the little girl, not even a small whimper.

"Go on. Run to your grandma's house. Run and never look back!"

The little boy kept pleading, yet nothing was heard from the little girl. I heard knocking on a wood several times, with the pleading of the little boy.

Then, a creaking noise was heard and a voice of an old woman followed.

"What are you two doing here? Why are you crying, Nathan? Where are your parents?"

A creaking noise was heard once again and a clicking noise, symbolizing the closing of the door was heard.

"We were attacked, grandma. Our parents are gone! They are gone!"

"You should take a rest first. Stop crying now."

"Grandma?"

"Yes, Naomi?"

"Happiness is a curse."

What the hell are these voices in my head? Why do I feel a different kind of sadness and loneliness as I listen to these voices? Why are they so familiar?

---

"Lady Naomi?" A series of knocks and calls woke me up from my deep slumber. I stretched my hands and legs then I started to dress up.

"Lady Naomi?" The maid called once again, so I decided to open the door.

"What is it?" I asked the moment I saw her.

"It's lunchtime and madam instructed us to wake you up to eat." she said then bows towards me. I nodded and walked towards the stairs.

"Lady Naomi, please use this wheelchair..." The butler said, he was waiting in the living room. I just nodded and sat on the wheelchair. He pushed it towards the open elevator and once we are in, it automatically closed. Fur Elise starts to play as the elevator starts to move. After some seconds, the door opens as the music fades.

The butler brought me to the dining room and mom and dad was seated already. I also noticed that my cousins in my father side are here. "Sorry for being late." The butler then positioned me in front of mom. Dad is seating in the middle.

Beside me is my second cousin. He is Kim Shiba, quite petite but really tall. He is quite a hottie and he also has a harem. He is also very smart and talented. He is in the top of his class and we sometimes have a jamming even though we are not that close. He is a college student. They visit here every three months but they live out of the country.

The one who is seated in front of him is Mark Shiba, my first cousin. He is also good-looking and talented. He loves fights so he always gets into trouble. If only he is studying for real, he could be a top-achiever. He is already graduating this year.

Princess Shiba is my third cousin, who is seated beside Kim. Quite annoying but very creative. She is in her first year highschool student but she is quite too childish for her age. We were quite close before but we don't even talk nowadays.

Seated in front of Princess is Precious Shiba. My fourth cousin. She is just an elementary student so she is really annoying. We used to play but she is scared of me now.

"Where is uncle and aunt?" I asked when I noticed their absence.

"They are still fixing something. They might arrive by dinnertime." Kim answered. I nodded my head and the food were served.

"Naomi, how is your wound? Why did you even let yourself get shot? You were out for a week!" Mom asked, worry in her voice as I kept eating. What a good actress.

"What? What happened? How did you get hurt? Who did it?" Mark and Kim asked continuously.

"Can we talk about that later? Let's eat for now. Please," I begged. They really know how to ruin my mood. They nodded and continued eating their meal.

An hour has passed and we finished eating. They are know drinking coffee, waiting for my explanation. "My hideout got attacked. I can't call for backup from above because they got a hostage. I protected an acquittance of mine that was there with me, so I got shot. I'm alive, so I guess all is fine."

"Who did it? Let me-" I cut Kim before he even finish what he is saying.

"I will handle everything my own way. I do not need anyone's help unless it is really needed. I'll call you if I do need help." I said then signaled for the butler to take me back. He followed and brought me back to my floor. I only sat on my swivel chair as I examine the drawings. So many questions occupied my mind.

Why did I draw these? When did I even created these? Who are the people here? Why do I feel empty, as if I'm missing something important? What's going on?

Ever since I met those five jerks, different events that messed up my already chaotic life, occured. Why did I even met those jerks? And there is this weird connection between them and my friends. It felt like they knew each other a long time ago. It felt like...they have feelings for each other.

My mind came back to reality when I heard the Fur Elise play. I wonder who my visitor is? The music fades away as I heard several knocks on my door. I then stood and opened it.

"Naomi? Can we have a chat?" Mom asked the moment I opened the door. I only nodded and sat back to my swivel chair. She closed the door as she entered and scanned the whole room.

"What do you want?" I asked straightforwardly. You were probably wondering why I'm rude to her when I was acting sweet when I waved goodbye to her. There were people around and thought that we are a very lovely family so I have to act. She sees me as a tool, just like my dad.

"Why were you so rude towards your cousins? They were just worried about your sorry-ass." She said as she sat on my bed.

"Rude? I already said that everything is fine. I'm alive so no damage done, right? I can handle myself, I'm not a kid."

"Yeah, whatever. Ungrateful brat," she said as she walked towards me. Her gaze suddenly went to my desk and a smile creeped on her face. A meaningful smile that spells trouble.

"Wanna piss your dad?" She asked, making me confused.

"What do you mean?"

She kept her smile and took the family drawing. She then put her mouth near my ear then whispered something that confuses my mind more than anything. She then puts the drawing back to my table and smiled at me before leaving.