Dark Serious Eyes

"Looks like we'll gonna have a chef. You should cook for us some other time, Maddy," Livius said and Morris subtly glare at him.

"Well... why not? If we have free time."

Livius just gave me a thumbs up while chewing. Meanwhile, Morris beside him is giving me a lazy look. He's not talking but staring at me. I couldn't read his thoughts.

"What will you do after college? You'll manage our restaurants? I'm focused on the hotels. So, if you'll pursue that, you can manage the-"

"That's definitely not what I want, brother," I cut Revo off.

His forehead creased like he didn't understand what I meant.

So I went on. "I want to build my own name. I want to build my own restaurant. You will handle all our family's businesses. I have other plans for my life."

"Just let her do what she wants, Revo. She's not into managing business. After all, she's aiming for something. Let her be," Sage sided with me like the usual. I smiled at him.

"If that's what she wants, then..." Revo shrugged.

"Ah, yes, by the way, Maddy. There will be a pool party later at the mansion. You can come and join us if you're not tired. Some of our batchmates will come, too. You'll enjoy it," it was Markus.

Hmm... pool party. Sounds good.

Even back in Denali, I used to hang out with classmates and friends. Mom became not that strict when I reached eighteen. She let me do things like that. But of course, there are still instructions that need to be followed. I can party but not overnight. I'm also not allowed to drink any alcoholic beverages.

"Sounds great. I'm going."

I heard no appeal from my brother and cousins ​​​​but I noticed Morris's eyebrow rising. It was as if he didn't agree with my answer.

"Aren't you tired from the trip?" It was the first time he'd spoken to me since they arrived. Not that I want him to talk with me. I just want us to be civil with each other. It's been a few years since we last talked. And with our families this close, we'll definitely see each other more often. And as much as possible, I want to avoid troubles. I realized I was too immature before.

"I'm fine. Besides, the party is later this night. I'll have time to rest for some hours. I also want to take the opportunity to rebuild my connections."

He looked at me cockily with a grim expression.

I didn't finish the cake and told them I'd go upstairs. I found Agnes there unpacking my things from the suitcase. She stopped for a while to look at me.

"Don't finish that, Agnes. I'll finish that later. That's a very light thing."

"Are you sure, Miss Maddy?" she asked hesitantly. I

"Yup. Just help the others down there. Mom might give them some orders."

She nodded. When I was left alone, I walked towards my bed and noticed its new bedsheets. Even the curtains of the room are new. Other than that, nothing has changed. Everything is clean and in proper order.

When I sat on the bed, my cellphone rang. I got it from my pocket and saw Neri's name on the screen.

I smiled and answered it.

"Look who missed me so much," I said and laughed. I'm sure she'll just give me rants.

"Oh, you bitch! You didn't even say you were coming home! You said your flight was next week? If you had only told me, I'd have gone to the airport to welcome you back!"

I laughed even harder.

"It should be, I miss you. Don't be so harsh, Neri. I just want to surprise you. Aren't you surprised?"

She hissed. "We haven't seen each other for years and yet you didn't tell me!"

"Let's just meet later. There will be a pool party tonight at Markus' place."

"Fine. We have a lot of things to catch up on, Maddy. You have a lot to tell me."

"Yeah, yeah. I know that."

She's my long time friend since junior years in high school. She's a little bitch but I love her. She's the sister I never had, a true friend. She's not after my brother or any of his friends. Different from the girls who only wanted to befriend me to get close to my brother. She's tactless, not the typical prim and proper daughter of a rich tycoon. That's probably why we share the same vibe.

"Are you leaving?" Mom asked when she noticed me dressed up later that night.

"Markus is hosting a party. I'll come with Neri."

She nodded.

"Just be home before midnight," she said as usual. I don't mind if I have a curfew. I don't like staying overnight at parties anyway. I'll get bored with that, especially since I don't drink. I just want to enjoy for a few hours, that's it.

"My gosh, Maddy! You look hot!" Neri's lips parted when she arrived at our gates with her car. She's praising me too much like she wasn't looking chic herself.

"It runs through the blood, Neri." I winked.

She laughed. I went inside her car. I can't drive. I have a driver but it's better this way.

"You look beautiful too, Neri, and you seemed a little overdressed. Don't tell me you're trying to hit on my brother's friends now?" I teased her like I used to do.

She rolled her eyes and turned the engine on.

"That would never happen over my dead gorgeous body. They're very handsome and oozing with sex appeal, alright. But they are freaking womanizers, Maddy! I have high standards. I won't settle for a man with such a hobby of playing multiple girls at a time. So, no way."

Now, it's my turn to laugh.

"Chill, pretty Neri."

"Maybe it's you who likes one of your brother's friends?"

I shook my head.

"There are better men out there. I grew up watching how they play with girls. Do you think I'm willing to be one of their flavors?"

"Hmm, we can't tell." She smiled playfully.

"Oh shut up, Neri! That won't happen! I'll find a good man, you'll see. You're far from those men."

"You mean... you want someone ugly?"

I groaned. He just laughed.

"Well, didn't you say it was far from them. So, it just means the search is ugly-"

"I'm not talking about the looks."

She grinned and glanced at me. "Alright. Start searching then."

Yeah, good luck to me. I'm not in a rush, anyway. I prioritize my career. I want more things to happen in my life besides looking for a sensible man. For sure, I'd find a good one when the right time comes. I don't have to hurry.

Unfamiliar faces welcomed us in the wide pool area of ​​the mansion. As what Markus said, a lot of their batchmates joined. So that explains why I don't know them at all. Some greeted Neri, while a few recognized me as a the princess of Sawyers.

I spotted my brother and his friends. As usual, there are many women around them. They were at the edge of the pool with glasses of drinks. I looked around.

Men's heads turned to us, maybe curious who we are. Because obviously, we're out of their league. But unlike before, I was able to adjust and get along with different people. I've learned that through my acquaintances in Denali.

Topless, Markus met us midway. He smirked playfully.

"And you brought a beautiful lady, huh."

I hissed.

"My friend is off limits, dear cousin. Back off."

He laughed and called the waitress to give us something to drink. And since it's all alcoholic, I made a special request for a juice. Neri has no problem because she drinks alcohol unlike me.

While waiting for the maid, I looked around. Unintentionally, I found Morris' gaze. He is standing at the other end of the pool. Two women are on his either side, talking to him but they can't seem to hold his attention. He's holding a glass of liquor, topless, staring at me with dark, serious eyes.