Family first

Chapter 3

"It's 5:30 am."

My alarm rang continuously reminding me to get out of bed but I was just too lazy to get up from bed. It wasn't until I realized that I've got a job waiting for me, did I managed to summon a little strength to get up and everything about sleep jumped out the window. Finally getting the strength I needed, I slouched to the bathroom, took a bath and dressed up before heading to the kitchen to make breakfast. Only then did it dawn on me that I was the only one awake in the house.

"This ain't right." I shook my head, clicking my tongue. "Not at all." I left what I had started doing and strode purposely to Krystal's room only for me to see her still sleeping like a baby when she had school to attend.

Dad was the early bird of the family and if he was at home, every other person would be awake but due to the nature of his job and the fact that he works in shifts, he was often absent.

"Krystal, get your ass off that bed. Don't you have a school to attend?" I sat at the edge of her bed trying to push her awake.

"Ohhh." She groaned and turn the other way. "Get lost."

"Such insolence." I huffed, tapping her shoulders rapidly. When she didn't respond, I began to blow air into her ear. At that, she brought her pillow over her ear and I knew she was wide awake.

"Krystal, get up." I shouted.

"Leave me alone." She grumbled, slipping under the comforter. "Why are you being such a bitch?" I scoffed and pulled the comforter from her body.

"Kiara, just let me sleep a little more. Besides, what's the time that you're already waking me up." Krystal coaxed.

"It's 7:20 am, you sure are a late sweetheart." I smirked.

"What?!!!!" She sat up instantly to check the time. Exactly what I needed.

"Now that you're awake go take your bath." I told her and strode towards the door having accomplished my mission.

"Kiara, did I ever tell you that you're evil? Why would you disturb my sleep?" She grumbled, slouching against the headboard.

I smiled at her. "My dear little sis, it's love." I retorted, walking out of her room. "Now, get out of that bed and go take your bath. You can come to assist me after you're done."

"That's what you would have said in beginning. Some much for having an elder sister." Krystal grumbled, trailing behind me into the living room. "You're starting work today?" She asked, stretching her body.

"No, I'm starting next week. Can't you see I'm still in bed?" I replied sarcastically, searching through the cabinet for milk.

"No need to be sarcastic sis, I asked to show that I care, unlike some people." She sprawled on the couch, going through her phone. "What are you looking for?" She glanced at me before returning to her phone.

"Milk." She looked at me confused and then blinked upon realization. "Do you know where it is?" I asked and dropped the flour on the kitchen table.

"It's in the cabinet on your right." She replied, typing furiously on her phone.

I muttered a thank you and started preparing pancakes. "But how could you of all people ask me that? I told you last night, don't you remember?"

"K, I was dozing off during that conversation last night but I did hear you say something about a new job." She yawned, putting her phone away.

I threw her a dirty look and she responded with a shrug and a toothy smile.

"So, what's this new job about?"

"Starting today, I'm now a part of KACE entertainment." I said."I get to work for one of their celebrities. Isn't that cool?" I mused, smiling slightly.

She jumped in her seat and turned to face me. "Huh, are you kidding me?"

I smiled. "Do I look like I am?"

"Whoa!!" Krystal blinked, seeming more awake."Which of them do you work for?"

That did the magic. Krystal was freaking obsessed with celebrities and not just any celebrity but the ones she claims to have a crush on. Though we share this in common I'm certainly not like her. I sometimes fear that she might end up being a stalker.

"I have no idea. But I do know he's out of town."

"Oh, the person is even a he. Interesting." She smirked. "So, where exactly does this unknown celebrity live?" Krystal asked, fetching her phone from where she kept it on the couch.

"Hmm...., Lower Thames I think. That's what is written on the card Erika gave me." I said and poured her a cup of coffee.

She brought her face closer to the cup and inhaled. "Mhmm, it's divine," she muttered, I chuckled. "Thanks." She said and collected the cup from me. Before I could even process what I said, Krystal had brought out her phone and started typing away.

"Krystal, what the hell are you doing?" I asked, cautiously. Knowing her, she might want to post or hint about it on her blog site or worst still on any of her social media handles.

"Hmm." She answered nonchalantly, sipping her coffee.

"What are you doing?" I craned my neck to see what she was doing. "You know, you don't get to spread any news on that blog of yours. If you do and it is traced back to me, I could get fired or even prosecuted. You get what I'm trying to say, right?"

She nodded. "Kiara, from here to Lower Thames is about 55mins drive and 1hr if you decide to walk. So which do you prefer?" Krystal said, finally looking up from her phone ignoring my earlier comment.

"And besides, why would I want to blow our cover? Jeez, you just got the job, I can't be that stupid to make you lose that hard earn opportunity. I get that this job is kinda confidential so I won't and can't do that to possibly hurt you. If I do, I'm also gonna hurt myself and dad. In the end, what will be my gain? I'll try my best to remain silent and also it's not everything my readers should know, they can wait." She beamed, good-naturedly.

"And one more thing, if he dares try anything stupid I can't guarantee that I won't break his hands and legs and spoil his beautiful face." She countered, stealing some of my pancakes.

"Even if he is your crush and your favourite actor or artiste?" I pulled my plate out of her reach.

"Yes, I don't care. Although their punishment won't be too severe. You know for me, it's family first." She smiled as she continued stuffing her mouth with more pancakes.

"Hey, that doesn't give you the leverage to steal my pancakes, shoo." I gestured her away.

"Aww, can't I just have some?" She cooed, blinking her lashes.

"Of course darling, you can but that won't stop me from reducing your share." I smiled.

She widens her eyes. "You can't do that, that's why you're the eldest and I the youngest." She retorted.

"Oh, then I suppose you tell me where it is written that juniors should siphon their elders." I countered.

"Dearest sister, it is written in karma's law book. Don't ask me for proof because I can't find one." She smiled, cheekily.

I shook my head, smiling. "Krystal, have you taken your bath?"

"No, why?" She asked. "I've been sitting here talking with you since I got out of bed."

"For real Krystal, it's 6:30 am already. You just have 30mins more to do anything. Or do you want me to come to bathe you?" I wiggled my brows.

"What the hell, I reserved that right for my boyfriend and potential husband." She winked at me and went up the stairs.

"Wow, who is he?"

"Mhm," she blinked. "W-what are you talking about? I don't understand what you're saying." She stuttered, smiling sheepishly.

"Of course, you know what I'm talking about," I smirked. "Who's he?" I teased.

"There's no he and you know that." She shouted.

"Really." I arced a brow, smirking.

"Leave me alone, Kiara."

I laughed. "You need to be disciplined and that's what I'm going to do. How dare you talk back at me?" I teased, walking towards her with a smile.

She climbed a few steps upwards until she was standing in front of her room and bowed graciously. "Your Majesty, I humbly implore thee to have mercy on thy unworthy servant for thou hart gracious and kind." She said and quickly retreated into her room.

"You didn't wait to hear my reply, Krystal." I shouted and smiled knowing what her response would be.

"I can't hear you, I'm bathing." She shouted from her room.

"If you're done, could you please bring my black bag from my room? It's on the dressing table." I shouted.

"Get it yourself." She shouted back.

"Thank you very much." I laughed.

She couldn't hear me but she responded.

Ever since the death of our mom, she, dad and Rosa had become my most treasured persons. They all understood but Krystal understands me on a whole different level and better than anyone. She speaks with a kind of wisdom that is beyond her age. I do wish and hope for a better life for her and that's why I'm trying in every way possible to support her and my dad, Rosa included.

Speaking of Rosa, I collected my phone from the table, unlocked it and speed-dialled her.

"Hey girl, what's up?"

"If it isn't my favourite girl." She sang.

"Good morning to you. How'd you sleep? Hope you slept well?" I turned off the cooker.

"It was fine," She yawned, "Besides fighting with Harry nothing more, everything's perfect. Although we have settled this morning."

"You guys fought?" I frowned.

It took a lot to refrain from saying ‘again’. This has been the longest Rosa has been in a relationship and honestly, it was taking a massive toll on her. It's either she was complaining about them fighting threats of break up and then there were times when she was extremely moody. The Rosa I knew back in school was much livelier and more cheerful than her present self but that's not the case now as she had become too emotional and everything she does is to please her so-called boyfriend.

"Why, what happened?" I finished what I was doing and stepped into the living room.

"Nothing serious." She began. Again, another word she had grown fond of. "He was angry over the fact that I was seldom available and that I'm too engrossed with my job. He even said that I no longer have time for him and our relationship but he fails to realize that it isn't my fault. The relationship is at its wit end." She complained, bitterly.

At least, she knew.

I glanced at Krystal on the stairs who was adjusting her skirt and gestured to her putting my phone on speaker mode.

"He's only pointing out my fault whereas he turns blind eye to his. I'm at the point where I'm beginning to feel that he's seeing someone else, not that I care in as long as I don't see them together or worst still meet them." She paused. "Right now, I'm trying to give myself reasons to end the relationship but I can't seem to come up with any. I'm so tired and confused." She said through the ruffling of sheets meaning she was still in bed.

"Sorry to interrupt but did you just say you're trying to give yourself a reason to end it with that jackass when there are more than enough reasons to?" Krystal piped in, dropping my bag on the table. "Sorry to say, but I think you want your suspicions to be confirmed before you can end it with him."

I shot her a look but she didn't even budge.

"Like what the heck is wrong with him, he should be grateful to have you as his girlfriend." She was clearly annoyed about the situation. "Not everybody would tolerate his madness." She deadpanned.

Rosa sighed. "Hey Krystal, how are you doing?" She asked. "If only he could hear that."

"I'm fine." She answered, hastily. "I may not really know much about relationships but one thing is for sure Rosa, you're investing way too much into this relationship and it's hurting you badly." She took the phone from me as we both headed for the door.

Krystal had never been a fan of their relationship from day one. According to her, Rosa's boyfriend always gave off a weird vibe and she, Rosa needed someone to give her a constant wake-up call. Thus, whenever she was opportune she played her role very well, and freely expressed her dislike.

"I know, Krystal." She replied, her voice almost breaking. "I know what you're saying is true but it hurts." She sniffed.

"Sorry, that I was blunt. Krystal said. "I just wasn't happy hearing you complain." This was something I loved about her– she knew when not to cross the line.

"Yeah, it's no biggie." Rosa replied. "I needed that bluntness, anyways."

"So, what are you gonna do?" Krystal asked stepping out of the porch onto the driveway.

"I don't know, I don't know. I'm just watching things unfold although he did call and apologized this morning." She continued. "So, let's see how things go."

"At least, he apologized." I chirped in, locking the door. Krystal frowned at me but I shrugged.

"Him apologizing isn't enough but according to Ara, at least, he did apologize otherwise he would have had himself to blame when we visit him later." Krystal said in an attempt to cheer her up as we walked to the bus stop.

"I know right, I trust what you're capable of doing." She laughed. "That being that, do you guys have any plans this weekend?" Rosa asked.

"No." We both answered though for different reasons.

"If that's the case, how about we hang out at my place to celebrate Kiara."

"Oh my!!" Krystal gasped dramatically. "Have I ever told you how much I love you?"

"Yes baby, yes." She chuckled. "Even more than your sister."

"Exactly." Krystal laughed.

"So much for family comes first." I muttered, falling in step with her.

She glanced at me wiggling her brows. "Someone's jealous." She sang, and I snorted giving her a blank look.

"Hello?!! Are you guys up for it?" Rosa asked.

"Yes, of course, we will be there." Krystal answered before I could say anything.

"You guys didn't ask for my opinion." I countered.

Rosa giggled. "Never mind, your opinion isn't needed in this case, babe." She answered.

And I swear I could hear her laugh after that answer. The kind of sisters and friends I had, they are ever willing to throw my opinion under the bus.

"Okay sweetheart, we've gotta go. See ya later." I said, climbing into the bus.

"Have a nice day babe and don't forget to give me all the gist of your first day at work later." Rosa commanded.

"Yes ma'am." I laughed and took a seat next to Krystal.

Once I'd settled down I couldn't help but mull over her last statement ‘my first day at work’. She brought me back to reality. I've got a new job and I wondered how well I will do. It wasn't as if I hadn't done it before but the fact remains– a new and different environment. That was making me nervous and questioning my abilities.

In that state, I felt a hand over mine and looked at the owner, Krystal. She smiled at me as if sensing my nervousness.

"It's going to be okay, you'll do well." She mouthed.

It was all I needed to start the day, I couldn't begin to doubt myself now, I just have to face it headlong.