"You noticed it? Then why didn't you at least say something to uncle Leonardo?" Aaron is sure that if Anna had said something, their uncle Leonardo would have listened to her. As for him, it is quite clear that Leonardo won't even bother to listen to what he has to say.
"The reason for that is quite simple, my dear twin brother." At this point, Anna wonders if her brother really has no clue why their uncle Leonardo is hard on him or he is just pretending. Either way, it's better to remind her brother why. "Uncle Leo is hard on you because of the stunt that you pulled the other day."
It was very brave of her brother to do that, but at the same time, Anna thinks that it was very stupid of him to do that. Her brother didn't give Leonardo the time to prepare himself to hear it. Aaron went straight to the point.
"Stunt..." Aaron took his time to think about what Anna is talking about. Seconds later, he realized what she's talking about, and thought that Leonardo is being too childish to hold that as a grudge against him. "He shouldn't be treating me like that just because I told I want to court his daughter."
In this matter, Aaron thinks that personal feelings should be put aside and Leonardo should act professionally in front of him and the others. And most importantly, they all should be treated equally!
"Say that to him, not to me." Telling her that it was not fair of Leonardo to treat him that way is not going to change anything. Right now, she is just someone who is under training and has no power or whatsoever. Her words against Leonardo is not going to work anytime soon.
"I wouldn't dare," Aaron said, giving up the thought of defending himself. If he does say what he thinks to Leonardo, Aaron is sure that Leonardo treats him way harder than the last time.
"You have the guts to say that when uncle Leo is not around, but when he is around, you looked like a puppy, quivering in fear." Comparing her brother to a puppy doesn't seem right, but that the only thing that comes into Anna's mind, and she personally thinks that it is the truth whenever her brother is in front of Leonardo.
"A p-puppy?" Aaron didn't have to think about it, he immediately concluded that he is not happy at being compared to a puppy. Out of all comparison, his sister could think about, why did she choose a puppy?
While the twins are continuing their talk, they suddenly heard a loud bang from upstairs. The first thing that came into their minds is to check what it is.
The banging continued. They followed to where it comes from and as they do that, they arrived in front of their grandfather's study office. Worry filled them. As they are about to open the door to check on their grandfather, they heard voices on the inside.
"Father, please stop it. You're making too much noise. People outside of this room will get worried and might open the door and see you like this. So please..." It's the voice of their father. Basing on the tone that he is using, the twins can tell that he is worried.
"Do I look like I about what them? Right now, all I want is for my anger to subside. I can't do that if you're asking me to stop!"
"Grandfather sounds so angry. Do you have any idea what might have happened?" Anna whispered to her brother.
"No, I don't. But if I have to guess, it might because of uncle James." These past few days, whenever their grandfather gets angry it is always because of James. Somehow, Aaron felt like James is like a never-ending problem in their family.
"Father, please. I know and I understand that you are angry. I am too. But you really need to calm down. It's not good for your health." Arion is now blaming himself for igniting the anger inside his father. He should have not let his father listen to the recorded conversation James had with that unknown man.
"Calming down is not going to help with our problem with James." Marcus stared at Arion, he can't see any emotion in his son's eyes. From his point of view, Arion is so cold and distant. Although he can't see any emotion on his, he can tell that Arion is itching to go and kill James. But Arion is holding back because he wants to use James to get more information.
'It must be a torture for you, son.' Marcus inwardly said.
"Getting angry is not going to help either," Arion replied in a matter-of-fact tone. If only they have an idea who is the person James is talking to earlier, they might have already planned their move right now and execute their move the next day. But no, that is not the case. They will have to wait a bit longer before doing any of that.
Marcus wanted to say more, but his eyes landed on the door, and below it, he can see two shadow figures. He took a deep sigh and said, "Whoever it is behind the door, better show yourself now before I get angry."
Slowly, the door opened. Arion and Marcus frowned at the sight of the twins. "Eavesdropping is not a good trait, you two."
"Daddy, we didn't mean to, but we heard loud noises and it got us worried. Unintentionally, we overheard your conversation with Grandfather." Of course, it was their choice to eavesdrop on their conversation, but they can't say it or else, they might get themselves into trouble.
"Anna, I understand that you're worried because of the noises, but once you made sure that everything was alright, you and your brother should have not stayed longer to eavesdrop." Arion can through his daughter's lies. He was like that back then. Whenever he is caught on doing something he always has an excuse, just like what his daughter is doing right now.
"And here I thought that nobody will ever see through your excuses," Aaron whispered to Anna. Throughout the things that they have done. This is the first time that someone didn't believe Anna's excuses.
"What was that, Aaron?" Arion asked.
"Oh. It's nothing. I said nothing." Aaron shrugged his shoulder. He is not even a bit worried about the consequences that they are about to face after this.
Arion sighed. "You know what? I'm not gonna deal with you two. I had a rough day, and I'm already tired. I'll let it slide for this time only." He mentally tired and he has no energy left to scold his kids. It might be best to let things slide for now and if it happens again, then there will be no more next time.
As soon as the twins heard it they immediately left the room before their father changes their mind.
"They got that from you." There is a faint smile plastered on Marcus' face as he said that. Sometimes, the twins' little action does remind him of how mischievous Arion was back in the day.
"Oh, come on. I wasn't like that." Arion said with a frown. It's the truth that back when was still young, he would eavesdrop, but he wouldn't make himself get caught so fast. 'My twins aren't like me at all, except for the face.'
"Whatever you say, Arion."
~~~
[The next day]
"Another day, another day. Why do we have to here so early in the morning again?" Zen yawn. He went to bed early yesterday, but his sleep wasn't enough. His first day of training under Leonardo drained too much of his energy.
"I don't know," Josh replied nonchalantly. He is tired, but his face doesn't show it. He was supposed to have an early rest yesterday, but the moment his father came home, he was pestered the entire night.
His father kept asking him what did Leonardo made him do yesterday. And as a good son that he is, he answered every question his father had for him.
"Nathalia, why did your father wants us here early in the morning?" Zen asked Nathalia who is currently trying to make herself not to fall asleep.
"I have no idea. Please don't talk too much. It's giving me a headache." She is not a morning person and she is annoyed by her father for waking her up way too early.
"How come you don't have any idea? You're his daughter for goodness sake."
"Zen, just because I'm his daughter that does not mean I know everything." She knows a lot of things going on around her household, but it does not include what is on her father's mind. Not wanting to continue such a topic, Nathalia looked around and said, "Where are the twins? Shouldn't they also be here?"
They might not know what is the exact reason for them to be here, they do have a vague idea that it is related to their special training.