[Adhara don't forget what you just told your daughter… you must calm down no matter what. Anderson can't find out about the secret his second daughter knows]
Adhara tried to caution herself also. At that moment concealing the secret Joanna knew was more important than her hatred for her stepdaughter.
"You are also a daughter of this household which means you are welcome here anytime," Adhara said with a fake smile.
"So don't take whatever she says to heart. She is just furious because her father didn't allow her to hang out with her friends tonight," Adhara tried to appease Joanna despite that everyone in the room knew that her affection was fake.
"My hands were itching to burn someone to death tonight but I guess I won't be able to do that now that you have managed to calm down my beloved stepsister," Joanna said, rising from the couch with elegance.
"You…," Adhara quickly nudged Laura who was about to talk when she saw her husband come out of the same room she came out from earlier.
"What the hell is going on here?" Mr Anderson demanded. His eyes moved from one lady to the other.
A deep frown plastered on his face the instant he set eyes on Joanna.
Just like him, Joanna didn't look the least pleased to see him and it showed on her face.
"The prodigal daughter has finally returned. Should I be proud of this?" Mr Anderson's sarcastic words made Laura chuckle.
Her chuckle earned a disapproving gaze from her mother.
"You don't have to be proud of it because you guys are not the reason I am here, sorry to disappoint you more than you already are, Sir," Joanna, who was not in a good mood, replied smiling.
Her smile irk the already irritated Mr Anderson.
"You…,"
"Sorry, but Little rice ball is searching for me. I need to leave now, Sir," Joanna replied bowing slightly. She made her way out of the room afterwards.
"That darn girl's temper is getting out of control. I am afraid she is gonna get worse if we don't deal seriously with her…,"
"Girls at her age are usually rebellious. You don't have to let her actions annoy you…,"
"Wasn't Laura once the same age as her so why didn't she behave the same way then?" Angry Mr Anderson questioned while glaring at the door Joanna exited from.
"Yeah Dad, and I will forever remain the apple of your eyes," Laura said beaming.
"Will you go to your room now Laura?" Adhara commanded. Her fierce glares dare not make Laura do otherwise.
Laura reluctantly exited her mother's room as she was ordered to.
In the long corridor, she stood in front of the brown door which was just opposite her parent's room.
She eavesdrops on the conversation happening inside the room.
Inside the room which Laura was standing in front of, a lady who was seen laying facing a handsome boy on the medium size bed.
"Big Sister, you don't look so happy even though we haven't seen each other for two days. Did Mum and Laura make things difficult for you again?" Anthony asked as he kept on looking at his sister's face.
Although Joanna had tried her best to fool him with her fake cheerful look the smart boy was still able to see through her mask.
If there are people who know her in and out her little brother will definitely be on the list.
Although he was still a kid he has been with her long enough to know when she is happy and sad. Not even her fake smiles can fool him at times.
"Of course not," Joanna said smiling. She extended her hand and stroked his handsome face.
"Laura and Stepmother have been really nice to me…,"
"The day they will treat you nicely from their heart may be the day that the Moon Goddess will reveal herself," Anthony cut in.
Despite that, he wasn't an adult but he was smart enough to know the reality of his family.
He has come to terms with the fact that his mother, father and Laura will never treat his beloved sister in the same way they treat him.
He has wished and prayed for this day to come true to the point that he has come to accept what adults call REALITY.
"You don't have to keep on lying about such things, Big Sister. I am not a kid anymore," Anthony said as he took his sister's hands in his.
"Whoa… so my little rice ball is all grown up huh?" Joanna asked playfully. Before Anthony could guess her next actions she started tickling him.
Hahaha! Hahaha!
His laughter made Laura that was eavesdropping from the door clasp her fist.
[How dare you be in the mood of playing after you made mum slap me huh?]
Laura glared at the door with her fist remaining clasped.
[Just wait and see, a day is coming where I will avenge myself from all the slaps I received from mum because of you… hehe… when that day comes I will make sure you crawl and beg for mercy]
Laura stomped out of there in anger. She walked past her room whose door was next to that of Anthony's and proceeded to the elevator.
With the playful Anthony by her side, Joanna was able to forget her problems even for a moment.
After chasing Anthony about the room for a few minutes the two siblings sprawled on the bed almost at the same time.
The panting Anthony raised his head just in time to see his Big Sister wiping a drop of tears off her face.
[I wonder what is wrong with Big Sister that is making her cry… did some bad people bully her like they always did in the past?]
Amos spaced out as he looked at his sister who was oblivious of his stares.
"Big Sister," Anthony called meekly. Joanna turned around on the bed so that she was looking at his face.
"Everything will be fine, have faith," Anthony said while giving her his broadest smile.