A few days later,
Caitlin looks at her navy blue blouse with a black pencil skirt. She put on a simple makeup and do her hair with a half braid style. She looks stunning with a professional look.
When she rang the doorbell, Robert, the steward of the mansion, answer the com. "Yes?"
"Hi, I'm Caitlin. I wish to see Mr. Ben today, but I was informed that he's not in Seattle, so, since I'm here, could I meet with the Young Lady, Lily?" she said with polite.
Robert wait until she finishes before he said, "Could you please wait for a moment?"
"Yes, of course."
Robert's then dialing his master's cellphone. A few rings before he finally answers it.
"Hello?"
"Good afternoon, Master Ben. There is Miss Caitlin at the gate right now. She wish to meet up with Miss Lily, should I let her in?" Robert asked carefully.
He could hear Brian was slightly surprised to hear this news. He then said, "Just let her in. But, watch her if she tries to do something to Lily."
"Yes, sir," Robert replies and ended the call before he let Caitlin in. Caitlin already knew Brian probably would instruct his maids to keep an eye to her since she comes uninvitedly like this.
When the door opened, she was greeted by the housekeeper and the man who's answering the bell earlier.
"Good afternoon, Miss Caitlin."
"Hi, good afternoon. I'm sorry for coming here without alerting you guys first." She smiled and handed a basket of fruit she brought along with her earlier. She felt like she's visiting a mother-in-law right now.
Take the fruit basket; the housekeeper leads her to the living hall. "Young lady Lily currently has a private lesson in her room. She'll be in here soon after the lesson end." Elizth said before she went back to the exit.
"Thank you," Caitlin smile at the housekeeper and took a seat on the luxurious sofa. This is her first time walking into Brian's house after they break up. Everything inside this house is totally the opposite of Brian's taste.
While looking at the decoration, she scrunches her eyebrow a bit. "Ben must have loved her so much that he could even live in a house full of something that is not his taste at all." she murmurs, still observing the house deco.
When he's with her, everything inside their penthouse is followed according to his taste. Not even she can have the right to change it into her liking. There is one time she bought a teddy bear to put on the couch because she likes to hugs something when they watch the TV, but it only lasts for one day.
The next day, she found out that her teddy bears already been toss out by him. Saying that his house is not some kind of nursery to have something so childish like that. Of course, she didn't dare to speak up her mind at that time. She holds her emotion for years so that he can be comfortable. But what's she get after that?
When she thought of that memory, she subconsciously let her tears fill up her eyes. She wipes it before someone knocks on the door frame.
"Are you, Caitlin?" A small and sweet voice greet her from behind.
She turns around and smiles at the little girl. Well, basically, she knew her. They've met before. "Hi, there. Do you remember me?" Caitlin's pointing her finger to her chest.
Lily nods her head. She then notices that her eyes were a bit red. 'Maybe she thought of something that hurt her?' And because of that, Lily can't help but feel sorry for her. If only she knew how to talk with the adult about these things...
"Why are you here?" Lily asked, and not long after, the housekeeper bring them a set of tea and snack for them. While Robert was standing at the corner of the hall, like a doll. Guarding them.
"I'm sorry I came so sudden. But, I guess you've heard about what your father has decided, aren't you?" Caitlin took the tea and sipped a bit. She's a bit thirsty after all.
Lily breathes in and nods her head. She's aware of her father's decision to remarry again. "About that….can we talk in a garden? I feel like I need taking fresh air. It's sunny outside too." She said. Notice that Caitlin doesn't really like to stay in the house. Well, this house is her mother's decoration and ideas.
If she was Caitlin herself, she'd feel suffocating to sits inside her rival house. It only makes her sadder, and she also needs to talk to her about the matter that she discussed with Alex a few days ago.
"Oh? Sure, I'd like to see around the house, your father's mansion is quite big than my family. It looks unique too." She smiles.
"You don't need to pretend in front of me, you can be yourself," Lily said and stood up. Ready to go to the garden at the back of this mansion.
"I didn't pretend. This house looks beautiful. It just…it's not really my taste." She doesn't know why, but this little kid seems a bit off. She doesn't look like a five-year-old kid when she talks, right? 'Or, is she actually against 'me' marrying his father? Rebel phase?'
"It's not my taste too." Lily smile at her, and they walk together. Alex has a training session at the backyard with Jamal. They do some judo exercises today. So, that's why he can't accompany her.
Caitlin took this opportunity to observe this house. Everything looks normal, like any other mansion. While they walk, they talk about Lily's activities at home when her father is away, and what's she likes and doesn't.
Just like a friend chatting about their life routine until they reach the bench near the backyard court. They both watching Alex and Jamal training there.
"So, is he your brother? Twins?" Caitlin started. She long wants to know about this. Are they twins? But, that boy over there looks somehow familiar to her.
But, she couldn't recall who. And that boy doesn't look like Brian too.
"No, he's my milk sibling. We have different parents, but his mother raised me since I was a baby." Lily said. She doesn't intend to hide the truth from this woman.
"Oh? Milk sibling? I never heard of it." Caitlin scrunches her eyebrow a bit. Thinking of something, "Then, his mother…is she.."
"No, my daddy and my mama don't develop any special feelings other than a friend. Mama has someone she loves and dear, but my daddy…" Lily stop her word. She doesn't know how to describe it. It's only a one-sided love because clearly, her mother loves someone else when she still alive.
"He loves your mother and only her," Caitlin said, and Lily turn to look at her.
"Hey, can I say something to you? From heart to heart?"
Surprised, Caitlin nods her head. "Sure, go ahead."
Lily closed her eyes for a moment before she opens it and says it, "I don't want you to marry my daddy."
Caitlin smiles, "Why?"
"Because of …he…" She bit her lips. "He might hurt your feelings over and over again, and I hate it. Don't get me wrong. I like you as a person. But, I don't want you to be placed where he treats you as only a substitute." Lily then gasps after she said lasts the sentence. She didn't mean to hurt her by telling her as a substitute.
Surprised, Caitlin did not show any hateful or rejection feeling to her. She accepts everything that the little girl says to her. She long knows that Brian will only treat her as a substitute.
"I-I didn't mean that. I mean…you're a good woman, and you can find a good husband other than my daddy."
Pats on her laps, Caitlin smile at her.
"Don't worry. I know you meant well. I thank you for thinking about it for me. I never met someone who will consider my feeling as you do. You're really….a good girl."