My Aunt, Valerie

Gloria Serrano

GLORIA’S POV

How many people are living in this massive house? The moment we arrived, my aunt went inside without saying anything. It was her wife, Raven, who walked us through the mansion and even showed us our room. Valerie doesn’t seem like the talkative type of person, and I wonder if she does want us to be here.

“Gloria? Is something bothering you? Is it because of the room? We can always call for an interior designer to change the room’s layout. Besides, this is your room now. It would be best if you did whatever you wanted to this room. The same goes for Lawrence. If you need anything, don’t be shy to tell us.” Wow- Raven is one beautiful woman.

And my aunt seems lucky to have such a friendly wife. I guess their personalities complement each other. While my aunt appears like the type to do whatever she wants, Raven seems like the wise one and the one who takes care of the aftermath.

“It’s nothing. It is our first time going into such a beautiful home.” Raven smiled.

“This is your home now too. Oh! I almost forgot to introduce the head maid.” Raven went out of the room before coming back in with a middle-aged woman.

“This is Rowena. Rowena will take care of you if Valerie and I have something to do outside. But, normally, Valerie would be home because of her work. If you can’t find us, you can ask for anything from Rowena.” The head maid smiled at both my brother and me.

“I am Rowena.” The maid introduced herself.

“My name is Gloria, and this is my brother, Lawrence.” The maid smiled.

“Oh- did you call the dean, Rowena?“ The dean? The private academy dean?

“Yes. And the dean said that the milady could bring miss Gloria and Mr. Lawrence to the academy as soon as they’re adjusted to their new home. The dean will prepare everything in advance.” How- can they do that?

I remember my teacher said a long waiting list to enter the private academy. Not even the royalty is given any special treatment to join the academy. How did Raven do it?

“Good- don’t forget to tell the dean to send us the uniform beforehand.” Rowena nodded her head before excusing herself out of the room.

“Will I be in trouble? I thought the academy had a long waiting list. How did we manage to get a spot?” Raven smiled.

“I have my ways. Anyone wants a tour of the house?“ Lawrence is the first to nod his head. Seriously, just did Lawrence easily open up himself to others?

“Great. Follow me.” Raven offered her hand for Lawrence to take. Lawrence took Raven's hand without much thought and walked out of the room while I followed suit.

There are no words that can describe how beautiful this home is. I’ve watched all kinds of beautiful houses on the television, but nothing can compare to this. Also, am I hearing things, or did Raven say that this mansion has its cinema?

“Here is the door to the cinema. If you two want to invite your friends for movie nights, we don’t mind.” As if we would do such things. I don’t even have any friends. Perhaps I might make some at the academy. I’m sure no one would call me names because I have good grades.

The academy is a place for geniuses. I doubt I’ll be a laughing stock once they know my identity. As we walked down the grand spiral staircase, I couldn’t help but stare at a vast wedding portrait of my aunt and Raven.

“Wow,” I whispered.

“Pardon? Did you say something?” Raven asked as we walked down the stairs.

“No- the portrait. Wow.” Raven chuckled.

“It’s just a wedding picture. Anyway, this hallway will lead you straight to Valerie’s art studio. If you guys want to find her, the majority of the time, she would be in the studio. If not, she’s probably at the greenhouse enjoying tea or at the kitchen acting like a hungry wolf.” I giggled.

I know I should be laughing, but it’s funny to imagine that stoic person acting like that. As Raven continued the tour, a young maid suddenly walked up to her while bringing the phone.

“Excuse me.” Raven smiled. She must be busy.

“Lawrence- what do you think? Can you imagine that our mother used to live like this when she was our age?” Why did my mother never mention aunt Valerie to us?

Also, why did my mother leave her family? Is it because of my father?

“Hey, guys- I’m sorry for that. It’s my assistant. Anyway, let’s go to the best part of this home.” Huh? Where are we going? Wait- is that an elevator?!

“Where are we going?” I asked when I entered the elevator, which brought us to the basement.

“Valerie and I enjoy listening to music. So we build this room to cater to that hobby of ours. We have all kinds of instruments and even family games here. If you ever feel like there’s nothing to do, you guys can use the basement. Oh! There’s even a bowling alley just by that door. And if you’re the type to enjoy the video games, we even have that here.” Wow. I can see how Lawrence's eyes seem excited to see all of this.

The good thing about having this is we don’t have to go to the arcade like we used to. But the bad thing about this is that we might neglect our studies.

“Ah! If you need a quiet room to study, there’s also a library. Valerie and I often travel to all kinds of countries and places for our job. Sometimes we even buy books that seem to be interesting for us. We’re collectors of weird but informative books.” Does she have to mention the weird part?

How weird can a book be? Is it just a book, right? Well, that’s what I thought after all.

***

Last night I had a weird dream. It’s not like I dream about my parents but instead, I dream about my aunt, Valerie. I thought that the woman I dreamed of last night had such a beautiful smile. My aunt doesn’t smile- she doesn’t even talk much.

Just look at her- even when her wife was speaking, all she did was nodding her head and hum her answers. How in the fresh hell doesn’t Raven understand whatever my aunt is telling her? I guess this can be considered as the power of love. Right?

“When are you coming back?” My aunt asked her wife.

“I’m not sure. But if you need me, you can always call my assistant. She will relay the message to me.” My aunt nodded her head once again before eating her breakfast.

“Oh- Gloria, if it’s alright for you, we shall visit the academy the day after tomorrow. Since my schedule is not full on that day.” My aunt suddenly looks up.

“I have a meeting with the director, though. Are you okay handling my niece’s enrolment?” Raven nodded.

“Of course. After all, Gloria is my niece too. But do be there for them today. You’re not doing anything important, right?” My aunt didn’t respond.

“Dear, I know that the final sculpture is completed. It’s not a bad thing to spend your time with your niece and nephew. Perhaps you three can visit the park or maybe drive around the neighborhood, so Gloria is familiarised with her new surrounding.” Raven suggested. To be honest, I do want to look around, but if my aunt is busy, it’s alright though.

“Hmm- since I have to buy some of my art supplies, I guess it’s not a bad idea to bring them out. Alright. We shall leave in an hour.” My aunt stood up from her seat and left the dining table. Raven sighed.

“I’m sorry for that. Your aunt doesn’t talk much, and she often does things according to her own belief without thinking of the circumstances of her action. Please do not take it to heart.” Raven apologized. None taken.

To be honest, my aunt seems like a different person than when she coaxes my brother and me to come and live with her.

“Oh- I have to leave now. Do continue to enjoy your breakfast. If you need seconds, tell the maid to prepare it for you. Have a nice day, Gloria, Lawrence.” Raven was messing up with both of our hair before leaving for work.

I am glad that Raven is far from the evil aunt in fairytale movies. Lawrence continues to enjoy his meal while I casually scroll my phone. I soon regretted it because I accidentally came across hurtful comments from my classmates on my social media.

Even after I transferred out from the school, my old classmate made it their mission to continue tormenting me. What kind of person would edit pictures of my parents like that? Don’t they have any family they care about?

I am considering removing any trace of myself from the internet if this continues. What did I ever do to deserve such treatment? I have never done anything to them before. Why do they need to torment me when I am in grief?

As I was helping my brother by wiping his mouth, I received a notification from my phone. Huh? Why would someone suddenly follow my social media out of the blue? Wait- aunt Valerie?!

How- how many followers does she have? My eyes widen when I look at the significant number of followers on her social media account. I can’t believe I am looking through my aunt’s account.

Wait- I should get ready. Aren’t we leaving in an hour? After helping Lawrence, I thanked the maid and returned to our rooms. Lawrence seems excited knowing that we’re going out, but why do I feel nervous?

“Miss, lady Valerie, and Mr. Lawrence is waiting for you by the car.” Oh- wait, Lawrence went out from his room himself?! What is going on?

I grabbed my bag and went out of my room. I thanked the maid for informing me before walking down the stairs and going to the car where my aunt and brother were waiting.

“Lawrence would like to sit on the front seat.” My aunt said before going inside the driver's seat. I opened the door for Lawrence and helped him buckle his seat. After helping my brother, I went to the back seat and buckled myself.

The drive was awkwardly quiet, but at least my brother doesn’t seem to be affected by this. My aunt even puts on classical music on low as she drives.

“Do you have any hobbies?” My aunt suddenly asked.

“Yea- I have hobbies,” I said while looking outside the windows.

“What kind of hobbies?” Hmm- let me think.

“I like cycling, watching movies, reading books, and I also enjoy road trips. Does that consider as a hobby?” I wonder that myself too.

“What about painting and drawing?” I shake my head no.

“I have no such talent. I don’t know how but the only subject I find it hard to ace is art. Although the teachers keep telling me that art means freedom, the teacher isn’t as kind when she gives out the grading.” I sighed. It still puzzles me when I scored the lowest grade in art class.

Such an embarrassment.

“Art is passion, and it’s one way to express how cruel and innocent the world can be. Art tells the story of the painter who wants to share his inner thoughts with the world. That’s what I think.” Wow- that’s deep.

I can’t help it that every time I look at my aunt, it reminds me of my mother. I truly missed my parents. But I know I shouldn’t

“Are you excited to be at the private academy?” I can’t say that I am not.

“Just a little bit of excitement. I am nervous. Isn’t it illegal for someone to suddenly enter the academy while others wait because of the waiting list?” My aunt shrugged.

“It shouldn’t be a problem. Raven took care of that matter. So what if they put their name on the list? You’re part of the Forest family who contributed a lot to the academy. Don’t worry about such little things. Let the adult handle it.” Somehow under much better after hearing those words from my aunt.

Aunt Valerie is not the terrible person after all. She needs to smile now and then.