My Aunt, Valerie

The Weekends

THIRD-PERSON POV

“How is your first week of attending the academy?” Raven asked Gloria, who finally joined them for breakfast.

“Are you planning to go out? Where are you going, and with who?” Valerie added.

“School was fun, and I decided to join the book club. My friend Emma and Tommy invited me to the city since they want to show me around their favorite spot.” Raven smiled while Valerie spread butter on her toast.

“Emma Bradley and Tommy Rue?” Gloria nodded.

“Do you know who they are, aunty?” Valerie shrugged her shoulder.

“We know their parents. It’s good that you made friends with them. I’m sure they will treat you good.” Gloria smiled after she heard what Raven said.

“Most of the students at the academy are kind and friendly. At first, I was skeptical, but it turns out they’re just nice because it’s how they were raised. I thought those born with a silver spoon in their mouth would act high and mighty, just like the students at my former school. I’m so glad they’re accepting.” Raven chuckled.

“I’m sure you’ll have more friends and finally enjoy your school experience, Gloria. Make good memories with them.” Gloria nodded before she looked at the time and drank her hot tea with haste.

“Oh my God- be careful. Do not burn yourself.“ Raven is genuinely concerned about Gloria’s action while Valerie watches her niece quietly.

“Do you need money?” Valerie asked. Gloria shook her head no.

“I haven’t spent much of the money you gave me before.” Valerie hummed.

“Miss Gloria, there’s a person named Emma Bradley is waiting for you in the living room.” A maid walked in and informed Gloria.

“Oh! Thank you, Rowena. I have to go. I won’t be late. Bye!” Gloria waved her hands before excusing herself.

“I’m glad that Gloria manages to get herself a friend at the academy. Lawrence, what should we do today? It’s the weekend, after all. Do you have somewhere to go? Perhaps the theme park?” Lawrence shakes his head before showing Raven a leaflet inside Valerie’s studio.

“Art exhibition? You want to go see the exhibition instead of having fun?” Lawrence nodded his head before looking at Raven with sad eyes.

“Please don’t do that. You’re making my heart fluttered for no reason.” Lawrence looks at Raven with begging eyes before she finally gives up.

“Fine- let’s go to the exhibition. What about you, Valerie? Are you joining us?” Valerie shook her head no.

“I have to finish my work. You two can enjoy yourself.” Raven sighed.

“It’s going to be just us, Lawrence.” Lawrence smiled before eating his breakfast heartily. While Valerie was eating her toast, she received a text from Brian about what she asked the man to find out before.

Raven watched as his wife looked at her phone before placing it down on the table again.

“Who was it?” Raven asked before drinking her coffee.

“Brian. He said he found the report that I wanted.” Raven placed her cup down.

“Isn’t that illegal? Why would he go so far for you?” Valerie shrugged.

“Maybe because he owes me a favor. Who knows.” Valerie pushed her plate forward after eating her toast.

“Maybe we shouldn’t talk about this in front of the kid. I finished my breakfast. Have fun today. I promise I will get out the next outing together.” Valerie patted Lawrence on the head before excusing herself from the dining hall.

“Lawrence, are you sad that Valerie couldn’t join us today?” Lawrence shakes his head no.

“Really? Are you okay with hanging out with just me today?” Lawrence nodded his head before reaching out for his notepad. Raven smiled when she read what Lawrence had written down.

“Your teacher told you to hang out with us more and find out our interest? Is that why you want to go to the exhibition? You want to learn more about art and understand your aunt more?” Lawrence nodded his head again.

Raven smiled as she watched Lawrence writing on the notepad again.

“What’s your favorite food?” Raven read out as she read the words Lawrence wrote in the notepad.

“My favorite food? That’s a hard question. I love food. Hmm- if I have to say my ultimate favorite, it would be pizza and burgers.” Raven chuckled.

“Why do you give me that look? Yes- I love fast food. What did you expect, Lawrence? Also, what’s your favorite food?” Lawrence pointed at a plate of sausages.

“Oh- you like sausages?” Lawrence nodded. Raven turned her attention to the head maid.

“Did Lawrence ask for sausages himself?” The head maid nodded.

“It seems the child is opening up to us. I’m glad. Anyway, Rowena, please inform the driver that I need him to get the car ready. I won’t be driving today.” The head maid nodded before excusing himself to relay the message to the driver.

“Milady, you have a message from the attorney general.” Raven looks at the maid with confusion in her eyes.

“Attorney general? Why would I have a message from that man?” Raven reached out to the piece of paper and read it.

“I see. It’s about the gala dinner. And here I thought it would just end normally. Why is everything going the opposite of what I originally planned?” Raven sighed before telling the maid to dispose of the message.

“Lawrence, I have to get ready for our outing. If you’re done, inform the maid, alright?” Lawrence nodded. Raven smiled before excusing herself.

“Sir Lawrence, do you want more milk?” Lawrence nodded. The maid smiled when she read Lawrence’s note.

“Your welcome, sir Lawrence.” Rowena came back to the dining hall and smiled at the child.

“Lady Valerie will have a guest today. And I heard that the guest is really important and works for the police. Please remember to conduct yourself as servants of the Forest household. I do not want to see the same thing happen again today. Luckily the lady was not her usual self that day.” The young maids nodded their heads as Rowena warned them to behave.

“Good.” Rowena smiled at Lawrence.

“Please enjoy your day today, sir Lawrence.” Lawrence nodded before smiling back.

***

"Tommy, are you sure that you can drive? I know that you recently received your license bit can you drive on the road? I'm afraid I'm going to vomit because of you." Emma said while grabbing on Tommy's collar.

"Relax! I know how to drive. Don't worry too much. My father personally taught me how to drive and even have my license. Just sit and enjoy the scenery. Also, please remove your hand from my collar. I need to focus." Gloria patted Emma's shoulder before smiling at her.

"Tommy knows what he is doing. Let's not give him too much pressure." Gloria suggested before trying to calm Emma from her sudden outburst.

"See that- even Gloria had her faith in me. Also, are we going to the mall first?" Tommy asked.

"Yea. After visiting the mall, then we will show Gloria around the city. I need to buy something from the mall first before it gets sold out." Emma explained. Tommy hummed as he continued to drive after the light turned green.

"Please do not exceed the speed limit. I'm begging you, and I need to live longer so that I can enjoy life more." Tommy and Gloria chuckled.

"You haven't been in the same car as my aunt. Tommy is a good driver, but my aunt; doesn't care much. Even after her wife yells at her to slow down, she ignores her words." Gloria said before smiling at Emma.

"We're here!" Tommy announced as he entered the mall parking lot.

"See- it wasn't that bad, right?" Tommy chuckled before he speeds up just so that he could get to the parking spot near the entrance.

"Why would you do that!? I almost had a heart attack!" Tommy laughed together with Gloria.

"Is it your mission today to make me suffer? I'll be driving after this." Tommy looks at Emma with skeptical eyes.

"You don't have a license. Sorry, but I can't let you drive. I had to repeat a year, which makes me legal age to drive a car. You need to wait for another year, Emma." Tommy said before getting out of his car. Gloria and Emma follow suit before they walk towards the mall while talking.

"What are you planning to buy here, Emma?" Tommy asked the moment they entered the mall. Emma smirked before leading Tommy and Gloria to a familiar store.

"A phone shop!? Does it have to be today!?" Emma nodded.

"A new model just came out, and I want to have it. Come on, let me enjoy this day by rewarding myself with a new phone." Emma looks like a kid who finally gets her freedom while Tommy and Gloria follow her around.

"Are you into gaming, Gloria?" Gloria nodded as she looked at the gaming setup displayed at the store.

"I love gaming. But I need to study hard to be a successful individual that makes my family proud. But I did find some free time and went to the arcade from time to time." Tommy smiled.

“What are you two talking about?” Emma came back to her friends with a smile on her face.

“I was asking Gloria if she likes playing games. Anyway, did you buy the phone you want?” Emma nodded before showing the bag in her hand.

“I did. Let’s go. Or should we walk around the mall for a bit? Who knows, we might find something interesting.” Emma suggested. The trio decided to walk around the mall and enjoyed their time together. While Gloria was having fun, her eyes suddenly landed on a group of people she thought she wouldn’t meet ever again.

Gloria decided to leave, but it was too late for one of the girls within the group to notice her.

“I never thought we would meet each other like this, Gloria. How long has it been? Two weeks perhaps?” Gloria takes a step back. Tommy and Emma look at each other before grabbing hold of Gloria’s hands.

“Let’s go, Gloria. We don’t need to stay here.” Emma said as she tried to pull Gloria away.

“Hold on- what’s the rush? You two must be the students from the academy. Aren’t you shy to be seen together with this fatso? That girl is going to ruin your image.” The girl suddenly realized something.

“Is this because of her rumor aunt to be one of the big shots in the country? I doubt so, though. If she is a member of a prestigious household, why would she live like a pauper?” Tommy takes a step forward.

“Watch your mouth. No one can speak I’ll of my friend like that. Who are you? What kind of person would look down on others? In the future, make yourself presentable before being rude to others. You’re not even that beautiful, to begin with. And whO gave you the right to call Gloria fat?” Tommy questions the girl back.

“Take a step back, loser. So what if you’re a student from the academy? I heard p*****s like you don’t know how to protect oneself. All you care about is seeking help from your parents! Make yourself useful, pretty boy- don’t make me hurt your face.” Tommy stood face to face with a guy who thinks he’s all that.

“I assume you’re that ugly girl’s boyfriend. Well, what a fitting duo. One of an ugly b***h, and the other is a Neanderthal.” The guy was about to hurt Tommy with his fist when the mall security came to the rescue.

“Is there a problem here?” The security asked before greeting Emma.

“Miss Emma! Welcome. I’m sorry for the inconvenience. But what happened here?” The security asked. Gloria was surprised when the guards seemed to know Emma.

“Oh- hello. This group of people is causing trouble for my friends and me. Make sure never to let these faces enter my mall ever again.” The securities nodded before escorting the group of students from Gloria’s former school out from the mall.

“Wait- hold on! Your mall?” Gloria asked. Both Tommy and Emma smiled.

“I thought you would notice the name of this mall, Gloria.” Gloria shook her head no.

“Emma’s family owns this mall. Hence the name, Bradley Megamall.” Gloria’s eyes widen. Emma chuckled.

“Thank you, guys. I almost cause you two trouble because of my past. I’m sorry.” Tommy and Emma waved it off.

“Let’s forget about it enjoy ourselves.” Emma smiled.

“Emma’s right. We’re friends, aren’t we? And friends help each other.” Tommy was about to place his hand on Gloria’s shoulder when Emma slapped it off.

“Ruby will kill you.” Tommy sighed.

“Ruby?” Tommy laughed it off.

“It’s nothing. Come- let’s enjoy ourselves.”