The Limelight Lust

The Cousin

The Cousin

Kirby's PoV

What a bad news. My aunt and cousin were on their way to visit us. I have nothing against my Aunt Cecil. She is undoubtedly a cool aunt, but her son, Jeffrey, is not. When we were still in Davao, he used to tease and bully me. We are the same age, yet he behaves like a brat and a bully. In front of old folks, he acts like an innocent child, yet a monster to me when no one is around. I have no idea why he hates me so much. I told Lia about it, and she just said Jeffrey was simply jealous of me.

"Why would he be jealous of me? There's nothing to be jealous about," I asked confusedly.

"Because you're always at the top of your class. You excel in whatever you do, And you have a great Dad," answered Lia.

Oh, I didn't expect Lia to think of me that way. She barely compliments me. Jeffrey is an illegitimate child. I guess Lia was right, Jeffrey was envious of me because of Dad.

"And you're such a cutie," she added.

Oh, wow. Lia must be in a good mood to say that. If she says so, then I will put it that way. She tapped my head and started to tidy her room. A few minutes later, I overheard Aunt Cecil's high-pitched voice on the front lawn. I took a deep breath after I heard Mom's roll call of my name, Lia's, and Callie's.

Lia responded to Mom's call and hurriedly went downstairs while I listlessly walked down the stairs. I heard another footstep behind me. I know it's from Callie. I stopped in the middle of the staircase and Callie bumped into my back.

"Oh, I'm sorry," she said.

I turned around to see her. I should be the one apologizing, but she's too meek. I really can't believe how soft-hearted she is. I just looked at her eyes sternly, and she kept on apologizing. Oh, goodness! Callie, stop doing that. I continued walking down the stairs until I saw Aunt Cecil and Jeffrey sitting in the living room together with Mom, Dad, and Lia.

All eyes were on me, but suddenly they turned their gaze at my back. All right, they were looking at Callie who's behind me. She was trying to hide herself. I know she was overwhelmed by those pair of eyes fixed on her.

"Oh, who's that girl?" Aunt Cecil asked while looking at Callie.

"Ah, she's our foster child. She will stay here after she graduates," Dad said.

I was surprised or maybe disappointed, knowing that Callie would just stay for a while. Their graduation is just around the corner, three months to be exact. So it means Callie would just stay with us for three months.

"Foster child? I didn't know that you do social work now," said Aunt Cecil.

"Ah no, sis, but kinda," Mom said, uncertain of her answer. "It's hard to explain, sis."

"Come here, dear. Let me introduce you." Dad called Callie to come over.

Callie sat alongside Lia, smiling sheepishly at Aunt Cecil. I just stood by her. I looked at Jeffrey, who was staring intently at Callie. I bet he was also captivated by her angelic face. I understood him this time. He must have felt that I was gazing at him, he looked back at me with those serious-looking eyes. When our eyes met, we combated each other's stares. He looked away when Aunt Cecil called my name. I walked towards her to kiss her cheek.

After giving courtesy to Aunt Cecil, Mom and Dad told us to go to our room to study or play outside, or somewhere else. They need to discuss something important, therefore we have to give them privacy. There was nothing we could do but to obey. Since Lia is the eldest among us, we have to follow her. She decided to go outside and play in the backyard.

Callie whispered in Lia's ear. I wonder what she said.

"Oh, sure. No problem," Lia said, and then looked at me. "Kirby, get our bicycles inside the garage," she yelled.

So, that was what Callie asked of her. She wants to ride a bicycle. I went to the garage to get what Lia told me, one at a time. I came back to the backyard from the garage with my bicycle. My brows furrowed by the sight I was seeing. Callie hopped onto Lia's bike and Jeffrey was holding her hand to support her. Callie doesn't know how to ride a bicycle. I don't know why it irritates me seeing them together and Callie seems to enjoy the attention she's getting from Lia and Jeffrey.

I hopped onto my bike and rode around the backyard. I almost fell off because I was out of focus. Callie often gets my attention for no reason. She just irritates me. She was struggling so hard, so she gave up after a couple of tries. They were all laughing, even Jeffrey, who seldom smiles, seemed to be enjoying the moment.

Finally, Mom called us for snacks. I think they were already done with their discussion. Lia, Callie, and Jeffrey hastened while I listlessly followed them till we reached the dining room. Jeffrey sat in between Callie and Lia while I sat across them. I now hate Jeffrey. He's like a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Mom served a heavy snack for all of us, including Dad and Aunt Cecil. They joined us at the round table. Maybe they will tell us what they have discussed.

"Cora, does Kirby have extra clothes? Jeff has nothing to wear," Aunt Cecil asked Mom. I stopped from chewing my food and everybody looked at me. Why? Are they staying here in our house? No way! I won't share my bed with Jeffrey.

"Yeah, don't worry. He has plenty," Mom simply answered. What the heck. Will they stay with us too? I hope not.

But my hope failed me.

"Thank you sis, thank you, Johnny." Aunt Cecil exclaimed, and a smirk on her lips. "I know you won't let us down. Would be 'hypocrisy at its finest' if you wouldn't let us stay while some random kid you took in," Aunt Cecil said sarcastically.

She was referring to Callie.

"Aunt Cecil," I politely called her, and she just smiled, implying that she was ready to answer.

I continued with my question. "Aunt Cecil, are you and Jeffrey going to stay with us tonight?

"Not just tonight, darling. For a year."

Lia and I were taken aback by what Aunt Cecil told us. Will my bully cousin stay in our house for a year? No way!

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TO BE CONTINUED. . .