Looking at the big mansion in front of her, Amanda didn’t know what she should say or what she was feeling, all she knew was that she was having a severe headache. As she didn’t want to worry her new sister, she smiled at her and tried her best to look strong and not so pale.
“Are you okay?” Ariana asked when she noticed her walking slowly.
Afraid that Ariana had seen through her disguise, she forced a genuine smile and said, “ I am fine. It’s just that…”
She knew that there might not be a lot of people in the house since it's been less than four hours since she met Ariana thus she didn’t think she had told them and if she had, they might not be present.
“Don’t worry, you are a family and we have always loved you even though you haven’t been with us,” Ariana said with a reassuring smile on her face.
“Yes, they may love me but we have been apart for so long. What if they care so much about how I am dressed and feel that I am not worthy?” Amanda couldn’t help but ask since she had seen how some lost daughters of the rich who had been swapped or kidnapped were treated upon returning to the family.
Knowing what was on her sister's mind, Ariana said, “One thing you need to know is that we aren’t like the other rich family. We don’t care what people say. We do what we think is right and makes us happy. So what if you are wearing a low-priced dress? If you weren’t taken from us would you be wearing that? The answer is no. You might be wearing this today but it would be a different story after getting a bath before going to sleep.”
Hearing that, Amanda was touched. Even though she didn’t know how the others would treat her, she knew that she had a shoulder to lean on if something went wrong. She said that she belonged here since even seeing the scenery itself gave her a headache and some pictures came to mind. She could tell that she had lost memories previously but wondered why that happened and why she never knew of that.
“So, are you ready to see your big family? Uncle and aunt are not in that it's only mom and dad and our five brothers, three biological and two who are cousins,” Ariana told her when they were in front of the door.
Amanda was shocked by her words, she had thought that maybe she would just meet her parents but it seemed that we all notified and made sure to arrive as soon as possible. Recalling Ariana’s words that they all knew how to fly planes, it all made sense why they all made it in such a short time.
At the same time, she couldn’t help but worry if something bad happened to any of them.
“We can’t know till I face them,” she responded, making Ariana chuckle before opening the door.
Immediately she opened the door, she saw their butler who was also about to open but was late.
“Young miss,” he said respectfully when he saw Ariana.
“Uncle Wilbur,” Ariana greeted before reaching out to Amanda’s hand and dragging her from where she was hiding.
“Is.. that … no … is … is she. Ariana, did you find little Mandy?” the butler asked with his eyes full of tears.
Even though he was a servant in the house, the family regarded him as their family since he had been present in their life since they were born. He also protected them when they did something and cleaned up their mistakes after their mischievousness.
How could he forget the little troublemaker? If one found to give her attention, she would just go around destroying the person’s stuff till she got what she wanted. But most of the time, when she did that to Adrian, she would be punished instead of getting what she wanted.
“Yes, now can you excuse us? We had a long journey and we are tired,” Ariana said when she saw how the butler and the workers nearby were looking at Amanda as they cried since most of them had worked for them for years.
“Yes. Yes. Welcome back home, Ariana. We’ve missed you so much,” the butler said, making Amanda nod her head since she didn’t know what to say.
As they walked in the corridor, Amanda saw her picture when she was small and felt conflicted. They later arrived in the living room.
Looking at everyone seated there, Amanda could tell that the elders were her parents but the others? They did not talk as they waited to see whether she could remember that. As if she knew what was on their mind, Amanda looked at a particular figure for a long time.
“Brother Adrian,” she said with a pout before starting to cry.
Seeing the scene, everyone had different conflicts while Adrian was surprised and touched. He never thought that she could forget everyone and remember him when he was always so strict with her.
“You remember me, my little troublemaker,” he said as he wiped his tears before standing and walking towards her.
“I am not little anymore, I am a grown woman,” Amanda said as she glared at him.
“How can I forget you when you used to sneak into my bedroom when everyone was asleep to tell me a bedtime story? And at midnight, you would bring me a glass of milk,” Amanda said.
The scenes were clear in her mind, making her feel like crying. All the years, she always thought that her biological family didn’t want her, thus they abandoned her but it seemed she was mistaken. Not only did her parents love her but she always had brothers and a sister who loved her unconditionally.
“You! We always thought you didn’t love her and we loved the most but you always did that behind our back. Guess you didn’t want your image as a stoic, cold, and indifferent person you portrayed before everyone to change. I wonder whether I am really you brother,” a young man said pretending to be angry but deep down, he was happy.
“Little Mandy, can you remember me?"