Beethoven's Ode to Joy captivated the eardrums of everyone in the buffet area, among those were delightfully scooping spoonfuls of savory saffron and holding onto more than a bowl of caviar toward their glass tables dressed with clean linens and complete, luxurious silverware.

The wealthy were served with more than a wide array of culture and distinction of culture-laden cuisines from all around the world, they were also awed by the stunning ceiling decorations and pieces of furniture specifically crafted to complement the perfect scenery to please their eyes and uphold their reputation.

The owner of such a renowned and exclusive restaurant was a friend of my father's, a loyal investor in some of his local culinary businesses. Upon seeing me, a table was then set for both of us, and sparkling water was served shortly after. The accommodation was spotless.

Meeting Audrey, once again, was the universe's way of telling me to discover more of the truth than what was laid down before me. I intended to know more about her.

Angry by what I had said, she slammed her two hands on the table. "Are you out of your mind?"

"What are you so scared of? You're not an impostor, are you?" I replied, dialing my mother's number on the phone.

"You promised me shoes, not a fancy dinner together with a woman who basically left me with a gambler of a father."

"It's just a small gathering between the Prawes, or whatever my family name really is," I said, calling my mother on the phone once again, "besides, Louboutins are not one of the cheap ones. You owe me this."

"No. I don't owe you anything."

"Just a second," I mouthed, anticipating an answer.

"Mother, I've called to apologize for not making it to lunch yesterday. My behavior was completely irresponsible and immature."

"It's enlightening that you have got to your senses. Neither your father nor I condone your absences in family obligations, young lady."

"Yes, I understand that. That is why I would like to invite you to dinner tonight at my house. I have someone who'd like to see you, and I'm certain you'd like to talk to her as well," I said, glaring at Audrey.

"M-my daughter? Inviting me...to dinner?"

"No need to make it a big deal. Don't be late."

Delighted by the accepted invitation, I smirked at Audrey who's clearly upset. Just when she was about to talk her way out of it, my eyes got distracted, failing to focus on her and to listen to the words coming out of her mouth. A man was coming towards us.

Standing six foot two, he was wearing the same suit from the Founder's Ball, to which he looked so dashing and undeniably irresistible. His hair, slicked-back, his face, so perfect, and his smile, so daring, that urges your egg cells to dance maniacally, in and out, through your fallopian tubes.

"How did you get in here? This restaurant is exclusively for—"

"Avery, how long will you keep underestimating my charms? It works on anyone, certainly on you," Nate said, sitting down beside me.

Audrey looked at him as if he were a god, utterly awed by his presence. Quickly, she fixed up her hair as she used her phone as a mirror.

"Who is this," she moans, "smoking fella?" With her eyes locked on Nathan's, she rested both of her elbows vertically on the table and her chin on her curled hands, one overlapping the other. Such a gesture was bluntly done to show him she had no ring on her finger.

Seeing her obvious effort, I replied, "he's just my —"

"Ex," he coughs, "lover."

"Nathan Trevmore, pleasure," he stated, kissing her hand like a chivalrous gentleman.

"Audrey Prawes, pleasure is mine. Any chance you're single?"

"Today's your lucky day," he replied, smiling at her then opening the menu.

"So, what are we having?" He raised his hand, attempting to call the blonde waitress standing beside the desserts section.

I spanked his hand, glaring at him, implying to consume only the food we ordered on the table.

"Cocky, I like it," she chuckled. "If you don't mind me asking, are you the problem or my sister?"

"Sister?" He paused. He swallowed the macaroons, and stared at both of us, moving his head. His brows were twisted, and his mouth was stuttering as he tried to analyze our physical attributes.

"You guys are siblings?" He asked, pointing us with his index finger.

"You never told me you had a sister," he said, facing at me. "Oh, no, I'm sorry, Nate. I didn't know it concerns you. Next time, I'll make sure to hang a billboard."

He continued comparing our faces in his mind as he put another macaroon into his mouth and sipped the lemonade juice. "Now I see the resemblance! Your genes are really something."

"Such exquisite beauties," he added, winking at Audrey as he chewed another macaroon.

Smiling, Audrey couldn't take her eyes away from him. And I, obviously, couldn't take my eyes away from her, looking at him.

Remembering Audrey's question, he answered. "Let me put it this way: the brat had too much on her plate, and had to choose between cilantro and parsley. Driven by greed, she ate both and ended up spitting one out, and unfortunately, I was the latter."

"I'm right here, Nate," I said, hitting him with my elbow.

He smirked.

"And can you not proclaim to the heavens that we're sisters? Not until I can confirm it on dinner tonight," I replied.

"Sorry. I'm not in the mood for a family reunion right now."

"Please. I need to know. And our mother needs to come clean about all of this."

Audrey took a deep breath and rolled her eyes in annoyance, refusing to take pity on me.

"Fine. I'll come to your stupid dinner if Nate here," she said, poking his cheeks while biting her lower lip, "comes with us as my date. And no, I won't take no for an answer."

Listening to them flirting, I can't help but feel a little jealous even when I have no right to.

My eyebrows began to move closer to one another, leaving creases in between. I glared at both of them smiling at each other, minutes away from making out.

"Fine," I said, avoiding eye contact, "I'm going now. I still have a lot of things to do at home, so don't be late —- both of you."

As soon as I arrived home, I put on a casual dress inside my room and said a few prayers, hoping tonight would end well. I hastened downstairs and helped Lydia, along with the other maids, to set the table in the dining area.

"Has my mother arrived yet?"

"She's upstairs, Ms. Avery," Lydia replied, folding the table linens.

"How about my father?"

"Your mother came alone."

A few minutes later, Max, Eric's head of security, approached to me, informing me that my guests have arrived. Pretending I'm not bothered by them looking like a real couple, I invited them in and asked them to indulge themselves with some refreshments whilst waiting.

I pulled myself together, reminding myself what this dinner is for. On my way to the kitchen, Nate followed me behind.

"So you've managed to escape," I said.

"Don't tell me you're jealous."

Rolling my eyes, I asked, "Why are you here exactly?"

"What are you talking about? Your long lost sister invited me as her plus one."

"No. How did you find me anyway?"

"Avery, you and I are like magnets. We have this magnetic force that pulls us together," he said, gazing passionately, taking a few steps closer to me, with his hands touching my waist, "I will always find you, and you'll always know when I'm there."

I took my eyes off him, breathing heavily. I walked away, and said, "you're the one who keeps barging into my house unwanted. If Eric sees you, he would —"

"Eric would what? As if he's ever in the house. Guy's like a ghost."

"That's because he's a hardworking man. Not that you would understand any of that, though."

"You've never even had sex since you were married," he said. "No, scratch that, since forever."

"Oh my God! Are you stalking me?"

"Tell me if you'd rather have my penis to wake you in the morning."

"Asshole."

"I know," he replied, winking at me. He walked to the dining area and signaled me to come over right away.

My mother had already gone down without knowing who to expect. The very second she saw Audrey close up, extreme shock slapped her soul from her body.

"Have you forgotten how much your firstborn has grown? Or are you shocked that I'm still even alive?" Audrey asked, crossing her arms and pursing her lips.

Overwhelmed, her entire body quivered in fear, swallowed whole in intense emotions. "Audrey..." She said, reaching out to her.

"Wonderful! You still remember my name," she replied, "because for a second there, I thought you forgot about me."

"Oh, wait, you already have."

Both argued about unsolved issues in the past way before I was a part of the picture, and apparently, my birth added much fuel to the already flaming relationship they had into a mountain of dried leaves and plastic, leaving the hateful flames to burn more bridges as it progresses. 

Nate and I exited the scene and made our way back to the kitchen. "I thought we're all having rich people dinner tonight, not witnessing a live soap opera," he said in a soft voice, leaning closer to my left ear.

"Don't look at me. You're the one who agreed to come."

"Avery!" called my mom, with a hint of uneasiness in her tone.

"Nate, I think it's best if you'd leave. This is a family matter. You're irrelevant. Scram."

"You owe me dinner," he replied, making his way out through the back door.

From the kitchen, I brought over some watermelon slices. "Yes, mother?" I responded. Both of them were standing far from each other, and the food was untouched.

"Walk me through it," she said, breathing heavily.

"After the wedding, a friend of mine came to deliver terrible news: Sarah's passing."

"Sarah? As in, your best friend in high school?"

"Don't even pretend like you care about her right now. You don't even know her," I said, raising my voice.

My mother kept her mouth shut, allowing me to continue.

"Her boyfriend, Drew Hillstone, and I visited the cemetery she was buried in, and there I saw Audrey."

"Now, it's your turn to talk, oh, so great and selfless mother," she said, pointing at her, "who doesn't turn her back on one of her children just to spread her legs to some rich guy whose bank account obviously is more valuable to you than my life."

"Go on, walk us through on your journey. Your story better be mind-blowing," she added, taking a seat.

Despite my sister's rowdy behavior, my mother has remained quiet, eating away the guilt.

"Mother, tell me everything and don't you dare leave anything out or even think about covering the truth with another lie. I've had enough," I said.

She cried before she could open her mouth, unable to hold back her tears.

"I admit I had to do some things that I absolutely abhor but everything I did was —"

"Who is my real father?" I asked.

"What are you talking about? William's your father."

"Mom, I already know."

"It's about time you introduce my little sister to Julian, the gambler," Audrey said.

"Mom, please," I said, holding her hand, "no more lies."

"Your real father is Julian Prawes. The three of us lived in Trepossiene. Your father, Avery, was a good man. We fell in love —"

"Stop before I puke," Audrey said, acting like she's about to hurl. I glared at her, signaling her to quit the commentaries.

"By the time I was pregnant with you," my mother said, looking at me, "Julian started to change, gambling and drinking all night. And I was so scared, Avery, I was so scared."

"I was scared he won't be able to provide for our family, to take care of both of you, to be a good father. He spent his hard-earned money on alcohol, casinos, and women. He wasn't the man I used to know and love anymore," she said, wiping her tears with the table napkin, "and so I had to fix things with my own hands. I worked at one of your daddy's starting companies, and, he, uh —- he was so gentle to me."

"So how did I end up with William as my father?" I asked.

"Yeah, Elizabeth, how exactly did you and my little sister end up living the dream life while I got to play babysitter to Julian?"

"Your father threatened to kill me, baby," she shouted, bursting in tears. "He said if I'd take you too, he would go after me and your sister. I'm sorry, Audrey, please, please believe me."

"If you really loved me, you would've come back for me! I was only six years old. And you left me with a bastard of a father."

"Audrey...baby, please."

"No, Elizabeth, you don't get to play the victim. The audacity for you to shed the light on your sake. You're a monster. You're no mother to me." She turned her back and walked away.

I followed her, asking her to stay for a little while. "I told you all of this was a bad idea," she said, recalling the quarrel that had happened. She picked up her bag and avoided me.

"Look at the bright side, Audrey," I said, blocking her way, "at least we finally know the truth. It's better than not knowing."

"Easy for you to say, you've got nothing to lose. Stop the whining. You're pathetic."

"I understand how you feel. Ju—"

"I may be your sister but you know nothing about me; let alone understand what I've been through," said Audrey, wiping the tears gathering in her eyes.

Adamant about leaving, with understandable reason, she continued to walk briskly, ignoring the remorseful sound of my voice as I called her not once, but plentiful times, to come back.

Gazing intently over the woman whom has known me more than I've known her, I concluded that inside the brave, undaunting act she put up to protect herself is a loving girl whom have known loss more than any other at such a young age, and whom have tortured herself into hoping she wouldn't have to experience yet again the same amount of trauma, now that she has reunited with the people that have abandoned her, but whom she considered as family.