18 years later
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"My babies are turning eighteen today, time flies so fast," Macy said, the sudden realization that her children were fast approaching adulthood hit her like tsunami.
"Yes it does indeed, and tomorrow they'll be heading off to college," Artie said too as she supervised the maids while they decorated the house. She was a lot older now, frail even but still had a lot of strength to get things done.
"Really, this looks like the decorations for kids, what are we, Five?" Rina said as she and her sister Rhea, descended from the stairs.
Rina St.Clair stepped into the room like she owned it — and in that moment, she did. Her long, wavy blonde hair cascaded down her back in soft, effortless curls, catching the light with every step. Her hazel eyes shimmered with flecks of gold, framed by thick, fluttery lashes that gave her a sultry, movie-star allure.
She wore a designer skirt suit that turned heads — a custom Balmain-inspired ensemble, bold yet elegant. The blazer was sharply tailored to her hourglass figure, cinched at the waist with a gold chain belt that matched the sculpted lion-head buttons. The fabric was a pearlescent ivory with a hint of shimmer, catching the light in flashes like diamonds.
Beneath the blazer, a lace bustier peeked through — soft blush pink, romantic and delicate, balancing the structured power of her suit. The skirt was a high-waisted pencil cut, hugging her curves, ending just above the knee with a daring thigh slit that whispered luxury and danger all at once. Crystal-studded heels elongated her legs, and each step echoed power and seduction.
Her accessories were minimal but striking — chandelier diamond earrings, a single cuff bracelet, and a vintage clutch. Her nails were glossy nude with subtle glitter tips, and her makeup was red carpet-ready: Rina didn't just wear fashion — she was fashion.
If Rina turned heads with fire and flair, Rhea held their gaze with quiet wonder.
She had the same long, golden blonde hair as her sister, but wore it in a looser, more natural way — sun-kissed waves that looked like they'd been tousled by wind and time, not a stylist's hand. Her face mirrored Rina's — the same soft cheekbones, gentle lips, and perfect symmetry — but where Rina's gaze commanded, Rhea's calmed.
Her eyes were the only true difference between them. Golden amber, warm and deep, like melted honey catching the sunlight — eyes that didn't flash but glowed. You could get lost in them without even meaning to.
Rhea's beauty wasn't dressed in couture or diamonds. Though she opts for a tomboy-ish style, favoring a soft plaid flannel shirt, slightly oversized, sleeves rolled casually to her elbows. The buttons were mismatched, as if she'd sewn one back on in a hurry without worrying whether it matched — and somehow, that made her even more charming. Her jeans were faded and slightly frayed at the knees, comfortably hugging her legs like old friends. The soles of her white sneakers were scuffed, stories clinging to every scratch.
Yet she moved with an effortless grace, as if the world bent slightly to her rhythm
Where Rina was glamor incarnate, Rhea was the kind of beauty that bloomed slowly — the kind that lingered long after she'd walked away. It wasn't just in her face or her figure — it was in the way she looked at people, listened, understood. Her beauty wasn't worn, it was — woven into her soul.
"What Rina's trying to say is that — we appreciate the effort," Rhea smiled.
The twins had grown into beautiful young ladies, While Rina was the hot type of beauty, Rhea was the extremely cute type.
"I know, you girls are literally adults now, it's just... it's like tradition to decorate the house on your birthdays," Macy smiled, holding both her daughters hands warmly in hers.
"I see there's a lot of gifts from Dad again, let me guess, no show again this year?" Rina asked.
"Rina, your father..."
"...Is right here," A voice resounded behind them, right at the entrance of the large mansion.
"Dad!?"
"Just because you see a bunch of gifts does that mean I won't attend my own daughters 18th birthday?"
"I can't believe you're actually here," Rhea couldn't believe her eyes, she rushed towards him and embraced her father whom they hardly see.
"You've done it before, so why not now?" Rina was also surprised that their father came, but she was in no mood to forgive him for the amount of years he stayed away.
"Come on now Rina, is that anyway to welcome your Father?" Tom asked, outstretching his arms as if waiting for a hug. She rushed into his embrace , she had missed him so much that seeing him right now was making her sentimental and she couldn't play hard to get.
"I missed you girls so much," Tom said kissing their forehead.
"We missed you too Daddy," Rhea smiled warmly.
"Speak for yourself Rhea, I also have my own feelings. If you missed us so much, then you'd have found a way to spend more time with us," Rina pulled away, folding her arms.
"Rina, the company in Singapore needs my attention or else we'll go bankrupt,"
"Your daughters need you lr attention too Daddy, it's not fair," This time it was Rhea who spoke with a pout.
"I'm sorry sugarplum, I really wish that I had the chance to spend time with my family, but if the company goes bankrupt we could lose everything," Thomas said. " You wouldn't want Daddy to lose everything, would you?
"No Dad," Rina said.
"Now that that's settled, how have you been, my love?" Thomas asked walking up to Macy and then held her hand in his, looking at her affectionately.
"It's been hard, it's hard without you here with me," Macy said, tears of joy trickling down her cheeks and then she embraced him.
"Am sorry my love, I can only imagine how hard it's been for you, please forgive me," Thomas kissed his wife hands.
"It wasn't that hard, they're my lovely daughters, I enjoy every moment I spend with them," Macy said, embracing Thomas and then they kissed.
"Come on you two, get a room, not Infront the kids," Artie scolded.
"Ah, Artie, Thank you so much for your help and devotion to my family," Tom walked up to Artie giving the old nanny a hug.
"Don't bother thanking me, they're my family too, it's my responsibility," She said.
"I will make sure you're highly compensated,"
"Now that I can't say no too, this old lady has gotta make way for her next descendants," She said and the room was filled with laughter.
Seeing the family together made the girls happy, they were smiling wide as if they've just been tickled by a feather.
"Thank you Artie, I hope I'm opportuned to taste your delicious cooking — oh, and your masterpiece, mashed potatoes," Tom said.
"Like father, like daughter, that one also loves my mashed potatoes — it's her favorite," Artie pointed at Rhea.
"Rhea and I have always had lots of things in common, I guess this one joins the list too then. We're both allergic to daisies, we both enjoy drawing..."
"...Rhea also wants to be part of a band and do music like you were during your teenage years," Macy interrupted.
"Oh really?" Tom asked, he knew he and his daughter had a lot in common — but now it's like they were basically the same person, it kills him to know that his daughters were now big girls, he was hardly part of their childhood — he didn't get to play with them, he only came back once in a year to have dinner with them and then fly back that same day.
"Enough about Rhea, geez, it's always Rhea, Rhea, Rhea, what am I — a stick?" Rina asked, she was right there and all they were talking about is her twin — how annoying.
"How about you Rina, have you ever thought of joining a band?" Tom asked.
"Ew, no, never — gross, I want to be a fashion designer and work in the company just like you," Rina said, "That's something we have in common Daddy,"
"Ah—um, that's great but Rina you know it wasn't my dream to become the CEO of St.Clair fashion industries, I always wanted to do music, like your sister here I was all about art. But it just so happened that I became the companies president due to the early demise of your grandfather — my father didn't give me a choice so am giving you that," Tom said sternly.
"Just because you or Rhea are interested in articles..."
"...Artistry—," Rhea whispered, correcting her sister's grammatical error.
"—Artistry, that doesn't mean I am, like I said and have told my dear sister countless time, I am my own person, with my own will and that is to become the CEO of St.Clair's fashion industries," Rina said.
"Okay, my bad," Thomas said. "That reminds me, I have a surprise for you girls,"