Lia fought her sleepiness in the car until they arrived the entrance of The Sterling Heights.
She couldn't help but to look at the tall building.
'I heard the people who live here around this building are mostly wealthy people.The luxurious penthouses in this building are known for where a lot of upper class families lives.Castelli Family lives in one of the luxurious penthouse here too.Not even my father can afford to live in a penthouse unit here.'
It was her first time to set foot in this luxurious place.
A young adult man approached the three of them.
"What are you doing here outside?", Xavier asked.
The young man kept looking at her and didn't answer Xavier.It was as if he knows her and he missed her.
Xavier and Alaric stopped walking to meet the man so Lia also stopped wallking.The man and her stared at each other.The more she looks at him the more she notices the man's face resembles her except for his natural blonde hair, high pointed nose and thin lips.Her nose is not flat but more cute like asian.Her lips are also like cherry and was not thin.Overall his beauty is just hers, a western mixed with Chinese blood.
The man frowned while looking at her dull eyes.He felt angry, frustrated, sad, and despressed.He felt as if his heart has been gripped.He should be happy now that Xue was finally found but something is wrong with her eyes.It looks dull.Xue was not like this!She used to smile a lot as far as he remembered.
He remember she would always scream and laugh.She was a sweet girl.She lived like a normal girl.Her personality was not restricted by their parents despite being a royalty princess.She was pampered by them.
He turned to look at Xavier in ache and anger.
"What happened to her?", he asked.
Alaric didn't answer.Xavier however was calm as ever.Even though he met Xue back when they're young, he also knows Xue's personality.There must be something more that have happened to her.
"Let's talk inside the unit.It's already late at night and cold out here.Your sister is already feeling sleepy.", Xavier said to the man.
Lia blinked her eyes and looked up to Xavier.Xavier is taller than her.She wonder,
'How did he know I was feeling sleepy?'
Lia's gaze looked the man in front of her.His eyes were filled with mixed emotions.He moved his eyes away feeling depressed just by looking at her dull eyes and turned around to start walking, leading the way.
This man really looked like he knows her before.She can't remember anything.This was her first time seeing the man.A lot of thought came into her mind.One of it was maybe this man is her biological brother.Maybe her parents are still alive and didn't really abandoned her.
All these thoughts are making her headache and tired.It was already late at night, she needs to sleep.
Eiser was currently walking with his family entered the Sterling Heights and saw Lia's back.She was walking with three guys towards the Elevator.His eyes went bright and immediately called her excitedly.As if he forgot what just happened inside the house of Williamson.
"Lia!!"
Lia stopped walking when her a familiar voice.
The three man noticed Xue stopped walking and looked back.They saw a man touched Lia's hand and made Lia turn around to face him.
Eiser was so happy he Lia here.God is really after him.
"What are you doing here in Sterling Heights?", he asked excitedly but then he realized Lia must be here because the man she was arranged marriage lives here and now they're going to live together starting from now on.His face went black and scoffed.
"Lia, are you here because that ugly fat man is living here?How can you be so cheap of even throwing yourself to an ugly fat man.Eloise said you'll be married into a violent ugly fat man."
Alaric and Xue's brother couldn't help but to get angry.That teenager man just insulted Xue, a Royal Princess for being cheap!
"Who is that man?How dare he insult my sister!And what fat ugly violent man is he talking about!", Xue's brother complained in a low voice that only Xavier and Alaric could here.
The people around also looked at the commotion.When they heard a teenager is here to move with a violent fat ugly man, they felt disgusted as whispered to each other.
"She's so young."-woman 1
"That ugly fat man must be rich."-woman 1
Lia tried to maintain her expression despite her irritation to Eiser's shamelessness.His voice was even so loud that made other people to look at them.He just insulted her in front of everyone with a false rumor.
'Xavier wasn't even fat and ugly.He was also not violent.'
Xavier is handsome with thick brows and dark eyes.His body is not fat but has an aesthetically ripped physique.He is hot and handsome.
She never thought Eiser would have this side of him.A man who would insult a woman in front of many people.
"It's none of your business.", Lia said and turned around to leave but before she could live Eiser again grabbed her wrist in desperation to make her face him.
"Lia, there is still a chance for us.I already broke up with Eloise four days ago.I was really in love with you,huh?Tell me which floor you live.We will see each other tomorrow.You still love me,right?Which floor is it."
Lia felt helpless and tired.She's sleepy and this man is annoying her.
She weakly tried to remove Eiser's hands on her wrist but Eiser tightened his grip as if his life depended on it.Lia helplessly sighed.She wanted to sleep.
Xavier frowned and finally stepped in.
"Hand off her.", he said to Eiser.
Eiser frowned while looking at the unknown man who's seriously looking at his eyes with a slight displeasure.His face is not showing a threatening look but his deep voice and death like aura made Eiser let go of Lia's hand.
Eiser moved his eyes to the man's physique.He couldn't help but to feel insecure.This man is not only handsome but has a good muscled physique that can make women drool.He couldn't help but to feel jealous.
"Who are you?", he asked with a frown but the man didn't answer him and held Lia's hand before turning around.
Lia followed the man and walked towards the two man waiting for them.
Eiser's parents that was behind Eiser hurriedly walked towards their son.
"Let's go to the elevator with them.", Mr. Castelli said to his son.
The three of them hurried and got in.
Ms. Castelli pressed the button of their floor.She then looked at Lia.
"Lia, I'm sorry about my son's behavior just now.Which floor are you in?", Ms. Castelli pretended to be gentle when in fact she was a haughty woman.
Lia looked at the eyes of Ms. Castelli with lifeless eyes.
"I don't know.", she answered honestly.
Although she was annoyed with this people.She still have to show some respect to the elders.
Ms. Castelli couldn't help but to feel pleased at Lia for her good manners.
"Our unit is at the Floor 117.I hope you are so we'll be neighbors.You can come to visit our house anytime.", Ms. Castelli said.
Lia just looked nowhere and didn't nod in agreement because she really doesn't have a plan.Besides, the hand of Xavier is holding hers is distracting her.His hand is playing with her hands.
Ms. Castelli watched the floor numbers.She was hoping Lia would be in a lower floors than theirs.The higher the floors, the more expensive.The Castelli family was stunned when the elevator took them to the Floor 125.The highest penthouse floor level.
Lia's brother, Alaric , Xavier and Lia got out.Before going out, she bowed her head slightly as a form of saying goodbye silently the the Castelli Family.
"125 floor.The highest floor of Penthouse.I can't afford that to buy a unit there.Even the richest upper class is just at the Floor 119.I thought Alaric was just a lowly businessman who's also after Lia.Just who is Alaric?", Mr. Castelli helplessly asked.
"Let's talk.", Xue's brother said to Alaric immediately when they got inside the unit.
While Lia was led to her room by Xavier.The whole room was white but the decorations are designed by light blue and fluffy white and a little light pink just like a luxurious room of a mermaid princess inside the castle in the ocean.
"This will be your room.Your brother Naftali designed this for you.There's also clothes inside.Your brother already investigated you so the clothes I choose for you should fit.The investigation was not that deep though.We still don't know anything about your life.If there's something else that you don't like, just tell us.If you wanna buy something, you can use the bank card I gave you.My pin is 3678.You should sleep early.", Xavier said and gently messed her hair with stoic expression before leaving her and locking the door.
Lia stared a little longer at the closed door with dull eyes.
She was speechless.
That man held her hand and gently messed up her hair.Although his face was emotionless, his touch was intimate.
Lia looked at her room.The queen size bed had a thick foam, the sheets are thick and cuddly.The room was not lacking decorations.Compared to her dull room in the Williamson family.
Lia searched the walk closet and found a walk in closet.It was filled with flashy clothes and flashy bags.Theres also a shoes and a luggage.
Lia was speechless again.
She began to search the bathroom, there's a towel bunch of skin care products.
She took off her clothes and a lot of big bruises can be seen from her arms, back and legs.She took a bath and changed her clothes, cleaned her teeth before sleeping peacefully.
The next morning.Lia woke up at 4 am.She only have a total sleep of 5 hours and her heart was palpitating.She took a bath and tried to find clothes for going out outside but the closet doesn't have long sleeve and and pants.She had no choice but to wear a dress where her arms and legs are visible.
She tried different lotions she found in the bathroom but the bruises are still visible.She tried to put some makeup but she doesn't know how to use it and it was still visible.She had no choice but to get out of her room and search for someone.
She finally found the three at the living room.Her biological brother and Xavier was busy with their laptops and several documents while Alaric was just drinking coffee.
She gathered up her courage.
"Good morning everyone.",she said to everyone
"Uncle Alaric, can u drive me up to a nearby marketplace.I wanna buy something to cover my bruises.I can't find any long sleeves or pants at my closet that will cover these."
The three man was stunned and speechless while looking at Xue filled with big blueish and violet bruises.Some are yellow.It looks like it was done 2-4 weeks ago.One would not help but to get frightened at the bruises and could tell she was beaten every week or so.
Naftali eyes became red and walked towards Xue.
"They did this to you?", her brother Naftali asked with red eyes.
The bruises are so big.Some are small, and some are healing.He could finally tell why his sister's eyes were so dull.He couldn't help but to cry and hugged Xue.His face leaned at her shoulder as he cried weakly.
"They'll pay for this, Xue.I swear.You've suffered for years.I'm so sorry that we've lost you.I'm so sorry it took us so long to find you.I'm so sorry."
Lia's lifeless eyes could help but to tear up as her heart trembled.
'So they didn't abandon me.'