CHAPTER 37: BEING AN OLDER SISTER
Winter’s POV
“I heard you took a child in. Are you going to adopt her?” Haley asked me.
“It’s Matthew’s. I have nothing to do with that kid.”
She nodded her head as she took a sip of her coffee. This woman really has a strong radar for gossip. I haven’t even told anyone about Elisse. Only Matthew and Grandpa know about her living in the mansion. I don’t know where she heard about it.
“Who’s Matthew?”
I almost fell from my chair when Ian suddenly whispered in my ear. I turned around and glared at him.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?!”
“Oh, did I surprise you? For sure, you’re hiding something from me.”
“And so what? Do I have to tell you everything about me? Who do you think you are? Also, can you stop appearing anywhere? You’re like a mushroom.”
Ian laughed sarcastically. “You’re too harsh, Winter. Do you know that we are nominated as the best couple of the year? There is a high chance for us to win if you’re going to work harder.”
“Who cares about that nomination, anyway?”
“Well, I do care about it. And I also think it would be good publicity for the two of us.”
“Go on and strive harder. I know how much you need that publicity. I don’t.”
“Oh, really?”
***
After filming, I went straight to the mansion and saw Olivia sitting on the couch. I gave my bag to one of the maids and sat on the couch. “Were you able to enroll her already?”
“Yes, Miss Winter. Also, they have given me her I. D and uniform. Although I also had to argue with them about the child’s guardian. Good thing they recognized your family and immediately provided me the things I need.”
“That’s good then. Thanks, Olivia. You may now go.”
“Thank you, Miss Winter. I will go now.”
As soon as she left, I looked at the things that she had brought. I actually asked Olivia to find a good school where Elisse could study. I always catch her reading books and ask Matthew whenever she can’t understand something. And so I thought that maybe it would be better if she’ll to attend proper schooling. At least when she gets to finish studying, she could find a decent job and live on her own.
“Hey, Winter.”
Matthew called me as soon as he arrived home. I glanced at him. “Have you seen Elisse?”
“Huh? Isn’t she here?”
“She was helping the gardener a while ago. Although I am pretty sure help is the right term for what she was doing.”
“Wait, is that a pre-school uniform?” he said while looking at the uniform which I put on the center table.NôvelDrama.Org © content.
I nodded my head. “Right. What else do you think?”
His eyes widened, then a smile appeared on his face. “You mean… Elisse is finally going to study?”
“Well, I just think it would be best for her. At least she will no longer have to annoy every single person in this house.”
“You’re beginning to be attached to her, Winter. You’re being a good sister to Elisse.”
I stood up and faced him. “Hey. Just to make things clear here. I am not doing this for that annoying kid. I am doing this because I don’t want her annoying every single person here and interrupting them during work hours. And also, this is not for free. Since she sees you as her brother, you’ll be the one to pay her school fees and other expenses.”
“There’s no problem with that. I am willing to bear every exp[ensews that needs to be fulfilled for her study. I was actually planning to enroll her in a good school, but then you were able to do it before I do.” he said, still smiling.
Then all of a sudden, Elisse suddenly appeared with her face looking as if she smeared mud on it. There were also leaves on her hair. She smiled as soon as she saw me and Matthew talking to each other.
“Miss Winter, Brother, are you hanging out with each other?” she asked, obviously teasing me and Matthew.
“No, we’re not,” I answered.
Matthew knelt down in front of Elisse and wiped the dirt on her face with his handkerchief. “We were just discussing something.”
“Huh? What were you discussing? Oh, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t ask about the conversation between two adults.”
“It’s alright, Elisse. Actually, it has something to do with you.”
Elisse’s brows furrowed. “About me?”
“Uh-huh.” Matthew glanced at me before speaking to Elisse again. “Wait, let’s have your sister say it.”
“W-Wait, why me? You were the one who looked so excited telling her about it.”
“But it’s you who did it for her. You should be the one to tell her.”
Elisse was just looking at the two of us, probably waiting for us to finally tell her about what we’d been wanting to say. I really hate it when someone’s waiting for me to say something. I rolled my eyes and heaved a deep sigh. “Fine. Starting tomorrow, you’ll start going to school. You’ll wear that uniform and your brother, Matthew, would be the one to drive you there every morning. Also, she will be the one to pick you up. And, just to remind you, you can’t just go to school and sit there. You need to study hard, or else I’ll take it back.”
And since this kid has a habit of crying whenever she’s happy about something, she began crying once again. “T-Thank you so much… Miss Winter… I will really do my best at school and I won’t disappoint you and brother…”
“That’s good then. Just make sure you’ll keep your promise.”
“You should really try your best and don’t disappoint us, okay?” Matthew said.
Elisse nodded her head. “I promise! I will study hard!”
He also asked Elisse to try the uniform and they were both so happy about it. I just left them there since I don’t want drama.