Chapter 3 3

RHEA'S POV

Everyone was having breakfast except me because I had long forgotten the food in front of me and focused all my attention on my phone. I was busy doing some research on the Joseon Dynasty.

The book I was writing for my final project was titled Royal Deception and it was based on the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. At the end of the online class session, we were to submit our masterpiece which would be reviewed by some editors and they would pick a winner whose book would be published in paperback and the writer would be given recognition.

My online school has been holding a writing contest every year and my book has come third or second since I joined two years ago. That year was my final year and my last chance to win the contest which was why I put all my effort into it this year.

"Rhea, I've told you about using your phone on the table. This is why you are using eye contact in the first place." My mom scolded.

"Just to be clear, I love my eye contact, and I'm almost done," I said with my eyes still glued to my phone.

"Put the phone down and finish your breakfast, you have the whole day to finish whatever you are doing," she said with a pleading tone but I ignored her.

"I'll take that." Leah grabbed the phone from my hand.

"What the fuck are you doing?" I glared at her. "Give me back my phone."

"I'll give it back when you finish your breakfast."

"Dad, tell Leah to give me my phone," I whined.

My dad, who has been quiet ever since we started eating, turned to Leah. "Give it back to her."

"Dad, it's because you are spoiling her too much that's why she never listens to anybody."

It was true. My dad has always been supportive of me no matter what I did which sometimes made my sister jealous. But she should have expected it the moment she got me as a younger sister. I mean, I was cute as a child and everyone fell for my puppy dog eyes, except Leah of course. She would refer to me as a little wolf in sheep's clothing.

I couldn't blame her though, I was very stubborn as a kid and she was the one who always suffered from my stubbornness because I couldn't leave the house to annoy anyone else.

"Just give it to her." My dad sighed and I stuck my tongue out at my sister as she placed the phone in my outstretched hand.

She glared at me before turning to my dad. "Dad, I didn't get to ask you last night because I came home late, so how did the meeting with the King of Spain go yesterday?"

"The meeting was shifted to today," he answered as he dropped his fork.

"Oh." She nodded. "Is it true that he came with the Prince?" Her eyes lit up like a kid who found a new toy.

"Yes, he arrived with his eldest son, Prince Estefan and his daughter, Princess Esmeralda."

"So he will be present at the meeting today?"

"Yes, why?" Dad gave her a confused look.

"Is it okay if I'm present at the meeting?" She batted her eyelashes.

"I'm afraid not," Dad refused and I burst out laughing.

One of Leah's many talents that got her to the top in the model industry was her way of attracting influential men. She would date them for a while and then dump them when she got the fame and advancement she wanted. I wouldn't be surprised if she tried to use the prince too. I knew it was the wrong way of getting fame but that doesn't make me love my sister any less.

"And what's so funny?" She glared at me.

"Nothing. I just read a funny tweet." I lied and turned back to my phone.

"If you want to meet him, I can invite them over for dinner," Dad offered.

"That's awesome." Leah squealed.

"How many did you say they were?" I asked, feeling nervous about having a crowded house.

"It's just three of them. Don't worry you'll be fine." He smiled at me, and I nodded, paying attention back to my phone.

"I don't think I will be back early to prepare dinner for seven people," Mom voiced out her concern then turned to me. "Rhea, do you mind covering up for me again?"

"Of course, she will," Leah said before I could reply. "That's the least she can do since she always stays at home and does nothing to support the family."

"Are you done?" I glared at her.

It was moments like this that made me want to break her head into pieces. Sometimes, she was the best sister anyone could ever ask for and some other times she can be the most annoying.

"Yes." She laughed as everyone stood from the table after finishing their breakfast and they bid their goodbyes to me as they left the house.

I spent the rest of the day doing more research on my book and watching some Korean historical dramas to give me more inspiration for my book. When it was almost dinner time I went to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

Mom and Leah came back when I was almost done cooking. While Leah went straight to her room to dress up for dinner, Mom stayed behind to help me finish up. As soon as we finished, we also went upstairs to dress up.

I didn't have too much trouble picking a dress because they were all new since I never had a reason to wear them. So I picked out a white and black gown which is my favourite colour because you can never go wrong with them. I curled my blonde hair, making it fall down my back. I applied little makeup because I didn't want to make it look like I was trying too hard.

When I was satisfied with my look, I exited my room and made my way downstairs. As I got closer to the end of the corridor, my hands began to sweat when I heard unfamiliar voices, indicating that our guests were there.

As I descended the stairs, my dad noticed me and said, "There comes my youngest daughter, Rhea."

Trying so hard not to panic and trip off the stairs, I forced a smile on my face as all eyes turned to me but what caught my attention was the pair of cold amber eyes staring intensely at me.