Cecelia (Zion's cat)

not edited

I take that back. This can actually be a total shit show for a whole of six months. These were my thoughts when I saw Zion walking towards me, with a scowl on his face. I quickly turned the other way around and started walking as fast as I could. But it didn’t last long as Zion called me and asked me to wait.

I scrunched my eyes close as curse my luck. “Astria, I wanted to talk to you,” Zion said, his voice softer than last night, I heaved a sigh and turned around to face a guilty-looking Zion. 

“Of course,” I said, as I avoided his eyes.

“It’s about last night,” He said and I nodded. Sky was now looking silently at both of us in anticipation. “I wanted to apologize. The way I talked to you wasn’t acceptable. I was just really tired I guess and being woken up by screaming teenagers at 4 in the morning wasn’t really great. I guess that frustrated me. But again that isn’t an excuse for the way I behaved.”

I looked at him with a small smile, “It’s alright. I don’t think anyone would be happy-go-lucky when woken up by screaming teenagers.” A smile bloomed on his face after hearing my words. My hope grew, everything was coming back to track. Not all of my brothers hated me and at least two of them did want me here. 

This was the Zion I had talked to on the phone. Zion who always had a smile on his face and was the one that tried to keep everyone happy. This was my brother not the guy who talked to me like he hated me last night. 

Two down, two to go. 

“Oh my god, is that Sky?” he asked as he knelt down to Sky’s level. 

“Yeah,” i said, the smile still on my face.

“I so regret not being nice last night,” He said as he petted Sky and i chuckled at his words. Sky snuggled more into his hand which was on her head. It was great to see my brothers actually get along with Sky. It was the most cutest thing ever. 

“Come on, guys, dinner is ready,” Zane called us. Zion stood up and looked at me. “You can go ahead, I have to do something, I’ll be back in a second.” I said. 

He nodded and asked, “You know which room right?” he asked.

“The one beside the staircase, the smaller one?” I confirmed.

“Yup, that’s the one,” he said and turned around, “be there soon.”

“Alright,” I said, as I walked upto the guest room with Sky at my heels. I closed the door behind me and opened the wardrobe and Sky settled down on the old pillow. Brushing out my knotted hair, I put it in a high pony. 

Sky let out a small bark looking at the suitcase sadly. I cursed myself out as I remembered that I haven’t fed Sky yet. Quickly fishing out her bowl from my backpack, I poured her treats into the bowl. She came over, running and started inhaling her food. I also poured a little bit of water in her other bowl as she ate.

As soon as she was done I asked her to stay put as I walked out of the room. It took me at least ten minutes to walk across the house and to the dining room. When I reached there, everyone was seated and the food was served. Octavian sat at the head of the table with Dorian on his right side. Beside Dorian was Zion and infront of him was Zane. The seat on the left side of Octavian was empty.

I smoothly avoided the seat and pulled out a chair on the other side of Zane. I was about to sit down before Octavian spoke up, “Sit beside me, Astria,” I gave him a small smile as I pushed my chair back in. Internally, I was crying. I cursed him in my mind as I settled down in between Zane and Octavian. 

The food was already served and my plate was mounted with food like everyone else's. I just shook my head before asking if I could get an extra plate. 

Zane handed me one from the seat beside me. I could feel almost everyone's eyes on me as I accepted the plate. I looked up to see the twins and Octavian looking at me with one of the eyebrows raised. In that moment, it shocked me how much they look alike, they had so much resemblance. They were a perfect mixture of mom and dad, with all of their good features and qualities. 

Dorian on the other hand looked a little like me. I just had my dad's blue eyes, like all of my brothers but my hair was a blonde, like my mom's, almost every feature of mine except my eyes resembled my mom's. Dorian was like me except his hair that was a dark brown shade like all of my brothers, everything was pretty much similar. We had the same features that we inherited from our mum. 

Right now, he was scrolling through his phone, not bothered by anybody. I believed that if I choked right now or had an allergic reaction and somehow died, he wouldn't give two shits. He would continue scrolling through his phone with a worry in his life.

"The food is a bit much for me. It's better than wasting the food," I explained as I transferred more than half of the lasagna from my plate to the extra one. I also removed one of the two pieces of garlic bread from my plate. 

"That's quite less for a child your age," Octavian observed, his eyes narrowed at the two plates in my hand.

"It's alright. I just have a small appetite," I replied, setting the extra plate down. 

“It’s still not very healthy,” Zane stated as as Zion nodded in agreement. I took deep breaths as I clutched the fork in one of my hands. 

“Can we just eat?” I ask, avoiding their eyes. I kept my eyes trained on the delicious-smelling meal in front of me. I could feel their gaze on me for a few moments before they start eating. As if sensing that everyone had started eating, Dorian kept his phone down and started eating as well. 

Light conversation filled the atmosphere as Dorian and Octavian started talking about the business. The twins were having a lighthearted conversation about sports and they tried to include me but stopped trying after a few short answers from me. 

Dinner went smoothly enough till everyone iwas done and retiring to their rooms when Octavian spoke up, "I would like to see you in my office Astria." I kept my calm composure on the outside as I nodded. But on the inside my heart was pounding against chest, my chest tightened and a hundred thoughts ran through my mind. 

One of them made perfect sense with the whole scenario but it was the worst one. I didn't want to think about it but I also couldn't dismiss the thought. My rubbed my clammy hands together as I walked out of the dinning room. Taking slow steps I took the longer route to Octavian's office while he went in the opposite direction, probably taking the shorter route. I so desperately wanted to avoid this conversation but I knew it was inevitable. 

I thought I at least had a few week before they kicked me out, but I guess I was wrong. I wanted to make amends, I wanted to beg for their apologies for everything I've done but I couldn't. How could I when I didn't have the courage to even look at them?

I get why they're angry with me and I know I deserve it but I think I also deserve a second chance. Everyone does. 

I stood in front of the dark grey door, with my hand up ready to knock. I took a deep breath and revised my whole speech in mind and then knocked. I was ready to face my scariest brother.

"Come in," He called. I opened the door and looked at him. He was sitting behind his desk, a pen in his tattoed hand. His emotionless blue eyes stared right into mine. I forced my self to look away. I just counldn't hold eye contact with them with the overwhelming amount of guilt in me. I just couldn't look at them with everything I did.

I quitely walked inside, closing the door behind me. I sat down in one of the chairs infront the him with the wood table between us. He continued observing without saying anything.

As soon as I was seated I started, " Look um, I'm really sorry for everything that happened. I never wanted it to happen and I tried everything I could. I promise I did. But tried my best to stop everything but I couldn't and I'm sorry for, I-"

"Astria," He called but I couldn't hear him. I was consumed by fear that they would leave me without trying. Like they did all these years ago. But I promised to myself and to Lyd and Ana that I'll try. I'll try my best.

"I am just so so sorry. And I'll try my best if you give me a second chance. I know you're angry with me just the twins and Dorian b-but you have to give me a second chance. I promise I won't let it go to waste, I just, I just want to make amends and-"

Octavian stood up from his seat as I continued ranting. I knew I was just repeating things over and over again. I didn't know who I was trying to convince, me or him. But I was trying. I was trying my best.

Octavian knelt down in front of me as my eyes widened with unshed tears in them. Everything was blurry but I didn't stop. I had to get my point across to him. I had to make him believe that I was saying the truth.

He took my cold, clammy hands into his huge warm ones. I finally stooped as I gazed into his now soft blue eyes. He started rubbing my hands slowly, trying to warm them.

"Just breathe ok?" He asked and I nodded. A few few minutes later, I had calmed down but a hint of fear was still present.

"I-I don't know what to say. But I'm going to start by apologizing. Today evening, I shouldn't have talked to you like that. It wasn't very mature of me," He muttered looking at our hands.

"It's fine, I don't blame you," I replied, looking at our hands as well.

"Oh but you should," He continued, "You should blame me and Dorian and you should be angry with us. I can't believe we let you think that all of the mess that happened was your fault."

"So listen here Astria and listen good, anything that happened ten years ago or that happened after that, none of it was your fault ok? You could have done nothing to prevent it and if anyone says other wise they're wrong. I know that you know that I don't lie. So I want you to take my word for it, nothing that happened was your fault. I don't want you to blame yourself, please," He finished. His face had softened a bit as his eyes held anger and concern. A warm feeling spread in my chest knowing that he trusted me enough to be vulnerable with me and show emotions.

I gave him a weak smile as I nodded. As I lied. I didn't know how to stop blaming myself when I will see them suffer on a daily basis. As see them work their asses off when things could have been different , better. But I'll try, I didn't lie about that I will try that.

"Now I have something for you," He said as he stood up and walked to his side of the table. Sitting down on his chair he procured a bag from one of the cabinets of the table. He set the bag on the table and then slid it towards me. 

"Here, this is for you," He said, a hint of a smile on his face.

My eyebrows scrunched together as I looked inside the bag. My eyes widened at I looked at the number of expensive electronics inside the bag. I quickly looked up at Octavian who had his emotionless mask on. 

"You can't buy an apology," I said with a twinkle in my eyes but my voice caught up in my throat the moment the words left my mouth. The twinkle in my eye disappeared as fear took it's place. I can't believe I just said that to him. But I was relieved when I saw amusement on his face.

I felt a bit at ease around him after our conversation but all his interviews, rumors were still present n my mind and his intimidating gaze did nothing to soothe my inner turmoil. I couldn't help but be scared of one of the most successful businessmen in this world.

"I know, I bought them when I found out you were coming back home, take this as a welcome present from me," He said. I was put at ease after seeing the amusemnt in hus eyes. I assured me that he was not angry with me. 

"But it's too much," I said, shaking my head a little. I pushed the brown paper bag back towards him. He took the boxes our of the bag and slid the phone towards me.

"You phone needs a desperate update. I want to proper contact with you and your phone is something that hinder that constant contact I want to have. So, it has to go," He reasoned.

"But you could've gotten a cheaper one, I'm sure there are a lot of phone that can recieve and send calls just fine," I argued. 

"I want what's best for you. And that's the best," He replied.

"That's extra," Was what I replied but his eyes narrowed at me. "But it's fine, thanks you for that," I said. I didn't upset him my whole first day here and I didn't want to break that record now.

Seeming satisfied with my answer he slid the laptop and the airpods towards me. "You will need that for school and the airpods go best with that, sp you see all this is something that you needed. It's not too much, it's just enough,"

I opened my mouth to argue but one look from him silenced me. I couldn't argue with him. I just couldn't. I looked at him expectedly, waiting for h to continue.

But before he could I heard loud footsteps up the wooden steps. Loud shouts were heard from the down the hallway. My eyes widened as I looked at Octavian in question.

"Please ignore the animals," He said as he looked calm. He looked just so calm about the situation. It was almost comical how normally he called his brothers animals. I had to resist letting out a chuckle.

Taking his advice, I turned back to him and directing my attention back to him and he continued, " So, on the topic of your school. You start school next week. I'll give you a week to settle down, explore with Lydia and your friends." I nodded in reply and asked him to move on.

"Another thing I wanted to talk about is your room. You can redecorate it before you go back to school. Just give me the designs for all the thing you want to have in your room and where you want them to be and I'll have it done. And if you want you can consult a professional like Dorian did before designing the house," He said. 

"You don't have to do that. I'm fine with the guest bedroom. You don't have to redecorate anything. Plus, you kept it the same because of- in his memory right? You shouldn't change it," I replied. I didn't want it to change

He spent his last days there, I would leave down the hall in the guest room rather than change where he spent his later days.

"That is not up for discussion, I'm afraid," He said, "That's your rightful place. That whole wing is dedicated to us, his children. Trust me, he would have wanted you there. It would have made him the happiest man to see his princess back and all settled, among her brothers, in her rightful place." I could see the sincereness and longing shining in his eyes as he talked about our father and me. I made me want to just give him a hug. 

He has been strong for too long. He looks exhausted but he doesn't give up, he won't take a break, he just keeps going on for his family. 

I had always admired Octavian since I was a kid. He was smart and calm and kind. I wanted do be just like him when I grew up. These past years have changed him a lot, tested him but he is still as strong as ever. Ready to protect his family. He gained my respect more but it also hurt.

He has been keeping everything bottled up. I saw him on the news channel on the day of the funeral, as always he had his emotionless mask on but he was there for his brothers. He refused to break down in front of them but I could see the raw pain in his eyes. He has been bottling up emotions too long and that isn't good for him. 

"But-" I tried to talk him into keeping the room same but he cut me off the moment I started.

"No buts Astria. Your room is going to be renovated and that's final," He said in a firm and assertive voice. His business voice. I resisted rolling my eyes and agreed.

He opened his mouth, probably to move on to another topic but loud barks and snarls cut him off. I let out an inaudible string of curses as my eyes widened. 

"Fuck," I muttered and looked up at him, "I'm so sorry. I didn't expect this to happen right now. She's usually a very well behaved pet. I swear, she's not always like this," I said. The growls and snarls continued but this time they were accompanied by hisses.

"Shit, shit, shit," I whispered, rubbing my forehead as I stood up ready to leave. I opened the door door and sprinted to the staircase. I could hear heavy footsteps behind me, Octavian.

Without paying heed to him, I quickly climbed down the staircase and ran across the living room. My bare feet came in contact with the soft grey rug as I heard the growls and hisses get louder. I fumbled with the complex lock on the window like doors in a hurry to get to Sky.

Large warm hands engulfed mine as they pulled them off the lock. Octavian looked at me as his hands landed on the lock. "It's going to be fine okay? Just clam down. Everything is going to be just fine." He said in a soothing voice as his hands expertly work the lock. 

I nodded and soon a click is heard. He quickly opened the door as I ran outside. The soft, cold grass tickling my feet. I ignored my extremely ticklish nature as I ran over and followed the angry sounds. I am to watch the scene where Sky was barring her teeth at the littlest kitten who was snarling right back at her. 

I sighed and picked up Sky in my arms as the others threes brothers came running down. Sky was still snarling in my arms as Zion picked up the kitten but that didn't stop her from hissing back. I quietly tried to shush Sky as I turned around. I could soo feel a glare on dead set on me. I slowly looked up to see Dorian's face contorted in anger as glared at me. 

Uh oh, he is not going to let this go. I just know he's not.

***

A/N

Here you go folks, the fifth chapter. I hope you guys like the little bonding moment between Astria and Octavian 🥺🥺. Also Zion's cat, that kitten has my heart 🥺.

Alsooooo, we reached 100 views ALREADY?!?!?! 🎉🎉
You guys are so amazing, I can't even comprehend this!!
Thank you such, you guys are the bestttt 🥺💕💕

So um, the next chapter is going have a touch of drama with Dorian and Octavian and Astria so stay tuned for that!!

Anyways, if you liked this chapter make sure to vote and share and tell me about the faviourite part in this chapter.

QOTD: Dogs or Cats?

~Ash